rqd

Shouldn't be an issue for conch fritters and other cooked conch, but think twice before trying conch salad or conch pistol.

From Tribune242:

As confirmed cases of conch poisoning continue to rise, the government intends to send inspectors out to ensure vendors selling and preparing raw conch are adhering to health regulations, including using fresh water to clean the seafood.

Those who do not comply with regulations face being shut down, although government officials have said they would rather have vendors comply with the recommendations instead of being punished.

While health officials are dealing with an increase of conch poisoning cases, the bacteria which causes the illness, vibrio parahaemolyticus, is becoming more resistant to antibiotics, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

During a press conference, Dr Sands said that as of yesterday, there are 27 laboratory confirmed cases of conch poisoning and 22 clinical cases awaiting confirmation.

Calling this increase an “ongoing public health threat,” Dr Sands added that laboratory reports reveal that the bacteria is “becoming more difficult” to treat.

Dr Sands clarified that the number of antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to has decreased.

“Cases from the early part of this outbreak were relatively sensitive to a whole number of antibiotics that could be taken by mouth,” Dr Sands said. “We have seen increasing numbers of resistant vibrio parahaemolyticus that are not sensitive to the usual antibiotics.

“What that means is, that those patients are harder to treat and their syndromes are more prolonged, and more severe. That has forced us to accelerate this public health initiative.”

The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Agriculture, to mitigate against cases of conch poisoning. A major factor in this is the requirement for vendors to have fresh water.

Conch poisoning occurs when raw conch contaminated with vibrio is consumed. Vibrio is found in seawater in tropical regions, including the Bahamas.

As the weather gets warmer, particularly in the summer and also due to the effects of climate change, the presence of the organism has increased.

Conch poisoning can be prevented by conch being washed in fresh water before being consumed raw.

“In this regard, in accordance with current legislation, all vendors who wish to continue with the sale of raw conch dishes, such as scorched (conch) and conch salad, may only do so if they demonstrate the presence of fresh, running water linked to the city supply,” Dr Sands said.

“Additionally, vendors must also demonstrate the active washing of raw conch and (preparatory) surfaces at all times. And this applies throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

He also said the government will have to take action against non-compliant vendors. He added that the law does allow for vendors who do not comply with these regulations to have their establishments shut down.

“We recognise that as this challenge has evolved, that there can no longer be only a voluntary participation in what is a significant public health issue,” Dr Sands said.

“And so there will be inspection teams verifying that people are actually following the recommended approach to conch preparation.

“The legislature, or the legislation, allows for the various government agencies to shut down any persons who do not comply with the requirements of the law.

“That is not our goal. We would like to see full compliance across the board. But there is a provision in the law, that allows for anybody who deliberately refuses to follow the advice, thereby worsening a potential public health hazard, to no longer be allowed to sell fresh products.”

Dr Sands added that the general public and consumers must also be “vigilant,” and ensure that any conch they wish to consume raw is thoroughly washed in fresh water.

Also present at the press conference was Marine Resources and Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard who spoke about facilities at the Montagu fish ramp.

“With respect to Montagu in particular, for those of you that have visited the site, you would see that there…are hoses that are coming out of the ground, but the installation of water facilities are not yet complete,” Mr Pintard said.

“So certainly, we will be moving with haste in collaboration with Water and Sewerage, with the Ministry of Works, to remedy that situation in that particular location.”

When asked if fresh running water is a requirement, Mr Pintard said: “Again, we expect that they would use fresh water. It’s not running water at this time. Several of the locations do not have pumps.

“And so, we are moving with haste to make sure they are in place.”

Mr Pintard also called for vendors to keep their environment sanitary, and said there will be a meeting “this coming week” on the matter.

“Then we’ll take the necessary actions, which if necessary will include revoking licenses for persons who do not comply,” he added.

Dr Sands also underscored that while waters in the Family Islands have not been officially tested, it should be expected that the bacteria is present throughout the country.

When asked about the nationalities of the conch poisoning cases, Dr Sands admitted that “some” were tourists. However, he could not confirm a specific number at the time.

He also said that while the majority of the early cases were attributed to Potter’s Cay Dock, people have got conch poisoning from other locations.

When asked about the other locations, Dr Sands declined to give specifics, saying that some people may have eaten contaminated conch at a “private venue,” but the conch itself was purchased elsewhere.

“And so this has become even more complex, because not everybody would have consumed their conch at the place where it was purchased. And so we now have a number of additional venues. So, I’ll just prefer to leave it at that,” he said.

Regarding the overall number of cases, Dr Sands said that while the clinical cases could take a “number of days” to confirm, those figures are not necessarily conclusive.

“There are some people that may get conch poisoning, but never, ever show up at a doctor’s office; never go to the emergency room,” Dr Sands said.

“So, the fact that we have now described 27 laboratory confirmed cases and 22 clinical cases awaiting laboratory confirmation does not mean that there have only been 49 cases of conch poisoning.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/jul/27/fresh-water-wash-conch-or-close/?news

When I returned to Miami from a Fathom Cruise to Cuba in September of 2016 I noticed a GE sign. I inquired about GE and was quickly ushered to a different line. We didn't use kiosks so it was more like a fast track to the head of the line. Fathom is a Carnival operation - so it was at Carnival's facility that this occurred...

 

Virgil

Confirming Virgil's info...

Returned to Carnival's Terminal E (Echo) on Sunday November 28th and saw the Global Entry sign over the far right queue (no kiosks anywhere that I could see).

The line was full so I asked an attendant that was managing lines when they would be implementing Global Entry. She immediately dropped the rope and escorted us to the head of the line and told the CBP officer "They're Global Entry".

Each person in your party must have their global entry card in hand or no dice. The CBP officer looked at the cards, took the 6059B declaration form and we were out of there in about 60 seconds from start to finish. Plenty of amazed looks from the people standing in the lines.

As has been discussed here several times, the only port with GE is Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale. Miami is giving confusing info. Otherwise, no other port has GE.

Returned to Carnival's Terminal E (Echo) on Sunday November 28th and saw the Global Entry sign over the far right queue (no kiosks anywhere that I could see).

The line was full so I asked an attendant that was managing lines when they would be implementing Global Entry. She immediately dropped the rope and escorted us to the head of the line and told the CBP officer "They're Global Entry."

Each person in your party must have their global entry card in hand or no dice. The CBP officer looked at the cards, took the 6059B declaration form and we were out of there in about 60 seconds from start to finish. Plenty of amazed looks from the people standing in the lines.

rqd

The camera crews WILL be there at 9pm...so this statement makes no sense.

The difference is live vs taped/edited from the night before.

The 6am arrival was not optimal for PR as the morning news programs would be doing live shots with pax as the disembarked.

Haven't seen or heard a thing about it.

She was found, just "missed the boat."

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/dec/01/search-missing-canadian-cruise-ship-passenger-nass/?news

"A CANADIAN cruise ship passenger who was reported missing by police was found in “good health”, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Tuesday.

In a press release issued on Tuesday morning, the RBPF said Canadian Samantha Loveridge, 27, was missing.

Ms Loveridge was a passenger onboard the Oasis of the Seas that arrived in New Providence on Sunday and was last seen when she disembarked the cruise ship at Prince George Dock, police said.

However, police later reported yesterday evening that Ms Loveridge was no longer considered a missing person but had simply “missed the boat” on its departure.

Police also said she was found in “safe company” with a Bahamian man at a home on East Bay Street."

Have you heard anything about the passenger who went missing in Nassau on Sunday?

Story here: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/dec/01/search-missing-canadian-cruise-ship-passenger-nass/?news

"POLICE are seeking the public’s help in locating 27–year-old Canadian Samantha Loveridge, who was a passenger onboard the Oasis of the Seas that arrived in New Providence on Sunday.

Ms Loveridge is a white female of slim build who was last seen in Nassau on Sunday when she disembarked the cruise ship at Prince George Dock."

This Bahamas Tribune article mentions Carnival's concerns about passenger safety in The Bahamas along with the US State Department's warnings about armed robberies on New Providence (Nassau).

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/sep/30/wilchcombe-ignoring-cruise-line-crime-fears/?news

I couldn't find the State Department warnings, but I found these articles that mention them:

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/09/articles/crime/like-a-broken-record-us-warns-of-crime-in-nassau/

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/59458

What's the solution to crime in The Bahamas? Curious to learn what percentage of passengers get off the ship to explore on their own, rather than go on shore excursions with cruise line partners.

rqd

We've done the day pass at Sandals and it was a relaxing and enjoyable visit. It's a couple resort so you won't see any kids. It's a 15 minute ride by taxi or #10 jitney. Last time I checked it was $110 p/p and that includes all food and drinks.

On our last visit, we took #10 out to see BahaMar and walked though some of the other day pass options. After that tour, I'd say Sandals remains our choice. It's more intimate, quieter and geared for couples.

Celebrity can spin it anyway they want, but I think they did it for the crew.

I can't recall a message on these boards begging a cruise line to offer overnight stays in the Caribbean. If people were asking, maybe I just missed it.

This will be a great benefit for the crew and Celebrity's ability to retain them.

Has anyone heard/confirmed this from Tribune242?

"POLICE are investigating the drowning of an American cruise ship passenger at Castaway Cay in the Abacos yesterday.

According to reports, shortly before 4pm on Thursday, a 38–year-old New York man, who was a passenger onboard a cruise ship moored at Castaway Cay, is alleged to have drowned while swimming in waters in the area.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death."

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/feb/27/american-cruise-ship-passenger-drowns-castaway-cay/?news

The CBP site (link below) says 5 bottles total if 1 of the 5 was produced in the USVI. This is part of your $1,600 exemption so 4 $1,800 bottles of Louis XIII will still incur tax upon your return.

If you want to buy on board, your max would be 3 liters plus 1 made in the USVI and 1 on board.

If you go over, you'll pay 1.5% duty plus IRS taxes.

Link to CBP site: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/424/~/bringing-alcohol-from-u.s.-insular-possessions-into-the-u.s.-(u.s.-virgin

Just out of curiosity, can you go to the bar onboard and buy a full bottle of spirits or wine and take back to your cabin with you?

You can't get a bottle at the bars and take it back to your cabin but you can pre-order bottles for your cabin, at least on Carnival....if you order pre-cruise.

From the Carnival web site go to "Manage", then "In Room Gifts and Shopping", then "Beverages", then "Liquor".

Prices are about 300% of what you'd pay on shore but if you want it, they'll provide it.

I believe The Baths are located in Spring Bay.

We hope our tale encourages you to:

• Never fly the same day you cruise.
  
• Use a travel agent. Travel is their job!
  
• Purchase insurance through an outside organization, not the cruise line.
  
• Purchase your air through ChoiceAir (offered through the cruise line). They assure you they will get you to your destination on time or to your first port of call.
  
• Stay calm when dealing with the airline agents, secure in the knowledge that if you have to cancel the trip, you are covered.
  

I'm surprised the travel agent didn't talk you out of the same-day travel idea.

Good luck with the claim.

You'll dock at the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility which is the passenger terminal section of the larger, industrial container port/ship yards.

There have been some upgrades in recent years and the area includes some shops, restaurants and a mini straw market.

You'll have no problem seeing the entire area in 30 minutes and should be able to get some souvenirs, local arts/crafts, etc.

You could get a taxi to Port Lucaya which is about 20 minutes away. This is the larger of the two outdoor malls (International Bazaar being the other, closer option...skip this, in my opinion). Across the street is the Grand Lucayan Hotel, beach and a casino. This area is where most of your fellow passengers will end up.

Downtown Freeport is not geared for tourists as it's more of a business/banking/Government/locals area.

I've been here multiple times for business and relaxation. It may seem that the people aren't very friendly, but a simple "good morning" or "good afternoon" will go a long way.

It looks like about 6 locations in Road Town. Here's the source I used: http://www.wificafespots.com/wifi/city/VG--Tortola,_Road_Town

They also have Android/iOS/Blackberry/Windows apps to help you find WiFi:

http://www.wificafespots.com

Probably best to print a list before you go rather than having the catch-22 experience of looking for WiFi to run your WiFi finder app.

rqd