New Vineyard resident takes first post-pandemic cruise

REGION – When New Vineyard native Andreas Wyder was booked to perform on a cruise ship in 2020, he never anticipated what would happen in the weeks and months that followed. After the reality of the pandemic quickly set in, Wyder was on a plane home to Franklin County to expect the worst.

Today, as life slowly returns to normal, Wyder is aboard the Celebrity Edge, the first cruise ship to leave a U.S. port since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wyder boarded Royal Carribbean’s Celebrity Edge in May as an anomaly in his intersecting industries.

“II’ve been singing for an audience for 15 months, ”Wyder explained in a zoom interview while at sea in Mexico. “ I feel like one of the first performers to take over a job that is also very lucky. It was a dream… I’m so lucky to be here.

Wyder explained that he “had nerves” and “some anxiety” about going on America’s first cruise amid the ongoing pandemic, but his fears were allayed by Celebrity, who is handling the guidelines for COVID-19 security “seriously”. Wyder explained that all of his cast and crew and a large majority of guests (except children under 11) are vaccinated. Wyder is also undergoing routine COVID-19 testing.

“IIt seems like whatever we can control in a crazy time of life, they control it, ”Wyder said.

More so, “tThe adventure is worth it, for me, ”said Wyder. “Get me back to work.” “

Wyder grew up in New Vineyard, raised by his parents, Diane and Chris, retirees from Mt. Blue district teachers. Wyder graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 2011, where he developed his love for singing and performance. Wyder was a member of the “amazing” a cappella Mt. Blue Voices group.

“Growing (in Franklin County) really prepared me for the work life I have now just because it’s so in the Farmington spirit, ”Wyder said.

After an early end to his high school career, Wyder moved to New York City, where he has spent the past 10 years performing and singing in regional and off-Broadway productions. Wyder has also been on national Broadway musical tours, including Titanic the Musical.

When the pandemic hit, Wyder was in Miami rehearsing his stint on Celebrity Edge. Like many native Mainers, Wyder returned to Franklin County, where he spent the pandemic with his mother and father in New Vineyard.

“I had never been back to Maine for as long as last year since I was 17 and moved. It was so amazing to be back and to be with my family, ”said Wyder. “(Franklin County) is a great place to deal with what’s going on in the world.”

Andreas Wyder, from New Vineyard, is on board the first cruise to leave a U.S. port since the start of the pandemic. He spent his 2020 40s in Franklin County enjoying the forests of Maine and spending time with his parents, retired teachers of Mt. Blue. Photo courtesy of Andreas Wyder

Wyder described himself as a “spiritual boy of the wild” who relished the opportunity to get back to nature in Maine. Wyder said he spent his days going on “nature walks” and “meditating in the forest”. Wyder also spent his time like many – playing scrabble, baking, and taking car rides to see Maine and Franklin County sites like the Wire Bridge.

Wyder said growing up in Franklin County and Maine taught him “hhow to enjoy life and enjoy the planet.

He misses “the community” and plans to return to Franklin County when his contract ends later this year.

For now, he likes “to redo what I like …sing all day every day. He will take this love to Costa Maya, Mexico, the Bahamas and Sint Maarten, among others.

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