18 July, SaturdAY

Awoke this morning to the two minute blasts of the ships foghorn. Opened the curtains and could not see the water next to the ship and rain was steadily pelting the deck. Not going to be a good day for seeing Glacier Bay. BUT as we entered the inlet and proceeded towards the main glaciers the fog lifted, the rain stopped and before long the clouds were breaking up. Suddenly it was a very nice day with little wind and a temperature of about 60,

We had picked up the Park Rangers during the night as we entered the National Park boundaries. One or both of them were on the PA constantly telling of how the park was formed, the history of the Tlinghit people that lived there and how the wild life is flourishing.

The Coral Princess is not a small ship, some 1,050 feel long. But with both bow and stern thrusters the Captain was able to keep the ship in front of the glacier and have it rotate so all could see. Calving ( breaking of ice off the glacier) was taking place randomly. We were about 2-3000 feet from the glacier so you could see something fall then in a second or two you could hear the loud crack. Eagles, sea otters and many types of birds were in the immediate area.

As we started out of the area the clouds started to lower, a few rain drops were felt and the wind picked up. After the rangers departed we turned west and followed the shoreline. Many humpback whales were seen spouting and breeching. Sea Otters dotted the water. All in all it was a very exciting day and the weather was with us.

The evening party put on by the Captain for the Gold card members was very good. Eats, drinks of choice were offered free of charge, a rarity on a cruise. Prizes were given to the high cruise members. The highest was 266 days of cruising, next was 188 and then 160. Of the 2010 passengers on this particulary cruise, 1550 were first time cruisers, quite amazing.