The Love Boat Doesn't Love Me Anymore

Our excellent travel agent, Teresa Skeim of Cruise Specialists, called me this afternoon and from the tone of her voice, I knew it was not going to be a happy call. Princess is cancelling our booking for the Alaskan cruise, and not just the DH's and mine. Our entire family, a party of 8 in four side-by-side veranda cabins, is being cancelled. 

They are blaming the CDC, but I see nothing on the CDC website that specifically banns O2 users and dialysis patients from cruise travel. Instead, it's a creeping policy throughout the Carnival corporation's lines. Beginning with Cunard, people who use supplemental oxygen and those who are dialysis patients have been quietly uninvited to sail. Now Princess is following suit. 

It's not as if I am not fully vaccinated. I've had both my Moderna shots, and feel grateful beyond words that I'm not one of the unfortunate few who, because of allergies or other health risks, can't take the shots. And I don't haul around a bunch of oxygen tanks or bulky equipment. I only bring a couple of oxygen concentrators (one as backup in case the other stops working). They are FAA approved for air travel. They take up no more space than a purse and a carry-on.  

The DH chatted online with a Princess representative who said the concern is that I wouldn't be able to wear a mask as required in common areas and on excursions. We're only a few days away from being "Elites" on Princess, their highest loyalty ranking, with 127 days afloat with them. We've spent a literal boatload of money with this brand, but the bottom line, the representative said, is Princess can deny boarding to anyone for any reason.

This stems from the CDC's exemption from mask wearing for people who have conditions that cause difficulty breathing. However, during the pandemic when I followed their guidance and didn't wear a mask, I was denied entrance to some businesses. So I learned to wear one of those useless pieces of paper over my nose and mouth even when I was using Herkimer (my Portable Oxygen Concentrator). (If you tired of wearing a mask last year, imagine how much fun it is behind your ears when you have glasses, the mask's straps AND a plastic cannula!)

But here's the thing. Unless I'm wearing an N-95 mask, I'm not truly protected nor am I protecting anyone else. The masks we typically wear--simple medical masks and homemade cloth things (I've even seen a few that were crocheted! Don't ask. It's an Ozarks thing.)--don't actually do anything except give the public something to feel virtuous about and keep us from panicking about the pandemic. If I can smell the perfume of the lady I pass by in Walmart, the mask I'm wearing certainly isn't stopping something as small as a virus from making its way into my nostrils. And don't get me started about how people wear the mask incorrectly with noses exposed or wrapped around the wearer's chin like a beard cozy. Why not just drape it over your head like a little paper bonnet?  The efficacy would be the same.

But I digress. 

So now Princess is using the CDC's mask guidance to deny me boarding because, as a POC user, I'm not required by the CDC to wear a mask. But according to the cruise ship's new rules, I must wear a mask. But based on the CDC site, they can't force me to wear a mask. But I must wear a mask...and so it goes.

Frankly, in order to cruise, I'm ok with wearing one if I am required to do so. I certainly expect to for the world cruise next January. When we visit a foreign country. I always go out of my way not to violate the laws of my hosts or offend their cultural sensibilities.

In reality, Princess doesn't want to board anyone they fear may contract the virus and, even though I'm fully vaccinated, my lung condition means I'm still a person at risk. And if I become ill, or even test positive with zero symptoms, I'll hurt their bottom line because of the bad press even one Covid case is sure to generate. 

I am so deeply sad about this, I'm struggling for the right words. My octogenarian parents were so excited about this trip. Dad was looking forward to seeing Alaska again and Mom never turns down a chance for some formal nights. Our kids and my nephew have all arranged to take vacation for the week of the cruise and made arrangements for their pets' care. We've already found a wonderful dog/house sitter to stay with Charlie and Albert (our little furbabies) for the time we expected to be gone. I haven't worked up the courage to tell the kids or my folks that the voyage is off.

And I'm terribly afraid that, even after being assured that my POC's and I will be welcomed on board the Star next January, I half expect their policies will change and I'll be hearing from Viking that they will be regretfully uninviting me from our grand 2022 adventure. 

Our TA is scrambling to try to find us a replacement cruise for Alaska and she promised to touch base with Viking to make sure I will not be banned from the world cruise based on my O2 needs. 

I wish with all my heart I didn't need my portable oxygen concentrators. The reason I have this lung condition I suffer from is a mystery, even to Mayo Clinic. I never smoked. Wasn't exposed to any toxic substance of which I'm aware. I just started coughing in 2008 and after making the rounds to many different doctors and a lung biopsy in 2010, I finally had a diagnosis. NSIP. The least virulent of the progressive fibrotic lung diseases. No cure short of a transplant, just something to be accepted and managed. And praise God, the disease has remained stable for 11 years--a fact that amazes my pulmonologist each time I see him. 

I try to stay upbeat. I try not to ask, "Why me?" I am blessed beyond measure and I know it. Before you begin to scold, I'm completely aware that mine is a first world problem and not worthy of the grief I'm feeling.

But I'm so sorry to be the cause of everyone in our party being denied a place on the Majestic Princess. I feel like a leper. 

Please cross your fingers with me for our TA to pull a rabbit out of her hat with a different cruise line! 

Second Honeymoon!

 It is the DH here, and I wanted to share a special event that we had this year.  

On May 22 we celebrated our 45 year wedding anniversary.  In January I began wondering what we could do to make this anniversary special.  I decided that the best thing we could do would be to recreate our honeymoon!

When we were married in 1976, the DW's grandparents owned a cabin on a lake just outside of Marcell, Minnesota.  They have since sold the cabin, but we decided to camp (more like glamping) at a resort near Marcell.  

So I began planning how far we could drive each day with the pickup and camper, and where we could stop each night.  

Our anniversary ended up being on a Saturday just like our wedding was, so when I planned it out the whole trip ended up being 10 days 

Day 1 - May 20

We left our home in the Ozarks of MO, and drove to Crowder State Park just outside of Trenton, MO.  This is a beautiful little park with a very nice camping area.  We hoped to visit with the DW's aunt and uncle while there, but schedules and health issues got in the way.  It was still a very nice place to spend the night.

Days 2-3 - May 21-22

Drove up to visit my family in Northwood, IA, and parked in their driveway for 2 nights.  It was good to visit with some family.  They were all involved in the wedding, so we were able to reminisce.

On our anniversary we went back to the church that we got married in. They were getting ready for a Ladies Brunch, so we were able to see the inside.  It was a Baptist Church, but it has changed hands about 3 times in the last 45 years, and now it is a mission church.  We also went back to the college where we met, and visited the park where we had our first "date".  

When we were married, I have always said that the only taste of our wedding cake that I got was the bite that the DW fed me while we were taking pictures.  On our anniversary the DW got a white cake, and had them decorate it with Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary.  She made sure that I got a corner piece with lots of frosting on it too!

Days 4-7 - May 23-26

We arrived at the campground in Marcell around 2:00.  Every day that we were driving we had rain!  At least it was a Sunday so the traffic around Minneapolis was very light.  

On Monday our first order of business was to find the cabin and lake where we spent our honeymoon.  Using the lake finder app from the state of MN finding the lake was not difficult.  It was a hazy day, so we were able to get some beautiful pictures of the lake itself.

After 45 years, lots of things had changed, but we were able to pick out the correct cabin based on the locations of the driveways.  The neighbor cabin had a light on, and we did knock, but no one answered the door.  So we decided to do a little benevolent trespassing.  We were able to walk down to the lake, and walk around the property for a while.

The cabin had changed a lot, but it was still very rustic, and a beautiful setting.  The DW had spent many summers at this cabin, and was able to reminisce about her cousins and aunts and uncles gathering for family events.

She remembered that her mom had built the bench that is just to the right of the path, and it is still there.  We talked about canoeing around the lake when we were younger, and all the things that we did the last time we were up here.  It was a wonderful day.

There are only a handful of cabins around this particular lake, so most of the land around the lake is national or state forest.  This makes this lake very remote, and very beautiful.  We were able to drive around the north end of the lake, and found some wonderful views.  

We really wanted to get out on the lake once more, but that was not to be.  Instead we had to settle on renting a fishing boat in our resort on North Star Lake to get out on the water.  It was nice to be out on the water again, but it just wasn't quite the same.

The weather was very cool, and moist.  Not rainy, but just cloudy and misting.  It was sunny the day that we rented the fishing boat, but that was the only day.  We had the space heater running in the camper most all day long.  That just meant that we needed to cuddle in order to stay warm!

When we weren't out exploring the area or on the water, the DW and I engaged in some exciting games of Scrabble!  BC (before children) we would often play board games, or 2 handed card games.  We haven't played these types of games since our oldest daughter was born.  It was fun to challenge each other and laugh together as we played together.

Days 8-9, May 27-28

We arrived at my sister's place in Algona, IA at around 3:00 p.m.  It rained from about 30 miles north of St. Paul to 80 miles south on Interstate 35.  Fortunately there wasn't a lot of traffic, so it was easy to get through the city.

After getting all setup on the lawn, we had a very nice dinner with the family.  It was cool for May, so we had the small space heater running all the time to keep the camper warm.  

Algona was a major POW camp during World War II, and they have a couple of museums dedicated to the history of this time.  My sister is a member of the guild that supports the Nativity Scene that was created by one of the POW's that was stationed here in Algona.  This Nativity Scene is always open between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we got special permission to see the Nativity Scene.  

I've included the panorama view of the Nativity Scene below.

Day 10 - May 30-31

On Saturday we drove to Boone, IA to have lunch with my brother and sister-in-law on our way to the Lakeside Casino in Osceola, Iowa.  We stopped at the casino not because we like to gamble, but it has a full hook-up and it is cheap!  

Sunday we got going early, and arrived home at about 3:00.  It was a wonderful trip!  We were able to focus on each other, and enjoy each other's company.  Just what we wanted for a second honeymoon! 

One last comment about our trip.  Besides the DW and I on this trip, we also were accompanied by Charlie!  Charlie is our Dream Doggie since the DW dreamed about Charlie about 3 months before we found him running in traffic! 

Charlie was a wonderful companion on our trip.  He loved riding in the pickup, and was ready to go whenever we wanted to pull out.  He didn't like being left in the camper, but he knew we would always come back to our mobile den.

We hope that you have wonderful travels, and are able to spend your time with the one that you love!  

Ain't-a That Good News!

 The bad news is nothing lasts forever. The good news is nothing lasts forever. ~ L. Cole

Everyone talks about how good it is that 2020 is behind us. And I'll admit it was a challenging year. But the old "it came to pass" adage still holds true. Time marches on and takes everything--the good, the bad, the paradigm shifting changes in our society--with it.

And so far, our 2021 has been filled with good news! Our extended families have been blessed not to lose anyone to the Covid-19 virus (my heartfelt condolences  to those who did) and our immediate family have all been fully vaccinated with either the Moderna or Pfizer shots. Life in our small Ozarks town is returning to normal. It's rare to see someone wearing a mask (especially if you limit the count to those who are wearing one correctly!) Help wanted signs are appearing all over town and the whole community is breathing a collective sigh of relief. 

#1 Daughter and her wife have moved to a town 30 minutes from us so that's cause for rejoicing. We're thrilled to be able to spend time doing ordinary things with them and being together more often. #1 Daughter was able to work from home through 2020 and now has to drive in to the office, but her commute to this new office is so much less stressful because we have so little traffic. #2 Daughter was recently able to give up one of the 3 jobs she worked during the pandemic in order to make enough to pay her bills. She's still working over 40 hours a week between her remaining two, and we're very proud of her. 

On the cruising front: As far as we know, we are still a go for our 2022 Viking World Horizon Cruise. We received a lovely email from Uncle Torstein. (That's Torstein Hagen, Chairman and founder of Viking. He's not really our uncle, but he sounds and looks so much like my DH's uncles, he could slip into a family reunion unremarked. So we've decided to think of him in that affectionate fashion!)  

Viking is still fully committed to our world cruise next January. The itinerary will no doubt change from the one we signed up for, but I'm confident it will be an excellent adventure wherever we go! 

Also, a few weeks ago, I received notice from Cunard that they will no longer accept bookings from people like me who require use of supplemental oxygen. Their excuse is that they want to make sure it's safe for me. I'm a grown woman. I've been making decisions about my personal safety for a long time. And frankly sitting around as much as I did in 2020 could be deemed as hazardous to my health as cruising. But I was mostly concerned that once Cunard made their stealthy announcement, other cruise lines (i.e. Viking) would follow suit.

After exchanging emails with their medical compliance department, I've been assured that Herkimer (my portable oxygen concentrator) and I will be welcomed aboard the Viking Star next January! 

More immediate cruising: Some of you may recall that in 2020, we'd tried to take my parents, our kids and my nephew to Alaska on the Ruby Princess. The original cruise would have been in May of last year. When it tanked, with hope in our hearts, we rebooked a September voyage, but it too was canceled.   

The third time appears to be the charm. There has been a waiver of the Jones Act (a Civil War era law that prohibits non-US carriers from transporting American citizens to and from an American port without first stopping in a foreign one) so the fact that Canada is still banning cruise ships no longer stops the industry from having a short Alaskan season this year. 

We and our 6 person posse will board the Majestic Princess in Seattle on September 26, 2021! 

So the world will be swaying beneath my feet again before I know it! So grateful for the lovely plans we have in train. 

Hoping you have some shiny things glittering on your horizon too!