Princess debarkation policies for people in isolation are unacceptable! Shame on you, Princess!

[mbglib]

13 minutes ago, Princessfan20 said:

Getting hurt or sick on a cruise ship is not a pleasant experience.  Our family had a similar experience when contacting Covid on a Princess ship plus luggage was lost also.  Also, a family member injured themselves on a Princess ship off of South America and it was a 4 day ordeal getting back home for appropriate  treatment.

 

Even with Princess insurance you really have to advocate for yourself and expect that they want you out of their hair ASAP.

I agree, but what does one do to advocate?  Sounds like I am being snarky, but I would really like to know, no snark intended. 🙂

[memoak]

This is not new. Back in 2022 we were 2 over over 200 covid patients who were disembarked after everyone else was off the ship and we all stood in line for well over 2 hours to get to the Covid buses to go to hotels since Canada was still ferrying people from leaving the country for 10 days after getting the disease. Not fun 6 days in a hotel room with no service 

[mbglib]

6 minutes ago, memoak said:

This is not new. Back in 2022 we were 2 over over 200 covid patients who were disembarked after everyone else was off the ship and we all stood in line for well over 2 hours to get to the Covid buses to go to hotels since Canada was still ferrying people from leaving the country for 10 days after getting the disease. Not fun 6 days in a hotel room with no service 

So sorry that happened to you and those were even buses that Princess was scheduling!

[SCX22]

Logistically, it would make sense for the sick passengers to be let off ASAP.  Cabins have to be vacated by 8:00 or 8:30 am and all the lounges will are used as disembarkation lounges for non sick disembarking passengers.  There would be no other place to quarantine.  It wouldn’t make sense to stop the disembarkation schedule to let sick passengers off when it was convenient for them.  It would delay the process.  As far as escorts, the ship doesn’t want them touching stuff (ie elevator buttons).  Once the sick passengers are off the ship, they aren’t the ship’s problem anymore.  Thus wanting to get them off ASAP.

 

Again, sorry for being the devil’s advocate.

[PacnGoNow]

13 minutes ago, mbglib said:

I agree, but what does one do to advocate?  Sounds like I am being snarky, but I would really like to know, no snark intended. 🙂

Knowing what you know now, you would tell them you will get off after the last passengers get off.

 

Maybe the last group is 9-930?  

It is a shame, they just want you off and once you’re off, they are done with you.  
 

At least you may have helped the next one of us who might face this situation.

 

I’ve found, once you get off the ship, you are on your own.  Only

person to ask questions, is security.  And, they want you to quickly move out of the terminal.

 

[PacnGoNow]

5 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

Logistically, it would make sense for the sick passengers to be let off ASAP.  Cabins have to be vacated by 8:00 or 8:30 am and all the lounges will are used as disembarkation lounges for non sick disembarking passengers.  There would be no other place to quarantine.  It wouldn’t make sense to stop the disembarkation schedule to let sick passengers off when it was convenient for them.  It would delay the process.  As far as escorts, the ship doesn’t want them touching stuff (ie elevator buttons).  Once the sick passengers are off the ship, they aren’t the ship’s problem anymore.  Thus wanting to get them off ASAP.

 

Again, sorry for being the devil’s advocate.

OP was in an area with sick guests. Covid guests.  They had a place to keep them.

 

Telling them they could wait in the terminal, is a lie.

 

Disembarking guests cannot wait in the terminal.

Edited February 20 by PacnGoNow

[mbglib]

8 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

Logistically, it would make sense for the sick passengers to be let off ASAP.  Cabins have to be vacated by 8:00 or 8:30 am and all the lounges will are used as disembarkation lounges for non sick disembarking passengers.  There would be no other place to quarantine.  It wouldn’t make sense to stop the disembarkation schedule to let sick passengers off when it was convenient for them.  It would delay the process.  As far as escorts, the ship doesn’t want them touching stuff (ie elevator buttons).  Once the sick passengers are off the ship, they aren’t the ship’s problem anymore.  Thus wanting to get them off ASAP.

 

Again, sorry for being the devil’s advocate.

We were taken to a lounge with only the other isolated passengers.  We could have stayed there.  I know why they want us off asap, but that doesn't make it right.  I also understand the escorts, but really three people including security for two senior citizens is a bit unreasonable.  It was the way they treated us that made it even more stressful.  You weren't there, so you wouldn't know.

 

Edited February 20 by mbglib

[mbglib]

9 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Knowing what you know now, you would tell them you will get off after the last passengers get off.

 

Maybe the last group is 9-930?  

It is a shame, they just want you off and once you’re off, they are done with you.  
 

At least you may have helped the next one of us who might face this situation.

 

I’ve found, once you get off the ship, you are on your own.  Only

person to ask questions, is security.  And, they want you to quickly move out of the terminal.

 

Good ideas, but we did tell them we wanted off last, but they weren't listening.  We weren't even allowed in the terminal, but once we were off the ship, no one cared.

Edited February 20 by mbglib

[PacnGoNow]

Just now, mbglib said:

Good ideas, but we did tell them we wanted off last, but they weren't listening.

Sad.  I understand.  On our last ship, we got to know the HGM and the Director of GS.  I guess, if I were in your situation, I would have asked for one of them to help.  You just needed a little time

before disembarking.

 

Easy for me to say, though I wasn’t there.

 

Again, sorry for your experience.  Hope you let Customer Relations know about it.

 

 

[SCX22]

Think of a sick passenger on an aircraft.  Once they’re off the aircraft, they aren’t the airline’s problem anymore.  They become the problem of the emergency and airport personnel.

[CynCyn]

@mbglib I am so very sorry you were treated this way.  While I love cruising, things like this make me so angry.  I feel like the ‘caring’ stops when the cruise is over for both those who are ill and those who are well.  

[AZjohn]

As all the others, I empathize with what a horrible experience you had.

 

There have been many posts since Covid about similar experiences, that Princess (as well of other cruise lines) want to get you off the ship ASAP because their liability (and morality) is over at point.

 

Personally, what I have taken away of these horror stories is my wife and I are completely responsible for ourselves once we walk (or rolled) off the ship.

 

That means if my wife gets really sick similar to you, I am going to everything I can do myself (without asking others) and book someone to pick us up immediately, regardless the cost or what was planned under normal conditions (I’m not telling OP waiting for their shuttle for 3 hours was wrong, Im saying what I personally will do). And once we get picked up we are immediately going to a hospital for further care or a hotel room to rest and get better)

 

Again, for me I will never-ever think about how much money we can loose, My only priority is get to a safe location stat and know we can deal with out of pocket cost and insurance at a later time.

 

Cheers

[cr8tiv1]

38 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

As all the others, I empathize with what a horrible experience you had.

 

There have been many posts since Covid about similar experiences, that Princess (as well of other cruise lines) want to get you off the ship ASAP because their liability (and morality) is over at point.

 

Personally, what I have taken away of these horror stories is my wife and I are completely responsible for ourselves once we walk (or rolled) off the ship.

 

That means if my wife gets really sick similar to you, I am going to everything I can do myself (without asking others) and book someone to pick us up immediately, regardless the cost or what was planned under normal conditions (I’m not telling OP waiting for their shuttle for 3 hours was wrong, Im saying what I personally will do). And once we get picked up we are immediately going to a hospital for further care or a hotel room to rest and get better)

 

Again, for me I will never-ever think about how much money we can loose, My only priority is get to a safe location stat and know we can deal with out of pocket cost and insurance at a later time.

 

Cheers

 

This is a well thought out emergency plan. Would trip interruption/travel insurance cover all of these added expenses?  Would Princess Vacation Protection cover you considering you are now OFF the ship?

 

I feel for the OP.  When you are not feeling up to your game, your thoughts are muddied and struggling to stay on top of the emergency.  I hope you are on the mend.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

I am sorry that you were treated so poorly.  Write a letter to Customer Relations and tell them everything that you went through. I wrote them once and they contacted me and took very good care of me. I hope you are feeling better. 

[New2cruise2022]

1) For OP, getting sick on any vacation is the worst. I’m so sorry this was your experience and it was certainly exacerbated by the terrible conditions of your disembarkation. I’m glad to hear your feeling better and hope you will reach out to Princess and share your experience. I hope you get a response and care from Princess as @MsSoCalCruiser said they did. 
 

2) Disembarkation is moving cattle. Only for context and not a defense of Princess or any poor treatment towards OP and DH — anyone who has cruised knows that disembarkation is the worst. At best, disembarkation is organized chaos … but usually, chaos. I have to think the directive for all crew members is to get everyone moving and off the ship — because they are filling it back up in a matter of hours. 
 

The ship needs to be cleared expeditiously to ensure everything gets turned over and cleaned. The cleaning and sanitizing, though likely a bit less than the height of COVID, is a priority and difficult to accomplish with passengers on board. No passengers likes disembarkation because you are looking forward to nothing other than crowds, traffic, travel, work the next day, a suitcase full of laundry, and returning to figuring out what to eat everyday and having to do more than walk up, sit down, and eat without ever pulling out your wallet. The day is stressful at times and an abrupt halt to vacation. 
 

3) Health, safety, liability. For every future cruise passenger: like every other entity around the world, cruise lines want to limit liability. When it comes to health of passengers, the effort is to provide care to the extent possible and then move the passenger along. I’m sure this mentality along with the general directive to clear the ship on disembarkation is part of the stress and deliberation that embodied OP’s experience. With the threat of COVID and Noro, gastro illness is something taken seriously and dealt with quickly. I still think the situation described was awful for OP and the traveling party and there is a better way to treat and care for passengers that are sick and Princess should look at their protocols and put something in place that will be palliative for the passenger but still help the ship meet the needs of disembarkation. 
 

 

[RNRcruisers]

That sounds terrible. We were on the same cruise and had a long wait also, it was very cold and uncomfortable.

 

I have a broken foot and was using a knee scooter. I was very impressed during the cruise at how well I was treated with help on the gangways and in the buffet. But I actually joked with my DH as we were disembarking that I guess the good treatment ends at the exit of the ship - no help getting off for sure. Yes, I understand that they are making a quick turnover but we are still customers and hopefully future customers and should be treated as such.

 

[CineGraphic]

13 hours ago, Coral said:

I believe Princess needs to "make it right"

 

Don't be surprised if they only give you something insulting like $50 obc

[Daniel A]

12 hours ago, mbglib said:

Good ideas, but we did tell them we wanted off last, but they weren't listening.  We weren't even allowed in the terminal, but once we were off the ship, no one cared.

I think that is the crux of the matter.  Given your multiple symptoms and the need for significant intervention by the medical center, there really should have been some follow-up from the medical center in the morning to make sure you didn't deteriorate further.  There is a legal concept in health care called Abandonment of Patient.  This certainly sounds like an abandonment to me.  You may want to quietly contact an attorney to see what relief may be available to you.  I'm not a lawyer but I have provided care in medical situations and abandonment of patient is considered to be a serious breech.  Whatever you do, when dealing with Princess on your own, do not mention anything about an attorney - as soon as that threat is made, it shuts down all further contact except through the legal department.  Good luck getting some relief you should be entitled to something.

[TRLD]

15 hours ago, SCX22 said:

Logistically, it would make sense for the sick passengers to be let off ASAP.  Cabins have to be vacated by 8:00 or 8:30 am and all the lounges will are used as disembarkation lounges for non sick disembarking passengers.  There would be no other place to quarantine.  It wouldn’t make sense to stop the disembarkation schedule to let sick passengers off when it was convenient for them.  It would delay the process.  As far as escorts, the ship doesn’t want them touching stuff (ie elevator buttons).  Once the sick passengers are off the ship, they aren’t the ship’s problem anymore.  Thus wanting to get them off ASAP.

 

Again, sorry for being the devil’s advocate.

If you are in isolation you do not leave your cabin until they come and get you. If you being disembarked at the end of the process you still stay in your cabin. 8 am time does not apply.

 

Was talking with one of the medical staff on the Emerald yesterday. They indicated that the disembarkation time is set in negotiation with the port and immigration. Some ports require early, some ports require late. 

Edited February 20 by TRLD

[KeepCalmBearOn]

Why didn't you call a a taxi rather than wait until 10AM?

[Itchy&Scratchy]

4 minutes ago, scottca075 said:

Why didn't you call a a taxi rather than wait until 10AM?

she already said - it was prohibitively expensive.

[Daniel A]

12 minutes ago, TRLD said:

If you are in isolation you do not leave your cabin until they come and get you. If you being disembarked at the end of the process you still stay in your cabin. 8 am time does not apply.

 

Was talking with one of the medical staff on the Emerald yesterday. They indicated that the disembarkation time is set in negotiation with the port and immigration. Some ports require early, some ports require late. 

6:30 AM requirement for disembarkation of ill pax sounds extreme to me - whether it is Galveston or Princess requiring it.  In all my cruises, I've never seen a mandatory 6:30 disembarkation time for any pax.

[TRLD]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

6:30 AM requirement for disembarkation of ill pax sounds extreme to me - whether it is Galveston or Princess requiring it.  In all my cruises, I've never seen a mandatory 6:30 disembarkation time for any pax.

Have you ever been in quarantine at the end of a cruise?

 

Our time for removal from the ship, in our case late, was set such that we encountered no one except for immigration and was escorted through a portion of the terminal that did not contain passengers. Considering that walk offs some time start as early as 7 on would expect those in isolation would be off prior to then.

 

 

[Daniel A]

18 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Have you ever been in quarantine at the end of a cruise?

 

Our time for removal from the ship, in our case late, was set such that we encountered no one except for immigration and was escorted through a portion of the terminal that did not contain passengers. Considering that walk offs some time start as early as 7 on would expect those in isolation would be off prior to then.

No, but I don't need to experience something in order to recognize if it is extreme.  The late walk off you got is what the OP wanted and was refused.

 

Were you left stranded on a sidewalk in 40 degree weather when you were disembarked?  OP was.

[memoak]

23 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

No, but I don't need to experience something in order to recognize if it is extreme.  The late walk off you got is what the OP wanted and was refused.

 

Were you left stranded on a sidewalk in 40 degree weather when you were disembarked?  OP was.

In 2022 we were among over 200 people who had been quarantined with covid and after standing in line to get off after everyone else was off we stood (no chairs) in a hallway outside the terminal for over 30 minutes before being put on buses to hotels that we had to pay for upfront and our luggage went to the wrong hotel which took another 12 hours to get resolved. I think they have actually gotten better since then. You can stay in your own cabin rather than being locked (yes locked) on a Covid deck