Unfavourable Waters

We knew immediately the moment the ship had cleared any protection of land. 4 meter swell all across the bass straight. Joyous.

One might imagine a cruise like this.

But tonight it feels more like this.

The boat is constantly swinging back and forth in an irregular pattern, the passengers sloshing about within it not unlike the contents of our stomachs. People attempt the stairs, tripping over their own feet as they stumble back and forward like they were drunk, which they well might be. Gripping a drink in one hand and lunging for a hand rail with the other they struggle to stay upright and maintain the illusion of dignity.

Everything creeks. Every fitting and every fixture, there is no such thing as silence. The motion causes curtains to swing and liquids to swirl around glasses. Trying to sleep with it is less like rocking a baby to sleep and more akin to slowly shaking one to death. The thought has crossed my mind more than once that the ship could roll, and being in a cabin with external access I would be instantly drowned. It’s the little comforts that keep me sane.