March 11, 2020 - Wednesday

Azamara Quest Cape Town to Athens 

Cruise Day 21 -Sea Day

Pictures to follow with better internet

Today a sense of panic is setting in for many, but not for us.

I will start with air transportation. Since the cruise now ends in Muscat instead of Dubai, everyone needs new flights. The time on the phone is averaging 45 minutes per call. The airlines here are not forgiving for change fees. There is a lot of disappointment at the added cost and inconvenience.

We are pleased that our new itinerary is Muscat on Friday at 11:45 PM to Amsterdam on Saturday morning at 6:30. We will have a 6-hour layover there before our 12:45 flight to Chicago. We will arrive at O Hare at 3:25 Saturday afternoon. We are very grateful for this schedule and that we will still be in business class at this short notice.

Now for the major source of discontent. Oman has decided that they will not permit a blanket visa covering all passengers. We must each go online to get a personal e-visa.

The ship has set up 15 laptops with IT staff to assist the passengers. Cabins are being called in order, starting on deck 9. It is painfully slow because our wifi is being overburdened as is the Oman website. In the afternoon I decided to buy a full day of internet and apply on my laptop. It took me an hour and a half to complete the process.

And then we heard the president impose a ban on all flights from Europe. Most of us Americans have flights changing in Europe. What will happen to us? The exemption plan was not made clear. We are forging ahead under the assumption that he cannot possibly intend to strand thousands of Americans in Europe. Hopefully, we will have adequate time in our connections to meet whatever health tests he imposes.

Around the ship we had lectures, crafts and other activities as usual. The crew is admirably cheerful, helpful and supportive. They have their own burdens wondering what will happen with their contracts.

A celebratory Pirate Themed dinner was scheduled on the deck around the pool. Grilled lobster was the featured entré. Sadly the temperature dropped as the wind picked up. A few hearty souls attended. We joined friends in the dining room.

As we retired, people were still lining up to use computers. They would be available all night. Fewer than half of the passengers have gotten the visa. We felt relaxed and relieved that our documents were in order.