Well, we weren't sure if it would happen, but here we are in the American Airlines lounge at LAX.  'Weren't sure what would happen?' you're probably asking yourself.  We are flying to Stockholm to embark on a couple of cruises on the Oceania Marina - Stockholm to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to Lisbon.  It's been an interesting run-up to the cruise as the itinerary has changed and there was always the question of whether it would really happen.

This week has been a bit of a roller coaster.  First we had to make sure that we had the appropriate negative Covid test taken 48 hours prior to our arrival in Sweden.  So, yesterday we went in the morning to get tests at a place that promised results in 24 hours. By this morning we still had not received the results.  Fortunately, Linda had scheduled back-up appointments for this morning and we were able to get rapid tests with results promised within an hour.  And almost exactly 1 hour later, we received our negative test results!

Oh yes, then there was the other bit of uncertainty.  Earlier this week, the EU announced that they we removing the US from there list of safe countries.  It was up to the individual countries to decide how to handle it.  And just yesterday, Sweden announced that they were barring Americans effective Sept. 6th.  We arrive on the 4th - panic averted!  There is the question of how Oceania is going to work around that to get other people to Sweden, but so far their website still shows the cruise leaving from Stockholm.  We'll see!

I mentioned changes in itinerary.  Ports in St. Petersburg, Dublin, and Waterford were dropped.  We weren't too disappointed since we've been to each of those.  Actually, Linda was relieved that we didn't have to go back to Waterford - she was less than impressed the last time we were there.  Other ports were added but, you know what, we're not concerned.  If we had to just spend 26 days cruising around the Baltic and Atlantic with good food, good service and a great suite, that would be just fine!

 No promises, but I hope to keep up with this blog.  Feel free to enjoy it or ignore it.  As they say on Oceania, "It's your world your way!"

Peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry