New RC Feb 24 cruise advisory now includes Italy

[helby]

Just saw this on the Azamara website.  Now includes Lombardy and Veneto so will impact t cruises starting/ending there.

 

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TRAVEL ADVISORY - 24 FEBRUARY

We are closely monitoring global developments regarding the coronavirus, and we are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of our guests and crew.

To comply with guidance from CDC, WHO and other public health authorities around the world, we are implementing several global measures to protect guests and crew. These measures are intentionally conservative and apply to anyone boarding our ships, guests and crew alike. We apologize for the inconvenience created by these precautionary measures.

Until further notice, all ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Family of brands will adopt the following health screening protocols:

1. Regardless of nationality, we will deny boarding to:

Any guest who has travelled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto within 15 days of boarding.

Any guest who has come in contact with anyone from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto within 15 days of boarding. The CDC characterizes contact with an individual as coming within six feet (2M) of a person.

2. There will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on:

Guests who have traveled through select countries impacted by coronavirus within 15 days of boarding.

Guests who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau within 15 days of boarding.

Guests who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms.

Guests presenting with fever or low blood oximetry in the specialized health screenings will be denied boarding. All guests who are denied boarding due to these restrictions will receive full refunds.

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. We are assessing developments constantly and will update these measures as needed. If you have specific questions, please contact your travel professional or our contact center at 833-292-2292.

 

 

[Baynanno1]

As one of many who will be boarding in just a few weeks time, I am pleased to also see South Korea and particularly Iran added to this advisory. The virus appears to be particularly virulent in Iran, with approximately 20% mortality rate!

 

[vana]

Hello all, 

 

Very puzzled...azamara and Celebrity, 2 different messages...

 

Here's what Azamara states on its website travel advisory:

Regardless of nationality, we will deny boarding to:

• Any guest who has travelled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto within 15 days of boarding.
• Any guest who has come in contact with anyone from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto within 15 days of boarding. The CDC characterizes contact with an individual as coming within six feet (2M) of a person.

2. There will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on:

• Guests who have traveled through select countries impacted by coronavirus within 15 days of boarding.
• Guests who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau within 15 days of boarding.
• Guests who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms.

 

On Celebrity a similar note states, instead of the 1st paragraph of #2 of Azamara (instead of « selected country »:

Any guest who has travelled from, to or through Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Italy (all regions other than Lombardy and Veneto) in the past 15 days.

 

So what do you think about that since Azamara will let us stay a few days in Singapore before our cruise on April 11th? This is getting very upsetting....

[ellbon]

Everyone is canceling Singapore  so AZ  should be.

[Grandma Cruising]

1 hour ago, ellbon said:

Everyone is canceling Singapore  so AZ  should be.

So what happens to those who embarked in Sydney & expect to disembark in Singapore?

[travelberlin]

This is a very hard time for tourism and for the cruise industry. The virus is spreading. Today the news reported a hotel in Tenerife being quarantined, because a guest tested positive. 

[travelberlin]

7 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

So what happens to those who embarked in Sydney & expect to disembark in Singapore?

I understand other cruiselines are changing ports. For example Bali instead of Singapore.

[Bloodaxe]

1 hour ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

So what happens to those who embarked in Sydney & expect to disembark in Singapore?

 

Who knows, everything is up in the air at the moment even in Europe.

[katiebeth]

Yes, it is getting very concerning!    Azamara is still saying the cruise is a go and has not changed Singapore as the point of disembarkation for our 3/24 cruise from Sydney to Singapore.    In the meantime, Delta has completely refunded our airline tickets in full because we were scheduled to fly from Singapore thru Incheon (Seoul South Korea) back to Atlanta which is on the highest alert for the Coronavirus.     They clearly are cautioning against flying into or out of Incheon.

 

In addition, Azamara's parent company RCCL has pulled all ships, including Celebrity, out of Singapore; and in fact, anyone who has been in Singapore will be refused boarding on ANY of their ships.     And yet, Azamara is pushing ahead and being unresponsive to their passengers.    My husband and I would be very satisfied with a credit for a future cruise.   We are not even requesting a refund.

 

We have cruised Azamara/Celebrity and RCCL multiple times throughout Europe and the Caribbean.     It is really disappointing the manner in which Azamara is handling this entire situation.   I have called several times asking for updates and they just repeat the precautions they are taking when boarding .....which mean nothing when you can have already contacted the virus and not show symptoms for 14 days!  

 

Crazy! 

 

 

[midwestchick]

13 hours ago, travelberlin said:

This is a very hard time for tourism and for the cruise industry. The virus is spreading. Today the news reported a hotel in Tenerife being quarantined, because a guest tested positive. 

That guest was a physician from Northern Italy. It is now reported in Croatia as well.

[Mrs Miggins]

Friend just flew back from Sydney via Singapore.  Precautions evident at the Airport but everything else just as normal and there are no restrictions on passengers on arrival in London.  I was very happy to have a normal conversation with her yesterday at our aqua class.

[NeilWM]

Singapore airlines have just announced they are cancelling many more flights effective ASAP including many to USA. If anyone is booked with them and hasn’t been contacted please review your arrangements.