Ride-The-Waves

1 hour ago, hunt182644 said:

Have been following this post since the start, I may have missed a few posts. The one thing I have not seen is a doctors opinion on the over 70 rule proposed by RCI and Norwegian. I just returned from a doctor appointment, I showed two doctors the form. One commented on the diabetes that that would probably include half of the people that cruise over and under 70. Neither one would consent to signing something like this the way it is for fear of possible coming back on them. It was disagreed that it is poorly written, from what I have read the cruise industry was given two days to do something to protect passengers. This looks like a CYA that will probably not stand the test of time.

 As I stated before I am all for safety in these trying times but not really sure this is correct. Also if doctors refuse to sign this waiver well who knows. Perhaps the cruise industry is about to become extinct.

Seriously doubt if it will become "extinct" in our lifetimes.  It will change - for the better.  Maybe no more party cruises, drunk gonna lines round the pool at midnight, bar hopping, etc.  Ships designed to take people to interesting places in relative comfort, not "cruise ports."

28 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Post that all you want but saying only those over a certain AGE have to do or not do something when it does not apply to all is discrimination.  Even legal experts disagree on this. Which neither of us are.

Incorrect.  Public and private division based on age are made all the time.  In this instance limiting travel by those of a certain age is considered best for both them and the traveling public, and safest for all involved.  

6 hours ago, swigso said:

Hello fellow cruisers

What is happening now is causing worldwide panic, uncertainty and economic crisis.

so here is a question, we have a cruise booked out of Tampa in Feb 2021. The Constellation is due to 

be refurbished and  revolutionised in September 2020 do you think that Celebrity will continue with their plans or

will there be delays to the upgrades.

 

It "depends" is probably the best answer.  I think Connie is scheduled for her refurb in Singapore.  Yard time is precious and expensive.  Everything will be done to keep it on track.

5 minutes ago, kent9xxx1 said:

 

AA already cancelled most of their long haul flights except for 3 (DFW-NRT, DFW-LHR and one more)  you can use that excuse to cancel or wait a little to cancel.  No reason to cancel so early.  

Saw that.  This itinerary was MIA-CDG-MIA sandwiching the 14-day river cruise.  

Maybe American will refund the remaining $1800 when they get their share of the $50Billion...  Not holding my breath!

Good point.  I don't know why American decided against a future flight credit as we have confirmed reservation to cruise France in 2021.  Need a different airline.

Similar form is already in use for passengers going on expedition ships to remote regions where quick access to medical assistance is not readily possible.  This includes specifically Antarctic voyages south of the Antarctic Circle.  Applies to all passengers, which seems logically.  You can be younger than 70 and be in poor health and have the chronic conditions listed.  I have seen a lot of cruisers on ships who likely should have not been on board.  Doing that puts not only yourself in danger but also others.  Cruising has evolved without oversight on health and maybe its time some restrictions are applied for the benefit of everyone.

3 hours ago, $hip$hape said:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6911e2.htm

Seems food workers were the main spreaders?

Doesn't say that.  Crew close quarters in their cafeteria and social centers enable the virus to move quickly from person to person, even if visible affects were minimal.   Of course, close association and quarters between crew and passengers in places like MBRs tend to be virulent locales for the virus to jump between people.

We have shifted our "Grand France" cruise to 2021.  Uniworld was very accommodating in working that with our TA.  We booked air separately direct with American Airlines.  had to cancel that today - at high cost.  Just when the airlines are asking the American taxpayer to bail them out to the tune of $50billion, at the same time they continue to screw that same taxpayer and traveler with exorbitant fees.  Cost us $900 each to cancel.  No bumping the same flights into 2021 since it was longer than 330 days out.  No consideration for the needed change being COVID-19 related and France is almost closed.  Zippo.  Just "canceled" and pay the fine/fee for canceling.  The remainder back to the credit card at some point.  Not happy that American Airlines refused to even consider any accommodation.  Obviously will not schedule flights with American for the 2021 river cruise.

All good suggestions...not considering any delays resulting from medical screenings, etc.  These are not normal times.

On 7/31/2018 at 11:10 AM, chengkp75 said:

 

Fancy title, we just call them "gadgets".

Try "snuffies."

31 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Check your neighbor's garage.  Some of them probably have cases and cases of it.

Only in The Villages.

If your doctor determines that you should not be cruising because of your health, you should not be cruising.  Had to have similar for an Antarctic cruise three years ago.  A general health certificate provides the ship's doctor the opportunity to determine whether the conditions of the cruise could negatively impact your health or cause you health problems the ship cannot resolve.  This is a good thing.  For everyone's benefit, especially yours.  FYI - I'm 75 and spouse is 78.

If your doctor determines that you should not be cruising because of your health, you should not be cruising.  Had to have similar for an Antarctic cruise three years ago.  A general health certificate/screening provides the ship's doctor the opportunity to determine whether the conditions of the cruise could negatively impact your health or cause you health problems the ship cannot resolve.  This is a good thing.  For everyone's benefit, especially yours.  FYI - I'm 75 and spouse is 78.

11 hours ago, TYinPalmSprings said:

Then, if they change the policy after you pay, then they should refund your money, not issue a credit that you would probably never be able to use before their determined expiration. That's theft.

Agree.  They should.  No question.

51 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

It will be interesting to see what they do with the crew.   If they really intend to start in 30 days, you probably should keep them on the ship.  If you send them home, they may not be able to return, at least without a 2 week quarantine.  If you think it will be longer than 30 days, perhaps you send them home and then deal with the staffing issue in a couple of months.

Crew, contract and corporate, will be working their tails off to make the ship ready for sailing again.  Just because passengers get off doesn't imply that work on a ship comes to a halt.

On 3/13/2020 at 9:39 AM, MartiniBarhooked said:

Just sign you doctors name or put any signature on it.    Here you go.  The people that are worried about this one are the ones who when asked for the email by everyone in the world they give them their real email or real phone number.  Just google search doctor signature there are 100's to choose from.  You think they will call the office and if they do they will really get someone to answer the phone in the office.

 

Lie and cheat.  Put everyone at risk.  Got it!

On 3/12/2020 at 7:14 PM, mafig said:

Regards?

 

That seems a little unprofessional, doesn't it?  Why not, "Love always,"

 

 

Nope.  VERY professional salutation.

9 hours ago, TYinPalmSprings said:

This change was put together by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). that includes Carnival, RCCL, Princess, NCL,  and just about every cruise line as a member. They put this proposal together, got it approved by the government, and have begun implementing it.  It is very unfair and discriminatory to those over 70 who may have difficulty convincing their doctor to put his/her signature on a document,  fearing potential liability. This is age discrimination, as it is not required of those 69 or under. It makes an assumption about age and the ability to cruise. To my knowledge, when the H1N1 (Swine Flu) in 2009 was primarily affecting those in their youth, and the elderly folks were not really affected, no such requirement was implemented for the young.  Now we are hit with, at best, a credit with the understanding that as of right now the rule going forward is that they will not board you without a doctor's note,. They will not tell you if or when they may change this rule in either direction, but will give you a credit that has an expiration date on it. So, you may never be able to use the credit before it expires. It can save them millions of dollars. If they refuse us entry then they should provide a  refund without further delay. Taking our money and setting a path where we may never be able to to cruise and can never get reimbursed is borderline theft. Kelly Craighead is the CEO of CLIA. Their website is www.cruising.org. I recommend all writing her and expressing your concern. Also contavty your state representative as it appears we are not being supported today.

"It is very unfair and discriminatory to those over 70 who may have difficulty convincing their doctor to put his/her signature on a document"

If your doctor determines that you should not be cruising because of your health, you should not be cruising .  Had to have similar for an Antarctic cruise three years ago.  A general health certificate provides the ship's doctor the opportunity to determine whether the conditions of the cruise could negatively impact your health or cause you health problems the ship cannot resolve.  This is a good thing.  For everyone's benefit, especially yours.  FYI - I'm 75 and spouse is 78. 

31 minutes ago, downsmead said:

However when was the last time any European country stamped your passport 🤷‍♀️.

I don’t think I have any European stamps in mine despite probably having visited over half a dozen countries!

As an American you get "stamped" in and out of Schengen which includes 26 countries.  

11 hours ago, julia said:

Mr. Trump is implementing this air travel ban for 30 days, beginning on Friday, March 13th.  It does not include the UK.  His reasoning is that Europe did not act quickly enough (in the initial stages of this virus) to close travel with China.  

 

*** Do NOT turn this into a political debate***

Your comment made it political.

Read that the stated reason was that too many Chinese coming into Europe who then, in his perspective, caused the virus to spread in European centers.  No coordination with the EU or European countries.  Unilateral edicts like this have no place in a global pandemic.  Additionally, WHO has stated this type of policy only exacerbates the problem of responding to the virus.

Uniworld was very accommodating in rescheduling our June "Grand France" to May 2021.  Same ships, same cabin.  Now need to battle the airlines...which we purchased separately.  I'm hoping to convince them to also simply reschedule the same flights for 2021 despite it being more than the 330-days away.  I know - dreaming...

47 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Please be aware of the latest travel news. 1. The Czech Republic does random health checks at its border.

2. Austria has banned travel from Italy into their country unless you have a health certificate.

3. Serbia is restricting entry of foreigners from several countries, including Italy.

 

Those are the ones I am aware of for European river cruisers to have a potential impact. I expect more to come.

 

Here are some details: https://m.dw.com/en/coronavirus-latest-austria-bans-travelers-from-italy-without-health-certificate/a-52698747 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51815907 

 

Let us think this further. If travel between Germany and Switzerland and/or is not possible without much inconvenience to tourists, will the Basel to Amsterdam itinerary or vice versa still work?

 

In Germany we have a law which roughly translates as "impossibility to deliver the product/service as promised by the provider due to unusual circumstances". This can lead to a 100 percent refund.

I wonder if such a law exists in your country and if it might apply to your travel plans? See this as tip from me to look into this.

 

This is the current travel situation seen from the UK perspective: edit: link not working, it is in the business section under travel rights.

 

notamermaid

 

 

Excellent perspective.  River cruise between Basel and Amsterdam implies travel through Switzerland, the stops in France and Germany, and then The Netherlands.  Will these countries/river town be comfortable with letting people off to wander locally without knowing their health backgrounds?  Conversely, do passengers want to get off and wander locally in regions of potential infection.  As Italy, China, and others are doing, limiting travel can reduce the region of potential transmission.  Several countries have banned entry to foreigners - Israel is requiring a 14-day quarantine on arrival for all foreigner entering the country.  There is potential for similar restrictions in many regions.  Its a scary and unknown time to be traveling.  

11 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Ride-The-Waves;  why do you say self quarantine?  

To protect yourself from exposure as much as possible.  This is a serious illness since no one has any idea of how to stop it, how it really transmits, and how virulent it really is especially for people who already have respiratory problems.  We have read a lot about mandatory quarantines of people who are not infected but who may have come into contact with people who are infected.  We have healthy friends who are now restricting themselves from going to places with crowds, to restaurants, etc.  Some things you still have to chance, like shopping for groceries, but even groceries can now be easily delivered.  Its time to play safe and not be sorry.

8 minutes ago, caribill said:

The two ships with a true quarantine (Diamond & Grand) gave Passengers a good reward system:

 

a) 100% of the quarantined cruise $$$ back except for jewelry and art auction purchases. This included Cruise fare, taxes, fees, Princess shore excursions, daily hotel gratuities (if paid by the passenger), specialty dining fees, Princess air and hotel costs, etc.  ($$$ actually spent refunded. Onboard charges not charged.)

 

b) 100% FCC for the cruise fare of the quarantined cruise

They should give back everything from the "art" auction.  Its a scam.

8 hours ago, AF-1 said:

My wife has asthma;  she shows signs of upper respiratory all year long.  She has medical records and meds she carries for asthma; plus her portable breathing machine.  Hope they won't keep her locked up on ship because she has asthma. 

You may want to consider postponing for cancelling.  Asthma is one of those underlying conditions that make COVID-19 a potent virus.  Personally, I would postpone and self-quarantine at home until this is over.