Page 202 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2022 DISCOVERING MADRID

Sunday, May 22 We also won't visit Canada, or any other des-
tination that has a 10-day isolation policy. The
I’m free at last. I just took this shot outside US and many other western countries switched
my balcony. Tugs helping us dock in Halifax. I’m from a 10 to a 5 or 7-day policy for sound rea-
supposed to go on a tour this afternoon, but sons, including that 10 days did more harm
than good. A team of leading medical re-
with the fog it’s doubtful it will happen. Mary’s
doing ok considering the situation. It really searchers from Boston University explained
takes all of the joy out of our cruise. why:
“I don’t think [5 days is too short].… Any
longer and you would be holding a huge pro-
Monday, May 25
portion of the population in isolation unneces-
sarily. We are increasingly coming to recognize
It’s been a few days since my last posting, and the economic impact—and also the mental
I know some are concerned about our status
health impact—of isolation.”
aboard the Regent Seven Seas Navigator. Mary
If you're looking at a
is still in COVID isola-
cruise, I'd suggest tak-
tion and will be for the
rest of our cruise. I am ing all this into consid-
eration. Because COVID
back in our cabin and
is not going away and
able to move about the
ship. We are both okay because it can happen
to you, regardless of
health-wise. Mary's
how many precautions
temperature and oxy-
gen levels, monitored you take. And it can
happen more than once.
three times a day, are
Having recovered from
normal. I believe that
Covid is no guarantee
being vaccinated and
boostered is the reason you won't get it again.
Ask the unfortunate fel-
for our minimal symp-
low guest isolated in the
toms and in my case no lingering malaise.
cabin next to Mary, who is a practicing doctor.
Without a doubt, the Draconian and ridicu-
OK, that’s my rant. We will weather this. The
lous Canadian 10-day isolation requirement
good news is that the ship’s concierge has ar-
strictly administered by the ship is taking its
toll on us mentally–especially Mary, who spent ranged that the last three days of Mary's isola-
tion can be served in the hotel we had already
all but three days of this cruise either quaran-
booked in Montreal. And I can stay in the same
tined (while I was in isolation) or isolated in the
room as her!
COVID "cell block" on deck five. For her, this
dream cruise has become an absolute night- I'm going to upgrade the room to a balcony so
mare. that Mary can enjoy the cold Canadian air.
Then, on the 31st, we'll jump into our rented
In the future, we will not cruise on another
ship sailing to a country requiring over five-day car and get across the border as fast as we can.
isolation for positive COVID passengers. Nor The photo is of Mary and me in front of a
will we cruise on another ship that does not statue of Captain James Cook overlooking the
have a system to provide asymptomatic iso- Newfoundland City of Corner Brook on a hap-
lated guests with basic amenities, including at pier cruise a few years ago. I visited the same
least an hour of fresh air and exercise daily. place yesterday without Mary. It was a much
different (sadder) experience.
These passengers, all vaccinated and COVID
negative when boarding, are still paying guests,
not prisoners with room service.

202 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022