gmh300968

Yes, you did say that. :) I was responding to gmh300968, who insulted everyone else and yet posted an inaccurate statement about "viruses in general".

Thank you for speaking on behalf of everyone.

Au contraire, gmh300968. Within the context of this thread's discussion, it is highly relevant. I have followed this discussion since it was initially started.

In this thread, there have been thoughtful and informed posts about the efficacy of personal hygiene and environmental cleaning protocols, including whether or not chemical antibacterials can be effective against viruses. My post is consistent with the discussion.

In our need to feel safe, in our insistence that we have no challenges to our health, even when traveling to new and unfamiliar environments that our immune systems are not and probably can not be fully prepared for, we are making potentially Faustian bargains. Continued use and over use of chemical sanitizers will probably kill microbes which protects us from infections in the short term. However, not all microbes will be killed, leaving the stronger, more adaptable individuals to proliferate into strains that will be hardier and resistant to man-made interventions. Ultimately leaving us more vulnerable to illness. This is of course another facet of the concerns the global medical community has to pharmaceutical resistances to a growing range of microbes.

 

Regarding personal hygiene, other CC members have written on this thread what is emphasized in the final words in the article linked, which I will repeat below:

"And it goes without saying that we hand wash frequently – and not with a cursory rinse under a cold tap.

"Use hot water and normal soap, not antibacterial soap – and scrub your hands like a surgeon," Liz Harry says."

 

Which means we have personal responsibility to ourselves, fellow passengers, and crew to use best hygienic practices to reduce the risk of infections and illness.

I can only despair at the lack of educated responses in this thread. Comments like your's perpetuate the misinformation on CC about norovirus, and the general misinformation in the wider community regarding viruses. Any perosn who goes about suggesting that an antibaterial will help even a little bit againt a virus, is a misguided fool and should be prosecuted for diseminating infromation which is contrary to the safety of the public.

A relevant article from the SMH:

 

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/wellbeing/germ-warfare--do-antibacterial-products-do-more-harm-than-good-20171117-gzno8i.html

No it is not relevant. The article is about anti-bacterials. Norovirus is a virus. The name sort of gives it away.

Most individuals who take that tact obviously missed that day's lesson in biology or general science class...

 

If they pay closer attention here on CC they can learn quite a bit of good information in this realm...

 

Thanks for your post.

 

 

bon voyage

And your point is?

Yes there may be issues with passengers, but seems to me this is on ship and not removed before new passengers embark.

 

Why not contact Celebrity directly. I found googling for their CEO and then sending an email got answers.

 

I also find it horrendous that someone on here should simply write the virus off as a hazard of sailing, if that were true every ship would be infected every journey. No this has something to do with this ship and needs sortimg for future passengers.

You obviously don't understand how viruses work. It is people. Always people.

For select dining reservation made online, do they assume that when you are booking for two people for a set time that you want a table for two, or do you have to specify this when you turn up? Also, do they have two queues; one for reservations and one for walk-ins?

I booked a GTY cat 7 ocean view cabin on the Solstice for their upcoming Christmas cruise. There are only 12 of those cabins, FWD facing on decks 7 and 8. Was surprised to be allocated a cabin on my booking immediately. I'm happy with this cabin and I am fully aware of noise issues when docking and the movement in rough seas. But I am wondering though if my cabin assignment is likely to stick or, being a GTY, might it be moved. The next category up is veranda, as this is the highest ocean view category. Am concerned I might be pushed up to a badly placed veranda. Any experience with early GTY assignments being changed?

If you look on the Bonorong website, http://bonorong.com.au/directions/, towards the bottom of the screen, you will find out how to get there using a shuttle bus. However, it would seem impractical to catch a boat ride up the river to Mona in Berridale, then back down to Hobart to then catch a bus to Bonorong in Brighton. It's Hobart, so don't expect too much from public transport other than commuter buses. Mona is 12 km from the Hobart waterfront. Bonorong is another 20 km further up river. You might consider hiring a car. Contact the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre and ask them how best to combine the two. http://www.hobarttravelcentre.com.au/contact/

I thought that everything came about because of an "Act of God"???????

Some of us believe in self-determination, rather than the spaghetti monster.

It's quite simple. Use the "when in Rome" approach. It would be rude for an Australian visiting the USA not to tip. It would be disrespectful of the local customs. It would be appreciated if American's would respect our customs in return. We do not tip like you do, in Australia. You don't need to and you shouldn't. I don't care if it makes you feel good or if it makes you feel uncomfortable not to. It is our custom. Please respect it when visiting our shores. You may believe that it has no ill effect, but it does. It erodes our customs and replaces it with yours. Italy is not traditionally a tipping nation. However I was shocked to see on a return recent visit the number of times locals were surprised when I didn't give them tips. I just said, "I'm not American", to which the apologised and backed away sheepishly. If i spend $600 on a day tour, you do not get another 20%. You get a thank you. However if my tour had been in a tipping country, I would have tipped. Americans should probably also note, that if you ask service staff in a foreign country if it is custom to tip, they will most may say yes to an American, even if it is not the custom. There is also a plethora of travel guides with incorrect information on tipping customs.

Thanks gmh - it looks like Eurodam is alone in port on 6 Sept when I'm there too so we'll see what happens. I'll post on here at the end of the day as it looks like it should be a good indication for what will happen for you in Oct

Ang. Hope you are enjoying your cruise. Did the Eurodam end up using a tender or berthing in Kotor? Cheers.

Hi - newbie question sorry.

We're going on the Euros in September, embarking in Venice. Embarkation is 1pm and sail away is at 9pm so we're considering checking in, dropping off our carry on and going back into Venice for the afternoon. I was wondering if the muster drill is after the all aboard time or do we have to make sure we're around at a specific time prior to that? Thanks

I contacted ships' services re the 9th Oct Eruodam sailing from Venice, also at 9 PM. They said that muster drill is scheduled for 7 PM and will take 30 to 45 minutes. Same ship, same itinerary.

No probs and many thanks. Looks like you are doing the same itinerary "European Romance". Would appreciate any insights from your experience. Hope that you have a great cruise.

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Ang293, I used ports.cruiisett.com. It tells you which other ships are in port on a given date and then total passenger numbers you will be sharing the port with.

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Thank you whiteowl. I was wondering if it was capable of mooring in Kotor. The port schedule for Oct 12 days that there are no other cruise ships in port that day. We might get lucky too.

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Just to be clear, I am not asking for the information in my previous post. I already have it. Just answers to my original post. Many thanks.

Size of ship, number of tender vessels, distance from quay that ship anchors, capability of crew, Unknown factors.

I have read dozens of threads discussing tendering and the experience vary depending on those factors. I specified my criteria rather specifically to discourage posts which brought nothing new to the table.

BTW I think your question mark key is stuck.

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I am interested in any experiences other members may have had in using tenders on the Eurodam in Kotor. Respectfully, I am not interested in peoples experiences in other ports, nor on other ships, as I have read plenty of other posts covering those. Nor am I interested in the experiences of those who were using ship's tours or priority passengers. I am also familiar with the process for tender tickets. I am after details of how buys/not busy it was, and how long it took to get a ticket and to get ashore at that port, on that ship. Many thanks.

Search Rome in Google maps, then search supermarket. There are a number in the area you say you are staying. They sell wine.

I asked ship services the same question re the 9PM sailing from Venice on October 9th. They said that the muster drill was at 7PM for that sailing and we should be onboard one hour beforehand. So email or call ship services to check for your cruise.

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I have booked high speed trains from Amsterdam to Paris a couple of times. On each occasion raileurope.com only display high speed trains options 90 days or less from departure date. So be careful.

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I booked directly through HAL and have been trying to find a TA here in Australia who will let me transfer the booking to them. No one would offer me anything other than an US$50 OBC. :(

We will be on the 12-night Venice to Barcelona cruise on 9th Oct'. The ship is scheduled to leave port at 9 PM. From other members' experiences, what time is muster likely to be? I want to make sure that our anytime dining choice that evening does not clash with the muster or sail away. Any insights?

Not too many cruise ships would have called to Cuba in 1999. Perhaps VALTUR PRIMA? The hulk wasn't dark but she would fit the bill otherwise.

Maybe my memory of the blue hull is a red hearing. I think therefore it is likely that it was Sun Cruises - Sunbird.

Thanks for helping.

I have been trying but failing to remember the name of the cruise line and ship that I first sailed on. It was only 16 years ago but my memory fails me. Perhaps someone here can suggest a way to find out. It was a 7-day round-trip cruise during late December 1999, sailing from Montego Bay, calling at Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Havana and Isla del Pinos. Not necessarily in that order. I am fairly certain that the hull was dark coloured, and it was not a large vessel. The food was amazing.