Yesterday afternoon, we put Cinder and Rosie in their travel bags and took
them onboard for a trial overnight cruise.  We'd had them onboard overnight
before, but while tied to the our dock. This would be their first time
underway to a different place.
Our destination was a marina about 20 minutes from our dock where we would
have a barbecue with two other couples and spend the night tied to the
courtesy dock.
I put the kitty bags with the kitties in the bedroom and shut the bedroom
door to keep them safe while we left the dock.  Once underway, I came back
and let them out of the travel bags. I sat on the floor with them in the
bedroom with the door shut while Jim drove the boat.
The kitties were quite nervous at first, but did not run around in panic or
try to hide. They cried some and panted some. Cinder walked around a little,
but mostly lay near me on a throw rug on the floor.  Rosie spent most of the
time in my lap, but also did a little exploring.  They both kept an eye on
the bedroom door and obviously did not like the idea that it was closed.
This was the first time they'd felt the floor vibrate and heard the rumble
of the engine below them. I suspect that was one major cause of the anxiety.
They are used to going on and off the boat voluntarily when it is at the
dock with the engine shut down and doors and window open.
I left them in the room with the door shut when I readied the boat for
docking,  I handle the fenders and lines, and Jim handles the boat.
Once docked, we opened the bedroom door, and Cinder was first up the steps
into the main cabin area.  They didn't like the idea that the doors and
windows were shut to the outside, but they seemed to enjoy looking out the
windows.  They were particularly interested in watching the reflections off
the water that made dancing light on the ceiling and walls.
The cats protested when we left them to eat with our friends. I went to
check on them after a while, and they were quiet, but when they spotted me
looking in the window, they started up again.
When we returned, they settled down right away and we had a peaceful night.
When we went to bed, Rosie snuggled and purred as usual.  Cinder slept on
the dining bench where she had a good view of the bedroom.
I got up just before dawn and joined Cinder on the seat, which she liked.
She's occasionally snuggles, but mostly likes to hang out in the vicinity.
Then Rosie joined us, and they took turns exploring the various nooks and
crannies and looking out the window while the sun came up.
I shut them in the bedroom again when we left the dock, which they
protested.  I let them out once we were on our way home and stayed in the
cabin with them until it was time to dock again.
Once we were on the dock, I put them back in the travel bags and carried
them into the house.  Now they are acting as if it were all some sort of
strange dream.  Or maybe they think we were struck with temporary insanity.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that one of our friends said she would foster
the cats for us while we go on our trip.  They have a cat who is very
mellow, so it might work.  I'll discuss it with them soon and see if we
(including the cats) think it will work.  We are not leaving until March, so
we have time for an introductory period.
(Sigh) I'm really torn on this.
Annie