Another Transatlantic covid story

[RichYak]

33 minutes ago, DMCinSJC said:

My parents are on this cruise and both tested positive on Sunday; thankfully they are not exhibiting any real symptoms.

Why were they tested? Close contacts?

[DMCinSJC]

36 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Why were they tested? Close contacts?

Yes - they are cruising with another couple and one of them starting feeling poorly on Saturday - not wanting to take any chances, she tested right away.  Fortunately, she still has mild symptoms and my parents are still mostly symptom free.   

[DMCinSJC]

 

45 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 The end destination of the cruise will be where they disembark. 

 

We tested positive the night before the end of our cruise for b2b testing.    The final port we were escorted of the ship.   

 

I hope you continue to feel okay and manage to enjoy some time in England, post positive test.

 

Their cruise ends tomorrow in Barcelona; they have been told they will not be disembarking until they clear Covid protocols.  So, even though they didn't book a B2B, it appears they will be taking a very boring, partial B2B.  Obviously, I have about a million questions for them, but spotty wi-fi and my parents lack of tech-ability, are conspiring to keep them unanswered.  

[Provence55always]

Surely they can disembark in Barcelona and continue COVID protocols in a hotel……even at there own expense and claim later from Celebrity or there Travel Insurance.

 

Wishing them a speedy recovery.

[nicaphile]

On 4/29/2022 at 6:48 PM, Lost in Italy said:

Why would SOME passengers then get to stay in their own cabins? I get the isolation, but inside rooms 24/7 are a bit much, don’t you think? 

I am also in quarantine time on the ship with my husband. I am not aware of anyone given a choice to stay in their room. I tested negative and was given a choice to stay in our room but elected to stay with hubby.  Lucki.y for us, it is only 2 notes. We a.ready had reservations in Barcelona so can finish quarantine there

[nicaphile]

6 hours ago, Provence55always said:

Surely they can disembark in Barcelona and continue COVID protocols in a hotel……even at there own expense and claim later from Celebrity or there Travel Insurance.

 

Wishing them a speedy recovery.

We were given the option to get off the ship in Barcelona. Were told Spain has no mandated quarantine so we can go ahead with our Barcelona hotel reservation.  I am quarantining with my husband who tested positive and is symptomatic. I tested negative but have not been tested since. My Vitals are normal but I have a headache. Our concern is testing requirements for our next cruise out of Copenhagen on May 15. Still. Waiting to hear when we will be "escorted" off the ship.

[Provence55always]

So glad you can leave ship and isolate in hotel………you should be clear for your next cruise in 13 days. This is everyone’s nightmare who is cruising at the moment…..testing positive before your cruise is finished. Your headache could be due to all the stress you are experiencing at this time. Wishing you both a speedy recovery and good luck with your onward travels.

[bananavan]

5 hours ago, mahdnc said:

 

Where are the ship photographers when you need them?

That made me laugh out loud. 
My husband is in Quarantine on Edge. 
I had pre ordered the photo book .
We had taken a dozen good photos. 
Initially I canceled the purchase when he was "sent away" 
I was depressed about the turn of events. 
BUT yesterday my almost forgotten level of insanity reared up again. 
I thought: To hell with that The photo book has lovely photos in it anyway. And the reality of our cruise is that it was spent apart.
 I threw three outfits on the bed and accessorized them 
I then went to all the photographers and we had fun. I have campy photos,, serious photos, totally ugly photos, and one with the big black mask over my face. (but it matched the outfit.) 
This photo book will be a great memory of an aborted 70th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary trip.
I do have a video of the Hazmat guy walking behind my husband, spraying disinfectant behind him as he forced him up to the Executioners Chambers. 
If you dont laugh, the tears fall and your makeup is a mess. Trust me, I know. 
Hugs.

 

[mahdnc]

3 hours ago, bananavan said:

That made me laugh out loud. 
My husband is in Quarantine on Edge. 
I had pre ordered the photo book .
We had taken a dozen good photos. 
Initially I canceled the purchase when he was "sent away" 
I was depressed about the turn of events. 
BUT yesterday my almost forgotten level of insanity reared up again. 
I thought: To hell with that The photo book has lovely photos in it anyway. And the reality of our cruise is that it was spent apart.
 I threw three outfits on the bed and accessorized them 
I then went to all the photographers and we had fun. I have campy photos,, serious photos, totally ugly photos, and one with the big black mask over my face. (but it matched the outfit.) 
This photo book will be a great memory of an aborted 70th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary trip.
I do have a video of the Hazmat guy walking behind my husband, spraying disinfectant behind him as he forced him up to the Executioners Chambers. 
If you dont laugh, the tears fall and your makeup is a mess. Trust me, I know. 
Hugs.

 

 

You caught a bad break and I feel bad for you guys. I do admire your spirit and the way you have coped with your vacation adversity. 

 

Hugs back....

[RichYak]

3 hours ago, bananavan said:

the Executioners Chambers

🤣

[AussieGirlKaz]

On 5/2/2022 at 7:34 PM, DMCinSJC said:

 

 

I hope you continue to feel okay and manage to enjoy some time in England, post positive test.

 

Their cruise ends tomorrow in Barcelona; they have been told they will not be disembarking until they clear Covid protocols.  So, even though they didn't book a B2B, it appears they will be taking a very boring, partial B2B.  Obviously, I have about a million questions for them, but spotty wi-fi and my parents lack of tech-ability, are conspiring to keep them unanswered.  

Sorry to hear that, I hope they got off OK.

I was told I had the option to stay onboard or leave..I chose to leave after 8 days in isolation and taking my own (pre bought) test as negative as the ship was not going to test again just make me stay the full 10 days in isolation and then dump me somewhere.  Even then I had to ring front desk and remind them I was leaving as I had to be separately disembarked, literally the last one off the ship.

 

We're your parents given any details about refunds or any post cruise contacts. I was told shore side services would be in touch and crickets.. like not a word and my travel agent followed up and they were just told to wait for a response. 

[renji]

On 4/29/2022 at 12:44 PM, edgee said:

Celebrity policy of isolating folks in a cabin without a balcony is very unfortunate and inconsiderate of the mental health issue and really not very humane. As I understand it, the CDC recommends that  isolated passengers be given access to an open window when possible. Excuse they have put out that it is necessary to house you close to the medical office is BS. We have one 7 day Celebrity cruise scheduled for October to Mexico. We may take a chance and go ahead with it. However,  longer "bucket list" cruise to Australia/NZ planned for 2023 is now out of the question due to this "no balcony" isolation policy. 

Agreed, and it should be disclosed by Celebrity when booking suites. I had no idea and specifically booked a Sky Suite to deal with possible quarantine. Cruisecritic postings are the only place where this information is getting out. And now Celebrity are charging penalties to cancel and change fees to delay.

[Megabear2]

2 hours ago, renji said:

And now Celebrity are charging penalties to cancel and change fees to delay.

They are? When did this become policy please?

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/2/2022 at 4:34 PM, DMCinSJC said:

 

 

I hope you continue to feel okay and manage to enjoy some time in England, post positive test.

 

Their cruise ends tomorrow in Barcelona; they have been told they will not be disembarking until they clear Covid protocols.  So, even though they didn't book a B2B, it appears they will be taking a very boring, partial B2B.  Obviously, I have about a million questions for them, but spotty wi-fi and my parents lack of tech-ability, are conspiring to keep them unanswered.  

 

Interesting to hear about staying aboard.  Really curious if you have any idea and how much time they give you before they dump you off the ship.   It would at least be helpful to have a day or two to arrange either a hotel or onward journey home. 

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/2/2022 at 9:15 PM, bananavan said:

That made me laugh out loud. 
My husband is in Quarantine on Edge. 
I had pre ordered the photo book .
We had taken a dozen good photos. 
Initially I canceled the purchase when he was "sent away" 
I was depressed about the turn of events. 
BUT yesterday my almost forgotten level of insanity reared up again. 
I thought: To hell with that The photo book has lovely photos in it anyway. And the reality of our cruise is that it was spent apart.
 I threw three outfits on the bed and accessorized them 
I then went to all the photographers and we had fun. I have campy photos,, serious photos, totally ugly photos, and one with the big black mask over my face. (but it matched the outfit.) 
This photo book will be a great memory of an aborted 70th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary trip.
I do have a video of the Hazmat guy walking behind my husband, spraying disinfectant behind him as he forced him up to the Executioners Chambers. 
If you dont laugh, the tears fall and your makeup is a mess. Trust me, I know. 
Hugs.

 

 

Good for you.   I know it will be hard to believe but that Cocktail Table book may just be one of the most talked about items in you house or decades to come as you re-tell you tale.

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Interesting to hear about staying aboard.  Really curious if you have any idea and how much time they give you before they dump you off the ship.   It would at least be helpful to have a day or two to arrange either a hotel or onward journey home. 

I believe Bananavan is now on her second covid cruise and assuredly still positive on approach to Rome. If they stay onboard that will be leg 3.  I thought I saw mention of 21 days maximum but could be talking total rubbish!

[Mark_K]

4 hours ago, renji said:

Agreed, and it should be disclosed by Celebrity when booking suites. I had no idea and specifically booked a Sky Suite to deal with possible quarantine. Cruisecritic postings are the only place where this information is getting out. And now Celebrity are charging penalties to cancel and change fees to delay.

I know a lot of people don’t bother to read it, but it is stated in the Conduct Policy:

 

Quarantine

We may, in our sole discretion, require a guest or others in the guest’s traveling party to be confined to their stateroom or placed in quarantine to avoid a communicable disease or other contagious condition from spreading to other persons onboard or beyond. Guests may be required to move to a new stateroom that has been set up specifically for isolation/quarantine.

All guests must comply with all instructions given during the period of isolation/quarantine and cooperate fully with crew throughout the disembarkation procedure at the end of the cruise.  

[DMCinSJC]

On 5/12/2022 at 12:25 AM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Interesting to hear about staying aboard.  Really curious if you have any idea and how much time they give you before they dump you off the ship.   It would at least be helpful to have a day or two to arrange either a hotel or onward journey home. 

 

My parents arrived home safe and sound today - after 10 days in quarantine on the ship.  They said they were given the option of staying on board or getting off in Barcelona.  They opted to stay on board and let Celebrity take care of them, otherwise they would have been completely on their own (while they are fully capable, they didn't really feel up to dealing with all that was required to self-quarantine in Spain).   

 

They said they were very well taken care of by the Celebrity crew - room service, internet, phone privileges, testing, prescription refills, etc.  Celebrity assisted in arranging their flights home and transportation to the airport in Dubrovnik.  

 

Other than being rather bored, they have no complaints about the experience.  

[nikel]

1 hour ago, DMCinSJC said:

 

My parents arrived home safe and sound today - after 10 days in quarantine on the ship.  They said they were given the option of staying on board or getting off in Barcelona.  They opted to stay on board and let Celebrity take care of them, otherwise they would have been completely on their own (while they are fully capable, they didn't really feel up to dealing with all that was required to self-quarantine in Spain).   

 

They said they were very well taken care of by the Celebrity crew - room service, internet, phone privileges, testing, prescription refills, etc.  Celebrity assisted in arranging their flights home and transportation to the airport in Dubrovnik.  

 

Other than being rather bored, they have no complaints about the experience.  

Glad to read this, everything else lately has been so negative 

[crusinthrough]

I'm glad the OP and others are doing better.  

 

I can survive being isolated for two or three days in a room with no fresh air or interaction with others but anything more seems awful.  It's like being in solitary confinement.  Unfortunately, this is why people will choose not to self report.  I understand Celebrity is a business and needs to sell as many cabins as possible for financial gain but they can do better with caring about the mental health of passengers.  

 

From what I read, on Princess quarantine is in a balcony stateroom. Is this not possible on Celebrity?  

 

 Maybe CWC will be extended until the end of 2022 to give everyone choices.   

 

 

[jelayne]

5 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

I'm glad the OP and others are doing better.  

 

I can survive being isolated for two or three days in a room with no fresh air or interaction with others but anything more seems awful.  It's like being in solitary confinement.  Unfortunately, this is why people will choose not to self report.  I understand Celebrity is a business and needs to sell as many cabins as possible for financial gain but they can do better with caring about the mental health of passengers.  

 

From what I read, on Princess quarantine is in a balcony stateroom. Is this not possible on Celebrity?  

 

 Maybe CWC will be extended until the end of 2022 to give everyone choices.   

 

 

Cruise with Confidence applied to sailings booked by 3/31/22 and sail by 9/30/22

https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-with-confidence

The Covid assistance that had been in place ended with 4 30 22 sailing and there is a policy effective 5/1

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/cel-covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy.pdf

[VitaminSea53]

23 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

I'm glad the OP and others are doing better.  

 

I can survive being isolated for two or three days in a room with no fresh air or interaction with others but anything more seems awful.  It's like being in solitary confinement.  Unfortunately, this is why people will choose not to self report.  I understand Celebrity is a business and needs to sell as many cabins as possible for financial gain but they can do better with caring about the mental health of passengers.  

 

From what I read, on Princess quarantine is in a balcony stateroom. Is this not possible on Celebrity?  

 

 Maybe CWC will be extended until the end of 2022 to give everyone choices.   

 

 

Where do you see the extension?  My cruise departs Oct 2nd and, as far as I know, CWC does not apply.  With final payment coming up in a month, I will cancel if nothing changes.

[BarbaraB2]

Before canceling check with Celebrity about CWC coverage. Our travel agent assured us that since we booked an October TA last November we will still be covered. We are still not willing to take the risks involved in getting stuck in Europe and will cancel before final payment.

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by BarbaraB2
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[wrk2cruise]

50 minutes ago, BarbaraB2 said:

Before canceling check with Celebrity about CWC coverage. Our travel agent assured us that since we booked an October TA last November we will still be covered. We are still not willing to take the risks involved in getting stuck in Europe and will cancel before final payment.

 

Your TA is wrong.  CWC policy required the sail date to be Sept 30, 2022 or earlier.  Any sailing after that doesn't apply regardless of when you booked.   Maybe time for a new TA.

 

It's pretty clearly stated in big font here:

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-with-confidence

Edited May 17, 2022 by wrk2cruise

[AussieGirlKaz]

An update. It has now been 4 weeks and celebrity has not reached out to me around the promised refund and I have been advised they will only deal with my travel agent that has been given the same run around.

 

I understand that they are a business but have now find there behaviour quite unethical even tho I did my best to make the experience a positive one.

Don't make promises you can't keep and they need to better educate their staff on protocols and how to deal with customers 

 

In my case I caught covid from an undetected case of a celebrity staff member.