lahore

Hello all.  I’ve just booked our first Celebrity cruise, Australia to New Zealand.  Everything seems relatively straight forward so far, except the jolly drinks issue.  I have some questions but first some context.

I can’t drink alcohol.  I drink quite a bit of soft drink though.  I don’t need ‘mocktails’ or similar. I might stump up for the odd smoothy but wouldn’t pay for a package to get them. I drink tea, not coffee.  Tea bags are fine for 11 days.
My partner might have one or two alcoholic drinks per cruise.  He doesn’t drink soft drink, but does drink really good high end Melbourne style coffee.  He’s very likely to proclaim that the ship’s coffee is ‘crap’, that’s what usually happens.

So, I am not going to pay USD$30 per day for some coke or lemonade.  I couldn’t possibly drink enough to make it worthwhile and then everyone in the cabin has to pay for it so that’s USD$60 for one person to drink soft drink.  Out of the question.

Therefore I was riveted to read on here that ‘normal’ soft drinks might now be included. Can anyone say without any doubt whatsoever what the situation is?  I don’t want to phone some call center and have a call centre staffer have a guess.

Also, can you take your own soft drink onto Celebrity?  Recently on Cunard I took a slab of my favourite (100+; a Malaysian electrolyte drink which you definitely couldn’t get onboard anyway) and it was no problem.  What might be the situation on Celebrity?

To summarise this whole thread: how can I satisfy my soft drink addiction without paying nearly $100 AU per day for it.  I can deal with being overcharged a bit, but that’s just taking the Pi$$.

TIA

On 12/19/2022 at 7:06 PM, exlondoner said:

One thing: you say people with Covid are locked up for five days. This is a terrifying thought, in the case of an emergency. Presumably you simply mean confined. The fact they don’t have a key doesn’t mean they are locked in.

Yes, sorry, turn of phrase.  Not locked in. 

19 hours ago, Mareblu said:

Thanks so much, Lahore, for posting on this important topic.  We embark on 7 January, so we’re following with keen interest.  I’m hoping our 4 vax status and actually recovering from Covid (both) late September should provide adequate cover.  Do you know if Covid patients are isolating in their own staterooms, or if Cunard is continuing to move pax to designated isolation areas?  Which services have been impacted?  So grateful for any information you are able to kindly provide.  Hoping you both stay well and are able to enjoy your cruise.

Linda

Hi all. So I finally got some more internet connection.  I’ll try to address your questions @Mareblu:

We are in same situation as you: 4x vax plus I had Covid a month or so back so hoping we don’t get it.

This is what I have heard about Covid patients (but it’s not all first hand):  Anyone who is unfortunate enough to develop symptoms or test positive are to return to their cabin and phone medical (that’s fact).  From there on I can’t vouch for what happens personally but I understand that if you are in an inside or window cabin you are moved to a balcony and locked up for five days or until you test negative (not certain on last part of that).  If you are the partner of the sick person you can still wander about until/if you test positive but you have to eat in the cabin.

I don’t know where the designated isolation areas are, if in fact there are any.

So far laundries are closed, bar service is waiters at tables only, some weird and some totally farcical/tokenistic stuff like trivia in the Lion is packed solid with no social distancing whatsoever but they are no longer swapping answers for marking,  in Commodore’s last night there were signs on some tables that they were not to be used, but as it was a sail away the signs got moved or simply seemed to vanish and nobody seemed to care.  Masks everywhere unless eating/drinking and mandatory on tenders and tours.  

The staff are all totally aware that we are tier three but passengers have still not been officially told anything at all in relation to statistics, apart from being treated like children and reminded to wear masks.  In general, the mood onboard doesn’t seem to have altered at all and people are generally having a good time.  My partner and I are slightly adjusting our behaviour, for example I was planning to spend today in the aqua therapy area and now I am not (aerosol droplets), we ate in the buffet last night and took our food as far away from others as possible and I had lunch on the aft deck in the fresh air despite that it was quite chilly.  There are ways to be careful.  

I would advise you to just be aware, pack as though you might not have access to a laundry, and come prepared to be disappointed about some things that may not be exactly as you would have liked.  Also be prepared to do your own ‘intel’ on board because the powers will tell you absolutely nothing, which is the main thing I find lacking.

3 hours ago, Mareblu said:

Thanks so much, Lahore, for posting on this important topic.  We embark on 7 January, so we’re following with keen interest.  I’m hoping our 4 vax status and actually recovering from Covid (both) late September should provide adequate cover.  Do you know if Covid patients are isolating in their own staterooms, or if Cunard is continuing to move pax to designated isolation areas?  Which services have been impacted?  So grateful for any information you are able to kindly provide.  Hoping you both stay well and are able to enjoy your cruise.

Linda

Currently runny out of connectivity. Will get back tomorrow. 

Hi all.  I am sharing this not to be a ‘downer’ nor a drama queen, but because when I was about to board last week there was a dearth of accurate information to be had.  I am now onboard QE.  Yesterday morning (Saturday) as we docked for an over nighter in Hobart we were all tested for Covid (mandatory).  This morning we had an announcement to all rooms that there was a “small amount” of covid on board and that “some services may change”.  It was infuriatingly vague and clearly designed to tell us nothing useful.  I heard a rumour from one junior staff member, and later confirmed with someone much more senior whom I have befriended (no names/ranks to protect them).  The story is that we are either currently in, or imminently moving to ‘Tier Three” for covid.  If you con’t know what means, the NSW website for covid and cruise ships in Australian waters is the most useful.  We will, obviously, be taking extra care.   I am providing this information for anyone boarding on the 22nd purely in the interests of accuracy because you will not get that from the cruise lines.

Regards Lahore (Dr). 

On 11/29/2022 at 8:42 PM, Pippa04 said:

Big problem on this voyage appears to be the lack of testing after large numbers of people boarded in Sydney. Spoken to several people who flew in from NZ who felt they picked covid up on flight. Testing a couple of days after they boarded would have helped immensely in my opinion. Some people have been less than honest but a lot were totally unaware they were infected. Captain spoke today and implied that numbers are under control and going down but no hard facts obviously!

Yes,  it's not been the cruise we were expecting on the second half - we've been on since Fremantle  - but we've still enjoyed it through being sensible.

It’s the lack of hard facts that I find very hard to stomach.  Personally I’d rather have bad news, if it was factual, than obfuscation.  If I have the facts I can make an informed decision, the lack of actual numbers just makes me wonder what they are trying to hide and why,

On 11/30/2022 at 2:10 AM, Poole Boy said:

I will be staying on until Sydney on Dec 13th

Oh great, well if you wouldn’t mind updating us, that would be rather excellent.  Stay well.  

Hi @Poole Boy.  Thanks heaps for the update, greatly appreciated.  Can I ask, will you be disembarking in Freo, or staying on board. I’d be SO KEEN to hear what happens after Fremantle. 

15 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

 

Best predictor of covid on ships is levels of covid on land. If they stay where they are , covid on ships will not change. Covid rates on ships,  were roughly double that of ONS UK survey  1 in 10 on ship , 1 in 20 on land (ONS survey). This ratio has not really changed much.

 

Hi again,  hey could you please provide more details about this survey (I am not sure what ONS is…I’m in Australia).  I’m an academic so I guess wanting to read the research is in the blood…I’m genuinely interested.  TIA> 

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Not sure about rules about health questionnaire and covid proof embarking other than UK but on our recent cruise from Southampton UK on QV you have to fill in a basic health declaration 3 days prior to boarding which is wise for you to answer NO to all questions. Cunard ask you to take a self-administered covid test within 3 days of boarding. On our arrival they stamp your boarding pass "fir to board" and they never asked whether we had taken a covid test or what the result was.

Yes, it’s a farce.  No wonder they are in the situation they are currently in, and thus we are too.

4 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

What do they mean by show appropriate proof you have tested negative. 

What they mean is possibly the most silly thing I have ever read (see below). The potential for falsifying is obvious. 

4 hours ago, watsonbeau said:

In UK if you put yes it will be denied boarding and no FCC I think. Not sure if you are US or Aussie booking site as will have different terms and conditions- you would be best to check with Cunard or TA for relevant booking site.

This is what I am seeing on the Cunard website from Australia

1 hour ago, WoorimBeachLady said:

Check the Cunard cancellation policy, up to 14 days you only lose 25% of the full fare. So Wednesday…

Thanks but from what I read you lose 75% up to 15 days prior and 100% thereafter. 

22 minutes ago, Poole Boy said:

The Tassie Cruise is in 2 weeks a lot can change in that time , QE has 2 turnarounds before it gets to head over toTasmania.

 

you are just as likely to come into contact with someone with Covid on land as you are on the ship. Don’t let our current situation put you off. With the measures in place on board you are probably safer than in a crowded mall on shore.

Things might change, and they might not.  It’s a gamble, and I’m not a risk taker.  We don’t go to crowded malls. 😉

I’ve just had Covid, so I’m most likely totally safe. But my hubby is vulnerable and hasn’t had it so that’s a concern; a much bigger concern than the loss of $3000. 

The situation on board at the moment doesn’t really sound fun either, sadly.  Do we really want to go in a ship that doesn’t offer room service, requires queuing for things and where you have little to no options other than the MDR? Probably not more’s the pity. 
 

@Poole Boy I’d love to hear more about how things progress and thank you so much for your time.  Wishing you well. 
 

Just now, lissie said:

Why do you think you are any more at risk on a cruise? Do you otherwise never leave home? Never go out? Never meet friends? Never go out to dinner? The only difference on a ship is that they actually have rules about isolating the  sick and testing and social distancing - its far safer than having a holiday at home. There is an increase infections on land too - so long as you've had all your boosters  most people only get mildly sick - some are asymptomatic - which makes you wonder why  everyone at every part on land doesn't test before they arrive? 

No, I don’t.  🤣
 

Also, I’m a doctor.  I’m pretty good to make my own medical decisions thanks. 

Hi again

I thought I’d start another thread wth an appropriate heading for the answer I am seeking.  Hope that is OK, mods.

On reading the P&O thread as advised by helpful people on here, it seems that they are unceremoniously bouncing people and cancelling their cruises if they answer ‘yes’ to any of the pre-boarding health declaration questions.  

The difference is, Cunard has a ‘cruise with confidence’ policy in place until the 28th February from what I can read, and that would seem to say that if you are denied boarding due to the health questionnaire you get a future cruise credit for use within a year. 

To me this begs the question; is this not the same as a free postponement?  Anyone could easily tick ‘yes’, even if they weren’t sick or if they were but it wasn’t covid.  I mean, my partner has congestive chest issues since a pulmonary embolism so if we answered the health questionnaire honestly the answer would always be yes to ‘coughs and sniffles’….it doesn’t mean he has covid.  

So, my question is, has anyone been denied boarding and if so what proof did Cunard require please, if any, prior to issuance of the future cruise credit?   

TIA

17 hours ago, WoorimBeachLady said:

Am booked on same cruise, but paid a relatively high price plus flights and hotels. It’s a hard decisions either way

Sorry to hear that you are in the same *boat*, as it were.  We would lose $1500 each. It’s a lot, but our lives are worth more. I’m still not sure what to do, husband is against going so it’s causing marital strife too 🤣.  Am watching with great interest. 

Thanks all. 
How to put this…. Please someone tell me if I am wrong, but from those Cunard rules posted (and which I had read) it seems that if you are travelling before February on Cunard and you are denied boarding you get a FCC. For some, that could be a good thing (particularly given the current situation aboard QE). I just wonder if all you have to do is to tick “yes” and they take you at your word and you are denied boarding but get a FCC, or do you require doctor certified proof. Anyone know?

Oops, sorry, after further digging on CC I have located a copy.

Now the next question is; what happens if someone ticks ‘yes’.  Do you need to show proof of a positive test, or your status of having been a close contact?  If so, how?

Hi all

Does anyone have a copy of the Cunard health declaration form that must be completed within the three days prior (at least in Australia) to boarding please?   If not, even a good description of what it asks and what, if any, supporting documentation is required.

TIA

4 hours ago, Poole Boy said:

The RATs are back , everyone has been tested this morning, so hopefully that will calm things down.

 

Unlikely restrictions will be lifted before Fremantle, but we can hope.

 

In some ways, I happy were not going to Bali, and am looking forward to spending more time in Fremantle & Perth, with a 10 PM Departure scheduled  on Friday we now have almost 3 full days to explore the area, may not be a consolation to those who live in WA, but for a visiting Brit, its an unexpected opportunity.

 

Looking for the pg ositives, the temperature has cooled slightly, now only in the high 20's and not quite as humid, plenty of space on the open decks.

 

Time for a cocktail, I'm sure it's past 5pm somewhere in the world

 

If you haven’t been somewhere before, it’s always good to go and explore.  Bali is wonderful, and so are Perth and Fremantle in particular, although of course they are literally and figuratively worlds away from Bali.  You are there at the right time for good weather.   Perth can be stifling in December, I was there for six weeks due to my dad’s passing in December January 2021 and it was mid to high 30’s every day for weeks. You will avoid that purgatory (it’s like an oven all day, until about 4pm when the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ comes in…. A strong sea breeze that is predictable).   

I am sure you will enjoy Perth and Fremantle.  The Freo markets are interesting and there are some excellent foodie options around the area if that is your jam.  The beaches of Perth are stunning, and there are usually really good cafes just behind them.  Cottesloe beach area is a nice visit….it seems you will be there overnight on a Thursday so there is a great opportunity to go to the Thursday night market at Cottesloe: stunning sunsets are a given, along with lots of food trucks, stalls and music. 

https://scarboroughsunsetmarkets.com/?fbclid=IwAR3Ht1oUtDaw5oiNlxCedkkjB6tM5A3GSXo9d3SrKlhnIp2p_tFozL6dukc

Hoping you stay fit and well, and as always, very appreciative of any ongoing updates you find time to share.

On 11/26/2022 at 8:32 AM, rsquare said:

I was also able to get a "just in case" script after substituting one of my usual drugs with one that does not interact with Paxlovid.  I also discovered that there are two versions of Paxlovid, one for most people and one for people with compromised kidney function; in the US, the boxes are printed in different colors and clearly labelled.

 

Lagevrio seems to have about a 30% effectiveness rate, which is about what you normally see with placebo in clinical trials (I used to work in the pharmaceutical industry).

That’s interesting, thanks for the insight (about effectiveness and kidney issues)

Oh dear. I’m very sorry to hear that, for your sake and my own. 
 

As we’ve paid a relatively low price for our one week to Tassie, we may end up just ditching it.  

It just might not be worth the risk plus we were going to skip the formality by avoiding the MDR. One of the main things I enjoy about cruises is breakfast in bed. I loathe getting up early and we were planning several nights in the Veranda and otherwise the buffet or room service. This not sounding good for us at all. 
 

I’ll be very interested if you don’t mind sharing what’s happening whenever the mood takes you. Meanwhile, I really hope you find a way to relax and enjoy yourselves to some extent. More importantly, stay well and thanks for the update. 

3 hours ago, Poole Boy said:

ON QE at the moment, doing a B2B SYD- SYD, I have received an E Mail for the Fremantle to SYD sector saying masks may be required in some spaces on board, had the same E mail before embarkation in Sydney.

 

Launderettes on board now closed, was limited to 2 people yesterday, so that would indicate Covid situation is not improveing.  Most people adhering to the mask mandate, staff on hand to give out masks for those who forget to wear one.

 

Will be interesting to see if any restrictions are lifted after Fremantle, understand approx 800 pax will leave with similar number joining.

 

 

Thank you, that is very interesting.  

3 hours ago, lissie said:

I think we wee notified within a week or so of departure - it was pretty close I know that 

Great, useful to know.  Thank you.