Norovirus on Ventura

This does not make good reading. There's no way I'd eat in the buffet during a Norovirus outbreak - the problem's clearly not being handled well by P&O, and dirty passengers make matters even worse. The thought of eating in a buffet in this sort of situation fills me with horror - it's not good at the best of times, but this!?

When we had noro on Oriana, the buffet was being run by waiters in gloves. You told them what you wanted and they put in on your plate. Nobody was allowed to touch anything.

I know it doesn't help in the scale of things, but my insurance policy pays out if I am confined to my cabin during a cruise. Worth checking out.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

I know it doesn't help in the scale of things, but my insurance policy pays out if I am confined to my cabin during a cruise. Worth checking out.

 

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

Good point and worth checking with your own insurance company.

Insurance policies for a 3 day cabin confinement in my understanding are very vague. I've been informed for instance if you are confined, say at 6:00am on the first day and released on the 3rd day at 6:00pm you have only in effect been confined for one full 24 hour day. So instead of getting say £300 @ £100 per day they will only pay out £100. It might be prudent to look in the small print on cruise insurance policies.

we were on from the 9th and despite a deep clean before embarkation the cases increased towards the end.

 

 

I have to say I was surprised to see a thread about Noro on our sailing but none about the fact that we were hit full side on by 100 knots plus winds.

It was so bad we heavily listed over, the captain had to take drastic action and sail in to the winds to right us. Personally we were in our cabin and we had things slide off the work tops and a case slid off the wardrobe shelf. It was very scary, so much we heard that 100 or so passengers flow back from Gibraltar rather than sail through the Bay of Biscay again.

We also had to miss Ibiza due to more high winds and we could not dock.

Minikiss - I am interested to get your take on this for reasons I won't go into on here. But it has been reported, by a first time cruiser... that the ship was "listing at 45 degrees and was on the point of going over"...is this true? How long did the list go on for? He maintained that it was impossible to stand up....yet videos have been posted clearly showing people walking around...albeit unsteadily!

I do realise that whatever did happen was probably very scary for many but this person was adamant that he had been told by a Senior officer that it was 45 degrees....

I have been on a ship listing at 15 degrees...and that is quite a list! Especially if on the top decks...:eek:

So...would be good to hear from someone else actually on there how bad it really was...?

I know it doesn't help in the scale of things, but my insurance policy pays out if I am confined to my cabin during a cruise. Worth checking out.

 

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

In the UK it is worth checking if your Travel Insurance covers cruising at all. There has been recent TV coverage of people who have not been covered at all for cruising but did not realise such.

The only mention of cruising in the Natiowide Building Society Travel policy document is under "Hazardous activities" and is under a heading " Water based activities – must be in inland or coastal waters only unless otherwise stated:" there is no otherwise statement.

Insurance policies for a 3 day cabin confinement in my understanding are very vague. I've been informed for instance if you are confined, say at 6:00am on the first day and released on the 3rd day at 6:00pm you have only in effect been confined for one full 24 hour day. So instead of getting say £300 @ £100 per day they will only pay out £100. It might be prudent to look in the small print on cruise insurance policies.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

In the UK it is worth checking if your Travel Insurance covers cruising at all. There has been recent TV coverage of people who have not been covered at all for cruising but did not realise such.

 

The only mention of cruising in the Natiowide Building Society Travel policy document is under "Hazardous activities" and is under a heading " Water based activities – must be in inland or coastal waters only unless otherwise stated:" there is no otherwise statement.

Funny you should mention that about the Nationwide. I was looking at their policies the other day and noticed that - and that there's a slightly different wording in each of the two 'free' policies they offer.

6. Included Activities and Hazardous Activities

You are not covered if you take part in any activity:

• That is not listed at all under Included Activities below, or is in the Hazardous Activities list below, unless you have

declared it to us, it has been accepted by us in writing and you have paid any additional premium.

• Where such activities are part of your professional duties, for competitive or racing purposes or where you are

receiving financial reward for participating in such activities.

Included Activities

Water based activities – must be in inland or coastal waters only unless otherwise stated:

– Angling (pier, freshwater or sea angling)

– Body or boogie boarding

– Banana boating (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Canoeing or kayaking (grade 1, 2 and 3 only, helmet and buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Cruises

At first glance it looks as if cruises outside inland or coastal waters aren't covered, but when you look more closely, you see that it's all under the heading "Included Activities and Hazardous Activities", and a holiday cruise could hardly be described as an 'activity'. I don't see this as excluding cruises (unless they're a separate activity) but the wording is potentially misleading.

Funny you should mention that about the Nationwide. I was looking at their policies the other day and noticed that - and that there's a slightly different wording in each of the two 'free' policies they offer.

 

6. Included Activities and Hazardous Activities

You are not covered if you take part in any activity:

• That is not listed at all under Included Activities below, or is in the Hazardous Activities list below, unless you have

declared it to us, it has been accepted by us in writing and you have paid any additional premium.

• Where such activities are part of your professional duties, for competitive or racing purposes or where you are

receiving financial reward for participating in such activities.

 

Included Activities

Water based activities – must be in inland or coastal waters only unless otherwise stated:

– Angling (pier, freshwater or sea angling)

– Body or boogie boarding

– Banana boating (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Canoeing or kayaking (grade 1, 2 and 3 only, helmet and buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Cruises

 

 

 

At first glance it looks as if cruises outside inland or coastal waters aren't covered, but when you look more closely, you see that it's all under the heading "Included Activities and Hazardous Activities", and a holiday cruise could hardly be described as an 'activity'. I don't see this as excluding cruises (unless they're a separate activity) but the wording is potentially misleading.

That is the only mention of cruises in that policy, not mentioned at all in the 'free' policy. But it depends on your definition of hazardous and cruises and when an insurance policy does not define something then do not assume you know what they mean.

I would have thought that cruising has sufficient different issues from land holidays that there should be something in the document. For example in the medically cabin confinement are, which was what brought this up, is there any cover? What about cover if you miss the boat, there is cover for missing transport, but is that the same? Methinks they have to look at what we are paying for and allow us to decide if we have enough cover or if we feel the need to take out other insurance or even cancel with them and start again. But without the information how does one make that decision?

That is the only mention of cruises in that policy, not mentioned at all in the 'free' policy. But it depends on your definition of hazardous and cruises and when an insurance policy does not define something then do not assume you know what they mean.

 

I would have thought that cruising has sufficient different issues from land holidays that there should be something in the document. For example in the medically cabin confinement are, which was what brought this up, is there any cover? What about cover if you miss the boat, there is cover for missing transport, but is that the same? Methinks they have to look at what we are paying for and allow us to decide if we have enough cover or if we feel the need to take out other insurance or even cancel with them and start again. But without the information how does one make that decision?

Odd, isn't it? The 'free' policy says this, and includes cruises as a land based activity (but not a water based one):

5. Included Activities and Hazardous Activities

You are not covered under Section E Medical and emergency costs whilst you are on your journey Section B Personal Accident, or Section F Personal

Liability if you take part in any activity:

• That is not listed at all under Included Activities below, or is in the Hazardous Activities list below, unless you have declared it to us, it has been

accepted by us in writing and you have paid any additional premium.

• Where such activities are part of your professional duties, or where you are receiving financial reward for participating in such activities.

• Where such activities are organised before you depart on your trip for competitive or racing purposes.

Included Activities

Land based activities:

– Aerobics

– Archery (under qualified supervision only, no cover under Section F Personal Liability)

– Badminton

– Baseball

– Basketball

– Beach games (including cricket, football and volleyball)

– Bowls

– Camel rides or elephant rides

– Clay pigeon shooting (under qualified supervision only, no cover under Section F Personal Liability)

– Climbing (on artificial walls, under qualified supervision only)

– Cricket

– Croquet

– Cruises

– Cycling (but not BMX or off road biking)

Water based activities – must be in inland or coastal waters only unless otherwise stated:

– Angling (pier, freshwater or sea angling)

– Body or boogie boarding

– Banana boating (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Canoeing or kayaking (grade 1, 2 and 3 only, helmet and buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Dinghy sailing (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Fishing

– Jet skiing or wet biking (helmet and buoyancy aid must be worn, no cover under Section F Personal Liability)

– Rafting (grade 1, 2 and 3 only, helmet and buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Rowing

– SCUBA diving (to a depth of 18 metres and only where you are a qualified diver and accompanied at all times by another qualified diver or, if you

do not hold a SCUBA diving qualification, you are accompanied at all times by a qualified diving instructor)

– Snorkelling

– Surfing

– Swimming

– Water polo

– Water skiing (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Windsurfing or sailboarding (buoyancy aid must be worn)

– Yachting (buoyancy aid must be worn, maximum 12 miles from coast)

Same insurer (UK Insurance) also both Nationwide, but different, somewhat confusing, wording.

We have Nationwide travel Insurance through our current account (Flex Plus) and checked with them last year about cover for cruises and they are covered at no additional cost. The account costs £13 per month and pays £6 per month in interest. (I pay a small additional premium for medical conditions). I had a panic having read threads on these boards as it hadn't occurred to me that they wouldn't be and we had been on several cruises. There is no cover for missed ports or confinement to the cabin.

Scarlet

We have Nationwide travel Insurance through our current account (Flex Plus) and checked with them last year about cover for cruises and they are covered at no additional cost. The account costs £13 per month and pays £6 per month in interest. (I pay a small additional premium for medical conditions). I had a panic having read threads on these boards as it hadn't occurred to me that they wouldn't be and we had been on several cruises. There is no cover for missed ports or confinement to the cabin.

Scarlet

My policy document says nothing about either of those things so they cannot claim they are not covered, otherwise it would show in there.

Yes, the storm was recorded as force 10-11 (12 is a hurricane). It was frightening. The captain had to steer into the wind to alleviate the possibility of endangerment to the ship. There was never a 45 degree list as this would have meant capsizing, over 30 degrees you possibly go over, but there was listing. It's hard to believe the power of the wind pushing a 116,000+ tonne ship to list. Incidentally there were no cruise logs issued to report this. I applied for one by email quoting cruise N734 and this shows the weather for Sunday 10th Dec. winds 10-11 and Monday 11th force 9.

How are things on Ventura now? Was it sorted?

Just got back from 28 nights on Ventura , they did a deep clean before we sailed and for a few days we had no cruet sets , menu covers , drink menus and food in buffet served also teas and coffees . There was no virus during our cruise that we know of .

Just been on 4 night cruise to Bruge and Amsterdam.

No sign of norovirus:D:D:D:D:D

Just got back from 28 nights on Ventura , they did a deep clean before we sailed and for a few days we had no cruet sets , menu covers , drink menus and food in buffet served also teas and coffees . There was no virus during our cruise that we know of .

Was that because you had a P&O VIP on board !! :evilsmile::evilsmile:

Yes they normally turn into the wind. You don't want enormous waves on the beam. However, the taller the ship, the more there is to catch the wind and roll!!

My policy document says nothing about either of those things so they cannot claim they are not covered, otherwise it would show in there.

Ain’t necessarily so.

David

IMHO , cover offered by banks, credit cards etc, is only of the most basic type. Fine if you need medical help in France, but possibly not so good if you need helicopter evacuation in the South Atlantic and a medical flight home. As always, make sure you check the level of cover if you are travelling far from home, and do not have specialised insurance cover.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

Ain’t necessarily so.

 

David

With what they are presently saying, it would be very difficult for them to refuse anything!

But it does cover for helicopter rides.........providing you need evacuation from the ship for illness!

Yes but does it cover repatriation home. That's the one you need to check. A chopper to the nearest hospital somewhere in Europe is not the same as bringing you home.

Yes but does it cover repatriation home. That's the one you need to check. A chopper to the nearest hospital somewhere in Europe is not the same as bringing you home.

Yes it covers that too.

Sadly that is only by what they tell me and it is not in writing.

If you have a Nationwide Travel Policy it would help if you asked them what you are actually covered for and ask, as I have done, for that in writing.

With what they are presently saying, it would be very difficult for them to refuse anything!

 

 

!

In my experience they don’t find it difficult at all.

Piece in the Times today

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/insurers-selling-useless-cover-to-boost-profits-customers-told-c7gj296lt?shareToken=a02e3c1eda16e490d3b46be50c9cf8de

DAVID

"You are fully covered"

Let them try after that statement!