After years of doing everything humanely possible to avoid catching covid, it tracked me down in Norway! Booking a cruise was always going to be a gamble! When we spoke to the travel agent early in February, everyone sailing needed proof of a negative PCR test. Unbeknown to us, this rule changed a month later. My husband and I printed copies of our vaccination status as backup but these weren’t needed either!
When we boarded the ship on a cold Monday evening, we discovered that were no open windows in any of the cabins despite showing photographs of balconies. All cabins were hermetically sealed. Deck six, the deck we were on, had the only external access around the ship but the doors shut as soon as you went outside. The dining area, lounges and bars were all indoors and temperature controlled. Comfortable and warm but a breeding ground for viruses!
The only precaution the staff insisted on was sanitising hands before meals. Breakfast and most lunches were self service. Coughing, sneezing and blowing of noses has a very short term effect on the efficacy of sanitised hands! No masks were required, or worn and everyone looked relaxed and filled with joie de vivre!
At the induction meeting we were asked to stay in our cabins if we felt unwell. As time progressed I heard more and more coughing. Initially I presumed these passengers were testing themselves so tried not to become too paranoid! Surely no one could have forgotten the serious and debilitating hardships experienced over the last couple of years? But there were people, not taking any precautions, clearly displaying symptoms of covid! Some were not looking very well at all!
We had booked a number of sight-seeing excursions which involved travelling in coaches. I was becoming more uncomfortable with these trips. My husband and I looked forward to seeing as much of Norway as we could. We hadn’t planned to spend every day on the ship! By the end of the second week, I cringed as I watched people coughing, most holding their hands to their mouths and then hanging onto chair handles for support! Paranoia was definitely setting in and the joy of these excursions were fading fast! When one was cancelled, due to bad weather, I breathed a sigh of relief and spent as much time on the outside deck as possible!
Last weekend, luckily back at home, my husband and I tested positive! Despite being fully vaccinated this virus has knocked us for a six! My energy levels have still not recovered. What has made me feel even worse is that I’ve had to miss the funeral of a dear friend.
There were a number of old and infirm people on the ship. Hopefully they have all survived! Covid is here to stay but everyone should continue taking precautions and show consideration for their fellow men! Sadly, too many just don’t care!đź‘
Jenny Burrell 