Nieuw Amsterdam May 15 Sailing - from Quarantine

[lderochi]

So I’m in quarantine in the NA as of today. Some quick thoughts. 
 

TBH there are more masks than I expected but fewer than I would have liked. Maybe 35-40% of passengers. We were diligent, but not 100% always masked. We definitely masked up in the hallways and the elevators. Wife is negative. 
 

I felt just slightly “off” yesterday and went ahead and took a self test to make sure, and if it was positive, I wanted to make sure it happened on the ship. Bingo. 

frankly, it’s been a s**t show - things may be getting away from them after the two port stops. I was tested around 7:30 AM, got confirmation around 8:15. The medical office said I could stay in the room, but my wife would need to move. I was told that housekeeping and guest services would be in touch re next steps. Neither of them contacted me. Medical office called around 9:45 and he was surprised and clearly angry that my wife hadn’t been moved. But he said that since she hadn’t been moved yet, they could let her stay in the suite and move me instead. Ok, fine. Guest Services called 15 minutes later and said oopsie, we BOTH have to move, but my wife could return 24 hours later  (last day) to the original suite after they sterilized it . She said pass, she had already packed. Fine, housekeeping would be up very shortly to move us. About 2 hours later, nothing. Called guest services, who were surprised we hadn’t been moved. Passed on to a supervisor who apologized and said housekeeping was very busy because “there are a lot of new cases being reported”. 
 

Housekeeping showed up about 15 minutes after that call, but tried moving both of us to the quarantine cabin (Deck 11 Balcony for those curious). We said no, my wife was being moved to a different cabin. A few phone calls later, they whisked her off to her new cabin (Deck 7 balcony). 
 

Was again told that guest services would be in touch to discuss next steps. That was 2 hours ago. The only person to call was the Neptune concierge who offered to send up some coffee and snacks later (kudos!!). She also said she would contact guest services herself. Have not heard anything since. 
 

my wife texted me and said that she saw a crew member being yelled at because she was scared to go back to her cabin in the crew quarters. So that’s not ideal. 
 

so that’s where I stand. I mean, Hubbard, Glacier Bay, the White pass RR and especially the Mendenhall flightseeing and dog sledding were spectacular. Sorry to see it ending on such a down note. 
 

Really curious to hear from Guest Services, I will add on when things happen. Nothing else to do. 
 

oh, here’s a shot of quarantine row, or my slice of it. 

[GlennG]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.  I can appreciate the challenging times that you and your wife are experiencing.  Your recent experiences do not inspire a great deal of confidence in Holland America's response to Covid infection.  We have a cruise booked for October of this year, but it would appear that cruising is still a very high risk activity for folks like us.  We are senior citizens.  Could you please keep us updated, and please know that we are thinking about you?

[oakridger]

Oh dear!  I hope you are not feeling too bad.  I really appreciate your letting us know what's going on as I will be on NA, but not until September.  I would think that by now the ship would have had these procedures de-bugged.  Poor crew!  I take solace that everyone is vaccinated so the actual medical outcomes for both crew and passengers shouldn't' be too bad, but all the uncertainty is so stressful.  As you say, "at least" the cruise has been nice so far.

 

Thanks and take care,

~Nancy

[rkacruiser]

This is not as an encouraging of a report that was posted by a guest on a Norwegian Escape.  NCL handled their situation flawlessly.  

[Florida_gal_50]

Sorry this happened to you but it's ridiculous that they are having so many issues.

[ger_77]

Sorry to hear you've tested positive, and that Guest Services/Housekeeping is really fumbling when it comes to getting things set up for you and your wife.  Thanks for keeping us posted. 

 

I've mentioned this to others after reading about other passenger quarantine experiences: call your wife on the phone and have her snitch a cutlery roll from the Lido and have it sent to you in a bag via Guest Services.  That way even though you'll have meals on paper plates, at least you'll be able to eat from proper cutlery, rather than plastics.  You'll have to use your shampoo or hand soap to wash it in the bathroom sink, but it will work for you.   You might also want to ask her to send a glass drinking glass if you choose to order wine or cocktails, if you have the drink package, as they come in plastics as well.

Edited May 21, 2022 by ger_77

[lderochi]

Guest Relations did get in touch, and there are basically two options offered:

 

1. Quarantine in Vancouver for 10 days following testing.  Stay at a HAL-recommended hotel at their rate, or arrange your own stay. In either case there is a per diem for meals. Also, HAL's policy is that you need to pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement. I'm aware from an NCL poster that NCL backed down on that when challenged, and HAL might do the same, especially if you threaten to file a report with the government (is that even a thing?). I suppose it's a semantics argument over whether a reimbursement process complies with the Canadian regulations requiring the cruise lines to "coordinate and cover" the quarantine expenses. I didn't really get into the payment situation because I was arguing more over option 2, which I'm electing. 

 

2. Get yourself over the border -- Canada allows private transportation while quarantined. So, if you can rent a car or arrange a trip to the U.S. on non-public  transportation, Canada doesn't really care. Rental cars are not to be found on embarkation day, no surprise. There is one agency that would rent a car CAD395 plus CAD1250 one way drop off fee. No thanks. However, private car transportation is acceptable, so long as the car company doesn't car. Private car transport in a sedan is about $550. After getting to Seattle, you are expected to follow CDC guidelines (5 day quarantine after a positive test for fully vaccinated persons, rather than 10).  And, no need to test negative in order to fly domestically - it's basically an honor system. I'm not going to revisit the ethical arguments here. Personally, I won't fly until after 5 days and I test negative. Taking into account my quarantine on the ship, I would only need a hotel room for 2 days. 

 

Here's the rub. If you go outside the Government of Canada's quarantine requirements, then HAL is also not bound by the GoC requirements. In other words, they *probably* aren't going to pick up the tab. I say probably because I had a robust discussion about this and I think you could get some movement from HAL on this. I have third-party trip insurance with covid-19 coverage for trip delay and interruption, with limits that I should be under so I didn't feel like arguing forever. So planning on option 2 , but I will still probably submit a claim to HAL on principle and fight about it some more then. 

 

Coffee and snack from the Neptune concierge arrived -- it's a separate topic, but we're only in the Neptune suite due to an upsell that we took. The Neptune  lounge itself is pretty meh, but the concierges have been outstanding in helping us with a last minute shore excursion cancellation and replacement, and have also been very helpful to my wife in helping with this situation.     

 

[IPB4IGO]

Arg! We will be on the NA nine days from now. Here on the Noordam I have heard of no covid cases, and, walking all the decks, I have found no quarantine spaces. We were booted off the Zuiderdam in January when I came down with covid the day we arrived in Florida in the middle of a back-to-back, and I don't wish quarantine on anybody.

[lderochi]

28 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

 

 

I've mentioned this to others after reading about other passenger quarantine experiences: call your wife on the phone and have her snitch a cutlery roll from the Lido 

Thank you. I suppose it could change, but lunch room service came with regular plates and cutlery. 

[ger_77]

1 minute ago, lderochi said:

Thank you. I suppose it could change, but lunch room service came with regular plates and cutlery. 

Thank you for the update; others I've read have only received their meals on paper plates and wooden or plastic cutlery.  Yuck in my mind.

[Dreamer115]

Hope this goes well for you.  How much longer on the ship?  Are you having symptoms or only a little off as you mentioned?  It doesn't sound like they are taking very good care of the passengers.  

You say the concierge sent you drink and snacks, what about a non suite passenger they would get nothing.  I think I am hoarding a few snacks and drinks in my cabin just in case.  I hope they get their act together as covid isn't going away for awhile.

[lderochi]

Yes, the concierge did go out of her way to send me a treat, but it was mostly the thought. Room service is available to us, like other passengers. Also, the room was pre stocked with 4 liters of water, 6 cans of soda and a can of Pringles. 

Edited May 21, 2022 by lderochi

[lderochi]

The ship docks Sunday. I have not been told the particulars of my disembarkation yet. 
 

[TheLizardHouse]

Thanks for sharing your experience, and the best wishes for your recovery. We are on the N.A. at the end of July - VQ11001, which now seems to be part of the 11th floor quarantine quarters. The room was changed yesterday (by us) as the ‘Spa cabin’ inclusions were completely lame, with no actual spa services are included. The yoga mat, pedometer, loofah mitt, bath salts and in room water feature seem to be the basis of the up sell to this category 🤨. Honestly, I think HAL are having a laugh with these cabins.

 

It’s a shame that less than half the people on board were wearing masks. I mean, Is it really such a big effort to make for your own health and well-being, let alone the people around you.

Edited May 21, 2022 by TheLizardHouse

[dave34]

1 minute ago, lderochi said:

The ship docks Sunday. I have not been told the particulars of my disembarkation yet. 
 

They probably won’t tell you maybe you could ask how many they have isolated. We will be boarding NA on Sunday. Hope things work out for the best . 

[Florida_gal_50]

21 minutes ago, TheLizardHouse said:

Thanks for sharing your experience, and the best wishes for your recovery. We are on the N.A. at the end of July - VQ11001, which now seems to be part of the 11th floor quarantine quarters. The room was changed yesterday (by us) as the ‘Spa cabin’ inclusions were completely lame, with no actual spa services are included. The yoga mat, pedometer, loofah mitt, bath salts and in room water feature seem to be the basis of the up sell to this category 🤨. Honestly, I think HAL are having a laugh with these cabins.

 

It’s a shame that less than half the people on board were wearing masks. I mean, Is it really such a big effort to make for your own health and well-being, let alone the people around you.

With all due respect what spa services would you think would be included?  Sounds like a good idea to move elsewhere.  

[TheLizardHouse]

23 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

With all due respect what spa services would you think would be included?  Sounds like a good idea to move elsewhere.  

Thermal suite pass maybe (as per Celebrity Aqua) or at least one day! Correct, it is a good idea to move somewhere else, I've heard from another thread that the balconies aren't even proper balconies on deck 11, and at over $300 extra for a week long cruise . . . 

Edited May 21, 2022 by TheLizardHouse

[ScottishMaid]

1 hour ago, dave34 said:

 We will be boarding NA on Sunday. Hope things work out for the best . 

We were on the NA 26 April till 15 May. We did not get Covid although only about 10-15% of the guests were masked by the third cruise. We kept our masks on especially walking around the Lido and we found the emptiest area to eat. The Pinnacle and Tamarind at 5 pm were quiet and the Pinnacle at lunch time. We gave up on the dining room as although we changed tables more than once we didn't feel sufficiently distanced. In all three places the managers were very good at finding the best quiet distanced table if requested. There was plenty of room in the show lounge.

We didn't go on any shore excursions except the short ride to Mendenhall Glacier. Although people were supposed to be masked on tour buses there was no compliance.

We were amazed at how many people were unmasked at all times and happily ate meals with strangers and crowded into elevators and BB Kings. There were 1200 on a ship of 2100 capacity and we were very glad the ship was not full. 

So it was a different cruise for us but we have been to Alaska many times.

Glacier Bay, College Fjord and Whittier to Anchorage airport were spectacular with the sun and low lying snow.

[Florida_gal_50]

9 hours ago, TheLizardHouse said:

Thermal suite pass maybe (as per Celebrity Aqua) or at least one day! Correct, it is a good idea to move somewhere else, I've heard from another thread that the balconies aren't even proper balconies on deck 11, and at over $300 extra for a week long cruise . . . 

Thanks, that makes sense.  I was wondering if you thought daily massages or something like that should be included 😛😉.  The balconies are definitely smaller in those rooms.

[albingirl]

Back to the OP, this is such a shame that this is happening to you.  I find the lack of mask wearing and generally crowded elevators to be off-putting.  Passengers continue to be at risk on cruise ships and will continue to be as long as crowded venues are packed with people who won't wear a mask.  I am sorry this cruise is a bust for you and hope that you are feeling better now.

[Wendy-Europe]

NCL may do something better, but their quarantine cabins are inside. I would prefer to wait a little bit longer until they sort everything out but stay in a balcony during quarantine....

[lderochi]

Some brief updates. Room service continues to be fine -- real cutlery shows up. I agree that an inside room would be a bad situation for isolation, I enjoy my balcony, 

 

I received a billing notice from the medical center charging me $52 for "Professional Services", described as "Covid 19 PCR Test". But the HAL FAQ for their "Worry Free" covid plan says Onboard COVID-19 related medical center care for positive or suspected COVID-19 cases will be free of charge

So I had to call guest relations and ask about that. They are going to talk to medical and get back to me. I assume at some point today I'll be visited and probably have another test, so I'd like to  get this straightened out. In the grand scheme of things, it's 52 bucks. But still, their not-so-much "Worry Free Promise" says medical center care for covid cases will be free of charge. 

 

Otherwise, it's the last day and I haven't heard of any special debarkation protocols, I keep checking my mailbox, but it is early (9:45) 

Edited May 21, 2022 by lderochi

[lderochi]

Also, completely unrelated to HAL but just another thing -- I was on hold with Delta for 3 hours to change our flight plans, because the Delta website was not letting me make modifications on line. Just as I was in the middle of finally talking to somebody -- we sailed away from Ketchikan and the call dropped. 🤬Had to try to handle things via chat, which got it done, albeit slowly. 

[MrsKMB]

This thread is why we need a "wow" button. 

 

All the best to you, OP!

[Florida_gal_50]

6 hours ago, lderochi said:

Some brief updates. Room service continues to be fine -- real cutlery shows up. I agree that an inside room would be a bad situation for isolation, I enjoy my balcony, 

 

I received a billing notice from the medical center charging me $52 for "Professional Services", described as "Covid 19 PCR Test". But the HAL FAQ for their "Worry Free" covid plan says Onboard COVID-19 related medical center care for positive or suspected COVID-19 cases will be free of charge

So I had to call guest relations and ask about that. They are going to talk to medical and get back to me. I assume at some point today I'll be visited and probably have another test, so I'd like to  get this straightened out. In the grand scheme of things, it's 52 bucks. But still, their not-so-much "Worry Free Promise" says medical center care for covid cases will be free of charge. 

 

Otherwise, it's the last day and I haven't heard of any special debarkation protocols, I keep checking my mailbox, but it is early (9:45) 

That’s just wrong to charge that $52.