Sunday, April 2, 2017

Muscat, Oman & Fujairah, United Arab Emirates


            Tuesday, 28 Mar 2017 – Because we had visited Muscat only a few days ago on the first leg of our cruise, we didn’t sign up for an excursion.  Since a lot of people had gone ashore and the water was still cold (but not quite as icy as previously), the pool was essentially empty.  Sally swam 20 lengths; and Jesse, almost as many.  At dinner, we sat at a table for six, which included three retired female teachers from Tasmania, Australia.  Sometimes, discussions at dinner became very interesting.

            Wednesday, 29 Mar 2017 – Since we had been to Fujairah on 23 March, again we didn’t sign up for an excursion.  In fact, we relaxed so much today that we barely made it to breakfast before the buffet closed, and repeated this performance for lunch.  Although quite a number of people had gone ashore, the pool was not as cold today and more people were in it than previously.

At dinner, we conversed with a couple from Atlanta, GA, who had been aboard this ship since Sidney, Australia.  When the ship had mechanical problems and returned to Sidney, people were given the option to get their money back as late as two days before the ship sailed again.  The Atlanta couple and others who stayed aboard were reimbursed half of the cruise cost, and also received 50 percent off of a future cruise.  They enjoyed their experience on an almost empty ship very much!  (We have also met one other couple who boarded this ship since  September!)
Tonight passengers received a letter from the ship’s captain concerning our upcoming passage through the Gulf of Aden between 30 March and 2 April.  Because no pirate activity in this area has taken place recently, no problems are anticipated because of our ship’s speed and “maneuverability.”  (We would love to see this big ship make some of those “maneuvers.”)  According to the letter, the company is also working with law enforcement, intelligence, and military organizations to ensure that we are well prepared for our sailing.  A drill would be called for the following day.

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