After a hectic embarkation and two full days at sea, yesterday was exactly what we needed. Slow, quiet and restorative. We took the morning gently, drifting between reading and watching the world pass by from our balcony. I’ve been enjoying Glenn Maxwell’s book The Showman, and Mardi’s gift of a Kindle has made reading easier again. It’s lighter than my iPad and much easier on my eyes, so I’m finding myself absorbed in books the way I used to.
While we read, the ship glided into the towering walls of Milford Sound. Waterfalls streamed down sheer cliffs, low clouds clung to the peaks, and the ship seemed small and peaceful among it all. It felt like exactly the right way to spend the morning.
Eventually hunger won, and we wandered to the buffet for a quick, simple lunch. Nothing fancy, just enough to tide us over before we settled in for the afternoon.
The day’s cruising took us through several of the southern fjords, including Milford and Dusky Sound. After lunch we joined a movie posters trivia session where thirty posters were shown without titles, actors or any identifying features. We scored 18 out of 30, not our best but good enough to keep us competitive. Afterwards we retreated to our room again to enjoy more of the scenery as the ship threaded its way through narrow passages and brooding mountains.
The Ship as a Living Thing
One of the things I love most about being at sea is the way a ship feels alive. These big vessels aren’t static like buildings. They breathe, shift and speak in their own way. As you walk around you can hear soft creaks as the hull works with the swell, not against it. When the wind picks up or a fjord narrows, the ship leans and adjusts with a quiet confidence, trusting the water beneath it.
Going up the stairs you sometimes hear a groan from the metal, a reminder that everything on board is in gentle motion. Even the lifts sway slightly, their cables moving side to side. It’s nothing like a lift in a hotel; it reminds you that you’re floating, travelling, part of something dynamic.
At night the sounds become familiar and comforting. The wash of the ocean against the bow, the subtle creaking like the bones of a person shifting in their sleep. It’s random and soft, always in the background. After a while you tune into it and it becomes part of the rhythm of rest. You don’t just ride on the ship — you become part of it.
Dinner at Catch by Rudi
In the evening we dressed and headed to Catch by Rudi, one of the ship’s specialty seafood restaurants. As always, the staff were warm and charming. Our waiter, Joel, was particularly memorable — gregarious, full of stories, and clearly passionate about seafood. Each dish arrived with a smile and a few words about where it came from or how it was prepared.
We enjoyed a generous spread: lobster, scallops, salmon, tuna. Everything was beautifully presented and even better to eat. It felt fresh, thoughtful and a perfect fit for a day spent surrounded by water.
After dinner we wandered the decks to stretch our legs, taking in the cool air and the quiet buzz of the ship settling into its evening pace.
Retrospective
To finish the night, we went to the theatre for Retrospective, a live rock ‘n’ roll show covering Queen, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Beatles and more. It was high energy, full of familiar songs and a great crowd. A fun, easy way to end the day.
We turned in early, ready for our first port day tomorrow
