Akaroa, New Zealand - Monday - 14 January 2019 - 7:30a to 5:30p

Awoke to rain, wind and rough seas -- not a good day to tender.  We are at anchor off the coast of Akaroa -- a small town about 50 miles from Christchurch.  Several years ago, an earthquake hit Christchurch during which their cruise dock was damaged --- it is still out of order.

Phil is not going on the tour to Christchurch with the rest of us because of the weather --- and the Patriots are playing the Chargers.  We are 19 hours ahead of the East Coast of the US, which is why he's watching the game on Monday.

We meet in the Cabaret Lounge at 8:00 am, are assigned to Group #13 and by 8:40 am the three of us are called to board the tender.   We sit in the back of the tender (which is a lifeboat).  As we leave the tender platform of the ship the wind blows rain into the boat through two open hatches.  A crewmember closes the hatch on one side but not on our side.  Colette calls this to his attention -- he responds, "the window is broken off and hasn't been fixed".  Since Colette's seat is getting the brunt of the rain, she moves up and squeezes into another seat.  Marc and I are okay.   Did I mention the tender is packed with passengers?

It is very rough going --- and after about 15 minutes we realize that we are not moving forward but treading water.   People are now becoming boisterous asking why we are not going to the dock.  We are told that the tender at the dock has to move before we can move in but nobody knows when that will be.

Everyone on this tender is getting nervous -- a woman sitting across from Colette puts on her life jacket because she is frightened and cannot swim.  Two other passengers have their umbrellas up to defray the rain from hitting them since the doorways on each side remain open. We are getting no satisfaction from this crew.   I do not have confidence in the driver who does not seem to know how to handle the rough waters.    Passengers have started to tell the crew members (there are three of them) to go back to the ship -- it's too rough.

We tread water for about 25 to 30 minutes with no explanation.   I decide to go back to the ship and forgo the excursion to Christchurch.  I do not want to worry all day about the return tender ride.     

I've been on many tenders in the years that Phil and I have traveled but I have never experienced anything like this.  I believe the Captain made a bad call and the ship should not have stopped at this port given the weather conditions and that tenders needed to be used.   I was told by a crewmember that there were discussions about whether to forgo this port.

Upon arrival in Akaroa, I announce that I'm not getting off but going back to the ship.  Three crewmembers and me are on the return trip -- which is even worse.  Alex -- the only crewmember whose name I know is very good --and seems to be telling the driver what to do.

At several points on the way back -- the waves are so high that water comes into the boat -- about three inches.     Alex has to stand on the seat as he instructs the pilot what to do.

We arrive at the ship to a long line of people waiting to get on the tender as well as a couple of the ship's officers looking concerned.   I walk through the crowd without saying a word.  I find Phil and watch the last few minutes of the Patriots game before telling him my tale of woe.    

Colette and Marc return to the ship 90 minutes later than scheduled but report that they did enjoy the excursion.   The weather improves so the return tender voyage is not quite so bad. 

I'm glad I came back to the ship -- maybe I just needed a break.

The four of us have a wonderful dinner in the main dining room -- a nice corner table -- food tonight is very good.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat