Kidnapped

The flights back from Manila were confirmed and TSH had chosen the seats. 17 hours flying instead of the planned 4 or 5 from Athens. Diva had written to the car service for the Manchester airport pick-up.

When the captain's voice was heard at 9:30, it was inevitably going to be more bad news. And indeed it was. Manila is closed and the Silver Spirit is heading for Darwin, Australia. Into the southern hemisphere and further away from Athens, Europe and home. This will involve another 4 days at sea.

There is more than enough fuel for the ship and champagne for the guests. But the Silver Spirit has exhausted its vegetable garden and fresh food will be in short supply. No strawberries, raspberries or blackberries at breakfast.

The Australians - and there are many on this cruise because they were offered cheap deals to fill the ship - are delighted. The European guests are not happy. Diva is in melt-down.

The upside is that this is a luxury ship and TSH and Diva have brought their work and their electronic entertainment. Many guests, with no resources of any kind, are very bored. And this might be the safest place in the world to avoid the virus. Everybody had their temperatures taken again and there is no suggestion that anybody is ill.