Derek and Melissa Lissner quarantined in their cabin
FEATURELOOK
Melissa Lissner, Royal Caribbean performer
Melissa & Derek’s Quarantined Cruise
The cruise line encouraged social distancing and increased sanitization. On March 30th, after a possible positive case of Coronavirus among the crew, a 17-day complete lockdown began. The crew was confined to their compact cabins for more than two weeks. Meals were brought to their rooms. The cruise line did their best to take care of the crew and loaded up with By Maggie Murdock Nichols as many supplies as they could before they were told to leave Australian waters. Many of us faced cramped quarters, mundanity and limited The ship made its journey to the Philippines as the crew choices as we attempted to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. sheltered below deck. Many countries made arrangements for While we sheltered at home, Edmond native Melissa Lissner their citizens, but Americans were left without a plan. On April and her husband Derek viewed the outside world through a tiny 15th, changes were made to the lockdown. The crew was allowed porthole in an 8x15 foot cabin. Melissa performed her last show two hours a day outside, one hour in the morning and one in the as a figure skater on the ship. Without passengers, the Royal afternoon. On April 18th, Derek and Melissa were told to move Caribbean ship was left to wander aimlessly in the open seas, out of their cabin and into guests rooms. They enjoyed the larger seeking a port that would take them in. room and balcony. At this point, they could eat Melissa began her figure skating career at The crew were confined to in the cafeteria, but had to social distance and the Arctic Edge Ice Rink. Early on it was clear their compact cabins for a wear masks. that Melissa was bound for a professional On April 29th, the Americans heard they 17-day lockdown career. Melissa has been skating for 23 years might have flights home. They rushed to pack and has spent the past 6 years skating on their belongings and stepped foot on land cruise ships. Figure skating on a cruise takes discipline and talent. for the first time in 50 days. They were put through rigorous Without a full crew and huge rink, all eyes are on the skater. screening and temperature checks. The Phillipine military Melissa met her husband Derek through work on the cruise escorted them until they boarded their plane. They faced a ship. The couple has been married for almost two years. Melissa similar process in South Korea. They were shocked by the lack said she has visited more countries than there are states in of safety procedures when they landed in Chicago. There were the United States. The couple began work on a cruise with a no temperature checks and they were simply handed a CDC port in Sydney, Australia on November 12th of 2019. The ship pamphlet. When they finally landed in Oklahoma City, Melissa returned to port and offloaded passengers on March 18th. The and Derek were greeted by a sign displaying Coronavirus safety night before, Melissa was about to take the ice when the captain information and a few people wearing masks. announced that all performances would be cancelled and sent all The couple self-isolated in Edmond for two weeks. Not exactly guests and crew to their cabins. The crew completed a full barrier the getaway they had originally planned after their last cruise, clean and waited for further instruction. but they were thankful to be safe at home again.
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JUNE 2020
