GlamorousGirl

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

I am sure could be possible to “... do it another way...” —- but it would require legislation , in many jurisdictions, before that “other way” could be implemented.

 

In the meanwhile, a much quicker solution to the underlying problem could be implemented:  simply ban cruises as unnecessary travel  until effective immunization vaccine can be developed.   Short of that, simply add a surcharge - perhaps $100 per day of the cruise to each fare to fund the testing and quarantine now necessitated by the continuation of such non-essential exposure ——- in much the same way as TSA costs are funded by airfare supplements.

If you’re going to do that then charge everyone $100 that goes to a concert, sports event, movie theater, subway train... etc. etc. There’s more people off ships than on spreading this. Cruise ships should not be singled out. And people should not be charged for meaningless quarantines that aren’t working, especially when they aren’t even sick. People who think they’re safe on land need a wake up call.

We’re sailing on the Bliss out of NYC on March 15. I’m more worried about the 3 days in NY before the cruise than the cruise, with the new State of Emergency for NY. We are keeping this cruise, which we were able to drive to, and cancelling the one in Europe in May since we would need to fly. There is no way I’m flying right now since social distancing is impossible on a plane.

10 minutes ago, tiptip said:

 

I am not Hank:) But yes, I'd say going on any cruise right now is irresponsible. I canceled all my cruising plans, and believe it is the right thing to do, regardless of one's personal risk profile. 

 

The bottom line is that if an infection occurs on board, you're at risk of spreading the virus before ever being quarantined. The incubation period means that even if the entire ship is quarantined immediately upon diagnosis of a passenger, there would still potentially be weeks of contact between that passenger and others on board. Will you be going on shore during the cruise? putting locals at risk. Will you be disembarking through public spaces? putting other passengers and workers at risk. Not to mention the fact that a passenger could be diagnosed after you had already disembarked and returned to your own community, potentially spreading the virus there. 

 

Some of the arguments I have seen in support of still cruising say that we can't avoid all contact with others, or that we still go to school/work, or that it's a personal choice. All of that is true, but social distancing only works if everyone practices it, and is meant to reduce the communal risk, not just the risk to any one individual. Cruising inherently involves close contact, large groups of people from many places, and movement across different locations. It's also non-essential. On the list of things we can responsibly avoid, cruising is at the top. 

 

We need to think about our communities, and the communities of the places we cruise to. It's not just about a personal risk assessment. 

I’m still going this weekend. I will only be going ashore on the cruise line’s private island, not just for locals’ protection but also my own. Social distancing helps both the individual and community. And travel is not “non-essential” for me because I am a travel journalist.

its not irresponsible to cruise. It’s irresponsible to not practice proper hygiene, social distancing, and, if you have symptoms, self-quarantine, ANYWHERE, not just cruise ships. Are you boycotting public streets in the city, concerts, public transportation, sporting events, planes, movies, etc. etc...? It’s actually easier to practice social distancing on a cruise than most of those other things.

Sail responsibly. Don’t board the ship if you have symptoms. Self-quarantine in your cabin if you get symptoms. Wash your hands constantly. Use hand sanitizer. And practice social distancing. And if you really want to be responsible, don’t wait for the cruise to start doing these things. There’s a lot more coronavirus OFF cruise ships than on.

What good is a safety drill that puts your safety at risk? Right now you’re more likely to get coronavirus than needing to evacuate a sinking ship. If the objective is passenger safety then the muster drill needs to be delivered in a safer way. Maybe stagger a greater number of them to reduce the health risk associated with being in such a huge crowd.

An attorney...!

Does anyone know, if I already have another cruise booked that’s not paid off could I apply it to that instead of booking a new one? I’m going to go ahead with the cruise I have next week but am thinking of cancelling the Europe one I have in May. I am afraid of taking a flight right now a lot more than getting on a ship.

I guess they didn’t get the memo that demand right now is DOWN not up??!!

Seems ridiculous to ban cruises but not flights. I’m driving to my cruise out of NY instead of flying because a plane, where people are packed in like sardines, is the last place I’d want to be right now. At least on a ship it is possible to find quieter areas and avoid the crowds. If flights aren’t banned neither should cruises be.

32 minutes ago, Level six said:

Wear a mask!  Who cares what anyone thinks.  If people laugh at you......(speechless really, would people really do that? are we in high school)....but you might end up having the last laugh when they get sick and you don't.  

 

I am a dental professional and have worn a mask with every patient for over 30 years.  I wasn't wearing it to protect them from me that is for sure. It was worn to protect me from them.  All the OSHA guidelines are in place to protect the worker and all the guidelines require wearing a mask.  

 

This. The people who refuse to wash their hands and board the ship sick don’t care what anyone thinks - and I’ve encountered those people on every cruise I’ve ever taken. You do you. If it gives you peace of mind so you can relax it’s nobody else’s business to judge you. I’m glad there are others taking this seriously. If everyone did these outbreaks wouldn’t be happening.

Forgot one more thing. This will be the first time I took an NCL cruise and didn’t get the drink package. I heard alcohol consumption lowers your immunity. Won’t be drinking much. Will save that for celebrating that we all had a safe cruise after the fact! Sailing on the Bliss next weekend.

1. Carrying Lysol wipes everywhere. Wiping down cabin (tv remote, light switches, phone, etc). Wiping down dining utensils, chairs, loungers before using.

2. Also carrying 60%+ alcohol hand wipes and spray. Using both anywhere shipboard sanitizer isn’t available and I’ve touched something in public. 

3. No large gatherings, parties, or time spent in crowded areas. Also no pools or gym, or crowded elevators. Will miss the latitudes party and 80s party most!

4. No touching handrails. Hopefully ship won’t rock too much!

5. Sit all the way in the back on the stools, away from others, if I want to see a show, and leave before over so I don’t get caught in the crowd.

6. Absolutely no buffet whatsoever.

7. Try my hardest to stay 6 feet away from strangers as much as possible.

8. Promenade deck instead of Lido, after moving our loungers away from the others.
9. Try my hardest not to touch my face unless I have just washed my hands.

10. Washing my hands at every possible opportunity, for 20 seconds and in the manner recommended by the CDC.

I have every intention of not getting sick...

I will be using cash this time instead of giving them my debit card, and I will not be providing enough to cover this possibility. If they want to come after me later for charges incurred being, in essence, kidnapped against my will, I will fight it. But I doubt they will charge; I agree the publicity would be horrendous. Frankly the government should have to pay since they claim its for the “greater good” of others and they are making the choice to do it against most people’s, and presumably the cruise line’s, will.

Although I don’t plan to wear one, I certainly would not judge anyone for doing so. I applaud anyone taking this seriously. It is those people that are helping make sure everyone else is safe. The people I will judge are the ones refusing to wash their hands, and people boarding the ship obviously showing symptoms of being sick.

53 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

As a practical matter, if cruises continue to sail to/from US ports, a special fee should be added to each fare to cover the costs to the US Government involved in testing and quarantining passengers - much like the fees added to all tickets to cover the costs of 9/11 related Homeland Security scanning by TSA and related activities.  There is no reason for the average tax payer to have to cover the costs incurred by the US Governnent involved in cruise-related activity on the part of the small fraction of the public which enjoys cruising.

There is no reason for the average tax payer to pay for a lot of the things the government pays for, including things we may not even approve of. I think spending our money on taking care of health issues involving our own people is a heck of a lot more worthwhile than the billions of dollars we send to foreign countries to benefit people who are not even US citizens and are the responsibility of their own governments, not ours. As for the quarantine costs, that’s a waste of money and no one should pay. It is clearly not working.

KTS is right on. But even if the government has good intentions, these quarantines are totally futile. Symptoms don’t show right away, and many people who actually do have symptoms will either assume they have the flu or refuse to report themselves, either because they don’t want to be quarantined or don’t have insurance. It’s impossible to quarantine everyone. If it was working we wouldn’t see the explosive spread we’re seeing.

Not altering the muster drill procedures under these circumstances is totally irresponsible. If someone chooses to put themselves at risk going to a crowded party on the lido deck or using the buffet that’s on them. But if we are forced to put ourselves at risk at mandatory crowded muster drills that’s on them. It should be delivered virtually by tv, requiring everyone to stay in the cabin while it’s broadcast to help make sure they watch it, if that’s what they’re worried about. I’m seriously considering not going to it. Don’t know what my “punishment” will be, but it’s got to be better than potentially dying from coronavirus.

11 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

The first three local cases in my area were all people who came back from cruises. The next were either also on cruises or came in contact with people who were on cruises. In my opinion if it were not for the cruise passengers spreading it would  have been handled a lot better. For the greater good cruises need to be suspended temporarily. 

It spreads in crowds. That’s how it spread in China. I’m in Atlantic City, and going to NYC, before my cruise on the 15th. I feel no more safe in the crowds of the casinos, and will feel no more safe on the crowded streets of NY, than I will on the ship. I wiped down my hotel room just like I will my cruise cabin. The only way to guarantee safety is stay home, hermit like, and have your groceries delivered by mail. If I wasn’t already booked on this travel, I wouldn’t book it now because frankly the feelings of paranoia are putting a damper on it. But it’s either go out and live or lock myself at home and have contact with no one - which is nearly impossible. Frankly, singling out cruises does people a disservice, thinking they’re safe in other crowds. I don’t see anyone else wiping down the machines in the casino or staying 6 feet away from strangers. I’m just going to do everything I can to avoid catching it - which I’d have to do everywhere...

On 2/29/2020 at 12:47 PM, mayleeman said:

 

Shop at WalMart. Keeps the odds relatively low of running into random world travelers! 

 

More seriously, you point out an important issue. With the incubation period so long, it is possible that thousands of people could get infected without any clue of how or when or by whom. Keeping some distance when in public will be a good idea for quite some time.

 

Cruising? We are scheduled for Nov and Feb. We will see. 

 

At least it gives us Americans something different to see on TV besides the incessant election ads...

Not only that, but how many people have it that think they have the flu so they don’t report it? And how many people think they have it but don’t report it because they don’t want to be quarantined, or don’t have health insurance? I think the quarantines are totally futile and the government knows it, but hopes to give a false sense of security that people will not encounter the infected, to avoid a panic. Meanwhile my cruise out of NYC, currently in State of Emergency because of the virus, is next week. It’s probably good I’m panicking because it means I’m going to take every conceivable precaution.

On 1/30/2020 at 7:32 PM, clo said:

Facts beat fears. For me anyway.

Why I’m worried about Coronavirus and not flu: I’ve had flu many, many times and I’m still alive and never got quarantined, on the contrary, I’ve never had Coronavirus so I have no idea how my body will react, and I’m also concerned I may be quarantined even if I don’t have it but others do. Unlike flu this is worth worrying about in my opinion.

We’re sailing in one week and I’m extremely nervous. I’m going to be carrying disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer everywhere, staying away from crowds as much as possible, and spending a lot more time in the cabin than any other cruise I’ve ever taken. My biggest concern is remembering not to touch my face. It’s not something anyone thinks about, they just do it. Considering carrying blank stickers around too that I can write “don’t touch face” on and stick to my hands. Will have to change the sticker every time I wash my hands so I will need a lot... I’m going to try to stay 6 feet away from people but I have a feeling that’s going to be very hard. No crowded elevators, buffet, pools, lido deck, or shipboard parties...

11 hours ago, JustAPilot said:

Maybe I’ll be able to score a Haven upgrade for real cheap with all these cancellations. 

We too are hoping our upgrade bid is accepted this time on a balcony - especially since we’re going to be spending more time than ever in our cabin on this cruise! I think we have the best chance we’ve ever had this time, especially with the new cancellation policy.

I’m due to sail on the Bliss March 15. I would not consider canceling, however, this cruise experience will be VERY different than any other I’ve had. I will carry disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE, stay away from crowds, the lido, pools, and gym, try to stay as far away from people as possible, no crowded elevators, probably spend more time in room... My biggest concern is trying to remember to never touch my face - the news tells you to do it but no tips on remembering. Maybe try to keep my hands in my pockets? I’m one of the 87 million uninsured - definitely don’t think this is “no big deal” like some are saying.

On 1/27/2020 at 10:42 AM, Trimone said:

Agreed, also Corona can lay dormant for up-to 14 Days? What’s screening going to prove... you could do a 7 day cruise and not know you had it.. 

This is what I’m worried about. And we booked next month to sail out of New York - where so many people from around the world travel. I’m extremely concerned. I won’t be using the buffet. Will bring disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer everywhere. Will wipe down the cabin as soon as we get there. Considering bringing some kind of gloves to try to help remember not to touch face. No Lido deck, public pools or jacuzzis. Will try to stay 3 feet away from people. While a mask would be even more diligent, I can’t see myself wearing one. This is going to be a very different cruise experience for us.

4 minutes ago, casofilia said:

They HAVE to get the front seats on the bus!!!

 

Giving stickers out as people LEAVE does NOT work but NCL will not change.   Especially if the sticker desk is at the wrong end of the theatre corridor as we have found them on NCL all of the time.

 

While there is a lot wrong with the way that Princess does things they have it over NCL in getting stickers out and groups together.   Stickers as you ENTER the theatre and then the rows have labels with sticker colour and number.   Get sticker enter and sit down and wait.

 

Try getting NCL to change!!!  No chance!!!

Stickers as you enter? Love that idea! That eliminates the whole problem! You’d think they’d want to keep the fire lanes clear on ncl to be in compliance with port authorities...! I love ncl but there’s definitely room for improvement, no excuse for this

We sailed on the Jade in November from Rome to Dubai and the process for organizing for excursions was absolute chaos. We were supposed to meet in the theater, like other ships. But unlike other ships, the aisles remaining clear was not enforced at all, and people were tightly packing the aisle into the theater where bus stickers were being handed out instead of coming down into the theater and taking a seat like they’re supposed to. I’m the kind of person who’s willing to get up a half hour earlier to get to the theater early and be one of the first out (the FAIR way!) But in this case the latecomers had the advantage - crowding the exit aisle, blocking people trying to get out, and getting out first even though they arrived late. All the cruise excursion director had to do was announce “I’m not calling ANY more excursions until EVERYone sits down!’ - they do this on other ships, and mean it (no excursions called) and it works great! No blocking fire lanes, no people getting trampled, no chaos... I’m sailing on Jade again this spring and really hope they get it sorted out by then... By the way, why do people do that instead of being courteous??!