Covid Isolation Protocols Changed

[Rosy Season]

10 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

That written policy includes pro-rated refund if cruise is “cut short” by covid.  I’d interpret that to mean if one leaves the ship early due to covid.  It does not say if one’s enjoyment of the cruise is diminished by covid isolation.  (Not to argue whether there should or should not be a prorated refund for those in quarantine, just that the written policy you cited does not actually address it)

No, they verified it is due to covid isolation - because they are not disembarking covid positives anymore.  That is "cut short".  What they don't put in those policies is that they only refund you in FCC not an actual refund.

[livingonthebeach]

This video shows what a quarantine room looks like:

 

 

[Rosy Season]

5 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

This video shows what a quarantine room looks like:

 

 

Maybe that's what it's supposed to be in the normal quarantine rooms but not us.  By the point in our cruise they were using the 6th floor and it seemed haphazardly put together.  I had a balcony room on 6.  He appears to be on 2 which is where the sick rooms are.  He's also on a different ship.

I think Harmony was overwhelmed and had to throw stuff together.  Some people didn't even have water for hours (we thankfully were given a whole box of Evian water).  It was chaos.

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, Rosy Season said:

Maybe that's what it's supposed to be in the normal quarantine rooms but not us.  By the point in our cruise they were using the 6th floor and it seemed haphazardly put together.  I had a balcony room on 6.  He appears to be on 2 which is where the sick rooms are.  He's also on a different ship.

I think Harmony was overwhelmed and had to throw stuff together.  Some people didn't even have water for hours (we thankfully were given a whole box of Evian water).  It was chaos.

Wow - so sorry for your experience.  Yes it appears each ship and situation is different.  Since this person was on a short cruise it is very likely the quarantine deck was not full like yours.  Thanks for sharing.  

[Starry Eyes]

21 minutes ago, Rosy Season said:

Maybe that's what it's supposed to be in the normal quarantine rooms but not us.  By the point in our cruise they were using the 6th floor and it seemed haphazardly put together.  I had a balcony room on 6.  He appears to be on 2 which is where the sick rooms are.  He's also on a different ship.

I think Harmony was overwhelmed and had to throw stuff together.  Some people didn't even have water for hours (we thankfully were given a whole box of Evian water).  It was chaos.

One can safely drink ship’s tap water; there is nothing wrong with it.  

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

That written policy includes pro-rated refund if cruise is “cut short” by covid.  I’d interpret that to mean if one leaves the ship early due to covid.  It does not say if one’s enjoyment of the cruise is diminished by covid isolation.  (Not to argue whether there should or should not be a prorated refund for those in quarantine, just that the written policy you cited does not actually address it)

I agree that if you have covid, you took the chance, rcl has to go out of it's way to take care of you. I wouldnt ask for a refund .. though I really hope not to be kicked off the ship. 

 

I get it lots feel different. But I said the same thing earlier. Your cruise isnt cut short if you are still on the ship, still earning loyalty pts for days on the ship. 

[Razryn]

14 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I agree that if you have covid, you took the chance, rcl has to go out of it's way to take care of you. I wouldnt ask for a refund .. though I really hope not to be kicked off the ship. 

 

I get it lots feel different. But I said the same thing earlier. Your cruise isnt cut short if you are still on the ship, still earning loyalty pts for days on the ship. 

To offer a different opinion, we would’ve much rather have been able to get off the ship (although in the US not a foreign port). However as this isn’t always a feasible option, and the only other option is to be forced to stay on the boat, I consider the trip to be cut short. I’m fine with not earning loyalty points either if a refund/FCC was given. 
 

It’s extremely difficult to be confined in such a small space for so long, and with no access to fresh air the entire duration. Even guided walks up and down the hall or one balcony room or something to allow fresh air would’ve really lessened the feeling of being dropped off in jail.

 

The tables outside where they delivered food was dirty. There was a opened Pepsi can on it from before he moved in, and remained on the table for several until I finally called and asked someone to clean the area. Similarly food that he had placed outside on the floor after consuming sat there for 24 hours! It just piled up while the next meals were delivered and it really felt like nobody cares for the living conditions. 
 

when he first moved in as well, the escort tried the connecting door to make sure it was locked. It wasn’t and the other guest was visible/exposed as long with that cabin’s air flowing through. These all should’ve been handled before moving new guests in because that was a huge contamination not to mention breach of privacy for that person.

[firefly333]

13 minutes ago, Razryn said:

To offer a different opinion, we would’ve much rather have been able to get off the ship (although in the US not a foreign port). However as this isn’t always a feasible option, and the only other option is to be forced to stay on the boat, I consider the trip to be cut short. I’m fine with not earning loyalty points either if a refund/FCC was given. 
 

It’s extremely difficult to be confined in such a small space for so long, and with no access to fresh air the entire duration. Even guided walks up and down the hall or one balcony room or something to allow fresh air would’ve really lessened the feeling of being dropped off in jail.

 

The tables outside where they delivered food was dirty. There was a opened Pepsi can on it from before he moved in, and remained on the table for several until I finally called and asked someone to clean the area. Similarly food that he had placed outside on the floor after consuming sat there for 24 hours! It just piled up while the next meals were delivered and it really felt like nobody cares for the living conditions. 
 

when he first moved in as well, the escort tried the connecting door to make sure it was locked. It wasn’t and the other guest was visible/exposed as long with that cabin’s air flowing through. These all should’ve been handled before moving new guests in because that was a huge contamination not to mention breach of privacy for that person.

I've booked many b2bs and dont want to be kicked off the ship, I'd rather be confined to my cabin.

 

If I get the flu I'm expected to pay for my own care. I'm hoping covid starts to be treated like other diseases like the flu and a cold. I've gotten a cold before on the 2nd leg of a b2b and paid for my own care and medicine. It never occurred to me a disease would come along people expect to have their care paid for and get a refund.

 

Yikes over on carnival boards they have been discussing if they will be charged if they ask for a covid test and how much, let along a refund because they happened to get sick. For sure I dont wang to be confined to my cabin, but if I get covid, I took my chances by taking the cruise and knew there was a risk. Such a difference between rcl and carnival. 

 

I do get it that the circumstances werent desirable and rcl could have and should have done a better job taking care of you. Your feedback on what might happen is valuable.

Edited January 3, 2022 by firefly333

[D4]

2 hours ago, Rosy Season said:

It was pretty benign.  I'm not interested in throwing RCCL under the water but to highlight what I saw and went through.  I gave my opinion on some of the problems with customer service, lack of testing and lack of protocols.  Those were the big problems.

You handled it very well.  You were calm and didn’t go on a hateful rant (even though you could have!)

 

I wish they had gotten into how Royal completely dropped the ball with their promise to handle post cruise quarantine plans (hotel, transportation to the hotel and home later) so that you could just focus on getting your daughter healthy.

[D4]

6 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

… It never occurred to me a disease would come along people expect to have their care paid for and get a refund. …

The only reason people expect that with Covid is because that’s what Royal promised to do.

 

Nobody forced Royal to have that generous of a Covid policy.  Royal wrote it that way because they NEEDED people to feel comfortable enough to resume cruising DURING this pandemic.  
 

Royal seemed to adhere to their generous policy until the perfect storm of their packed holiday sailings and the omicron surge coincided.  Then they just dropped the ball and seemed to stop even trying.

[Razryn]

13 minutes ago, D4 said:

The only reason people expect that with Covid is because that’s what Royal promised to do.

 

Nobody forced Royal to have that generous of a Covid policy.  Royal wrote it that way because they NEEDED people to feel comfortable enough to resume cruising DURING this pandemic.  
 

Royal seemed to adhere to their generous policy until the perfect storm of their packed holiday sailings and the omicron surge coincided.  Then they just dropped the ball and seemed to stop even trying.

Yes, exactly! Because of their policy that is why we ultimately didn’t cancel. It helps them keep revenue and still likely way positive even paying out for a few cases.

 

If they didn’t have this policy and the expectation was that we would have to pay out of pocket for testing and treatment we 100% would’ve cancelled. Not just for the cost but because it becomes an even bigger punishment if you get sick and encourages people not to speak up, leading to more outbreaks.

[MLT12]

If one person in a cabin tests positive while on the ship, and the cabinmate tests negative, can both quarantine together if they want to, or are they separated for the five days?

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I've booked many b2bs and dont want to be kicked off the ship, I'd rather be confined to my cabin.

 

If I get the flu I'm expected to pay for my own care. I'm hoping covid starts to be treated like other diseases like the flu and a cold. I've gotten a cold before on the 2nd leg of a b2b and paid for my own care and medicine. It never occurred to me a disease would come along people expect to have their care paid for and get a refund.

 

Yikes over on carnival boards they have been discussing if they will be charged if they ask for a covid test and how much, let along a refund because they happened to get sick. For sure I dont wang to be confined to my cabin, but if I get covid, I took my chances by taking the cruise and knew there was a risk. Such a difference between rcl and carnival. 

 

I do get it that the circumstances werent desirable and rcl could have and should have done a better job taking care of you. Your feedback on what might happen is valuable.

 

You are making a lot of assumptions.  I have been on a ship with a flu outbreak.  Both my DH and I got sick, along with many others on the ship.  The Captain made an announcement that there were passengers who were experiencing flu like symptoms and that anyone who had symptoms should be checked out in the medical center FREE OF CHARGE.  We went, were tested, were positive, got meds and were then quarantined in our cabin.  We reviewed our charges and had almost a $1,000 in charges from the medical center.  We absolutely asked for that to be reversed as we were told we did not have to pay.  At the same time, we received FCC for the days we were quarantined.  We did get full c&a points for our sailing, even though we received a FCC.

[syesmar]

@Rosy Season

I’m curious about why RCCL has asked you to pay up front, to be reimbursed later. I understand incidental expenses, but rooms and flights seem to go against stated policy (i.e., to take care of those things so you can focus on your health). Did they specifically ask passengers if they already had hotel rooms booked? Did they tell passengers to get their own flights and rooms, or did some express concern about losing bookings/money and RCCL went “hands off”?

 

Really appreciate the information shared in these posts, as some of us still haven’t started back cruising, partly due to concerns of quarantine/ being stranded. Hearing others’ experiences is quite helpful. Wishing all of you the best!

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, MLT12 said:

If one person in a cabin tests positive while on the ship, and the cabinmate tests negative, can both quarantine together if they want to, or are they separated for the five days?

What happens can vary depending on many factors.

[Rosy Season]

2 minutes ago, syesmar said:

@Rosy Season

I’m curious about why RCCL has asked you to pay up front, to be reimbursed later. I understand incidental expenses, but rooms and flights seem to go against stated policy (i.e., to take care of those things so you can focus on your health). Did they specifically ask passengers if they already had hotel rooms booked? Did they tell passengers to get their own flights and rooms, or did some express concern about losing bookings/money and RCCL went “hands off”?

 

Really appreciate the information shared in these posts, as some of us still haven’t started back cruising, partly due to concerns of quarantine/ being stranded. Hearing others’ experiences is quite helpful. Wishing all of you the best!

1.  They asked if I had a flight and hotel already booked.  Then I never heard back. After several calls and on the last day they finally told me to just go to the hotel I had booked. That was it.  Nothing else.  They didn't notify the hotel or even extend the room for me. Some other people have been taken to the Raddison.  Not sure if they are paying or RCCL paid up front for those.  Remember, we were in the middle of the ocean trying to plan this on our own.

 

2. Same with flights. I asked about the private flights home like we'd heard about and was told flat out "no".  That we had to stay in Orlando for as long as required.  I asked what if it was two weeks and she said well, we'll pay for your hotel.  I then had to book my own flight home.

 

They went completely hands off.  And I'm paying for it all right now.

[Rosy Season]

9 minutes ago, MLT12 said:

If one person in a cabin tests positive while on the ship, and the cabinmate tests negative, can both quarantine together if they want to, or are they separated for the five days?

Well...they don't test the others in the cabin.  So there's part of the problem.  Unless you have symptoms.  If you then test negative, you get charged with a doctor's visit which was $175.

[Rosy Season]

3 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

One can safely drink ship’s tap water; there is nothing wrong with it.  

My room had a case of Evian for us.  Other rooms had water for them.

[Rosy Season]

1 hour ago, Razryn said:

To offer a different opinion, we would’ve much rather have been able to get off the ship (although in the US not a foreign port). However as this isn’t always a feasible option, and the only other option is to be forced to stay on the boat, I consider the trip to be cut short. I’m fine with not earning loyalty points either if a refund/FCC was given. 
 

It’s extremely difficult to be confined in such a small space for so long, and with no access to fresh air the entire duration. Even guided walks up and down the hall or one balcony room or something to allow fresh air would’ve really lessened the feeling of being dropped off in jail.

 

The tables outside where they delivered food was dirty. There was a opened Pepsi can on it from before he moved in, and remained on the table for several until I finally called and asked someone to clean the area. Similarly food that he had placed outside on the floor after consuming sat there for 24 hours! It just piled up while the next meals were delivered and it really felt like nobody cares for the living conditions. 
 

when he first moved in as well, the escort tried the connecting door to make sure it was locked. It wasn’t and the other guest was visible/exposed as long with that cabin’s air flowing through. These all should’ve been handled before moving new guests in because that was a huge contamination not to mention breach of privacy for that person.

The food sat in our hallway until the night before we left.  Smelled like garbage.

[syesmar]

8 minutes ago, Rosy Season said:

1.  They asked if I had a flight and hotel already booked.  Then I never heard back. After several calls and on the last day they finally told me to just go to the hotel I had booked…

 

2. Same with flights…I then had to book my own flight home.

 

They went completely hands off.  And I'm paying for it all right now.

I can only imagine trying to sort out the travel arrangements while sailing (I had a flight canceled the morning of disembarkation once, and it was so chaotic), especially if your daughter and you were ill. Their stated policy is that they are to get you home, in addition to the quarantine (even if not by private plane, at least handle it for you). I feel for everyone who went into the cruise with confidence in the policy, that they wouldn’t have to handle all of this themselves. Best wishes. 

Edited January 3, 2022 by syesmar

[Starry Eyes]

36 minutes ago, Rosy Season said:

My room had a case of Evian for us.  Other rooms had water for them.

My point was that saying some rooms had NO water for hours is inaccurate.  Perhaps they did not have bottled water for hours, but there was no reason for thirst as they had plenty of safe water to drink.

[D4]

15 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

My point was that saying some rooms had NO water for hours is inaccurate.  Perhaps they did not have bottled water for hours, but there was no reason for thirst as they had plenty of safe water to drink.

If one person in a quarantined cabin does not have Covid (such as a parent with a sick child), it would be pretty gross to get drinking water from the bathroom sink that the sick person is also using.

[Vacationdreamer<><]

Just want to pipe in and say I am sorry about the confusion and disappointment @razryn

 and @rosy season.  I sincerely hope you made/make it home gently.  😞

 

[Rosy Season]

27 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

My point was that saying some rooms had NO water for hours is inaccurate.  Perhaps they did not have bottled water for hours, but there was no reason for thirst as they had plenty of safe water to drink.

I guess they could open their mouth in the shower too.  But great, now do the trash in the halls.  Or no food.  Maybe the lack of communication for 48 hours...harping on ONE piece just because it's the one you can kind of shoot down is not helpful when there are so many other issues in the scenario.

 

IMG_0572.HEIC IMG_0573.HEIC

[nocl]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I've booked many b2bs and dont want to be kicked off the ship, I'd rather be confined to my cabin.

 

If I get the flu I'm expected to pay for my own care. I'm hoping covid starts to be treated like other diseases like the flu and a cold. I've gotten a cold before on the 2nd leg of a b2b and paid for my own care and medicine. It never occurred to me a disease would come along people expect to have their care paid for and get a refund.

 

Yikes over on carnival boards they have been discussing if they will be charged if they ask for a covid test and how much, let along a refund because they happened to get sick. For sure I dont wang to be confined to my cabin, but if I get covid, I took my chances by taking the cruise and knew there was a risk. Such a difference between rcl and carnival. 

 

I do get it that the circumstances werent desirable and rcl could have and should have done a better job taking care of you. Your feedback on what might happen is valuable.

Of course during the times you have gotten the flu, the cruise lines had not been spending months talking about their protocols, how well you will taken care of if you did get sick, and tout their safety record since they restarted.  The cruise lines have done all of that, and while it looked good on paper and in dealing with small numbers, it seems to have fallen apart when the numbers started to climb.