Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf: There is something about being in a world hot spot, like this one, that focuses the attention. It could be impending cataclysm, and a hope that it doesn't occur while we're here. This is a darned narrow waterway when the folks on one side say we're "the Great Satan." (N.B. That's a hard title to live down to.)
Tonight we have a letter from the captain outlining the steps we will take to avoid encounters with Somali pirates. The ship will undergo a modified blackout, to make us less visible, and the plan is to move pax away from windows and keep on steaming at top speed while taking evasive actions.
I'd like it better if there was some plan to shoot back, or run pirates down - offense is the best defense. There are two cruise ships making this run at the same time, our Legend of the Seas, and the Pacific Princess. I'd hope the U.S.Navy is keeping an eye on both. Neither ship is registered in the States but both firms operate from U.S. headquarters: RCI in Miami and Princess in Santa Clarita, CA.
