Blogging from the Ruby Princess

[Steelers36]

All we can do is hope this virus contagion changes for the better in coming months.  Personally, we are scheduled to sail in six months in Europe and expecting things to be better based on trends.  But will continue to stay tuned to what Princess is doing and what is happening on the ships because J's first-hand reporting of their experience is shining a different light.  I have only been concerned about access to countries and port cities along the route, but it wouldn't be worth it to be locked down for 10 days if a test says one thing and the body says another.  As someone pointed out, you can test positive after being non-infectious and when feeling fine.  Looks like J dodged a bullet, but paid a heavy price in both dollars and mental stress.  Hurts all the more when counting on having a relaxing time and getting away from it all.  For us, it is going to be an adventure so it is all about ability to experience the ports and such.  Big decision 1 comes in three months when FP Date arrives for the first of four voyages.

 

[azbirdmom]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I have just arrived home and self-tested negative. I have a PCR test scheduled for Monday morning.
 

I could write extensively about what we’ve gone through (and DH is continuing to go through).  The bottom line is that you cannot cruise without fully expecting to be placed under house arrest for ten days. No medical assessment will be taken, you’ll receive no medical care at all. Senior management on the ship will act like you don’t exist. It’s the most egregious treatment I’ve ever witnessed from Princess, and the worst part is the lack of communication and documentation. 
 

My advice is to not book B2B cruises or any cruise longer than 5 days. Actually, my advice is to not cruise right now. Imagine ten days in lockdown by yourself without even being assessed for under lying conditions. Just the detrimental mental health impact cannot be overstated. 

 

Happy to hear that you've made it home and are still Covid negative.  Many thanks to you, @Joy_K, @Optotronics for sharing your honest and candid assessments of what's happening on the Ruby.  There are so many reports coming from the Sky, Caribbean, Discovery and other ships.  Covid seems to have exploded in a hurry at sea which should give all of us pause.  I would not want to get even a mild case of Covid under any circumstance but at least when you're home you have options and some control over your own situation.  Egregious is the right word, in more ways that one!  Wishing "G" well and I hope that he's out of lockdown at the earliest opportunity.

[cr8tiv1]

@PescadoAmarilloSo glad you made it home and have tested negative.  It is a good idea to follow up with a "real" medical vendor in a few days.  I have followed your travels and enjoyed cruising along with you.  Thank you for your honesty.  Your words of wisdom are backed up with years of experience.  My 25 day b2b is coming to an end.  I am ready to get off this ship.  I have been treated well, tested negative on turn around day, and have remained diligent except for a very long tour yesterday with mostly unmasked passengers.  

 

Take a few days to let your body get unstressed.  You were right to be proactive and get yourself home at any cost.  You have so many people sending you positive thoughts and prayers.  Karma has been good to you.  

 

Wishing you and G the best.  Hope he is released soon.

[queensquared]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I have just arrived home and self-tested negative. I have a PCR test scheduled for Monday morning.
 

I could write extensively about what we’ve gone through (and DH is continuing to go through).  The bottom line is that you cannot cruise without fully expecting to be placed under house arrest for ten days. No medical assessment will be taken, you’ll receive no medical care at all. Senior management on the ship will act like you don’t exist. It’s the most egregious treatment I’ve ever witnessed from Princess, and the worst part is the lack of communication and documentation. 
 

My advice is to not book B2B cruises or any cruise longer than 5 days. Actually, my advice is to not cruise right now. Imagine ten days in lockdown by yourself without even being assessed for under lying conditions. Just the detrimental mental health impact cannot be overstated. 

Y and I are breathing a sigh of relief! Now,  get G home soonest. Tons of mojo being sent from landlocked and windswept Kansas. ❤️

[mellon1]

On 3/31/2022 at 10:37 PM, Joy_K said:

So sorry to hear about G testing positive.  It was day 4 when I did, but was put in same room with husband.  I use a scooter so I had to depend on room service to bring all my meal before being moved.  After a few days my tolerance ran thin waiting for room service to answer so I will advise you to call guest services and tell them you need help placing you order.  They would not give me their "magic phone #" but within seconds I had someone on the line asking for my order.  I hope G is getting the courtesy we are now of 3 calls a day to place orders and a followup within 5 minutes of delivery to make sure it arrive and was right and what time we want our next call.  We have had a couple misses that were quickly remedied....how do you get a carafe of cold coffee????  

 

Hubby's day 5 test was positive yesterday so he remains until day 10 and then released with no testing which will be my day 6 for possible release through testing just in time for Hilo. 

 

Always hard to know what decision to make and wish you both the best.

Joy, all the best to you and your husband for a speedy recovery.   I was not able to read all of your posts as the post was deleted.  I didn't understand why.  Thank you for helping others in this most difficult time.  We are scheduled January for 50 days B2Bs and I am seriously considering canceling.  What has happened to you, your husband, J and G could happen to any of us.

[canadianbear]

2 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I have just arrived home and self-tested negative. I have a PCR test scheduled for Monday morning.
 

I could write extensively about what we’ve gone through (and DH is continuing to go through).  The bottom line is that you cannot cruise without fully expecting to be placed under house arrest for ten days. No medical assessment will be taken, you’ll receive no medical care at all. Senior management on the ship will act like you don’t exist. It’s the most egregious treatment I’ve ever witnessed from Princess, and the worst part is the lack of communication and documentation. 
 

My advice is to not book B2B cruises or any cruise longer than 5 days. Actually, my advice is to not cruise right now. Imagine ten days in lockdown by yourself without even being assessed for under lying conditions. Just the detrimental mental health impact cannot be overstated. 

Thank you for the update.  I’m glad you are home safely now.  
 

I’ve read several blogs from different cruise lines of people in quarantine-some are good but most are not-basically put you in solitary confinement and lucky if you get food or liquids.  It’s appalling.  I think the media needs to hear more about what the ships are NOT doing for their customers.  
 

 

[BLJBLJ]

Thanks for letting us know you made it home.  Be well...  Brenda

[that]

perhaps each person reading this thread contact 

1 hour ago, canadianbear said:

Thank you for the update.  I’m glad you are home safely now.  
 

I’ve read several blogs from different cruise lines of people in quarantine-some are good but most are not-basically put you in solitary confinement and lucky if you get food or liquids.  It’s appalling.  I think the media needs to hear more about what the ships are NOT doing for their customers.  
 

 

 

customerrelations@princesscruises.com

[Thrak]

@PescadoAmarillo Question:  Were you allowed any contact with G at all?  Were you restricted from even entering the quarantine area of the ship?  I ask because I'm wondering if it would be possible for a non-positive person to get food/drinks and simply leave them outside the cabin door for the quarantined person to retrieve after the non-quarantined person had left.

 

Example: Get food from the buffet or IC and get drinks from the bar or buffet and take them to where the other person is quarantined. Call on the phone and say, "Your order is here" and then walk away. That way the quarantined person could open the door and retrieve the items without coming in contact with the benefactor.

 

I have the feeling that your answer will be a big, fat "NO" but it's something I was wondering about. If it could be done it would do a lot to alleviate the issues with the lack of service from Princess.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

1 hour ago, that said:

perhaps each person reading this thread contact 

 

customerrelations@princesscruises.com

 

Thanks for posting as a reminder!

I just emailed them with my 2c. 

I feel unless Masking is enforced again, and No smoking in casinos?

Our next several cruises this year are in jeopardy.

Plus we shouldn't have to be scared or stressed to cruise, because passenger

safety is NOT on top of list.

 

 

[okcorral]

9 minutes ago, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

Thanks for posting as a reminder!

I just emailed them with my 2c. 

I feel unless Masking is enforced again, and No smoking in casinos?

Our next several cruises this year are in jeopardy.

Plus we shouldn't have to be scared or stressed to cruise, because passenger

safety is NOT on top of list.

 

 

Having been passengers on the 2 previous Ruby cruises (2/25-3/12 & 3/12-3/27) we were shocked at the difference in protocols. On our 1st half, 3 tests were performed (at terminal, 2nd day of cruise, last day before Florida) & masks required at all times. When we left Florida, no testing, & within a few days, all masks requirements were dropped. As someone else previously mentioned, I started hearing of cases after Costa Rica. My husband & I had continued wearing our masks the entire 2nd half as was required on previous cruise. We have now been home for 6 days & remain fine. I wish the original protocols had remained in place.

[dog]

5 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I have just arrived home and self-tested negative. I have a PCR test scheduled for Monday morning.
 

I could write extensively about what we’ve gone through (and DH is continuing to go through).  The bottom line is that you cannot cruise without fully expecting to be placed under house arrest for ten days. No medical assessment will be taken, you’ll receive no medical care at all. Senior management on the ship will act like you don’t exist. It’s the most egregious treatment I’ve ever witnessed from Princess, and the worst part is the lack of communication and documentation. 
 

My advice is to not book B2B cruises or any cruise longer than 5 days. Actually, my advice is to not cruise right now. Imagine ten days in lockdown by yourself without even being assessed for under lying conditions. Just the detrimental mental health impact cannot be overstated. 

Good advice.

we are discussing our 2 week this May vs our 1 week in September. Hearing about the 10 day-2 week quarantine for Canada has us possibly reconsidering. 
 

glad you are safe at home.

[PescadoAmarillo]

@ThrakHe was quickly spirited away Tuesday and I haven’t seen him since. 
 

Luckily, that great Carolina v Duke game took my mind off of all this for bit, but I am beyond frustrated. My husband phoned me since I got home and i heard someone in his cabin and a strange sound in the background. He said he had requested someone tape over the gaps in the connecting door to the next cabin. Connecting door?  Yes, most of these cabins have connecting doors. The man in the next cabin has been very ill, with heavy coughing and sneezing all day and all night since G has been in his cabin. Finally today he hasn’t heard it. He doesn’t know if that person was moved or what happened. But then there was this huge draw of air through that door as if that cabin was being aired out, which proves that air has been moving between those cabins all long. At his request, someone was there taping over the seams. 
 

I’m aghast, but no more so than I am with the HGM ignoring separate requests from both G and I to speak with him, with the doctor not getting back with him as promised today, with my two requests that someone just take his BP once a day being ignored.  There is no direction, no communication, no caring. Detainees are not being looked after by the hotel side or the medical side. 
 

After getting some sleep tonight, I will post the only communication I received, a letter identifying me as a close contact. In that letter you’ll see where it states further information would be forthcoming. Still waiting…

 

It’s a really bad joke. 

 

COVID protection on the Ruby Princess. 

 

Edited April 3, 2022 by PescadoAmarillo

[DUCHESSRN]

There are no words to describe what you are being put through , sorry isn't enough .

We were on the Panama Canal transit that ended in Fort Lauderdale with G , I am speechless with what you both and others are going through .

I am not sure anything from Princess can make up for this experience .

[queensquared]

12 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

@ThrakHe was quickly spirited away Tuesday and I haven’t seen him since. 
 

Luckily, that great Carolina v Duke game took my mind off of all this for bit, but I am beyond frustrated. My husband phoned me since I got home and i heard someone in his cabin and a strange sound in the background. He said he had requested someone tape over the gaps in the connecting door to the next cabin. Connecting door?  Yes, most of these cabins have connecting doors. The man in the next cabin has been very ill, with heavy coughing and sneezing all day and all night since G has been in his cabin. Finally today he hasn’t heard it. He doesn’t know if that person was moved or what happened. But then there was this huge draw of air through that door as if that cabin was being aired out, which proves that air has been moving between those cabins all long. At his request, someone was there taping over the seams. 
 

I’m aghast, but no more so than I am with the HGM ignoring separate requests from both G and I to speak with him, with the doctor not getting back with him as promised today, with my two requests that someone just take his BP once a day being ignored.  There is no direction, no communication, no caring. Detainees are not being looked after by the hotel side or the medical side. 
 

After getting some sleep tonight, I will post the only communication I received, a letter identifying me as a close contact. In that letter you’ll see where it states further information would be forthcoming. Still waiting…

 

It’s a really bad joke. 

 

COVID protection on the Ruby Princess. 

 

This is just shocking treatment on the part  of Princess. So sorry you and G are having to endure this.

[Level six]

3 minutes ago, queensquared said:

This is just shocking treatment on the part  of Princess. So sorry you and G are having to endure this.

It is shocking, but, with Pescado's history on CC and her blog, at least we know it is definitely true.  Sometimes here on CC, people debate if the person is telling the truth or not.  NOW we know that it IS the truth. Thanks Pescado!  Sorry that this has happened to you and G, and everyone who has been treated this way by Princess and pushed under the rug to get rid of the problem. 

[Cruisingawayfromthesnow!]

Thinking of you both - hope G feels better soon.   Will he be tested again soon?

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

@PescadoAmarillo Question:  Were you allowed any contact with G at all?  Were you restricted from even entering the quarantine area of the ship?  I ask because I'm wondering if it would be possible for a non-positive person to get food/drinks and simply leave them outside the cabin door for the quarantined person to retrieve after the non-quarantined person had left.

 

Example: Get food from the buffet or IC and get drinks from the bar or buffet and take them to where the other person is quarantined. Call on the phone and say, "Your order is here" and then walk away. That way the quarantined person could open the door and retrieve the items without coming in contact with the benefactor.

 

I have the feeling that your answer will be a big, fat "NO" but it's something I was wondering about. If it could be done it would do a lot to alleviate the issues with the lack of service from Princess.

I think the main barrier to the idea would be attempting to sneak into the closed off corridor through the closed fire doors.  In theory, room service ought to be doing the job.

 

At least this isn't as bad as people experienced who were forced into crappy hotels near Toronto airport when the Canadian government was quarantining even citizens arriving at the airport.  Just terrible situations reported when people ought to have been allowed to go home.  Contravened charter rights should anyone bring a case would no doubt prevail.  It was a good way to actually catch Covid, but that is done and gone now. 

 

[AZDee]

Someone told me iI needed to read your story if we changed the names it could be my story. We are currently on the Caribbean and my husband tested positive and I am neg but in our case my Husband has Aphasia  ( the very same thing that they announced Bruce Willis has) so I needed to come up to the 12 th floor that was 3 nights ago but our story has a turn we are being sent to a hotel for an additional 7 days tomorrow when the cruise is cut short due to the COVID outbreak. Turns out Canada will not allow the ship in. Everything thing you have experienced I have too. I do understand they are so overwhelmed that they can’t give us the attention needed but even now I am in the dark as to what happens tomorrow. Wishing you and your husband well…

[Sunwanabe]

1 hour ago, Level six said:

It is shocking, but, with Pescado's history on CC and her blog, at least we know it is definitely true.  Sometimes here on CC, people debate if the person is telling the truth or not.  NOW we know that it IS the truth. Thanks Pescado!  Sorry that this has happened to you and G, and everyone who has been treated this way by Princess and pushed under the rug to get rid of the problem. 

Shocking and a complete lack of care displayed for those isolated passengers. More passengers need to speak up that are going or have gone thru the same mistreatment. 

[Joy_K]

OMG.... the connecting cabins even shock me and I am there!  Hope the person next door got medical treatment that it sounds he needed and hopefully not passed away but they would only know if someone reported the smell after a few days.

 

We have friends still on the cruise if you would like them to pick up a BP cuff at WalMart tomorrow and drop by the front desk to send to him.  I am sure they wouldn't mind 

 

 

[lyannea]

1 hour ago, Joy_K said:

OMG.... the connecting cabins even shock me and I am there!  Hope the person next door got medical treatment that it sounds he needed and hopefully not passed away but they would only know if someone reported the smell after a few days.

 

We have friends still on the cruise if you would like them to pick up a BP cuff at WalMart tomorrow and drop by the front desk to send to him.  I am sure they wouldn't mind 

 

 

 Just my 2 cents worth, having a pulse oximeter is better to have if one has covid.

Make sure that you stay in the 90% range or higher.

i bought one of each family member at the beginning of covid.  2020 .

A lot of pharmacies have been out so call & check should you decide. ( I wouldn’t cruise without one)

Again, just my opinion.

[Buckeye10640]

4 hours ago, lyannea said:

 Just my 2 cents worth, having a pulse oximeter is better to have if one has covid.

Make sure that you stay in the 90% range or higher.

i bought one of each family member at the beginning of covid.  2020 .

A lot of pharmacies have been out so call & check should you decide. ( I wouldn’t cruise without one)

Again, just my opinion.

Good idea. I bought one also back in 2020 (once I could find one!) and it now goes in in my 'OTC medicine bag' that travels with us. 

[PescadoAmarillo]

8 hours ago, Joy_K said:

OMG.... the connecting cabins even shock me and I am there!  Hope the person next door got medical treatment that it sounds he needed and hopefully not passed away but they would only know if someone reported the smell after a few days.

Good to hear from you Joy. Keep checking in please. I don’t even know you but G does, and we are both concerned. You are absolutely right about the smell. That’s how bad the treatment has been, and that statement just sums it up perfectly. Thank you for the BP cuff offer. He claims he will be ok. I am the one who is worried about that because I know how very upsetting this all has been.
 

As for pulse ox….I knew I said I wouldn’t discuss his symptoms, but he has none. At all. He is perfectly fine. Has been all along. This is craziness. He keeps asking why the ten days and all he is told by the medical admin is that it is a CDC rule. Well, he has WiFi and is finding all the CDC guidance that says 5 days if asymptomatic. When he goes back and asks them to explain why they are ignoring that advice, HE gets ignored. From everyone. 
 

On the other hand, I am coughing up a lung here.  That developed on the way home. Luckily, I wore an N95 mask 100% of the time, didn’t eat or drink anything and changed masks in a bathroom in LA. I was shocked when I didn’t test positive yesterday. I will self test again today and PCR test tomorrow . Based on what others have said, I keep thinking it’s going to change.  It if doesn’t, an article we found online suggests that the URI I got the week before the cruise might be the reason. Apparently, that helped me develop antibodies that fight COVID. And, of course there’s that second booster.  Get yours!  With my history of lifelong asthma and autoimmune disorders, it’s hard to imagine I’ll escape unscathed but maybe I will, and what I have now is just another URI. 

 

After 14 hours of sleep, I will start to unpack today. I will be back here to post a few more thoughts when I find the letter I was given. I will also post screen captures of the crew chat conversation I had. No, I’m not making up anything here, and I’m glad that I’m not being doubted.  Others’ stories are appearing on the internet too, and they are the same. This treatment is unconscionable. And Princess simply doesn’t care. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by PescadoAmarillo

[MJSailors]

@PescadoAmarillo Good to hear that you are home. There’s no place like home,especially if a person is dealing with a medical issue.

     One of your recent posts mentioned that G hasn’t been checked by anyone from Medical. That caused me to think of this question. If someone is in quarantine due to some illness (Covid, Noro,Flu etc) could that person call Medical requesting a cabin visit to monitor vitals and/or symptoms? 

     I realize this may incur charges,but those may be refunded by travel or health insurance. Just a thought.

MJ