Pearl Heading Back to Miami as Sailing Cancelled due to Crew Cases

[Moby Dick]

Cruising doesn't lend itself to well to the current environment.  We thought we would get our life back with double vax and boosts and NCL thought that would work also.  But that philosophy is somewhat worthless with the myriad Omicron "breakthrough" infections, especially away from home.  Yea, I know symptoms are less severe in general.  And cruising to the islands of "Utopia" where we fear to disembark and hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities are less than desirable, if even available, make it a questionable decision.  Though NCL has cancelled and postponed some cruises, ours is still listed, Jan. 29th Dawn from Tampa.  Would anyone in their right mind still consider this or are we waiting for NCL to make up our minds for us?

I feel bad for NCL, they thought they had a good system designed with all the vaccinations.  I remember hearing more than a year ago that testing would be a way out of this.  The ball was dropped on that one.  Therapeutics have been somewhat ignored until recently also.  Have we been too one dimensional?  We really should be allowed to discuss it or we will repeat the same mistakes.  Just a thought about free speech as I know politics is discouraged.  Tried not to be too judgemental.  We can still dream can't we, about cruising?      

[Interestedcruisefan]

8 minutes ago, Swalsh80 said:

Everything was great. As long as you can relax and roll with it, we had a good time.  Our cabin steward even left us a towel dog when he made up the room this morning 

It's missing a mask !

 

Lol

[Karaboudjan]

4 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

Would anyone in their right mind still consider this or are we waiting for NCL to make up our minds for us?

 

We should know in the next week or two.  Anyone on those cruises has had a chance to consider the Peace of Mind offer but it sounds like some are still planning to go, and not just because the FCC was not a feasible option for them.  Maybe we will hear some occupancy numbers.

[aubreyc1988]

7 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

Cruising doesn't lend itself to well to the current environment.  We thought we would get our life back with double vax and boosts and NCL thought that would work also.  But that philosophy is somewhat worthless with the myriad Omicron "breakthrough" infections, especially away from home.  Yea, I know symptoms are less severe in general.  And cruising to the islands of "Utopia" where we fear to disembark and hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities are less than desirable, if even available, make it a questionable decision.  Though NCL has cancelled and postponed some cruises, ours is still listed, Jan. 29th Dawn from Tampa.  Would anyone in their right mind still consider this or are we waiting for NCL to make up our minds for us?

I feel bad for NCL, they thought they had a good system designed with all the vaccinations.  I remember hearing more than a year ago that testing would be a way out of this.  The ball was dropped on that one.  Therapeutics have been somewhat ignored until recently also.  Have we been too one dimensional?  We really should be allowed to discuss it or we will repeat the same mistakes.  Just a thought about free speech as I know politics is discouraged.  Tried not to be too judgemental.  We can still dream can't we, about cruising?      

I just disregarded everything in your post since you said "Who in their right might would consider it" - the second  you decided to shame people who are comfortable getting on a cruise ship right now is the second I stopped reading. 

[ajax6262]

Was on the Pearl's return to service cruise that disembarked on 1/3.  From what I experienced, in customer facing areas, the crew was adhering flawlessly to the covid protocols (of course, no protocols would be able to prevent spread in the tiny crew only areas of the ship). 

 

My first indication that something might have been up, however, was on our final sea day (1/2).  I was in the Casino at about 2 in the afternoon.  An employee came up to me and said that they needed to close the entire casino to "fog" it.  I also noticed only a couple tables were actually open.

 

The afternoon of their final revenue producing day of the trip, when the next day the casino would have already been closed the entire time.  Seems like poor timing if it was a regularly scheduled procedure. 

 

Makes me wonder if casino staff make up a large portion of the outbreak.

[Swalsh80]

Don't have to wear a mask in the cabin😜

[Interestedcruisefan]

4 minutes ago, Swalsh80 said:

Don't have to wear a mask in the cabin😜

It would have looked great though!

[mpk218]

Maybe they can start sailing with Covid-19 Possitive only allowed ..  Itll be like a leper Colony .

All same ; )

[At Sea At Peace]

17 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

FAuci said it would peak at the end of January. 

 

ASAP - FAuci, every time I key that, 'autocorrect' changes it to a nasty. 😇

 

Columbia University said it will peak in 5 days :).

 

https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-predict-omicron-peak-u-150556534.html

 

At little range gap from the 'x-perts.  🤨

 

Next 'edict' or 'scientific promotion' will be Give Us 3-Weeks ~ Pause for the Cause!  🙄

[ECCruise]

19 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

Cruising doesn't lend itself to well to the current environment.  We thought we would get our life back with double vax and boosts and NCL thought that would work also.  But that philosophy is somewhat worthless with the myriad Omicron "breakthrough" infections, especially away from home.  Yea, I know symptoms are less severe in general.  And cruising to the islands of "Utopia" where we fear to disembark and hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities are less than desirable, if even available, make it a questionable decision.  Though NCL has cancelled and postponed some cruises, ours is still listed, Jan. 29th Dawn from Tampa.  Would anyone in their right mind still consider this or are we waiting for NCL to make up our minds for us?

I feel bad for NCL, they thought they had a good system designed with all the vaccinations.  I remember hearing more than a year ago that testing would be a way out of this.  The ball was dropped on that one.  Therapeutics have been somewhat ignored until recently also.  Have we been too one dimensional?  We really should be allowed to discuss it or we will repeat the same mistakes.  Just a thought about free speech as I know politics is discouraged.  Tried not to be too judgemental.  We can still dream can't we, about cruising?      

Agree with a lot of what you are saying here.  The cruise lines (and any potential cruisers) are back in uncharted waters again.  I would seriously look long and hard about sailing in the next few months, until things become clearer.  Not saying I wouldn't sail, but would investigate all options.

 

And this is after spending 40 of the last 60 days on cruise ships, prior to things turning ugly fast.  This is a completely different situation from when we boarded our first sailing on November 4th.  And, honestly, when testing was done on a frequent basis, which is not happening now.

[styxfire]

3 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

But how cruise lines are managing Covid and covering up what's happening on board ships has really shocked me

I don't think they're covering up.  That would be actionable, and A BIG DEAL.

 

33 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

the less cases they confirm on board a cruise the better for them

Seems true.

33 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

And so their policies do everything to avoid testing

Sounds false.

33 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

if they didn't have to test crew weekly they wouldn't test them

I'm not so sure about that.  Remember, the cruiselines' finances DEPEND on not spreading infection.  Cruises know that their STAFF have the potential to spread an infection faster, because of the # of interactions.  (That's why the CDC starts an investigation if more than one solitary crewmember has it, but it takes a higher passenger case-count to warrant investigating.)  Thus, it's in their financial interest to nip crew infections in the bud immediately.  The financial losses from this Pearl debacle are enormous.  It's reasonable to believe the companies would see it in their best interest to regularly test the crew, even if not required.

 

Cruise ships, being non-U.S entities, typically don't accept American medical insurance, and thus rates seem comparatively high.  The cost of doing business.   I understand your point, that close contacts would want to know their own infection status.  I guess I just disagree that it's the responsibility of a non-medical industry to provide medical services to well people.  The corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to manage corporate finances appropriately...  but that doesn't make them "sneaky".

 

At any time, governments could step in & provide funds for testing cruise passengers on board.  If they did that, and the cruiselines still refused to do it, then I would certainly consider THAT to be sneaky.   

 

I also have to wonder what the availability of massive amounts of tests is, these days...  considering the U.S. govt has secured purchases of 10million.  If the U.S govt IS getting the tests, someone else is NOT able to get them.

Edited January 5, 2022 by styxfire

[ECCruise]

4 minutes ago, styxfire said:

I also have to wonder what the availability of massive amounts of tests is, these days...  considering the U.S. govt has secured purchases of 10million.  If the U.S govt IS getting the tests, someone else is NOT able to get them.

I can buy huge quantities of tests today should I want.  Many opportunities to buy in lots of 1000 or 5000 or 10000.

 

What I can't buy, is single (or even quadruple) quantities of tests.  

[styxfire]

38 minutes ago, Swalsh80 said:

Some people are getting off the ship today. We are going to stay on till tomorrow morning for the 6.5 hour drive home

I was thinking if it were me, I'd stay on the ship as long as possible.  Still safer than interacting on land, and why give up 24-hours-worth of free food?  !!!  Although I bet this last 24 hours will be a little boring.  Are there going to be any cruise-run activities?   You'll probably finally be able to get into an uncrowded pool  :)

[styxfire]

2 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

What I can't buy, is single (or even quadruple) quantities of tests.  

Try Walgreens.com, I purchased some this fall, and again last week.   But, knowing that they aren't sensitive enough to detect Omicron reliably every time.

[ECCruise]

8 minutes ago, styxfire said:

Try Walgreens.com, I purchased some this fall, and again last week.   But, knowing that they aren't sensitive enough to detect Omicron reliably every time.

Thanks.  Don't need one (have several onhand but Walgreens is out of stock online for everything again).  It was more the difficulty of getting single tests vs. big lots.

[CaribbeanJen]

4 hours ago, ECCruise said:

I did.

And that poster is absolutely correct.  They are not testing because they want to keep the numbers down.

Sorry- you’re not correct here.  
 

Just got off the Getaway.  Mid-week my husband called the medical center to see if he could get a Z-pack for a sinus infection.   He assured them it wasn’t Covid. He had been tested 4 times including at the port.  They said both of us needed to stay in our cabin and they sent someone to test us both.  We got the call 30 minutes later that we were negative and went to see the doctor for his meds.  
 

If you tell them you have symptoms they will quarantine you and test you.   Period. 

[ECCruise]

4 minutes ago, CaribbeanJen said:

Sorry- you’re not correct here.  
 

Just got off the Getaway.  Mid-week my husband called the medical center to see if he could get a Z-pack for a sinus infection.   He assured them it wasn’t Covid. He had been tested 4 times including at the port.  They said both of us needed to stay in our cabin and they sent someone to test us both.  We got the call 30 minutes later that we were negative and went to see the doctor for his meds.  
 

If you tell them you have symptoms they will quarantine you and test you.   Period. 

I (and the poster I cited) was NOT speaking about testing symptomatic individuals.  I was talking about ship-wide testing.

 

If you just got off the Getaway you got on shortly after our 28 days onboard.  On the first leg, they tested before embarkation, mid-cruise and before disembarkation.

On the second leg, they tested before embarkation and, as required, before disembarkation since we were entering the US from abroad.  The "mandatory mid-cruise testing for ALL passengers" which was announced early in the sailing, was never conducted.  Thought it awfully strange that it did not occur.

[GeezerCouple]

5 hours ago, ECCruise said:

Agree with a lot of what you are saying here.  The cruise lines (and any potential cruisers) are back in uncharted waters again.  I would seriously look long and hard about sailing in the next few months, until things become clearer.  Not saying I wouldn't sail, but would investigate all options.

 

And this is after spending 40 of the last 60 days on cruise ships, prior to things turning ugly fast.  This is a completely different situation from when we boarded our first sailing on November 4th.  And, honestly, when testing was done on a frequent basis, which is not happening now.

[emphasis added]

 

Yes!

The entire Covid situation has been changing rapidly.  It probably could have been predicted that there would be mutations/new variants, but one THIS contagious?  The "speed of spread" is almost unheard of, and it all happened suddenly (precisely *because* of the speed of the spread!).

 

And as with any medical research (research in general), some things just take time, and not all initial attempts lead to a "success".  People were astonished at how quickly medical researchers were able to turn some previous vaccine research to target Covid specifically.  (Some even questioned it because it was SO fast.). And now, there are complaints that "fixing things" is taking too long.  They've found a way to try to dramatically lower the risk of severe disease, and especially death.  THAT is a huge step forward.  The "dead" can't be treated with future meds (duh!).

 

As for rapid tests, we just looked online late last week, and found a few sources that seemed to be in stock.  Well, at least they didn't show OUT of stock!  I ordered one type, DH ordered another.  Both estimated 7- 14 days for delivery.  His order (of 6 tests) arrived in 4 days.  My order for 2 tests?  Who knows...

We could have gotten some locally (free) if we had been willing to pick them up.  But we figured many people lining up would be there specifically because they thought they might test positive, so... no thank you...  And also, no guarantee there would actually be tests available when we got there.

[Getting early appointments for Covid shots last winter/spring was far more difficult.  We were playing an online version of "roll the dice over and over and over" until SOME site showed availability, and then we pounced on that one.  Then did it again and again and again, for the other of us.]

 

These are definitely crazy times, unfortunately.

We are just happy that SO FAR, there hasn't been a variant with far more serious consequences, one that also spreads so quickly. 😱

Our goal is to remain healthy; to remain alive - so we can restart our travels, probably when there are better treatments available for those who need them.

Sigh.

GC

[ECCruise]

2 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Getting early appointments for Covid shots last winter/spring was far more difficult.  We were playing an online version of "roll the dice over and over and over" until SOME site showed availability, and then we pounced on that one.  Then did it again and again and again, for the other of us.]
GC

Boy do we (not fondly) remember that period in February/March 2020.  It was whack-a-mole on steroids as we had dozens of potential sites that we followed which would open appointments and then close them in minutes some times.  We looked at vax sites 50/100/200 miles from home until we finally scored one only an hour away.

 

Booster?  Walked in the first day available and walked out both of us jabbed 10 minutes later.  Walk in the park!!

[GeezerCouple]

1 minute ago, ECCruise said:

Boy do we (not fondly) remember that period in February/March 2020.  It was whack-a-mole on steroids as we had dozens of potential sites that we followed which would open appointments and then close them in minutes some times.  We looked at vax sites 50/100/200 miles from home until we finally scored one only an hour away.

 

Booster?  Walked in the first day available and walked out both of us jabbed 10 minutes later.  Walk in the park!!

 

Yup, boosters were a breeze, but we made appointments within minutes of hearing about them.  So others in this area may have had a different experience.  Whereas for the first two shots, I needed to go about 30 miles away to a huge temporary vaccination site, for the boosters, we were able to go to our regular nearby CVS less than 10 minutes away.

 

We each went to different locations for the first set, and one got the Pfizer, one the Moderna.  (Well, we also were trying to get different brands, on principle for something like this.)

 

And I think you mean "February/March 2021" ?

If not, please send us a list of your sources by the first avaliable carrier pigeon!

🙂

 

GC

[ECCruise]

2 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

And I think you mean "February/March 2021" ?

If not, please send us a list of your sources by the first avaliable carrier pigeon!

🙂

 

GC

😧So right.

2020 and 2021 I think has morphed into one really, really long year!

[styxfire]

Am curious if any Pearl passengers reading this thread decided to stay on board for the final night?  If so, what were the entertainment & food options?  Are amenities like the spa & hottubs open?

[rluzius]

Just got back from the canceled Pearl cruise.

 

 Captain said that there were 50 crew infected. It turns out to be Stewards and  Bar staff. We had roughly a 1000 passengers and many bars were closed.

 Captain said we would be back on Thursday but actually got back Wednesday around noon.

Also the eDocs  gave us the address for  Tremoral G but we actually left from Terminal E

[styxfire]

1 hour ago, rluzius said:

 Captain said that there were 50 crew infected. It turns out to be Stewards and  Bar staff.

That's an unusually large #.  I hope they can trace it back to some no-no event, like a crew party, so they'll know how to prevent a repeat.  Each step of the way is a learning curve for the industry, and NCL has been at the forefront of requirements and adaptations to ensure safety.  I'd like to see them stay strong into the end of Omicron.  And also hope no serious illness got transmitted to passengers.

Edited January 6, 2022 by styxfire

[Karaboudjan]

1 hour ago, rluzius said:

Just got back from the canceled Pearl cruise.

 

 Captain said that there were 50 crew infected. It turns out to be Stewards and  Bar staff. We had roughly a 1000 passengers and many bars were closed.

 Captain said we would be back on Thursday but actually got back Wednesday around noon.

Also the eDocs  gave us the address for  Tremoral G but we actually left from Terminal E

I wondered up-thread if it was an outbreak on a critical team.  I was thinking bridge or engineering, but maybe I was partly right.  No booze, no cruise???