Entire Group Got Sick on Celebrity

[buckeyedonna]

My husband and I just returned from our dream cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We met up with two other family member couples. The three couples flew in from three different US locations on three different airlines. The day after our cruise ended, all six of us tested positive for COVID. That was bad enough, but it got worse. In 2020, a Celebrity cruise for ten of us was canceled. We used a future cruise credit to book a Caribbean cruise in January, 2023. After getting sick last week, we decided we do not want to go on another cruise. One member of our group is 88 years old, and does not feel safe on ships any more. We told Celebrity that we do not want to cruise again. They basically told us, "tough luck," you agreed to our policies when you purchased your cruise in 2020. We have had four great cruises on Celebrity, but I have a very low opinion of them right now. 

[jelayne]

I so sorry to hear you family got ill and I hope all recover quickly.  Although I am not very surprised to hear that all in your party tested positive as I would think you spent time together both on the ship and in port so when I caught it spread to the others.  

 

I believe that you can transfer your FCC's to another person.  Is there anyone in your family or friends who you could give the FCCs to or sell it to someone?  The FCCs no longer have a expiration date so no rush for someone to use them.

 

 

[39august]

Isn't the expiration date now up to one year from the original cruise date? I have not seen anything about no expiration date at all. 

[LGW59]

27 minutes ago, buckeyedonna said:

My husband and I just returned from our dream cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We met up with two other family member couples. The three couples flew in from three different US locations on three different airlines. The day after our cruise ended, all six of us tested positive for COVID. That was bad enough, but it got worse. In 2020, a Celebrity cruise for ten of us was canceled. We used a future cruise credit to book a Caribbean cruise in January, 2023. After getting sick last week, we decided we do not want to go on another cruise. One member of our group is 88 years old, and does not feel safe on ships any more. We told Celebrity that we do not want to cruise again. They basically told us, "tough luck," you agreed to our policies when you purchased your cruise in 2020. We have had four great cruises on Celebrity, but I have a very low opinion of them right now. 

They basically told us, "tough luck," you agreed to our policies when you purchased your cruise in 2020.  You agreed to the T&C's when you used the FCC, whether you read them or not is another thing. If they don't expire, perhaps just wait to redeem until you are more comfortable cruising again.  Blaming Celebrity for their policy, which is very clear, and you can have a very low opinion of them but that won't change the situation you are currently in.     

[cruisestitch]

31 minutes ago, buckeyedonna said:

My husband and I just returned from our dream cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We met up with two other family member couples. The three couples flew in from three different US locations on three different airlines. The day after our cruise ended, all six of us tested positive for COVID. That was bad enough, but it got worse. In 2020, a Celebrity cruise for ten of us was canceled. We used a future cruise credit to book a Caribbean cruise in January, 2023. After getting sick last week, we decided we do not want to go on another cruise. One member of our group is 88 years old, and does not feel safe on ships any more. We told Celebrity that we do not want to cruise again. They basically told us, "tough luck," you agreed to our policies when you purchased your cruise in 2020. We have had four great cruises on Celebrity, but I have a very low opinion of them right now. 

What is it you expect Celebrity to do?  Give you an exemption from their agreed-on policy because you have changed your minds? That’s an unreasonable expectation.

[Gia2cats]

I’m curious (since we have a land tour followed by a cruise on July 15). Did your party have the 2nd booster? The reason I ask is because I will be 15 days post booster and my husband will be 30 days. I’m wondering if getting the booster provides any added protection.

 

[jelayne]

7 minutes ago, 39august said:

Isn't the expiration date now up to one year from the original cruise date? I have not seen anything about no expiration date at all. 

From the Celebrity website

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, buckeyedonna said:

My husband and I just returned from our dream cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We met up with two other family member couples. The three couples flew in from three different US locations on three different airlines. The day after our cruise ended, all six of us tested positive for COVID. That was bad enough, but it got worse. In 2020, a Celebrity cruise for ten of us was canceled. We used a future cruise credit to book a Caribbean cruise in January, 2023. After getting sick last week, we decided we do not want to go on another cruise. One member of our group is 88 years old, and does not feel safe on ships any more. We told Celebrity that we do not want to cruise again. They basically told us, "tough luck," you agreed to our policies when you purchased your cruise in 2020. We have had four great cruises on Celebrity, but I have a very low opinion of them right now. 

Staying home may be a better option for your group at this point…

[happy cruzer]

If as you say you do not want to cruise again, why should Celebrity work with you beyond the stated policy?  Probably they think at this point, you are going to share negative reviews no matter what??

[Shimsdan]

I am very sorry that your entire family got ill.  Fortunately it did not occur during the cruise itself!  I just returned a little over a week ago from an 8-day cruise on Equinox and the six family members who went (including my Mom - 83 years old, down to my youngest niece age 11) were fortunate that we did not contract any virus on the trip and to date we are all still well.  And we were 6 people sharing two cabins.  I understand feeling very strongly about not cruising anymore now, but perhaps in time you may find some or all of you wanting to go back to it.  Hope you all have a speedy recovery.

 

[SkystheLimit]

39 minutes ago, Gia2cats said:

I’m curious (since we have a land tour followed by a cruise on July 15). Did your party have the 2nd booster? The reason I ask is because I will be 15 days post booster and my husband will be 30 days. I’m wondering if getting the booster provides any added protection.

 

Chiming in here.  It did not prevent me from acquiring Covid on our Equinox cruise 3 weeks ago.  No one else in our group of 4 tested positive. Ironically, I was the one that stayed in the cabin/ on the balcony most of the day, did not get off the ship, did not go to any shows and drove instead of flying.   As for protection, the 2nd booster may have prevented me from becoming very ill.  I don't know but wouldn't want to feel worse than I have.

[mfs2k]

1 hour ago, buckeyedonna said:

he day after our cruise ended, all six of us tested positive for COVID.

 

Did you ever figure out which one of you infected the others in your group?

[mfs2k]

47 minutes ago, Gia2cats said:

I’m curious (since we have a land tour followed by a cruise on July 15). Did your party have the 2nd booster? The reason I ask is because I will be 15 days post booster and my husband will be 30 days. I’m wondering if getting the booster provides any added protection.

 

Youre not going to get an accurate answer from what happened to 6 people.  That's not much of a sampling.  Millions have gotten second boosters.  Check the stats. 

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

 

Did you ever figure out which one of you infected the others in your group?

Whichever one feels better first?  🙂

[TeeRick]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

 

Did you ever figure out which one of you infected the others in your group?

It appears that there is really no rhyme or reason for people getting infected with COVID or not.  It is around everywhere as a very highly infectious variant.  So really no need to beat ourselves up over how we were exposed or got it.  No matter how many boosters, masks, social distancing, it seems not to matter much.  Be prepared to get at least a mild case on a cruise ship or immediately following your cruise.  If it doesn't happen, then you missed it that time.  You are either lucky or unlucky at this point.  That is what we all need to think about and live with.  If this is uncomfortable to hear about your cruise, then maybe choose another vacation option.   As for me, if I can cruise without fear of hospitalization or worse, it is a risk I will choose to take.

[prmssk]

5 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

It appears that there is really no rhyme or reason for people getting infected with COVID or not.  It is around everywhere as a very highly infectious variant.  So really no need to beat ourselves up over how we were exposed or got it.  No matter how many boosters, masks, social distancing, it seems not to matter much.  Be prepared to get at least a mild case on a cruise ship or immediately following your cruise.  If it doesn't happen, then you missed it that time.  You are either lucky or unlucky at this point.  That is what we all need to think about and live with.  If this is uncomfortable to hear about your cruise, then maybe choose another vacation option.   As for me, if I can cruise without fear of hospitalization or worse, it is a risk I will choose to take.

Well said.  As I type, I'm getting over covid I picked up during a cruise on another line last week.  Three out of the eight in my group got it, in each case only half of a cabin - I can't even begin to guess why some got it and others didn't.  I'm just glad that with vaccines our cases are mild.  I wouldn't have made any different choices as far as our cruise goes and I can't wait to get back on a ship again.  That is the choice I am making but we all have to make our own choices and be comfortable living with those choices.

[RosieRoo]

Let’s face it, we are all taking a risk getting on a ship right now. There’s lot of people in close quarters. We all know it and we still choose to sail. I am double vaxed and double boosted, but still tested positive for covid two days after disembarking a ship. I’m a super germaphobe and avoided all crowded spaces such as the buffet and the shows, but it still caught me. Luckily my symptoms were mild and my husband never caught it from me.  It’s not stopping me from getting back on in three weeks. We can’t blame the cruise lines for the choices we make ourselves. 

[Gia2cats]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

Youre not going to get an accurate answer from what happened to 6 people.  That's not much of a sampling.  Millions have gotten second boosters.  Check the stats. 

Not sure where I would find those stats. However several months ago there was an Israeli study which indicated that the second booster only offered protection for abou5 a month afterwards.  I was just curious.

[Gia2cats]

1 hour ago, SkystheLimit said:

Chiming in here.  It did not prevent me from acquiring Covid on our Equinox cruise 3 weeks ago.  No one else in our group of 4 tested positive. Ironically, I was the one that stayed in the cabin/ on the balcony most of the day, did not get off the ship, did not go to any shows and drove instead of flying.   As for protection, the 2nd booster may have prevented me from becoming very ill.  I don't know but wouldn't want to feel worse than I have.

Very disappointing for you. 
 

[jwlane]

3 hours ago, buckeyedonna said:

 I have a very low opinion of them right now. 

Can you tell us specifically why they should make an exception for you?  Did anyone in your party go ashore during the cruise?

[verizon]

Getting Covid booster is not Covid Proof.

Don't they understand?

[RichYak]

It's dubious to use "Fear of catching covid" as the reason for expecting a refund for an upcoming cruise in January 2023 when you were all fearlessly willing to cruise in June 2022. Makes no sense to me.

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 hours ago, buckeyedonna said:

One member of our group is 88 years old, and does not feel safe on ships any more.

 

They felt "safe" before?  I couldn't possibly see X make an exception due to that reason.  I have never felt "safe" from Covid on cruise ship, quite the opposite as there are minimal protocols which are only loosely enforced.  I cruise as a calculated risk.

[Graciesmom2]

We just returned from Summit, cruise began on June 26. We are both Seniors and we weighed the chance of getting Covid and still went anyway. As we figured, we could get Covid going to Walmart. It’s a chance we were willing to take to have a cruise we had cancelled twice and waited 3 years to take. If we come down with Covid, it could have come from the cruise, from the buses we took, from the ferry we rode, from the rest areas we stopped at on the drive home or the restaurant we got food from once home. We won’t blame Celebrity and we will cruise again ! Life’s to short to hide at home! 

[cruising sister]

Poor Walmart always getting blamed and it is a low risk activity. You are rarely crammed together at Walmart and can control how close you come to others so less of chance to get exposed. Cruising is high risk, add crowded excursions, casinos, dining rooms and activities and it is a recipe for contagion of all respiratory illnesses. People have to weigh what risk is acceptable and how they handle their high risk exposures. 
 

I have to say after cruising last week I am a bit more fearful of getting any illness. People have put caution to the wind and have forgotten there is more than Covid to ruin your vacation.