Luminosa transatlantic stitch up

[BoughtMyPoints]

There's force majeure and then there's someone having a larf.

Waiting until the night before sailing ... still not offering passengers the opportunity to cancel without penalty.

And $50 obc in my case!

No worries, I had already booked a hotel in Marseilles, just in case.
 

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION

Costa Luminosa - Cruise from 03/05/2020

Dear Guest,

As you may have learned, the alert level for CoVid-19 declared by the World Health Organization has been raised, and this has led the health authorities of some countries to further increase their precautionary measures by introducing a series of bans on entry into their territories.

With the main aim to gain the most up-to-date information, Costa Cruises remains in constant contact with all the local authorities of the countries called by its vessels. This is done to allow Costa to make the most appropriate decisions and/or put in place the most adequate measures to be sure that the highest level of safety for its guests and crewmembers are met. Safety, in fact, is an absolute priority for us, both during navigation and on land.  

Given the continuous evolution of this specific situation and in accordance with the directives issued by US Department of State, who have further strengthened their restrictive measures on some specific north Italian regions (Lombardy and Veneto) , we are forced to modify  the itinerary originally planned for all American guests.

In light of this situation, the itinerary for your Transatlantic cruise aboard Costa Luminosa will now end in Marseille, France, on March 20, avoiding all the subsequent Italian calls.

Please see the itinerary below.

3/5/2020	Port Everglades, Florida	-	23:00
3/6-7/2020	At Sea	-	-
3/8/2020	San Juan, Puerto Rico	08:00	18:00
3/9/2020	St. John's, Antigua	09:00	1800
3/10-15/2020	At Sea	-	-
3/16/2020	S.Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Isl.	09:00	17:00
3/17/2020	At Sea	-	-
3/18/2020	Malaga, Spain	14:00	20:00
3/19/2020	At Sea	-	-
3/20/2020	Marseille, France	13:00	-

While we regret this adjustment, we certainly understand this decision could be disappointing and as a gesture of goodwill, you will receive up to $250 per person onboard credit* that may be used for expenses onboard.  Furthermore, Costa will provide transfers to the Marseille airport.  Guests will be responsible to change flights with airlines from Marseille, France (MRS) to the final destination if needed.  Costa will provide reimbursement up to $250 USD for airline change fee†, and up to $150 USD for 1-night hotel in the international flight city prior to departing home. 

Finally, you will be receiving a 25% discount on a future cruise (based on the cruise fare, this will be mailed to you at a later date).

Thank you for your understanding.

Costa Cruises

*Onboard credit amount is based on the Guest's original disembarkation port:  Savona- $50pp, Naples- $100pp, Venice- $250pp. Onboard credit is based on double occupancy, may not be used in the casino or for Hotel Service Charges.  Any unused portion will not be refunded.

† The reimbursement will be considered when receipts have been reviewed.  Please send receipts to customercare@us.costa.it  

 

[Plan B]

Not how you would be wishing to start your cruise!   It is an awful situation to be in for everyone concerned.  I see that another Princess ship is being held off the coast of Cailfornia because of the virus.

 

We sail in a couple of weeks around the Med, taking in 3 Italian ports - who knows what might happen?

 

I hope you have a great time regardless of everything but the stress must be overwhelming at the moment

[dritan]

It sounds as this may only apply to US passengers, looking at the wording and due to changing state dept directives.  It will be interesting if the ship continues onto those other ports for non US passengers.  I can't imagine it's just going to stay in Marseille.

[dritan]

Sorry  - meant to also add that I'm sorry that you've had this news just as you are starting a cruise.  Hope it goes okay for you.

 

[BoughtMyPoints]

The letter was sent only to North America booked passengers.  12 hours later, on board there was a slightly different letter that walked back a few of the assertions. 

1.   Disembarkation in Marseilles is 100% voluntary.  The ship continues to the Italian ports.

2.   This level of compensation or any compensation is limited to North America booked passengers :  think Costa's water policy.

3.  $250 per passenger OBC, regardless of booked destination.  Plus up to $400 per cabin for travel expenses to be sorted later.  Plus some sort of future cruise credit.

4.  Costa appears very keen to off load the Americans and Canucks.

5.  There are few British pax on board, so no passenger mutiny.   It has been handled really well by the various cruise hosts/hostesses.

In my case, this was excellent news.   My trip to northern Italy was already dead in the water.  My hotels, train ticket and car rental sorted before sailing.  All fully refundable, as were my previous Italian arrangements.

 

[dritan]

I'm really pleased that this has all worked out for you.  Part of me wishes the UK govt would take the same approach as the US/Canada as my hands are tied at the moment - and the poor old Fortuna is currently being refused entry to port after port in the Far East. 

 I hope you enjoy the transatlantic cruise. 

[crbnlvr]

Look like this ship had a female Italian passenger fall ill with pneumonia and is quarantined in San Juan and being tested for CV.  

[FoxyD2003]

2 hours ago, crbnlvr said:

Look like this ship had a female Italian passenger fall ill with pneumonia and is quarantined in San Juan and being tested for CV.  

 

Looks like the ship was denied docking in Antigua and is now on it's way to Spain.

[crbnlvr]

Does anyone know the results of the test?

[drarill]

On 3/9/2020 at 4:00 PM, crbnlvr said:

Does anyone know the results of the test?

positive to Covid_19..https://twitter.com/DavidBegnaud/status/1238624682372468736?s=20

[nextcruiseis]

She is positive and so is her husband. Attached is the memo from the governor's office.