purrlinda

19 hours ago, kurtmi03 said:

I purchased it prior to the cruise online for $299 for 14 days. We were on a 20 day cruise so I stopped in the spa on the first day and they told me it was $336 for the 20 days. They credited me on the spot for $299 and told me they would charge me the $336, so I guess the price per day goes down per day on longer cruises. I just chescked for our 10 day cruise in December and it's $196. The hydro pool is basically a large hot tub with stronger jet and many more bubbles. You can also use the steam rooms and thermal loungers. Here is how HAL describes it:

 

Thermal Suite 10 Day Cruise Pass

OVERVIEW

---

An immersive thermal experience. Unwind in an oasis of heated chambers, featuring warm and cool temperatures to cleanse and recharge the body. Elements of mist, rain, steam and warmth are designed to promote deep relaxation and renewal of vital energies. Pass valid for the entire duration of cruise. Heated Loungers, Hydrotherapy Pool, available on select vessels.

$196.00

Thank you so much for the detailed reply.  I really appreciate it!

Can you explain the hydro pool for me?  Is this in the spa area?  I would be interested in knowing the pricing on it if you have it.  Thank you!

I had two clients on this ship also test positive upon return home.  

Do you know why the cruise was raised to yellow?

With today's news of Slovakia being in lockdown for the next two weeks, one has to wonder if the lines that haven't already cancelled the season should cancel the season.  

Slovakia just went into lockdown as well.  I wonder how that will impact river cruises that have replaced Vienna with Bratislava?  More time in Budapest or extra day of sailing?  

I'm really thinking that Scenic and Avalon were right to just cancel the season at this point.

17 hours ago, garlinn said:

The same for their Grand European Tour. This is what they sent for our cruise that leaves 11/25. 

 

Date	Original Itinerary	Revised Itinerary
Day 10	Passau	Passau
Day 11	Melk	Scenic Sailing (Wachau)
Day 12	Vienna	Bratislava
Day 13	Vienna	Budapest
Day 14	Budapest	Budapest
Day 15	Budapest (disembark)	Budapest (disembark)

This and the fact that the Christmas Markets have been cancelled for all 5 stops in Bavaria has made us decide to cancel the cruise.

Are they giving you the option of a refund if you cancelled due to the itinerary change?

As of this afternoon, their Romantic Danube departure on the Viking Atla on December 5 has been modified with an extra day in Budapest, added day in Bratislava, and a scenic sailing day through Austria before reaching Passau and Regensburg so  it seems like they are trying to find a way to operate.

Can you tell me about getting the QR code for getting into Egypt?

I booked b2b on the Radiance in March at 11:30AM PST.  Thank goodness I did not apply deposit before I saw this thread!

I just got this - I have been trying to keep up page by page but it has been moving so fast I do not know if this has been posted yet or not.

Zaandam and Rotterdam Approved to Disembark Guests at Port Everglades (Statement #7)

Seattle, Wash., April 2, 2020 (1:30 p.m. PDT) — Holland America Line is pleased to confirm that Broward County and the Unified Command cleared both Zaandam and Rotterdam for arrival to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to disembark guests who are fit to travel per guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

We extend our sincere gratitude to President Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Port Everglades Unified Command, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry and all governmental and embassy authorities who helped to resolve this situation and get our nearly 1,200 guests home. And a special thank you to Broward County Mayor Dale Holness for his leadership, help and understanding.

“These travelers could have been any one of us or our families, unexpectedly caught in the middle of this unprecedented closure of global borders that happened in a matter of days and without warning,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We are so happy to be able to get our guests home and assist those few who need additional medical services. The COVID-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our shared humanity, and we must do everything we can to ensure we continue to act in ways consistent with our common human dignity.

“Our guests on board both ships have been truly incredible, and we extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all of them,” continued Ashford. “Their cooperation, support and understanding throughout this entire experience helped us best protect the health of all on board and ensured our shipboard teams could focus on caring for everyone and getting them home.

“I would also like to extend my sincerest thanks to the amazing officers and crews of Zaandam and Rotterdam,” continued Ashford. “They are heroes who rose to the challenge of taking care of our guests and each other under extraordinary circumstances. All of us at Holland America Line are so very proud of our colleagues for their exemplary leadership and service.”

Following arrival in Port Everglades, guests will be health screened and also cleared for entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Disembarkation is expected to be completed by tomorrow evening, with priority given today to those who need immediate care at local health system partners who have approved their arrival.

Fit-to-travel guests will transfer straight from ship onto buses for transfer directly to the airport for their flights home. The majority will leave on charter flights. Local Florida residents will return home immediately via private car. Guests have not left the ship since March 14 and have self-isolated in their staterooms since March 22. 

Guests who still have symptoms will remain on board and disembark at a later date to be finalized after they have fully recovered and meet the CDC guidelines for being fit to travel. They will continue to be well cared for on board by the ships’ medical staffs.

No crew from either ship will disembark in Fort Lauderdale.

Since March 22, 107 guests (90 on Zaandam/17 on Rotterdam) and 143 crew on Zaandam (0 on Rotterdam) have presented with influenza-like symptoms.

There are 808 guests and 583 crew on Rotterdam. On Zaandam there are 442 guests and 603 crew. Among the guests, 311 guests are American citizens and 52 are residents of Florida.

Due to global health concerns, Holland America Line made the decision to suspend its global cruise operations for 30 days and end its current cruises in progress as quickly as possible.  At the time, Zaandam was sailing a South America cruise that began in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 that was originally scheduled to end in San Antonio, Chile, on March 21. Attempts were made and denied to disembark guests in Chile on March 15 and at other ports along its route to the United States.

On March 21, Zaandam was originally scheduled to begin a 20-day South America and Panama Canal cruise from San Antonio, Chile, and end in Fort Lauderdale on April 7. On March 30 an additional 30-day extension of cruise cancellations was announced, including departures through May 14. 

— # # # —

7 minutes ago, Petunia1950 said:

For Copper 10-8 -- two questions:

 

1.  Do you know why the two ships stopped for a bit this morning just west of Cuba, with an apparent tender between the two? 

 

2.  Why do they both now have their pedals to the metal -- moving at warp speed like they're being chased by pirates?  Is there only a brief window of opportunity for their arrival in Fort Lauderdale?

"Warp speed like they're being chased by pirates" gave me a much needed hearty belly laugh this morning.

Also, great questions.  I was curious about that as well.

10 minutes ago, dockman said:

yesterday...he and wife are now on rotterdam and very happy to be there...said it is great as ship is super clean...they had been in their room on Zdam for long time obviously no room stewards cleaning though they did get fresh towels / sheets etc...they are fingers crossed that they get off ship soon...they have no idea if they will be quarantined or flown home and are anxiously awaiting news..

 

i have not heard from him today for first time in long time...i suspect they are all sitting and waiting to learn their fate....they are healthy and trying their best to keep calm.

 

thank u for asking.

My people, though not exhibiting any signs of illness, were left on the Zaandam.  I am beside myself to hear this.  They were moved from their ocean view room to something with a balcony this morning.  I have been trying to get in touch with them via phone.  Their children are incredibly frustrated and scared and have been getting very little info from the emergency line.  I am so glad to hear that your brother and his wife were able to be moved without issue.

I know that the rest of the wait will be anxious for all.  Thank you for the update.

9 minutes ago, dockman said:

 

It seems to me that  a hearing such as this would start off with the premise ..."there are people in distress off of our coast, some are americans, some are not....but we as Floridians will come together and we will formulate a plan to help these people....we as Floridians have been helped get through hurricane disasters time and time again and it is now our turn to help our fellow human beings".

 

 

We Floridians are blessed with living in one of the best states in one of the richest countries in the world. 

 

Let's not see a "man overboard" and sit and argue about how or why he got there, where he is from, whether we might get sued, paid,reelected, praised or criticized.  Throw the man a life buoy. It is the American thing to do.  It is the right thing to do.

 

                                     Or as JFK said  “For of those to whom much is given much is required.” 

  

 

Dockman, have you heard from your brother in recent days?

1 minute ago, dockman said:

  Sorry .  My brother did mention everyone getting "tested" a day or so ago but when i asked if it was covid test he said no only sick got that...his "test" was temperature and few questions.  No covid.

I asked today if any plans/announcements to test all for covid and he said nothing like that has been mentioned.  He is about same age as your clients with no symptoms at all.

Mine have no symptoms either.  Their testing was done yesterday.

I just read that Reuters article that said the health screening was essentially a questionnaire and temperature check.  This does not seem reasonable to me because in many cases symptoms don't appear immediately.  My thought process is that the only way they could know if the passengers heading to the Rotterdam are healthy is to do the test for the virus.  

1 minute ago, Priya2 said:

I’m sorry if this question has already been asked and answered, but this thread is too long to read through entirely. I’m wondering when this cruise set sail?

March 7th.  It was due to arrive in Santiago (San Antonio) Chile on March 21.

My clients were on a B2B and were supposed to continue up the cost of South America en route to Ft. Lauderdale.  

17 minutes ago, dockman said:

 I think the "test" was a temp check and questions about coughs etc.  Per my brother only the sick were given a covid test.  Best of luck to all.

Very strange - my clients specifically stated they tested negative for the virus.  

I just got an update from my clients currently on the Zaandam:

• They have both tested negative for COVID-19
• Mr. needs assistance with transferring to the Rotterdam because he walks with a cane.  This has caused a delay and even though they are 76 and 82 they are still on the even though they started the transfer of passengers yesterday.
• There is still no word on where or when they will be getting off the ship.

I am so relieved they tested negative.  I thought that along with the inside cabins the guests 70+ were getting priority to move to the Rotterdam.  I am concerned about the fact that because he needs assistance because of his mobility that they have been delayed.  

1 minute ago, BellKat said:

It is on their website. They have a blog page.

I have been going here for the official updates:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/amsterdam-maasdam-zaandam-updates.html

I will probably just follow the FB page since they are updating that more regularly.

Thank you, Sue, for posting this.  I've been looking at the website not the FB page.

I am finding it increasingly frustrating that Holland has not updated on the Zaandam since March 24th.  I am finding most of my information here in this community, which I greatly appreciate.  

It does not seem right that there has been no update for 3 days.  Is this thinking out of line?

9 minutes ago, Max2003 said:

The ships have possibly changed their rendezvous point from the speculated Balboa, Panama location (at the entrance of the canal) to a speculated open sea point.   If Panama is being difficult the new location would be closer for a diversion to the US west coast. 

Thank you for your comment.  I am not great at interpreting the nautical data but you guys here are amazing.

Is there any official way to confirm whether or not Panama has allowed them a permit to go through the canal?  I have clients on board who just shared with their daughter that Panama denied their permit to go through the canal.  Holland will not confirm or deny this when I called.

13 minutes ago, dockman said:

I get texts everyday and we text back and forth no problem...don't know about talking on phone.

These folks don't know how to text.  Just found a way to get in touch with the ship - neither are sick but are very concerned as they don't know what's going to happen yet when they get to FL.

Does anyone know if it is possible to contact guests on the ship by phone?  I've called the emergency line for this sailing and the person at HAL had no answers for me and said it was not possible to call the ship.

I have found, sadly, that this forum has been able to provide more information than the cruise lines themselves.

Many thanks,