Report # 127 Day at Sea - The Great Barrier Reef March 13, 2020 Friday Partly sunny & 78 degrees

We really did not realize that the weather had improved that much today, since we spent the better part of the day in the room working on backed-up computer work.  In fact, today was labeled as the Ribbon Reef Region in the Great Barrier Reef, however, we never had any narration as we have had on past trips through here.  Looking out on both sides of the ship, we did see that we were passing numerous islands during most of the day, but had no idea of our actual surroundings.

 

During his PM talk, the Captain related a message from the corporate offices in Seattle regarding Princess Cruise Lines suspending their operations worldwide for 60 days.  He added that Holland Cruise Lines was not planning on doing the same.  And due to new travel restrictions, we would experience enhanced sanitation procedures ship wide. That's great.  But our biggest question of where are we really going after Freemantle, Australia, never was addressed.  We would find out the answer to that question in 24 hours.

 

The guests speakers continued their lectures, as well as the shore excursion staff preparing us for the upcoming ports in Australia.  We did receive the latest tour book, but it ended with Freemantle (Perth) on March 25th.  What's up with that?

 

We have learned that some of the planned entertainers failed to join the ship, and that is why there have been a few movies shown at show time instead of live entertainment. Never thought about the circuit that these entertainers take, going from ship to ship in all of the different ports.  Now that so many ships have been removed, the entertainers are not there to continue their shows.  In addition to that, we also heard that crew members slated to go home soon, will not be going home, because new crew are not allowed to fly here to join the ship.  This just gets more complicated every day.

 

All of our tablemates are keeping their spirits up, and keeping positive about this cruise.  Either that, or they had been fueling up in the Crow's Nest prior to dinner.  It does help ease the pain somewhat.  Entrees for us were a spaghetti with eggplant dish, confirming that I really do not care for eggplant.  The second dinner was mahi mahi with rice, which one of us does not really like.  If you take the time to read the sides with your meal, you can change anything you like.  Our waiters are very good about doing that.  Dessert was a peach crisp with vanilla ice cream.  Can't go wrong with that.  The two of us and Barb stayed after,  and chatted until 10pm, just like the old days.

 

There was an entertainer this evening by the name of Stephen Clark, a flutist.  We got out of the dining room too late to listen to him.  Maybe next time.

 

Bill & Mary Ann