A Freckleton couple stuck at sea on world cruise thanks to coronavirus

A Freckleton couple who set off on a round the world cruise to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary spent a full month at sea thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Doreen and Philip HoltDoreen and Philip Holt
Doreen and Philip Holt

But despite not being able to get off the ship and visit the 14 places they planned to see, the pair say they still had a wonderful time thanks to the efforts of the “amazing” P&O staff.

Doreen and Phil Holt, who will have been married for 50 years in June, flew to San Francisco on January 27 to embalk on a 74-night cruise with P&O.

Doreen, 71 a retired NHS worker and Phil, 72, a retired British Telecom employee took in the sights of Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania.

Doreen and Philip HoltDoreen and Philip Holt
Doreen and Philip Holt

But as they left the Gold Coast there was indication something had happened, as they were informed no Asian ports were open.

Phil says: “We were supposed to go to Sri Lanka and we had been travelling for several days towards it when we were informed about the crisis there and we had to turn around.

“We were supposed to sail on the Indian ocean South West for Durban, South Africa and from Durban to Cape Town but it was thrown up in the air as people were supposed to be getting off to fly home if they wanted to but as we couldnt get in, it could no longer happen.

“We couldn’t dock but the ship was not designed to stay at anchor so we had to just keep going forward, sailing round in a circle for five days.

Doreen and Philip HoltDoreen and Philip Holt
Doreen and Philip Holt

“This meant we then started to get critical on fuel.”

A doctor flew in on a helicopter to check if there was any virus on the ship and examined anyone in the sick bay who felt unwell, but was convinced the ship was virus free.

Yet it was another three days before the cruise ship could get in to Durban, once officials were satisfied the ship had been in quarantine for long enough to be trusted.

And for the rest of the trip the guests had to remain on board the ship unable to visit Whitsunday Island, Manila, Shang Hai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Oman, Suez Canal, Malta and Lisbon as planned.

Doreen says: “We set off on a round the world cruise but came back having seen half the world.

“The captain thought it might be a record as from March 11 to April 12 we were solidly at sea.

But as the couple saw what was happening back home, with panic buying, empty supermarket shelves and people falling ill to the coronavirus they say they “didn’t want to get off.”

Doreen says: “We were one big community, a big family and all in it together.

“We ran out of nothing and it felt like a charmed existance in a little bubble.

“We didn’t want to get off the ship and nobody wanted to fly back.”

The couple, who have a grown up son and daughter and two grandchildren, say staff on board the ship made sure they continued to have an amazing time.

And despite being given the all-clear, staff still maintained social distancing even repeating theatre shows to leave every third chair empty to abide by the 2 metre rule. And spacing tables and chairs in the dining room.

Phil says: “They were fantastic. They kept us informed and even even the crew were also worried about loved ones back home but they kept us entertained and looked after us. We could not fault them.”

The couple say when they returned to the UK they were still shocked by what they saw, despite knowing what they were returning to.

Phil said: “It hit us more when we came home. The roads were so quiet, it was like where has the world gone?

“It was not like seeing it on TV when we saw it in reality, it was a shock and it still felt strange.”

Now, the pair are at home in Freckleton and are self isolating, while being looked after by neighbours and family.

And they are planning a party for all friends and family in the village hall. The party is booked for June, but they say if it is not possible to go ahead it will be postponed to another time. P&O have also offered the couple a free holiday next year to make up for what happened, where they will visit Canada, New York and Boston.

Doreen said: “We are over the moon. And we still had a wonderful time. “

It was fantastic.”

When asked what the secret to their 50 years of marriage is, Doreen says: “You know what they say - Happy wife - happy life!”