With all the problems in the world right now, the hospitality and travel industries have been devastated. Hotels are empty, airplanes are sitting on the ground, and cruise ships are just standing by. But, when things finally get somewhat resolved, fear not for you shall once more be free to set sail.

If you think about health safety, the cruise ships have always been front line; a lot more than hotels and other businesses. For where else will your living quarters be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized by a couple of hard working folks on a daily basis? These are the same people you see who are constantly sanitizing and wiping down all the hand rails in the ship and carefully setting up the dining areas to safely serve you.

Yes, there will be some changes. The cruise lines may do a temperature check on every person who embarks, and they may amend their contracts so that anybody who tests positively may be disembarked and transported to a proper facility for care. You’ll probably see small jars of sanitizer among the toiletries as well. And one thing you may wish to remember is that when you have to press the buttons to call an elevator, or to select the deck level you want, bend your finger and press with your knuckles, not your finger tips. And you will probably find a brochure in your cabin setting forth the usual routines to avoid contracting some problem you neither need nor want.

Right now there are still some ships off shore with loads of staff who will hopefully get transportation back to their homes. A large percentage of these hard workers come from the Philippines and Indonesia and they have families as do we, and we are concerned for all of them.

So, if you are one who enjoys the time at sea, keep your eyes and ears open as the lines may start to offer some incredibly good deals in a few months. None of them will leave port if they are afraid they should not do so. They are concerned for your well being as well as their continued success.

Raise your glass and Ahoy Matey !