On Queen Mary now? Covid cases?

[TheDaintys]

My husband and myself were on the Mar20 35 nighter to the Caribbean and back. All ship tested on day 3, negative, all ship again rested on day 6 and I was positive. Told to pack everything and we were moved to quarantine cabin .My husband did not have to quarantine but we wanted to stay together. Essentials only in cabin, no cushion 1 pillow each, inner curtain removed. Told we would be offloaded following day in New York, at midnight I was asked to sign 2 forms but refused to sign one about paying for all medical treatment of which we had received none and required none, without talking to insurance company whom we had been unable to reach as not an emergency and minimal staff on weekend.Not good to be woken at midnight and asked to sign forms when also feeling under the weather.

Had no choice about been taken off the ship so we had to spend the next 11 days in a hotel that only had a Spanish restaurant, unfortunately no to our taste. There were 63 of us  on the coach who had been put in this hotel and the restaurant was overwhelmed which resulted in no breakfast on the first morning. Managed to get breakfast the following day and no comment as to how inedible the bacon and toast were. Cunard told us an allowance we could use to eat out or have delivered food, we had to pay but told would be refunded so to keep receipts and we will be refunded hopefully. We have not had to pay for the hotel, transfers or flights, all dealt with by Cunard and also transfer to Southampton from Heathrow to collect our cars.

We chose to have onboard credit and pay our own parking but on leaving the ship we still had nearly $700 on board credit which of course is not refundable, and only got 1third of our parking back even though we were back after 17 days.

On the subject  of fcc for days unable to cruise it is only for days on the ship and as we were offloaded the following day we’ll maybe get 1 day if we’re lucky, the rest of the holiday we have to claim on our insurance.

We also had 2 trips booked and paid for which we were unable to do but as yet still waiting for refund.

We are booked on the September 4 Victoria to the Adriatic and at the moment are still expecting to go. 
We feel that Cunard have done the best they can as we have only had to pay for our food in New York where I think some of the cruise companies are putting guests in hotels and leaving them to pay the bills.
This was a special cruise for our 50 wedding Anniversary which was on April 18, we finally received our cards today 10 days late as our luggage has just been delivered today. We were told that we could definitely return to the ship, hence the only reason we left the luggage on there.

This is our tale of woe but luckily we are now both well, husband tested positive for COVID 2nd day in New York and had a bad chest infection when we arrived home, but both well now and just getting on with life.

We were both vaccinated and had booster , only mixed in the theatre but with empty seats either side of us, window seats in Restaurant  so only had people on one side of us, sanitised constantly and we still got it, just unlucky.

I do think it was so bad because it was so virulent here before we left and as numbers are going down here hopefully there won’t be as many getting on board with it, even with negative tests , so l hope it slows in a month or two.

 

 

 

 

 

[safarigal]

55 minutes ago, TheDaintys said:

My husband and myself were on the Mar20 35 nighter to the Caribbean and back. All ship tested on day 3, negative, all ship again rested on day 6 and I was positive. Told to pack everything and we were moved to quarantine cabin .My husband did not have to quarantine but we wanted to stay together. Essentials only in cabin, no cushion 1 pillow each, inner curtain removed. Told we would be offloaded following day in New York, at midnight I was asked to sign 2 forms but refused to sign one about paying for all medical treatment of which we had received none and required none, without talking to insurance company whom we had been unable to reach as not an emergency and minimal staff on weekend.Not good to be woken at midnight and asked to sign forms when also feeling under the weather.

Had no choice about been taken off the ship so we had to spend the next 11 days in a hotel that only had a Spanish restaurant, unfortunately no to our taste. There were 63 of us  on the coach who had been put in this hotel and the restaurant was overwhelmed which resulted in no breakfast on the first morning. Managed to get breakfast the following day and no comment as to how inedible the bacon and toast were. Cunard told us an allowance we could use to eat out or have delivered food, we had to pay but told would be refunded so to keep receipts and we will be refunded hopefully. We have not had to pay for the hotel, transfers or flights, all dealt with by Cunard and also transfer to Southampton from Heathrow to collect our cars.

We chose to have onboard credit and pay our own parking but on leaving the ship we still had nearly $700 on board credit which of course is not refundable, and only got 1third of our parking back even though we were back after 17 days.

On the subject  of fcc for days unable to cruise it is only for days on the ship and as we were offloaded the following day we’ll maybe get 1 day if we’re lucky, the rest of the holiday we have to claim on our insurance.

We also had 2 trips booked and paid for which we were unable to do but as yet still waiting for refund.

We are booked on the September 4 Victoria to the Adriatic and at the moment are still expecting to go. 
We feel that Cunard have done the best they can as we have only had to pay for our food in New York where I think some of the cruise companies are putting guests in hotels and leaving them to pay the bills.
This was a special cruise for our 50 wedding Anniversary which was on April 18, we finally received our cards today 10 days late as our luggage has just been delivered today. We were told that we could definitely return to the ship, hence the only reason we left the luggage on there.

This is our tale of woe but luckily we are now both well, husband tested positive for COVID 2nd day in New York and had a bad chest infection when we arrived home, but both well now and just getting on with life.

We were both vaccinated and had booster , only mixed in the theatre but with empty seats either side of us, window seats in Restaurant  so only had people on one side of us, sanitised constantly and we still got it, just unlucky.

I do think it was so bad because it was so virulent here before we left and as numbers are going down here hopefully there won’t be as many getting on board with it, even with negative tests , so l hope it slows in a month or two.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the update. Not a good way to spend your anniversary, I'm so sorry. We are boarding Mary on Sunday, and then transferring to another cruise in Scotland. I just hope we don't catch anything and miss our second cruise 🙂

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for your first hand account, I'm so sorry to hear that your anniversary cruise didn't go to plan but it's good to hear that you are both well now.

I hope you have a much better cruise in September.

[ace2542]

14 hours ago, TheDaintys said:

My husband and myself were on the Mar20 35 nighter to the Caribbean and back. All ship tested on day 3, negative, all ship again rested on day 6 and I was positive. Told to pack everything and we were moved to quarantine cabin .My husband did not have to quarantine but we wanted to stay together. Essentials only in cabin, no cushion 1 pillow each, inner curtain removed. Told we would be offloaded following day in New York, at midnight I was asked to sign 2 forms but refused to sign one about paying for all medical treatment of which we had received none and required none, without talking to insurance company whom we had been unable to reach as not an emergency and minimal staff on weekend.Not good to be woken at midnight and asked to sign forms when also feeling under the weather.

Had no choice about been taken off the ship so we had to spend the next 11 days in a hotel that only had a Spanish restaurant, unfortunately no to our taste. There were 63 of us  on the coach who had been put in this hotel and the restaurant was overwhelmed which resulted in no breakfast on the first morning. Managed to get breakfast the following day and no comment as to how inedible the bacon and toast were. Cunard told us an allowance we could use to eat out or have delivered food, we had to pay but told would be refunded so to keep receipts and we will be refunded hopefully. We have not had to pay for the hotel, transfers or flights, all dealt with by Cunard and also transfer to Southampton from Heathrow to collect our cars.

We chose to have onboard credit and pay our own parking but on leaving the ship we still had nearly $700 on board credit which of course is not refundable, and only got 1third of our parking back even though we were back after 17 days.

On the subject  of fcc for days unable to cruise it is only for days on the ship and as we were offloaded the following day we’ll maybe get 1 day if we’re lucky, the rest of the holiday we have to claim on our insurance.

We also had 2 trips booked and paid for which we were unable to do but as yet still waiting for refund.

We are booked on the September 4 Victoria to the Adriatic and at the moment are still expecting to go. 
We feel that Cunard have done the best they can as we have only had to pay for our food in New York where I think some of the cruise companies are putting guests in hotels and leaving them to pay the bills.
This was a special cruise for our 50 wedding Anniversary which was on April 18, we finally received our cards today 10 days late as our luggage has just been delivered today. We were told that we could definitely return to the ship, hence the only reason we left the luggage on there.

This is our tale of woe but luckily we are now both well, husband tested positive for COVID 2nd day in New York and had a bad chest infection when we arrived home, but both well now and just getting on with life.

We were both vaccinated and had booster , only mixed in the theatre but with empty seats either side of us, window seats in Restaurant  so only had people on one side of us, sanitised constantly and we still got it, just unlucky.

I do think it was so bad because it was so virulent here before we left and as numbers are going down here hopefully there won’t be as many getting on board with it, even with negative tests , so l hope it slows in a month or two.

 

 

 

 

 

Did Cunard have an issue with you refusing to sign the form?

[ak1004]

So what's the current mask policy? Cunard website says "While we highly recommend that guests wear masks on board, they are only required in the theater, cinema, or if you visit the medical center."

 

Is this still the case?

[TheDaintys]

7 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Did Cunard have an issue with you refusing to sign the form?

No probably because I hadn’t received any medical assistance 

[Host Hattie]

On 4/29/2022 at 6:50 PM, ak1004 said:

So what's the current mask policy? Cunard website says "While we highly recommend that guests wear masks on board, they are only required in the theater, cinema, or if you visit the medical center."

 

Is this still the case?

There have been discussions about masks in other threads, if case numbers are high mask wearing will be required and Cunard will contact you before sailing.

When are you sailing ?

[ak1004]

45 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

There have been discussions about masks in other threads, if case numbers are high mask wearing will be required and Cunard will contact you before sailing.

When are you sailing ?

May 15 on QM2.

[Host Hattie]

We have some regular posters sailing today and on the 8th so hopefully we'll get feedback before then.

[safarigal]

2 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

We have some regular posters sailing today and on the 8th so hopefully we'll get feedback before then.

We have just boarded :). The Daily Programme says :

Wear a face mask when moving around indoors, and when seated in Illuminations, the Royal Court Theatre, Casino, and when using the gym. Social distancing would be practiced throughout your holiday.

A maximum of 4 people in the lift at once.

Now to see if I can master My Voyage on my phone.........................

[Host Hattie]

Thank you @safarigal, have a great time.

[ak1004]

46 minutes ago, safarigal said:

We have just boarded :). The Daily Programme says :

Wear a face mask when moving around indoors, and when seated in Illuminations, the Royal Court Theatre, Casino, and when using the gym. Social distancing would be practiced throughout your holiday.

A maximum of 4 people in the lift at once.

Now to see if I can master My Voyage on my phone.........................

 

Wow! This is not what their website says at all.. a major reversal of policy without any notice. I wouldn't book this cruise if I knew masks will be required.

 

While the whole world is removing the masks requirements, Cunard is moving in an opposite direction..

 

Thanks @safarigalenjoy the cruise.

[Lakesregion]

28 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Wow! This is not what their website says at all.. a major reversal of policy without any notice. I wouldn't book this cruise if I knew masks will be required.

 

While the whole world is removing the masks requirements, Cunard is moving in an opposite direction..

 

Thanks @safarigalenjoy the cruise.

While still looking for a miracle. it has beeb pretty much decided that the 2023 QM2 world cruise will be a no go for my self and my brother. Sad as we would be celebrating  80th and 84th birthdays and the 100th anniversary of world cruising with Cunard but no way do we do 117 days with the current protocols. Now looking at a repro cruise in mid-March, 6 weeks by rail around Scotland and catch the QM2 back to NYC the last week in April. We can deal with a week or so of crazy but not 117 days.

[hypercafe]

I was looking at the July 4 trip to Boston but after reading this report I believe I will just skip the whole thing, sounds like a terrible experience.

[SybilUnrest]

So relieved to see that masks are still required in many indoor settings, and we can isolate ourselves further inside our stateroom if we see that people are unable to follow basic protocols. We are doing a substantive hike (the West Highland Way) after our crossing and minimizing our chances of getting sick is extremely important; having had Covid, I know that it’s not the same thing as a head cold or standard cruise crud, despite so much wishful thinking that it’s a disease one will simply bounce back from, and I had started to wonder whether we’d be better off cancelling and flying. This gives me some hope that reason is prevailing.

[Germancruiser]

I have no problem wearing a mask- in fact I still do so, when it get´s a bit crowded to keep safe.

What should change is how Covid is handled on board ships. If you feel ill- or get tested positive- one should be allowed to stay in ones OWN - choosen- payed for- cabin and practice self isolation.

If you are on a longer voyage- as the OP - stay there until things turned out good again- and get on with your voyage. Disembarking- beeing moved to a different - sometimes to a downgraded cabin THAT should stopp- and quickly.

Testing on board- well I see the need. Anyway I can´t wait when things get back to normal and one can board a ship without fears or worries.

I got tested two times on board the TA in March on board the Mary- thank god every test came out negative.

I also travel with some self test kits these days.

After every testing day there have been anoncemnts for people to return to there cabins and call the pursers desk.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Germancruiser

[Host Hattie]

8 hours ago, ak1004 said:

Wow! This is not what their website says at all.. a major reversal of policy without any notice. I wouldn't book this cruise if I knew masks will be required.

I'm not sure what you have read but this statement is on the UK website

 

[exlondoner]

11 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Wow! This is not what their website says at all.. a major reversal of policy without any notice. I wouldn't book this cruise if I knew masks will be required.

 

While the whole world is removing the masks requirements, Cunard is moving in an opposite direction..

 

Thanks @safarigalenjoy the cruise.

 

On our recent QE voyage, masks were requested, not required, in most of these situations, but the majority wore them anyway. It made me feel slightly more secure, thereby enhancing, rather than reducing,  my enjoyment. The only problems arose when I got half way to the lifts and realised I had forgotten mine again and had to go back.  But really there was nothing tedious about wearing them otherwise. And certainly nothing to make me wish I wasn't aboard.

[ak1004]

6 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

I'm not sure what you have read but this statement is on the UK website

 

 

This is from the US website:

 

 

Very clear and very different from the daily program that requires masks "moving around indoors"

 

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

 

On our recent QE voyage, masks were requested, not required, in most of these situations, but the majority wore them anyway. It made me feel slightly more secure, thereby enhancing, rather than reducing,  my enjoyment. The only problems arose when I got half way to the lifts and realised I had forgotten mine again and had to go back.  But really there was nothing tedious about wearing them otherwise. And certainly nothing to make me wish I wasn't aboard.

 

Well, in Ontario they removed the mask requirements, and some people still wear them even while driving alone in their cars or walking alone in the park while nobody is around. 

 

Everyone has a different sense of "security", after 2 years of fear, it's understandable, but they still should follow what they say on their website, and everyone will decide what's best for them.

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

 

Everyone has a different sense of "security", after 2 years of fear, it's understandable, but they still should follow what they say on their website, and everyone will decide what's best for them.

 

Who is to decide what is best for others on a Cunard ship, if not Cunard?

[ak1004]

Just now, exlondoner said:

 

Who is to decide what is best for others on a Cunard ship, if not Cunard?

 

Absolutely - but they should update their policy if and when it changes, and then everyone knows what to expect. If someone books a cruise based on their policy on THEIR website that says masks only in certain places, and then comes to a cruise and finds out that masks required almost everywhere, don't you find it deceptive?

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Absolutely - but they should update their policy if and when it changes, and then everyone knows what to expect. If someone books a cruise based on their policy on THEIR website that says masks only in certain places, and then comes to a cruise and finds out that masks required almost everywhere, don't you find it deceptive?

 

I think anyone booking a cruise, even the week before sailing, might expect things have changed by the time they get on board. It seems to be the way things relating  to Covid are. In any case, I suspect for many people the change between a recommendation and a requirement is not a big one, even though the words are different, because they would act the same way in both cases. 

[ak1004]

2 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

 

I think anyone booking a cruise, even the week before sailing, might expect things have changed by the time they get on board. It seems to be the way things relating  to Covid are. In any case, I suspect for many people the change between a recommendation and a requirement is not a big one, even though the words are different, because they would act the same way in both cases. 

 

Well, for people who don't wear masks when not required, it's definitely a big one.

[newjoisey]

12 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Absolutely - but they should update their policy if and when it changes, and then everyone knows what to expect. If someone books a cruise based on their policy on THEIR website that says masks only in certain places, and then comes to a cruise and finds out that masks required almost everywhere, don't you find it deceptive?

imho i do not find it deceptive at all,they have to make decisions in real time due to a fast spreading illness . Due to the uncertainty from the virus we have opted to cancel yet a 3rd x mass cruise ,we don't think a restricted ship/port/excursion is a vacation .  

[BklynBoy8]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I think anyone booking a cruise, even the week before sailing, might expect things have changed by the time they get on board. It seems to be the way things relating  to Covid are. In any case, I suspect for many people the change between a recommendation and a requirement is not a big one, even though the words are different, because they would act the same way in both cases. 

 

We are expecting and praying that we will be sailing in 4mths 4 wks as we have in the past and excited to return.

 

We will be proceeding like on land as we have and will continue. Masking when we think it is necessary to and proper to protect us. And enjoy the open air on deck and the balcony of our cabin.

 

Living in NYC unfortunately our numbers are rising lately and to concerning. So we know the routine to abit by already. So we will watch the reports as the sailing gets closer and adjust our actions.