Pandemic Diaries - Year 2, August Part I

Posted on 22 August 2021

 

14 August, Day 1 – Leaving Seattle

 

It’s very different to be on a cruise during a pandemic.  The usual camaraderie of passengers and the friendliness of crew members are both still there, but the smiles are hidden behind masks.  My answering smile is hidden behind my mask as well.  We all “smise” or “smize” or maybe “smeyes” = we smile with our eyes.  We’re all making the best of this new situation.

 

So yes, we’re on a cruise.  We’re still not travelling overseas, figuring other nations need to focus on vaccinating their citizens.

 

No, we’re on a cruise that is either within the USA or in international waters – we’re cruising to Alaska!

 

It’s pretty handy and easy for those of us in the Pacific Northwest this summer.  The cruises to Alaska leave from Seattle.  For we Bellinghamsters, that means a quick drive down to Seattle.  I took the advice of my Oregon friends who did this cruise the week before us, and booked a spot at a secure parking lot near the pier, with shuttle service right to the cruise terminal.

 

Minimal processing in this digitalized time of Covid really sped up the check-in process.  Everything is bar-coded, so we showed our passports, Covid vaccination cards, and proof of negative Covid testing within three days of our embarkation.  All staff had digital readers to record our documents and check us in to their system.  We just had to smile for a photo in their security system, and just like that, we were sent to our cabin.  The entrance key was in an envelope outside our room, and we were in.

 

As our Oregon friends noted, very little information is on paper here on the ship.  No paper tickets for excursions – the information is all embedded in the key card used for the room, drinks, and now excursions!  (It’s also on their app, if we had any smart devices other than a computer.)

 

Masks are mandated for boarding or disembarking at each port, as well as on elevators and other crowded areas.  And to be worn when entering any dining area.  Most people just wear their masks any time they are inside the ship, other than in their own room or balcony.

 

Richard likes to eat at the casual big buffet area, while I prefer the dining room where I know I can avoid accidentally eating mango or any of its cousins, all my personal kryptonite.  Usually, I’m seated at a table with a variety of people, just a group of random travellers sharing a table for a meal.

 

Tonight, for the first time ever, I dined alone in the dining room on a cruise ship.  I’m not sure if this was a miscommunication between the host and me, or if he thought it would be safer.  I said I was fine either way, but as the waiters began to remove the extra place settings, I waved good-bye to my nonexistent companions.  The sweet Indonesian waiters all assured me they would keep me company during my meal.  (It really was very cute, they came by at various times to be sure I was doing okay.)

 

We’ve been cruising through Puget Sound, and will head out into the Pacific Ocean once we pass the Port Angeles area.  We’re expecting a very windy night, but we’re snug and cozy in our cabin.  We have a verandah, where I spent much of the afternoon, just enjoying being on the water again.  It’s going to be a relaxing trip for us, and even if we end up on a ship in quarantine conditions, we’ll have that balcony (verandah) to sit outside and enjoy the scenery and the marine life.

 

And hopefully, were we can see plenty of whales on our visit to the northernmost most US state!

 

 

 

 

15 August, Day 2 – Cruising to Juneau

 

We ended up with an accessible room, which has its perks: a larger bathroom to accommodate a wheelchair; a seat in the shower (and not tub); a larger balcony at an angle; a short ramp up and over the door to the balcony, so you don’t have to remember to not trip on the door frame; extra hooks; and mechanical curtains that close at the push of a button.  But there are inconveniences that come with an accessible room, as well:  no couch, to allow for extra room for a wheelchair; no upper cabinets, which might be difficult to reach; and we had no idea how to close the drapes, and had to ask our room steward if they were mechanized and where was the button.  Yeah, always a bit exciting.

 

We’re having a day at sea, since we can’t dock in Canada at the moment.  There are all kinds of activities on the ship to keep people from getting bored, but we manage to find things to do on our own.  I started my photo safari of artwork aboard the ship, something I do every cruise.  We both had a bit of a nap.  There’s a casino, the library, various lounges with wonderful views of the ocean.  And our kindles with hundreds of books to read.

 

That’s part of the beauty of a cruise, it’s slow travel.  There are down days for relaxation and reading, or working on a puzzle, or something like that.  To enjoy getting to the destination.

 

Of course, as with everything, there are also downsides – mostly having only one day or even just half a day in each destination.  Getting only a quick taste of the location before moving on.

 

It’s always a tossup.  But for now, we’re enjoying the slow travel for now.