2/6 Solstice, boarding to be delayed

[waterbug123]

We are on the 2/6 sailing of Solstice along with some friends. We have different TA's and theirs just got a letter and forwarded it to them, advising that this Sunday's boarding will be delayed til 3pm. They forwarded the letter to me and I've cut and pasted it below:

 

--------------------------------------

 

February 2, 2011

 

 

Dear Travel Partner/Guest,

 

We are writing to provide you with important information regarding your clients booked on the February 6, sailing of Celebrity Solstice. Please provide this information, as soon as possible, to your clients booked on this sailing.

 

During Celebrity Solstice’s last sailing, a small number of guests onboard experienced a gastrointestinal illness, thought to be a norovirus. In an abundance of caution, we are conducting some enhanced sanitizing onboard the ship and within the cruise terminal, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, to help prevent any illness from affecting your client’s cruise.

 

Because of this additional sanitizing, check in and boarding is now anticipated to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. We apologize for this delay to your client’s boarding. Since parking and seating at the cruise terminal is very limited, we ask that guests arrive at the terminal between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

 

According to health experts, as many as 300 million people worldwide are affected by norovirus each year. Only the common cold is more prevalent. However, we would prefer if none of our guests became ill. Therefore, we ask for your assistance in communicating to your clients the advice of medical experts who tell us that the best way to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses is to simply wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after using the bathroom and before eating anything. We also recommend that they use the complimentary sanitizing gel that is available at various locations onboard.

 

If your client has experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days, we ask that they please consider rescheduling their cruise. Similarly, if they are uncomfortable taking their cruise at this time, for reasons related to personal health or not, our staff can assist them rescheduling their sailing for another time.

 

Thank you for your assistance in notifying your clients about the slight change in the boarding time of their February 06th sailing. We hope all the information in this letter helps you and your clients understand the importance we at Celebrity Cruises place on the health and safety of every one of our guests and crew members. Like you, we want to ensure that every guest’s cruise is a fun, relaxing and healthy experience. This is why we are taking these additional measures.

 

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of Celebrity Cruises.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Celebrity Cruises

[Kutty1101]

We are on the 2/6 sailing of Solstice along with some friends. We have different TA's and theirs just got a letter and forwarded it to them, advising that this Sunday's boarding will be delayed til 3pm. They forwarded the letter to me and I've cut and pasted it below:

 

--------------------------------------

 

February 2, 2011

 

 

Dear Travel Partner/Guest,

 

We are writing to provide you with important information regarding your clients booked on the February 6, sailing of Celebrity Solstice. Please provide this information, as soon as possible, to your clients booked on this sailing.

 

During Celebrity Solstice’s last sailing, a small number of guests onboard experienced a gastrointestinal illness, thought to be a norovirus. In an abundance of caution, we are conducting some enhanced sanitizing onboard the ship and within the cruise terminal, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, to help prevent any illness from affecting your client’s cruise.

 

Because of this additional sanitizing, check in and boarding is now anticipated to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. We apologize for this delay to your client’s boarding. Since parking and seating at the cruise terminal is very limited, we ask that guests arrive at the terminal between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

 

According to health experts, as many as 300 million people worldwide are affected by norovirus each year. Only the common cold is more prevalent. However, we would prefer if none of our guests became ill. Therefore, we ask for your assistance in communicating to your clients the advice of medical experts who tell us that the best way to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses is to simply wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after using the bathroom and before eating anything. We also recommend that they use the complimentary sanitizing gel that is available at various locations onboard.

 

If your client has experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days, we ask that they please consider rescheduling their cruise. Similarly, if they are uncomfortable taking their cruise at this time, for reasons related to personal health or not, our staff can assist them rescheduling their sailing for another time.

 

Thank you for your assistance in notifying your clients about the slight change in the boarding time of their February 06th sailing. We hope all the information in this letter helps you and your clients understand the importance we at Celebrity Cruises place on the health and safety of every one of our guests and crew members. Like you, we want to ensure that every guest’s cruise is a fun, relaxing and healthy experience. This is why we are taking these additional measures.

 

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of Celebrity Cruises.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Celebrity Cruises

 

When we disembarked Jan 30th, we had to be off early and the next cruisers also had a delayed board due to "deep cleaning". They had extra staff all helping in the extensive clean. They still must be having problems if they are doing it again.

[wedgwood]

Meg- thank you for passing it out to us! I haven't reveived anythiing from my TA yet. Now I'm getting nervous again because this letter means the previous deep-cleaning didn't work that well and they must still have Norovirus issue on 1/30 sailing. From reading this forum, sounds like they only deep-clean public areas and rooms that were previously occupied by people with issues (who vomited, reported, etc) Considering significant number of prospects did not report, I guess I'm going to have to bring a big Lysol spray instead of a travel one.

[stratixman]

We are on the 2/6 sailing of Solstice along with some friends. We have different TA's and theirs just got a letter and forwarded it to them, advising that this Sunday's boarding will be delayed til 3pm. They forwarded the letter to me and I've cut and pasted it below:

 

Hmm, if that’s the case I’m perplexed why Celebrity isn’t directly contacting customers regarding this change, and is seemingly relying on TA's to do it for them. Its not as if Celebrity doesn't know how to contact me as well as most others. They've got my email address and phone no.'s. Can't be that difficult to at least issue a broadcast email from their system. Absent our TA telling us (hasn’t happened and I bet won't) or me visiting this message board how would I know of the changes? I wouldn’t. Celebrity could at least post a news flash on their web site with updates regarding the matter. They haven't. Wonering why?

 

Now think in terms of how many out of 2500 passengers aren’t going to have a clue either until they show up noon expecting to board only to find out they’ve got a three or four hour wait. What level of chaos is there going to be? How long is it going to take to move all these people out of the terminal and onto the ship? And if guests are encouraged to arrive as late as 4:30 pm then what time is the ship planning to be underway? Given that passenger manifests are required be submitted 90 minutes before departure then I assume the earliest the ship takes off will be after 6:00 pm. Many typically show up for boarding early to, among other things enjoy the luncheon buffet, meaning they probably didn't stop for lunch along the way. What’s going to be the food situation for all those piled up in the check-in area waiting all afternoon to get on board? Sounds like a fiasco in the making to me.

 

PS: Not I'm not too worried about the Noro Virus as we have two, matching hazmat suits that we'll be packing. Does anyone know if hazmat suits are considered formal or informal attire for the MDR?

[wedgwood]

OK, I just received an official email from my TA that had an attached PDF (from X) about the delayed boarding as well. So now what? Since the hotel checkout time is noon, what should I do in FLL until 3pm? I wonder if we can at least drop the baggage to the porter in the morning and go somewhere else in town. Too bad that we will be missing the luncheon buffet on Sunday. I don't mind this delay as long as the ship is thoroughly cleaned, but it's not guaranteed.

[wedgwood]

We are on the 2/6 sailing of Solstice along with some friends. We have different TA's and theirs just got a letter and forwarded it to them, advising that this Sunday's boarding will be delayed til 3pm. They forwarded the letter to me and I've cut and pasted it below:

 

Hmm, if that’s the case I’m perplexed why Celebrity isn’t directly contacting customers regarding this change, and is seemingly relying on TA's to do it for them. Its not as if Celebrity doesn't know how to contact me as well as most others. They've got my email address and phone no.'s. Can't be that difficult to at least issue a broadcast email from their system. Absent our TA telling us (hasn’t happened and I bet won't) or me visiting this message board how would I know of the changes? I wouldn’t. Celebrity could at least post a news flash on their web site with updates regarding the matter. They haven't. Wonering why?

 

Now think in terms of how many out of 2500 passengers aren’t going to have a clue either until they show up noon expecting to board only to find out they’ve got a three or four hour wait. What level of chaos is there going to be? How long is it going to take to move all these people out of the terminal and onto the ship? And if guests are encouraged to arrive as late as 4:30 pm then what time is the ship planning to be underway? Given that passenger manifests are required be submitted 90 minutes before departure then I assume the earliest the ship takes off will be after 6:00 pm. Many typically show up for boarding early to, among other things enjoy the luncheon buffet, meaning they probably didn't stop for lunch along the way. What’s going to be the food situation for all those piled up in the check-in area waiting all afternoon to get on board? Sounds like a fiasco in the making to me.

 

PS: Not I'm not too worried about the Noro Virus as we have two, matching hazmat suits that we'll be packing. Does anyone know if hazmat suits are considered formal or informal attire for the MDR?

agreed. I wonder why X doesn't directly contact their passengers. As long as your hazmat suits are classy white ones (not the bright yellow ones) you should be fine in MDR. You might want to consider to add a bowtie perhaps? LOL

[Mooregre]

Received the same letter this AM from my TA regarding Feb 06 sailing. I'm wondering about the specifics if passengers cancel & rebook? It appears that option is available (if a passenger is sick or concerned about the virus).

 

We are going to go and stick it out. Too bad about the later boarding as that is one of the best aspects of the cruise.

[waterbug123]

Hmm, if that’s the case I’m perplexed why Celebrity isn’t directly contacting customers regarding this change, and is seemingly relying on TA's to do it for them. Its not as if Celebrity doesn't know how to contact me as well as most others. They've got my email address and phone no.'s. Can't be that difficult to at least issue a broadcast email from their system. Absent our TA telling us (hasn’t happened and I bet won't) or me visiting this message board how would I know of the changes? I wouldn’t. Celebrity could at least post a news flash on their web site with updates regarding the matter. They haven't. Wonering why?

 

 

Most likely, they are trying to avoid having 3000 passengers all calling them up and either asking impossible questions (will the virus be gone by next week?) and/or asking for refunds/rescheduling etc. Celebrity wants to avoid that because it just creates headaches for them. My guess is maybe they will send something directly to pax at the midnight hour. Most people won't see it at that point, or if they've already flown into FLL a day or two early, will figure it's too late to try to change their plans.

[waterbug123]

OK, I just received an official email from my TA that had an attached PDF (from X) about the delayed boarding as well. So now what? Since the hotel checkout time is noon, what should I do in FLL until 3pm? I wonder if we can at least drop the baggage to the porter in the morning and go somewhere else in town. Too bad that we will be missing the luncheon buffet on Sunday. I don't mind this delay as long as the ship is thoroughly cleaned, but it's not guaranteed.

 

I would see if the hotel will store your bags for you. Then just check out early in the a.m., get a one day car rental and go down to South Beach for the day. Or go shopping, or maybe book a pre-cruise excursion of some sort (airboat ride in the Everglades, whatever).

[YOW]

With regard to notification via travel agents rather than directly to passengers, I believe Celebrity are following protocol here.

 

Cruise lines pay commissions to travel agents, in order to shift much of the burden of handling the reservation from the cruise line to the agency. It is up to the TA, therefore, to notify passengers of changes in the itinerary, etc. Understandably this could cause some frustration so close to departure date, but this is how travel agents earn their commissions.

[ronews]

I would see if the hotel will store your bags for you. Then just check out early in the a.m., get a one day car rental and go down to South Beach for the day. Or go shopping, or maybe book a pre-cruise excursion of some sort (airboat ride in the Everglades, whatever).

 

Just ask the hotel for a late check out time. Don't think there will be a lot of people checking in on Sunday

[ronews]

Received the same letter this AM from my TA regarding Feb 06 sailing. I'm wondering about the specifics if passengers cancel & rebook? It appears that option is available (if a passenger is sick or concerned about the virus).

 

We are going to go and stick it out. Too bad about the later boarding as that is one of the best aspects of the cruise.

 

You are able to rebook but the cruise has to be done by the end of April because these ships all take off for European cruises. Also, they won't guarantee your rate of this cruise. If you got a good deal for Feb 6th it will cost you more

[cruzbynite]

I did get my letter directly from Celebrity. It came from a person named Karen who is a Reservations Resolution Specialist out of their Witcha, KS call center. She also provided an extension number and her direct email. Then again I booked all of my cruises directly through Celebrity.

[CaroleLee]

We are on the 2/6 sailing of Solstice along with some friends. We have different TA's and theirs just got a letter and forwarded it to them, advising that this Sunday's boarding will be delayed til 3pm. They forwarded the letter to me and I've cut and pasted it below:

 

--------------------------------------

 

February 2, 2011

 

 

Dear Travel Partner/Guest,

 

We are writing to provide you with important information regarding your clients booked on the February 6, sailing of Celebrity Solstice. Please provide this information, as soon as possible, to your clients booked on this sailing.

 

During Celebrity Solstice’s last sailing, a small number of guests onboard experienced a gastrointestinal illness, thought to be a norovirus. In an abundance of caution, we are conducting some enhanced sanitizing onboard the ship and within the cruise terminal, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, to help prevent any illness from affecting your client’s cruise.

 

Because of this additional sanitizing, check in and boarding is now anticipated to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. We apologize for this delay to your client’s boarding. Since parking and seating at the cruise terminal is very limited, we ask that guests arrive at the terminal between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

 

According to health experts, as many as 300 million people worldwide are affected by norovirus each year. Only the common cold is more prevalent. However, we would prefer if none of our guests became ill. Therefore, we ask for your assistance in communicating to your clients the advice of medical experts who tell us that the best way to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses is to simply wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after using the bathroom and before eating anything. We also recommend that they use the complimentary sanitizing gel that is available at various locations onboard.

 

If your client has experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days, we ask that they please consider rescheduling their cruise. Similarly, if they are uncomfortable taking their cruise at this time, for reasons related to personal health or not, our staff can assist them rescheduling their sailing for another time.

 

Thank you for your assistance in notifying your clients about the slight change in the boarding time of their February 06th sailing. We hope all the information in this letter helps you and your clients understand the importance we at Celebrity Cruises place on the health and safety of every one of our guests and crew members. Like you, we want to ensure that every guest’s cruise is a fun, relaxing and healthy experience. This is why we are taking these additional measures.

 

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of Celebrity Cruises.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Celebrity Cruises

 

While this is somewhat inconvenient for you (especially if jet lagged) its better to bedelayed than contract Noro. Good that X is taking the problem seriously. Check "My reservation" section on website the info may be there

Carole

[mrshark]

we are still going pending our weather lets us take off Sat morning. Anyone want to meet up for lunch Sunday, we're staying at Courtyard Marriott on A1A, seabreeze blvd.

 

Bummer for sure, bring plenty of lysol and purell, and try not to use the public bathrooms.

[ronews]

we are still going pending our weather lets us take off Sat morning. Anyone want to meet up for lunch Sunday, we're staying at Courtyard Marriott on A1A, seabreeze blvd.

 

Bummer for sure, bring plenty of lysol and purell, and try not to use the public bathrooms.

 

MRSHARK 4 of us will also be at the same hotel (checking in Friday). I will leave a message at the front desk for MRSHARK when I check in. Just ask at the front desk for my room number and we can connect. Once again I would deem it an honor and a priveledge to buy you a cocktail for getting this cc thread started

 

Bill

[mrshark]

sounds good, I was able to just now change our flights to tomorrow eve, went on priceline got Pier 66 on 17th street for tomorrow night, then I should be at Courtyard Marriott Sat morning around 11:30 or so.

 

Haven't made up my mind if we're going to rent a car yet. Wife is so happy we're beating the snow out of the NE, another storm for Saturday.

[waterbug123]

While this is somewhat inconvenient for you (especially if jet lagged) its better to bedelayed than contract Noro. Good that X is taking the problem seriously. Check "My reservation" section on website the info may be there

Carole

 

I was not complaining, and the delay is not particularly inconvenient for us. We all have a place to stay nearby, so no issue with that. I just wanted to post the info for the benefit of others who may not have heard yet from Celebrity or their TA. There still isn't anything showing in "my reservation."

[mommy2jays]

I wonder if, during their 'deep clean', they are going to clean the waiting area in the cruise terminal. They probably should....

[thedog01]

I got the same email direct from Celebrity at the contact email I've given them. My TA got it via fax as well. Bring the hand sanitizer!

[snackshark]

Embarkation on 1/30 was delayed and disorganized. We arrived at port around 12:15 and didn’t board until after 3:30. During the wait we were given one mini bottle of water and a cookie. We were told lunch would be provided once we entered the terminal, but it never appeared. Also were told that priority check in lines would be available after we got through security, but they were eliminated. Our cabin steward confirmed they will go through the same cleaning process this Sunday. My recommendation… don't arrive early, eat lunch before you arrive in port, bring something to drink with you as there are no vending machines in the area.

 

They managed to get everyone on board within around 2 ½ hours, but cabins weren’t ready until 5:30 ish. Once on board, the crew has gone above and beyond to try to make up for the rocky start and inconveniences.

 

I know there’s at least one person on our deck that is ill, but don’t know how many reported cases of illness there have been during this cruise. It’s obvious that management thinks there’s a problem. We’ve been told not to shake hands and until last night there were daily reminders during dinner seating about washing hands (an odd timing choice for this type of announcement). There was a significant increase in sanitizing activities in public areas last night… staff wiping down rails and tables every 10-15 minutes, officers and management employees throughout the ship that appeared to be talking to the staff about which surfaces to wipe down, spraying pillows and blankets on the top decks. The smell of bleach is present when you step off the elevators. They appear to be doing everything they can to keep the ship clean.

 

I feel badly for the people that are sick, but overall this hasn't impacted our cruise except for minor inconvenience. Hope this update is informational.

[GRBlizz]

Thanks, this helps a lot! I feel better, and the boarding advice will help us plan. Thanks for getting the info, and to your friend for posting it.

[Rjbobalou]

Wash your hands and keep they away from your face

[mrshark]

thanks for the info. We will just take added precautions this Sunday. No wild parties in my room as usual lol. :D

[Mrs_Tiki]

snackshark,

 

Thanks very much for taking time to post an update. I am happy for you that you have not become ill and sorry for those who have.

 

It is very encouraging to hear about the attention being paid to eliminating the Noro onboard the Solstice.