Tag Archives: travel

October 18, 2021 · 5:35 am

Cruising in the Age of Covid-19 — Part 1


Alaska. Off season. Way off season. Yes, Ursula and I just returned from just such a voyage — our first since returning in mid March 2020, shortly after the beginning of the pandemic and the shutting down of travel and closing of borders. This week I will be presenting to you my perspectives on life aboard a cruise ship in the midst of health protocols necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fifth floor common area on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas

The cruise line is Royal Caribbean. The ship is Ovation of the Seas. The destination — Alaska, round trip from Seattle, over the course of back-to-back seven-day cruises. The sail date for Voyage One was Friday, 24 September in an inside “Virtual Balcony” cabin. Itinerary for both was sold as follows: Seattle, Day at Sea, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier (cruising), Day at Sea, Seattle.

“Virtual Balcony” interior cabin on Ovation of the Seas

The second cruise began 1 October, but weather necessitated a change in the itinerary. Ketchikan was substituted for Sitka, and the port order was changed to: Seattle, Day at Sea, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Day at Sea, Seattle. No great disappointment here, as both Ursula and I adore Ketchikan. Sitka is charming, but much smaller with less to do unless you venture onto a tour.

At the hosting station for Silk main dining room

These voyages were two of the last three before Ovation was slated to depart the Alaska market for warmer climes. Capacity for the Ovation is 4,180 at double capacity in the staterooms, and the maximum capacity is listed as 4,905. Ovation had very stringent protocols. Negative antigen test results had to be shown, and the tests had to be conducted within three days of the boarding date. Vaccinations were required of adult passengers. Unvaccinated children were prohibited from leaving the ship in ports of call. Masks were required unless seated in a vaccination area (theater, lower seating area; other entertainment venues), or after being seated for dining, in the buffet, or at a bar.

Sorrento’s pizzeria and salads

Our first cruise would have 1,600 passengers. Voyage 2 would come in at 2,300. The last voyage of the season, which would occur immediately after our Voyage 2, was slated to accommodate 3,000 paying passengers. So, how did this all work out with pandemic health protocols in place? Tune in Wednesday for what happened. Until then, here are some more photos of the Ovation, taken shortly after boarding before the crowds arrived:

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October 8, 2021 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Chichen Itza Favorites Part 3


A last look at Chichen Itza, as well as a farewell to Brilliance of the Seas, which had been our home for back-to-back cruises that took us from Amsterdam, around Ireland, to the Azores, down to the Florida Keys, and to Cozumel and Chichen Itza. I trust you enjoyed the journey. Now for an end to this series:

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October 4, 2021 · 5:35 am

Chichen Itza — PLAY BALL ! ! !


Time to play ball at Chichen Itza’s Mayan ballcourt! The venue at this location is one of the largest Mayan ballcourts yet discovered. It measures an incredible 545 feet/116 meters in length, and the width runs 225 feet/69 meters:

Chichen Itza’s Mayan Ballcourt.

At the north end of the ballcourt are the “Box Seats”, where the local elites watched the festivities from this “Heaven” temple:

North Temple “Box Seats” at the ol’ ball game

The walls to either side are quite tall. And if you take a close look at the lead picture for this article you’ll see a stone “goal” that stands some 20 feet/6 meters above the ground. It is through that small, high-up hole that the opposing teams vie to throw a 6-to-8 pound/3-to-4 kilogram ball.

The goal is to throw a heavy ball through the goal

You certainly didn’t want to be the captain of the losing team here. That poor bloke got brought to the steps leading to the box seats, whereupon he was separated from his head.

And, no, I sincerely doubt his head would’ve then fit through the goal:

Don’t be a loser!

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