HAL4NOW

We didn't get released from the Koningsdam for our taxi ride until almost noon. About 80-100 of us were waiting in the BB King's venue for much of that time. When my DW and I left the ship, there were still about 30-40 people still waiting for clearance from crew who had directed us into that venue. Have a wonderful cruise. Even with 6+ days of cabin isolation (quarantine doesn't feel like the correct term for what we experienced), we had a fabulous time. The crew demonstrated a very high level of care for all of us passengers. Many of them went out of their way to try to make people feel special.

I never had more than a scratchy throat and a cough. My DW had more flu-like symptoms but we are both doing okay. We stayed in our obstructed balcony cabin and did not have to move. Glad we upgraded to a balcony from an interior. Those last five sea days would not have been very pleasant without seeing the sea and breathing the air. I did get my 12,000+ steps every day with a lot of short distance pacing. Today, we were escorted from the ship to a taxi just a bit before noon and drove home to Skykomish, arriving around five PM.

In a taxi now on the way to our car at the hotel. It is just a few minutes past noon.

We are still waiting for disembarkation permission. We are down to about 40-50 more passengers that need taxis. Apparently there is an Indian Light Festival near Canada Place and the taxis are having a tough time getting to the port.

We are sitting in BBKing’s lounge where we were brought by crew members, waiting for permission to leave. They are still escorting more Covid passengers into the lounge. Announcement for all passengers to make their way to the gangway doesn’t apply to us.

We have arrived in Vancouver on the Koningsdam this morning. In our case, we have been instructed to wait in our cabin until 10:00 or 10:30 when someone from the ship’s staff will come and escort us into the terminal to catch the taxi they have ordered for us. Don’t expect early boarding.

Thank you! According to the government issued self-tests we have both taken, we are both still testing positive. We do a more thorough swab than the technician did the day she declared my test to be negative. We have arrived in Vancouver, but we need to wait in the room until someone from the ship comes to escort us to the terminal. They have ordered a taxi for us with an extra Covid cleaning fee to get us to our car at the hotel. We plan to drive home to Skykomish today and continue isolating there until we both have legitimate negative tests. We have friends that have offered to shop for us. Both DW and I feel good enough that we would have gone to work back during our teacher days.

I tested negative today and I am feeling good. DW is feeling better, but won’t be tested again by ship staff because we disembark prior to her five days of isolation.

Just another perk of being in Covid confinement:

I see that the lifeboat in front of our balcony is rated for 150 persons. Is that the same density as what the elevators are rated for?

Good morning from the Koningsdam!

When we boarded in Vancouver on October 8th, everyone was held in the terminal before boarding began. It was shoulder to shoulder, wall to wall people with lots of signs about social distancing, and no chance to keep any space between us. Boarding began late, about 1:00, if I remember correctly. It was done in an orderly manner but still took a long time.

Not Clay but, for the Circle Hawaii portion, the all aboard times did not change from itinerary. Kauai port day was shortened because of arriving later and the all aboard had been set at 2:30 PM prior to sailing.

Koningsdam may need more time to clear the ship because of how many Covid cases they have had. No numbers have been given, but the medical technician is doing a couple of long shifts each day testing roommates of Covid positive passengers and newly reported symptoms. I don’t think disembarkation will be complete until after 10:00 AM.

We have been isolating in our same cabin since Tuesday. Very pleased we upgraded to an obstructed balcony prior to sailing. Because DW didn’t test positive until yesterday, we will still be in isolation when we disembark. Guest services will order a taxi for us and escort us from our room to the cab so we can get to our car at the hotel. All is good.

DW tested positive on our government issued self test yesterday morning. When medical assistant came to the room in the afternoon, we let her know, so DW was then given a PCR test. That came out positive, as expected. DW requested Paxlovid and it was delivered to the room about 11 PM ship time. She has taken her second dose and is experiencing flu-like symptoms. I only have a scratchy throat and a cough. Being trapped in a balcony room with an ocean view, with the woman I love, with meals delivered three times a day, any extra concerns just a phone call away, and even fresh fruit …. I can think of much worse circumstances 🙂

DW has continued to test negative. I think this is the first time I have been more positive than her in 45 years of marriage. I don’t think there will be anything to keep us from driving home in our own private vehicle. We would probably divert to our Westport condo if either of us are positive because we have an elderly couple (mid 80’s) staying at our home in Skykomish. We certainly don’t want to infect them.

I tested positive for Covid last night. My DW and I brought a lot of self-tests on this cruise and have been taking turns testing each day. When my test came up positive, DW also tested and she is negative. We immediately notified ship’s medical and someone came to the room and gave me a PCR test and DW an Antigen test: same results. We are both isolating in our balcony cabin for at least five days. Medical personnel came to the room and gave DW another Antigen test today. She is still negative. My next test administered by the ship’s personnel will be Sunday, one day before arriving in Vancouver. I did end up with a bit of a cough today and a slight fever for a few hours, but otherwise feeling okay. Working on getting my steps today for love your body day has been a challenge. Both the room and the balcony are quite small and it requires a lot of pacing like a trapped animal. Ship staff are doing their best and we appreciate being able to order off the MDR menu as well as the room service menu and the Dive-In. Not missing any ports; just five sea days with tighter quarters than we would have enjoyed if I hadn’t gotten Covid.

I have only skimmed the Fleet Report and Daily for the past eight days. Sea days from Vancouver to Hawaii were smooth and relaxing. This is my first time in Hawaii and it is beautiful even with the heat and humidity. We got rain most of the day while in Hilo and I felt more at home. I would have loved for that rain to fall in Skykomish. While we have been enjoying clean air to breathe, the Bolt Creek fire rages on back home. Highway 2 has been closed more than opened. The pastor that was going to fill in for me while we are gone was not able to make it to church on the 9th. He did make it up to Skykomish on the 16th and then they closed the highway just after he headed back down the hill. The incident command was saying the fire was 50% contained a couple days ago, it then dropped back to 41% containment. Praying for moisture, preferably snow, but not much in the forecast and temperatures have been staying in the 80’s and high 70’s during the day.

@rafinmdYou may already have this information, Roy. I asked about Staff Captain Sabine and was told she went back home and she is no longer with HAL.

Crew still wearing masks on the Koningsdam. A server in the Grand Dutch Cafe said the masking requirement for crew would be dropped after this ship returns to Vancouver on the 24th.

We are sitting in the cattle call waiting to board. No tests necessary.

We just double checked on the HAL specific cruise protocol search. We put in the booking number and name and it states that fully vaccinated passengers do not need a Covid test. If HAL has changed that without changing the app, I would not be shocked; we would just make like Gumby and Pokey and be flexible. See you on the ship.

Border crossing today on I-5 into Canada was the easiest I have ever experienced. No traffic in three open lanes; showed passports, answered one question and drove right through. When we arrived at the hotel check in was pleasant, service was out. Then we went to the room and watched our Seattle Mariners win their first playoff game in the wild card series. Their playoff drought is finally over. Looking forward to breakfast at Eggspectations and then a cab ride to Canada Place; we will leave our car at the hotel.

I will try.