insearchofsun

Mostly just looking for other’s experiences. Also folks should know that people are being told that everything is back to normal and that when one discloses Covid, there is nothing done to prevent spread.  No one wants to go back to early pandemic days, but I would expect them to treat it the way they do norovirus. 

Hi all,

My partner and I had a challenging and difficult experience on the Encore. Let me start by saying, we love cruising - just became platinum on ncl.  Alaska was an absolute bucket item list for my partner! On vacation, we tend to be very go with the flow and rarely find anything to complain about. We spent the first half of our 27 year relationship being too poor to travel, so we appreciate and have gratitude for the ability to go on a cruise.
 

For the last 3 years, we have miraculously avoided Covid to come down with it on the first full day of our cruise.  It was Monday night - we were both pretty shocked, up until then we had felt good, having spent a great weekend in Seattle.  We had brought an at home test and tested in the cabin. My partner was positive instantly, mine was negative.  The next morning, I called medical and was first told to call back as they were in a meeting. The timing may be off, we were both feverish and sick, but I called back hours later and was told they couldn’t see us as they had a critical case.  Totally understood, no problem, asked them to call us back when they were available.  The nurse then started asking questions, I explained our situation and our understanding of the need to quarantine, and wanted to get seen to potentially get Paxlovid.  She cut me off and said,   “Mam, things are back to normal” you don’t need to tell us if you have Covid”  she then stated we would need “full diagnostic evaluations and quoted us at 6,000 dollars each.  She stated many of these tests were  maritime law and that we couldn’t just get a Covid test.  We were both feverish and frightened.  Despite being middle aged adults, being sick with what has felt like a terrible flu in the middle of the ocean is scary! We had purchased the NCL insurance, but worried that our medical expenses might not be covered and on top of the losses for our trip, we would also be out 12,000.00  I have seen what medical debt can do! Looking back, it seems that NCL did not want any documented Covid cases on the cruise and this was effective in keeping us away.  Of course, with a clearer head now, I wish we had gone to medical.  We tried our best to be responsible and only left the cabin to get food ( masked in N95) to bring back to our room or ordered room service.  We never got off the ship and tried hard to follow CDC guidelines.  We asked our room steward not to clean our room to avoid making him sick.  He told us he would tell someone in guest services.  I tried to call someone in guest services but only was transferred to medical. 
 

I am writing this wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with medical. I am very doubtful of getting any compensation, but will try and share our story with NCl if anyone thinks that would help.  It is probably cathartic writing this and perhaps, it will help someone else.  For the record, we are vaccinated and boosted and glad for it!  

Still waiting too!  The suspense is killing me.  We are in a balcony but bid on every Haven room, except the 2 most expensive.  

1 hour ago, df5250 said:

Hi. we sailed out of NYC on the Gem in early March, 2017 and we were all by the pool by the morning of the second sea day. Being New Englanders we tend to think 50/60 is sunbathing weather in the spring after a cold winter! LOL  The North Atlantic is unpredictable though, and we are a bit further north, so it maybe a little longer.  Since it is early Spring and almost April I am hoping we are out by the pool by the second sea day!! 

 

I am on this cruise too.  If you are interested come join us on the cruise roll call.... I am going to try to paste the link... I've not been too successful with this lately!  We are planning a meet and greet with the officers and about 100 of your fellow cruisers, a gift exchange, a slot pull and a bon voyage/sail away gathering. come over and read the last few pages to get to know the people and decide if you want to join us!   Just 9 days to go!!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2483949-gem-14-night-from-boston-march-29-2019/page/19/?tab=comments#comment-57073681

 

We will check it out! 

Thank you all for your thoughts and experiences.  Very helpful advice!  We will bring layers and hope for warm sun. Very excited for the cruise!

Hi all,

We are on the Gem next week (14 day southern Caribbean cruise)from Boston.  We are local, so know it will be chilly leaving, but are wondering when it is likely to warm up.  Trying to pack and figure how many warm clothes to bring.  There are 3 sea days on the way down and 3 on the way back.  Anyone done a cruise with similar itinerary? Would love your thoughts.  

Thank you! 

I can't say I have ever seen this advertised, but in my (very limited) experience, clothes pressing, that is the "press only" box you tick off on the laundry slip, is half price on embarkation day. I recommend checking with your stateroom attendant to make sure though.

 

Have a wonderful, hopefully wrinkle-free cruise! ;)

Thanks so much!

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Hi all,

We are on the Jade leaving March 23. So excited! Does anyone know if they offer a special for getting clothes pressed and on what day? We did this on the escape and it was very reasonable and a lovely luxury. Our summer clothes have been in storage and are super wrinkly. Knowing I could get some pressed would let me cross that off my list of things to do. Thanks everyone!

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Glad to meet you klr6773! We are so excited about the cruise! It's 20 degrees here today which I keep telling my sweetie "this will just make us appreciate the cruise more." Looking forward to meeting you guys.

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My partner and I celebrated our 20 year anniversary last year on the breakaway. We loved it and are headed for the Escape on March 25. We had no issues and found NCL to be safe and friendly. Our room steward moved the beds together and treated us very well.

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