Covid Outbreak on Regatta - 50 Cabins Quarantined After Cruise

[kibutzer]

9 hours ago, slgslc said:

Last week my husband and I made final payment for the July 22 ten day Alaska cruise on the Regatta.This trip is a reunion of sorts with family members we haven't seen since pre-pandemic. We have been looking forward to this trip very much and will be traveling with 10 relatives of all ages in 5 cabins.

I joined cruise critic to learn more about our boat and itinerary and instead have been very concerned to find out about the high number of covid cases recently on the Regatta. Also troubling is accounts from travelers about the lack of communication about the covid status between Oceania and passengers on the affected boat. The CDC website gives the Regatta an Orange category meaning the boat is being tracked by the CDC because of the high number of onboard covid cases. 

I would be very interested to know how the current cruise is going on the Regatta and if the covid case situation on the 18 day trip from FP to LA was a one off situation or is a continuing one.

I naively assumed when booking the cruise that the covid issues were largely resolved because of the vaccination requirements. Now I am feeling foolish for not looking into this before final payment. I am losing sleep over the worry about family members being exposed to covid and also the prospect of being isolated or quarantined for most of an expensive trip.

Any advice, information, or reassurance would be very appreciated.

 

There were folks that tested positive. No one has actual data, most of it is derivative based on knowing some folks, some form of observation, and word of mouth.  I trust O is doing the best they can. Unless govt require testing O has little power to make people do anything.  If passengers do their part then we all would be better off. Good luck we too are traveling in August.

Edited May 3, 2022 by kibutzer

[Vertygo]

53 minutes ago, Traveller321Go said:

Stay safe. 
 

 

 

I realize corporate doesn't want bad publicity, but Oceania should expand their ethos of treating passengers as adults to relaying appropriate health info. If I'm kept abreast of the ship's COVID status I could have a chance to adjust in response. If I'm not masking or distancing under the mistaken idea that COVID is unlikely since we're all vaxxed & learn some cases are popping up, I would have the chance to mask & distance to improve my odds of staying well.

Of course, not everyone would change their ways, like all those coughing in the bagge hall, but it might decrease spread.

[LHT28]

23 minutes ago, Vertygo said:

 

I realize corporate doesn't want bad publicity, but Oceania should expand their ethos of treating passengers as adults to relaying appropriate health info. If I'm kept abreast of the ship's COVID status I could have a chance to adjust in response.

 

You would think as adults  if you are coughing/sneezing etc  you would  at least stay in your cabin or get tested 

in this day of covid  we all know even those vaccinated & boosted  are still susceptible  so just mask up & social distance  when in a situation where you are with people you do not know or even those you do know  🙄

Sometime you just have to take responsibility for your own actions   you do not need Big Brother to tell you there is  a problem

[drkitkat123]

I can't believe this only a problem at Oceania (but I am not following any other boards).

I can't believe that any CDC status means anything especially in more than a couple of weeks time when totally new passengers get on...

[Vertygo]

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

You would think as adults  if you are coughing/sneezing etc  you would  at least stay in your cabin or get tested 

in this day of covid  we all know even those vaccinated & boosted  are still susceptible  so just mask up & social distance  when in a situation where you are with people you do not know or even those you do know  🙄

Sometime you just have to take responsibility for your own actions   you do not need Big Brother to tell you there is  a problem

 

You'd think people would be responsible, but obviously not everyone is. Personally, I carry test kits when traveling & would test if I started to feel ill.

I would just like to see more transparency on O's part regarding cases.

[Doubt It]

My friends board Regatta tomorrow.

Is there a chance they will have to mask given the state of the vessel and the general increase in the virus?

[kibutzer]

45 minutes ago, Doubt It said:

My friends board Regatta tomorrow.

Is there a chance they will have to mask given the state of the vessel and the general increase in the virus?

No clue. Their choice as to the perceived risk to themselves and others. I for one would rather mask to save self and others from potential illness.

[KS&JW]

I recently took a B2B on Marina.  First cruise was the tail end of an extended journey TA and the second cruise was your standard Med cruise.  Very few, 33 people, stayed over for the second cruise.   The difference between the cruises in regards to mask wearing was night and day.  There were signs everywhere that masks were required and staff always had theirs on.  However, on the first cruise we were often the only people wearing our masks (KN95) in the theater waiting for excursions to be called.  There might  have been two other couples with masks on the bus.  The second cruise was very different with almost everyone was wearing masks in all close settings, ie bus, theater , tender, etc. There were also a much higher percentage of European guests on board than we typical experience which may have contributed to the difference.   I only have anecdotal evidence, but I saw the Tyvex suited crew escorting passengers out of their cabins on the first cruise, but did not see that on the second.    The Ship was only half full so it was easy to dine without sharing a table in all venues and we choose to do that even though we typically enjoy sharing tables.   I had a wonderful time and would do it again in a heartbeat.  

Edited May 3, 2022 by KS&JW

[MarkWiltonM]

I've been on three cruises in the last 10 months (Crystal R.I.P., Celebrity, Holland-America). Everyone was vaccinated and no one wore masks (except crew). The ships weren't full so it was possible to socially distance. We also don't take elevators, but if I did I would wear a mask in those confined spaces. Fortunately, we're healthy enough to use the steps (and I need to do that on cruises given how much I eat). I didn't hear of any cases of Covid on these ships or notice anyone coughing but I'm sure there must have been at least some cases. It's interesting that on this Oceania ship with the huge breakout the poster reports that so many people exhibited symptoms, because a lot of people who are subject to routine testing, such as government officials like Nancy Pelosi, have tested positive without any symptoms. If there were 50 or more people on this small Oceania ship who were actually ill (not just positive), that's quite remarkable. I hope it remains an isolated event. I do have a friend who is triple vaccinated and 40 years old and just had a symptomatic case of Covid. She is a high school teacher and thinks she was exposed at her school. She was ill for almost two weeks.

 

When were were on HAL Rotterdam last month, there was half a deck that was reserved for quarantining but guests were not allowed to even go into this area, which was closed off, and it wasn't clear whether any of the staterooms there were actually in use. We certainly didn't hear of anyone being quarantined.

 

By the way, I still wear masks in stores but I'm almost the only one I see still doing that. I'm not sure why I felt comfortable on the last three cruises not wearing a mask. I suppose because the ships weren't crowded and we diligently practiced social distancing and I knew there were no anti-vaxxers to worry about.

 

We have 3 Oceania cruises scheduled on Sirena, Riviera, and Vista and are very much looking forward to them!  

[nursinadream]

2 hours ago, Doubt It said:

My friends board Regatta tomorrow.

Is there a chance they will have to mask given the state of the vessel and the general increase in the virus?

Do you think the vessel Regatta itself is a concern for transmission?  I've just read some new posts about the chance of this - it is unlikely as the virus only lives a few days on inanimate surfaces.

[LNielsen]

We’re on Regatta now.  A dear friend is on from the previous cruise and reports no Covid  cases for passengers on last cruise. Apparently a few crew did test positive yesterday.   We’re wholly unconcerned.  We need to live or lives at our own comfort  level.  

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, LNielsen said:

We’re on Regatta now.  A dear friend is on from the previous cruise and reports no Covid  cases for passengers on last cruise. Apparently a few crew did test positive yesterday.  

Interesting

since others reported people were taken to a quarantine hotel

[LNielsen]

16 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Interesting

since others reported people were taken to a quarantine hotel

Huh. I’ll go find my girlfriend and ask her about it and get back to you.  

[LHT28]

11 minutes ago, LNielsen said:

Huh. I’ll go find my girlfriend and ask her about it and get back to you.  

What sailing was your Dear friend on that she saw no covid cases ? 🤔

This thread was about  the outbreak on Regatta   so is your friend saying the OP is lying ??

No one was sick & no one was taken to a quarantine hotel in LA?

I am sure people want to know

 

[CruiseLibra]

There is a post on the Regatta May 3rd LA to LA cruise that Toscana has been temporarily closed due to a Covid outbreak on the Toscana staff.  There have been numerous posts regarding Covid quarantine on the earlier FP to LA cruise. We are leaving on the May 13th LA to Vancouver trip so we are watching this closely.

 

[mrstanley]

The biggest issue is no one wants to be quarantined for days onboard or sent to a quarantine hotel. 

[WESTEAST]

1 hour ago, CruiseLibra said:

There is a post on the Regatta May 3rd LA to LA cruise that Toscana has been temporarily closed due to a Covid outbreak on the Toscana staff.  There have been numerous posts regarding Covid quarantine on the earlier FP to LA cruise. We are leaving on the May 13th LA to Vancouver trip so we are watching this closely.

 

Been following the Regatta May 3rd LA-LA roll call and have read the same thing; apparently they made a ship announcement that a small group Toscana staff tested positive. Presume not enough of trained Toscana staff onboard as they do rotate chefs + staff among restaurants. Good that they made an announcement as seems this is not the normal process.  No doubt, they had no choice with closure of one of two specialities. Wonder if they are offering anything to guests as certainly Polo cannot handle increased seatings?

[WESTEAST]

19 minutes ago, mrstanley said:

The biggest issue is no one wants to be quarantined for days onboard or sent to a quarantine hotel. 

Do we know if you can quarantine in your own cabin of, do they move you to quarantined designated cabins? Seems that protocols do/have changed. Of course you are transferred to a quarantine hotel if your cruise completes prior to your quarantine period (timing on quarantine also seems to be changing).

[Robjame]

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

so is your friend saying the OP is lying ??

A little harsh Lyn.
He is just reporting what his friend said. A lot of distance between that and lying IMO.

[Vertygo]

9 minutes ago, Robjame said:

A little harsh Lyn.
He is just reporting what his friend said. A lot of distance between that and lying IMO.

I believe the reference is to the LA to LA cruise following the superspreader Papeete/LA cruise. I saw a couple posts about some crew but no passengers out. Of course, the latest LA cruise has Toscana closed-wonder if passengers will start quarantining in a few days.

[sunlover12]

1 minute ago, Vertygo said:

I believe the reference is to the LA to LA cruise following the superspreader Papeete/LA cruise. I saw a couple posts about some crew but no passengers out. Of course, the latest LA cruise has Toscana closed-wonder if passengers will start quarantining in a few days.

+1

I've been following along on this and it sounds like the issue with Covid was on Papeete-LA.  The California Coastal that just completed sounds like it wasn't an issue with passengers other than Toscana being closed. That cruise has disembarked and the Regatta started a new cruise from LA yesterday.  It's encouraging to see that conditions seem to be improving. 

[LHT28]

32 minutes ago, Vertygo said:

I believe the reference is to the LA to LA cruise following the superspreader Papeete/LA cruise. I saw a couple posts about some crew but no passengers out. Of course, the latest LA cruise has Toscana closed-wonder if passengers will start quarantining in a few days.

I cannot believe  just crew were sick  maybe some PAX  that "just had a cold "   were onboard as well 🤔

[pinotlover]

On the R ships, the PG and Toscana share a kitchen and work area. Impossible one side caught it and the other didn’t. My guess is they consolidated staff enough to keep one operating and closed the other.

[LNielsen]

6 hours ago, LHT28 said:

What sailing was your Dear friend on that she saw no covid cases ? 🤔

This thread was about  the outbreak on Regatta   so is your friend saying the OP is lying ??

No one was sick & no one was taken to a quarantine hotel in LA?

I am sure people want to know

 

She was on this past cruise that disembarked yesterday, she is on the current cruise with us as a back to back.   So, no, she’s not indicating anyone was lying about the cruise that disembarked prior to hers.  

Edited May 5, 2022 by LNielsen

[WESTEAST]

13 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

On the R ships, the PG and Toscana share a kitchen and work area. Impossible one side caught it and the other didn’t. My guess is they consolidated staff enough to keep one operating and closed the other.

This is a valid point and you're probably right!