Crossing on the Crown - Day 3: An Unexpected Stop

Sharon Miceli, our Personal Vacation Manager aboard the Crown Princess for a Transatlantic crossing, checks in once again from the ship, with yet another adventure: 

I have only a select few structured activities planned for this vacation. Other than a couple of off-the-beaten-path sites that have intrigued me enough to seek out I simply plan to see where each day takes me, follow my nose. The Crown Princess is of like mind, it seems, as we have strayed from our path twice now in only 48 hours.

The noontime bridge report announced our new course for Bermuda for a medical disembarkation and a few hours later we were knocking on the port of Hamilton's door.  We remained miles from shore but could see a few resorts sprawled along what we knew must be the famous pink sand beaches. The dazzling sunshine made it impossible to discern their pastel hues.

We slowed to a near standstill as the Hamilton pilots boat pulled alongside and brought with it a local doctor.  His attire was formal Bermudian; pale blue suit jacket, crisply starched white shorts to his knees and white shoes and knee socks. Our ship's physician greeted him in like style; his brass trimmed uniform just radiant in the sun.

As with the emergency muster two nights previous, the Captain and his staff performed the transfer of the patient to the pilot’s boat with both speed and efficiency. To the scores of us who lined the decks and peeped our heads through the railings to gaze down on the scene as it unfolded our fellow cruiser gave a thumbs-up from his stretcher. A wave of relief seemed to wash over the crowd as he and his attendants were hurried to shore in the bright orange vessel.

I was relieved to a certain extent but all I could really think about was whether or not that man had insurance. For, from what I am told, there was a battery of rather sophisticated tests performed right here on the ship. And we all know the cost of medical care these days.

So another emergency but seemingly all in a day’s work for the cool, calm and competent Captain Nash and his staff who have us back on course to Gibraltar... many days from now.

Thanks, Sharon! I hope there's also some fun and relaxation on board... so far, it seems like a lot of excitement for one cruise!