I spent the day before we transited the Panama Canal charging batteries. This would be my fourth transit of the canal. While I had promised myself that I would put the camera down and just enjoy the transit I knew myself too well. As it happened, I didn’t need those charged batteries.
The night before reaching the canal the sea was unusually rough and at about 2 PM I woke up sick. I was surprised because I don’t usually get seasick. I figured come morning this would pass. It didn’t, although everything else had.
In the calm seas approaching the canal, I felt worse. I reported to sickbay with the cruise ship crud. Sickbay equals paperwork, waivers to sign, list of meds, the health questionnaire, and the communicable disease report on my previous activities.
Where, on the ship, did I eat each meal for the past three days?
Who were my tablemates?
What did I have to eat? (Do you remember what you had for lunch Thursday?)
Did I use public restrooms on the ship? Which ones?
At what ports did I get off?
Did I eat anything in port? Drink anything? If so, what?
What was my originating city?
What was my flight number to Fort Lauderdale?
What is the name and address of the hotel where I stayed in Fort Lauderdale?
(All important for the ship to know about)
After that I was released with some pills and rehydration salts and confined to quarters. I still confined but feeling much better.
Before the cruise we took up Holland America’s attractive upsell offer on a balcony cabin meaning my confinement is less confined. So while I was not up to taking many pictures, I did get to see the canal, some from the balcony,
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much of it lying on the bed watching the bow and stern cameras on closed circuit TV while listening to the Cruise Director’s commentary.
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Despite the inconvenience I enjoyed the transit.
We passed the Miraflores visitor center viewing platforms, usually packed with people. Yesterday there was nobody on the platform except snipers. SNIPERS! U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was visiting the center with Panamanian officials. The next day the local headlines read that Panama was withdrawing from China’s Belt and Road project.
The next morning, I was feeling much better and was out on the balcony to greet the sunrise.
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I also enjoyed watching marine traffic approaching the canal as most of my cruise mates visited Panama City.
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I am not terribly disappointed at missing Panama City. The tour I tried to book, going through the locks and scooting around the canal in a small boat, was canceled due to lack of takers and the Frank Gehry designed Bio Museum is closed on Mondays.
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Volendam staff call me at irregular intervals. I appreciate their concern, but I also think it is their way of making sure I’m in the room and not breaking isolation. “You haven’t called room service for lunch, is everything alright?” “This is room service again, we have some nice chicken soup, wouldn’t you like some?” “This is the medical center, are you taking your rehydration salts?” “Mr. McClear, this is guest services, is there ANYTHING we can do for you.” “Good morning Mr. McClear, this is Sarah from the medical team any more GI incidents?” They treat you well as well as keeping tabs.
Room cleaning for a cabin where someone is in isolation is a production. Suzi and I must go out on the balcony when the team comes in, with gloves, aprons and masks.
Along with cleaning supplies and protective gear, the team brings us our “Panama Canal certificates.” Holland America loves certificates. From past cruises I have a variety of certificates, of course transiting the Panama Canal but also crossing the arctic circle, crossing the Atlantic, crossing the Pacific, crossing the international date line, crossing the equator, rounding Cape Horn, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and a double shellback certificate (Crossing the prime meridian and equator at the same time.) I do not have Arctic and Antarctic plunge certificates, although I may do that later in this cruise.
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Wein Air Alaska used to give Arctic Circle certificates. Once I was on a plane with a basketball team from Kotzebue High School, above the arctic circle. The cabin was filled with paper airplanes zooming around.
One good thing about being on a long cruise is that being isolated for a few days does not ruin the trip. There is still a lot left to see and do. And in a way it’s a relief that it wasn’t seasickness. We will be crossing the notorious Drake Passage as well as some other famously unsettled stretches of sea on this voyage. I’m relieved Saturday night’s seas were not the cause of my discomfort.
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Interested in pictures of transiting the Canal? I offer the links below from 2015, 2018 and 2023.
So sorry you couldn’t wander around seeing the Canal, but I know you have had the chance before.
All those certificates are fun to have! Oh, do join in and get the swimming ones, too! Those are fun to add to the collection.
Sorry you got sick, Rich. I have a lot of “right of passage” signs from HAL, too. I’m wondering now if they gave us one for the Suez Canal. Anyway, having a balcony is a godsend when you have what you had. Fresh air works wonders.
Sharon in very warm Tallahassee (75)
I hope you get a Sue’s canal certificate! I went across the source canal on a ferry boat . Cross it with width wise not lengthwise.
I hope you get a Suez canal certificate. I went across the canal widthwise on a ferry boat, not lengthwise on a ship.