Happy Saint Patrick Day everyone. As I write this you are all waking up to the holiday as I am saying good night to it. We are now officially eight hours apart in time (technically though we are 16 hours a head). It was a stressful day as we began the daunting task of packing up everything we brought with us, have made, acquired or have purchased since we began this adventure 73 days ago. There is a lot of stress around the ship. Elderly passengers are struggling to utilize the internet and get travel plans booked. Holland America’s current stance is that if you didn’t book your return flights from Fort Lauderdale with them, you are on your own for booking you our arrangements home from Australia. It has left a bad taste in the mouth of many technologically challenged passengers. So staff has begun lending a hand as they have time, I even assisted some passengers today. We booked with Cruise Specialists and they have been amazing taking care of their clients, but we still picked up the ball the ball Holland America dropped into our laps and ran with it on our own. Now everyone is crossing fingers we do not have any additional issues, delays or changes thrown our way. New motto, hoping for the best and expecting the worst. I saw big changes in the girls today. Megan is angry, but that is how she process grief and stress, and Valerie cries a lot. We did take break for about an hour today and went and socialized at our crochet class. We also had a wonderful meal in the main dining room tonight. Tensions are high, as the crew does not even know what the future holds for them. Rumor circulate quicker then you can believe. Being St. Patrick’s Day mom and I sent the girls “home” for an evening in as mom and I joined many crew and about 25 passengers on a bar crawl tonight. We visited four bars around the ship where a previously prepared drink was served to us and then 15 minutes later we wandered onto the next bar. We had an opportunity to see some “Cocktail” style drink mixing, did a beer drinking game, and then ended the evening with Jagerbombs. It was exactly what the doctor ordered with all the stress everyone is under. When I got home the girls were still awake, happy to see mom and needing some cuddle time. Anxiety is high and we are trying to keep spirits high too. We are counting our blessings that we didn’t get off the ship for the four night overland tour that departed when we were at our last port. They were supposed to get back on the ship in Darwin, but we never wound up stopping there. Those 17 passengers and one crewmember have already returned back to the states. At least they didn’t have to pack; crew members have to do it for them. Pray for some normalcy to return to our lives sooner rather than later. Love and Hugs, Debra
Live Vicariously Through Debra 