2023 ~ Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?

On the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still spreading and the death toll is nearing 7 million worldwide. Yet most people have resumed their normal lives, thanks to a wall of immunity built from infections and vaccines.

The virus appears here to stay, along with the threat of a more dangerous version sweeping the planet.

“New variants emerging anywhere threaten us everywhere,” said virus researcher Thomas Friedrich of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Maybe that will help people to understand how connected we are.”

With information sources drying up, it has become harder to keep tabs on the pandemic. Johns Hopkins University on Friday shut down its trusted tracker which it started soon after the virus emerged in China and spread worldwide.

Saturday marks 3 years since the World Health Organization first called the outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and the United Nation’s health organization says it’s not yet ready to say the emergency has ended.   

Courtesy of APNews

Day 13 ~ Off the Getaway and Traveling Home

Sunrise this morning as we pulled into New York City as it got lighter.

 Disembarkment - we got instructions with the freestyle daily the day before. It was pretty simple pick your time by picking a color for your bags or you could be first if carrying your own bags. Bags had to be outside your door after 11pm - you had to be out of your room by 8am - there was breakfast at the buffet and taste and savor 6-8am. We left the room right at 8am and went down on 8 to seat at the sunset bar. I was glad to do this early as the areas got crowded quick. Felt like half the ship did the self disembark and it looked like a miserable experience. Long confusing lines with lots of standing.   If you got time take advantage of having someone else take your bags and just be patient. We were one of the last groups off the ship about 45 minutes after the first people got off and had no lines. You still need your key card to leave the ship . One you get off you will find your luggage . NYC was pretty easy to find out bags areas were marked with your color tags. Pro tip have bright luggage tags on you bags to easily spot .  We have our names on them for that reason. There are a lot of bags. Once you grab your bags you go through customs which was pretty quick and then you head out as a group to our waiting bus. It’s pretty chaotic once you get outside.  Easy peasy.  These are a couple of ducks that we found and re-hid.  They were all over the ship

Ok it’s time to gather our stuff and go outside and look for our bus home.  It’s been a great cruise. We stopped at a Crackle Barrel in Bingingham  at 2:30 for a late lunch.    Border was at 6:45 sailed thru duty free with 2 bottles.  Yahoo.  Frank was there waiting for us at the Gananoque car pool lot and brought us home.  Yep we are pooped. Glass of wine tonight and relax.  Thanks for the wonderful memories honey I do love you to the moon and back.

Now to get ready for our next 21 day cruise.  Stay Tuned !!!

Day 12 ~ Sea Day our last day & Janet’s 60th Birthday

Well we are going to pack this afternoon.  It’s been a great time and we really didn’t mind the size of this ship.  No really long lines like bars, buffets, Starbucks.  We would use them again.  Just loved there free drinks they were all really really yummy.  If you like drinking you probably had a great time like I did 🙂 The drink package was well worth it. The bartenders were all pros and really quick for such a busy cruise. Had a wide range of cocktails and spirits to try. They don’t have spirits /whiskey 

above 40 proof if looking for strong stuff. The premium package might be worth it if you plan on having Starbucks a lot , high end wine, and energy drinks. But it was free for us so we can’t complain.

We both also want to wish Janet a very Happy 60th Birthday.  Enjoy your special day.

Day 11 ~ Sea Day & Breakfast on our Balcony

 Breakfast on the balcony, the morning sun is shinning but you can sure feel the temperature changing.   We have a speciality Dinner tonight (our last one) at the Teppanyaki restaurant at 6:00.  So looking forward to this one.  Love being entertained while eating.  So today we are soaking up as much vitamin D as we can.    I’ve ate a lot of Japanese steak houses before this was by far the best experience. Some new tricks and jokes made it feel fresh. Our chef Alfonso was awesome and had the best personality of any staff we had. Highly recommend - The Wasabi cocktail made with Sake, lychee liqueur, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, grenadine.

Day 9 ~ St Thomas ~ United States Virgin Island

 St Thomas port arrival was around 8:00 we didn’t get off till around 10 after the crowds got off.  We were here till 4 with all aboard at 3:30.  This port is a very busy port, it’s beautiful and scenic.  Tonight we have reservations at the Italian Restaurant at 6pm so we have lots of time to watch the sail away on our balcony with a drink in our hand.  Beach time thou is calling for right now.  When out and about today we found out that the famous drinks here are a Frozen Bushwacker or a Frozen Banana Daiquiri.  So of coarse we had to have one on the ship.  We have had so many good good drinks I am going to make a list of the ones we have tried.

Found a local bar that made real Bushwacker.  What’s in a Bushwacker -  Baileys, Kailua, cream of Coconut dark rum blended with ice.  Big difference than the ones on the ship.  

Than we went to the beach for a few hours.

Guess what dessert was.  Yummy in the tummy.  Cannoli 

Baileys Bushwacher was invented in St. Thomas and they are strong

Day 10 ~ Weather causes Cancellation of our next port Dominica Republic

 Just gotta go with the flow.  A lot of upset people bitchin right now.  We are so lucky to have another Sea day.  But I guess if you’ve never been here before I can see where some would get upset.  Due to weather on the east coast the Captain has decided to cancel this last port of call.  He said there will be 24 foot waves in the Atlantic so we now have an extra sea day which Bob and I love.  So tomorrow is a wonderful Sea day. 

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Day 8 ~ Saint John’s ~ Antiqua

 Cruise ships sail right into the heart of Saint John's, the largest town on the island of Antigua. Capable of welcoming four large ships at a time, the small town can get very busy at times. Most cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay.  Most St. John’s attractions are an easy walk from Heritage Quay.

                Jolly Beach went for a few hours

             Million dollar Quartet.  Excellent show. Clear your throat, put on your blue suede shoes and get ready to sing along to your favorite golden oldies with Tony® Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet. Showcasing an extraordinary twist of fate that brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together for one of the greatest jam sessions of all time, this Broadway hit brings to life that legendary evening through an incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits like Blue Suede Shoes, Walk the Line, Great Balls of Fire and more! Relive this golden era with this irresistible tale of broken promise 

Day 7 ~ Bridgetown ~ Barbados

 Beach time we love Bridgetown beaches.  We will go pretty early because this is the furthest south we are going.  We will be ready to head back to the ship by lunch time.  Already planning to have the wings again with a cold beer.

Another great day.  Wow I could get used to this.  I guess my post this this cruise is all about the drink and food.  Sorry can’t help it