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My Feb. 26th cruise on Riviera


Maverick Cruiser
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I am a big Riviera fan and love to cruise on her with my husband and other family members, I am stating this because I notice if you have any negative comments people call you a hater and that is far from the truth for this family.  We were on B2B starting on Feb. 26th and we had a great time on the first half, the weather was great and as it always is, the crew and the food was wonderful.  I have to say that the last few days were terrible from our standpoint.  We knew that things were up when they really pushed the hand sanitizer, but that was no big deal to us because we always use it.  I for one have always appreciated how the crew puts the food on your plates in the buffet because some people are not the most sanitary.  

 

When the captain said that we were heading to San Juan for an ill passenger the mood of the ship did change.  I was listening to music outside the casino and after the announcement people were saying it is because someone had Covid19 and the mood in the area did change.  I heard people saying they were going to their cabins and that they were scared.  I went down to guest services and I told them that people are very nervous after this announcement and that the captain should probably address it.  I was told that it had nothing to do with Covid19, that the person had a preexisting heart problem.  That night, all the doors leading into the restrooms were opened and they did not close again for the rest of that cruise and the duration of the next cruise.  Since we were on a B2B we wanted to make sure that we had all the facts because we heard other B2Bers saying that they thought they would get off.  We went to see how we would get our money back for the next cruise and we were told it was safer to stay onboard for the next cruise, that there was no Crovid19 on the ship.  Now lets all be honest, I understand HIPPA laws and I also know that they did not have a test kit onboard, but his wife stated that he was sick about 3 or 4 days into the journey, he was coughing and had a fever, it is not rocket science to figure there was a good chance that he did somehow did get infected.  I am so glad that he recovered, but I am upset that Oceania let us believe it was something else.  On the last night of the first cruise I did meet a person who said that the wife of the man airlifted was still onboard and that she was in quarantine, by then it was too late for us to cancel, we ended up staying onboard.  

 

I have been on many cruises where there was an outbreak of Noro and the code red is nothing like what happened on Riviera, bathroom doors propped open, no condiments of any kind, even packets of salt, etc out anywhere.  The crew would come around with anything you need and put it right on your food.  Menus that would be thrown away right after you used it.  If you are old enough to remember the antiseptic smell in the hospitals from many years ago, that is what it started to smell like in the halls.  The last three days it was like a ghost ship.  I like to walk on deck after dinner and they were scrubbing the decks down like I have never seen before, the crew would tell us to be careful walking because what they were using was very slippery.  I think the crew did a great job with what they had to work with.  

 

The second cruise was 5 days at sea.  We were told that the weather made it so we could not make our stops.  The funny thing is that other ships made stops at the port of calls we were suppose to go to.  I belong to cruise cal and cruise mapper and I checked the ports on those days and other ships were there.  I think we could not stop because of the events from the other cruise.  I am not mad at the captain or any of the crew, but I am upset with the management of Oceania who made decisions for us because they kept us in the dark.  We should have been told that there was a possible case of Covid19 before the Feb 26th cruise ended so we could have made informed decisions involving our own lives and not some executive who does not know us making those choices for us.  The crew did what they were instructed to do, but to management I say shame on you.  

 

My hope now is that most of the crew has made it home.  They work very hard and they had to also be afraid and they did not deserve this situation.  This situation was not like Noro and anything we have ever seen before and I hope that the executives from Oceania have learned from their mistakes.  

Edited by Maverick Cruiser
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1 hour ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

 I have been on many cruises where there was an outbreak of Noro and the code red is nothing like what happened on Riviera, bathroom doors propped open, no condiments of any kind, even packets of salt, etc out anywhere.  The crew would come around with anything you need and put it right on your food.  Menus that would be thrown away right after you used it.  If you are old enough to remember the antiseptic smell in the hospitals from many years ago, that is what it started to smell like in the halls.

 

 Thanks for sharing

 

Not sure what lines you have been on when Noro strikes   but Oceania  does  prop the w/c  doors open, increase cleaning EVERYWHERE/ use single use paper menus

condiments are removed tables

Chairs are wiped down after each use

It is something they take seriously   so I am sure  any hint of COVID   they were taking precautions early

 

As already discussed in another thread  the man was not tested for COVID until he was in hospital in PR

Yes  they may have had an idea  he might have been infected  but no conclusive proof  until the test results were  in

 

 Can you clarify what mistake  Oceania made??

I am a fan of conspiracy theories 😉

 

 

 

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My 2 cents’ worth.

Considering how incredibly infectious COVID is, it is a true miracle that nobody else, including his wife, tested positive for COVID afterwards - as far as we know.

You state he was sick for several days before being airlifted and surely interacted with many others - passengers and staff.

Remember, it was a single already disembarked passenger that was responsible for the horrific tragedy that unfolded on one of the Princess‘ ships.

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On the issue of public bathroom doors ..... good that they were opened as an ad hoc remedy. But, a more permanent solution is to have them automatically open and close .... avoiding the need to use the handles. One of my pet peeves I guess. 

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11 hours ago, LHT28 said:

 Thanks for sharing

 

Not sure what lines you have been on when Noro strikes   but Oceania  does  prop the w/c  doors open, increase cleaning EVERYWHERE/ use single use paper menus

condiments are removed tables

Chairs are wiped down after each use

It is something they take seriously   so I am sure  any hint of COVID   they were taking precautions early

 

As already discussed in another thread  the man was not tested for COVID until he was in hospital in PR

Yes  they may have had an idea  he might have been infected  but no conclusive proof  until the test results were  in

 

 Can you clarify what mistake  Oceania made??

I am a fan of conspiracy theories 😉

 

 

 

I have been on three previous code reds on Oceania with Noro and not once were the doors open to the  restrooms.  This was also the first time that we have had menus that were thrown away, maybe they do things differently in the main dining room, but we tend to eat in the specialties and that has never happened to us before.  Thank you for also pointing out that he was not tested, I did say that in my post.  I am not saying there was any conspiracy, I just think that we should have been given the facts so that we could have made a decision based on the chance that we were exposed.  When we were disembarking with the other B2B'ers there was a man that was on multiple cruises and he said that he was told by Oceania staffers to be prepared for his other cruises to be canceled, now not as a conspiracy theorist, it sounds like Oceania already knew something was brewing.  

 

I don't post much but I do enjoy reading what other people have to say.  It is sad that people cannot post their thoughts or opinions on boards without being criticize or attacked for their read on things.  I love Oceania, but business or no person is perfect but people can voice what they experienced.  You have your right to say rah, rah Oceania, but since we were onboard for this experience I have the right to say what I would have liked to see.  I have asthma and knowing that there was possible exposure would have been nice.  

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11 hours ago, Paulchili said:

My 2 cents’ worth.

Considering how incredibly infectious COVID is, it is a true miracle that nobody else, including his wife, tested positive for COVID afterwards - as far as we know.

You state he was sick for several days before being airlifted and surely interacted with many others - passengers and staff.

Remember, it was a single already disembarked passenger that was responsible for the horrific tragedy that unfolded on one of the Princess‘ ships.

Thank you for posting this statement.  This is not like Noro and anything else we have experienced and this was a horrible experience for crew and passengers.  We were only notified about 10 days after the passenger was airlifted off the ship.  

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2 hours ago, Noxequifans said:

On the issue of public bathroom doors ..... good that they were opened as an ad hoc remedy. But, a more permanent solution is to have them automatically open and close .... avoiding the need to use the handles. One of my pet peeves I guess. 

I agree with you!!!  I wish all the doors that lead into the restrooms would do that.  I don't like that I have to touch the door handles after I wash my hands.  A lot of times, just on the past cruise, that the little paper dispensers were out of paper.  This is not a criticism but a fact, the staff was so busy sanitizing that they did not have the time to replenish them.

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3 minutes ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

I have been on three previous code reds on Oceania with Noro and not once were the doors open to the  restrooms.  This was also the first time that we have had menus that were thrown away, maybe they do things differently in the main dining room, but we tend to eat in the specialties and that has never happened to us before.  Thank you for also pointing out that he was not tested, I did say that in my post.  I am not saying there was any conspiracy, I just think that we should have been given the facts so that we could have made a decision based on the chance that we were exposed.

 What facts  would you like  as  they did tell you the man was being airlifted   & by other posts  here  they did NOT  think it was  COVID ..remember at the time of your cruise the virus  was very low in cases in the USA 

https://giphy.com/gifs/LYtrkBQ29eMmptYSK1/html5

What is they say about hindsight ?

 

We have been on a couple  where Noro or some other virus was onboard  & the w/c  doors were opened

 I rarely use the public washroom & usually go back to the cabin ..maybe you do the same 

 

We were on a cruise in Dec  (not Oceania) about day 4/5  I came down with cough.runny nose headache/fever   ..maybe it was Covid

many people on the ship were coughing ...the ship  did not close their self serve buffet   nor did  we see any extra cleaning going on

The Captain did not report  anything  about why so many were  sick 

Probably  COVID

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Another thing I would like to point out is, on the cruise starting March 11, the ship was very empty, with maybe 500 passengers or less on board.  We saw crew members wearing hazmat suits going from room to room disinfecting everything.  The odor was so noxious that I had to be very careful to avoid the areas where the crew was working so as not to exacerbate my asthma.  They weren't playing any games once it was confirmed that COVID was on board.

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11 minutes ago, kitty9 said:

Another thing I would like to point out is, on the cruise starting March 11, the ship was very empty, with maybe 500 passengers or less on board.  We saw crew members wearing hazmat suits going from room to room disinfecting everything.  The odor was so noxious that I had to be very careful to avoid the areas where the crew was working so as not to exacerbate my asthma.  They weren't playing any games once it was confirmed that COVID was on board.

How many sick pax  were there?

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4 hours ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

I agree with you!!!  I wish all the doors that lead into the restrooms would do that.  I don't like that I have to touch the door handles after I wash my hands.  A lot of times, just on the past cruise, that the little paper dispensers were out of paper.  This is not a criticism but a fact, the staff was so busy sanitizing that they did not have the time to replenish them.

There are now foot operated door opening hardware. One of our fave restaurants has installed them.

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Maverick cruiser,

 

       I understand your comments.  I was on Sirena unfortunately in March. We experienced similar things.  We got a variety of explanations for skipping ports.....weather( it wasn't bad), rough seas( a few small ripples), etc.. We only stopped briefly in 2 ports. All other ports were passed by.  On March 14,.EU nationals were quietly disembarked quickly in Antiqua.  Spoke to a couple from EU who had been told to pack up to get a plane back to Heathrow. After March 13,.they were not allowed to disembark in Miami. Asked if we could leave and was told NO!   We then sailed very slowly skipping all ports until to Miami.  Most venues on the ship were closed. We stayed in our cabin most of the time fearing getting sick. It was an awful experience. The crew kept saying nothing was happening, but they all sounded upset.  We got info about covid 19 via emails and watching the tv in the cabin. It was traumatic.   Most people that weren't sailing in March cannot understand why. You had to be there.  I used to say that I always had a good time cruising.  This time was the exception.  When we got home, we cancelled all future travel.  

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3 minutes ago, Redtravel said:

 When we got home, we cancelled all future travel.  

I bet you did! I think that's absolutely reprehensible. I'm not a lawyer but isn't this kind of thing legally, not just ethically, wrong. Astounding. Damning O for sure.

 

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I guess the fact the  President  requested all cruise lines to stop  had nothing to do with it  or that most Islands were not allowing ships to dock  in fear of infecting their islands

Many do not have the resources to fight  the pandemic of their own people 

After the Princess fiasco  they were in panic mode  & who can blame them

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-13/royal-caribbean-norwegian-halt-cruises-in-response-to-virus

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/03/12/princess-viking-cruise-lines-halt-all-sailings-temporarily-response-coronavirus/

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11 hours ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

I have been on three previous code reds on Oceania with Noro and not once were the doors open to the  restrooms.  This was also the first time that we have had menus that were thrown away, maybe they do things differently in the main dining room, but we tend to eat in the specialties and that has never happened to us before.  Thank you for also pointing out that he was not tested, I did say that in my post.  I am not saying there was any conspiracy, I just think that we should have been given the facts so that we could have made a decision based on the chance that we were exposed.  When we were disembarking with the other B2B'ers there was a man that was on multiple cruises and he said that he was told by Oceania staffers to be prepared for his other cruises to be canceled, now not as a conspiracy theorist, it sounds like Oceania already knew something was brewing.  

 

I don't post much but I do enjoy reading what other people have to say.  It is sad that people cannot post their thoughts or opinions on boards without being criticize or attacked for their read on things.  I love Oceania, but business or no person is perfect but people can voice what they experienced.  You have your right to say rah, rah Oceania, but since we were onboard for this experience I have the right to say what I would have liked to see.  I have asthma and knowing that there was possible exposure would have been nice.  

I do not consider myself an Oceania cheerleader at all times (see next paragraph) but as someone also on the February 26 Riviera cruise, I have to point out the fact that even the medical team at the Mayaguez Puerto Rico hospital did not receive confirmation of this man’s having COVID-19 until after your March 11 departure from Miami for the second leg of your B2B.  What precisely was Oceania supposed to tell you at that point?

 

I was extremely critical of Oceania when my Riviera 2016 Caribbean cruise was cut short by several days due to Noro because it was the passengers checking the CDC website that informed us of the growing large percentage onboard with Noro, never Oceania or any Oceania personnel onboard. Then I was put up in a hotel for two nights with no safeguards for our buffet breakfasts with other passengers.  I posted often on this board about my issues regarding how the entire situation was handled.


Actually it was that Noro cruise experience  that started me always using my cabin bathroom while onboard, never touching any elevator button with my hands, handwashing for 21 seconds and never passing up a hand sanitizer station.  
 

I am glad you are home safe and sound.  

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1 hour ago, clo said:

I bet you did! I think that's absolutely reprehensible. I'm not a lawyer but isn't this kind of thing legally, not just ethically, wrong. Astounding. Damning O for sure.

 

Clo,  

your attitude is uncalled for. Consider yourself lucky that you weren’t cruising in March. There is nothing wrong with my feelings about my experience. Like I said if you weren’t there, you could not understand.  The only thing wrong was Oceania should not have sailed.

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26 minutes ago, Redtravel said:

Clo,  

your attitude is uncalled for. Consider yourself lucky that you weren’t cruising in March. There is nothing wrong with my feelings about my experience. Like I said if you weren’t there, you could not understand.  The only thing wrong was Oceania should not have sailed.

I was supporting you 100%. How that didn't come through I don't know. But what you experienced was terrible. If I'm not understanding something please tell me. I'm totally befuddled.

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12 hours ago, LHT28 said:

 What facts  would you like  as  they did tell you the man was being airlifted   & by other posts  here  they did NOT  think it was  COVID ..remember at the time of your cruise the virus  was very low in cases in the USA 

https://giphy.com/gifs/LYtrkBQ29eMmptYSK1/html5

What is they say about hindsight ?

 

We have been on a couple  where Noro or some other virus was onboard  & the w/c  doors were opened

 I rarely use the public washroom & usually go back to the cabin ..maybe you do the same 

 

We were on a cruise in Dec  (not Oceania) about day 4/5  I came down with cough.runny nose headache/fever   ..maybe it was Covid

many people on the ship were coughing ...the ship  did not close their self serve buffet   nor did  we see any extra cleaning going on

The Captain did not report  anything  about why so many were  sick 

Probably  COVID

We tried to avoid using public restrooms.  We had a cabin close to the aft elevators. We went back to our cabin if we needed it.  We spent very little time away from our cabin.  We used our veranda more on this cruise than ever.  The stress was unbelievable. 

 

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10 hours ago, Redtravel said:

We tried to avoid using public restrooms.  We had a cabin close to the aft elevators. We went back to our cabin if we needed it.  We spent very little time away from our cabin.  We used our veranda more on this cruise than ever.  The stress was unbelievable. 

 

Did you have sick people on Sirena?

Or were you afraid  of missing the ports ?

 Not sure I understand

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2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Did you have sick people on Sirena?

Or were you afraid  of missing the ports ?

 Not sure I understand

Oceania gave us no info. We did not know if anyone was sick.  There were people coughing and looking ill.  On any cruise, there are the cruise cough people. It could be lots of good reasons why people cough beside corona....cold, allergies, dirty air, etc. One time in the Terrace a lady started coughing and lots of people moved away from her. People were scared and nervous. Just not the way people usually act on a cruise. Tension was unbelievable.  Missing ports was never explained adequately.  Oceania told us bad weather, rough seas, slow cruising speed, etc. we did not have bad weather or rough seas.  We were disappointed missing ports.  Oceania did not reimburse us for port charges for those ports we skipped.  On other cruise lines, missing ports returned us the port charges. Oceania said that they don’t charge guests port charges and would not reimburse us.  On other cruise lines, missed ports or storms are not ignored.  Last year on Windstar we stayed docked in Porto 3 days waiting for a bomb cyclone to pass. We missed 2 ports.  The storm wasn’t Windstar’s fault. While onboard, they apologized, refunded port charges, issued us some a OBC to help us enjoy the cruise, and after the cruise issued everyone a large fcc. After getting home, Oceania issued some fcc to everyone.  

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My husband & I were on the Feb 26- March 11 cruise  on Riviera (not the very last one) as they did go out again for a few days.  Once home we were notified by O of the one passenger air lifted that he had been diagnosed with Covid 19 while in hospital. We committed to quarantine ourselves at home (prior to this knowledge) for the 14 days voluntarily.

Until such time that the patient was positively diagnosed O would not and should not cause a panic by assuming it could be. 

We really enjoyed our cruise, especially since I had a broken ankle and was using a knee walker. Staff were most attentive.

We utilized the ship throughout and shared meals every evening and had no problems. I was much more concerned with the 3 flights home, MIA- Toronto, Vancouver, Nanaimo--not much cleaning on those flights some  may have come from Europe. All in all I feel O does a great job of cleaning and protecting passengers.

I will not cruise in the near future but hope to once again on O. We have had numerous cruises with 21 on O cruises so they are definitely my favourite.

 

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On 5/19/2020 at 11:52 AM, kitty9 said:

Another thing I would like to point out is, on the cruise starting March 11, the ship was very empty, with maybe 500 passengers or less on board.  We saw crew members wearing hazmat suits going from room to room disinfecting everything.  The odor was so noxious that I had to be very careful to avoid the areas where the crew was working so as not to exacerbate my asthma.  They weren't playing any games once it was confirmed that COVID was on board.

@kitty9 To be clear, I'm not trying to challenge your statements but seek some clarification.  In my opinion, Oceania's response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic was less than appropriate.  Your above account of the 11 March Riviera sailing does not sound relaxing.  Furthermore, the crew's actions you've described are an extremely incongruent response to a passenger having been airlifted a few days earlier due to a pre-existing heart condition.  Were you on a B2B?  I ask because I've read your comments about your experience on the 26 February Riviera cruise.  And you've said something I haven't yet read on this or other threads.  Could you please clarify your statement?--"They weren't playing any games once it was confirmed that COVID was on board."  Others have asserted that Oceania did not admit to a confirmed case on the Riviera until the 19 March email--a few days after there were no passengers on the Riviera.

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I just  wonder  how  the ship's personnel could know the  man had Covid  since they did not have the tests onboard ?

Maybe spraying the cabins  was precautionary ..just in case ?

 

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On May 19, 2020 at 11:17 PM, clo said:

I was supporting you 100%. How that didn't come through I don't know. But what you experienced was terrible. If I'm not understanding something please tell me. I'm totally befuddled.

Clo,

you found my comments reprehensible and now you support me 100%? You are befuddled.  

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