No real blog today – just some diary notes.

Our arrival in Morocco was slightly delayed because we were rocking and rolling all day in rough seas with nearly gale force winds, which necessitated slower cruising speeds.

Our third floor veranda was soaking wet, and the balcony doors splashed with sea spray right to the top. A fellow passenger on Deck 5 got soaked by splash hitting her balcony; splash from the larger waves even hit the windows of the Explorers Lounge on Deck 7 !

The Captain’s 8:00 a.m. announcement assured us that “the ship is built for this” and reminded us to be kind. He commented that we are powerless against nature, and it is not the crew’s fault that evening excursions will depart late, and some onboard events have to be modified for everyone’s safety.

How anyone could take out their frustration on crew, who are – to a person – the most caring and considerate individuals imaginable, is baffling to me, but the fact the Captain felt he needed to remind us says it all.

After sleeping well into mid-morning, I attempted to attend a late lecture. After needing to leave part way through, I decided to confine myself to quarters.

I’m not nauseous, because I’ve taken my meclizine, but I’m still incredibly off balance and dizzy.

Our room stewards John (wearing sea bands since he doesn’t do well in high seas either) and Adi were as solicitous as always, offering candied ginger, ginger ale, and ice, and suggesting I call room service to get something to eat.

I just couldn’t bring myself to make room service waiters carry trays around on the rolling decks, so I took the elevator up to deck 7 to get bread, cheese, and a green apple (purportedly good for unsettled stomachs).

Hotel General Manager Marcel was making the rounds in the World Café, checking on everyone and offering to carry plates.

Martin, in Mamsen’s where I got my apple, insisted (unasked) on wrapping my plate in plastic wrap once he realized I was going to carry it back to the elevator.

More afternoon napping helped mitigate the rocking.

The seas may have treated us roughly today, but we were in caring hands and grateful to be so.