luv2c00k

I got off the Sun yesterday.   Emailed a member of the crew this morning to see how things were and I was told that all is okay.   They are staying on the ship and cleaning.   Many cannot get home as flights in/out of their countries are not available.   

1 minute ago, FLcruisergrl said:

I talked to Susanna and bother she and our butler, Jane, we’re concerned about their jobs. ☹️

The crew was so great on our cruise.   I know people are saying the crew will be sent home but many of them cannot get home because of airline restrictions.   

14 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

Just got on (and off) the Sun today. We were canceled 30 minutes before sailaway. It was very sad for us, but my heart broke for the crew. Both our butler and concierge were very concerned about their jobs.

Did you talk to Susanna and Francis?   I got off yesterday morning and we were told that originally your cruise had 2200 people cruising but by yesterday morning it was just over 1000.   So sorry you had to get on only to get off again.   It was heart breaking at the airport in Orlando.   All the kids heading home after just arriving with their vacations to Disney cancelled.   It is so hard for them to understand it.   

6 minutes ago, Love my butler said:

Why would a replacement butler be needed?  NCL has canceled all cruises for the next 30 days at least.

This was this morning when we disembarked - before the cruises were cancelled.   Just saying that crew members cannot just fly home because of flight restrictions.   At the time I was talking to him - he had extended his contract for 1 month.   Hopefully they will be able to stay on the ships during this time.

Just off the Sun today.    Our butler said he was due to go home but with the flight situation he can't go and also his replacement can't make it to the ship.   Hopefully now that the cruises have been cancelled the crew can stay on the ships until they can continue to work or can travel home.

3 minutes ago, Newfun4me said:

I agree with you. The spread is definitely happening, so lots of people will come into contact with it.  Although I'm not panicking (taking a watch and see approach for our upcoming cruises), I do have a disease that impacts my immune system so I have to be more cautious.  I also have two sets of aging parents.  Personally, I think I'd probably be at more risk in an elevator or buffet on a cruise ship with 4,000+ people than at my local restaurant or grocery store, but do agree that it's likely going to be everywhere.  I just hope it slows down and the global mortality rate is more in line with the .7%.

Agree completely - if I had a compromised immune system I would not travel.   Since I never eat at the buffet or take the elevator on a cruise then those don't worry me.   I worry so for the elderly after what happened in Washington state.   Stay healthy!   Remember to wash your hands every time you come in from being out somewhere!

3 hours ago, Newfun4me said:

The mortality rate for Covid-19 is being reported as 3.4%.  There is no vaccine and no treatment other than your own immune system.  There are a lot of people who die from flu, but the mortality rate is also low (less than 1%) from a percentage perspective.  If you look at the percentages, the extreme caution makes sense (at least to me).  We have a Carnival cruise scheduled for April 4 and an NCL on May 31.  I'm wishing I didn't have either one past final payment right now as we would probably delay until there is a little more clarity with the coronavirus situation.  

 

Newfun4me - I still feel that everyone (unless you are going to stay isolated in your home for the next few months) will be in contact with this virus.   I could just as easily catch it at my grocery store, gas station or even my mailman as on the ship.  If you take precautions (washing your hands,  keeping your hands away from your face, keeping a distance from those that are ill) then you lower your chance.   I am healthy with no underlying conditions.   Chances are if I get it - I will be sick, self isolate myself until the 14 days have gone by and be fine.   China is reporting that for those areas outside of the epicenter the mortality rate is about 0.7%.   ( https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/03/809904660/why-the-death-rate-from-coronavirus-is-plunging-in-china )    I just feel that unless you are elderly and/or have a compromised immune system you shouldn't panic.   These are just my thoughts and everyone does not have to agree with them. 

Call NCL  -  no one here can give you any information on what they will do.   

37 minutes ago, zqvol said:

 

What I find interesting about the above referenced site is that there have been over 80,000 influenza deaths this year and only around 3,000 from Covid-19, yet everyone is in a panic about the latter but ignoring the former.

 

BTW in keeping on topic we are scheduled for an Alaska cruise around  the 1st of June and have no intention of canceling.

I leave on the Sun from Port Canaveral this Saturday.   We plan on being on the ship.   

You are so correct about influenza deaths and you will find that many were the elderly or those with compromised immune systems the same as with Covid-19.   Although they report that the instance of death is higher with Covid-19 than influenza they also report that the % is probably high because there people who have the virus and it is never reported.   They never see a doctor because it is the same as having the yearly flu for them.   

The threat of catching influenza or the norovirus does not stop people from cruising.   

31 minutes ago, cementhands said:

Compromised immune system for my wife has us not booking that next cruise. Supposed to do Bermuda in May and Europe this fall but probably not.

Good reading though at world o meter.com. Constantly updated worldwide. Experts opinion.

Thanks for the WorldOMeter.com info.   Fascinating information.

Thanks so much for this review.   I will be on the Sun March 8th.   Taking my BFF on her first ever cruise.   DH and I have been on the Spirit twice and love the smaller ships.   I think 5 days on the Sun will be perfect for us.   

Will be on the Sun in two weeks so will let you know my thoughts on her then.    Have been on the Spirit twice and we love the smaller ships so my recommendation would lean toward the Sun.    Balcony is a must - the views cruising through Alaska are so wonderful.   

I have two cruises booked and no problems.    I would check with your travel agent.

10 hours ago, kmc86 said:

Does anyone know if concierge Carlos Zarate is still with NCL? If so what ship?

Carlos Zarate was the concierge on the Spirit in October.   I am thinking at that time he mentioned he would be back on the Spirit after dry dock but not sure since it moved.    I know he loved cruising the Greek Isles.

1 minute ago, Shellbelle28 said:

I'm not sure, I didn't ask him how long he'd been on the Jewel. He's honestly the best concierge we've had. Not a big, bouncy personality like some, but hugely conscientious and organized. One afternoon we ate lunch in O'Sheehans instead of Moderno, then went back to our cabin and put the do not disturb on until dinner and rested. When we opened our door, there was a letter from him asking if we were okay, he'd missed us at lunch and was concerned. That was his typical level of availability and care! 

Might not be him - Carlos from the Spirit had a big personality.   Will have to look for his card to find out his last name.

3 hours ago, Shellbelle28 said:

If anyone is interested in the Jewel as of the end of January 2020, here are the names:

Giorgio Voussolinos, Captain

Carlos Ragasa, Concierge (LOVED him!)

Rumi Khatao, General Manager (also a standout)
Mohammad Hasan, Food & Beverage Director 
Dan Olsson, Cruise Director -
Eric De Leon, Executive Housekeeper - 
Alvina Athanase, Guest Services Manager
Peter D Costa, Executive Chef
Adine Barrett, Restaurant Manager
Norman Anderson, Beverage Manager
Stephanie Davidson, Cruisenext Manager

Was Carlos the Concierge on the Spirit in October?     He was wonderful.

Thanks so much for the pictures.   We were on her in October and wondered what it would look like after the changes.    

Looking forward to our cruise on the Spirit in October.   We love that ship!

4 hours ago, bobsfamily said:

Will be in 9276 end of this month. If you are needing 2 separate beds, the sitting area (living room) has a pull out/sofabed.

That would be better than having 2 singles in the bedroom. It does say it holds 4 so I guess 2 in the bedroom and 2 in the sitting room. That would make the sofabed large or only for tiny people!

I can always ask about the queen and see the sofa made into a bed and take a pic.

Bobsfamily  - if you think of it just look at the bed.   If it will separate you will see that there is a split between the mattresses.    The current description says that it is a queen bed which can become two beds.     Thanks so much.

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

We were aft on 10 on the Sun and you are right about those thrusters.  You'll be up for sure.

Have been aft on 9 on the Spirit and we did not have a problem.

Thanks for responding - I had asked when I booked and they said yes but the more I look at pictures the more I think it will not work.

Description says queen bed - can it be separated into two twins?

20 hours ago, tomservo said:

 

Gorgeous views! What time of year did you sail?

The first week of June - 5 years ago.

5 minutes ago, tomservo said:

 

Thanks! This is the kind of insight I’m looking for.

If you can manage an aft suite I would highly recommend it.   Pictures were taken from our balcony.

We had an aft suite on our cruise to Alaska ( was not NCL ) and I loved being able to sit on the balcony while cruising.   The day cruising Glacier Bay was especially spectacular.   We cruised in early June and I was comfortable on the balcony using a blanket.