Vulnerable age group, what are you doing?

[MomC]

My husband and I are both over 70 (the most vulnerable group for this new virus) and we are currently booked on the April 1 Splendor.  I do not want to cancel this cruise, but I know what the CDC is recommending for those of us in this group.

 

What are those of you in our age group doing?  I’d love to hear your thought process.

 

Mom C

[GOARMY]

I am 76; my wife 72.  We are in good health.  After consulting with our Primary Care Physicians yesterday--

 

We plan to board "Splendor" at San Diego in exactly one week.  Will be taking an extra supply of meds, and plenty of wipes, with us.  

 

GOARMY!

 

[Travelcat2]

Doing the same thing as GOARMY (we are on the same cruise).

[wcsdkqh]

Same here.

[PinkMEB]

We are 80 and 77 (as of five days ago), are in good health and are planning to sail on April 1. Since we can cancel 48 hours prior, the situation might warrant a change of plans, but that’s our thinking today. 

[kjbacon]

Already cancelled and to be fair, am struggling to understand how anyone could ignore the recommendations from the CDC.

[snorkle lover]

We are 76 and 77 with no major health issues ( unless controlled high blood pressure

and controlled DB2 for my DH are considered major health issues). We are seriously considering

canceling our April cruise Barcelona to Lisbon. It is very disappointing however there will

be other cruises and right now as I read that cases in Europe are increasing daily, our health

is of prime importance. The mere thought of being quarantined on a ship ( even a lovely

one like the Explorer ) is not something we want to do. Even if we did decide to go, we would

always be worrying about inadvertently not sanitizing something well enough or that someone in the dinning room was coughing. In addition our daughter is quite adamant that we should not 

go. Kids do worry about their parents and that is a good thing. Obviously, this decision is a very

different one for everyone but maybe this helps a little.

[papaflamingo]

I'm certainly not one to tell anyone what they should do, and by all means if you are high risk or think you might be, check with your personal doctor.  But I don't see where the CDC has recommended cancelling cruises, particularly Caribbean cruises (maybe I simply missed it).  None of the ports are in risk areas at this time.  San Diego is the highest risk and it isn't considered even level 1.  But by all means, if someone is concerned, do what you feel is in your best interest.  If you are uncomfortable you won't enjoy the cruise anyway.  

We have 39 nights booked in June from Montreal to Dublin and I fully intend to make the cruise, unless things change radically. I'm 68 and in fairly good health with a strong immune system though. 

[captjohn]

We are in our mid 70s and good health. Our concern was that we could get " Trapped " on board in our cabin for 2++ more weeks. ! We were booked on the April 1st cruise  but sadly have now canceled.

[shuguley]

We are packing extra essential medications in the event Splendor is quarantined in Miami but unless there are additional major developments my wife and I are not going to cancel.  We plan to exercise reasonable caution, listen to Regent directives and recommendations and then have a great time.

 

My advice is if you are booked on a cruise and don't think you can enjoy it because of infection, quarantine and/or sanitation concerns then by all means cancel and don't look back.

[Shippy]

  My husband and I are in our 70’s and currently on the Exploer. I feel very safe on this ship.

HOWEVER.......

We will be flying home to San Francisco. It appears, from the news I have been watching ,that there is the possibility of the last 2 Grand Princess Cruises that ended there released all the passengers unaware that the virus was onboard.

I am sure there will be a lot problems because of this in the near future.

 

[boblerm]

I am with GOARMY! and Travelcat2 in that as of this moment, I am planning on boarding the Splendor 1 week from today.

 

FWIW, I was watching the Today show this morning and there was an interview with Dr. John Torres, NBC News Medical Correspondent about what it is wise and unwise for people to be doing right now given the current state of our info.  The question of whether or not to cruise came up, here was his response,

I am showing this only because I find it interesting, I am in no way shape or form suggesting what others should do or not do, as has been mentioned, everyone needs to do what they think best fits their personal situation.  I would respectfully suggest however, that we not judge whatever decisions people make.

[shuguley]

drib:

 

Thank you for the jocularity.  I think we all need a little relief.

 

Along those same lines, I wonder in the event a cruise is quarantined if the extra nights will be credited to your Seven Seas Society account?  I could turn platinum cruising around in circles near Miami.  🤣

Edited March 7, 2020 by shuguley

[ronrick1943]

We're booked on the April 1 cruise and at this time our plans are to cruise and enjoy, however we'll be keeping eye on the news and see what happens-but for now it's a yes.  We were also booked on the April 16th cruise to Barcelona a b2n cruise.  Our doctor has a problem with us going (health risk) and has a problem with the EU and what could happen at the port and doesn't want to take a chance with a lock down or being so far away.  So we cancelled that the April16th part.

[Pcardad]

2 hours ago, shuguley said:

drib:

 

Thank you for the jocularity.  I think we all need a little relief.

 

Along those same lines, I wonder in the event a cruise is quarantined if the extra nights will be credited to your Seven Seas Society account?  I could turn platinum cruising around in circles near Miami.  🤣

 

Lol, only paid nights unfortunately.

[Travelcat2]

Just read this on a Regent board and thought that I would share:

 

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared. 

 

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess. 

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even 
imagine?

 

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession. 

 

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous. 

 

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

 

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
Our children will thank us for it.

[Ladys Mom]

So well said.  We have to keep on living our lives.  If next year’s flu epidemic is much less prevalent and morbidity and mortality are reduced because of increased attention to hand washing, then something good will have come out of this.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

I just copied this from another subject listing, the World Cruise, somewhere on the ocean today by Lana:
 

In the post she  said..........
“I feel safer here than I would at home (northwest WA state).  Yes, I'm in a "vulnerable population" due to age and underlying health issues.  But I'm in a "vulnerable population" EVERY DAY, especially during flu season, and I've learned to deal with it (minimize exposure to large crowds in small spaces, wash hands at every opportunity, etc.).  I'm comfortable with the protocols in place on the ship”

I sent this note to Lana:
Thank you for reminding me!

Enjoy every day on your cruise no matter where your journey takes you. Be well! Be safe!

Your fan

sheila

 

See you next Saturday on Splendor. Let’s party as though our life depends on it!

Sheila and Herb.....

Edited March 8, 2020 by Bellaggio Cruisers

[JMARINER]

7 hours ago, snorkle lover said:

We are 76 and 77 with no major health issues ( unless controlled high blood pressure

and controlled DB2 for my DH are considered major health issues).......

High blood pressure and T2 Diabetes are consider major risks factors for sever complications if one gets infected with Covid19.

Sorry.

J

 

""In general people with diabetes face greater risks of complications when dealing with viral infections like flu, and that is likely to be true with COVID-19.""

Link https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/treatment-care/planning-sick-days/coronavirus

 

""Based on early reports, 40% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease (which refers to blood flow in the brain, such as stroke), according to the bulletin.

"That statistic doesn't mean people with heart disease are more likely to contract the coronavirus," .... "It just means that those folks are more likely to have complications once they do get it."

Link https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/27/what-heart-patients-should-know-about-coronavirus

[kjbacon]

13 hours ago, boblerm said:

I am showing this only because I find it interesting, I am in no way shape or form suggesting what others should do or not do, as has been mentioned, everyone needs to do what they think best fits their personal situation.  I would respectfully suggest however, that we not judge whatever decisions people make.

Bob, you are right about all of us using respect and not judging. For every film clip that says it’s ok to cruise there’s one that says it is not. The experts aren’t agreeing and as you know, far greater minds than yours and mine will disagree on some of these issues long after we get bored of the boards.

 

I have a lot of skin in this game, way more than I want. My husband and I are both in the at risk age group and both have a side health issue. Of much more concern though is a pregnant daughter in a high risk category and a mother in law in an extremely high risk category. So yes, I would absolutely prefer to see a more cautious approach. None of us know what risk the person who is going to grasp the door handle next is dealing with.

[Got2Cruise]

There is always the risk you will be quarantined on the ship. I could not deal with that. 

[TrulyBlonde]

Dr. Antony Fauci this morning:

 

“If you're a person with an underlying condition and you are particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition, you need to think twice about getting on a plane, on a long trip,” he said. “And not only think twice, just don't get on a cruise ship.”

[kjbacon]

5 minutes ago, TrulyBlonde said:

Dr. Antony Fauci this morning:

 

“If you're a person with an underlying condition and you are particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition, you need to think twice about getting on a plane, on a long trip,” he said. “And not only think twice, just don't get on a cruise ship.”

Yes, I just saw his interview as well. Looks like the question is answered.

[UUNetBill]

1 minute ago, kjbacon said:

Yes, I just saw his interview as well. Looks like the question is answered.

I’m no MD but it seems to me that there would be a major difference between a Regent ship sailing at probably what, 75-80% capacity, vs a mega-ship with 5,000-6,500 passengers crammed on board.

 

I’m more concerned with the air travel getting to our upcoming cruise than I am about the cruise itself.

[slidebite]

Agreed. As much as a person doesn't want to raise the "class" aspect of a regent ship over a mass market ship, the amount of shared space, especially since they almost certainly won't be anywhere near capacity - I feel far more likely to catch something going to work, a local restaurant or shopping mall than 2 weeks in a roomy and luxurious cruise ship. Let's face it, many people have never even heard of Regent/luxury cruises before and far less have any experience with them. Painting all cruise lines with the same brush isn't really fair.

 

If I were booked on a cruise with any other mass-market line right now, I might think differently.