As most of you know, we recently went on a thirty day voyage. I have been recording about it on this blog. If you wish to catch up, it all resides under the travel tab above.
After enjoying our transit through the Panama Canal, the Queen Elizabeth traveled along the coastline of Central America.
Grayden and I both knew the dangers of traveling by ship during this pandemic. There are strict regulations on Cunard regarding ship travel that made us feel better. As I've said before we both have had our vaccinations and two boosters. Two days before the voyage each passenger has to test negative in order to continue with travel plans. Also every four days each passenger is retested. Our first test onboard we both tested negative.
Onboard everyone was required to wear a mask. While taking photos, if no one was around, we took our masks off. We didn't ride in an elevator with others as well. The only time we took our masks off was outside the ship and in the dining room.The Queen Elizabeth is so lovely inside! She truly lives up to her name.The ship is full of beautiful memories here and there about the corridors.Queen Elizabeth christened the ship in Southampton, England in 2010. She has long been associated with Cunard ships. She launched the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and the Queen Mary 2 in 2004.
I will share more about Her Majesty and the Queen Elizabeth as our days progress on the ship.
On our next day onboard we were all required to go have another antigen test. On May 22nd ( our oldest grand's birthday), Grayden and I went into the Queen's Room to get tested. We had already been to the Britainnia for breakfast and walked around the promenade 3 times. We went back to our stateroom to prepare for the rest of the day and we get the dreaded phone call! Yes, I tested positive for Covid and now must be in isolation for 6 days! In my journal I wrote that after a few tears and much sadness, I had to be escourted to my new isolation stateroom. I will admit I was far from being happy, but knew I had to leave my sweetheart and go into isolation! I packed a few things for my stay and was escourted to my new home. Grayden and I were devastated. At this point I really didn't feel poorly except for a cold. Funny thing is, Grayden had just gotten over a cold and I thought that is what was happening to me, not Covid.
Thank goodness I was put in a stateroom just like the one I left and still had a balcony. Though I was very sad, I had no choice but to comply with the rules onboard!
Grayden was considered a close contact and needed to be tested every day! He had to have his meals in the stateroom and was not allowed anywhere on the ship where folks gathered without masks. Needless to say this was not what either of us wanted. On day six I would be tested again and then if negative I could return to our stateroom. Sadly on the sixth day I was still positive and had to spend a total of ten days in isolation.
Grayden always was negative, thank goodness! I'll be sharing my photos from this ten day isolation period.
As sad as this turn of events was, we made the most of it!
"Life is not always not always what one wants it to be., but to make the best of it as it is the only way of being happy." ~ Lady Randolph Churchill
What a devastating blow for you! Still, rules are rules and you had to adhere to them. Personally, I have little faith in the LFT's as I know of several people with obvious symptoms who are testing negative for up to five days before testing positive. Thankfully, it sounds as if you were not too poorly, but wonder if Grayden's cold was actually Covid that didn't produce a positive result? We'll never know. I hope you had a view, at least, from your balcony, and I'm sure you were well taken care of. xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt is still a mystery to us that Grayden never tested positive, Deb! We both have been so careful these last couple years... It was so disappointing. I did have a view from my cabin. I would have gone crazy if I didn't! Take care of yourself, Deb. xoxo
DeleteSorry to read about the need for your isolation on board the ship. Thankful they cared for you with meals.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bummer to have happen, Ellen. We are very thankful that my illness was not as bad as some.
DeleteOh gee Martha that’s too bad. I heard that we all will contact it at some point. Perhaps Grayden’s cold was actually his covid, and then eventually you tested positive. I know people who have gone through it and it was brief. Well I’m glad you came through it and I hope there was still time to enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteLiz, though we lost one third of our trip we did still enjoy ourselves. I have heard the same about contacting covid. Though we are careful, it's still around to haunt us! Have a nice afternoon.
DeleteOh Martha Ellen, how awful for you. I know how careful you have been (and how contagious it all is). Isolation -- how frustrating. I hope they let you visit the library before they "put you away." I'm glad it wasn't your entire trip but boy -- that's really tough. I'm so sorry. My hope is that you weren't nearly as sick as Rick was and are having no after effects.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I felt quite ill, but really the worst part for me was being isolated from Grayden! The librarian called me often and sent books to me, which was a lifesaver! Grayden and I chatted on the phone often and he would have things sent to me as I needed them. The after effects were loss of stamina and loss of taste and smell. Thankfully they have returned to normal now!
DeleteOh dear, I am so very sorry to read this Martha Ellen. And after taking so many precautions too! One of my sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws got that dreaded thing. My brother-in-law had mild symptoms, but sister-in-law said it was brutal. My other brother-in-law got it, but his wife did not. Two nephews and one of their wives also but they're young. We had various friends also, very scary and hospital visits for some but this was at the start of it all. I was shocked how many people we know caught the darned thing, some very poorly and other cases mild. No rhyme nor reason with this thing is there? Hopefully we are all seeing the back of it with our inoculations and so on. Do hope you are fully recovered now, and I am sending you a big hug. (Good to read you enjoyed the rest of the trip too.)
ReplyDeleteDenise, you are right there is no rhyme or reason with covid! We were so disappointed to miss several of the ports we were looking forward to visit. I really only know a handful of folks that have had it. It's good to hear your family and friends are okay now. It was a very unpleasant experience, but so thankful to be okay now! We did enjoy the rest of the trip, though we were kind of in slow motion due to my stamina issues.
DeleteI can imagine how tired you must have been. That was the complaint I heard from everyone, and one family member and one friend have not recovered their sense of taste yet. You and Grayden, wishing you only the best of good health from now on.
DeleteOh no, Martha Ellen, I'm so sorry you got the virus. This must have had an awful effect on your trip. So glad to hear that Grayden has always been safe from it. That's a pretty photo of you standing next to Queen Elizabeth. And what a grand staircase Grayden is standing next to. That quote at the end is so true, especially with traveling. You never know what the outcome will be. I was blessed to have had no problems when flying recently, only that my plane was delayed. At least you shared some of your trip with Grayden, in which you will always remember.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you, Sheri. A trip away can always bring surprises, but I certainly didn't expect this to happen as I have been so careful the last couple of years.
DeleteAirline travel can be quite interesting these days isn't it? Sorry to hear you were delayed.
I am just reading this! How upsetting to have to miss part of your trip in isolation due to COVID! I’m glad to hear that your after effects haven’t lingered.
ReplyDeleteHow terrible this was for you and Grayden. Terrible bad luck.
ReplyDeleteI know you were tired. We all had it in end of April I believe it was. It was like the strain of H1N1 I had about 6 years ago. Terribly tired. After three days I was much better. Still I went to my doc and I was prescribed Paxlovid and I threw that stuff out the 2nd day. It made a horrible metal taste in my mouth. I got better without it. I tested positive but by the time the doc prescribed it, I had no fever. I still take my zinc everyday and vitamin b and c as always. No lasting effects. Glad all is well with you and Grayden with no lasting effects.