Explorer of the Seas - Positive Cases

[Bfsroyal]

I hadn’t seen a post about this. So thought I would update CC.

 

On 23rd December Explorer was denied boarding in Castries, St Lucia due to positive cases on board. At the time we were not informed of the number. This is the second week in a row Explorer was denied at St Lucia.

 

On 24th December, we were allowed to disembark in Bridgetown, Barbados although there was about a 30 minute delay. As we departed Bridgetown we were informed that disembarking in St Kitts on Christmas Day had been denied.

 

I believe it was announced by the captain as 36 covid cases on board with around half passengers and half crew. All have been moved to quarantine.
 

Royal have been excellent and pro rata refunded everyone for the two days of their cruise. We are now having a sea day on Christmas Day as we head back to San Juan.

 

 

[Oceansaway17]

hey lucky you got to stop at Barbados.

 

Sea day on Christmas I would think is nice too

 

safe journey home

[Bfsroyal]

1 minute ago, Oceansaway17 said:

hey lucky you got to stop at Barbados.

 

Sea day on Christmas I would think is nice too

 

safe journey home

We were all at the stairs waiting to depart  and it wasn’t looking like Barbados was going to happen.

 

Indeed I’m not too upset at a sea day for Christmas Day as have been in St Kitts before.

 

Testing for those requiring it for home travel is to be carried out tomorrow morning. I will update the post if any further developments.

[Bfsroyal]

An update. When posting this yesterday I didn’t think that I would be becoming one of these stats.

 

We in the UK are able to obtain free antigen tests from the NHS. So in general I have been testing 2-3 times a week and on this and our past cruises have always brought some along with us to test along the way. We did our required monitored test to enter San Juan, one before boarding, one on day three. All came back negative.

 

As we intended to fly back via Madrid we wouldn’t have required an official test to get to Madrid. We even yesterday changed our flights so we could fly to Madrid on 26th December as it was free with the current situation to get home a little earlier.
 

This morning we took a test each as we weren’t sure we would have to pay for an onboard test if it wasn’t a requirement to travel to Spain. Mine came back positive. My partners negative. I then did a second, and again this came back positive.

 

We contacted the medical center and informed them, and the nurse arrived within 10 minutes to take a PCR test of me and my partner and informed us that the results should come back in about 40 mins. About an hour later he called us to inform us that I had tested positive and my partner was negative.

 

We currently are confined to our stateroom awaiting updates.

 

The compliance with protocols such as mask wearing, hand sanitisation and hand washing at the buffet has been very good and we have not as such been in close contact with anyone that long other than possibly dinner with guests next to us or in the theatre but fully masked.

 

With the delay in Barbados there was a lot of people at the terminal outside, but again everyone was wearing their masks.

 

We both have been pretty much together throughout the cruise so surprised we both haven’t tested positive at this stage.

 

 

[firefly333]

So sorry for the positive test complicating your flight to Madrid. Crazy variant. Hope you stay feeling well and dont feel any worse and your partner not getting a positive.

[Bfsroyal]

22 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

So sorry for the positive test complicating your flight to Madrid. Crazy variant. Hope you stay feeling well and dont feel any worse and your partner not getting a positive.

Many thanks

 

I’m feeling fine and glad that it was caught before entering San Juan and then travelling on to Madrid.

 

I got my booster around two weeks ago, and most crew and many other passengers haven’t got that yet. There is also a reasonable number of unvaccinated passengers so in away glad I’m out of circulation to protect those on board. Although not looking forward to quarantining in San Juan.

 

There has been further announcements just now requesting individuals go to the conference centre which is the location for testing.

[sandebeach]

Sending my hopes for a quick and stress-free recovery and travel to your next destination. 

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, Bfsroyal said:

I’m feeling fine and glad that it was caught before entering San Juan and then travelling on to Madrid.

Hope RCI puts you up in decent accommodations.

[Bfsroyal]

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Hope RCI puts you up in decent accommodations.

Hopefully. Another reason we moved our flights to 26th December from the 29th December was as San Juan hotels are somewhat a unique prospect. Even average 3* hotels were $550 for three nights.

 

We had managed to book an amazing 4* hotel in Madrid for $210 for the three nights before heading back to the UK which of course won’t be happening now.

 

I have been informed that we will wait in our cabin until 10:00-10:30am tomorrow and then we will leave the ship to go straight to a quarantine hotel for 14 nights. As long as it is clean and has decent wifi - I think I should be ok.

 

I also had security contact earlier to do contact tracing and asked about my movements on the ship for the past two days down to exact locations on the ship and times.

 

The doctor visited to take my vitals and another came a bit later to take some blood samples. She had quite a few samples with her and was heading on to her next call. 

Edited December 25, 2021 by Bfsroyal

[Bfsroyal]

So we departed the ship at approximately 10:45am. We were asked to place our luggage outside the room and this was wrapped in plastic by a team in hazmat suits.

 

Prior to this as we waited to depart we saw multiple buses and minivans pull up to the side of the ship. Drivers were in hazmat suits and we saw luggage being wheeled off.

 

We were given N95 masks to wear and gloves and went with our luggage in the service elevator straight to deck 1 and straight off the ship into a mini van with our luggage.

 

As we departed we were given a letter which contained some further information about our quarantine stay.

 

We were informed on the ship last night that the isolation would only need to be 7 nights, not the 14 previously stated. Assuming we test negative.

 

We weren’t informed exactly where we would be staying. The driver informed us it would be an airport hotel. We arrived about 15 minutes later at the San Juan Airport Hotel. We were expecting to meet a welcome party there but no one appeared.

 

A second vehicle pulled up with a family of four in the same predicament as ourselves. We were all instructed by the drivers to head to the hotel entrance. Where we waited about 10 minutes until we were approached by the person dealing with our check in.

 

During that time whilst speaking with the family one member tested positive on Christmas Day as well. They didn’t test the rest of the family.

 

Our room wasn’t ready and so we were asked to wait. As we waited another individual also was dropped off and taken inside. After about 10 minutes we were then brought inside to our room.

 

Whilst compact the room is clean and has decent wifi. We have been informed we will be tested after five days and if that is negative we can be released. If we test positive then we will remain for another five days and be tested again.

 

There is a news report online stating that the number positive when at Bridgetown was 48. The family we met on arrival at the quarantine hotel and myself both tested positive after that.

 

[firefly333]

15 minutes ago, Bfsroyal said:

So we departed the ship at approximately 10:45am. We were asked to place our luggage outside the room and this was wrapped in plastic by a team in hazmat suits.

 

Prior to this as we waited to depart we saw multiple buses and minivans pull up to the side of the ship. Drivers were in hazmat suits and we saw luggage being wheeled off.

 

We were given N95 masks to wear and gloves and went with our luggage in the service elevator straight to deck 1 and straight off the ship into a mini van with our luggage.

 

As we departed we were given a letter which contained some further information about our quarantine stay.

 

We were informed on the ship last night that the isolation would only need to be 7 nights, not the 14 previously stated. Assuming we test negative.

 

We weren’t informed exactly where we would be staying. The driver informed us it would be an airport hotel. We arrived about 15 minutes later at the San Juan Airport Hotel. We were expecting to meet a welcome party there but no one appeared.

 

A second vehicle pulled up with a family of four in the same predicament as ourselves. We were all instructed by the drivers to head to the hotel entrance. Where we waited about 10 minutes until we were approached by the person dealing with our check in.

 

During that time whilst speaking with the family one member tested positive on Christmas Day as well. They didn’t test the rest of the family.

 

Our room wasn’t ready and so we were asked to wait. As we waited another individual also was dropped off and taken inside. After about 10 minutes we were then brought inside to our room.

 

Whilst compact the room is clean and has decent wifi. We have been informed we will be tested after five days and if that is negative we can be released. If we test positive then we will remain for another five days and be tested again.

 

There is a news report online stating that the number positive when at Bridgetown was 48. The family we met on arrival at the quarantine hotel and myself both tested positive after that.

 

Thanks for the update. If you dont mind keep posting updates until your party is negative and released.

[jstraw89]

Hoping for a speedy recovery. Kind of strange they just drop you off at the hotel and tell you to go inside. 
 

Don’t really understand the testing negative part either. Some people can test positive for weeks or even months possibly though they are not contagious after a certain amount of days. 

[Ashland]

Is RCI paying for your expenses...hotel, meals etc. and then what about your flight home which obviously has been changed?

[Bfsroyal]

31 minutes ago, jstraw89 said:

Hoping for a speedy recovery. Kind of strange they just drop you off at the hotel and tell you to go inside. 
 

Don’t really understand the testing negative part either. Some people can test positive for weeks or even months possibly though they are not contagious after a certain amount of days. 

We were all a bit perplexed by this as well. Whilst there wasn’t many people about the hotel it is still functioning for regular guests. We didn’t want to walk into the reception either to get help as there were others in there coming and going. I was expecting us to be escorted in rather quickly to avoid us even coming into contact with anyone else even in passing.

 

I’m not sure exactly when we can be released as such there has been different answers from different people. I think we may be able to leave isolation after day 10 assuming there is no symptoms. Might then have an issue getting on a flight home if still testing positive.

[Bfsroyal]

56 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Is RCI paying for your expenses...hotel, meals etc. and then what about your flight home which obviously has been changed?

Royal is apparently paying for all expenses hotel and meals. We ordered lunch about 12:30pm and it showed up about 2:30pm. Having said that is was quite decent. There was no menu as such in the room and we were offered different meats, sides etc.

 

We asked about flights earlier with the special person dealing with check in, they were unsure. There is a special Royal line for dealing with quarantine queries which operates 9am-9pm daily.

 

We were able to move our flight to Madrid for free and rebooked this for 10th January as that was the earliest date available after what we thought would be a 10 day quarantine. Although as we are not technically EU or Spanish residents we may not be able to travel via Spain as the passenger locator requires questions around if you have tested positive in the last 14 days etc. So we may possibly need to get new flights to US and then to UK to avoid being denied travel.

[BazingAu]

So sorry you are dealing with this. Hoping you have a speedy recovery.

[zpdw484]

We boarded explorer today. Ship does not feel crowded at all at the moment, although Im sure a lot of people are yet to board. We were given a peice of paper at check-in outlining the covid situation from last cruise. I think it said 1.5% positivity rate but don't hold me to that. Not feeling very positive about being able to visit Bonaire Aruba or Curacao this week but we have been told nothing in them regards. A pool bar waiter just told me he was working in the main dining room waiting tables for dinner also. Said he was on pool deck till 5 every day then to the dining room. So there may be a crew shortage with crew having to quarantine

[OceanPatter]

Very gracious of you, Bfsroyal, for candidly updating us on your developments. This is where cruisecritic shines … allowing us to benefit from actual information like yours. 
 

Hope the time passes quickly, and you have safe travels home after leaving the hotel.

Edited December 26, 2021 by OceanPatter

[cruisequeen4ever]

Oh boy; kudos to you for routinely testing and wanting to protect others. I wish you a speedy recovery, your hubby to not get it, and safe travels home! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[Bfsroyal]

2 hours ago, zpdw484 said:

We boarded explorer today. Ship does not feel crowded at all at the moment, although Im sure a lot of people are yet to board. We were given a peice of paper at check-in outlining the covid situation from last cruise. I think it said 1.5% positivity rate but don't hold me to that. Not feeling very positive about being able to visit Bonaire Aruba or Curacao this week but we have been told nothing in them regards. A pool bar waiter just told me he was working in the main dining room waiting tables for dinner also. Said he was on pool deck till 5 every day then to the dining room. So there may be a crew shortage with crew having to quarantine

I am not sure on the number of guests last week, but was told around 2,500 by one of the spa staff. I meant to ask some others to try and get a drilled down accurate number. There were a lot of big family groups and a large amount of kids on board too.

 

We were on celebrity last month and one of the issues the staff in the dinning room said was that the passenger numbers for the thanksgiving cruise was going from 560 to over 1500. RCCL have reduced staff numbers onboard as not as many are needed for the low passenger numbers so when the peak holiday times come they seem to be lacking as it take a long time to bring extra staff on board.

 

On Explorer last week our original table was given away when we arrived at the dining room on the first night we were only given a choice of two other tables in deck three and the section we ate they had I think 5 tables on the first sitting each night. The tables are quite close together and almost all tables were utilised each night.

 

Usually the early sitting is quite quiet on all the cruises we have done. It may also have been as the unvaccinated deck meant that less space was available for vaccinated guests due to the separation and extra spacing there.

 

We aren’t big drinkers but noticed as well only one bar was open before noon. We thought that was a bit odd as thought they generally opened earlier but that might be the norm.

[zpdw484]

34 minutes ago, Bfsroyal said:

I am not sure on the number of guests last week, but was told around 2,500 by one of the spa staff. I meant to ask some others to try and get a drilled down accurate number. There were a lot of big family groups and a large amount of kids on board too.

 

We were on celebrity last month and one of the issues the staff in the dinning room said was that the passenger numbers for the thanksgiving cruise was going from 560 to over 1500. RCCL have reduced staff numbers onboard as not as many are needed for the low passenger numbers so when the peak holiday times come they seem to be lacking as it take a long time to bring extra staff on board.

 

On Explorer last week our original table was given away when we arrived at the dining room on the first night we were only given a choice of two other tables in deck three and the section we ate they had I think 5 tables on the first sitting each night. The tables are quite close together and almost all tables were utilised each night.

 

Usually the early sitting is quite quiet on all the cruises we have done. It may also have been as the unvaccinated deck meant that less space was available for vaccinated guests due to the separation and extra spacing there.

 

We aren’t big drinkers but noticed as well only one bar was open before noon. We thought that was a bit odd as thought they generally opened earlier but that might be the norm.

We ended up bailing on dinner and grabbed a whole pizza from cafe promenade and brought to deck 12... The view of San Juan from deck is definitely better than sitting in the main dining room at the moment anyways 😂

 

[Bfsroyal]

We have just finished dinner. Ordered at 7:30pm and arrived by 8:30pm, so pretty fast.

 

I was asked to sign a sheet for this one - it had a Royal Caribbean header. About 20+ lines on it - for other guests as well - it had dinner $50 - daily total $100. The location and staffing seems to be a third party contracted service so I think they are charging RCCL $50 a meal - perhaps a maximum - but if I receive another I will take a better look.

 

This is the letter received on board when testing positive. I should point out we weren’t actually moved. I’m not sure if this as there wasn’t anywhere to move us or as it was already the last day of the cruise it would be easier and safer to let us remain in the existing room.

 

[Bfsroyal]

This would be the letter received on departing the ship. This hasn’t posted in the order uploaded and inserted but order is 1, 4, 2, 3

 

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by Bfsroyal

[Sunshine3601]

7 hours ago, jstraw89 said:

Hoping for a speedy recovery. Kind of strange they just drop you off at the hotel and tell you to go inside. 
 

Don’t really understand the testing negative part either. Some people can test positive for weeks or even months possibly though they are not contagious after a certain amount of days. 

It's part of the  revised cdc quarantining guidelines.  Majority of people test negative within 5 to 10 days of initial test.

 

[zpdw484]

Well we are supposed to be at sea tomorrow in route to Bonaire but we are headed east after departure from san Juan  and marinetraffic.com has us heading to st Maarten tomorrow..