February 7th - At Sea

We are still at sea on our way to Phuket, Thailand.  The weather is getting hotter and more humid and it will stay like this through the end of the month at least.  We’ll be visiting Asian countries through the 23^rd of February and then on the 26^th we’ll be in Darwin, Australia…where it will still be hot and humid!

Of course, we’re all still watching the coronavirus news.  There are dozens and dozens of cruise ships around the world right now and only one is currently under quarantine and that’s in Japan and they’re a little germophobic.  Our big challenge will be getting through Singapore twice in the next two weeks.  They are very strict about everything there!  There is a huge fine for throwing gum on the ground!  It’s a very safe and clean city but incredibly strict. 

We will all be screened before being allowed off on the 12^th.  After a week we’ll be back again on the 18^th, (replacing Hong Kong) to pick up passengers and stay for another two days.  I’m sure we’ll be screened again at that time.  The good news for us is that all the passengers getting on our ship will be checked as well.  That should help keep the virus off the ship.  This virus is getting a lot of press because it spreads so fast but it’s not as lethal as the common flu.

Meanwhile, Fred and I both have colds but we’re getting lots of rest and hopefully the symptoms will decrease as time goes on. We have a shore excursion in Thailand the day after tomorrow.  We just read that the leader of Thailand is unhappy that foreigners coming into the country aren’t wearing face masks as they walk around.  Well we don’t have any and although they can help the wearer (because you can’t touch your nose or mouth) they really don’t protect people around you, unless you get true surgical masks.

Today I thought I would post some of the stuff we commonly get in our room each day.  This is the daily program (or programme in the UK).  It tells you what’s going on each day.  It’s delivered to your room the night before so you can plan your day.  The first page gives you all the highlights, especially all the talks going on throughout the day.  It also tells you the dress code for tomorrow’s dinner and who the featured entertainer is.

The 2^nd and 3^rd pages contain a list of all the activities.  It looks like a lot doesn’t it?  Truth be told, you’re lucky if 10% interests you unless you’re really into trivia, bridge or the like.

Last page is a list of opening times for the restaurants and other information of general interest.

We also frequently get little bulletins about an upcoming port.  The one below is about Phuket but pretty much the same verbiage was used for Israel and Sri Lanka, they just change the embassy information.  There can be trouble in any country, including our own but you can’t worry about it.  We always feel these bulletins are of the CYA variety.

Tomorrow is our last sea day and then we have 5 days in a row in various ports!  We’re looking forward to it.