Corona Virus.. anyone worried??

[L454S]

3 hours ago, gammite said:

the misinformation and cavalier attitude about this situation is mind boggling here.

 

there are countries that have literally quarantined entire cities and people  on this forum are saying this is not a big deal.  

 

there have been multiple cruise ships with breakouts of the virus and people suffering through quarantines.

 

i can't believe some of these comments.

 

Here, I will post this again in case you missed it

 

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Abdu Sharkawy................

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it. 

[Laurba99]

7 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Your points are valid.  But the one thing about all of the examples you cited is that if a person was to catch the virus at one of those places, they wouldn't be quarantined on a cruise ship.  I think that in a lot of cases of people posting here, that's their biggest fear.

Completely this⬆️ We arent scared to get

sjck as much as we fear being quarantined.. Three in a cabin 

[elephant98]

The following came from the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel linked below:

 

Neither crew member on the Regal Princess showed symptoms of the virus, according to a letter Capt. Tim Stringer sent to passengers on Saturday.

“The crew members are past the understood maximum incubation of COVID-19 and are asymptomatic,” the captain wrote in a letter dated March 7.

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-regal-princess-coronavirus-20200308-nyin3kwkvfhrlkaf42kck6qofa-story.html

 

So, if I understand it correctly, 2 crew members on the Regal Princess had been crew members on the Grand Princess at the same time as the elderly passenger who had the Coronavirus.  And that was enough to delay returning the Regal Princess to port until the crew members could be tested for coronavirus themselves?  And for Princess to then cancel the cruise the was set to depart on the Regal Princess yesterday?

 

 I'm curious to know if there was more to it. Were these 2 crew members room stewards on the poor passenger's floor?  Were they his waiters in the dining room?  Were they his favorite bartenders thoughout his cruise?  Otherwise, I'm failing to see why this was sufficient justification for delaying the return of the Regal Princess for two individuals that were outside the 2 week incubation period and showed no symptoms.

 

I understand being cautious.  But, its moves like this that have me thinking twice about sailing in April.  The thought of being quarantined for 2 weeks with confirmed cases of caronvirus onboard is bad enough.  Now this.

Edited March 9, 2020 by elephant98

[PMGS247]

Sailing May 17....like most, the biggest fear is not illness but quarantine. I am assuming in the next 2 months this will either blow over or blow up. Either way the decision will become clearer as we get closer.  If I had a sailing 48 hours from now I would not be cancelling,  but I don’t love the current trajectory.  
 

Not panicking but watching. In reality if they’re sailing I’m probably going along. I’m too stubborn with the $18 drink package and $50 coco cay beach club to get those back in FCC and have to rebook at current rates lol

[rolloman]

28 minutes ago, elephant98 said:

The following came from the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel linked below:

 

Neither crew member on the Regal Princess showed symptoms of the virus, according to a letter Capt. Tim Stringer sent to passengers on Saturday.

“The crew members are past the understood maximum incubation of COVID-19 and are asymptomatic,” the captain wrote in a letter dated March 7.

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-regal-princess-coronavirus-20200308-nyin3kwkvfhrlkaf42kck6qofa-story.html

 

So, if I understand it correctly, 2 crew members on the Regal Princess had been crew members on the Grand Princess at the same time as the elderly passenger who had the Coronavirus.  And that was enough to delay returning the Regal Princess to port until the crew members could be tested for coronavirus themselves?  And for Princess to then cancel the cruise the was set to depart on the Regal Princess yesterday?

 

 I'm curious to know if there was more to it. Were these 2 crew members room stewards on the poor passenger's floor?  Were they his waiters in the dining room?  Were they his favorite bartenders thoughout his cruise?  Otherwise, I'm failing to see why this was sufficient justification for delaying the return of the Regal Princess for two individuals that were outside the 2 week incubation period and showed no symptoms.

 

I understand being cautious.  But, its moves like this that have me thinking twice about sailing in April.  The thought of being quarantined for 2 weeks with confirmed cases of caronvirus onboard is bad enough.  Now this.

The way I understand it, from the local news, is the two transferred from the Grand Princess. They showed no symptoms and were past the 14 day quarantine period. However, upon arrival to Regal Princess they were given a health check/ tests prior to boarding. The ship left on its normal schedule with crew onboard.  Upon return, the US Coast Guard was not satisfied with the Regal Princess response and record of things and wanted them tested again. Its basically just as simple as that. I can only surmise Princess cancelled the next sailing because they did not know how long it would take to get the results back (could have been days) and they did not want to leave traveling families in limbo while everything was being sorted out. 

[jillba]

4 hours ago, Laurba99 said:

Completely this⬆️ We arent scared to get

sjck as much as we fear being quarantined.. Three in a cabin 

Exactly!!

[Magicat]

Costco in Mexico had tons of toilet paper on Saturday and I think only my DW and I bought as package as we were out at home. Here's an idea for Royal, ease up on passengers bringing alcohol on board.  That way we are not congregating in bar areas potentially spreading the virus.  Plus, if we do get quarantined, we don't have to order drinks from room service.

[alfaeric]

5 hours ago, L454S said:

 

Here, I will post this again in case you missed it

 

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Abdu Sharkawy................

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it. 

 

The real problem with that opinion is that it's more dismissive than it is helpful.

 

People are afraid of dying, and they are seeing people die in numbers that appear to be higher than normal.  Is it really that hard to understand that people are scared?

 

Not sure how being "rational" becomes a goal- as a rational person would actually consider the new and added risk to all of the other ones and then re-calculate their travel.  

 

What I more read in that note is the fear of economic impact, and then just accept that COVID19 is going to be part of the normal flu viruses that we all have to deal with for the rest of time.  Yet we are still in a position to prevent that from happening- although it's tough to see that path actually playing out.

 

All of the family events can happen some other time, especially when one takes in the consideration of elderly people having to travel- and the increased risk and outcomes to them.  Would you want to have a wedding where your grandparents die quickly after because of this?  Lest we forget, there's no vaccine for it.

 

As far as I can see, if it does get out into the public, and every single hospital has to deal with it, the economic consequences will be a lot worse than dealing with it now, and the panic then will be much, much worse.  Let alone the additional economic loss every single year due to sick and dying people.  

[DISFANS3]

Good info.

[AlohaLivin]

13 hours ago, Jmulks said:

When are the fire sales starting? Would love an under 60 only cruise. 

I re-read this a few times to ge sure it was as negative as it seemed the first time that I read it.  I can’t type out my actual response, CC would frown on me using such language, but I am surprised you were willing to be so public with your disdain of those 60+.

[sellwingri]

1 hour ago, PMGS247 said:

Sailing May 17....like most, the biggest fear is not illness but quarantine. I am assuming in the next 2 months this will either blow over or blow up. Either way the decision will become clearer as we get closer. 
 

Well said!  I just cancelled our March 28th Cruise but am still looking forward to our May 10th sailing.   By then it’ll either be much better or if not, we’ll have a lot more to worry about than cruising.

[crewsweeper]

On 3/7/2020 at 10:40 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

Given that this started in China in December and didn’t peak until end of February and is still not contained and that was with extreme measures and other countries just starting to show huge increases now I have an extremely hard time seeing how this will be over in a month let alone 3 months from now. 

The Chinese, if you trust their information, say the virus doesn't survive in Temps above 28C(82F). Also say sticks to metal. But washes away from skin and clothing with normal soap and water. Dies o  ski  after 5-10 minutes, which is why you should wSh frequently. Cough is pneumatic dry cough. Sneeze drops after 10 feet. If you have a wet cough and runny nose, you have a common cold. 

True or not, best to always practice good hygiene. 

 

[mar915]

1 hour ago, PMGS247 said:

Sailing May 17....like most, the biggest fear is not illness but quarantine. I am assuming in the next 2 months this will either blow over or blow up. Either way the decision will become clearer as we get closer.  If I had a sailing 48 hours from now I would not be cancelling,  but I don’t love the current trajectory.  
 

Not panicking but watching. In reality if they’re sailing I’m probably going along. I’m too stubborn with the $18 drink package and $50 coco cay beach club to get those back in FCC and have to rebook at current rates lol

Drink packages, and anything bought on the site such as coco cay, port taxes and gratuities will all be refunded to credit card  not FCC

Edited March 9, 2020 by mar915

[royal girl]

We're young and healthy but just the thought of being quarantined on a ship and then sent off to some base scares me to the point that we are not going on our August cruise.  All it takes is one person on the ship to be sick and that's it.  I feel so bad for these people in quarantine.  Their homes, jobs, bills, pets, children....   I'm reconsidering Vegas too.

 

I'm more afraid of being under quarantine then catching the virus.

[beccaewert]

9 minutes ago, royal girl said:

I'm more afraid of being under quarantine then catching the virus.

 THIS 

 

My cruise leaves March 22nd...... Its my kids spring break. Im worried about being held hostage on the ship for a quarantine than the actual virus..... My kids can't miss 2 weeks of school.... its too hard to catch up. Not to mention we are self employed.... if we don't work, neither does our business..... yes we have savings, but I don't plan on being off of work for 3 weeks, just 1.....

 

Not sure what to do....but heavily leaning towards cancelling and hoping to rebook maybe in July.... but the current cruise rates are thru the roof....its 2.5 more than what I paid for our spring break cruise.... insane 

[Biker19]

Just now, beccaewert said:

but heavily leaning towards cancelling and hoping to rebook maybe in July

You should lean the other way.

 

Biker, who just sailed Anthem.

[Laurba99]

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You should lean the other way.

 

Biker, who just sailed Anthem.

Yes I looked ahead to next June 2021 abs the cabin I paid 4600 on symphony for three cost 7400. That’s not very fair so I grabbed Spring break 2021 which hadn’t been gauged yet for 3330 On allure 

[beccaewert]

My worry is if this truly continues to spiral out of control and RC cancels cruises..... what keeps them from filing chapter 11 bankruptcy? So we lose our FCC

 

 

14 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You should lean the other way.

 

Biker, who just sailed Anthem.

Trust me I WANT to be on that cruise....... my only worry is quarantine,.....

 

 

 

[BeachChik]

52 minutes ago, AlohaLivin said:

I re-read this a few times to ge sure it was as negative as it seemed the first time that I read it.  I can’t type out my actual response, CC would frown on me using such language, but I am surprised you were willing to be so public with your disdain of those 60+.

 

Is it really any different than someone saying they want a kid free cruise? Plenty of posts stating kids should go somewhere else or shouldn't be allowed in XYZ venue. Should we cuss those people out too for being so public with their disdain for those under 10?

[Thirstday]

*** Deep sigh***

 

 

My wife and I was just talking about this on our walk around the neighborhood park yesterday. We have a family cruise scheduled for end of June. Planned it since last summer. Got family flying in to go on this ship and everybody is excited. We talked about the risks involved.

 

Like somebody already stated, it is not about catching the virus itself... it is about the ship(s) being rerouted, diverted, and/or quarantined,  and ports around the world closing. There are now virus cases popping up in the Caribbean. We don't no if it will be over or still in play by the time we cruise.  Half of our family that are going on the cruise are already leaning towards cancelling.

 

What is ironic is that outside of our cruise, we have a destination wedding and a family reunion planned for this summer. Either of those may be in jeopardy also.

 

One good my wife pointed on. She said if everything gets cancelled, we'd have a heck of a lot of money saved up.

[Thirstday]

10 minutes ago, beccaewert said:

My worry is if this truly continues to spiral out of control and RC cancels cruises..... what keeps them from filing chapter 11 bankruptcy? So we lose our FCC

 

 

Trust me I WANT to be on that cruise....... my only worry is quarantine,.....

 

 

 

 

I'm with you 100%. I'm more worried about quarantines, changed/diverted routes, and closed ports more than the virus itself.

[retire2cruise55]

So if cancelled, we get refund vs FCC?  

[PMGS247]

54 minutes ago, mar915 said:

Drink packages, and anything bought on the site such as coco cay, port taxes and gratuities will all be refunded to credit card  not FCC

 

Fair enough.  Concept is the same though.  I don't want my money regardless of how I get it - I will never be able to get those prices again.  First world problem...there are greater tragedies in the world for sure, but if I can keep them I will try!

[marci22]

20 minutes ago, BeachChik said:

 

Is it really any different than someone saying they want a kid free cruise? Plenty of posts stating kids should go somewhere else or shouldn't be allowed in XYZ venue. Should we cuss those people out too for being so public with their disdain for those under 10?

This is different. I keep reading posts saying 'why worry, the virus is only bad in older people'. It's being posted again and again. It's not a comment about a group being noisy and/or taking up resources, it's about a group that is more prone to getting sicker and dying. The virus is not 'ok' just because it is hitting seniors harder.

Edited March 9, 2020 by marci22

[PMGS247]

1 minute ago, Luxurycruise2 said:

So if cancelled, we get refund vs FCC?  

 

I don't see any other messages of yours that provide any of these details so if I've just missed them then ignore this, but I'm pretty sure that would depend on when you cancel.  They allow cancellation up to 48 hours prior to sailing but if you wait that long it will be 100% FCC.  I think anything under 30 days would be 100% FCC.  Prior to that I gather it will be a mix of refund/FCC based on the standard cancellation policy...the difference from normal being that the cancellation "penalty" becomes FCC rather than an outright loss for you.  For example if you're 65 days out there's usually a 50% cancellation penalty at that point.....now you'd you'd get 50% refund and 50% FCC.  Also the other thing someone pointed out was anything purchased through cruise planner...excursions, on board packages, etc. would be a straight refund regardless of timing.