Alaska Cruise: Full Speed Ahead & Coast Guard Airlift

Full Speed Ahead

We’ve been on our cruise now since Tuesday and have been at sea for a little over two full days, sailing from Seattle to Alaska aboard the Carnival Spirit.  And let me tell you, this ship was all but flying through the water.  Wednesday, our day-at-sea, we were going full speed at 22 knots, and continued at warp speed through the night as winds picked up to 38mph. We were literally rocking and rolling through the north Pacific.  Jackson, Freddie and Nana started feeling seasick and nauseous. But after wearing the Sea Band acupressure wrist bands we bought at Walgreens, they never felt sick again.

Taken from the top deck as we sail through Tracy Arm

Today as we entered Alaska territory, I can honestly say we did not miss those 100+ temps that we left behind in Texas. The weather today was fabulous, with a high around 60. 

Lots of people enjoyed swimming today in the covered pool on the Lido Deck

Several people were even walking around in shorts. And the temperature on an aft balcony felt considerably warmer than the temperature on top deck or side balconies. Probably because the wind was blocked when we were on the back deck and we had the sun shining directly on us.  So we chose to spend most of the day on our family's wraparound aft balcony where both the view and temperatures were great.

My sister-in-law Leah enjoying the warm temperatures
from her aft balcony as we sail through Tracy Arm fjord.
That's Nana in the background looking for wildlife.

We didn’t actually dock in Alaska and get off the ship today, but we spent the day sailing through the Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier.  And we all agree – this is the reason you go on an Alaskan Cruise. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We saw several whales breach the surface and saw several “blows”.  That’s what Michelle, the onboard naturalist, calls it when the whale blows water from his spout. But it all happens so fast that it's impossible to take a picture.

Medical Emergency

Unfortunately, our day did begin on a sad note. As we were getting ready for breakfast we heard an announcement come over the speaker in our cabin. Announcements are usually only heard in the hallways and common areas, unless it’s something very important. This announcement said, “Sierra Team to the Lido Deck. Elevator 11”. We found out later that a passenger had collapsed in front of the elevators from an apparent heart attack. A couple of hours after that announcement, we found out just how serious the situation was.  

As we approached the entrance to Tracy Arm, the captain made an announcement that we would be delaying our journey through the fjord for about an hour and a half because an ill passenger needed to be airlifted off the ship. And since helicopters are not allowed to fly into Tracy Arm Fjord, the ship had to stop where we were and wait for the Coast Guard helicopter to arrive. The captain then asked everyone to clear the back of the Lido Deck where the Coast Guard would do the airlift. There isn’t a landing pad on the ship, so the helicopter would have to hover overhead.  After the crew blocked off the back of the Lido Deck, the fire brigade came out with their giant water hoses and stood by waiting at attention – in case there was an accident with the helicopter and they needed to put out a fire.

My inlaws had an aft balcony cabin just below the Lido Deck, so we headed there to watch for the Coast Guard helicopter's approach. The captain had said it would be coming from Sitka, Alaska.  

The whole family gathered on the balcony to watch

the Coast Guard helicopter's approach.

Soon we heard the hum of a helicopter and saw a black speck coming over the mountain top. 

It hovered directly over us and lowered a basket with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer to the deck above us. The wind from the helicopter was so powerful that I had to hold my camera with two hands to keep it from being blown away! And the spray from the ocean could be felt seven decks up.

Watching as one of the Coast Guard officers
is being lowered to the Lido Deck

 It seemed like it took about a half hour after the basket was lowered before the passenger was ready (stable?) to be airlifted. Meanwhile, the helicopter just circled the ship.  About that time, one of the ship’s officers leaned over the top deck and asked everyone on the many different balconies to please go inside for our safety (and probably out of respect and privacy for the passenger, too).  Earlier when the helicopter had been hovering over us, I remember thinking that any sudden wind shear would send it crashing down on our deck! So we quickly went inside and waited, saying a prayer for the passenger who was being airlifted. We could still see them out our window, and just as the basket reached the helicopter we noticed the passenger’s arms moving around. So it was a little encouraging to know they were at least conscious. The captain then made one final announcement that the passenger was safely aboard the Coast Guard helicopter and would be at a hospital in Juneau in about 10 minutes. (Later that evening the Cruise Director announced that the passenger was stable and showing signs of improvement in the hospital).

After the brief delay, the Captain proceeded to Tracy Arm Fjord at a leisurely 6 knots so we could enjoy all the magnificent scenery.  I'll post more on Tracy Arm after we return from our train ride from Skagway into the Yukon Territory.