Weather Forecasters are not always correct

Finally, we have arrived in Sitka. Still raining. It looks like the port is nearly 10 km from the centre of the town. Not walking distance in this weather. We’re berthed beside the Seabourn Odyssey (32,346 Gross Tons), a very small ship by comparison with the Crown Princess (113,500 Gross Tons). 

We wandered around the ship when suddenly around 1:30 the rain stopped, a rainbow filled the sky and then the sun came out, although I suppose it was the reverse order, technically. We grabbed our jackets and went ashore for a short walk. The shuttle bus to the town was no longer available as the reboarding time was 3:30. So we grabbed a couple of photos, checked the shops, found nothing of interest then returned. By 2:45 the sky was again overcast and rain had resumed.

Last evening as we made our way toward the Wheelhouse bar we encountered group of several officers from the Housekeeping department. I interrupted them suggesting humorously that they should be working. The group consisted of two Australians, two Croatians and a Romanian woman not in uniform. As it turned out, the woman was quite familiar with the Princess smartphone app so, not being too shy, I suggested the app’s user interface might need a bit of work. Well now, I got a long, complicated  explanation of how parts to the system worked but never an explanation of how the interface might be made for “non-techie” individuals. We departed without creating any enemies although I suspect that if she sees me walking around she may choose to make herself busy elsewhere. 

Her name, I believe, was Maria. I mentioned the fact that my Medallion did not work nearly as well as Gail’s when opening the stateroom door. The system recognizes Gail’s device from several metres away. I had to bring mine up to the sensor panel by the door for it to work. Well, she replaced it but this one worked even more poorly. On our way to dinner I visited Guest Services, the modern name for the Purser. They too replaced my Medallion. At first I thought it worked better but I was wrong. Still needed to make contact with the panel. So, this morning I shall make yet another visit to Guest Services. This visit resulted in a battery replacement for the module attached to the door. All I can say is, “technology must be wonderful…if and when it works”.

Speaking of this morning, we have arrived in Ketchikan and it is raining lightly. However, we are berthed near the town centre so we can take advantage of pauses in the rain. Late this morning we did leave the ship for a walk around and picked up a few things. It began to sprinkle a bit as we returned but it has not become a real rain storm yet, in fact there has been little rain at all, contrary to the forecast.

Tomorrow is a sea day then Sunday is our final port, Victoria, before returning to Vancouver. I shall see what I can dream up for a post on a sea day.