Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Rhapsody of the Seas: Glacier Sighting

Things don’t always go as planned when at sea and our visit to Sawyer Glacier is a case in point. Rhapsody of the Seas entered Tracy Arm Fjord at 5am and was scheduled to be at the glacier face around 8:30. As I was dressing, I heard the voice of our captain, Rob Hempstead (a native of Rhode Island in the United States) announce over the public address system that ice was clogging our approach to Sawyer Glacier and Rhapsody of the Seas would be turning around.

There was no need for disappointment, though. Captain Hempstead saved the day by steering a course for Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Word came from a scouting boat that the waters were clear and the glacier came into view at about 9:45.

The only sound at the bow of Rhapsody of the Seas was the clicking of cameras as we spotted Dawes Glacier through the mountains. After arriving as close as possible, the captain rotated the ship to give everyone the best view from whatever vantage point they’d chosen.

Even though the glacier didn’t calve, as a bit of a bonus, Rhapsody of the Seas’ passengers were able to marvel at the scenery in Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm as well as see a pretty impressive glacier.

Photo: © CruiseDiva.com

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