Southendweather

2 minutes ago, Melaura said:

That’s fine , we could not have asked for better service from Capt Chris and all the staff at Tui and will definitely book a cruise with them when all is well in the world

We had booked, before Christmas one on Marella Explorer leaving 28th August Adriatic and Greek Islands, I wonder if my luck holds up as far as cruises have gone the last few years, no that is a big ask, but I would like to think things will be getting back on track for all of us all around Europe and the rest of the World. A big unknown atm

Keith (Southend)

33 minutes ago, Melaura said:

Just so grateful to captain Chris and all the crew that got us safely home . Reading about the 10 cruise ships around the world that no country will let land makes us thankful that we were on the discovery and Tui made a quick decision to fly us home on the repatriation flights

I cheekily posted an edited version of your post on Twitter with the the Hashtags #Marella #TUI as I'm sure we all agree we want to see them come out the other end of this in tact.

And yes, I still look every day..

Keith (Southend)

On 3/22/2020 at 8:05 AM, insidecabin said:

Disco has Muscat as its next destination. 

Seems to be anchored off the west coast of southern India atm, probably the safest place to be, assuming none of the crew have the virus 🦠 

Just over three weeks ago we flew back from Langkawi, we would never had imagined we would be where we are now with this virus, surreal..

On 3/9/2020 at 7:11 AM, kevinyork said:

In addition to the Asia port closures, India has banned cruise ships and now the UAE have done the same so I can’t see how Discovery can reposition from Asia with any port stops or see how passengers could board or disembark

looks like Discovery is at Koh Samui today.

30 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

How lucky were you going early👍

Yes, after being lucky in November 2018 with Cuban Fusion and now probably getting the best two weeks of the entire Discovery Asian cruise season, I feel a little humbled.

7 hours ago, kevinyork said:

Just seen on the RCI board that Jewel of the seas which started its middle east to Europe amended repositioning cruise headed out from Dubai but ended back there last night as Abu Dhabi and Sri Bani Yas closed their ports to cruise ships.  They are cancelling the cruise due to an absence of ports to call at. Unfortunately they have two ill people who have been quarantined and being tested.  Hope neither are positive or this is going to be Diamond/Grand Princess all over again.

 

Just can’t imagine Tui are going to try and restart Discovery’s cruises from 9th April from Dubai. Hope they decide soon.

I get the feeling the whole thing is going to get rapidly worse...

1 minute ago, Calton said:

We are due to board the discovery on 16th April, in Muscat. Had nothing from Marella yet. It isn't looking promising !!!

The situation is changing everyday, I'd imagine they can only wait until it gets to a point of no return, so to speak. It must be a nightmare for cruise company's. I also wonder what happens with all crew.

2 minutes ago, idh2019 said:

Spotted that Discovery left Singapore at 10pm local time. Then headed east but not sure it has time to call at Koh Samui. Original itineray was to leave Singapore Monday at 1900h, stop at Koh Samui on Wednesday and then on to Laem Chebang for Thursday. They are a day behind leaving Singapore.

 

No TUI Dreamliners have been to Singapore, not least because they are busy on their normal routes taking Scandinavians or Brits on their holidays (I checked on Flight Radar).

 

The Dreamliner schedule for Laem Chebang was two on Thursday and one on Friday. They may have to figure out how to run three on each day to get everyone back

I feel TUI/Marella will do everything expected of them and can only be given credit for that. This situation is unheard of before.

11 minutes ago, kevinyork said:

Just a heads up that on the main Coronavirus thread a person who called Marella to upgrade their cabin was read a memo sent to staff today saying Marella are pulling all cruises.

As in Mediterranean and Caribbean as well?

9 minutes ago, Margaret Rees said:

Looks like Discovery is on way to Koh Samui ? ? Anyone have any info ?

I notice it had been docked in Singapore so assumed they were off loading the Langkawi passengers to board the 3 Dreamliners. It may now be heading for Bangkok to off load the rest. I haven't heard that Thailand have stopped cruiseships yet. Just my thoughts, but I don't know. So it looks like Singapore came to the rescue with a number of ships for repatriation back to Europe after Malaysia shut their doors leaving everyone in the lurch!

10 hours ago, idh2019 said:

Looks like now heading to Singapore followed by Costa Fortuna (which was doing loops with Discovery).

 

So ends an eventful season for Marella Discovery in the Far East with fire/propulsion problems and now closed ports.

 

We went out on Christmas Day to Thailand and missed Malacca and Koh Samui because of propulsion problems. Originally concerned/disappointed but easily compensated by late departure from Singapore so we saw the Gardens by the Bay sound and light show. We feel we chose brilliant excursions for Thailand, Vietnam, Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur and hence had a wonderful time. Now you can't get to many of those places 😢.

 

So glad we decided to go (booked end of November despite misgivings of OH) since when will it be available in the future? We got back to UK 9th January just as the virus problem kicked off. During the cruise there were no screenings for temperature, etc - yes we were VERY lucky with the timing but had no idea what was coming.

We consider ourselves extremely lucky, we did Malacca and just missed Cambodia, had we gone a week later we’d be stuck with the current passengers. We had a most wonderful cruise, so so lucky...

13 minutes ago, Lil_Gem said:

Neither can I, previous outbreaks the world wasn't so connected as it is now!

 

They must have no choice but to cancel now, but i feel for the poor people on board now who may be going nowhere.

 

i saw a post on Facebook say their parents are on board (didn't specify which ship) but said they have 10/14 days at sea because ports are closed and crew don't know whats going on either.

Not that this is any consolation, but I wonder if the cruise lines insurance covers this?

1 hour ago, Lil_Gem said:

Just seen on the cruise critic page of closed ports that malaysia is closed to cruise ships;

"Malaysia: The country has closed its cruise ports to cruise ships following a decision taken by the Health Ministry and Transport Ministry."

 

Any idea what this means for Discovery? we were due to board in Langkawi on 26th March but I've already asked my local store to call me tomorrow once they speak to head office and am now working on the assumption my cruise will be cancelled 😪

How are they going to get people home as Langkawi is the airport used?

I can’t ever remember a situation like the present before?

Doesn't look like Discover stopped at Vietnam?

Well got home to Southend-on-Sea about 3am this morning, we were stacked over gatwick as they were doing repairs on one of the runways and then had to wait an hour for an Easyjet plane to move from our stand. M23 closed for roadworks and also last two junctions before the Dartford tunnel closed - welcome home 😞

Well after being screened on an almost daily basis while on Discovery,  walked strraight through Gatwick with absolutely nobody there! Sounds like the governments doesn't practice what it preaches, no surprises there then 🌡️

As far as the cruise goes we had a wonderful time and feel lucky we got through the two weeks with no major problems. Can't fault Marella, they are probably one of the few ships operating the area atm.

Weather was magnificent, just the short storm on Koh Sumui, here the weather for our Malacca day, which was unbroken sunshine.

Anyway, got to sort out two fence panels that got blown down while away.

Keith (Southend)

Okay, Malacca this morning was lovely and it made a good end to our cruise. A little late leaving but I have noticed Discovery doing 23 knots as we head to Langkawi. I don’t think there are many cruise ships now in the region, the destinations are quite free of crowds, but it must now be affecting the local economy. Hopefully we won’t have any problems returning tomorrow. Captain Chris has made a few light hearted jokes about the Corona virus situation and we can’t fault Marella for how the are managing the situation, especially when much is out of their control. Weather been great for our two weeks, just that short storm in Koh Sumui. The currently is like the Med. Keith (Southend)

Took a while to get connected but using my Three data allowance here at Vietnam 👍🇻🇳🥃

In Vietnam now  🇻🇳 The sea is a little choppy, caused by the NE trade winds, blew a gale last night, but never cold. Sunny, clear and hot here at Phu My ☀️

20 hours ago, rickg8 said:

I'm on board now. The announcement was that Malaysia has banned all cruise ships that have visited Cambodia in the last 14 days. So obviously better to lose Sihanoukville than 5 Malaysian ports.

Ah ha, just spotted this...

Lovely weather today on the ship isn't it

Keith (Southend)

Okay, Cambodia we have had to miss. The Malaysian authorities stipulated that any ship that dock in Cambodia will be refused entry to Malaysia for 14 days. We believe one of the ships that was being denied access to many ports because it had been to some of the 'hot' virus locations, docked at Sihanoukville, Cambodia. We totally understand the Captains decision. £25 compensation each, plus we won't get charged the £23 visa fee.

So from Thailand, a day at sea then arrive at Vietnam about 12 noon, stay over night and then a full day. Malacca is back on the itinerary, so things really we have got off lightly with everything else going on.

Keith (Southend)

Just checked my Three mobile account, data has been part of my allowance here at Singapore so no extra charges. I think Vietnam 🇻🇳 is also the case with Three.

It’s like going in and out of an airport at Singapore, bags screened and passports checked, we’ve been off the ship twice, no queues so no issues. I’m sure the Marina Bay Sands Skypark is where the conference centre is that all the problems started here at Singapore. Loads of temperature screening, but never causes any delays 👍