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| Fly Him to the Moon. Or at Least, Fly Him Home. | Fly Him to the Moon. Or at Least, Fly Him Home. |
| (7 days later) | |
| Ryan Driscoll is the sort of celebrity unique to luxury cruise lines. A singer and entertainer, dapper and dandy, he plays the big room at night, crooning like Sinatra and Darin. He spends days schmoozing by the pool and strolling the decks, handing out smiles and leaving behind swoons. He belts out arias at sunset. If you are lucky, he is assigned to your table for dinner. | Ryan Driscoll is the sort of celebrity unique to luxury cruise lines. A singer and entertainer, dapper and dandy, he plays the big room at night, crooning like Sinatra and Darin. He spends days schmoozing by the pool and strolling the decks, handing out smiles and leaving behind swoons. He belts out arias at sunset. If you are lucky, he is assigned to your table for dinner. |
| The entire ship is his stage. The moment he leaves his cabin, he is “on” — suit crisped, face shaved, hair coiffed, smile illuminated. | The entire ship is his stage. The moment he leaves his cabin, he is “on” — suit crisped, face shaved, hair coiffed, smile illuminated. |
| That was before the coronavirus. Now Mr. Driscoll, a 26-year-old from California, is quarantined alone in a suite on the Seabourn Odyssey off the coast of Bridgetown, Barbados. | That was before the coronavirus. Now Mr. Driscoll, a 26-year-old from California, is quarantined alone in a suite on the Seabourn Odyssey off the coast of Bridgetown, Barbados. |
| The ship’s crew members have been aboard without passengers for nearly seven weeks, caught up in an around-the-world oceanic race against infection. Dozens of cruise ships were out to sea as the virus began to spread, and as the toll of sick and dying passengers rose, port after port turned the vessels away. | The ship’s crew members have been aboard without passengers for nearly seven weeks, caught up in an around-the-world oceanic race against infection. Dozens of cruise ships were out to sea as the virus began to spread, and as the toll of sick and dying passengers rose, port after port turned the vessels away. |
| Eventually, most passengers were able to disembark. Not so the hapless crew members, many of whom continue to bob the seas in water-bound purgatory. Some of the ships are still riddled with coronavirus cases. | Eventually, most passengers were able to disembark. Not so the hapless crew members, many of whom continue to bob the seas in water-bound purgatory. Some of the ships are still riddled with coronavirus cases. |
| Many crew members must still do their jobs, even without guests — the chores of cooking, cleaning and maintaining the ship. | Many crew members must still do their jobs, even without guests — the chores of cooking, cleaning and maintaining the ship. |
| But there are those, like Mr. Driscoll, whose jobs cannot be performed now. He is an entertainer without an audience. | But there are those, like Mr. Driscoll, whose jobs cannot be performed now. He is an entertainer without an audience. |
| He sings to himself in the comically tiny shower. His tuxedo hangs uselessly pressed in the closet. His face wears the scruff of the two weeks since he ran out of razors. | He sings to himself in the comically tiny shower. His tuxedo hangs uselessly pressed in the closet. His face wears the scruff of the two weeks since he ran out of razors. |
| The caviar and filet mignon and the coo of conversation have given way to meals of boiled potatoes and white rice, silent and alone. The martinis have dried up, along with the rest of the ship’s alcohol. Oh, what he would give for a cold beer. In his cabin, one remaining square of Lindt dark chocolate — his favorite, with a touch of sea salt — tests his daily resolve. | The caviar and filet mignon and the coo of conversation have given way to meals of boiled potatoes and white rice, silent and alone. The martinis have dried up, along with the rest of the ship’s alcohol. Oh, what he would give for a cold beer. In his cabin, one remaining square of Lindt dark chocolate — his favorite, with a touch of sea salt — tests his daily resolve. |
| He is thankful for his health. He is thankful that no one on the Odyssey has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is thankful for his vast supply of deodorant, his recording equipment to help him rehearse, and for decent Wi-Fi that helps him stay in touch and search for his next gig. | He is thankful for his health. He is thankful that no one on the Odyssey has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is thankful for his vast supply of deodorant, his recording equipment to help him rehearse, and for decent Wi-Fi that helps him stay in touch and search for his next gig. |
| But he has not stepped on land in more than two months. He does not know when he will get off the ship. | But he has not stepped on land in more than two months. He does not know when he will get off the ship. |
| Every night he falls asleep dreaming of being home. Every morning he wakes, looks out the window and sees that he is right where he started the day before, like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day.” | Every night he falls asleep dreaming of being home. Every morning he wakes, looks out the window and sees that he is right where he started the day before, like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day.” |
| During normal times, people pay tens of thousands of dollars to spend a few weeks in such a cabin aboard a ship with such a view. To be wishing, instead, to be back in the U.S., stuck at home like millions of other stir-crazy Americans? | During normal times, people pay tens of thousands of dollars to spend a few weeks in such a cabin aboard a ship with such a view. To be wishing, instead, to be back in the U.S., stuck at home like millions of other stir-crazy Americans? |
| The water is always bluer somewhere else. “I just want to put on a mask and go to the grocery store,” he said. | The water is always bluer somewhere else. “I just want to put on a mask and go to the grocery store,” he said. |
| Mr. Driscoll recently had a dream. He was in the drive-through line at In-N-Out, the California-based burger chain. | Mr. Driscoll recently had a dream. He was in the drive-through line at In-N-Out, the California-based burger chain. |
| “I get up to the window and they say, ‘Oh, because of Covid we had to close,’” Mr. Driscoll said. “I’m like, ‘No! I just ordered! You’ve got my burger right there!’” | “I get up to the window and they say, ‘Oh, because of Covid we had to close,’” Mr. Driscoll said. “I’m like, ‘No! I just ordered! You’ve got my burger right there!’” |
| He awoke to look outside. No drive-through line. Only Barbados. | He awoke to look outside. No drive-through line. Only Barbados. |
| Away from the cruise ship, Ryan Driscoll is not famous. He grew up in Southern California and has performed musical theater professionally since he was 15. He has played leading parts in big-name musicals — Marius in “Les Miserables,” Cain in “Children of Eden” — in regional theaters. He had a jazz show on the Las Vegas Strip. | Away from the cruise ship, Ryan Driscoll is not famous. He grew up in Southern California and has performed musical theater professionally since he was 15. He has played leading parts in big-name musicals — Marius in “Les Miserables,” Cain in “Children of Eden” — in regional theaters. He had a jazz show on the Las Vegas Strip. |
| The cruise circuit is a flotilla of musical talent, most of it hoping to make permanent landfall someplace like New York or Las Vegas, where Mr. Driscoll has a home. A gig on a cruise ship is both a place to get away and to be discovered. | The cruise circuit is a flotilla of musical talent, most of it hoping to make permanent landfall someplace like New York or Las Vegas, where Mr. Driscoll has a home. A gig on a cruise ship is both a place to get away and to be discovered. |
| Mr. Driscoll has worked on cruise lines since 2016. He started an eight-month contract aboard the Seabourn Quest in October, a ship identical to the Odyssey, with a capacity of 420 passengers. | Mr. Driscoll has worked on cruise lines since 2016. He started an eight-month contract aboard the Seabourn Quest in October, a ship identical to the Odyssey, with a capacity of 420 passengers. |
| The Quest’s itinerary was a succession of 21- and 24-day trips between Buenos Aires and San Antonio, Chile. It did a slow yo-yo around the southern tip of South America. | The Quest’s itinerary was a succession of 21- and 24-day trips between Buenos Aires and San Antonio, Chile. It did a slow yo-yo around the southern tip of South America. |
| The days blend and the dates jumble, but by searching his messages and photos, Mr. Driscoll knows that the last time he got off the ship was in Chile on Feb. 23. He bought himself a coffee and some fresh fruit and never considered that it might be months before he touched land again. | The days blend and the dates jumble, but by searching his messages and photos, Mr. Driscoll knows that the last time he got off the ship was in Chile on Feb. 23. He bought himself a coffee and some fresh fruit and never considered that it might be months before he touched land again. |
| As a consequence of its long and remote itinerary, the Quest was in unintentional self-quarantine when the coronavirus panic detonated across the cruise industry in early March. Ships around the world aborted itineraries and scrambled for docks. | As a consequence of its long and remote itinerary, the Quest was in unintentional self-quarantine when the coronavirus panic detonated across the cruise industry in early March. Ships around the world aborted itineraries and scrambled for docks. |
| The Quest’s passengers disembarked in Buenos Aires on March 15. The ship chugged on northward slowly, killing time and saving fuel, until it reached Barbados on April 6. | The Quest’s passengers disembarked in Buenos Aires on March 15. The ship chugged on northward slowly, killing time and saving fuel, until it reached Barbados on April 6. |
| At first, without passengers, the crew roamed the decks and used the pool and gym. Workers were given their own cabins. Mr. Driscoll was upgraded to a fancier suite. | At first, without passengers, the crew roamed the decks and used the pool and gym. Workers were given their own cabins. Mr. Driscoll was upgraded to a fancier suite. |
| But in mid-April, crew members were told to stay in their rooms. “We thought we had already done the quarantine, being out at sea, but now we’re being quarantined to our rooms,” Mr. Driscoll said. | But in mid-April, crew members were told to stay in their rooms. “We thought we had already done the quarantine, being out at sea, but now we’re being quarantined to our rooms,” Mr. Driscoll said. |
| Cruise ships often have crew members from dozens of countries, and some nations have closed their borders during the pandemic, in some cases even to their own citizens. Seabourn said it was working to get crew members home, in accordance with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | Cruise ships often have crew members from dozens of countries, and some nations have closed their borders during the pandemic, in some cases even to their own citizens. Seabourn said it was working to get crew members home, in accordance with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| Updated July 21, 2020 | |
| “The ship is currently under a heightened health protocol as a precaution and in line with C.D.C. guidelines,” a company representative said. | “The ship is currently under a heightened health protocol as a precaution and in line with C.D.C. guidelines,” a company representative said. |
| The Quest and the Odyssey both anchored off Barbados and shuffled crew members. Those based in Europe gathered on the Quest, which then set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. | The Quest and the Odyssey both anchored off Barbados and shuffled crew members. Those based in Europe gathered on the Quest, which then set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Those based in North and South America, like Mr. Driscoll, were placed on the Odyssey, presumably to be closer to home whenever quarantines end and logistics are resolved. Crew members have been prohibited from leaving the ship. | Those based in North and South America, like Mr. Driscoll, were placed on the Odyssey, presumably to be closer to home whenever quarantines end and logistics are resolved. Crew members have been prohibited from leaving the ship. |
| Sequestered in their rooms, the entertainment crew — a small orchestra, a jazz trio, a piano player and a few singers — created a WhatsApp group to stay in touch. With no other jobs to perform, their only freedom comes at mealtime. They can leave their rooms, get a plate of food, eat quickly at a table alone and return to isolation. | Sequestered in their rooms, the entertainment crew — a small orchestra, a jazz trio, a piano player and a few singers — created a WhatsApp group to stay in touch. With no other jobs to perform, their only freedom comes at mealtime. They can leave their rooms, get a plate of food, eat quickly at a table alone and return to isolation. |
| “You have that two minutes as you walk down the hallway: ‘Hey, other humans!’” Mr. Driscoll said. | “You have that two minutes as you walk down the hallway: ‘Hey, other humans!’” Mr. Driscoll said. |
| A rare treat came earlier this week: a crew member’s birthday, which gave Mr. Driscoll occasion to sing an operatic version of “Happy Birthday” before slipping back to his cabin. | A rare treat came earlier this week: a crew member’s birthday, which gave Mr. Driscoll occasion to sing an operatic version of “Happy Birthday” before slipping back to his cabin. |
| Mr. Driscoll does not venture out in the morning. For breakfast, he mixes powdered protein shakes in his room. Lunch and dinner, he said, are mere sustenance. | Mr. Driscoll does not venture out in the morning. For breakfast, he mixes powdered protein shakes in his room. Lunch and dinner, he said, are mere sustenance. |
| “When the guests were here, I was eating amazing food with them, and there were lots of choices and variety,” Mr. Driscoll said. “But I’ve been eating rice, lettuce, potatoes, bread. Everything’s bland or frozen.” | “When the guests were here, I was eating amazing food with them, and there were lots of choices and variety,” Mr. Driscoll said. “But I’ve been eating rice, lettuce, potatoes, bread. Everything’s bland or frozen.” |
| By last weekend, Mr. Driscoll had had enough. He had also finished watching “Tiger King” and “Ozark.” | By last weekend, Mr. Driscoll had had enough. He had also finished watching “Tiger King” and “Ozark.” |
| Like a man stranded on an island sending messages in a bottle, he floated emails and calls to any government authority he could reach. He contacted the U.S. embassy in Bridgetown and the Barbados Port Agency. He sent an email to the White House. | Like a man stranded on an island sending messages in a bottle, he floated emails and calls to any government authority he could reach. He contacted the U.S. embassy in Bridgetown and the Barbados Port Agency. He sent an email to the White House. |
| “Trying to get home has given me something to do,” Mr. Driscoll said. “I realized that I was tired of watching T.V. and movies and reading books. I can’t work out anymore. I’m doing some push-ups and that’s about it. I’m so antsy to get home.” | “Trying to get home has given me something to do,” Mr. Driscoll said. “I realized that I was tired of watching T.V. and movies and reading books. I can’t work out anymore. I’m doing some push-ups and that’s about it. I’m so antsy to get home.” |
| Mr. Driscoll learned that about 80 other American crew members on various ships are sheltering around Barbados. He figured that might be enough to charter a plane to the United States. (So far, no luck.) | Mr. Driscoll learned that about 80 other American crew members on various ships are sheltering around Barbados. He figured that might be enough to charter a plane to the United States. (So far, no luck.) |
| Carnival offered to transfer him to a Princess ship sailing to Florida, he said, but there are already about 100 ships with 80,000 crew members waiting for permission to enter U.S. ports. The logjam could take weeks to untangle. | Carnival offered to transfer him to a Princess ship sailing to Florida, he said, but there are already about 100 ships with 80,000 crew members waiting for permission to enter U.S. ports. The logjam could take weeks to untangle. |
| For now, Mr. Driscoll has a plane ticket from Barbados to Miami on May 8, when American Airlines is expected to resume service. It is his biggest hope. Nothing is certain. | For now, Mr. Driscoll has a plane ticket from Barbados to Miami on May 8, when American Airlines is expected to resume service. It is his biggest hope. Nothing is certain. |
| Until he gets off the ship, he will try to ignore the last, taunting piece of Lindt chocolate. He will not shave. He will not schmooze. He will perform for an audience of one, rehearsing and recording. | Until he gets off the ship, he will try to ignore the last, taunting piece of Lindt chocolate. He will not shave. He will not schmooze. He will perform for an audience of one, rehearsing and recording. |
| He needs to build his repertoire for whatever might come next, whenever next comes. | He needs to build his repertoire for whatever might come next, whenever next comes. |