Usually sea days are pretty uneventful but not yesterday. I got a text from my friend Heidi, who ironically is on her way home from Santiago where she'd gone to embark on a cruise that was cancelled by Norwegian at the last minute. The text said my cruise was cancelled along with all the other HAL cruises. She included a link from a HAL statement but internet was too weak to open it.
As I continued to try to access information on line, Heidi texted me details from the HAL post. Most cruises would be ending within one or two days, at their original destinations. We'd be ending in Fremantle on March 24.
About an hour later, at noon, Captain Jonathon came on the loudspeaker. He typically makes daily announcements at 12:30 p.m. on sea days. He sounded a bit annoyed when he announced that he was talking to us now because several people had seen things on the internet and he wanted to address them. I suspect his irritation was HAL posting the information for the world to see before we were informed.
He went on to say that because of the rapidly changing situation, with an overabundance of caution, yada yada yada, that the cruise was done. BTW, this is his final cruise because he is retiring at the end. Certainly not the final cruise he dreamed of.
He confirmed the March 24 disembarkation in Fremantle but had no other information. He did ask that we did not go to Guest Services because they had no additional information. Seattle corporate was working on how to get us home and we should wait for information.
Passenger reaction was fairly subdued. I was standing in the hall outside my cabin chatting with other passengers after the announcement. Shared initial concern wasn't about keeping healthy on flights home, it was how we'd pack all the stuff we'd bought. When I mentioned packing as an issue (I packed assuming I'd be driving to/from the ship, not on a plane) one sweet elderly lady (ok, she's maybe a few years older than me) said "Shit!" with great feeling as she realized the implications and then apologized profusely for the profanity. We all laughed because we were thinking exactly the same thing.
Next I ran into Fathur, one of my cabin stewards. We talked for a minute then he left to keep working and help Asep, the other steward process the information. This is disappointing for us and getting home is challenging but this could be devastating for the crew. As Asep told me later, there is no work where he lives in Indonesia which means no money. And he has a newly pregnant wife. Fathur came back from bereavement leave shortly after the cruise started because his sister had passed away suddenly. He's now providing financial help for her children as well as his own family. Those are just two examples of the impact on crew of not knowing when/if they'll work again. And yet they still had to do their jobs, with a smile.
As the day went on and we went about our normal sea day routines, the impact started to sink in. No freaking out that I saw but definite concern about how we were getting home. A number of us spread the word to send a message via the HAL Navigator app suggesting that we cancel all ports and head back to the USA on the ship. We'd have to stop for supplies/diesel but no passengers/crew would be allowed off the ship. That way, we wouldn't have to fly.
At least 1/3 of the passengers have limited mobility. Because the cruise is ending in Fremantle, the rumor is that we'd need to be bused to Perth, which has a larger airport. Or, get their on our own. Then, fly to Sydney then on to our final destination. For me that would mean, best case scenario, three flights. Plus, a lot of new cases have popped up in Sydney since we left so that's not ideal. Someone suggested chartering planes to get us back to the USA. I'd prefer that to commercial flights but it could devolve into the shore excursion from hell.
I heard from a passenger last night, who spoke with the EXC shore excursion manager that we can't cruise back to the USA because "they" won't let us dock.
No new news by the time I went to bed, which wasn't surprising. I woke up about 3 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep and checked for info outside my door and found a notice from the Hotel Director saying that they had received a number of complicated questions which were being referred to corporate and due to the complexity and volume we probably wouldn't receive responses for a couple of days.
There are three Cruise Specialist reps on board and I haven't heard anything from them. Not a surprise since although they have a close relationship with HAL, I don't think anyone knows details of what is going to happen. Nothing we can do now but wait and have faith that HAL will support us as well as possible.
For many on this cruise, ambivalence is not their happy place. Having been self-employed for so long, I'm more accustomed to it and more comfortable. Yes, I'm anxious to know if I should be booking my travel home or whatever but I'm ok with it. I suspect the anxiety level overall will increase as more time passes without news. Not different than everybody else in the world who don't know what's coming next. At least we are safe and comfortable.
In most ways, life on board is normal. Last night was a Gala Night and lots of passengers were formally dressed. As usual, I passed on that but did have dinner in the Lido with a friend where I dined on caviar, shrimp cocktail, cod and key lime pie (which was really, really good).
We received an updated notice of special events (Orange Night, HAL anniversary celebration, Gala Farewell Dinner, etc.) and a pillow gift.
Ironically, the pillow gift was the traditional Delft platter showing our itinerary (which we aren't doing). It is lovely but large, heavy and fragile. That would have been no problem when I was driving home from Ft. Lauderdale. How I'm going to pack it, I don't have a clue.
This morning is sunny, smooth seas and temps in the mid-80's. Time to get out and enjoy the day. As usual, internet isn't adequate enough for photos (or to check flights) so those will come later. I'm going to find a deck chair and enjoy the view of my new pedicure and the ocean.
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