CruisingUS

Was on a ship with a major outbreak. Those who reported to the Medical Center and quarantined received a refund for the time confined to cabin. Those who tried to hide that they had it and did not report received nothing. Naturally they complained that they should have been compensated as well. Those who reported also were given free access to Pay for View movies.

:D I think I will always "get" norovirus on every cruise from here on out LOL

Also, I thought i got food poisoning in port (we were in Montenegro and had lunch off the ship), the doctor was the one to say it was NoraVirus and that it wasn't just food poisoning. It was a 9 day cruise , I got it on day 3, my 15 year old got it on the morning we got off the ship (woke up at 5 am, got a shot from the doctor at 7am, off the ship at 7:30, I felt so bad for her! Thank goodness we were staying so we just had to get her to the hotel , not onto a plane!)

What shot did they give you?

Don't think that too many people who live in Nursing Homes cruise.

 

 

Age is a factor as those who living in nursing homes or those related facilities can be carriers. If you have a lot of people who are carriers spread the virus to a bunch of others, then by simple probability the chance of an outbreak is higher. Also the elderly are less likely to mount an immune response, causing more to get infected.

In my original post, I mentioned other facilities too like senior centers, which are a hot bed for Norovirus.

To that argument, you can get any food found in any MDR on land as well, usually fresher and better tasting, as its not being mass prepared for approx. 3000 people. However, everyone likes what they like, there should be no shame in people's choices.

 

To that end, my mother grew up on the coast and snails were a dime a dozen, but not eaten back in her day. She says when she thinks about snails, she sees the 'snail' trail and their antennae, LOL, so she would never contemplate eating one, while others find it a delicacy, my nephew included. So what one loves another doesn't and vice versa, it doesn't make one's choices better than another's.

My point was that for some, these kind of different ethnic food options are not available to everyone in their hometown. So for them, trying these things out in the specialty dining areas on the cruise ship is a fun and enlightening exp for them. For me, it isn't as I live in a place that has everything.

If I am going to be upcharged for both lunch and dinner, then I would rather cruise on other lines with better food that fits my needs.

I understand if others like burgers more. I don't. And I understand. Esp with younger children, I can definitely understand how their experience influences the parents.

I am glad that you are better. Can I ask what surgery you had? Did you buy X insurance to cover you?

I was insured by a company called Sun insurance and with my past medical history they were the best quote I could get. Bonus was I didn't need to make a claim.

I am sorry you went through such a tough situation. I wish you the best. I often ponder the need for insurance for those in my party who are older.

Is there an iron in the room to iron everything or do I have to pay extra to use it?

:eek:

 

So when there is an outbreak...

 

1. does the cruise end early?

2. do you get kicked off if you are infected?

3. do you have to pay extra to see the doctor?

4. how much is it to see the doctor?

5. Did they charge you for anti diarrhea and emetic drugs?

6. What was the average age of the people on the cruise ship?

I have been on several cruises with noro.

The cruise doesn't end early

You are confined to your cabin until you are cleared to leave.

No, you don't pay to see the Dr.

Medication to relieve symptoms is free.

Wasn't on this cruise so can't comment about age, but age is not a relevant factor. Hand washing, or the lack of is a factor.

 

Age is a factor as those who living in nursing homes or those related facilities can be carriers. If you have a lot of people who are carriers spread the virus to a bunch of others, then by simple probability the chance of an outbreak is higher. Also the elderly are less likely to mount an immune response, causing more to get infected.

The tokens are for the ferry, everyone needs them to travel the ferry.

I am confused. Is this ferry that I need tokens for is used to carry ppl to the ship to the land?

That should have been does NOT dress them up....stupid iPhone....

 

 

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yea. I understood. I am agreeing with your point.

I disagree with this statement. First of all, other than breakfast, as we have no other choice, we never eat at the buffet. If I want to serve myself with a tray, I would go back to school. We are in the service industry and go on cruises to be served. The MDR is much better than the buffet. We love the specialty restaurants. On a weeks cruise we do the Steakhouse twice and the Chef's Table once.

:')

:eek:

So when there is an outbreak...

1. does the cruise end early?

2. do you get kicked off if you are infected?

3. do you have to pay extra to see the doctor?

4. how much is it to see the doctor?

5. Did they charge you for anti diarrhea and emetic drugs?

6. What was the average age of the people on the cruise ship?

Details please. This is something that I dread.

Not on the ship. They sell them at the Visitor Information Centers. There is one in the cruise terminal building.

Just to be, these tokens are not to disembark and go on land, right? If so, this would the first time I have been charged to disembark with tokens, as I have never run into this on other CL.

But the NCL ships do not have anything comparable to Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina, Mongolian Wok and Seaday Brunch.

I eat exclusively at the MDR. I don't do specialty restaurants either.

I don't like eating burgers and fries, tacos, and etc. on a cruise as I can get all that stuff on land back home.

Tokens cost $4.50 each, and you need one every time you board a public bus or ferry unless you are transferring between buses.

 

SBtS

Can I buy them on the ship? I don't want to carry too much cash.

Although I plan on making a big purchase on another island ;) with my credit card of course.

I'm fine with the dress code they have - just enforce it! No flip flops means just that and includes such things as slides that many people recognize as "shower shoes" - throwing socks on and putting a brand label or swoosh does dress them up! No baseball caps - dirty or brand new - they belong outside, poolside with the flip flops. And no jeans on elegant evenings - I don't care how dark or how much money you paid for them - put on a pair of dockers and a button up shirt.

 

 

This slippery slope of non enforcement and people trying to bend the rules to suit their needs has got to stop. I am afraid if we went to a casual dining room people would come to dinner in their swimsuits, robes or PJs. But the idea has merit in theory....

 

 

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I think that it is funny that people equate spending more on a brand makes something more "dressy".

Another corollary is that money doesn't buy class.

Since next years itinerary is not very good I'd say the chances are good that the prices will go down. They are being ridiculous with the prices next year which forces everyone to play the game.

What makes the itinerary less desirable that causes the price to drop? I would like to know so that I can keep my eye out these cruises.

Food options are way worse on NCL, dining takes way too long there as well. Positive is the entertainment blows Carnival away

Of the big 3, CCL has the worst food, easily.

Of course, I don't want to eat burgers and fries on a cruise. So if that is your preference, then I can see how CCL would be a better fit.

original purchase price of what? The OP is on the Summit which does not offer a free ferry. NCL offers the free ferry to its passengers, tokens are not needed.

 

BTW, I don't consider taking a tour of a cave as spelunking.

 

SBtS

I didn't know that. How much are the tokens? I will be going on the summit next year to Bermuda.

I just avoid caves all together due to the possible diseases.

If 3 people bid $800 for the one opening, how do they decide who gets the room? Do higher Latitude members get preference?

I personally don't mind what others say. Goes in one ear and out the other.

My only "problem" is the exorbitant cost for drinks in the first place. $18 for a cocktail is rediculous, and a huge price increase since my last cruise with NCL in 2010. Open bar or not, it still reeks of nickel and diming (Pay taxes on the "value" of the package to the tune of a couple hundred bucks, then still get charged a few bucks plus tip if you want something that isn't on the lower end of their offerings.) No rhyme or reason as to costs (Seems pricing is based on demand, and not cost, see mention of chocolate martinis earlier in this thread). It's all a game to separate us from our money, and the more deceptive they are, the more they'll be able to extract from us. I'd rather they were more transparent about all this. Nothing is "free" (drink package, specialty dining) when it adds hundreds of dollars to the cost before you even board, and then it's not "free" once you arrive anyway.

They are a business. They are professionals at separating you from your money. And packages are optional

Does the Xped have a doctor on board in case if someone has a cardiac event?

I don't plan on doing classes. I will just lift and do some minor cardio in order to justify the binge fest.

Keep in mind that you will need to get tokens for the ferry and so will need some extra time due to the fact that both Summit and Breakaway will let people off the ship at about the same time. It can get mobbed.

I assume the tokens are included in the original purchase price...or am I wrong?

OP, you are braver than I....the diseases you can catch from spelunking keeps me out.

I dress very similar to the men in the picture but I think most men dress like people going to a convention or trade show. A few tux here and there and you do notice people wearing tux. They look good and they do stand out from the crowd.

I will be dressing more relaxed. No suit as I am on vacation, but I still will look good. :cool:

Sorry if my post was confusing. I simply was taken by surprise that the number of men wearing tux's. I didn't expect any and as such only brought jackets and ties. The ladies as always looked lovely, although there was a noticeable lack of traditional ball gowns. So in answer to your question either will do, but it is important that your DH feels comfortable whatever his choice.

 

This was a cruise that we had to book pretty much last minute having had a major surgery in November which left me in a coma and my poor wife being told I only had 12 hours to live. Having confounded the medical professionals, was delighted when I was told that I was fit enough to travel. So began the real exercise of ticking places from my bucket list. St Petersburg was on that list so this was to be #1 off the list.

 

I will deal with the itinerary as it was and my thoughts on the ship etc.

 

First stop for us was an overnight in Copenhagen, we took advantage of an easy day to just relax and unwind a bit by staying on board, venturing ashore on day 2. We took a hop on hop off bus right next to the ship and went to Nyhavvan and enjoyed a gentle stroll along the canal, taking advantage of placing a padlock on their version of the French love bridge and disposing of the keys, as is the tradition. We then reboarded a bus to the statue of the little mermaid, after some photos we then made our way back to the ship. An enjoyable day, but like most cities there is an awful lot of construction going on, so give yourself plenty of time to get about.

 

Next was Tallin which reminded us of Bruges, a very pretty medieval town. Small enough to walk around, but plenty of cobblestones so high heels could leave you with a broken ankle.

 

Then my highlight St Petersburg. We booked a private tour with SPB, and they were better than excellent. We had created our own itinerary and our guide and driver Virineya and Igor not only got us to where we had highlighted but threw in some additions like a real Georgian lunch one day and a typical Russian lunch the next, a visit down to the list 2nd deepest underground in the world and boy was it deep. The usual tourist stops like St Catherine's Palace, the Church of the spilled blood, the faberge museum, The Church of St Peter and St Paul etc etc. It wasn't a cheap excessive, but I could not keep up on a ships tour so have to do things at my pace and when I'm done, I'm done. We didn't queue to get in anywhere and that was a true bonus.

 

Next stop was Helsinki and unfortunately after 2 days in St Petersburg I was exhausted so we stayed on board and tried to recharge my batteries.

 

Next came Stockholm and it was very pretty. We took a taxi to the Vasa museum and was astonished that a fixed fare in a taxi was €40. We left there with the intention of going about halfway back to the ship and having a coffee and do some people watching, this was abandoned when we were told the trip halfway was €40, and the return to the ship from there was going to be another €40. So the halfway stop was abandoned and we returned to the ship.

 

 

Last stop was Warnemunde and again the day quickly became a washout. It was raining "cats and dogs" and was cold. We spoke about getting off, but we decided that with my condition discretion is something we needed to be aware of.

 

 

I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect, but feel free to ask about anything and I will try to answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I am glad that you are better. Can I ask what surgery you had? Did you buy X insurance to cover you?