Day 11 - What to Do When You Feel Sick on a Cruise Ship

 

This photo was taken by a passenger on the Ovation of the Seas as we passed by

We are currently quarantined in our stateroom, balcony doors open to a truly stunning view of Cabo San Lucas. The Disney Wonder and the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas are anchored out in the harbour — because there is no cruise ship pier here, tenders ferry passengers to the dock. It is, objectively, a beautiful scene. And we are watching it from isolation.

Here is how we got here.

How It Unfolded

We are travelling with our dear friends Kathy and Don. Four days ago, Kathy came down with a bad cough. By yesterday, she was really sick. She went to the ship's medical center, where they tested her — Influenza A.

Two days ago, my husband developed a sore throat. After a very rough night, he made his own trip to the medical center. His result? Both Influenza A and Influenza B. That is apparently as unlucky as it sounds.

I went with him to the medical center. The ship's doctor prescribed me Tamiflu as a preventive measure, which I was grateful to receive quickly. My husband has now been quarantined to our cabin, and the medical team will test him twice daily to determine when he can safely return to normal ship activities. Right now, he is sleeping most of the day and night — which is exactly what his body needs.

We had arranged a private shore excursion in Cabo that we were genuinely looking forward to. It has been cancelled, of course. The harbour view from our balcony will have to do. We've been to Cabo before so we don't feel upset about missing this port.

What We Learned: Tips If You Get Sick at Sea

If you or someone you are travelling with falls ill on a cruise, here is what we would tell you based on firsthand experience:

Go to the ship's medical center early. Do not wait and hope it passes. Kathy went when she was bad; by the time my husband went, he had both strains. The sooner you are tested and treated, the better — for you and for everyone else on board.

The ship's medical team is well-equipped. They have testing, prescription medications including antivirals, and clear quarantine protocols. We have been treated professionally and with genuine care throughout. We've already received a call from Guest Services, "what do you need, anything you want, just call us".

Ask about preventive treatment for travel companions. I was offered Tamiflu prophylactically simply because I had been in close contact with my husband. Do not be afraid to ask what options exist for people who have been exposed but are not yet symptomatic.

Never travel without comprehensive travel insurance. This is the first trip in all my years of travelling that I have actually needed to use it. I am so glad I have it. Medical care on ships is not free, and missed excursions add up quickly.

Quarantine is strict — but for good reason. Influenza spreads very easily in the close quarters of a cruise ship. The protocols exist to protect hundreds of other passengers. Accept it, be grateful for the balcony view if you have one, and rest.

So here we sit, my husband sleeping behind me, Cabo glittering in the afternoon sun, two magnificent ships anchored in the harbour. It is not the Cabo experience we planned — but it is ours, and we are making the best of it.

Travel rarely goes exactly as written in the itinerary. Sometimes it tests you. The best preparation is good insurance, quick action when something feels wrong, and the willingness to rest when your body demands it.

Feel better soon to my husband and to our dear Kathy. And to anyone reading this from a sunny port somewhere — go ashore and enjoy it for us.

Flu shots were not available before we left home.  We get them every year.  Too bad we didn't leave a little later.  Don't forget to get your flu shot!

Just as we eased away from Cabo San Lucas, the captain’s voice came over the overhead speakers with news that changed the rhythm of our voyage. We wouldn’t be stopping in Mazatlán after all — tomorrow would now be a sea day.

A tropical system was forming to the southeast of Lázaro Cárdenas: Hurricane Simon, still young but rapidly strengthening. According to the National Hurricane Center, Simon had just developed off the southwestern coast of Mexico and was expected to intensify into a hurricane by late Thursday, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Saturday.

So the ship adjusted course, picking up speed, doing what ships have done for centuries — outrunning weather. There was no panic, just that quiet awareness that the ocean has its own plans. And tomorrow, instead of strolling through Mazatlán, we’ll be watching the horizon, letting the sea day unfold while Simon gathers strength far to the south.

We were boarding 18 new entertainers in Mazatlan. They can't board, so the cruise director is adjusting the entertainment schedule. We've enjoyed all the entertainment and looking forward to seeing Ken Boyd the Comedian once again.

Leaving Cabo San Lucas with a gorgeous sunset that was farther to the right.  

Day 10 - Sea Day Magic: Calm Seas, Smart Tech, and Endless Choices

This morning the Star Princess is gliding through calm, glassy water under a warm 30°C / 86°F sun. Sea days have a special kind of rhythm — unhurried, spacious, and full of possibility. If you’ve ever wondered what people do when there’s no port to rush off to, the answer is: absolutely anything you want.

Princess schedules over 100 activities on sea days. In fact, there are so many options that the Princess Patter can’t even fit them all into the printed edition. Trivia, lectures, crafts, music, fitness, games, enrichment sessions — you name it, it’s happening somewhere onboard. All the activities are shown on the Medallion with a description, location and route map to find the venue.

And behind the scenes of all this choice is one of Princess’s biggest innovations: the Medallion.

The Medallion: A Tiny Disc That Transforms Your Cruise

Princess is still the only cruise line offering this technology, and it truly changes the experience. The Medallion itself is a small, quarter-sized smart disc — waterproof, heat-resistant, and never needs charging. You can wear it on a lanyard, slip it into your pocket, or pop it into a wristband or pendant.

But the magic is in what it does.

• Contactless Boarding: You breeze through the terminal using the fast “Green Lane,” skipping the usual check-in lines.

• Keyless Stateroom Entry: Walk toward your cabin and the door unlocks automatically — no tapping, swiping, or fumbling.

• Onboard Payments: Drinks, snacks, souvenirs — all charged to your account with a simple tap.

• On-Demand Delivery: Order anything from the app and crew can find you anywhere on the ship to deliver it.

• Wayfinding: The app’s compass helps you navigate the ship or locate your travel companions.

• Messaging system: You can contact your shipmates with a message, or Crew Chat - instead of going to Guest Services and standing in a line. If you have a question, you can send them a messsage. I've already done it and got an answer in less than 5 minutes!

• Simplified Safety Drills: Watch the muster video on your device and tap in at your station — quick, easy, and done. No more standing on the deck, answering to your name and taking your life jacket back to your stateroom with 3,000 other passengers at the same time!

It’s one of those rare pieces of technology that feels invisible until you realize how much smoother it makes your day.

A Perfect Sea Day

With calm seas, warm air, and more activities than anyone could possibly fit into a single day, sea days on Princess are a blend of relaxation and discovery. Whether you’re wandering the decks, attending a lecture, enjoying a show, or simply watching the horizon, the Medallion quietly supports it all — making every moment just a little easier.

Day 9 - A Surprising Moment at Sea

Cruises are usually a blend of sunshine, calm seas, and easy days — but every now and then, something unexpected reminds you that ships are busy, working environments behind the scenes.

Yesterday, we stepped out onto our balcony and immediately noticed something unusual on the pier below. Three fire engines were lined up beside the ship, lights flashing but no sirens. A few minutes later, crew members began lowering oil‑catching booms into the water, forming a bright white barrier around a section of the pier. It was clear something had happened.

Before long, a large winch truck arrived and lowered its crane toward the water. Slowly, carefully, it lifted a piece of equipment — a forklift — up from below the surface. Watching it rise dripping from the harbour was surreal. You don’t expect to see heavy machinery being fished out of the ocean on a sunny sea day.

We still haven’t heard how the forklift operator is doing. The drop didn’t look far, but even a short fall can cause serious injury. Everyone onboard seems to be hoping for good news.

Moments like this remind you that while cruising feels effortless, there’s a whole world of operations happening just out of sight. And sometimes, those operations take an unexpected turn.

I'm sure the owners of the suitcases are getting free laundry. Let's hope there were no electronics in those cases.

I took this picture from our balcony

And while all this was happening the Ovation of the Seas 168,666 Gross Tons left the Port. Star Princess is 177,800 Gross Tons.

 

Day 8 - Los Angeles - Back‑to‑Back Day: Turning One Cruise Into Two

Today marked an interesting transition on the Star Princess. About 700 of us who boarded in Vancouver are continuing all the way to Fort Lauderdale, while the rest disembarked and a fresh wave of excited new passengers came aboard. Princess sells this itinerary as a 23‑day cruise, but you can also book it as 7 days + 16 days. It turned out to be cheaper to book the two segments separately — so that’s exactly what I did.

The bonus? When you sail back‑to‑back, Princess counts them as two cruises, which means two sets of loyalty perks. As an Elite guest, that includes two bar setups. I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment — watching both my weight and my sugar — so I asked them to swap the pop and spirits for bottled water. A small change, but a helpful one.

A Much Easier Back‑to‑Back Process

Princess invited all back‑to‑back guests to a short seminar. Things have changed, and honestly, the improvements are remarkable.

In the past, we had to gather at a venue at 9:00 AM, walk off the ship to scan our cards, then sit in a holding area until every passenger had disembarked. If the Coast Guard ran a drill, or if U.S. Customs or the Health Department decided to do an inspection, the wait could stretch on and on. Eventually, we’d reboard with new cruise cards and start again.

This time? None of that.

Thanks to Medallion technology, everything rolled over automatically. Our same medallions stayed active, our cruise status continued seamlessly, and we didn’t even have to muster again. (Apparently, if you’re at sea for more than 25 days, you do have to repeat the muster — but we’re just under that threshold.)

If we wanted to go ashore today, Princess provided “Guest in Transit” passes to show security. But with the temperature soaring to 38°C / 100°F, we decided to stay onboard. It turned out to be a lovely choice — the ship was quiet, peaceful, and perfect for wandering.

Sail Away, Round Two

We sailed at 4 PM. In Vancouver, they didn't have a sail‑away party because the ship departed in the middle of the night. I always enjoy those moments — the music, the energy, the sense of shared adventure — so we stopped by today just to listen to the band and watch all the new passengers buzzing with excitement.

There’s something special about seeing people at the very start of their cruise. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it reminded me how lucky we are to be continuing on for the long voyage ahead.

  We had an aft table for breakfast at the American Diner and this was the view from our table!

View from the Port/Forward of the ship at Pier 46

Starboard side from our balcony,  They loaded provisions all day!

An NFL game in the dome.  Chose a regular chair or lounger with padding, it's air conditioned. 
 Note the indoor/outdoor pool!

Day 7 - A Smooth Sea Day and a Fascinating Look Behind the Scenes

Leaving San Francisco

Sometimes you forget the ship is even moving, and the sunshine has followed us as we head further south. It’s amazing how quickly the weather shifts once you’re out of the northern latitudes — suddenly everything feels brighter, warmer, and wonderfully relaxed.

Sea days have their own charm. There’s no rush, no schedule you have to keep, just a gentle rhythm of activities to dip into as you please. This morning, Cole, our Cruise Director, hosted an information session about working at sea. It was surprisingly detailed — and clearly popular, because the room was standing‑room only. I was lucky enough to snag a chair.

Cole explained how the hiring process works for Princess. Everything goes through a third‑party agency, and if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you need four separate U.S. visas before you can even begin. After that comes the Marine Medical/Seafarers Medical fitness certificate. It’s quite the journey just to get onboard as crew, and hearing the steps laid out gave me a whole new appreciation for the people who make these voyages run so smoothly. Cole spoke about how the crew is treated, their accomodation and all the rules for them. He works four months on and two months off. He's a New Zealand citizen isn't required to pay taxes to the US or New Zealand. He has a girlfriend in South Africa where he spends his vacation.

Between sessions, I’ve been enjoying one of my favourite features on this ship: the smart elevators. They’re a small thing, but they make such a difference. You tap the floor you want on a display, it assigns you an elevator, and once you step inside there are no buttons at all — just open and close. The elevator simply takes you where you’re meant to go. Efficient, quiet, and best of all, no more kids pressing every button “just for fun.”

You choose your floor.  You always know what deck the gangway is on!

I was on floor 8, asked for floor 11 and it takes you there with NO stops!

Tomorrow we dock in Los Angeles. There are over 700 passengers, like us who are staying on for the next cruise. I'll explain the "turnaround" in tomorrow's blog.

Day 6 - San Francisco Day 2

I just learned that the Star Princess is the largest ship ever to dock at Pier 27. Hard to believe, considering she didn’t use that pier on the way to Alaska — but she certainly made her presence known this time.

There’s something special about having an overnight in port during a cruise. Last night felt relaxed in a way sea days never quite do. No rushing back for sail away, no watching the clock. We enjoyed a lovely dinner onboard and then headed to an outstanding show with Ivan Pecel, a juggler and comedian who had the whole theatre laughing. A perfect evening without a hint of hurry.

This morning started simply with a quick breakfast before Don and I decided we needed a few sundries. Target was the mission. We walked over to catch the 14 bus, and the driver couldn’t have been kinder. He was just starting his route, and we were the only passengers. We asked how to pay — credit card, cash, what’s the fare? He smiled and said, “You’re visitors. Here’s a two‑hour pass.” A small gesture, but it made our morning.

We later discovered that the pass also worked on the trolley running down the Embarcadero, right past Pier 27. So on the way back, instead of retracing our steps, we hopped on the trolley and rode home in comfort, watching the waterfront roll by. I got off at pier 27. Don continued on to Pier 39 as he wanted Clam Chowder for lunch! Cec, Kathy and I went to the American Diner and had a relaxing buffet lunch.

A simple outing, but full of those little moments that make travel feel generous.

The Ferry Building

The other side of Embarcadero showing the statue an the Ferry Building at Pier #1

You catch the #14 bus right by the Ferry Building and it took us right to Target!

Richard's horse "B the King" had a great race.  I should have placed a bet before I left!

Day 5 - San Francisco Day 1

Oakland Bay Bridge picture taken from our balcony

Pier 39 was fun.  We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and saw the magic show!

Only 2 Sea Lions - every other time we've visited these floats were full of them!

A blimp and Alcatraz

I'd love to know what this Costco sign says!

Waymo cars everywhere!

Love the architecture

Marin County

Golden Gate Bridge. It was cold and windy going over in an open air Hop On Hop Off bus, but lots of fun!

We slipped under the Golden Gate Bridge at 5:30 this morning, though I wasn’t up to see it. I’ve sailed beneath that beautiful span before, and we’ll sail out again tomorrow night, so I didn’t feel the need to greet it in the dark.

Because we stopped in Victoria, everyone had to clear U.S. Immigration here in San Francisco. It was a smooth, straightforward process — the usual questions about how long we’re staying and whether we’re carrying drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fruit, or meat. The officer was pleasant, and before long we were on our way to meet the Big Bus for our tour.

The drive through San Francisco was wonderful. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge again, this time wrapped in fog, with wind whipping across the open deck and the kind of cold that makes you laugh because you didn’t dress for it. Even so, there’s something magical about that bridge disappearing into mist.

By the time we returned to Pier 39, the city had transformed. The fog had lifted, the wind had calmed, and the sun was shining across the waterfront. San Francisco does that — it shifts moods quickly, offering a little drama and then a warm smile.

A memorable day, from foggy bridge crossings to sunny piers.