UPDATE REASON FOR LATE POST

It’s not the end of the world — but it sure felt like it. Our suitcases were packed when we got the announcement: engine room damage on Oceania Cruises’ Insignia will require nine weeks to repair, forcing the cruise line to change the start date and location of its upcoming world cruise.

An engine room fire occurred on December 11, while the ship was docked at St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Three crew members died in the fire. Passengers and remaining crew were evacuated, and the ship was towed to dry dock in San Juan for repairs.

The truncated world cruise will start in Singapore March 22, and the ship will sail the remainder of the original itinerary.

Of course we were disappointed. We were heavily invested in the world cruise, emotionally as well as financially. Half-Way Around the World in 109 days is not as glamourous as Around the World in 180 Days, but we need to count our blessings. Our loss is nothing compared to that of the family and friends of the three crew who were killed in the fire.  We were able to jump onto our favorite line and ship.  Holland American ms Amsterdam traveling west for 114 days returning back to Ft. Lauderdale.