We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through just like you always do
Till the blue skies chase the dark clouds far away..
Don’t know where, don’t know when…that’s really it isn’t it? That’s the only real update I can give right now. We still don’t know.
Well, I guess I’ve got to start somewhere….
First and most importantly: our ship is still well and healthy, though we are probably being struck by a little bit of cabin fever. As far as I know there isn’t even so much as a cold on board. We also still have plenty of supplies (and don’t forget, we make our own water as well). We have a fantastic onboard management team who continues to take very good care of us, and there is still plenty to do to keep us occupied. Ironically, the hotel director has requested a full inventory count of the shipboard library…guess who’s been requested to assist with that (ha! How things come full circle!). We’re holding the finals for the crew talent show tonight, they finally put up the entries for the photo contest (though I don’t know where exactly they are being displayed), and I’ve seen more jigsaws done in the past few days than I usually see in a year…
So that’s all fine.
As far as getting off the ship? Well, that’s where things start getting a bit more complicated. According to our Captain’s daily announcements, we originally had a supply call scheduled a few days ago. That call-slot ended up going to our sister ship (and was all over the news), and we got pushed back to the 7th. That was still unconfirmed, but there were at least charter planes arranged for the vast majority of our south-east Asian crew (many of whom were supposed to be home already). So it was looking like it was a fairly good chance that most of us hotel/entertainment staff would be starting the long process of heading back to wherever home is. The mood on the ship was fairly light yesterday morning despite none of this being 100% for certain (after all, these days nothing is 100% for certain). Then, a few hours later…the Captain came back on the PA.
My dear crew…I…don’t even know how to say this…
And Amras and I looked at each other and swore. Nothing that starts with the phrase “I don’t know what to say….” Or “I don’t know how to say this” has ever been good in the history of ever. The captain went on to sorrowfully tell us that US Coast Guard had placed an injunction on our ship preventing us from entering into US waters. This, despite the fact that our ship is healthy and shows no signs of becoming otherwise. Truth be told, I was almost ready for this; I have been slavishly checking the news every morning for anything that might directly affect Amras’ and my situation; I have a list of things I check daily (“Canadian border”, “cruise industry”, “coast guard”, “travel restrictions” etc etc), and a few days ago I came across news that the Coast Guard had barred all Bahamas-registered ships from entering US waters if they had sick passengers. We are neither Bahamas-registered nor sick but it would appear that someone somewhere has chosen to expand things.
I have not seen a mood flip on a ship as quickly as I did yesterday. Today, everyone is somewhat back to walking about in a fugue state; we all just go from one distraction to the next. Bouncing back and forth like ping pong balls as we try and keep our spirits up as much as possible.
So, we once again do not know. At this point, we do not even have a time estimate. To answer the question I’m sure some of you will ask, we also have no update on whether or not we will simply attempt to call at another port. Everything I know, I have already passed on.
Please, no matter how gloomy all of this sounds (and really, I do wish I had better news), know that we are safe. We are being well cared for and we’re in no danger. We’re tired, we’re stressed and I imagine I’m not the only one who’s terribly homesick, but other than that we are fine.
This will end soon. One day soon the director will call ‘CUT’ on this bad world-wide B-feature of a sci-fi movie and we will all be able to go back to some semblance of normal. Until that day comes, we’re all just going to have to keep hanging together and keep each other from going too crazy. Play with your kids, finish that book you’ve been meaning to read. Go through your closet. Binge watch your favourite TV series. Work in your garden (as far as I know people are allowed outside as long as they stay on their property?), take time to slow down and admire the view…
Give each other a hug for me.
And try not to worry about us. Because we’re fine. We really are. We’re in the same situation as all of you, we’re just living it out somewhere a little different…
And we will meet again some sunny day…