March 8, 2020 - Sunday Part 2

Azamara Quest Cape Town to Athens 

Cruise Day 18 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pictures to follow with better internet

So here I am again. It is 3:00 and the shoe has dropped. We just heard from Captain Magnus that India has closed all ports to cruise ships. We are to pass Cochin and Mumbai, and spend 4 days at sea on our way to the new ports of Muscat, Oman and Anu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Then we will arrive at Dubai, UAE 12 hours earlier than scheduled. This gives us a full extra day there. We will receive a 25% discount on shore excursions in those ports. We will also receive 50% of the fare for this cruise as a credit towards a future cruise. Azamara is certainly trying to ease the pain of missing so many ports. 

A further complication that does not affect us is that several passengers and performers were to leave the ship in India. The captain is working with Sri Lanka officials to allow them to disembark here in Colombo. He is meeting with significant resistance. If he succeeds with the officials he still has to deal with getting them transportation home. 

We remain calm as we prepare for the White Night party tonight. It is an Azamara standard. There is a great barbecue and seafood buffet on the pool deck followed by a parade of crew and passengers. Everyone dresses in white as much as they can. Dancing and partying continues on deck after the parade. 

My next post will let you know what kind of party animals we are. One thing is certain, we won't even try to keep up with the Aussies.

Captain Magnus just announced that local authorities have agreed to disembark the passengers and performers. We will be leaving the pier in 1 hour at 4:30, heading into great weather. We anticipate a wild party now.