Feb. 2

Fred wrote this email to Matt Morgan, our Viking Sky Cruise Director:

I have limited experience in advising on women’s health. My only previous venture was on the Covid World Cruise. We were required to get a temperature check before disembarking in a port. There was a long line and passengers were curious and a bit apprehensive. As I completed my test and walked past a long line, a woman asked, “How was it?’ I responded, “Not bad, but I wish they didn’t do it rectally.”  The look on her face and others around her changed. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I think they were looks of appreciation. Building on this success, I’d like to offer 2 suggestions.

Our excursions frequently have lavatory stops, some of which are time consuming. Lines for women always seem to be longer. I don’t know if it’s because of their being chatty or a lack of athleticism. Whichever it is I’d like to help.

   1) My first suggestion is to employ a method that Karla and I used with our kids. On a long car trip, we wanted to arrive at our destination and our kids, not infrequently, would say, “I have to go potty.” We learned to ask, “Gas station or side of the road?” Usually, side of the road would suffice and we avoided long stopovers. What about asking excursion drivers to periodically ask, “Side of the road?” Passengers could disembark, relieve themselves and rejoin the bus with no long lines. An additional cultural benefit is that it would allow Vikings to meet the locals as they descended on trees and bushes. It makes a good visual.

   2) A second thought is a new innovation highlighted in the January 21 New York Times in the article, “The Pure Liberation of a Personal Urination Device.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/magazine/personal-urination-device.html It facilitates woman peeing while standing up…..an uncommon skill without technical assistance. The article provides more detail and color commentary. Viking could distribute these funnel-like items in the welcome bag. Men may claim differential treatment since they have already mastered the skill. But, they would benefit from the time savings.

I’m looking for no credit for these changes; I’m OK with “Morgan Innovations.” And the stops could be called Mattinees. Most of this demographic remember fondly the old Saturday movie matinees.

I haven’t talked to Karla about helping with a pre-port demo. But she always likes to be helpful. Alternatively, if Heather (our former cruise director and now the boss to many cruise directors) is joining the ship sometime, I bet Karla would yield to her. If you implement these suggestions, I assure you that you will be remembered…perhaps even famous.