LidoLiz

After reading this thread, I revised my previous 6:20 p.m. “shared table”dining times to select a “private” 7 p.m. table with our two travel companions (the “shared” table option didn’t offer as many choices.) So this was very helpful … and today, I received 14 separate emails from Princess — one for every night of the cruise — confirming the new times. 😀

We stayed at the Premier Inn Royal Mile. Reasonable price, clean and quiet, a couple of blocks from Waverley rail station, and as the name says, right next to the Royal Mile. Nice resto on the premises if you want a quick hot breakfast before heading out. And very good cancellation policies, so you can lock in a room now and cancel and rebook if the price drops between now and then.

On disembarkation day in Fort Lauderdale last month, all the COVID-afflicted souls on Aloha deck were taken directly off the ship at 8:30 am. (we had been told about the timing a day or two in advance). We used a regular elevator, and were escorted outdoors and through a parking lot to the luggage area. Mask were mandatory, and all the crew walking with us wore masks.

We loved the Harding Hotel on historic Fishamble Street. Very well located, walkable to most everything and close to the airport bus connector. It was reasonably priced, with basic accommodation, but a great pub with live music on the ground level. Much better than staying in the nearby touristy Temple Bar.

We are just back from a three-day pre-cruise stay in Portsmouth. We stayed at the Premier Inn right across the street from the Dockyards. It’s also a short walk from the bus/train interchange ….so it was a perfect location. We came from Heathrow, and due to the recent rail disruption we took a car service (Jewels) from Heathrow. It removes a lot of the post-flight transfer stress, having a driver waiting for you in the terminal, and who will whisk you right to the hotel. More expensive than a bus or rail link, but after a 9 hour trip, it was worth it! We spent about five hours at the Dockyards. Even on a cold blustery day, there was a lineup, so try to go when it opens. The HMS Victory and the Mary Rose were amazing, and we easily could have spent two days there. We also walked down towards Southsea and visited the D-Day Museum, a worthwhile couple of hours. We did day trips to both Salisbury and Winchester, both with easy rail connectivity from Portsmouth and Southampton, depending on where your cruise is leaving from.

We just finished a TA on the Emerald. Both DH and I were quarantined for six days (plus another voluntary three days for me as I accompanied him after his positive test.) We were given a letter onboard saying we would receive FCCs for the days quarantined, but no amount was stated. We also received letters from the onboard medical team documenting our positive tests and time (down to the hour) that we were subject to quarantine. I believe our fellow isolated passengers on Aloha deck received the same documents. Upon returning home I called my PVP, who advised me to call Customer Support. After a couple of days, they called back yesterday and said the FCCs would show up in three months. (No amount given). They said I didn’t have to send in the medical forms as they were attached to our booking. So the clock starts, and we’ll see if the FCCs show up eventually.

These have been removed, at least on the Emerald. A crew member told me it was to use the extra space for treatment rooms that could accommodate wheelchairs, etc. I popped into the remodelled women’s change area…it looks very nice, with lockers and three showers, but no more steam or sauna.

Yes, it seems Aloha port side has a lot more activity, judging from the number of tables placed in the halls in front of both inside and balcony cabins. I wonder if they are still quarantining people, seeing there are only two days left in the cruise?

Jilliebean28, I am sorry that your experience on Regal has been so much different than here on Emerald. But it’s great news that you have been released. It has certainly been a learning experience as to the best times to call Room Service, or the coloured-bag system for laundry vs. garbage, or finding out that your Medallion means nothing anymore and everything has to be done on the phone. The dining room menus are on the TV, and there is a separate category for everyday room service food like burgers, salads and pizzas. I have to give a shout-out to Room Service, who has been calling me AHEAD of meal times to get my order in, and to Guest Services, who calls twice a day to see if I need anything or have any questions. (Quarantine pro tips: ask for a kettle, as steamy hot water can help with congestion, and get fresh ice if you have a sore throat). It also helps to talk across balconies to your fellow inmates as they may have useful information and are, so to speak, in the same boat! 😀

Feeling ok, thanks. Sort of like a bad cold with congestion and an annoying cough. And as for the question of staying in my original cabin or joining DH right away after he tested positive, that was a no-brainer, for me at least. As a close contact, I knew I would potentially already be carrying and transmitting the bug, even though I was testing negative with no symptoms. I didn’t relish the prospect of wearing a mask during every single interaction with other passengers or crew, including at dinner or in line at the International Cafe. From everything I understand about this evolving virus, this was the prudent course (for me, if not others). We are both vaxxed to the max, with the fifth (bivalent) dose administered three weeks before we boarded. Quarantine aside, this has been a great trip with lots of adventures. No regrets.

We have been told that we will be escorted off the ship at 10 am, presumably after most passengers have left. Then we will head to the taxi stand (we cancelled our post-cruise excursion). They are offering the EZ check service for our luggage for $25 pp, so we will take advantage of that. They will apparently also deliver our airline boarding passes to us the night before we disembark.

Well, DH has been released from purgatory and is on his way back to the sun and fun of the Lido deck. After he tested negative this morning, the process was very quick and he was free within the hour. They have strongly recommended he wear his mask when around others for the rest of the cruise but otherwise he is back to being a normal entity. Unexpectedly, I received a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card from the Rooms Division & Guest Services desk: “We hope you get well soon and kindly contact us at any time, we are here to assist you.” Nice touch.

It looked like the same rapid test we are using, but it could have been a PCR. They will only call you if you test positive, and my call came within a couple of hours. Guest Services has been calling twice a day asking how we are feeling and if we need anything. I ordered a kettle today so I can make my own hot tea.

My husband self-tested five days ago, and was quarantined based on his self-reporting. He has NOT yet been tested by the medical staff, and will not be tested by them until tomorrow morning, which is our 6th day in quarantine. As his close contact (I voluntarily entered quarantine with him), I was tested on Day 3 (negative) and Day 5 (positive). I just received a letter from the Emerald medical team confirming that I tested pos and will be taken off the ship at 10 am on disembarkation day, the 23rd.

Hey, I think I waved to you yesterday! I think we are four cabins down. Agreed on how good, and how hard-working our crew is. Nothing but fast service and empathy.

Also, thanks again Coral for posting the excellent photos!

Well, I guess this is no surprise but after quarantining with DH for five days, I tested positive this morning. So Aloha deck is where I will stay! We are hoping his test tomorrow morning will be negative so he can be released from purgatory and stick-handle our trip home. Not sure if I will be required to book a hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale or not, as the cruise will end on my (officially) fifth day after diagnosis, or if I will be allowed to fly home on my scheduled EZ-AIR flight on Wednesday afternoon. Apparently they will let me know the day before disembarkation. I may get to hold the record for most days in quarantine during a TransAtlantic! (9). 😬

Back online now. Yes, the non-COVID cabin mates, once they choose to accompany their COVID-positive partners, are not allowed to leave the quarantine cabin. We order from either the dining room or room service menu, no charge even for the extra-charge items like full pizzas. Wine and other liquor is also free, although we both have the plus package anyway. They will also deliver bottled waters and full ice buckets. We have been satisfied with the communication so far.

Hello from quarantine! On Day 4 now of isolation and thankfully we have a bit of Internet. From what I can see during quick peeks down the hall, they have opened up another section of Aloha deck, as a few more suspected or confirmed COVID cases arrive. We are being treated very well, with calls from Guest Services twice a day as to our health and reminding us to call if we want anything. We ordered fresh bed sheets yesterday (exciting). 😃 The medical guy was here yesterday to test me….I’m still negative, but DH is still positive. He hasn’t coughed or sneezed in hours, so we are holding out hope for a Saturday release. The Atlantic is beautiful this morning so stretching and reading on the balcony is on the agenda. So glad the quarantine cabins face the sun!

Just wanted to pipe in and say my DH tested positive for COVID this morning, but he tested himself with a rapid kit. We are now in quarantine on the Emerald. This is day 8 of a 16 day TA. The ship’s medical staff guy arrived to take his vital signs (all normal, just a cough) but did not test him otherwise. We showed him the positive rapid test, and that was enough. We have been told he will be tested by their med team in six days, but we will continue to both self-test each day. We have received an information envelope explaining dining, laundry and smoking on your deck (we don’t) options. He has not so far been offered any medications for his cough, nor been seen by a doc, but we packed Mucinex and Advil so are well stocked.

Thanks! Now in isolation on portside Aloha, and have ordered breakfast. The good news is (for others, at least) is that there are only a handful, less than six, confirmed COVID cases down our hall, according to the crew member preparing the cabins. The balconies are for the positive cases and the inside cabins are for “under investigation” cases… I will say we noticed quite a bit more serious coughing over the past couple of days across the ship, so there may be other folks who didn’t bring along the self-tests and are just going to try to wait it out. (!) Coral, we are looking forward to your photos from Lisbon!

Alas, DH tested positive for COVID this morning. (I am still negative). He has a mild but persistent cough that started last night. We have both had five shots, including the most recent Pfizer bivalent three weeks ago, plus flu shots. And so our next trip begins, down to Aloha deck. I have opted to stay with him…my other choice was to stay in my cabin, but wear a mask at all times outside of it and no dining venues. We have packed up what we need (most everything) for the next six days. The med guy was up to check hubby’s vitals (all normal). We are just awaiting the moving crew. Hope to see Lisbon and the Azores on another trip! 😷

This has been an amazing cruise so far. We are in Bilbao today under a blue sky, and the afternoon sun is actually hot on our port side balcony. Fortunately, I have discovered the espresso mocha milkshake, available on the Lido deck, is covered by our Plus plan! Note to self: only one per day. 🙄

The Wake Show just announced only 1,800 passengers are onboard, including 1,300 Americans and 300 Canadians. Had a nice chat with the Loyalty and Events manager at the Platinum-Elite event in Skywalkers last night. She’s from Milan and extremely personable. Two different crew members have told me that during the last cruise (post drydock), COVID was not an issue at all. I have seen very few masks, which means more smiles than I have seen in the last two years. 🙂 Going to be a great TA to the New World. Enjoy your day in Cherbourg, Coral!

We are also on this TA cruise, and the first few hours have been fantastic. We are currently rocking our way through the English Channel. The ship looks great post dry-dock, and the crew seems very happy. The sports court flooring looks new, as does the mini-golf, croquet and bocce areas. We haven’t been able to try these yet due to the weather. Dinner was a bit crazy….we had reservations for our party of six in Da Vinci at 6:40, but didn’t get in until well past 7. Not a hardship, but tables for six are slow to open and the dining crew member recommended coming after 7 (and with a smaller party.) They weren’t even checking for reservations, so it was a free for all. The actual meal and service, once seated, was excellent. Love that flourless chocolate cake! Checked out the spa area, and sadly confirmed earlier reports that the free sauna and steam rooms have been removed from the locker room area. However, a crew member told me that they have been able to use that space to better accommodate differently-abled cruisers who want to access spa services, so that’s a fine enough reason. Coral, sorry to hijack your excellent thread!