When Rock 'n Roll met the High Seas

Our day started peacefully enough, despite the gradually worsening weather. We enjoyed the Captain's Corner discussion and later attended an entertaining enrichment lecture on the history of Rock 'n Roll. Little did we know that "rock 'n roll" would soon take on a whole new meaning.
As evening approached, our ship sailed toward Iceland where the storm was intensifying. By dinnertime, the once-steady deck beneath our feet had transformed into a rolling, pitching dance floor. Walking became an adventure in itself, with passengers gripping railings and walls for support.

The dining room, usually a hub of activity and delicious aromas around this time of day, also echoed the clatter of breaking dishes. Here's a brief video I took in the elevator from deck 4 to my destination set for deck 10. As I ascended, the outside world pitched and yawed, offering a stomach-churning view of the stormy seas beyond. Jeff suggested doing a squat so you could pretend to surf or a visit to deck 4 guest services where the water churned outside their windows. https://youtube.com/shorts/2M1Q2hmA4lA?feature=shared

At 9 PM, Captain Steig's voice came over the intercom, warning us that the rough "ride" was likely to last until midnight due to high winds and swells. Despite the drama unfolding around us, there was never any real cause for concern. Modern cruise ships are marvels of engineering, equipped with advanced stabilizing technology to minimize rolling in rough seas. The ship's heavy steel construction and low center of gravity allowed it to weather the storm with impressive resilience. While in our cabin, we listened to the creaks and groans of the ship as it battled the elements. Surprisingly, the rhythmic motion eventually lulled us into a deep sleep, quite literally rocked by the ocean's powerful forces.

The next morning, Captain Steig shared the staggering statistics of our nocturnal adventure. We had faced winds of up to 60 knots - equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane - and waves towering between 8 to 10 meters (28 to 30 feet). It was a testament to both the ship's capabilities and the crew's expertise that we had sailed through such challenging conditions unscathed.

This unexpected detour into Mother Nature's fury also meant a cancellation of today's excursion which was to be Whale Watching. Reykjavik is supposed to have some of the best whale-watching opportunities in Europe. But its doubtful that we'd see any of these impressive creatures breaching in the conditions outside the bay. Perhaps another time. We're in port for the night so we should be able to get a good night's sleep tied up next to the dock and be ready to venture out again tomorrow!