Kenswing
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From Princess..
Updated February 10, 2020
Caribbean Princess, which had been on a 14-day cruise in the Caribbean, has curtailed its voyage out of an abundance of caution due to guests reporting symptoms consistent with a mild case of gastrointestinal illness. Those individuals are being treated by the onboard medical team, and there are no cases of coronavirus identified among guests or crew.
The ship, with 4,196 guests and crew, is now sailing back to the Port of Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and is scheduled to arrive at the port at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on Thursday, February 13.
This is a highly unusual development and we share the disappointment of our guests. However, the health and safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and in working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was decided out of an abundance of caution, in this specific instance, to discontinue the cruise.
All guests will receive a 50% refund on their voyage and a future cruise credit valued at 50% of their cruise for this inconvenience.
Caribbean Princess will resume its schedule with a February 16 departure from Port Everglades for a round-trip Circle Caribbean cruise.
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Updated from Princess.. Six new cases..
Updated February 8, 2020 at 8:30 PM PT
Diamond Princess Update from Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz
Our global team is working tirelessly to continue supporting Diamond Princess guests and crew during this challenging time. As onboard needs continue to evolve, here’s an update on our current priorities. We will continue to provide updates as they are available.
Princess Cruises confirming an additional six cases of Coronavirus, tested by the Japanese Ministry of Health on Diamond Princess. Separately, over the past two days, ten guests were disembarked needing other medical (not for Coronavirus) and were transferred to local hospitals. Information on nationalities of these new guests will be forth coming.
“Our guests and crew onboard Diamond Princess are the focus of our entire global organization right now and all of our hearts are with each of them,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “In this unprecedented situation, the Japanese Ministry of Health authorities are working with us collaboratively on additional enhancements, approving new procedures as we adapt our process to the unique challenges of this situation.”
In partnership with the Japan Ministry of Health the ship has received additional medications which are being sorted and distributed based on medical and urgent priority.The company continues to look for the most effective ways to help keep guests healthy, which includes mental health. Telephone access has been arranged for guests experiencing mental stress with trained counselors who can provide support. Both English and Japanese-speaking counselors are available, and guests can call directly from their staterooms.
In-stateroom television programming improves by the day and printed newspapers in 30 languages are available. The ship’s entertainment team has added TV satellite stations along with an additional 50+ movies added in various languages and other entertainment. Guests also have access to fitness and exercise videos such as Tai Chi and yoga.-
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A drone large enough to carry two cases of wine would be the size of a small helicopter.. lol
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Updated by Princess.
Updated February 7, 2020
To protect the health and safety of all onboard, we are closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to the new coronavirus that originated in mainland China. Although the risk to our guests and crew is low, we are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our medical experts are coordinating closely with international health authorities and have activated enhanced screening, prevention and control procedures for our ships to keep guests and crew safe.
To limit the spread of the illness, health authorities in China have restricted travel across many cities in the affected areas, cancelled mass public gatherings and are conducting airport arrival screening. The global health response has adopted similar measures, including entry restrictions and screening requirements for travelers from affected areas.
We have also adopted measures intended to keep you safe. These include:
- Any individual who has traveled from or through mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong within 14 days of the start of this cruise, will not be permitted to board the ship.
- Any individual who has been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus or a person under monitoring for coronavirus within 14 days of the start of the cruise, will not be permitted to board the ship.
- Pre-Boarding medical evaluations, including temperature checks, for persons with fever or respiratory symptoms with travel from or through an affected area.
- Standard pre-boarding health reporting for all guests advising them of their obligation to report any illness symptoms.
- Medical screening for coronavirus on all guests who visit our onboard Medical Center with symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Reporting to local and national health authorities of all cases of fever and respiratory illness, and any patients with suspected coronavirus infection.
- Crew members from China will be delayed from joining any ship until further notice.
- Environmental disinfection onboard will be performed in addition to our regular stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols.
As with all respiratory illnesses, particularly during cold and flu season, you can take steps to reduce your risk of illness:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Where soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people suffering from respiratory illness.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza.
Updated information on the illness and travel advice, can be found at the CDC website.
Please be aware that as the situation is changing rapidly, you may be required to undergo additional health screening measures by local health officials before you disembark at any of the ports we visit and entry requirements are subject to change.The above is subject to change at any time based on the interests of health and safety of our guests and crew and any other requirements that may be imposed by local authorities.
Additionally, as the safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority, Princess Cruises has amended the following voyages:
Voyage H013 will now arrive in Tokyo, Japan (Yokohama) instead of Shanghai on May 2
Voyage H014 will now depart from Tokyo, Japan (Yokohama) instead of Shanghai on May 2
Voyage H015 will now arrive in Tokyo, Japan (Yokohama) instead of Shanghai on June 3Princess Cruises has also cancelled the following voyages sailing roundtrip to Shanghai on Sapphire Princess:
June 3, 2020 and June 11, 2020
We are also looking to remove the transit calls to Shanghai on May 1 and July 17 on Sun Princess, replacing with Japan ports of calls (actual ports to be announced).
*14-days is the accepted standard incubation period of Coronavirus recognized by the WHO and US CDC.
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3 minutes ago, history_bits said:
Been lurking on here in order to be prepared for the worst case scenario for my upcoming Feb 25 trip on the Crown. Feel like it's unlikely, but I like to hedge my bets...
May have even somewhat jokingly asked my boss today if I'd need to use vacation days, or if quarantine qualified as sick leave when he asked if I was looking forward to my "corona cruise".
Just logged into the Princess website to check and see if there had been any itinerary changes for my itinerary due to the ongoing generator issues on the Crown, and decided to click on the "Health Advisories" section at the top of the page. They just updated it about 15 mins ago with a list of what they are offering the passengers on the quarantined ship.
https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/diamond-princess-guest-experience.html
That was 15 minutes ago plus 24 hours.. 🤣
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3 minutes ago, TNTLAMB said:
Actually I was thrilled that the OP was able to clear up the spread of this virus by laying it all at the feet of the Evil incompetent Carnival corporation....... Shut 'em down = problem solved. WHY oh WHY couldn't multiple country's ministry of health, WHO and CDC have seen it as a Carnival Plot from the git go. Why of course Carnival would forego millions in revenue and spend millions more to spread a virus that clely instea if being named after a Mexican Beer (sic) should have been called the Carniva Virus. Thank Goodness the word will soon be spread world wide by individual effort on social media ROFLMAO
Hurry, copywrite that before it goes viral.. lol
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From Princess..
Updated February 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM PT
Guest Experience on Diamond Princess
Our team on board Diamond Princess, supported by our shoreside colleagues, is actively working to care for our guests to ensure their comfort and well-being. These are such unusual circumstances so our team has activated new in-room entertainment offerings which include:
- Eight (8) new satellite TV channels
- More than 80 new video-on-demand releases, including movies in various languages, concerts and in-cabin fitness videos
- Cruise Director Show (The Wake Show) in English and Japanese
- Printed newspapers in 36 languages
- Pre-printed trivia, daily puzzles, games and arts and crafts
- Radio Taiso (popular calisthenics) videos
- Kids’ activity packs
- Food & beverage options offered via room service
- Outdoor time for guests in interior staterooms (under the guidance of Japanese Ministry of Health)
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10 minutes ago, Mrs CruisinCritter said:
RCI released a statement to passengers scheduled to sail today to let them know that the ill passengers tested positive for Flu A. They are delaying embarkation until tomorrow which is when they should have the definitive results of the coronavirus testing from the CDC just to put the passengers minds at ease before sailing.
It has been 14 days since the Chinese nationals were last in China which puts them at the end of the incubation period. I would say there is no coronavirus on the Anthem unless it is the human strain which is the most common and we have had here in the US for years.
Influenza A is starting to become a problem. My wife works at the hospital that had the first U.S. case of the coronavirus. That man has since been discharged. She says they now have an entire isolation ward full with Influenza A patients and are getting ready to convert more rooms for isolation.
Lots of bad stuff out there right now..
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We stayed at the Hotel Le Priori. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155033-d185645-Reviews-Hotel_Le_Priori-Quebec_City_Quebec.html
Price was reasonable. Staff and hotel were great.
Was close enough to walk to the port.
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No! I just run around waving my black card.. 🤣
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1 minute ago, gvre said:
I wonder if they will quarantine those on that cruise that return to US?
Italy quarantined an entire ship with all passengers onboard until it was determined whether or not a single passenger was infected.
If anyone on a ship presents symptoms consistent with the Corona Virus I suspect the entire ship will again be quarantined until it's confirmed whether anyone is actually infected. If a positive test is confirmed I would guess that everyone on that ship will be quarantined onboard or moved to an isolation facility.
All of the people that the U.S. has flown out of Wuhan are being held at March AFB in California for two weeks.
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21 minutes ago, dog said:
Some on elite board have got notice that ports have changed for their Asia cruise. Call Princess
What is the Elite board?
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1 hour ago, gvre said:
We are booked on Diamond B2B April 2nd thru the 20th .
We are healthy in our 60’s. We have been debating should we cancel. Why risk it. If we cancel by Wednesday we lose about a $1,000 after that it will be about $3,000.
I know this is a popular cruise for Chinese passengers. They say about 20% of the passengers. Right now it looks like they would be denied boarding. Right?
Anyone’s thought or opinion are appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich and Deb
Hong Kong media are reporting on Saturday evening that an 80-year-old cruise passenger has been tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, pending further testing.
Early reports are suggesting that his cruise itinerary involved a stop in Kagoshima and he had not visited mainland China the entire trip. Prior to the vacation, he had visited a local hospital for follow-up on Jan 15.
Ming Pao reported that the man flew to Tokyo on Jan 17 and went on the Jan 20 Yokohama > Kagoshima > Hong Kong voyage. Diamond Princess arrived and left Hong Kong on Jan 25, the first day of Lunar New Year.
The man reported that he has been coughing since Jan 15 and developed a fever on Jan 30. But it is important to note for now that it cannot be concluded that if the five-night voyage was "in the loop".
Authorities are investigating if the old man caught the virus from his wife, who might have recently made trips to mainland China. It is now known that your healthy family member may still pass you the virus - a Taiwanese man had returned from Wuhan and infected his wife with the virus, while he has shown no symptom.
It is also entirely possible that he caught the virus locally in Hong Kong after the trip, as incubation period for the novel virus is believed to be 2-14 days.
We're also on that same 18 day cruise. Hoping he caught it after the cruise.
Since we're still two months away I'm going to take a wait and see approach. If it becomes a problem on the Diamond Princess we should know by then. They will undoubtedly be forced to quarantine the entire ship. If that happens they will have no choice but to issue refunds.
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7 minutes ago, RMMariner said:
The present coronavirus death rate is nowhere near that of MERS and SARS. Also, much has been learned about how to deal with these situations. The last global flu was marked by a delay in government action. This time governments are being far more proactive. This announcement is a prudent and necessary effort to deal with the spread of this disease, but it is not an indicator that this disease is worse than previous outbreaks.
Also, contrary to what a previous poster stated, Coronavirus is predominately killing older men with preexisting health conditions. H1N1 was impacting on younger people. So far this disease has not followed that pattern.How many people have died of this disease outside of China? I believe it is zero at the present time. There are four people so far diagnosed in Canada. One has been released, and his wife tested positive, but she is asymptomatic. The patient in Vancouver (my home town) is recovering well apparently. The fourth patient barely exhibited symptoms and has been identified as weakly positive. All four had been to Wuhan.
Many cruisers are older people, and I think it would be wise to consider your travel options with regard to this disease, but don't let the circus that is social media be your source of information.
As he posts on social media trying to be our source of information.. 🤣
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Whatever your TA gave you is refundable. If you don't use it, Princess will send you a check in a couple of weeks after your cruise.
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8 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:
The World Health Organization has just declared this Virus a world wide threat
The US state Department t has a level 3 alert on this virus
The obvious question is what is Princess doing to protect us ,their passengers & their crews
From exposure to the virus ? A Costa ship is being held for quarantine with 6000 pax in port of Rome because of a person with possible Corona virus .This is Latest news
It'll be interesting to see if the Majestic Princess keeps sailing out of Taipei. Although not mainland China it's certainly something to keep an eye on. Same with Diamond Princess making calls to Taipei..
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I sent the Port of Yokohama an email asking what time the shuttle from Yamashita Pier to the Daikoku Terminal started and they sent me the attached flyer. They also mentioned that you probably don't want to get to the cruise terminal before 11:00 because there is nothing to do since it is a commercial port.
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Happens all the time.. Even the roll calls from this site book space for meet and greets. Complain to whoever you want to. The spaces aren't booked for more than a couple hours at a time. Not really much to complain about..
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Not much of a comparison since we live on opposite coasts but we paid $4,100 for business class from Seattle to Sydney via Vancouver on Air Cananda last March. EZAir was waaay cheaper than anything we could book on our own.
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31 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:
I was on the Diamond Mid September this year and yes we had hot water pots, and they got hot quickly
Awesome. Thank you so much for the reply and the picture.
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I read somewhere that the Diamond Princess has hot water pots in the cabins for Japanese cruises. Can anyone verify this?
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On 12/30/2019 at 8:45 AM, suekel said:
I book the day the flights are released...330 days from your return flight. That gives you lots of time to keep an eye on prices and modify your flight if the prices go down.
We do the same. Book the day flights become available then refare if the opportunity arises..
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Between the Elite perks, the Shareholder OBC and the Veterans OBC I feel I get plenty from Princess.
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Diamond Princess passenger "tested positive for Wuhan coronavirus"
in Princess Cruises
Posted
From Princess..
Updated February 11, 2020
General Questions:
A: According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory conditions.
A “novel” coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The current novel coronavirus, now called 2019-nCoV, had not been previously detected before first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
For more information, please visit The World Health Organization for more information about coronavirus.A: According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person, usually after close contact with an infected patient, for example, in a household, workplace or health care center. For more information, please visit The World Health Organization for more information about coronavirus.
A: According to the World Health Organization, common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. For more information, please visit The World Health Organization for more information about coronavirus.
A: According to the World Health Organization, the simplest and most effective way to prevent illness is to take extra care to practice healthy habits, such as frequent hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. The WHO also recommends avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing.
For more information, please visit The World Health Organization for more information about coronavirus.
Diamond Princess - Response and Actions
A: Any new guests or crew members that have a positive preliminary test result will be disembarked from the ship and transferred to a shoreside medical facility under the care of the Japanese Ministry of Health.
A: Crew members who have been cleared after an initial health screening by the Japanese Ministry of Health are fulfilling their duties as required. Additional crew testing by health officials is ongoing. When not working, crew members are requested to be in their staterooms.
A: We are continuing to work with our public health colleagues and have put together a series of protocols around food delivery, collection and cleaning throughout the ship.
A: Guests are quarantined to their staterooms. Food and beverages are being distributed three times a day to guest rooms via a daily menu. In addition, we are providing many in-room activities and entertainment options. The current guidance from the Japanese Ministry of Health is that the ship will be alongside for 14 days (until February 19).
A: The Japanese Ministry of Health has instructed that guests are to remain in their staterooms for the duration of the quarantine. However, health authorities are allowing guests to have daily outdoors fresh air breaks on open decks.
A: The health and safety of our crew is as important to us as that of our guests. In order to assist our crew during this time, we have activated a wide variety of services including:
Dedicated channels for the Diamond crew to communicate directly with shoreside leaders 24 hours per day.
Direct phone and video chat with counselors as well as spiritual and faith-based resources available in seven languages 24 hours per day to provide comfort and support.
A: Yes, to protect their health and well-being the crew is using N95 face masks that have been provisioned to the ship in Yokohama. Additionally, crew have been provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A: The HVAC (heating ventilation air-conditioning) filtration system on our ships is comparable to those used by land-based hotels, resorts and casinos.
According to a letter recently sent to cruise ship passengers and crew members onboard cruise ships by Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director at the U.S. CDC, there is no current evidence to suggest that the virus spreads through air-handling systems. Staying in your room and limiting contact with other people are the best ways to minimize exposure.
A: Our ships always seek to comply with the highest public health standards. We have worked with our public health team to put in place additional procedures to account for the change in onboard operations.
A: Our crew is highly trained in safety and public health standards. In addition, we are implementing processes developed in coordination with public health officials to support the elevated requirements of this situation.
A: Yes. While our routine sanitation protocols are robust and more stringent than land-based hotels and resorts, in an abundance of caution, we have increased our sanitation protocols on board. We’ve also installed an additional 200 hand sanitizer stations on the ship.
A: Once the quarantine is lifted, the ship will be taken to a special service dock, where it will receive a rigorous Level 3 cleaning and disinfection, like hospital operating rooms, to fully sanitize all stateroom and public venues.
A: Yes, our guest services and entertainment teams, support by our shoreside colleagues, have activated eight new live TV channels. Within 24 hours an additional 80 title (movies, TV series, concerts) were added to the stateroom entertainment system in a variety of languages. Additionally, the team continues to deliver games, trivia and puzzles to guests to keep them occupied while in their staterooms.
Considering these extraordinary circumstances, all guests will receive a full refund of cruise expenses. This includes:
Princess Cruises - Global Fleet
A: Our ships and medical staff are well equipped to prevent and contain the spread of contagious illnesses, including coronavirus. We are taking extra precautions and are being guided in consultation with international and local health authorities.
Among the precautions are:
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Enhanced screening of guests and crew embarking our ships
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Isolating and treating any guest or crew member s howing symptoms of illness
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Rigorous cleaning and sanitization of our ships
Our ships are cleaned thoroughly and regularly with a disinfectant proven to be highly effective against contagious illnesses. While our routine sanitation protocols are robust and more stringent than those of land-based hotels and resorts, in an abundance of caution, we have increased our sanitation protocols.We will also provide information to our guests and crew about how to minimize any risk of contracting illness by practicing good hygiene habits, such as frequent hand washing.
A: For many years, cruise lines have screened guests and crew about their health before they board a ship, including questions about recent or current illnesses and symptoms.
Additionally, any individual who has traveled from or through mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong within 14 days of the start of this cruise, will not be permitted to board the ship. Neither will any guest who has been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus or a person under monitoring for coronavirus within 14 days of the start of the cruise.
A: A guest exhibiting signs of any illness prior to boarding a ship is checked by health and medical staff who determine if the guest will be allowed to board or be referred to shoreside medical care for further medical screening and potential treatment.
For many years, cruise lines have screened embarking guests and crew members about their health before boarding a ship, including recent or current illnesses and symptoms. Guests exhibiting signs of illness will not be allowed to board the ship.
Additionally, any individual who has traveled from or through mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong within 14 days of the start of this cruise, will not be permitted to board the ship. Neither will any guest who has been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus or a person under monitoring for coronavirus within 14 days of the start of the cruise.
A: As we have always done, we ask guests and crew to report to the medical center immediately if they exhibit any symptoms of illness.
A: The HVAC (heating ventilation and air-conditioning) filtration system on our ships is comparable to those used by land-based hotels, resorts and casinos.
In a letter recently sent to cruise ship passengers by Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director at the U.S. CDC, there is no current evidence to suggest that the virus spreads between rooms through the air-handling system. Staying in your room and limiting contact with other people are the best ways to minimize exposure.
A: The following voyages have been canceled:
M005 12-Feb-20
M005B 14-Feb-20
M006 20-Feb-20
M006D 20-Feb-20
M006B 22-Feb-20
M006C 25-Feb-20
M007 28-Feb-20
M007B 1-Mar-20
M007C 4-Mar-20
M008 7-Mar-20
M008B 9-Mar-20
M008C 12-Mar-20
A: Governmental officials and non-government organizations should direct their questions and requests to Ralph Samuels, Vice President, Government & Community Relations, (Tel: +1 661-284-8027, rsamuels@hagroup.com) and Sandy Olsen, Vice President, Corporate Affairs (Tel: +61 (0)2 8326 4113 , Sandy.Olsen@carnivalaustralia.com).
A: Updates are available at Princess Cruises' Notices & Advisories