bnickle

3 minutes ago, MichiganFisherman said:

So every person aboard should call medical center if they get a sniffle, sneeze, a slight cough aboard is what you're suggesting ? It's almost December and I assure you that Princess wants the opposite of what some are suggesting. They don't want you to come to medical because all that does is make things worse for them if 2000 people shown up at medical on every ship because they sneezed. 

They don’t want you coming to the med center. They want to come to you. Yes, the slightest issue, call them. They will take it from there. Sniffles, cough, headache, anything out of the ordinary. They have beefed up the staff, and they are amazingly quickly responsive and very helpful. Making that phone call as soon as anything seems off is what helps to keep it from spreading at such a rapid rate.

2 minutes ago, sunviking90 said:

A couple dining next to us (we all have tables for 2 but chat a bit) said they watch the shows on their cabin tv. I looked and have not found them, only the lectures. 

Wow. I’ve looked too; seems like it’d be a good idea to keep crowds down a little in the theatre. If you find them let me know!

5 minutes ago, sunviking90 said:

So sorry you are going through this. I really respect your self reflection that you weren’t your best self and that may have affected others. I think we could all use a little self reflection at times! 
We are also on this cruise, and I want to say thank you for doing the right thing and reporting your symptoms. We are no longer attending the shows and avoiding crowded spaces as we hear so much coughing around us. As we’ve heard time and time again, these longer cruises can be especially fertile ground for Covid.

One thing (not a complaint, just a thought,) my handsome boyfriend and I were talking about, is that it would be nice if they could show the shows on TV like they do the morning show. We have loved the shows so far and would love to see tonight’s. Pretty sure having a separate “covid section” would defeat the purpose of isolation, but we do miss seeing the shows.

6 minutes ago, memoak said:

This is way different from my experience on the Royal where we never heard from medical once we tested positive. Thrown into isolation with hundreds of others, Pilates of dishes pile up for days outside the cabin etc. probably due to how many were quarantined. There were so many of us that when we disembarked the line wound all the way around prom deck

I am so sorry that happened to you! I think Princess has refined and firmed up several policies for dealing with Covid; the medical team is very accessible and they also reach out to check on us.

4 minutes ago, chubbypiggy said:

Was your original cabin a balcony cabin?  I wonder if one booked a mini suite, if need to go into isolation, will Princess also give them a mini suite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were in a mini-suite, and we went to a balcony cabin. Do not think a mini-suite is an option. But, in a letter that was given to us when we were moved, several salient points were outlined for our info. Among the information shared was that Princess will pro-rate the cruise into days, and the days that we are in isolation will be applied as future cruise credit. Also, they handle all bookings and cancellations for anything we had previously scheduled and paid for, and no penalties for cancelling. We have access to daily laundry service, Princess waives all costs of care and medications (unless you want Paxlovid, and that really should be considered carefully). 

8 minutes ago, LidoLiz said:

Hey, I think I waved to you yesterday! I think we are four cabins down.

Agreed on how good, and how hard-working our crew is. Nothing but fast service and empathy.

 

 

Yeah! We were all out there chatting yesterday! And totally agree; the crew is full of empathy and kindness and frankly they are working their behineys off.

6 minutes ago, Coral said:

Looks like you are the 3rd couple from our roll call group to have joined the Aloha deck.

 

I am so sorry! I hope you start feeling better soon. I am glad Princess is taking care of you.

 

Do you know how many cabins are affected on your deck. Someone mentioned 17 cabins?

I can’t say; the most we can do is poke our head out the door and glance up and down the hallway. They have tables in front of our doors (we call it the DMZ) where the staff puts anything they are dropping off, like dinner, or laundry, or anything we’ve ordered. But when I do the glance, it seems like all the doors up and down the hallway has it’s own DMZ and we really don’t know how many are actually filled.

Yes, I think all of the iso cabins have balconies. We’ve been hanging out, chatting with other people along the deck also hanging out on their balconies. It’s a special club. (That no one really wants to be in, but here we are.)

Welp, it’s been a voyage. Highs and lows of waves, temperatures, and enough phlegm to keep the CDC busy for decades to come. 

We’re on the Emerald (comin’ at ya LIVE, ya’ll!) headed from Southampton to Ft. Lauderdale.  We had sipped our way through Bordeaux, enjoyed the Cherbourg Countryside, sampled tapas in Spain, and enjoyed Portuguese pixtos and wine. We were looking forward to relaxing, enjoying some sea days, and heading home after a delightful finish to a long retirement tour. Then….sniff sniff. Cough cough. 

I had a sore throat and congested head suddenly one evening. Next morning, called the medical center. They were at the door promptly, and gave each of us a test. I had several self test kits with us, and we had tested every three days since we had left home several weeks before. The last test, taken two days before, had been negative, and we had no symptoms, so when my test was positive I was surprised. And probably a little curt with the poor Princess med tech. “Are you **** kidding me” was probably not a shining moment for me, but there it was.

Once you test positive, things move quickly. We were given the choice of my husband staying in the cabin, enjoying some freedom of movement around the ship, and being monitored by testing every few days, or he could come with me to the isolation deck and he would also be completely isolated.  He said there was no choice; he was coming with me. Which was sweet of him (and I already think the sun shines because he lets it) but I have worried the entire time we’ve been in our iso digs that he’d get sick. Anyway…the decision was made, belongings were randomly thrown into suitcases, and we were taken up to the Aloha deck to our new palace on the sea.  

That was Tuesday, Nov 15, and we are still in our comfy cozy quarters, awaiting tomorrow morning’s test, which will determine if we stay longer or go back to our original quarters.

Things to know:

- I need to write a letter of apology (I was angry and felt crappy and took it out on people who were simply following policy) and of gratitude to Princess. The staff has, without exception, been kind and understanding and patient. All the things I try to be, but failed at this last week. 

- Once you test positive, Princess works hard to soften the sharp edges of a bad situation. The medical staff was in continual contact with us, patiently answering questions. Guest services checked on us a couple of times each day, ensuring that all our needs were met. The room service team was kind and patient and always offered a cheerful query as to how we were feeling. 

- You can order anything off of any of the menus (Supplemental charges still apply for premium restaurants), and Princess does it’s best to see that your choices are varied as if you’re sitting at a table in the Main Dining Room.

- The crew that works the iso floor, delivering food, messages, drinks, laundry, and just random stuff that you suddenly need right now because YOU ARE SICK, DANG IT simply does not get paid enough for the patience and kindness they show in their front-line duties. We are appreciative of their sunny smiles and cheerful tolerance of my sick-bed grumpiness. 

- My outlook improved tremendously when I realized that I may be ill, and feeling crappy, but I’m still sitting on a balcony in 74 degree weather, looking out over a calm ocean, sitting beside my handsome boyfriend and sipping down all the cold water I can get my hands on. Life is still good. 

- Lastly, I did not know the human body could produce so much phlegm. Seriously. TMI, I totally get, but…dude. I’m expecting a call from Ripley’s Believe it or Not any day now. 

Any questions, drop ‘em here. Happy to answer ‘em. In the meantime, wash your hands. Then wash them again. And, like we were told at our CC Meet and Greet, if you have the slightest indication something is not quite right, call the med center. That is all. 

Pretty sure it will be. I know it’s been four years, but it was televised on our 2018 BI cruise. 

We booked a Neptune suite three years ago for our 7 day Alaska cruise. Our three adult kids went with us, and they shared an inside room to sleep in so our room was Party Central. It worked out wonderfully; especially as there is actually a lot of on board time, comparatively speaking to other cruises. We ate lunch on the veranda and watched the glaciers as we cruised the strait; our suite was right across the hall from the Lounge so we had plenty of snacks, soda, and hot tea. For us it worked wonderfully.

32 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

def time to buy the stocks of bottled water etc. and bottle your own and sell it even 

 

i still dont get the run on these things.  whens the last time a virus made tap water undrinkable? or did the terrorists get to us?

LOL...I have no idea.  I just wanted the Diet Coke.  Our daughter works in NYC, and yesterday received an email saying that for at least the next week, all employees will telecommute.  She’s stocking up and planning on getting out very little.

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

is your Target out of purell, Clorox wipes, Lysol spray ?  ours was yesterday

Didn’t even look for those...I was wanting an industrial strength hand lotion as my hands, right now, could sand down any table you’ve got to a fine, smooth sheen.  I did pass by the bottled water section on my way to the pop aisle (my husband’s blood type is DietCoke positive) and the bottled water was cleared out.

1 hour ago, LAnn said:

I have been laughing out loud at your posts - thank you for bringing levity to this situation! 

At 2:24, Dear Reader, the call dropped.  I have said many naughty words and wished horrors upon Sprint.  I have decided to buck up, and go to that place that brings me joy.  I am, of course, speaking of Target.  Seriously, I did pull up the insurance info, so I feel armed with more answers to my questions, but I still have a few.  But we have till the end of the month to act on this, so it’s all good!  Ya’ll have a lovely day!

29 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Try turning off your Bluetooth, putting the phone on speaker until they answer, then turn Bluetooth back on.

Thanks...it’s all good.  There really wasn’t a problem;  I was just kvetching.

1 hour ago, frugaltravel said:

Keep it on speakerphone and mostly ignore the music 😀

My phone is tethered to my hearing aids through Bluetooth.  Any other time this is a huge plus.  Now it’s just the first 8 bars of I’ll Stop The World And Melt With You played over and over and Muzaked directly into my head.  2:04:55 in.  I’ve put laundry away, decided I need new towels, straightened the bedroom, and am making my grocery list and contemplating a third cup of coffee.  Because...I’ll Stop The World And Melt With You.

Just now, frugaltravel said:

Keep it on speakerphone and mostly ignore the music 😀

LOL...my hearing aids tether my phone to me.  On one hand...great sound quality.  On the other hand...great sound quality for Muzak.  I’ve turned it way down.  But my call is very important to them so I have that going for me.

8 minutes ago, KeyKeyVT said:

Keep us posted!

35 minutes in:  on hold to possibly the worst Muzak ever.  Each “song” is the first 8 bars of an ‘80s pop song, just played over and over for three minutes.  Dang it.  Either play the full Flock of Seagulls song or just stop.

We have many questions.  On hold with Princess right now.   I have a full cup of coffee, I’m texting with my daughter, and a basket of laundry to fold.  I could be here a while.  But...I’m going in!  No reservation left behind!

1 hour ago, luckyinpa said:

 

i submit us that like cursing be permanently put on a ship, all expenses paid, that way the people scared of us never have to see us again 🙂 

1 hour ago, weedpindle said:

So, don't go to the grocery store, WalMart, Wally World, anywhere there are more than 2 people and you may be safe. No Doctor visit, Dentist, restaurant. Or go on the cruise, live life normally.

It’s normal for people to have concerns, especially about travel.  It’s not only possible exposure that is worrying.  It’s the possibility of sudden quarantine, more missed work, lack of accessibility to other family members...there are a lot of reasons for someone to be concerned.  What should not be a concern is expressing, calmly, something that worries you and having people snark on you because you simply have a question about wellbeing not only for you, but those traveling with you who may be facing additional challanges.  We can all try to be a little kinder right now.  There’s a lot of information (and misinformation) to sift through.  But any concerns someone has for themself and those around them is legit and should be treated with respect.

The sofa makes into a twin bed. We took a cruise on this ship in 2018 with our adult daughter and really...there was not enough room for the three of us.

On 3/18/2019 at 11:27 AM, rocklinmom said:

I'm looking through these Patters again, planning for our June British Isles cruise.  I don't see Bingo?  Not even on the sea days?  Can anyone please advise if Princess has Bingo on the British Isles cruises?  

Ya know, I do remember there being Bingo activities, so they must have them.

Any tips for flying to Europe with a bum knee.

When and where are you flying?

2pbears report is disappointing and contrary to our experience. In multiple California Coastal cruises we have brought wine on board from port visits. During the Princess Sonoma Wine Country excursion we were told by the guide that we could bring one bottle per person back on board. I bought two bottles at one of the wineries and carried them back on board with no problem. In subsequent cruises I brought back wines that I bought in local stores during port stops in both San Francisco and Santa Barbara. My most recent experience was two years ago.

 

On an Alaska cruise, last spring, I brought on single bottles that I purchased in stores during port stops in Juneau and Skagway.

 

Again, 2pbears report is disappointing. As others have said, here, the only consistent thing about Princess is their inconsistency.

 

Crawford, maybe you can inquire on board about the policy for your cruise.

“Inconsistency” is definitely the word. On our British Isles Cruise in June aboard the Royal, my husband, daughter, and I each had two bottles of wine to take aboard at embarkation. We were prepped to pay the corkage fee for the extra bottle each. There was no station at security and checkin to report the wine. I actually asked about it and was told that they really don’t have the time or manpower to worry about it at embarkation. So we hauled it all on at no extra cost. My husband found a bottle he really liked in Belfast, and again, was never charged for it when he carried it back aboard. I don’t know that that is the standard procedure but it was pretty lax on that cruise.

Thank you so much for this thoroughly entertaining' date=' informative review! Just loved reading every post. I truly hope to talk DH into a British Isles cruise one of these days (we have only been to the Caribbean...and Alaska - which was amazing!) This review and pictures have been truly inspiring.[/quote']

 

 

 

It was truly fun and a dream trip, but be warned: port heavy and exhausting (but in a good way). It was really lovely.

 

 

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