Hurricane force winds means no Ketchikan

We woke to whitecaps and rain as we were heading into Ketchikan. The captain came on to inform us that the wind was at 50 knots and increasing to 60 (hurricane force) and that our day in Ketchikan was cancelled. Travelling up the inlet and even more-so the docking would be too tricky so the decision was to drop the Ketchikan pilot off and just head slowly back home. So we have two “sea days” instead of one. The staff got busy and produced a new program for the day with extra drinking sessions, games, and classes to fill our time. Bill and I hunkered down in large, comfortable chairs in the Observation Lounge and got our books out. The waves are huge, the swells also big, and the wind is howling but we are safe and comfortable inside. All decks are closed with signs and yellow warning tape except one protected one at the back of the boat. Little white bags have appeared here and there but Bill and I have both managed to feel fine. I don’t look out as much as Bill who is mesmerized by the towering swells. They look small from the Observation Lounge on the tenth floor but down on the main deck they are huge!! We have made it past one open section and will cross Queen Charlotte Sound tonight – then we’re in the inside passage so protected from the worst.