Yesterday, during dinner, an announcement from the Captain was relayed over the ship’s P.A. system stating that passenger ships would not be allowed to dock at Cartagena, our next and final port of call in South America (Colombia). The seriousness of the Coronavirus situation is now becoming apparent although I still feel the casualty rate to be small at the moment. However, I don’t consider myself qualified even to speculate at all on this subject. The final 16 days of this voyage are going to certainly be “kind of interesting.”
This morning, our Captain addressed his passengers expressing the hope that an alternative port of call might be possible and in his noon-day address, he informed us of his intention to dock at Aruba tomorrow, in lieu of our day in Cartagena. Therefore, the last we saw of South America was in Ecuador.
Leaving the tranquil confines of the Panama Canal at around 17.00hrs yesterday, we were soon in turbulent waters once again. I resorted to a mal-de-mer pill. That plus a coffee liqueur prompted a magnificent sleep last night from which, this morning, I feel fresh and relaxed.
Aruba has been confirmed as a “replacement” port of call, and this has been welcomed especially by those disappointed that we were unable to visit Cartagena today.
This afternoon, I resumed my whist drive sessions which now, I rather enjoy. I didn’t win, however. Hans must have been “on a roll” as his score was a magnificent 125, against my “reasonable” 101. I imagine the highest possible score is 169, 13 “tricks” in each of 13 rounds.
After playing cards, I found Jo sunning herself on Deck 10, where she takes root most days. I enjoyed the sun for around half an hour, also on Deck 10. But I am nervous these days about excessive hours in the sun especially at this lattitude. I need to visit that nice lady in the computer room “Connexions 1” on Deck 1. Once again, I have drained off my internet minutes, all seven hours worth! On board ship, one can purchase, or is allocated internet time, the amount based on loyalty level. Being a Diamond member of the Cunard World Club, I receive what I would term as minor perks, but a decent 480 minutes of internet each voyage, or sector when on a “World Voyage which is what the South America cruise is considered to be. When finished with the ship’s internet, one must “log out.” I mustn’t have done this yesterday or this morning. So now its grovelling time, again!
Over three hundred minutes were reinstated, thankfully. Tonight, Jo suggested dinner in the Golden Lion Pub, where the resident pianist serenaded the customers as they walked in ready for a pub quiz. I had my usual curried lamb shank which for a second time was magnificent. We didn’t have to wait anything like as long as previously.
Being at sea unexpectedly, the entertainment personnel did a superb job of rebuilding the schedule for the day. Show Time was an excellent performance of song and dance from Cunard’s own entertainers – they were superb, and well worth watching. I do get the feeling Cunard do everything they can to ensure its guests are well taken care of.
We lose an hour tonight as the time is adjusted one hour forward during the night. Tomorrow, Jo and I will explore Aruba, and no doubt, the beach!
Thanks for reading, David.
David's Cruise 