Azamara Cruisers - How are things where YOU are

[Grandma Cruising]

2 hours ago, blag said:

Here in Italy, things are scary.

 

We live in a small, fairly isolated community in Le Marche, near the Adriatic Coast. Our Province (Ascoli Piceno) has few cases, but our town has suffered one death and there are 4 persons who have tested positive in the last few days.

 

I haven't left the house in nearly a month, and it now seems strange to think of people socialising Yesterday we had a major internet outage. Amazing how isolated we then felt, despite our self-incarceration!!

 

Let's pray that people behave sensibly, listen to the advice, obey the rules and STAY SAFE!!

 

W3e have a cruise booked in July, but that may be in jeopardy.

Can’t imagine having no WiFi. Look after yourselves and stay safe.

[smisand]

We are currently aboard the Pursuit and Captain Carl and ALL his crew have been absolutely phenomenal! With everything they have been dealing with each day their first priority has always been the passengers and their comfort and enjoyment! I hope Azamara fully realizes the absolute dream team they employ!

Edited March 28, 2020 by smisand

[Melissaghoti]

Thanks for the thread! Happy to have another connection to the ‘outside’!
I live, with two Cardigan corgis, in south central Idaho in a  county where only 2 cases have been reported. We assume that’s a number based more on the scarcity of testing than reality. We’re just a couple of days into a three week state mandated stay at home period, but many of us chose to self-isolate a week or more ago, so are getting a bit of cabin fever. Fortunately, on one I know has contracted the virus, but I worry a good deal about the many in the area who have limited resources and now, no jobs. With neither health insurance nor discretionary income for health care, life must be scary and there’s the possibility of many undiagnosed, untreated COVID-2 cases. 
I’m keeping faith (and crossed fingers) that this will be well resolved before my Oct. Azamara cruises. Meanwhile, landlocked Journey Cruise Director Eric is hard at work keeping his Facebook friends well entertained. Kudos to him for that!

My best to all of you who’ve been touched by the virus. Everyone, stay well, stay safely at home! 
Melissa

[laurieb]

We live in southern Arizona; so far no mandated stay at home orders, but most everyone seems to be isolating anyway.  Stores with the exception of grocery and hardware are closed, and restaurants are take out or delivery only.  We have a very small bubble of friends we spend minimal time with.
I’m looking forward to this nightmare being over.

[GlobalMethod]

Thank you for starting this thread as most threads I was participating in have died from no cruise information. It is a relief to just vent a little with these posts ... thank you!

 

As you know we live in Athens, Greece ... we were fortunate, I believe, to be in a country that was quick to require various measure to impact COVID-19. Greece's cases are still increasing but by a comparatively small amount. Let's hope they will start decreasing soon.

 

Exercise is still allowed by walking (not more than two together) and we had some good food delivered last night from one of our favorite restaurants here. (really arrived hot since there is no traffic to speak of). We have a nice view from our balcony and the weather is pleasant. Thank goodness for small pleasures!

[GlobalMethod]

On 3/26/2020 at 12:19 AM, aussie travel bird said:

Life as we know it in Australia has changed, it's true you really never appreciate it until it's changed or gone.  Our situation here is changing daily but unlike our bush fire debacles our Prime Minister and Federal Government seems to be doing a reasonable job.  It's all a very depressing 'landscape though' and an unknown future for many. We are expecting our unemployment rate to rise to 30% I can only imagine those sort of figures in Italy, France, Spain, USA and the UK. 

 

I have been heartened by the fact that Captain Carl, (plus officers, staff and crew) are looking after a group of my friends  so well on the Pursuit. Now transiting Panama Canal. I also thank Carl and the Pursuit Team for my husband's personal birthday wishes for his 60th on Tuesday 24th (spent in a fashion that we could never have imagined nor anticipated).  Truly our 'Azamara Circle' and family. We can't wait to be back.

 

I fully understand we can't talk social media here but, in an attempt to control the amount of depression I'm feeling, a certain platform has a page called 'The Kindness Pandemic' which has taken off and has 410,051 members since March 14.  It has uplifting stories of human kindness in the face of this pandemic, the sort I like to think will be a positive legacy of this situation. It's Australian, but they have just this minute announced that the initiative is going global.  

 

If you're interested in it, can't find it, come and leave your email address here and I'll send you the details.  It's been my saviour in these darkest of times!

 

And brighter news, Bindi Urwin and Chandler McLeod got married (observing social distancing rules) yesterday at Australia Zoo. There were no guests, but of course lots of animals in attendance. 

 

I wish all of you the best during this difficult and unusual time.  Jenny 

 

 

Thank you for the report on the Azamara Pursuit ... it is special to us and it has been hard to get information on just what is going on with it ... good luck to all!

[aussie travel bird]

7 hours ago, GlobalMethod said:

Thank you for the report on the Azamara Pursuit ... it is special to us and it has been hard to get information on just what is going on with it ... good luck to all!

Pleased I could assit.  They have docked safely in Miami a little earlier than planned due to a medical emergency (not COVID-19 related of course) and those gurests that have flights on 30th will disembark as planned.  Non essential Officers, Staff and Crew are returning home where they can get flights.  I imagine that will take some time (if not days) to manage and achieve successfully.  They are in good spirits, guests are understandably concerned about the world outside of their protective bubble and are speaking very highly of the care, attention and compassion that Azamara have afforded them.  I can't wait to be sailing again - I miss them terribly ....

[roaming_kiwi58]

Here in NZ we are near the end of day 5 of a 4 week (minimum) lockdown. Domestic travel is banned. Just about everything is closed. We are allowed to go to the supermarket (which is opening reduced hours) but they are only letting a handful of people in at a time. Our local pharmacy is also open a few hours 6 days a week, but we can’t enter – you get served at the door. If you want to see the doctor you have to ring for a phone or video consultation. I had a specialist appointment cancelled as even medical specialists are closed. We are allowed to go for a walk, but we can only walk locally, have to keep 2 metres away from anybody else and mustn’t stop to talk to anyone or do any games/exercises in the park. Playgrounds are cordoned off. Only workers in essential jobs should be in their cars on the road.

 

We always work from home so in many respects our daily routine is unchanged, but not being allowed any physical contact with anybody is still somewhat isolating.

 

Someone started a teddy bear hunt, originally to amuse kids when they are out walking, but the big kids are also enjoying looking for the teddy bears in the windows of houses as we walk around the neighbourhood! We are on a back section, so no-one can see our teddy bears if we put them in the window!

 

Just about all international passenger flights (other than freight) have ceased. There is just the occasional plane still bringing returning NZers home, but I think they are due to dry up in the next few days. The majority of our new virus cases are still related to overseas travel, though we have started to get some community transmission in the last week. Our prime minister has stated that our borders will remain closed until there is a vaccine available, which realistically is expected to be 12 to 18 months away. If this is the case that spells the end of the 5 Azamara cruises we have booked, before they have even started!!

 

But there are advantages to being an island nation here at the bottom of the earth! If we can get our outbreak under control then it is possible to quarantine ourselves down here and keep safe. Life has certainly changed, and may never be the same again. However, we are just thankful for all the travel we have done in recent years, leaving us with wonderful memories of foreign places.  

 

    

[GlobalMethod]

1 hour ago, roaming_kiwi58 said:

Here in NZ we are near the end of day 5 of a 4 week (minimum) lockdown. Domestic travel is banned. Just about everything is closed. We are allowed to go to the supermarket (which is opening reduced hours) but they are only letting a handful of people in at a time. Our local pharmacy is also open a few hours 6 days a week, but we can’t enter – you get served at the door. If you want to see the doctor you have to ring for a phone or video consultation. I had a specialist appointment cancelled as even medical specialists are closed. We are allowed to go for a walk, but we can only walk locally, have to keep 2 metres away from anybody else and mustn’t stop to talk to anyone or do any games/exercises in the park. Playgrounds are cordoned off. Only workers in essential jobs should be in their cars on the road.

 

We always work from home so in many respects our daily routine is unchanged, but not being allowed any physical contact with anybody is still somewhat isolating.

 

Someone started a teddy bear hunt, originally to amuse kids when they are out walking, but the big kids are also enjoying looking for the teddy bears in the windows of houses as we walk around the neighbourhood! We are on a back section, so no-one can see our teddy bears if we put them in the window!

 

Just about all international passenger flights (other than freight) have ceased. There is just the occasional plane still bringing returning NZers home, but I think they are due to dry up in the next few days. The majority of our new virus cases are still related to overseas travel, though we have started to get some community transmission in the last week. Our prime minister has stated that our borders will remain closed until there is a vaccine available, which realistically is expected to be 12 to 18 months away. If this is the case that spells the end of the 5 Azamara cruises we have booked, before they have even started!!

 

But there are advantages to being an island nation here at the bottom of the earth! If we can get our outbreak under control then it is possible to quarantine ourselves down here and keep safe. Life has certainly changed, and may never be the same again. However, we are just thankful for all the travel we have done in recent years, leaving us with wonderful memories of foreign places.  

 

    

We call what your suffering the "Cruise Blues" ... we moved to Athens, Greece to plan cruises and eat at their wonderful 2000 restaurants ... now we can do neither ... we are also thankful for our wonderful cruising experiences over the years and the amazing crew members that Azamara retains, so many of them year after year ... good luck to you in all your endeavors!

[smisand]

And now the end is near - we arrived into Port of Miami yesterday. The silence and lack of people milling around wss very erie! Although there are multiple ships tied up at the pier they were all empty. Some anchored just outside of the port are there because they had ill people aboard. We are now getting a better understanding of what is really going on. While aboard the ship we were not in "the real world". We had no illness, no quarantine, provided with great food, entertainment and lots of liquid refreshments - we made many new friends and just enjoyed the voyage. Today is a very different scenario - the quietness in port - no people, cars or hustle and bustle that a port usually had. Passengers started disembarking this morning. Once again Azamara has come thru providing buses to take passengers to both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. Well organized they are calling people according to the numbered luggage tags they provided and are transporting in groups based on flight departure times. The Captain and many senior officers are at the gangplank to wish farewell to all. I cannot issue enough praise to Captain Carl Smith and the entire Azamara Pursuit crew!! They have been absolutely phenomenal during this situation and turn a tremendous ordeal into a phenomenal experience!! 💖💖💖💖😍

 

[Ithikan]

8 hours ago, roaming_kiwi58 said:

Here in NZ we are near the end of day 5 of a 4 week (minimum) lockdown. Domestic travel is banned. Just about everything is closed. We are allowed to go to the supermarket (which is opening reduced hours) but they are only letting a handful of people in at a time. Our local pharmacy is also open a few hours 6 days a week, but we can’t enter – you get served at the door. If you want to see the doctor you have to ring for a phone or video consultation. I had a specialist appointment cancelled as even medical specialists are closed. We are allowed to go for a walk, but we can only walk locally, have to keep 2 metres away from anybody else and mustn’t stop to talk to anyone or do any games/exercises in the park. Playgrounds are cordoned off. Only workers in essential jobs should be in their cars on the road.

 

We always work from home so in many respects our daily routine is unchanged, but not being allowed any physical contact with anybody is still somewhat isolating.

 

Someone started a teddy bear hunt, originally to amuse kids when they are out walking, but the big kids are also enjoying looking for the teddy bears in the windows of houses as we walk around the neighbourhood! We are on a back section, so no-one can see our teddy bears if we put them in the window!

 

Just about all international passenger flights (other than freight) have ceased. There is just the occasional plane still bringing returning NZers home, but I think they are due to dry up in the next few days. The majority of our new virus cases are still related to overseas travel, though we have started to get some community transmission in the last week. Our prime minister has stated that our borders will remain closed until there is a vaccine available, which realistically is expected to be 12 to 18 months away. If this is the case that spells the end of the 5 Azamara cruises we have booked, before they have even started!!

 

But there are advantages to being an island nation here at the bottom of the earth! If we can get our outbreak under control then it is possible to quarantine ourselves down here and keep safe. Life has certainly changed, and may never be the same again. However, we are just thankful for all the travel we have done in recent years, leaving us with wonderful memories of foreign places.  

 

    

Thank you, roaming_kiwi58, for this update from NZ.  We had been so pleased about the port stop in Christchurch planned for our Azamara Feb. 6 cruise, this would have been a first for us.  Your country is fascinating - so many similarities to Hawaiian culture, and we'd been happily exploring, on recent Azamara cruises, your towns, countryside and vineyards.  Oh well.  Good health to you and yours, and here's hoping the world's borders open again to all who yearn to travel.

[Grandma Cruising]

Welcome back to the ‘real’ world smisand !! Glad to hear you are back and that everything Is well organised. I hope you have a good journey home.

Edited March 30, 2020 by Host Grandma Cruising

[the mice]

10 hours ago, roaming_kiwi58 said:

Here in NZ we are near the end of day 5 of a 4 week (minimum) lockdown. Domestic travel is banned. Just about everything is closed. We are allowed to go to the supermarket (which is opening reduced hours) but they are only letting a handful of people in at a time. Our local pharmacy is also open a few hours 6 days a week, but we can’t enter – you get served at the door. If you want to see the doctor you have to ring for a phone or video consultation. I had a specialist appointment cancelled as even medical specialists are closed. We are allowed to go for a walk, but we can only walk locally, have to keep 2 metres away from anybody else and mustn’t stop to talk to anyone or do any games/exercises in the park. Playgrounds are cordoned off. Only workers in essential jobs should be in their cars on the road.

 

We always work from home so in many respects our daily routine is unchanged, but not being allowed any physical contact with anybody is still somewhat isolating.

 

Someone started a teddy bear hunt, originally to amuse kids when they are out walking, but the big kids are also enjoying looking for the teddy bears in the windows of houses as we walk around the neighbourhood! We are on a back section, so no-one can see our teddy bears if we put them in the window!

 

Just about all international passenger flights (other than freight) have ceased. There is just the occasional plane still bringing returning NZers home, but I think they are due to dry up in the next few days. The majority of our new virus cases are still related to overseas travel, though we have started to get some community transmission in the last week. Our prime minister has stated that our borders will remain closed until there is a vaccine available, which realistically is expected to be 12 to 18 months away. If this is the case that spells the end of the 5 Azamara cruises we have booked, before they have even started!!

 

But there are advantages to being an island nation here at the bottom of the earth! If we can get our outbreak under control then it is possible to quarantine ourselves down here and keep safe. Life has certainly changed, and may never be the same again. However, we are just thankful for all the travel we have done in recent years, leaving us with wonderful memories of foreign places.  

 

    

roaming_kiwi58, 

We were in your beautiful country in November on the 2nd leg of our Celebrity cruise.   We're here in NY, just north of the city which is the epicenter of the outbreak here in the USA, so we have been under Stay at Home orders for a few weeks and will continue for who knows how much longer.   

We, too, are thankful for all the wonderful travel experiences we have had, with many great memories, most recently of New Zealand.

We wish you and your fellow Kiwis good luck and good health.   Stay safe!

 

Edited March 30, 2020 by the mice

[GlobalMethod]

Well, good news from Greece! We were just informed that our daily infections went from 95 yesterday (what had been a regularly increasing number but small compared to other EU countries) to 56 for today! The Greeks, from what we've seen, have been very diligent in their self isolation efforts and strict protocols, which they started very quickly. We are hoping that this decreasing number of new infections will continue and we can get back to life as usual! Good Luck to All!

[BBMacLaird]

Fantastic news about Greece, GlobalMethod! Let's hope this trend continues.

I second your desire to get back to life as usual. 

[GlobalMethod]

Yes ... I am in good mood because of lower infection rate ... so here is a bit of humor ... COVID-19 protocols have been strict here so this is pretty funny as it is one of the only "loopholes" ... 🙂 ...

 

 

The translation is:

 

"I don’t get down. You took me for a walk 10 times today!” 

This picture has gone viral on Greek internet as many claim that they use their dogs to go out as often as possible.

 

[uktog]

Sadly that is the Edinburgh Festivals including the Edinburgh Tattoo cancelled for this August.  For our city, economically that is a huge disaster but we will be back to welcome visitors with our customary hospitality as soon as we can.

[nordski]

8 hours ago, uktog said:

Sadly that is the Edinburgh Festivals including the Edinburgh Tattoo cancelled for this August.  For our city, economically that is a huge disaster but we will be back to welcome visitors with our customary hospitality as soon as we can.

Disappointing indeed, and thanks to those who had given great us advice as to how to navigate the Tattoo this summer.

 

But, as you point out, our disappoint is minor to the issues cancellation of the Festivals will mean to your beautiful city. Although they claim that notices were sent out, we have not received ours. But our understanding is that we can forgo return of part or all of our original fee in order to make a donation. That is a great idea.

 

For those concerned about the slow processing of refunds from Azamara, the Tattoo refunds will take about 2 months. Given all the disruption, I won’t be surprised if it’s later than that.

 

 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I just found this thread and have read all the posts. Thanks to those who have shared what it's like in their part of the world. 

 

I'm in So California about 40 miles west of Palm Springs. We are starting our 3rd week of Stay At Home protocol. We live in a 55+ community and go for a daily walk. Many here are doing the same. The stores were overrun with panic buyers and, while I hear it's getting back to a "new normal", I'm hearing it's still hard to find toilet paper, rice, paper towels and any hand sanitizer or disinfecting supplies. I keep my pantry fairly well stocked on a normal basis so we're good for awhile. I did go out a week ago yesterday for produce, fruit and milk. Limits of 1 gal milk per customer. As the #s of confirmed cases are continuing to increase we will stay away from the stores as much as we can.  Sadly, many do not understand what Social Distancing means. 

 

We're booked on Pursuit for the British Isles cruise July 6 with tickets to The Open on the next to the last day. Will be disappointed to miss such a wonderful itinerary but doubt it will be a go. Hoping to hear sooner rather than later if Azamara cancels it. 

 

Positive thoughts that we all stay healthy and this beast of a virus can be tamed soon. 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

One more thing.....It was just announced that in Riverside County, CA, where we live, all schools, through college, are closed through the end of the school year. Two of my 3 sons teach elementary school. They're getting set up for distance learning. A new way for them...and others. 

[Grandma Cruising]

Last night we had the second night of everyone standing on their doorsteps and applauding all key workers - health & care workers of course, but also all those who are working hard to make sure the rest of us stay safe and have the things we need.

Everyone in our vicinity was out making a lot of noise - clapping, ringing bells, banging pans. It was heart warming to see and feel the sense of community.

 

[snowglobe]

The good news is that we’re home, and one of our two cats is being brought back to us on Sunday. 👍

 

We finally made it back home late on Wednesday night. The long trip back was very stressful, and made even more so by obviously ill people being able to board two of our three flights. On the last, smooth (domestic) flight, a young child vomited in the row behind ours and turned sheet white 15 mins before landing. 😳

Canada has invoqued a “Quarantine Act” which puts us in a mandatory at-home quarantine for 14 days. We are not able to set foot outside our door -> which is very OK by us, and which we arrived prepared to do...

Or so I thought.🥺

 

The person that checked our condo roughly on a weekly basis, did so early last week. She had planned on dropping off basic groceries to tide us over for a few days on Wednesday afternoon. In the interim, the neighbouring province she lives in closed itself to trans-border crossings, posting police at the bridges between our communities (one large urban area, with two cities straddling two provinces, usually referred to as the “Capital region”.) Wednesday was the first day of this sudden, enforced measure.

And our fridge quit several days ago, judging by the stench that greeted us on arrival.😫🤢

I spent the yesterday trying unsuccessfully to find a new mini-fridge to use as a temporary solution... the earliest deliveries were 2-4 weeks. Best I could arrange was to use an electric camping cooler. We also only had half a roll of paper towels left, and barely a half-bottle of cleaner before we left. I ended up using Bill’s old t-shirts as throw-away rags. No baking soda or vinegar on hand either. It looks like we’ll probably have to buy a new fridge, however/whenever we can. 

 

Although we have no “fresh” groceries to tide us over, our downstairs freezer is well stocked. Peanut butter on toasted hamburger buns can do for breakfast in a pinch.

We have plenty of coffee, thank goodness!!

 

The earliest time slot that I can get a curb side pick-up for groceries is Sunday at 6pm (no baking soda, no vinegar & no more cleaning products available to order.) I have to ask a friend’s sister to pick it up, as most of my support team a) live across the bridge, and/or b) are health care workers that I refuse to ask for help right now.

I have been told that such online grocery orders are a crap shoot: missing items from the list and odd substitutions when they bag it. We’ll see how that goes. We’ll have to join everyone else hunting down elusive items (like eggs, fresh produce, and cleaning supplies,) across various stores in a couple of weeks, as soon as our quarantine is over... and if we remain symptom-free.

Frozen mac and cheese for breakfast tomorrow, and a meat pie and broccoli for our wedding anniversary dinner. At least we have a well-stocked wine shelf and liquor cabinet, and fine glasses. 🥂

 

Lord, how I miss our time on the Journey!!

 

PS - Our senior gentleman cat is trapped on the other side of the bridge, and he’s being spoiled rotten by our friend - Azamara-level service, I hear! 😁

Edited April 3, 2020 by snowglobe

[Grandma Cruising]

Glad to hear that you got home safely snowglobe. I hope you get all the groceries you need and can manage to source a new fridge as soon as possible and that you both keep well.

[BBMacLaird]

Hi Snowglobe, what a rough return to land! I too hope you can source a new refrigerator quickly, or maybe a repairman?

For food and cleaning supplies, have you heard of the 'NextDoor' app...where you connect with neighbors in your immediate vicinity? I see that it launched in Canada in September. The benefit of this is people are helping out neighbors by staying in touch, looking in on neighbors, and sharing what they have in excess. Lots of free stuff...maybe even a fridge?

Also, our county offices are posting Covid19 updates and listing where people can get supplies or help. Not sure what the equivalent would be in Canada, but I'm sure there are plenty of offers to help deliver necessities.

Stay healthy! And thank you for sailing with Azamara ❤️

[snowglobe]

27 minutes ago, BBMacLaird said:

Hi Snowglobe, what a rough return to land! I too hope you can source a new refrigerator quickly, or maybe a repairman?

 

Due to the quarantine, no one can enter our home either. 
LOL, I’m burning incense in the fridge, at least to mask the lingering odour.
 

27 minutes ago, BBMacLaird said:

For food and cleaning supplies, have you heard of the 'NextDoor' app...where you connect with neighbors in your immediate vicinity? I see that it launched in Canada in September. The benefit of this is people are helping out neighbors by staying in touch, looking in on neighbors, and sharing what they have in excess.

 

I did connect today with our Municipal Councillor’s office, who is coordinating a team of volunteers. No luck on the cleaning supplies, but someone will be helping us out by picking up an order of kitty litter and cat food for our Lords and Masters.

 

27 minutes ago, BBMacLaird said:

Stay healthy! And thank you for sailing with Azamara ❤️

Stay healthy too!