- The Captain started his daily announcement with an update on our status. Previously, he's given his regular update and then dropped the bombshell. I think that's called "burying the lead" in journalism.
He said that they have received LOTS of comments and a petition that we stay on and cruise to Ft. Lauderdale. All comments have been documented and sent to HAL in Seattle. He said the decision is up to corporate and they have promised to get us an update by tonight about what will happen to us in Fremantle. - I talked with the Cruise Specialist's rep today to see if she had any info. I'm waiting to hear what corporate decides before booking anything. They are offering to book air/hotels for anyone who wants assistance, starting tomorrow, after HAL makes their decision. Her impression is that we'll be on our own to get home from Fremantle, meaning no compensation or assistance with travel plans from HAL which might cause a small riot on board. HAL has made it clear that travel agencies who booked us cruisers will not have commissions cut because the cruise was shortened.
While we were chatting, two women came up to say that one of them cannot fly so what were they going to do about it? The Rep pointed out that it was highly unlikely that we would be going anywhere after Fremantle, since HAL had committed to stopping all cruises and announced where we'd be disembarking. My perspective is that they also announced our original itinerary and changed that, so what's one more change. - Lots of people purchased the 2020 World Cruise t-shirt which has the intinerary on the back. My friend Jolanda was embroidering a line through cancelled ports and adding new ports. Now she's just drawing a large X through the whole thing. Another guy said he was going to use a Sharpie to "correct" the itinerary.
- I sat next to a table of people outside this morning. They were doing the best to find the humor in the situation but brought up some serious issues. I did like the idea that HAL partners with NASA and shoots us back to Cape Canaveral in a rocket.
One of the women was discussing where to go. She and her husband live in Seattle but he is traveling on a European passport so can't get into the country. They're thinking of Mexico for a couple of months. - One guy just embarked in Sydney for the second half of the cruise. He was originally supposed to embark in Singapore. I hope he enjoys the long flights for a 10 day cruise.
- A woman told me the best flights home she could find would take 60+ hours to get to British Columbia.
- Met a lady who told me about falling in Buenos Aires. She sprained her knee and broke her wrist. Still in a cast.
- I was lucky to to brunch when I did. Walked right in, had a lovely meal with great service. As I left there was a line of about 30 people waiting to be seated since this was the last opportunity for Sunday brunch.
- I'm thinking of hoarding tp to take home with me. I figure I can sell it on the black market at home to pay for my next cruise.
- Today was the EXC port talk. since they were covering our last few ports.
- People are starting to pack but trying to figure out how. How long will it be before we can get out of Australia? Or will we stay on the ship? What happens to the people who had the luggage shipping perk from HAL (luggage picked up from your home prior to the cruise and delivered from the ship to your home after the cruise).
- More than 25% of the passengers are from Florida. Like me, they didn't book airfare through HAL. Current rumor is that only passengers who booked air through HAL will be compensated for flights home.
- Some people are considering returning to Sydney for an extended vacation then flying home. I don't think they're considering that a lot more cases of the CV are showing up in Australia, especially Sydney. Trump could add Australia to the list of countries that won't be allowed back to the US.
- A wide-spread rumor is that instead of a refund for the second half of the trip, it will be given to us as credit toward a future cruise. A number of people have decided this is their last cruise so that could be problematic. Keep in mind 3/4 of the passengers are 4 Star Mariners and above - the most loyal HAL customers. Also, many are over 80 which makes planning future cruises a bit dicey.
- A common concern is will there be groceries and toilet paper available once we get home. Please leave some stuff for us, please.
At this point, I'm just anxious to find out what the decision from HAL is. From there I'll have a better idea of what I need to do. My current goal is to get home as quickly as possible so am planning to spend the day on the internet in Darwin tomorrow. While I'm at it, hoping to finally post some photos!
For now, I'm going to prepare for afternoon trivia and happy hour by taking a nap. Ah, the cruise life.
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