Back when Covid reared its ugly head for the first time, pretty much shutting down the world, several trips that I had planned were canceled. It took some time, as well as a lot of phone calls, but most of my money was refunded. The cruise that I was hoping to take for Thanksgiving was also postponed, giving me a credit that had to be used by September 2022. There was a little anxiety when I booked my cruise for July 22nd.

Despite the rising number of positive Covid cases, I felt pretty safe about taking my cruise to Bermuda last week. Royal Caribbean required all passengers over the age of 12 to be vaccinated and we all had to have proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours of sailing. The unvaccinated children were tested at the port prior to boarding. Bermuda also required vaccination and a negative test to visit their island and masks were required on all public transportation. The cruise line did not require passengers to wear masks but their entire staff wore them at all times. I was appreciative of their efforts to keep us all healthy.

I began looking for a place to get my quick Covid test several months prior to my cruise. When I found out that the Mon County Health Department had an international travel clinic, I scheduled an appointment. The website stated that I’d have my results within a few hours and this was confirmed multiple times through phone conversations, including during the appointment confirmation the day before. Costing $140, it was an expensive option, but the price was worth the peace of mind. Right?

Sitting in the examination room at the clinic at 9:15 a.m., I was told that they couldn’t guarantee I’d have my results till the following evening, several hours after the ship sailed. I’m sixty-three years old and it was all I could do not to bawl!

Despite being in a stunned panic, I remembered the one other place that said they could do a quick Covid test. With trembling fingers, I called the Grafton Walgreens drugstore where the pharmacist told me that I’d have to schedule an appointment online. If there was still an appointment available, he would promise my results in under two hours.

Before I left Morgantown, I had a three o’clock appointment in Grafton. I went back home, knowing that if this didn’t pan out, I’d miss the cruise. It was a tense day, and I arrived at Walgreens way early because I was worried about a tree being across the road, a flat tire, or the boogie man hijacking my car. After killing thirty minutes, I drove to the drive through window, where the whole procedure was done quickly and efficiently. I did the nose swab myself while the pharmacist supervised and only paid $130.

While in Grafton, I treated myself to a chocolate malt from Dairy Queen. I’m not an expert on malts, but I think they have the best ones in the whole world! It’s not something I allow myself to have often, but after a day that was giant steps beyond normal in the way of stress, I felt like I deserved it. By the time I got home, my Covid test results were waiting for me in my email. I tested negative and it was Bon Voyage for me the next day.