mellon1

7 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

That’s my biggest fear with b2b’s… all this prep and if you test positive…all could be over, if you have to go home.

That really stinks.  
So, if you test negative after 5 days, normally they say you can fly home, or on long cruises they keep you in quarantine for 10 days total.  But, you only have 5 days left on this cruise.

Could you please update us on what tjey do?

The anti viral pill I believe is for non vax,

to keep them from severe disease or hospitalization. 
Keep us posted and get well soon.

You sound like me.  I overpack and bring all the what if stuff.  For 40 days on the same ship, we make it a home for that time.  We do nothing else all year and so look forward to cruising.  However, with covid and having to drive 2 days there and 2 days home and also stay at hotel for 3-4 days before boarding for testing, a lot to do.  It has always been worth it as we go and know after I am done cleaning and packing that we are on vacation and can sit and have that drink or two and relax and not have anything to stress about.  I like that feeling.  I like being pampered and not having to do wash, make the bed or make dinner or clean the dishes.  It is a true luxury.

I hope they feel better and are able to get home safely.

1 hour ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

 

There's always Zoom calls*

 

* - insert your favorite online videoconferencing software here.  Subject to Internet availability.

I don't even know how!!!  I just got my Iphone and hate texting.  I would rather pick up the phone!

9 minutes ago, Kmkub said:

 

I'm doing a terrible job of reviewing if I'm giving the impression that the food was bad. I've never been on a cruise where I enjoyed 100% of everything I ate.

 

To be clear - most of the food was in the very good, excellent, outstanding range. 

 

 

Great review!  Food can be different for everyone.  

Do you have photos of the Sanctuary?  Thanks.

19 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Quick update - DH tested negative again so he is free from isolation.  He feels really bad since we cruise because I love it and he loves me.  Now he can do all the legwork - cancel next cruises, rebook flights, get test documentation for insurance.  I will make lemonade now and say refunds will take care of Iceland and Norway Apex cruises in August.  

Are you able to see each other at all?  

11 minutes ago, Keksie said:

It is called Paxlovid.  There are not enough pills to go around.  Instead of sending people masks and tests manufactured in China they should have pushed to send everyone a course of the pills.

That's it.  I agree.  I think everyone would feel better knowing they have that available on the ships and everywhere for that matter.

On 1/28/2022 at 11:00 PM, LACruiser88 said:

In lieu of the Oceanview box, the HDMI port on the back of the TV will also work 

 

Your DVD will work as long as it has an HDMI port and you have an adapter to connect it to the HDMI port on the TV.

What is the adapter and where to get.  What exactly is it called?  Again, I totally know nothing about this stuff!!

On 1/28/2022 at 2:12 PM, LACruiser88 said:

From a previous thread....

 

 

1.    Connect your HDMI device to the HDMI port on the left side of the TV. Use the open HDMI above the ethernet port used by the the OceanView box.

 

2.    Using the remote, launch one of the live TV channels. The bridge camera or the ship information channel usually work, but you may have to try one of the live TV channels (e.g. MSNBC).

 

3.    Reach under the middle of the TV to find the on-TV directional jogger. Press in once to open the circular four-way menu, then toggle left and select the input selector. A menu will open on the right side of the TV. There should be a red dot next to "Live TV" (if the dot is next to HDMI, you didn't do step two correctly).

 

4.    Toggle down to HDMI and select it. This should successfully switch the input to your HDMI device."

 

Turning off the TV when finished, reset it to the original input when turned back on.

I am printing and copying this to my email so my DH can do this on the trip.  So very helpful and simple to do!!!!!  Thank you

On 1/29/2022 at 8:02 AM, MissP22 said:

Yes you can just plug in an HDMI cable without pulling the TV out from the mount but it's difficult to reach for someone with large hands. Hence the need for needle nose pliers.  They've got wall mounts that are very stiff to dislodge and my husband has only used that approach one time. 

Once the HDMI cable is in place and the TV switched to that input you can feed it with anything that has an HDMI output. Leave the HDMI cable in place for the entire trip coiled up behind the TV & remove your player (phone, Roku, WD-TV, DVD player) when not being used. 

Note: My Roku device has the capability to plug in headphones into it's remote. The Princess TV's don't provide a headphone jack.

I'm not sure about the Enchanted but I'm guessing it's the same setup as all the other ships. 

Don't forget an extension cord to reach the AC outlet on the desk or wall.

Thank you soooo very much for this info!  Our last trip in 2020 DH brought all the new John Wick and other action movies, only to not be able to hook up to the TV!  That was on the Grand class ships.  

1 minute ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Yes - we were due to stay on board for the next sailing.

My heart goes out to you both.  How devastating.  Wonder if they will let you on the next trip if not testing positive.  I read somewhere on the AARP about a pill Pax....something.  Someone took it one day and they then tested negative.  This is what we need on cruise ships!  Take care and keep in touch.   Feel better soon!

Just now, mellon1 said:

I am so sorry.  Truly.  What ship are you on?  Are they giving you the pills to stop covid.  Wondering that the procedure is on Princess regarding this.  Is your husband with you?  

 

I am hoping next year they will treat this like a cold and you take medicine but are not in a quarantined area, etc. or tested, etc.

Are you doing B2Bs??  I hope you feel better real soon.  

4 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

News flash - we always wear Kn95 masks, do not sit at a bar or any public space we cannot be far from folks, sun beds on deck 11 with no one in sight and I still caught it - felt tired the evening of day 5 and woke up with the cough day 6.  Tested positive and moved to quarantine, DH waiting for result of his second test, hope he remains negative.  

I am so sorry.  Truly.  What ship are you on?  Are they giving you the pills to stop covid.  Wondering that the procedure is on Princess regarding this.  Is your husband with you?  

I am hoping next year they will treat this like a cold and you take medicine but are not in a quarantined area, etc. or tested, etc.

On 1/27/2022 at 2:07 PM, CineGraphic said:

Just stumbled upon some well shot hi-def footage of a recent Enchanted departure, filmed from the vantage point of a boat.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/uiwrjHmpH9E

So glad you found that!  LOVE IT! 

4 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

From a previous thread....

 

 

1.    Connect your HDMI device to the HDMI port on the left side of the TV. Use the open HDMI above the ethernet port used by the the OceanView box.

 

2.    Using the remote, launch one of the live TV channels. The bridge camera or the ship information channel usually work, but you may have to try one of the live TV channels (e.g. MSNBC).

 

3.    Reach under the middle of the TV to find the on-TV directional jogger. Press in once to open the circular four-way menu, then toggle left and select the input selector. A menu will open on the right side of the TV. There should be a red dot next to "Live TV" (if the dot is next to HDMI, you didn't do step two correctly).

 

4.    Toggle down to HDMI and select it. This should successfully switch the input to your HDMI device."

 

Turning off the TV when finished, reset it to the original input when turned back on.

Wonderful will this  work with dvd player?  What is this could you explain a little more (Use the open HDMI above the ethernet port used by the the OceanView box.??)  Thanks.  We are not very good with this stuff!

6 hours ago, MissP22 said:

They do swing out from the bottom but it's quite a hard pull to get them detached. My husband is bringing a pair of long needle nosed plyers and once the HDMI connection cable is made, leaving it in place for the whole trip. All you have to do is change the TV's input as needed.(provided the Enchanted is the same as the other ships)

So, you can put the cable in with long needle nose without detaching TV?  Also, stupid question, but can you hook up a dvd player?  How is that done?  Anyone know on the Enchanted?

5 hours ago, Jadn13 said:

Shared this on another thread but since it’s for the Enchanted, thought I would share here as well.

TV Inputs 

 

So, can you hook up a DVD player?  We will be on Enchanted next year for 40 days?  Thanks.

On 1/23/2022 at 12:22 PM, chipmaster said:

 

Any one with a little common sense can understand mask better than none, and the escalating improvement between cloth, surgical to KN5/N5.       People can complain all they want about difficult of breathing and comfort, but protection goes inversely to comfort, LOL.

 

As to not touching the common touch surfaces, have you seen some peoples hygiene practices?  I too don't have germ or covid phobie and believe what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, YOLO.

 

The CDC as with so many things can't be trusted and sadly that has caused manipulation of too many by too many with less than honorable motives. 

Yes, CDC is a problem I agree.

On 1/21/2022 at 8:47 AM, ontheweb said:

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  Would that sum up your post?

 

At the beginning of this mess, DW both told me that she "would kill me if I got Covid" and complained every time I went to the grocery store. Well, I am still alive and well. And in fact, she now tells me when she hears on the radio of free N95 masks to be given out to go get them.

 

She still sometimes obsesses. A few weeks ago when her church was still open, she heard someone attending had Covid. She worried for several days despite being fully vaccinated and everyone was really spread out.

 

Then earlier this week, she came home and said her principal was out with Covid, and that she had spoken with him the day before. (Another 5 days to worry.) I asked if they both had masks and were a distance apart. She indicated about 4 feet. Well, if 6 was good back before any vaccines, 4 ought to be more than adequate for fully vaccinated and masked. The funny thing is she probably would have retired after the last school year except she did not want to go out the way that year played out with either all virtual or half virtual and half attended. Now she often wishes she had retired.

 

I guess she did have a legitimate fear when she learned that her brother was in the ICU and then a few days later needed to be intubated. I told her crying constantly would not help; prayer might (could not hurt.) A few days later he was no longer intubated, and the doctor and nurses said it was a miracle giving credit to the vaccines. He did call a few days ago and told her his complaint--they were not pushing him hard enough in rehab!

I love a happy ending!

On 1/23/2022 at 11:58 AM, chipmaster said:

 

As this is endemic now in most of western world I think it is almost going to be impossible to avoid.

 

Best thing, mask up, and don't travel if you can't stand the risk.  

 

We decided YOLO, better enjoy it!  So we went cruising!

 

We were very disciplined in masking but while in Orlando for three days and on the ship for four days, doing our best with mask and such, we caught it.    We are vaccinated, boosted and surprising because of the masking haven't gotten sick/cold etc. for almost a year and half  ( normally get a bug of some sort once to twice a year ), but sadly nope with this new Omicron   Simply too much of it everywhere and since this is an airborne transmission by droplet, washing hands an disinfection of surfaces aren't going to do much, you need self contained bubble and filtered air, not happening on a cruise, flight, or anyplace with lots of people.  It was destined to happen, and it did.   We decided being fit, healthy and young of heart YOLO trumped being quarantined.   

 

I'll be flying back to Taiwan soon and it'll be 4 PCR test and 14 days of hard quarantine before I get out.   I personally think that is a disciplined approached, is it best is another question, but the sacrifice for their death rate, worth it.  

Thanks for posting.  Hope you are OK now.

On 1/22/2022 at 6:34 PM, Bevv said:

My husband and I are introverts, so not a lot of pattern changes with Covid.  We do not hang out with other people, avoid crowds, do not like crowded elevators, do not want to share tables with others in the MDR, and basically hang out in quiet spots on the ship and love our balcony.

We like to do the same.  My husband talks to people all the time and his phone never stops so it is a blessing to not have our phone and leave it in the safe.  Only now, looks like have to use the phone!

On 1/23/2022 at 3:24 PM, Hlitner said:

Mellon,

I debated whether to respond to your post but finally thought, why not?  Saying "we gave worries" is not quite correct.  Of course we have "worries" and are certainly concerned about COVID.  Both of us are seniors (high risk category) and I have a medical condition that puts me into one of the highest risk groups.  That being said, we accept the risk and have decided to live our lives to the extent that it is possible while at the same time following reasonable protocols to minimize risk.

 

I do get your concern about testing.  But if you want to get tested you have the ability to that on your own (with home antigen tests) which you can even take along on a trip.  I do agree that allowing cruisers to disembark at US ports without any testing protocol does not make a lot of sense.  When we fly back to the USA from our Mexican winter home we must get negative antigen tests within a day of our flight.  But there is no such rule for cruisers (another example of the lack of common sense with many policies of our authorities).   I had posted (elsewhere) that when we returned from a 20 day cruise (late December) DW and I went to a local medical lab (the day after we arrived home) and got our own PCR tests.  We did this because it just made sense and we wanted to minimize the risk to family/friends during the Christmas holidays.  That being said, in accordance with the rules of the CDC and other government authorities we were allowed to disembark, go to FLL, get on a packed Southwest flight, and go home.  All this without testing.  Go figure.

 

I also agree that each person "walks in their own shoes" and should do what is best for them given their own circumstances and risk tolerance.  I have simply posted our own point of view which is that life is short (especially for we seniors) and DW and I intend to enjoy ourselves to the extent possible.  ed to move on with their lives.  I recall a little of the last years of Howard Hughes who spent his last 4 years in virtual isolation likely due to his germaphobia and fear of disease.  I cannot help but wonder how many folks are going to spend much of their last years in self-imposed isolation because of the fear of COVID.  But that is a matter of personal choice and folks should do what they feel is best for themselves and their family.  

 

For DW and I that means continuing travel/cruising.  Funny thing about COVID worries is that we have more concerns when at home then traveling.  Once we are on a trip or cruise the decision has been made and we just focus on enjoying ourselves.  But at home everything seems to become a COVID related issue.  So at home we only went out to eat about twice in 5 months because we had COVID concerns.  Here in PV we go out to eat every day without even a thought.  Go figure.  One irony is that nearly all of our family and friends who have stayed home during the pandemic have contracted (and recovered) COVID.  It is possible that we have had Omicron (we were exposed by family members) but have no scientific evidence one way or the other.

 

For now we look forward to a 27 day Spring cruise to Europe and a few post cruise weeks on the continent.  Of course that depends on the cruise line not canceling and the EU allowing tourists from the USA.  

 

Hank

Hank, No worries...glad you responded.  I apologize to you sincerely and did not mean to take out my disgust with covid on you...for that I am truly worry.  I am glad you are a warrior and you have overcome your fears.  I wish I was in the same place.  I do admit after all my husband has been through I hold on too tight.  Almost loosing him has caused me to worry with covid.  His sister survived cancer twice and then got H1N1 when it first came out and was the first to die here.  All of this covid constantly changing and the ship also changing their covid testing procedures from one ship to another how they deal with B2Bs has been stressful.  We know many who have passed away after getting covid. 

Doing just one cruise would not be as bad, but we prefer to stay longer, pack and drive one time rather than multiple times.  

With my husband's job, we don't get to do anything during the year and on the trip we choose to spend our time together, so we are not sharing tables, etc.  We enjoy time on our balcony and like the more quiet areas of the ship.  We have cruised so many times and seen the shows, that we don't care if we go, but do go if it is something that interests us.  Believe it or not, we don't obsess on the ship.  I clean the room and take care of all that kind of stuff on day one and then our trip begins.  I have always brought wipes in case we shake hands, no buffet, etc. But, we aren't in large groups and still enjoy our trip.  

I have learned so much from CC and probably even from your posts too.  We don't like surprises unless they are good ones.  I think everyone will agree with that.  

The reason for my post was to learn and share.  I believe in being open to trying new things and I have gotten some good ideas here on this topic.  Some may not believe in all of them, but I know from experience that some other methods sometimes can be helpful in a situation.  It is worth trying to me.

Funny, we don't worry about noro, as we can control that.  Covid is out of our control and the ship determines if we are separated, left at port, etc..  Covid affects everyone different.  Just at the dentist today (I left the house and it is one of the worst places to go!!  LOL) and he said everyone will get covid as it is so contagious.  His children had it in LA and said they were very sick with Omicron, but not like Delta, which goes into the lungs.  They were better in a few days after treatment.  He ended with saying you just don't know if you could be the one who has "those bad symptoms or worse."  He said he felt next year would be much better.  That was a wonderful thing to hear.  Of course, he said he didn't know for sure, but was his thoughts.  

We hope that some day we will no longer have to mask and that covid will be just like the flu and handled with a vaccine if necessary.  Just as everyone else feels too I am sure.  

I hope you have safe and enjoyable travels and wish you only the best.  Mary

2 hours ago, colonialinnkeeper said:

We will be sailing on Emerald Princess on a B2B in March.  I have looked for detailed information on what Princess protocols and requirements are for quarantining just in case one of us tested positive at any point but didn't really find very much.  I am not planning to need this but being prepared would give me some peace of mind.  Any info would be appreciated.

I think everyone would like this.  I know we would feel so much better knowing.

15 hours ago, Ashley321 said:

I have a great tip!

We cruised a lot of the years. but my husband caught colds/flu and even pneumonia twice after cruising.  We were at the point where we figured we really ought to not cruise anymore.  But then.... we found a solution.

A medical doctor friend who happen to be on one of our cruises  felt so bad for my husband that he gave us his diffuser along with some eucalyptus essential oil.  We were on quite a few back to back cruises, and he was sick with a cold almost the entire time.  The next morning after a night of using the diffuser, he felt about 50 % better. And within a day or two , he was all recovered.  We used it all the time ever since. But initially , after the first  2 months, it broke.  Within a few days, he caught a terrible cold again.  Now we travel with 2 diffusers so we have a back up.  We have never caught the coronavirus or any cold or flu ever since.  (at times, we will feel we are coming down with something, but  we then go back to our cabin ASAP and the diffuser with ecalyptus oil seems to kick it out relatively quickly.  It works for us and several other friends of ours travel all the time with theirs too and have also stayed well.  It is worth a try along with the other great suggestions others are recommending.

I agree, did that on the first cruise after my husband just finished his radiation and chemo.  They will supply you with the distilled water in the room and the cord for the unit on Princess.

On 1/21/2022 at 8:11 AM, Markanddonna said:

If it was just me with no competitors except being over 65, I would not obsess.  I would be in Israel right now. My concern is for my spouse who would likely land in the hospital on a respirator or worse. Those without comorbidities can come across as quite judgmental and rather hauty.

 

We don't hide inside and just do what we feel is prudent. A cruise this past summer or fall would have been fine. January 2022, not so much. The one we just canceled was 14 days taking us to countries with inferior medical care facilities if they were needed.

@markanddonna Well said.  I probably said more than I should have at only 58 years old.  My Mom always said I was too old for my britches!  I can relate and send prayers.

On 1/20/2022 at 11:36 PM, Hlitner said:

This thread has been amusing and somewhat enlightening.  COVID Phobia (or COVID Hysteria) is almost a worse ailment than COVID.  We have been traveling throughout the pandemic and taken 3 cruises (48 days total) since August.  DW and I have enjoyed our trips, cruises, etc.  We are fully vaccinated (necessary for most travel) and use a lot of common sense mixed with following most of the various COVID rules.  That being said we do not spend our time worrying about COVID (it is a reality just like Noro, Cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc) or suffer Covid related anxiety.  During our travels (in Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico) we have met many folks who are miserable (some finally fled home) because of "Covid Anxiety."

 

Folks, like the OP, who obsess with COVID avoidance are likely to be truly miserable on a cruise or trip.  Risk tolerance is a very personal thing and there are folks who can handle the risk of COVID without losing much sleep.  Many others are so obsessed and worried about COVID that they cannot possibly enjoy themselves on a ship or trip.   I will say that we do not concern ourselves with wiping surfaces, think that cloth masks are a joke (if you are going to wear a mask wear a N95, KN95, or FFP2 respirator and make sure it is properly fitted).  Just about everyone we know who has been obsessed with COVID has caught the disease (perhaps this is just kismet).   There is no doubt that COVID is a very nasty disease and any of us who continue to travel are increasing our risk.  But we accept the increased risk and do take some reasonable common sense precautions to decrease our odds of getting sick.  

 

I should sign this as "happy in Mexico".

 

Hank

I am so glad you have no worries are are healthy.  I truly mean that.  30 years ago that was us...not a care in the world, never even thought of wiping things down.  Then I found Cruise Critic and got so many tips, which I appreciated from the heart.  Six years ago my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer.  It is a miracle he is here due to people who shared theraputics which our doctors said they do not condone.  However, after he had his neck dissection from the ear all the way down to the throat and collarbone, before they started radiation and chemo, full steam, as much as allowed by law before killing you, mind you, as we had to throw everything at it including the kitchen sink the doc said, or what are the consequences you die at this point.  We went through that and they did not want to do the radiation but would not say why and kept sending us back to the surgeon.  After radiation went on every day from begininng of September until Thanksgiving, our doctor finally said.  We thought your neck would split out like a hot dog, charred as such.  We said why when we asked you didn't tell us all that happened and they said no one would go through the treatment.  We had a trip planned, 30 days on Princes and our doctors at that point said we need to go.  We went.  We were able to control things, cleaning our room, eliminating the buffet, keeping our distance.  My husband healed on the trip, came on board in a hoodie freezing and at the end of the cruise was healed.   BUT, we did things and they worked.  After we were done, that list I had that our nurse said  first day that's a lot to do every day at the cancer center, they said they now share with other patients and have shared with new patients the research.  What they did not condone, they had those speakers talking to the doctors and nurses.  My husband did so much better than others and survived.  I am not going to tell you it was easy it was not.  Every day from September I had to puree food for him to eat which he did not want to do as it was so painful to swallow as his throat and mouth were like hamburger from all the radiation and tears would come from his eyes.  I love him and wanted him to survive.  I had to become nurse cratchet that had to go into the basement to cry afterward so he would not see that I was weak and afraid.  I had to show courage and strength.    We have overcome pure evil and we believe that covid is just that.  Problem is it affects everyone different.  My niece who has not been vaccinated and is young with kids and does not wear a mask, that is her choice; however, we have not seen our family because our doctor has said people with existing issues and immune issues it will not be a good outcome.  We are prepared to cruise to be alone, by ourselves and not go to port.  We are good with that did it before and we would like to experience all the good things that life can bring.  

Our beef is...we want to be tested day before the end of the cruise and if you have it, you can pack up and be gone the next day.  Not being able to do that causes us stress, especially doing four 10 day back to backs at a time.  We are driving and know we are in the bubble.  It is everyone else that may be carrying it and affect our trip.  We have both shots and the booster, (not what we wanted to do, but had to) so if they would have everyone both shots and the booster we would be good.  

Just a thought for you and any other poster...remember, each situation is different.  Until you walk in their shoes, you do not know what they are experiencing or their risks.  My husband's sister had cancer twice and survived.  When H1N1 came about, she was the first to die of that.  She survived cancer only to be taken out by H1n1.  All the best to you...and everyone on these posts...I truly mean that.  From my heart....Mary  

There are many who are older and can afford now to do all the things they want and are afraid.  I empathize and relate.

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

It's on Amazon...$3.99 to rent or $6.99 to buy (cheaper than a cruise 🤣).

how much is it to get a movie on the ship?  Sometimes DH likes to watch if it is raining, etc. and we used to bring our travel DVD player and DVDs, not that no longer is an option.