whirlybird3

I think the "pier runners" are great entertainment. Especially in Cozumel. I could not care less if the ship is sailing or in port, as long as we arrive in our next port on time. Leaving 15 minutes after schedule makes zero difference.

I too think watching "pier runners" in Cozumel are entertaining. [emoji23]

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I have used this private car company several times to travel from the cruise port, visiting NASA and to/from hotels near Disney World. They are very dependable and always happy with their service. (Here is a coupon code for $10.00 off a round trip: Code MS5569)

http://www.happylimo.com

We just finished a celebrity cruise that started in Istanbul. We had a lovely day with a fantastic guide. After the cruise, we spent a few magical days in Venice. We left Venice last night and were scheduled to land in Istanbul at 11:00. About 20 min before landing, the pilot announced that we couldn't land in Istanbul because of traffic. Once we were on the ground, we learned what happened. We were diverted to Izmir and spent hours in the airport before being bused to nearby hotels. They sent too many buses to the same hotel so we had to go to a different hotel. It was about 5 am before we got into a room. We could not get thru to Turkish air to rebook and finally found out that we'd have to fly to Istanbul and then have a day layover before flying to the US. We ended up booking Lufthansa thru Munich with a 22 hour layover but we just want out of turkey. We have to pay but just want to get our kids home safely.

 

It's so sad. Turkey is so beautiful with a rich history. Glad I saw it but really want to go home.

 

 

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We have wonderful memories of Istanbul too and spent four days before embarking on a cruise to Rome in October. I pray for a safe trip home with your family.

Glad to hear you did get to have a lovely day in Istanbul and what sounds like an enchanting time in Venice which was surely deserved in advance of this very challenging and arduous time right now as your journey home by the explosions at Ataturk.

 

I hope you and your family are underway via Lufthansa now and though it will be a long journey, somehow knowing you are safe and headed home is some comfort as you reflect on the better parts of the cruise and ports you visited. Having lived through the direct impact of 9/11 in NYC (lived less than 4 miles from Ground Zero, friends/neighbors - some made it, some didn't - I once worked in Tower 1 at 101st floor...it goes on) I know all too well the challenges of what happens in our lives when everything changes. We have to keep going and keep living - things DO change but we keep going, keep living.

 

Get home safe.

My heart goes out to you. Agreed to continue to keep living. And, I embrace the memories and never forget those who lost their lives.

We sail on Thursday. Our challenge right now is to see if our Directv account will let us stream away from home!

I'll let you know how it turns out either way!

I was able to stream from my DVR app on my iPad at sea on the Anthem of the Seas. I had best results late at night when the internet usage was low.

We used Uber from EWR to a Hilton in NY. No problems and happy with the service.

5 minutes ago in from the the guest services desk someone lost control of the bowels and it went EVERYWHERE. Ugh the poor crew that has to deal with cleaning that.

 

 

 

Dining staff and cabin stewards are hit hard. I'd guess 30% reduction in staff.

 

 

 

My room is getting picked up but not cleaned in a normal way. Our steward has been I incapacitated for 4 going on 5 days.

 

 

 

The ship is deserted at night. The majority of infected people that won't show up on the official records because the medical facility was was swamped and can't handle any more and others don't want to be quarantined.

That's a problem when sick contagious people are among the ship refusing to be quarantined. The Noro will continue to spread quickly.

Lazeyey, Glad you are feeling better. How is your baby doing? Thank you for the insights on the Anthem of the Seas. Please, have a safe voyage home. I too have been sick once on a RCCL ship and isolated... It turned out that I had food poisoning from bad raw oysters. RCCL treated me really well too while isolated. Something that I learned is that although we may wash our hands there are many things that all touch in the ship we call home away from home: elevator buttons, utensils, menus and more.

Please be honest on the heath form. If you have marked yes, you will receive a complimentary eval from a medical officer. If warranted perhaps having a fever, you may be isolated in your cabin and prescribed medications until your symptoms aside. It's for the safely of all guest and crew members. Remember, everyone is so vulnerable in catching a illness from one person to another. We all use the same elevator buttons, stairway rails, menus and other things on the ship.

They could provide them free for those interested, but charge a $5 deposit. If you return it at the end of the cruise, you get your deposit back. Then they can reuse the band and not have waste. Plus, they'd still make some money (and help cover their cost of the program) since some people would keep it as a souvenir or forget to return it.

I am sure that they are experimenting with "how many people will pay if we charge for them?".

 

I am wearing and using mine, but I didn't have to pay for it. I brought mine from the Quantum and "traded it in" for a new Anthem band.

 

:)

 

My cabinmate lost hers already, and they replaced it for free.

May I ask why you traded yours in for a Anthem band? I received a complimentery wow band on the Quantum too and was wondering if we can use it on our cruise on the Anthem in April. Is there a difference between band between the ships? I wonder if the battery life on my band is depleted.

A very good article by one of your fellow passengers who happens to be an editor for the Detroit Free Press. Pretty harrowing stuff!

 

 

 

http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/robert-huschka/2016/02/08/free-press-editor-cruise-ship/80021010/

Wow! So glad the sea has calm. Bless the crew for taking care of the passengers.

Oh my goodness! Thank heavens everyone is ok. Please keep us update on your journey as you sail safely back to port.

The Quantum has a whole new way of dining which you can experience a new restaurant each night. For myself, it was like date night everyday. With our busy work schedules, going out and having a nice dinner is special. Our favorite restaurant was Silk and a close second was Coastal Kitchen. Which one was your favorite?

9:40am ET. Sounds like it is coming up next.

Thank you for the time slot as I'm on PST... Now, I can relax and enjoy my cup of coffee until the segment is aired.

I highly recommend Quicksilver .... I used them several times and have been very pleased with their service. http://www.qstc.net

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Passenger capacity of 3' date='114 and a crew capacity of 1,180, giving a total number of 5,020 on-board.

According to CDC 564 passengers and 47 of 1,165 crew members reported being ill.

Not sure why there's a discrepancy in the amount of crew members. :rolleyes:

But by the number of ill...it clearly shows it has to be the food served to "passengers".

Crew eat their own separate food.

 

 

Maybe those still ill will be hospitalized?!?![/quote']

 

We are very fortunate to have a good medical staff onboard who provide good care onboard to guest and crew onboard. If a guest needs to be hospitalized, the medical staff would arrange for medical transport upon arrival at the next port... However if emergent, air transport would be arranged at sea.

Looks like we'll have to add Disposable Gloves to the lists of things to bring on a cruise.

 

In fact it might be a good idea for the cruise line to supply those at the start of a buffet line, as the tongs for self service are probably a big issue in transmission. Along with rummaging through silverware.

 

Also the self serve drink station could be an issue.

You handle the cup..and then touch the cup the switch...finish the drink and do it again. Then the next person does the same.

Use a napkin between that switch and the cup, and put up a sign telling people do that.

 

Elbow switches and automatic doors on the bathroom could help too.

It is a painful process due to long lines, but RCCL should consider in adopting a policy from HAL. For the 1st 48 hrs., there is no self serve in the buffet. The crew serves the guest. This prevents spreading any potential illness from guest who may have embarked while being ill.

So the pax who were quarantined due to illness are allowed off the ship to spread it further??? :eek: :confused:

If a guest is quarantined, their sea pass would alert the security at the gang way preventing in disembarking.

I highly recommend Matt's Maui Taxi Service. He gives private personal tours. Contact: mauitaxitours@gmail.com

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I was browsing through the Visa Signature Website: https://usa.visa.com/visasignature/index.jsp

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Nancy Jo, since it appears that you have an established Visa Platinum Plus since you indicated it has recently been renewed, that card will automatically be rolled over to the new Visa Signature in January of 2014 and all your points will transfer and you will keep the same credit card number.

 

If the benefits of the new Visa Signature are important to you now, then you will have to apply, wait to get approved, get a new credit card number and then once you have activated your card, call BofA and have them transfer your points from your Platinum Plus to the new card.

Wow! I was so misinformed this morning from B of A representative. I asked if my RCL Visa will automatically change over to the Visa Signature CC and she said no as it was a separate CC. If I would like to have the RCL signature CC, I was have to apply and receive a new account number.

Please be honest on the questioner. We all would like to enjoy our cruise without being ill. If you are ill, taking time to rest in the cabin with the medical team checking in on you is not such a bad idea.

If you have a cold, you will be evaluated but not isolated unless you have a fever. This person will receive a review of hand-washing & how to avoid coughing in exposing others.

If you answer yes to any of the questions, you may have a brief exam from the ship nurse or doctor to determine if you may have a very contagious GI illness. If you do, you may be escorted to your room for isolation along with medicine. The medical team will check in on you and clear you out of your cabin once you are not contagious. This is the best for all of the passengers... By not being honest, many people could be ill during their long planned vacation.

Sounds wonderful! Thank you for answering my question :)

We just upgraded to a Deluxe Suite on ms Oosterdam :) I have read that there are refreshments through out the day in the Neptune Lounge. Can anyone give me some insight on what may be served? Is there a cocktail hour in the evening?