Just got off Reflection from repositioning cruise. They distribute the test kits where you pickup the luggage in the terminal. You can take the tests days after picking them up too. We had 2 EMED test kits. We did from hotel with high speed internet. Experience was horrible. On test had issues, We had to work with Tech support for 6 hours to get them to fix and send results. The experience was horrible. They advertised that we could take in a taxi on way to an airport. right ... I would never take one of these kits where a tech monitors you over internet. Tech leaves after watching you swab and then comes back, in theory, in 15 minutes. Our connection interrupted. If they dont verify results in 30 minutes or less, they say result invalid. I had to escalate and wait for "level 3" support to "fix". 

On 4/9 Reflection Carribean cruise,  ship was 50% occupied. On 4/18 Reflection repositioning cruise, ship was only 30% occupied. I was on both. 4/9 had no announced Covid infections. 4/18 cruise had about 25 announced covid infections. 1060 passengers, Captain announced last day 3% infected.

I just did this when I departed the Reflection repositioning cruise. Suggest you do NOT take a car to Rome. Takes about twice as long given the heavy traffic. Suggest you take a train. You can take 2 different types of express trains. I paid Celebrity $24 Euro PP to take me to train station given we had several suitcases. Reflection, Guest services suggested the second class train express train that cost about 10 Euro. I opted for 1st class on the the Direct Express Train. I bought the tickets at the train station. A 1st class ticket cost about 23 Euro. I chose the 730 excursion private shuttle ride and Celebrity gave me tickets for 730 bag pickup in terminal. I was way. Train station only about 1 mile from ship. I got a 915 train and was in Rome about 10:00.  Highly recommend this approach. I waited about 45 minutes for the train. The 2nd class train, has 3 early trains. The train is the way to go.

14 minutes ago, autumn lass said:

The original statement was 31 July as we are on the1st August Mediterranean cruise. We are cancelling that one and our April cruise. 

I cancelled 5  B2B cruises starting 4/17 on the second day of the CWC program, when the cancellations resulted in partial CASH & FCC. But after 5 days, in the US , Celebrity downgraded the CWC to give 100 % FCC.

I wish I had waited. There is no way, these cruises are NOT going to be cancelled. It is a mistake to cancel now and take 100% FCC. It is possible cruise lines could go bankrupt. Even if it is a 5% chance, why take the chance? Given the UK just initiated a countrywide lockdown, these repositioning cruises will not be taking place in April/May. Europe is center of issue now, and the US may be shortly. Cruise lines will need to cancel cruises for months. 

I wish I had waited ...when I cancelled the situation was not this bad. They  will need to cancel a month of cruises, at a minimum, in a few days. Wait for Celebrity to cancel so you can get 100% of your monies as a cash refund. I have been waiting weeks for my cash refund, have only received 20% of what Celebrity owed me.

Boris Johnson just addressed UK. He announced mandatory stay at home. Just a few exceptions, like 1 short trip out to exercise, and food shopping if can't be delivered for example. Time for Celebrity to cancel TA to Southampton, don't you think? I already cancelled under CWC Original terms, wish I had waited, this TA should now be cancelled imminently?

Every day, the situation is getting worse internationally. Even with all these grim updates, from countries around the world, I remain optimistic that in 90 days, even without a vaccine, things might start to improve.

HOWEVER, there is no chance that these cruises will resume after the 30 day pause stops. Every day more and more countries / regions are doing complete lockdowns, only allowing essential activities to take place. 

Cruise lines will need to stay shutdown after 30 day pause. No one is going to be able to travel to either get on the cruise ship or to return home. No one will want to take the risk of being stranded on a ship to nowhere. Since so many people are infected without symptoms, and it only takes 1 individual without symptoms to get on a ship, to cause a disaster ... cruise lines know they must cancel. I honestly dont understand why they dont cancel at a minimum another month out?

If a FCC is your only option.... hope for the best. If you can take all or some in CASH .... it would be wise to take the cash NOW. Of course there is a chance RCI and the other cruise lines, could indeed go bankrupt. Since I got partial FCC on 5 cruises, I am hoping for the best. If you are lucky enough to be able to get cash, TAKE IT NOW. I agree with others.

Every day, the situation is getting worse internationally. Even with all these grim updates, from countries around the world, I remain optimistic that in 90 days, even without a vaccine, things might start to improve.

HOWEVER, there is no chance that these cruises will resume after the 30 day pause stops. Every day more and more countries / regions are doing complete lockdowns, only allowing essential activities to take place. 

Cruise lines will need to stay shutdown after 30 day pause. No one is going to be able to travel to either get on the cruise ship or to return home. No one will want to take the risk of being stranded on a ship to nowhere. Since so many people are infected without symptoms, and it only takes 1 individual without symptoms to get on a ship, to cause a disaster ... cruise lines know they must cancel. I honestly dont understand why they dont cancel at a minimum another month out?

Agreed. Dr Sanjay Gupta on CNN right now. Just stated that 80% of individuals that get infected, get it from individuals that do NOT know they have it, and are NOT showing symptoms.  This says it all. The risk of getting infected on a cruise ship and or the risk of being stranded, has increased exponentially.

Every DR on cable news, TV, US CV Task Force, FDA, CDC give the same warnings. I am quite sure, Dr's and health authorities in all other countries are communicating the same messages.

I am glad I posted this alert a few hours ago.

Some of what it means ...

6 minutes ago, hcat said:

It's a nice gesture but as we have learned, cruise ships are not equipped properly  as hospitals,   esp for patients with  virulent disease.,, Cooking, cleaning and other jobs also need staffing...seems impractical. 

 

  I wish cruise lines would fully sanitize ships before they carry pax again...and replace all mattresses on ships that have carried pax and crew with the virus. Just a worry ( pethaos irrational) that the virus lingers someplace.

 

Maybe the ships could be better used to house some visiting drs and nurses , or natl guard members who may come in to aid  the health care efforts.

 

 

President Trump did not communicate they would be used necessarily to house patients. Apparently Carnival Cruise CEO or President made offer, that ships could be used in any capacity, the Presidents Task Force or Governors could use them?  Cruise ships and vacant hotel rooms, possibly could be used for some type of purpose in the "war" effort.

1 minute ago, az_tchr said:

John - if a Level 4 ADVISORY is put in place which it is NOT - it does not ban travel. It says you should not travel because of high risks. There is no travel

ban and Trump - who could close our borders - said he would not ban travel at this time. 

OK. Partly semantics.... Who in the world would travel, if the US State Department issues a Level 4 Advisory or warning?I'm sure insurance companies will void all coverage.

I'm sure the risk of being stranded exponentially increases.

I'm sure this will push Celebrity to extend cruise cancellations.

They announced on TV this is the highest level of ALERT.  I'm no aware of any higher level?

To the individual who communicated The US State Department does not have a Level 4 warning.

The following is from the US State Department website:

President Trump just announced (1220 PM EST Wednesday) that Carnival has offered its Carnival ships to house patients, as needed , in cities such as NYC.  Celebrity & RCL should offer to do the same with all the ships are idled by imminent cancellations. Celebrity should cancel immediately ...and not wait to the last minute to cancel cruises.

In retrospect, I wish I had NOT cancelled 5  B2B cruises for partial Cash Refund & partial FCC.

It is obvious now, Celebrity will be cancelling all cruises worldwide for several months.

It makes absolutely no sense to cancel for a 100% FCC, when it is imminent that Celebrity will be cancelling cruises worldwide, and subsequently issuing cash refunds. 

Wish I had held out for the 100% cash refund .... congratulations to those of you that made the smarter decision to hold out for cancellation and 100% cash refund!

I read on FOX news it was announced by the US State Department.

After doing search on Google, It appears announcement is imminent.

According to KRON4 TV station ...

 

State Department issues highest-level travel advisory instructing Americans abroad to come home

CORONAVIRUS

by: Alexa Mae Asperin

Posted: Mar 19, 2020 / 08:20 AM PDT/ Updated: Mar 19, 2020 / 08:20 AM PDT

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – The U.S. State Department is expected to soon announce a Level 4 Travel Advisory applying to all international travel, Politico reports. 

The advisory urges all Americans abroad to either return to the United States or prepare to shelter-in-place as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally. 

Under the advisory, Americans would be instructed not to travel internationally.

Guess this means, all cruises will now be cancelled. If you can not travel to the port, or home from the port, how can you have cruises?

On 3/16/2020 at 1:01 PM, maxydu said:

We cancelled over the phone this past Saturday morning and are expecting a refund. I asked for a cancellation number or

an acknowledgement of request and received neither. I guess we're just going to have to trust the system for the time being.

At lease I documented the date, time, and the name of the representative I spoke with on the call......

we cancelled 5 cruises 11 days ago through Costco. 2 days ago got email with FCC credits, but still waiting for cash refund to CC.

20 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 They won’t cancel them, just delay. It’s only a 30 day ban.

21 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 They won’t cancel them, just delay. It’s only a 30 day ban.

I am sure they will extend the ban after it is approved. Europe is not expected to peak for 4-8 weeks.

I agree, how can you have a European cruise, without stops in Europe?

Now I wish I had not cancelled my 5  European cruises, .... would have preferred Celebrity cancelled the cruises, so I got 100 % refund to CC. Now that sounds increasingly more likely, that Celebrity will cancel all European cruises and the TA's that go there.

I would expect this becomes final today.  TA's will have no place to go in Europe.  Will Celebrity then cancel all European cruises, for the season?

11 hours ago, sippican said:

 

As a TA,  I was not aware for refunds being offered instead of FCCs uless X had cancelled the sailing. Can you be more specific?

 

In the US, when the Cruise With Confidence program was rolled out on Friday 3/6, for folks within a (25/50/75) penalty period, the offer was a FCC for the non-refundable deposit, the penalty period, and a cash refund to the CC for the non-penalty portion and port fees and taxes. I cancelled 5  cruises on Saturday 3/7 and got this split. Today 3/15 I received an email with my FCC's but am still waiting for corresponding cash refund to hit my CC card. When they rolled out the program on 3/6 the fine print said they could withdraw or modify the program at any time. Early Tuesday 3/10 Celebrity modified the Cruise With Confidence Offer. I suspect more people were opting to cancel earlier, and not waiting closer to scheduled departure, to maximize the cash refund. They changed the Cruise with Confidence program to all FCC except the port fees and taxes. Alternatively, you have the option today of requesting the original cancellation terms, in effect before the cruise with confidence program. The program in the UK, per entries on this blog, was rolled out a few days after the US rollout, but I suspect the change in terms may have occurred in a  similar way. My comments refer to the US rollout.  I am not that much of a gambler, so I took the sure thing of getting back an average of 60% cash on 5 cruises when the Cruise with confidence program was originally rolled out. Given the change in terms of the Cruise With Confidence Program in the US , and I think UK,,, to all FCC .... I would not cancel to the last minute, as I assume most of the TA's and European cruises will be cancelled through june, given the latest Corona Virus updates in Europe, which would result in the cruises being cancelled and 100% going to a cash refund.

WOW. Now 7 cruise lines have suspended cruises, per updates to my initial post. Given that Canada has just stopped allowing cruises from coming to Canadian ports till July, it sounds like increasing number of countries will do the same. For example, how can you take a cruise to Canada or Italy, if all the ports are closed. 

For many reasons, I feel there is going to be a domino effect. 11 hours left for the balance of cruise lines to suspend operations. When they do suspend, it would be nice if they refund all the monies to those of us that cancelled before the suspension and got partial cash refund and partial FCC.

22 minutes ago, rachiem said:

Fred Olsen

Virgin

Princess

Viking

Disney

WOW. I read 4 when I wrote entry. Now it is up to 6 .... going faster than I thought.

My prediction .... not based on any inside information. With 4 major cruise lines already announcing SUSPENSION of all cruises for 14 to 60 days ...and President Trump expected to declare a National Emergency at 3 PM EST today Friday .... and most governments prohibiting large groups from getting together ....

I expect all the remaining cruise lines to announce suspensions by midnight tonight.

8 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Form is here: https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/Physician-Fit-to-Sail-Form.pdf

Assuming your DR doe snot feel you are OK to cruise, why would you need to show it at the time of boarding? Is Celebrity insisting folks travel to port, to state their DR says they can't cruise and then submit the form? That is nuts.