Panama Canal Cruise

Well, it got pretty exciting once we arrived. There was a problem with our ship, they had a Gastrointestinal Illness (Norwalk) outbreak onboard on the ship from the previous cruise. So, embarkation was delayed while the crew did a complete sanitization of the entire vessel. Folks from the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) were onboard supervising the cleaning and it was the CDC that would decide when they ship was declared fit to sail.

So, to us it was a small blip in our travel plans; however to some of the travellers it was like the world was coming to an end. Some people are a funny lot. Holland America was doing absolutely everything in their power to make the ship safe and ready to sail as fast as possible; and it’s not like they had ordered up the case of G.I.

The waiting area was crowded, however Holland America offered free shuttle rides to a shopping centre about 10 minutes away, plus they handed out bottled water and granola bars for those that wished to wait at the cruise port.

In the end we were probably delayed about 2 hrs and can easily make up that time at sea.

Once onboard we had a bit more of a wait for our cabin and we received a very detailed public briefing by the Captain regarding the current situation, correct hand cleaning measures and other G.I. precautionary measures. In addition at every elevator area and at entrance to restaurants, lobby ere as, etc they have automated alcohol cleaning stations. In addition, at the Lido Restaurant they have an automated hand sanitizing machine where you stick both hands in up to your elbows and water jets swirl around your hands and wrists and then tells you when it is finished and to dry your hands.

Anyway, enough about this little bit of excitement.

Since we were still adjusting to shipboard life we decided to have a smaller relaxed dinner at the Lido Restaurant. We then toured the ship to get our bearings and from there headed to the Crow’s Nest for an evening nightcap.