One of the things we’d been looking forward to when we booked our South American cruise on the Star Princess was experiencing some rough seas as we’d seen plenty of videos and heard plenty of tales. We’re fond of rough conditions because we like to feel that we’re really on a ship and not just some hotel with changing views so we were a little disappointed that when we cruised around Cape Horn it was pretty calm overall. However, a few days after that we had started on our way up the western side of South America into Chilean waters; more importantly, it was the area where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans met and merged. And it was here that we got our wish as the swells really started to pick up.
We’d spent the previous day in Punta Arenas which was in the sheltered Strait of Magellan but out on the ocean things started to move. We were awoken in the morning by drawers opening and closing in the bedside cabinets and we’d already had to remove all the coat hangers from the wardrobe to stop them clattering around. I stepped over to the balcony window and leaned against the wall to support both me and the camera in order to shoot some video. You’ll have to imagine it because I’ve removed the video, temporarily, hopefully.
After we’d had some breakfast I then spent a little time taking video and photos of the swimming pools which had been netted off to stop anyone getting in and enjoying themselves. Spoilsports.
I realised I’d get a more interesting view of the waves in the pool crashing and splashing from the balcony above and was soon joined by another photographer trying to get some pictures of the enjoyable event too.
After we completed our day’s scenic cruising to see the Amalia Glacier we would return to the rough seas for the evening and we spent some enjoyable time in Skywalker’s Nightclub (which was surprisingly busy); being at the top and aft of the ship it was subject to large amounts of movement and we were highly impressed that the waiting staff never spilt a drink even when their trays were full and they occasionally had to stop and hold a hand out for support as they navigated the lounge area. Our drinks on the table were sometimes filled to the brim and top-heavy with garnish and had to be drunk immediately on arrival to stop from losing any liquid as the ship lurched. Immense fun.