Spirit Turning Back to Saigon

[Stumblefoot]

Don’t know what is going on in SE Asia, but Silver Spirt was scheduled to disembark passengers in Manilla before beginning a new voyage from there on Saturday to Singapore.  Supposedly, the Spirit has turned away from its course to Manilla and is heading back to Saigon while Vietnam is still letting ships dock.  According to a report on Facebook, passengers will now disembark in Saigon and have been given a full refund and 25% off next cruise.

I can only begin to fathom the logistical nightmare this is for some passengers.

[Stumblefoot]

Update from passenger presently on board.

[les37b]

Logistical nightmare for everyone... Cruise Lines included.

 

It's funny because I joked with a Chinese friend at work who spent 3 weeks over the new year in Taiwan when he sneezed in the office yesterday that he's lucky they let him back in.

 

He went on to tell me a trip he was planning to Azerbaijan had been cancelled because all Chinese nationals we're banned. 

 

What's happened here with the Spirit could potentially become global! A frightening / devastating prospect for sure. Let's hope a cure / more knowledge of how it's spread is found soon to end this uncertainty. 

 

 

[tgh]

Let's hope a cure / more knowledge of how it's spread is found soon to end this uncertainty

 

The reality is that this is a new bug and there is no treatment and no cure

All the world's med labs are burning the midnight oil.. BUT.. a vaccine is at least a year away from common availability

China is suffering enormously and a global pandemic is quite possible , we just don't know the detail of the virology

Laying low and staying home , clean and safe are the best options.. sadly opposite to the incubation crib that is the modern cruise ship.

 

SS are busily managing the shorter and longer term issues, I opine that we will soon hear their plans.

[Stumblefoot]

Latest news from the Spirit according to a source on Facebook is that after the Spirit disembarks passengers in Ho Chi Minh City, it will sail with just crew to Manila where it will embark passengers on the 15th.

[TLCOhio]

Just now, Stumblefoot said:

Latest news from the Spirit according to a source on Facebook is that after the Spirit disembarks passengers in Ho Chi Minh City, it will sail with just crew to Manila where it will embark passengers on the 15th.

 

Appreciate these details and the follow-up from Stumblefoot.  WOW!!  This is a challenging situation.  We depart tomorrow for LAX and then Auckland to board the Oceania Regatta for a Feb. 17-March 5 sailing from New Zealand to Papeete.  In January as this "situation" was started, this cruise line banned anyone who had been to mainland China in the previous month from being able to board our ship.  Full refund to those affected.  Other major cruise lines have adopted that same policy, plus tighter screening for those wanting to board..  Keep us posted as to any other details and developments. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 228,938 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[brimary]

This must be an absolute nightmare for the cruise lines but my sympathies lie with fellow cruisers currently on voyages or due to go on voyages in the immediate future.We are pleased for the first time in 22 years with SS not to have a future booking in these sad and extreme circumstances which seem to be escalating worldwide rather than diminishing.Our thoughts are with the thousands of people affected by this dreadful scenario.

[Fletcher]

I think the Spirit is currently heading for Bangkok.  However, I also think Seabourn Ovation went to Bangkok and was turned away - the port is totally empty of cruise ships.  It's a real mess out there. 

[Poskashflo]

Frightening situation.  We are due to sail on the Spirit on 2/29 out of Singapore, calling on Phuket first.  Any thoughts as to whether this may be affected?

[badgerdee]

We are due to sail from Sydney on 18 February on Muse for a 14 day Pacific cruise. Two of the ports are now closed (Lifou and Isle of Pines). We haven’t heard this through Silversea, so not sure what ports (if any) will be substituted. We don’t mind sea days however given this route is popular with families, I do wonder how kids will be kept entertained if many ports are inaccessible. 

[Stumblefoot]

According to another source, the Spirit was not allowed to dock at Ho Chi Minh City afterall.  The captain announced that officially, while the Spirit will sail, all ports are cancelled.   They hope to dock back in Bangkok . Cruise is aborted.

[tgh]

Chaos reigns and we are indeed living in interesting times .

Better to be sipping bubbly on the spirit than cooped up on the Diamond Princess or the Westerdam or one of the other mega ships currently at sea wondering where they may be allowed to dock. 

[milepig]

4 hours ago, tgh said:

Chaos reigns and we are indeed living in interesting times .

Better to be sipping bubbly on the spirit than cooped up on the Diamond Princess or the Westerdam or one of the other mega ships currently at sea wondering where they may be allowed to dock. 

You missed “on the Diamond Princess in an INSIDE STATEROOM.” I don’t know what I’d do. Somewhat claustrophobic here and I’d be climbing the walls and is serious need of drugs. I just can’t image what they’re going through. 

[Fletcher]

Passengers on the Diamond Princess are allowed out of their cabins for walking and exercise periods on the top deck - drone or helicopter footage on last night's BBC news showed this happening.  

Edited February 8, 2020 by Fletcher

[Stumblefoot]

Spirit heading into Bangkok @ 5:30p MST.  According to a passenger on board, Spirit will anchor outside the port and then come alongside the pier on Mon., Feb 10 and disembark passengers before sailing to Manila for passenger embarkation on Sat., Feb. 15.

 

According to this source, the captain has been exceptional and SS is doing a great job taking care of all passengers’ alternative arrangements, including air.

[brimary]

On 2/7/2020 at 9:48 PM, badgerdee said:

We are due to sail from Sydney on 18 February on Muse for a 14 day Pacific cruise. Two of the ports are now closed (Lifou and Isle of Pines). We haven’t heard this through Silversea, so not sure what ports (if any) will be substituted. We don’t mind sea days however given this route is popular with families, I do wonder how kids will be kept entertained if many ports are inaccessible. 

In our experience SS is not a child friendly cruise line and have never witnessed children’s entertainment on board.

[Whaleofatime]

On 2/7/2020 at 9:48 PM, badgerdee said:

We are due to sail from Sydney on 18 February on Muse for a 14 day Pacific cruise. Two of the ports are now closed (Lifou and Isle of Pines). We haven’t heard this through Silversea, so not sure what ports (if any) will be substituted. We don’t mind sea days however given this route is popular with families, I do wonder how kids will be kept entertained if many ports are inaccessible. 

We are due on the Muse when it returns to Sydney for  the cruise to Auckland.  We fly in via Singapore and are watching the situation closely but hoping the transit lounge doesn’t count as ‘being in Singapore’. 😄🤞

[Stumblefoot]

21 minutes ago, Whaleofatime said:

We fly in via Singapore and are watching the situation closely but hoping the transit lounge doesn’t count as ‘being in Singapore’. 😄🤞

While the travel lounge certainly counts for being in Singapore, what does it matter?  Is Australia banning entry to all foreigners traveling from Singapore?  I thought it was just mainland China the Aussies stopped all entry from on Feb. 9.

[MrsWaldo]

1 hour ago, Stumblefoot said:

While the travel lounge certainly counts for being in Singapore, what does it matter?  Is Australia banning entry to all foreigners traveling from Singapore?  I thought it was just mainland China the Aussies stopped all entry from on Feb. 9.

Currently discussion here with the outbreak going local transmission in Singapore to ban flights 

 

Muse has a designated children’s activity area or at least it did for our pacific cruise in January. It looked like a pretty permanent set up.  It’s labelled activities room 

[Stumblefoot]

6 minutes ago, MrsWaldo said:

Currently discussion here with the outbreak going local transmission in Singapore to ban flights 

 

Interesting.  Thanks MrsWaldo.  The only thing we’ve heard here in the states in regards to Australia was the ban on all Chinese mainland flights.  

 

Do keep us apprised if the Australian government decides to ban flights from Singapore.

Edited February 9, 2020 by Stumblefoot

[badgerdee]

Have just spoken to Silversea in Sydney. For our Pacific cruise, people originating from, or visiting or transiting through, mainland China and Hong Kong in the past two weeks will not be able to board Muse. And, at this stage, the cruise itinerary has not changed and the ship is expected to make all ports. . 

[Whaleofatime]

CLIA Statement on 2019-Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON, DC (7 FEB 2020)—Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, issued today the following statement in response to recent developments concerning the 2019-novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global cruise industry.

“The health and safety of cruise passengers and crew is and remains the number one priority of CLIA and its member lines, which make up over 90% of ocean-going cruise capacity worldwide. 

Given the evolving nature of the ongoing 2019-novel coronavirus outbreak—and based upon prevailing guidance from global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO)—CLIA Members have adopted the following enhanced protocols for ocean-going guests and crew who have recently traveled from or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau. These enhanced policies, which are in effect as of 7 February 2020, build upon those which were implemented on 31 January 2020 and continue to allow for informed decisions on a case-by-case basis whether a guest or crewmember will be permitted to board.

CLIA Members are to deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days before embarkation. 

CLIA Members are to deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days before embarkation, have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having Coronavirus, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to Novel Coronavirus. 

CLIA Members are to conduct preboarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected Novel Coronavirus.

In coordination with cruise lines, medical experts and regulators around the world, CLIA and its member lines will continue to closely monitor for new developments related to the coronavirus and will modify these policies as necessary with the utmost consideration for the health and safety of passengers and crew. Importantly, the cruise industry is one of the most well-equipped and experienced when it comes to managing and monitoring health conditions of those onboard, with outbreak prevention and response measures in place year-round. Furthermore, ships must be fitted with onboard medical facilities, with shipboard medical professionals available around the clock, 24/7, to provide initial medical care in the event of illness and help prevent disease transmission.”

[Denny01]

Here is an email from our TA on what Silver Seas sent her today:

 

Below is out official statement

• Guests who have traveled from, visited, or transited through airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 15 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to board any of our vessels. The standard incubation period recognized by the WHO and US CDC for this virus is 14 days.
• Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund
• For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary. 
• Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional screening at our onboard Medical Center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.
• We have implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on board all voyages. These protocols will be enforced in addition to our already rigorous sanitization standards in place.
• Our crew members who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau within 15 days will not be allowed on board our ships.
• Singapore and the Philippines are not currently allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports. Guests with a Chinese passport who are traveling on voyages that disembark in one of these regions will not be allowed on board our ships. If additional port restrictions are put into place we may have to modify this policy as needed.
• Guests who are denied boarding due to this will be issued a refund.
• The above measures will remain in effect until further notice and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO and US CDC. 

 

Let’s all stay positive and pray we get this under control sooner than later.   Please keep in mind we have good space in the Galapagos, Antarctica, Med, Northern Europe, Arctic, Alaska.

 

Let us know if we can help you in any way.

 

On another note,  we ask for your patience regarding our air department as we have been re-ticketing our guests from the current Asia cruise on the Silver Spirit.   

 

 

Den

[Stumblefoot]

2 hours ago, Denny01 said:

Here is an email from our TA on what Silver Seas sent her today:

 

Below is out official statement

• Guests who have traveled from, visited, or transited through airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 15 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to board any of our vessels. The standard incubation period recognized by the WHO and US CDC for this virus is 14 days.
• Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund
• For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary. 
• Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional screening at our onboard Medical Center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.
• We have implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on board all voyages. These protocols will be enforced in addition to our already rigorous sanitization standards in place.
• Our crew members who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau within 15 days will not be allowed on board our ships.
• Singapore and the Philippines are not currently allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports. Guests with a Chinese passport who are traveling on voyages that disembark in one of these regions will not be allowed on board our ships. If additional port restrictions are put into place we may have to modify this policy as needed.
• Guests who are denied boarding due to this will be issued a refund.
• The above measures will remain in effect until further notice and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO and US CDC. 

 

Hey @Silver Spectre, take a look at the spelling of the headline from SS.

[zqtchas]

picky, picky. my spelling would probably be bad too if I had bosses & pax breathing down by back for quick solitions

to unsolved problems out of one's control!  were you not able to decipher the message?

Edited February 10, 2020 by zqtchas
spelling