Denied boarding

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

If that were the case, why would they only have the policy lasting until December 31, 2021?  Wouldn't it be a permanent policy if that was their concern?  HAL specified that this is only in effect during their "restart phase."  This sounds like they are using an abundance of caution to make sure those with severe enough lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen don't get even a mild case of Covid which could be more likely to become deadly.  JMHO.

Do you find something wrong with them using an abundance of caution? And we do not know if this policy will really end on December 31, 2021. They could extend it.

[Roz]

I think the issue is having someone with a compromised respiratory system come down with Covid, and then it becomes a potentially life threatening situation.   Yes, HAL is being cautious.  

[rucrazy]

3 minutes ago, Roz said:

I think the issue is having someone with a compromised respiratory system come down with Covid, and then it becomes a potentially life threatening situation.   Yes, HAL is being cautious.  

Yes but as one that is managing COPD quite well I must say I think HAL is painting with a very large brush. 

(JMHO)

[Babr]

HAL isn’t the only cruise line implementing this policy. As I said, I think it goes back to the agreements in place to resume sailing and the need to be prepared to meet any Covid related emergency. 

[carolyn22]

On 7/26/2021 at 9:40 AM, RGEDad said:

I have found that the issue with CPAP - is having a long enough power cord. Once upon a time - they would provide a long extension power cord.  Learned my lesson one time where they "ran out" of long cords (cannot remember which cruise line). Now I bring my own. Long enough to wrap across or around the room and get to the corner of the far wall. I also bring a velcro floor cord cover to eliminate the cord trip hazard (covers the cord, and sticks to the carpet). I also bring a AC muti-outlet that is NOT surge protected - so no issues with that (but usage was under...discussion...at one port). I never bring my humidifier - ocean air is humid enough for me (and less to carry).

I also take a power cord with me for the same reason. It was taken from me when I was on a Celebrity ship going to Bermuda out of NJ. I was able to get it back at the end of the cruise. That’s the only time I’ve ever had it taken from me. 

[Horizon chaser 1957]

5 hours ago, Lido - Lanai said:

The dozens of people who insisted they needed to stay onboard due to medical issues that prevented them from flying home from Perth.....  

…. and everyone being told to book their own way home with dodgy internet in a panicky world, the people quietly crying in deck chairs on the promenade deck, the Australian government continually reversing their stance on letting us dock and debark, etc., etc.

I’m not saying the final week on board was a walk in the park and not a bit of a you-know-what show, but we were more in the position of the Westerdam or Maasdam. At no time were  we even slightly comparable to the IMHO criminal treatment of the passengers on the Diamond Princess and the lethal outcome of those decisions.

The Amsterdam was at sea for months after we left her and never did come home in the end. Not letting passengers in poor health stay on board turned out to be the right call, even if none of us thought so at the time.

[rucrazy]

9 minutes ago, carolyn22 said:

Celebrity ship going to Bermuda out of NJ.

We must have had the same security officer. 😄 

[HELENPSL]

The personal oxygen concentrator that my partner uses is only used at night since his oxygen levels drop when he sleeps.  He has no need for it during the day.  It is a self contained unit, plugs in and has a battery backup.  After changing ships 4 times and multiple itineraries that HAL kept changing I will now have to cancel our transatlantic cruise in Oct. and our Caribbean cruise in November.  I've thought about rebooking the Caribbean but the replacement cruise, going to the same ports, leaves Jan. 2, 2022 and I'm afraid they will extend this policy.  At that point I will have no time to cancel and get a refund.  I am SO GRATEFUL to the OP for posting this information.  I have a vision of us standing at the port in Barcelona and being told we could not board.  Although it is on the FAQ's page I feel in this situation they should prominently post this information somewhere on their website.  As someone who has traveled HAL for years I didn't think I needed to read the FAQ's again.  Lesson learned.

Helen

[HappyCamper49]

On 7/24/2021 at 4:25 PM, Tiffanymom said:

Received a message from our travel agent Wednesday  informing us Hal would deny boarding for our Alaska cruises.

 

the reason   I use a probable oxygen concentrator  for flying.  So Hal said I must  have. a lung disease. I had a lung infection 10 years ago and need P.O.C. To fly only.  I have never needed or use it on a cruise ship. We have done 25 to 30  cruises in those 10 years. I offered to let medical center or  the front desk to hold my POC until l disembarked.  I would also get “ a fit to cruise”letter from my Doctor. The answer was still no.

 

we were to board today forB2B cruises.  we were Told our account had been flagged so we were also forced to cancel 27 day Europe cruise

 

Finally after called Mariners I got a email Bryon Mckeena in the president office.  He stated I “singled out” and prevented from boarding.

 

 disappointment can not describe  what I feeling.  I also believe that Hal has violated the America Disability Act . i am filing against a violation with the Justice department.

 

Pamela have 

 

 

  
 

 

I am so sorry this happened to you!  Perhaps find another cruise line (one you have sailed on previously) and give them the medical problem/P.O.C. for airplane only and hopefully have better luck!

[HappyCamper49]

On 7/25/2021 at 2:32 PM, HamOp said:

Best Answer 

Great suggestion!

[AncientWanderer]

7 minutes ago, HELENPSL said:

The personal oxygen concentrator that my partner uses is only used at night since his oxygen levels drop when he sleeps.  He has no need for it during the day.  It is a self contained unit, plugs in and has a battery backup.  After changing ships 4 times and multiple itineraries that HAL kept changing I will now have to cancel our transatlantic cruise in Oct. and our Caribbean cruise in November.  I've thought about rebooking the Caribbean but the replacement cruise, going to the same ports, leaves Jan. 2, 2022 and I'm afraid they will extend this policy.  At that point I will have no time to cancel and get a refund.  I am SO GRATEFUL to the OP for posting this information.  I have a vision of us standing at the port in Barcelona and being told we could not board.  Although it is on the FAQ's page I feel in this situation they should prominently post this information somewhere on their website.  As someone who has traveled HAL for years I didn't think I needed to read the FAQ's again.  Lesson learned.

Helen

 

You know, Helen, I hate to step into this because it's so disappointing to many, but somewhere in my wanderings on HAL's website I did run into this information early on in this COVID restart process, so they did post it.  I was somehow made aware.  I'd have to agree, though, that the red flag should be more prominently displayed.  Perhaps so many cancellations will prompt an update on the website.

 

I hope those who had to cancel can make other plans that will take away the sting somewhat.

It's another bruising from this awful COVID.

 

[HappyCamper49]

52 minutes ago, carolyn22 said:

I also take a power cord with me for the same reason. It was taken from me when I was on a Celebrity ship going to Bermuda out of NJ. I was able to get it back at the end of the cruise. That’s the only time I’ve ever had it taken from me. 

Some friends sailed with us on our Celebrity eastern Med cruise in 2019 and the gentleman uses a CPAP.  I told them if they took an extension cord, it would be taken and returned at the cruise's end.  No extension cords or chargers with a surge protector allowed on Celebrity ships.  They were supplied with a long extension onboard.

[dfish]

1 hour ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

You know, Helen, I hate to step into this because it's so disappointing to many, but somewhere in my wanderings on HAL's website I did run into this information early on in this COVID restart process, so they did post it.  I was somehow made aware.  I'd have to agree, though, that the red flag should be more prominently displayed.  Perhaps so many cancellations will prompt an update on the website.

 

I hope those who had to cancel can make other plans that will take away the sting somewhat.

It's another bruising from this awful COVID.

 

 

Since this is a new policy for the time being, perhaps it should go out with the booking information.  

[Daniel A]

1 hour ago, dfish said:

Since this is a new policy for the time being, perhaps it should go out with the booking information.  

Isn't that something a travel agent should have been aware of from the start, or was this just a last minute change of policy?

[dfish]

29 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Isn't that something a travel agent should have been aware of from the start, or was this just a last minute change of policy?

No idea, but if it had been included with booking information, there would be no surprises.

[Storylady]

On 7/25/2021 at 5:26 AM, Roz said:

I am so sorry this happened to you.  I don't know how I would handle it if something like that happened to me.

 

On the Carnival board, someone posted that they pre-ordered distilled water for their CPAP.  For some reason they decided they didn't need the CPAP for their cruise and left it at home.  When the distilled water was delivered to their cabin, they declined it and may have mentioned the reason they no longer needed it.  Apparently it raised a red flag and they had to leave the ship.  Someone determined it was a liability for a person with a breathing issue to be on the ship without the proper equipment. 

 

After the debacle with the Diamond Princess and HAL's World Cruise, I think cruise lines are aware that they were allowing passengers to board with medical conditions that could compromise their safety and welfare as well as the safety and welfare of others onboard. 

I was on the World Cruise 2020, there were approximately 200 people who wanted the ship to take them home. They had all signed a petition. Not all of them had medical conditions. HAL permitted approximately 12 people with medical issues to sail home on the Pacific Princess which by the way had about 100 passengers sailing home along with our 12. For those who were alone and needed help navigating the airport, they had a staff escort that was doing the same flight. The rest had to fly. All of those that flew made it home safely. I wouldn’t call that a debacle. It was probably stressful for those who had a fear of flying or blood clot issues. Friends of ours helped another couple who hadn’t flown in years navigate through all the airports. Certainly wasn’t the way everyone wanted to end the cruise, but as it turns out, it was a good thing we all flew home.

 

One couple did stay in Australia hoping to ride it out. They spent more than 3 months there before they were allowed to fly home.

 

I do agree that some of the passengers with medical problems onboard the ship would have been in serious trouble if we had Covid onboard. So probably a good reason for HAL to be cautious.

[ger_77]

5 hours ago, HELENPSL said:

The personal oxygen concentrator that my partner uses is only used at night since his oxygen levels drop when he sleeps.  He has no need for it during the day.  It is a self contained unit, plugs in and has a battery backup.  After changing ships 4 times and multiple itineraries that HAL kept changing I will now have to cancel our transatlantic cruise in Oct. and our Caribbean cruise in November.  I've thought about rebooking the Caribbean but the replacement cruise, going to the same ports, leaves Jan. 2, 2022 and I'm afraid they will extend this policy.  At that point I will have no time to cancel and get a refund.  I am SO GRATEFUL to the OP for posting this information.  I have a vision of us standing at the port in Barcelona and being told we could not board.  Although it is on the FAQ's page I feel in this situation they should prominently post this information somewhere on their website.  As someone who has traveled HAL for years I didn't think I needed to read the FAQ's again.  Lesson learned.

Helen

Oh no!  And we were so looking forward to getting to know the two of you on our TA.  So sorry to see you won't be there with us.  (serious sad face)

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

[RGEDad]

23 hours ago, zgscl said:

I will bring my CPAP as well and certainly will not refuse delivery of distilled water. 

HAL charges $2.95 for a gallon of distilled - No longer free (Like many things on the ship...or life for that matter) Pre order in the Beverage section - Typically at the very, very bottom past all the (over-priced) wine...

[HELENPSL]

1 hour ago, ger_77 said:

Oh no!  And we were so looking forward to getting to know the two of you on our TA.  So sorry to see you won't be there with us.  (serious sad face)

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

I haven't posted this yet to the roll call yet.  Just confirmed it today but wanted to notify the two girls putting together the private tours before I posted it.  I have a feeling we will definitely meet on a future cruise with Jacqui and Jose.

Helen

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, RGEDad said:

HAL charges $2.95 for a gallon of distilled - No longer free (Like many things on the ship...or life for that matter) Pre order in the Beverage section - Typically at the very, very bottom past all the (over-priced) wine...

I have been bringing my CPAP on HAL cruises for years, and have always had to pay for my distilled water. Never has it been gratis. 

[HELENPSL]

Here's the story on the oxygen situation.  I never mentioned to my PCC that we travel with CPAP machines and a portable oxygen machine.  We've been doing it for years and no one said anything.  Little did I know that if you travel with this equipment you're supposed to fill out a form that HAL keeps on file with guest relations.  Right now for every person that has filed the form and has a cruise booked prior to 12/31/2021, guest relations is reaching out to them by phone to see what they can work out.  Maybe a change to a cruise in 2022?  Maybe a credit of some kind?  No idea since I haven't spoken with them yet.  My PCC has now contacted guest relations for me to start the process.  Hopefully someone will contact me within a week and we'll see what they can do.  I'm already looking at cruises for 2022!

Helen

[MogeyMan]

3 hours ago, HELENPSL said:

Here's the story on the oxygen situation.  I never mentioned to my PCC that we travel with CPAP machines and a portable oxygen machine.  We've been doing it for years and no one said anything.  Little did I know that if you travel with this equipment you're supposed to fill out a form that HAL keeps on file with guest relations.  Right now for every person that has filed the form and has a cruise booked prior to 12/31/2021, guest relations is reaching out to them by phone to see what they can work out.  Maybe a change to a cruise in 2022?  Maybe a credit of some kind?  No idea since I haven't spoken with them yet.  My PCC has now contacted guest relations for me to start the process.  Hopefully someone will contact me within a week and we'll see what they can do.  I'm already looking at cruises for 2022!

Helen

Interesting. We've traveled with a portable forever, and have never filled out any form. We're lucky enough we can leave ours at home for a week, but so glad we found this thread. 

[Ferry_Watcher]

Cruise ship (at least in the US), are not having any difficulty filling their staterooms.  Their 'forward thinking higher-ups' have decided to err on the side of caution and institute certain health protocols to keep their passengers and crew members as safe as possible.  While it is unfortunate for the OP,  I am guessing it was done by the cruise line out of an abundance of caution.  Once this global health emergency subsides so will these public health measures fade away.

[KirkNC]

22 hours ago, Storylady said:

I was on the World Cruise 2020, there were approximately 200 people who wanted the ship to take them home. They had all signed a petition. Not all of them had medical conditions. HAL permitted approximately 12 people with medical issues to sail home on the Pacific Princess which by the way had about 100 passengers sailing home along with our 12. For those who were alone and needed help navigating the airport, they had a staff escort that was doing the same flight. The rest had to fly. All of those that flew made it home safely. I wouldn’t call that a debacle. It was probably stressful for those who had a fear of flying or blood clot issues. Friends of ours helped another couple who hadn’t flown in years navigate through all the airports. Certainly wasn’t the way everyone wanted to end the cruise, but as it turns out, it was a good thing we all flew home.

 

One couple did stay in Australia hoping to ride it out. They spent more than 3 months there before they were allowed to fly home.

 

I do agree that some of the passengers with medical problems onboard the ship would have been in serious trouble if we had Covid onboard. So probably a good reason for HAL to be cautious.

I was absolutely shocked at the number of people who would travel on a world cruise and be unable to fly.  There are many reasons that a flight maybe be necessary.  I thought HAL handled the chaos well.

[kazu]

21 hours ago, HELENPSL said:

I haven't posted this yet to the roll call yet.  Just confirmed it today but wanted to notify the two girls putting together the private tours before I posted it.  I have a feeling we will definitely meet on a future cruise with Jacqui and Jose.

Helen

 

Do I dare hope you are joining us next year?

 

Dos Amigos Malos otra vez??  LOL 😂 

I’ll save you a space on my tours if there is any chance and mark it “pending” 😉 

 

I have my fingers crossed and Jose will cross his toes too, I’m sure 🤞