What I learned on a 21-day Cruise in the Caribbean

Early this year, I decided I needed to get away to collect my thoughts. I considered spending time out in nature and perhaps finding a cabin near a National Park. But, I felt a desire for something different. I needed to feel a sense of openness and decided on a cruise.

Some friends thought I was nuts for considering being on a cruise ship while still in the pandemic. But after assessing the risks, cruise line protocols, port entry requirements, and my vaccination status, I felt comfortable in choosing the option. Not to mention, I had cruise line credits with Norwegian that almost made the cruise financially reasonable.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous and anxious. As part of cruise requirements, I took a PCR test 2 days before my embarkation. It came back negative. However, before boarding the cruise, we had to take another covid test and wait 15 minutes for the results. The team from CVS called my name and confirmed my results were negative.

Now with an orange band around my wrist, I walked towards the cruise terminal to board the ship.

Initially, my cruise was to last 14 days, but a day before disembarkation in Tampa. I decided to extend my cruise another 7 days. Perhaps, it was the conversations I had with other passengers staying on board that convinced me.