Cruise day #13 has arrived, and we find ourselves celebrating something that feels significant. We are still healthy. No scratchy throats, no lingering coughs, no unexpected fatigue that makes you wonder what might be coming next. On a ship filled with so many people sharing the same spaces, the same railings, the same air, it feels like a bit of a miracle, or at the very least, the result of a conscious effort.
From the very beginning of this journey, we decided to approach things differently than we have on past cruises. It was not rooted in fear, but rather in awareness. We have sailed enough to understand how easily illness can make its way through a ship, passing from one person to another. This time, we wanted to be more mindful, more deliberate in the choices we made each day.
One of the most noticeable changes has been our avoidance of the buffet in the Windjammer Cafe. On past cruises, it often felt like the heart of casual daytime dining, bustling with activity and filled with endless options. This time, however, we have chosen to step away from that environment. The only exception was on the very first day, when we shared a brief meal there with dear friends Lea Ann and Chuck. It felt special to sit together at the start of the voyage, catching up and settling into the days ahead. Since then, we have not returned.
It also helps that we are eating just one meal a day, with a few small bites in the Crown Lounge around 4:30 in anticipation of our first adult beverage. It keeps us from drinking on an empty stomach, helps us avoid extra weight gain, and gives us another reason to stay away from the buffet.
Tom believes that it is the accumulation of small decisions that has made the difference. The things we touch, or more importantly, the things we choose not to touch. Handrails, serving utensils, elevator buttons. Each interaction carries a certain level of risk, and while it is impossible to avoid everything, being aware of these moments has changed how we move through the ship. It is not about being overly cautious, but about being thoughtful.
Perhaps one of the most impactful steps we have taken has been with our cabin. Early on, we made a simple request to our cabin steward, Pende. We asked that he wear clean gloves each time he enters our cabin. It felt like a small and reasonable measure, one that could help limit the possibility of germs being transferred from one cabin to another. Pende has been gracious and accommodating, always greeting us with a smile and honoring our request without hesitation. That consistency has brought a quiet sense of reassurance each time we return to our cabin.
There is also something we have noticed that feels different from our previous long voyage just months ago. On that 47-night cruise, coughing and sneezing seemed to echo through hallways and dining rooms, a constant reminder of how quickly things can spread in close quarters. This time, those sounds are far less frequent. It creates a subtle but meaningful shift in the atmosphere, one that makes the ship feel just a little lighter, a little more at ease.
Of course, we know that there is always an element of chance involved. No amount of precaution can guarantee complete protection. Still, there is comfort in knowing that we have done what we can. Each careful choice, each mindful habit, feels like an investment in our well-being.
As we look ahead to the remaining twelve days of this transpacific journey, we carry both gratitude and intention with us. Gratitude for the good health we continue to enjoy, and intention to remain diligent in the days to come. It is a balance we hope to maintain, allowing us to fully appreciate this experience while still honoring the lessons we have learned along the way.
In just two days, we will disembark the cruise at the port of call in Oahu, Hawaii, with full hearts and hopeful anticipation of seeing our dear friends Kathy and Don. We agreed early on that if we felt unwell, we would cancel. Thankfully, we are still healthy, and that long-awaited visit is within reach.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, April 26, 2016:
