February 12, 2020
This ship’s hollandaise sauce is one of many reasons why I am perfectly fine with just one of my thighs being the size of ALL of Renée Zellweger. At the next Christmas party, or perhaps even next Tuesday, it may be hollandaise sauce in my mug, not egg nog.
The gossip continues! At breakfast just now, I heard the following while waiting for Oscar to drizzle, or in my case, dump, that glorious sauce on my poached eggs:
“I heard from some people from Norway, what are they called? Norwegians? Well, I heard from them that this boat isn’t letting us off in Thailand. They just need food and more gas. I mean, this boat can’t drive forever!”
At the coffee station, “Have you heard we must have someone onboard who is infected? That’s why we are not docking in Thailand!” And insert Liz attempting to shut down the stupidity right there while people are trying to make their drinks. OH, fun side note: A day after we were denied entry in Manilla, all of the honey bears disappeared from the tea and coffee stations. Apparently, people were stealing them because they believed it would prevent them from getting sick! Ha. “News at 11: Honey prevents the spread of coronavirus!” I just adore humans! Too bad we killed all the bees.
“My son back home said that even when we land in the United States, we are going to be quarantined somewhere in the airport for two weeks!” And of course I chimed in, while holding my glorious eggs, “Will they be serving Oscar’s eggs Benedict? Cuz, I’m cool with that!” I winked at Oscar, he chuckled, guests were confused, and I walked on.

CAPTAIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT: At 9:00 am this morning, the Captain came on over the loud speaker and stated the following…”We are continuing onward to our port of Laem Chabang, Thailand. I am fully aware of the social media reports that this ship will be denied entry into Thailand. We are coordinating closely with the Thai authorities in this regard. You should know, that the highest level in multiple governments including Canada, United States, UK, and Netherlands, are interacting with Thai authorities and the World Health Organization, making sure that all our needs are met. I ask you for your trust and please know that we want to get you home at the soonest possible time. We are awaiting more information from Thai authorities in this regard. Thank you.”
When I heard the ‘ding’ of the announcement beginning, I was desperately hoping that some type of confetti bomb would go off in my room as the Captain told us of our disembarkation procedures in Thailand, but alas, we were just made aware of the impending uncertainty of this ship and all souls that sail upon her. I’m cool with that.

… more to come from the Holland America Westerdam, on a bearing of 324 degrees, doing 12 knots in the Gulf of Thailand. The blue triangular thinggy on the map is still pointing us toward Bangkok.
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