Tag 97-98: Our cabin neighbors have disappeared

OBSERVATION

For the second day now (since we left Cape Town), our cabin neighbors have not been seen. The sign on the door constantly says 'do not disturb'. Unusual! And we are starting to worry.

EXPLANATION

Only after we set sail again from Walvis Bay do we see them. When we ask if they are doing well again, they start to laugh and tell their story.

They were not sick, but not on the ship. They had booked an AIDA excursion in Cape Town and unfortunately, the woman left her jacket along with her passport in the bus. It was nowhere to be found, and when they returned to the ship, they were denied reboarding. Since neither of them spoke English, it must have been quite stressful until they could connect with the German embassy. The embassy then issued a temporary passport and helped with the booking of their flights to Namibia. This way, they could catch up with the ship and board again in Walvis Bay.

The whole ordeal cost 800 euros and a lot of nerves. However, it also had two positive outcomes:

1. An additional and beautiful vacation day in Cape Town and

2. An anecdote that one never forgets and can share at the bar or wherever the opportunity arises.