February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020 - Changed the world we live in ...

[dog]

On 5/1/2020 at 12:43 PM, dog said:

Several of us on cc watched the situation with the Diamond Princess at a safe distance. I flew to Ft Lauderdale 3 days prior to my cruise on the Island Princess. Never boarded, 

Adding to this:  I am finding it difficult to participate in forums like this since the stress& anxiety has taken over the way some attack, question, interrogate over the topic of refunds.  IT was pointed out to me that I have 5000 posts on cruise critic and my posts are irrelevant and hersay and a thread was meant to “exclude” me. 
I am hoping that respect and kindness return to the world. 
Be safe, be kind 

[hobo1937]

In October 2019 we had a great time on a Royal Princess  Coastal Cruise from San Pedro and were looking forward to a 12 day Sea of Cortez cruise on Holland's Maasdam in mid April 2020 which we made a final payment on in January.  I remember starting to hear about the virus in China in January and then reading about the Diamond Princess problems. Things just sounded like they were going to get bad so we decided we did not want to get into a situation like the folks on the Diamond and cancelled the Holland Cruise which caused us to lose several hundred dollars. Probably should have waited as HAL eventually cancelled the cruise but we didn't want to take a chance. No regrets with what we did. 

 

We live in Las Vegas and usually went to dinner once a week at  various restaurants in the Resorts as well as other restaurants  but after a dinner out in early March and feeling uncomfortable we decided to end that practice. So since Mid March we have been doing curbside pickup at local restaurants that offer it when we want to "eat out".  In late April we ordered take out at  Maggiano's which is located in the Fashion Show Mall across from Wynn Las Vegas. We decided to drive all the way up the Strip past all the Resorts and wow was it an eye opening experience Very few cars except for local police near the Resorts and no pedestrians. We have lived in Las Vegas for 24 years and have never seen anything like this. Our Governor opened some businesses this past weekend but the Casino's are still closed.

 

Tomorrow we are going to try Costco during Senior Hour. Haven't been there since March. 

 

[PurpleHays]

We cruised on the Sky in January before I started my final grad school semester. I heard about the virus and noted that it was confined to China. Then it was on the Diamond. Then in Washington. I figured once it was in the US that it would go unchecked unless something was done. I started cancelling events outside my house in early March. We had our first (and only) positive at work on 3/24 (the last time I was out of my house) so they had to shut down and deep clean. The majority of us were furloughed on 3/30 (we opened back up on 4/27).  I went for covid testing on 3/25--I'm in a high-risk category--and only left my house once until I went back to work on 4/28. 

 

We had a stay-at-home order from mid-March until May 8 and are currently in phase 1 of the governor's plan to reopen. I went shopping for the first time yesterday (mask on, social distancing) and was amazed at how different it is out there. I was able to score paper towels and flour for my husband. We don't need it yet, but no signs of toilet paper. 🙄 

 

The hardest part was the transition to online learning. While I was already doing distance education, I was in my second teaching practicum experience. All nursing clinical experiences were cancelled. My professor and I both lost contact with my preceptor--she didn't answer any emails--so I lost a month of required hours. We had to find a new preceptor to finish the semester and I had to BS through a couple of assignments. However, I finished the semester and the program. I'm not looking for a teaching position until this starts to die down or at least becomes less tumultulous (how the heck do you spell that?) For now, I'm back at work with more time on my hands. Time to do some crafting, reading, or getting ready to get back into physical activity! 👩‍🎓 ⛸️ 📚 🧵🧶

[dog]

PurpleHays- all the best to you 

congratulations!

Edited May 16, 2020 by dog

[AF-1]

I feel although this virus has changed the entire world; some things will change for the better.  Already airlines have changed the way they clean and sanitize their aircraft;  which is good for us passengers.  I believe the cruise lines are already devising plans with their safety and environmental officers; are working on plans to make the ships safe, clean, and sanitized.  I was reading today about a  spray that when applied is good for three months.  They use it now to spray subway cars and other places where people are touching things all the time.  So hope is good; and I will look at things positively.  Have a great weekend

[Level six]

My "virus" awareness started in January.  I had an Asian cruise, plus a 2 month land tour booked starting in Hong Kong on Feb. 1.  When things started to heat up in Mid January in Asia, I was really aware of the impact this virus would have on the world.  I had done research on pathogens in college and was shocked to  see the images from China on social media.  People dropping dead in the street, spraying of disinfectants on sidewalks, building hospitals in a week.

 

I was not going to step foot on a plane or a ship, so we cancelled our cruise.  It was the HAL cruise that never docked anywhere. When I voiced concerns a few weeks before the cruise on my roll call CC , I was called horrible names and criticized repeatedly for not wanting to go on the cruise.  We lost a good chuck of money, but I don't care.  It was not meant to be for us and that is okay.  I am very happy with my decision, as hard as it was to make.

 

What I can't understand is how the higher ups (cruiseline execs, government, etc) were "surprised" by the virus.   I am an  ordinary citizen and I could see this coming in Mid January!!  I just am still in shock about all the events that have happened in the world.  I cannot honestly see it returning to how it was pre 2020, especially cruising.  

[AF-1]

Level six;   it is a shame that people on your roll call made fun of you.  But you are alive today and can blog about your experience.  Don't think twice about your decision.  You can always cruise again someday.  If you lost your life; well that would be the end of it.  Be safe and have fun.  Cheers

[dog]

46 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Level six;   it is a shame that people on your roll call made fun of you.  But you are alive today and can blog about your experience.  Don't think twice about your decision.  You can always cruise again someday.  If you lost your life; well that would be the end of it.  Be safe and have fun.  Cheers

To. Level six:  

Same here. You made the right decision. I cancelled the day before my cruise. Not a regret.  Re: roll call comments- not worth a second thought. Use the ignore feature to block the meanies. 

Edited May 16, 2020 by dog