Oceania's Action Plan for Coronavirus

[Flatbush Flyer]

12 hours ago, mircha said:

.......Frankly, it is somewhat obscene that Norwegian waited until February 13 to offer full refunds and credits for a voyage scheduled to depart on February 17. 

 

Clearly, your situation on Nautica is different - your embarkation port was not changed and you have traveled to relatively virus free ports. I hope you safely disembark in Singapore as scheduled ... but you might want to have a respirator mask and surgical gloves handy.

 

michelle (mircha)

 

Perhaps NCL was still trying to find replacement ports in order to appease the far greater number of folks who still wanted to cruise. But, alas, that didn't work. So they cancelled the cruise.

 

We're not worried about heading directly home from Singapore on March 4 (Cathay Pacific via HKG to SFO). We wore the masks and took all the obvious precautions on the inbound early February flight through HGK. And we'll do the same on the way home to SFO. 

 

(Interestingly, there's quite a few O regulars on Nautica now who are keeping their plans to stay a few extra days in Singapore. They too will take all reasonable precautions).

 

And, unless there are new itinerary changes to the embarkation port, we'll be back in Singapore in May to join Insignia for the two segments that had the midpoint overnight in Hong Kong but which now will sadly be missed. And, once again, we'll take all the obvious health precautions as will Oceania. 

 

Of course, our decisions MAY be different than the few posters on this thread who seem to be holding out for Oceania to cancel their cruise (which just isn't going to happen). I say MAY, because it's a good bet that every one of them will end up choosing to do the upcoming Nautica and Insignia cruises and, once onboard, have the great time they've come to expect from O.

[Paulchili]

15 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

We're not worried about heading directly home from Singapore on March 4 (Cathay Pacific via HKG to SFO). We wore the masks and took all the obvious precautions on the inbound early February flight through HGK. And we'll do the same on the way home to SFO. 

Wish you all the best.

Not sure I would chance going through not just one but two "hotspots".

Hopefully all will be well - just don't touch anything and don't breath and you'll be fine 😀

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

Wish you all the best.

Not sure I would chance going through not just one but two "hotspots".

Hopefully all will be well - just don't touch anything and don't breath and you'll be fine 😀

Thanks. All will be okay.

[Flatbush Flyer]

The latest from Oceania regarding passenger compensation and the upcoming Nautica and Insignia segments:

 

Nautica March 4 and March 18, 2020

If guest sails –25% refund plus a 25% Future Cruise Credit

If guest cancels – applicable penalties; 25% refund and 25% Future Cruise Credit

 

Nautica April 13, 2020

If guest sails –25% Future Cruise Credit

If guest cancels – applicable penalties and 25% Future Cruise Credit

 

Insignia May 9 and May 24, 2020

If guest sails –10% refund plus a 25% Future Cruise Credit

If guest cancels – applicable penalties; 10% refund and 25% Future Cruise Credit

 

[clo]

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

All will be okay.

Could you please explain what you base that statement on? TIA.

[TrulyBlonde]

This is how a cruise line establishes goodwill and takes care of not only their customers, but also First Responders. Great move by RCCL

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22457-royal-caribbean-to-sail-free-cruises-for-crisis-responders-with-displaced-tonnage.html

[TERRIER1]

My friends were due to cruise on the Celebrity Millennium in April to Japan. They received the following communication from Celebrity and their TA. 

 

Dear Guest,   We have some urgent information to provide regarding your upcoming Asia cruise aboard Celebrity Millennium®.   As we monitor global developments related to the coronavirus, our priority remains the health and safety of our guests and crew, as well as providing amazing vacation experiences. Each morning our executive team reviews daily updates from the CDC and WHO regarding the situation. After further consultation with public health authorities and medical experts, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of Millennium’s season in Asia, including the voyages of 3/14/20; 3/28/20; 4/10/20; 4/21/20; 5/10/20.  Celebrity Millennium will now reposition to the West Coast of the United States earlier than originally planned.   Up until today we did not intend to cancel the remaining season, however, due to continuous and unpredictable changes in travel restrictions and port closures, we feel this is the best decision for the health and safety of all.  This decision was not made lightly as we value your vacation time and want to ensure you have the best experience possible on a Celebrity Cruise.  The Asia market remains of great importance to us and we look forward to returning there very soon.   In order to compensate you for this cancellation, all booked guests will receive a full refund to their original method of payment and a 25% Future Cruise Credit (FCC).  If you pre-booked any shore excursions through Celebrity Cruises, you’ll receive a full refund to the original form of payment.  Guests with independent arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible.  If you pre-purchased any beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, you will also receive a full refund to your original form of payment.   Guests with air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically. Guests with independent air arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required cancellations. For any airline flight change fees incurred, you may receive up to $300 per person reimbursement.  In order to receive reimbursement, you must send us a copy of the air change fees assessed.  Please email to, celebrityengagementcenter@celebrity.com   We know how important your vacation time is and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience of this cancellation.  Your safety and well-being are our highest priority.  We hope to welcome you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruise vacation.   Sincerely, Celebrity Cruises

[LHT28]

5 hours ago, TrulyBlonde said:

This is how a cruise line establishes goodwill and takes care of not only their customers, but also First Responders. Great move by RCCL

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22457-royal-caribbean-to-sail-free-cruises-for-crisis-responders-with-displaced-tonnage.html

It is  a good way to keep the ships in service & keep the crew employed   since they recently   pulled them from Asia

[irr]

February 15 update

Singapore - diagnosed cases are now up to 72  with 5 more cases diagnosed in the past 24 hours 

8 of the Singapore patients are in serious or critical condition 

For those scheduled to leave on the March 4 Natuica trip (which has still not been cancelled) it also appears that Vietnam is not allowing cruise ships in that have been in Singapore. 

67 new cases on the Princess cruise ship in Japan.

US military  is now going to evacuated all US citizens who are on the ship who  test negative for the virus and then quarantine them for another 14 days at US military bases 

 

Resources for much of the update

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

 

This is an interesting article about the challenges of providing medications for those on board the Diamond Princess 

https://news.yahoo.com/japan-pharmacists-filled-2-000-120000412.html

 

How many countries in the world, especially those in SE Asia currently struggling with caring for their own citizens, can mount this type of effort if another cruise ship gets quarantined due to leaving from a port with escalating case numbers? 

If you are still planning on going on the still uncancelled  March 4 Nautica sailing bring a month's worth of extra medication. It is unclear what would happen to a second cruise ship stranded in SE Asia at this time. 

[bbtondo]

19 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

We're not worried about heading directly home from Singapore on March 4 (Cathay Pacific via HKG to SFO). We wore the masks and took all the obvious precautions on the inbound early February flight through HGK. And we'll do the same on the way home to SFO. 

 

Please keep us updated how you are doing after all of this.  I hope you and your family stay well!

 

[irr]

6 minutes ago, bbtondo said:

 

Going home from Singapore and going directly to the airport from the ship is one thing Expecting a cruise ship full of passengers who will most likely need to arrive at least a day early and then embark on a 14 day cruise with increasing restrictions on travel in SE Asia and unknowns about which countries will be able to help care for passengers who do get sick for any reason is another thing entirely. 

In addition, Oceania has no idea how many people will actually be on that cruise. If you cancel at this point you forfeit the ability to get any money back if they do eventually cancel. If you decide to chance it and go to Singapore and arrive at the ship with low grade fever or cold symptoms you will not be allowed to board and will not get your money back as of the last letter we got. You ned to work out the details with your insurance company. You are pretty much on your own to get health care in Singapore. 

[PaulMCO]

30 minutes ago, irr said:

Going home from Singapore and going directly to the airport from the ship is one thing Expecting a cruise ship full of passengers who will most likely need to arrive at least a day early and then embark on a 14 day cruise with increasing restrictions on travel in SE Asia and unknowns about which countries will be able to help care for passengers who do get sick for any reason is another thing entirely. 

In addition, Oceania has no idea how many people will actually be on that cruise. If you cancel at this point you forfeit the ability to get any money back if they do eventually cancel. If you decide to chance it and go to Singapore and arrive at the ship with low grade fever or cold symptoms you will not be allowed to board and will not get your money back as of the last letter we got. You ned to work out the details with your insurance company. You are pretty much on your own to get health care in Singapore. 

I will repeat what another poster has stated.  So are you going on your cruise??

[Flatbush Flyer]

29 minutes ago, irr said:

Going home from Singapore and going directly to the airport from the ship is one thing Expecting a cruise ship full of passengers who will most likely need to arrive at least a day early and then embark on a 14 day cruise with increasing restrictions on travel in SE Asia and unknowns about which countries will be able to help care for passengers who do get sick for any reason is another thing entirely. 

In addition, Oceania has no idea how many people will actually be on that cruise. If you cancel at this point you forfeit the ability to get any money back if they do eventually cancel. If you decide to chance it and go to Singapore and arrive at the ship with low grade fever or cold symptoms you will not be allowed to board and will not get your money back as of the last letter we got. You ned to work out the details with your insurance company. You are pretty much on your own to get health care in Singapore. 

I'm too lazy to look back in the thread.

That said, has anyone in this discussion actually cancelled or will cancel? Who intends to cancel? 

[manuwolf]

We have decided to go if OC will do the March 4 cruise. Will not book any flight til then - they are expensive anyhow. I am reading Straitstimes (Singapore newspaper) & keep in touch with a friend who lives in Singapore. And take into consideration that life is a risk anyhow & to get a very bad flue on board is a great risk anytime I take a cruise. There is a point you have to make a decision and then stand for it - lamenting 24/7 is not my thing... Japan is the reason for this trip... think positive.

You attitude makes your thoughts & your thoughts determine your actions 😉

[irr]

Lastest News

American from (Holland America) cruise ship docked in Cambodia tests positive in Malaysia for coronavirus

Still going now?

Not sure what they are going to do with the rest of the passengers who were on that ship not under quarantine during their search for a port with claims that no one on board was sick. 

What country will take a ship in their ports now after docking at a high risk port ? That remains to be determined. 

[susiesan]

South Korea has put a temporary ban on any cruise ship calls

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200210003152315 

 

So is O the only company that has not cancelled their Asia sailings for the rest of the spring season? Looks like the cruise ships are running out of places to go in that part of the world.

 

[irr]

3 minutes ago, irr said:

Lastest News

American from (Holland America) cruise ship docked in Cambodia tests positive in Malaysia for coronavirus

Still going now?

Not sure what they are going to do with the rest of the passengers who were on that ship not under quarantine during their search for a port with claims that no one on board was sick. 

What country will take a ship in their ports now after docking at a high risk port ? That remains to be determined. 

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-thanks-cambodia-over-ship-024244057.html

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, susiesan said:

South Korea has put a temporary ban on any cruise ship calls

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200210003152315 

 

So is O the only company that has not cancelled their Asia sailings for the rest of the spring season? Looks like the cruise ships are running out of places to go in that part of the world.

 

Crystal is still sailing

The ship was dock for 2-3 days  so people could wander around & then fly home maybe spreading the virus

some are boarding  in Singapore

[mircha]

35 minutes ago, susiesan said:

South Korea has put a temporary ban on any cruise ship calls

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200210003152315 

 

So is O the only company that has not cancelled their Asia sailings for the rest of the spring season? Looks like the cruise ships are running out of places to go in that part of the world.

 

If you look at the date of the article, you will see, I believe,  that South Korea imposed the travel ban on February 10th. Meanwhile stops in Jeju Island and Busan still appeared on the itinerary which our TA forwarded from Oceania on February 11.

 

Meanwhile, I was very upset to hear about the passenger testing positive in Cambodia. That country is a fascinating country to visit and is to be commended for trying to help the Westerdam,   but their medical facilities are woefully inadequate. 
 

I note also that Oceania’s 2020 ATW Cruise is stopping in Myanmar — another fascinating country, but yet another country lacking in medical facilities (& one that shares a Swiss cheese border with China). Indeed, I suspect that even if a substantial segment of the population in Myanmar & Cambodia were infected with Coronavirus, they would not seek health care, but just believe they had a bad cold. 
 

No good developments so far ... and, yes, I think the “new” Oceania (Norwegian) MAY be the ship that sails where everyone else fears to go. In fairness to Oceania, Insignia has over 300 passengers on the ATW. They must get those passengers home ... through Asia, a creative itinerary from CapeTown, or flights. As Asian ports become less available and the number of virus cases increase, Insignia’s options are getting worse. Yet, amazingly, their Customer Relations Department appears oblivious.

 

Michelle  (mircha)

 

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, irr said:

Still going now?

Hey - we asked you first!!!

Your lack of a response certainly suggests that, unless you get your money back, all your "talk" is just that - "talk." And, so, you'll be headed to Singapore for that March 4th embarkation.(since you're now in the 100% penalty phase.

[Flatbush Flyer]

54 minutes ago, mircha said:

If you look at the date of the article, you will see, I believe,  that South Korea imposed the travel ban on February 10th. Meanwhile stops in Jeju Island and Busan still appeared on the itinerary which our TA forwarded from Oceania on February 11.

 

Meanwhile, I was very upset to hear about the passenger testing positive in Cambodia. That country is a fascinating country to visit and is to be commended for trying to help the Westerdam,   but their medical facilities are woefully inadequate. 
 

I note also that Oceania’s 2020 ATW Cruise is stopping in Myanmar — another fascinating country, but yet another country lacking in medical facilities (& one that shares a Swiss cheese border with China). Indeed, I suspect that even if a substantial segment of the population in Myanmar & Cambodia were infected with Coronavirus, they would not seek health care, but just believe they had a bad cold. 
 

No good developments so far ... and, yes, I think the “new” Oceania (Norwegian) MAY be the ship that sails where everyone else fears to go. In fairness to Oceania, Insignia has over 300 passengers on the ATW. They must get those passengers home ... through Asia, a creative itinerary from CapeTown, or flights. As Asian ports become less available and the number of virus cases increase, Insignia’s options are getting worse. Yet, amazingly, their Customer Relations Department appears oblivious.

 

Michelle  (mircha)

 

 

Can't remember if you're on any of the Nautica/Insignia segments. But, if yes, are you going or not? 

 

As for Insignia and the ATW folks: you're assuming that the majority of them may want to go home and that there aren't plenty of West/South Pacific ports that want very much to join the list of regularly visited cruise ports.

 

So back to the question at hand? Going?

[irr]

I am not sure why it matters so much to you whether I am going or not. i am not going. However, Oceania is holding all of our money as well as the ability to get money back if they change their policy if we cancel. We cannot make other travel plans because this was a trip we saved for and our travel budget this year is tied up currently by Oceania. That is nothing compared to the risks that Oceania is asking us to undertake or the impact on those that become  ill on themselves, their family and the community.  

 

We will enjoy ourselves at home and put our travel plans this year on hold. Currently the risks go well beyond the risk of getting sick. They include

the risk of ship quarantine,

the risk of difficulty getting home having been forced to travel through Singapore as more and more flights are being cancelled, the risks to our community if we come home asymptomatic but contagious,

the risks of being deemed ineligible to get on the ship if one of us gets ill while traveling (even if it is not with coronavirus) and then trying to get health care in Singapore, (Those temperature screens are nonspecific and non sensitive for this virus) 

the risks of one of use being quarantined and the other person not able to see a loved one who may become critically ill (20% of those that get sick become severely or critically ill),

and the risks of more and more cruise ports shutting down leaving the Nautica to the same fate as the Holland America ship. Now that someone on that ship has tested positive for the virus no country is likely to let a cruise ship that is from a high risk area dock. 

 

The risk to Oceania from a business perspective for how this has been handled is that we will never travel with them again (and this would have been our 6th cruise), our friends and family wll not travel with them as they have been appalled at what is transpiring and the risks of losing business from others increase if the Nautica makes negative headlines due to an untoward event. We have just retired and plan on increasing our travel but it won't be with any Norwegian owned cruise ship line. I even had a friend who has travelled with Oceania before who called them because she could not believe the line was treating people like this and was given a cold tape recorder like recitation from a sales person who said that the shis is going and it is our fault becasue we did not buy the right kind of ship insurance when we booked this trip a year ago. 

 

Now you tell me. Why is it so important for you to know whether or not I am going. Inquiring minds want to know 

[Desert_Boomer]

Interesting to note that the March 18th cruise was completely sold out a few months ago but now shows availability in almost every cabin class. I assume that Oceania received quite a few cancellations and is now trying to double dip by keeping the cancelee's cruise fare and reselling the same cabin at standard (maybe even special deal) prices. Seems like it would be more fair to provide a full refund to the original cancelee if they can resell it - less any administrative costs or commissions. That would make Oceania seem a bit more ethical than what I am feeling about their apparent application of Game Theory to their current policies. (If the guest cancels before Oceania then Oceania gets to make more money so Game Theory would suggest that Oceania has the advantage by waiting as long as possible before Oceania cancels the cruise hoping that more guests will cancel before then.)

[mircha]

6 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

 

Can't remember if you're on any of the Nautica/Insignia segments. But, if yes, are you going or not? 

 

As for Insignia and the ATW folks: you're assuming that the majority of them may want to go home and that there aren't plenty of West/South Pacific ports that want very much to join the list of regularly visited cruise ports.

 

So back to the question at hand? Going?

I was not assuming anything. Although “home” may be the wrong word, the ATW is just that — it departs the US, goes around the world, and ends up in the US (to me, home). For this reason and because Oceania is loathe to part with a penny, I very much doubt that the May Insignia Cruises will be cancelled. Instead, creative rerouting will likely occur — problem is an itinerary that emphasizes West/South Pacific ports in no way resembles the Asian itinerary. Further, what are folks not using Oceania supposed to do for air transportation? Buy a ticket to Singapore and another to Tahiti? 
 

As Desert Boomer points out, with Oceania’s version of Game Theory in effect, the customer loses.

 

As for our plans, read IRR’s post. That cruiser nailed it.

 

BTW, we are up to cruise 28 or 29 with Oceania. They could care less.

 

mircha

[mircha]

37 minutes ago, mircha said:

BTW, we are up to cruise 28 or 29 with Oceania. They could care less.

Correction: May cruises would be 27 & 28.

 

That’s still lots of $ paid to Oceania. Most cruise lines would appreciate loyal customers. 
 

mircha