JamieLogical's 5/29 Equinox Semi-Live Review

[C4HCG]

6 hours ago, raudacruise said:

Jamie thanks so much for your fun review. Think I’ll cruise with a checklist to try out most of your drinks. My kinda homework!🍸🍸🍸

 

I was very careful on my March cruise but still caught covid. Fully expect to catch it again, just hope not on my January cruise. 

Think that’s the pragmatic way to approach cruising, do what you can to protect yourself and others but expect to get it.  Same as shopping, pubs, restaurants etc., we can’t hide from this virus forever and let it beat us.  We’re over for the late August Equinox Southern Caribbean and are praying we’re negative 2 days before, will follow our own rules on minimising contact with others, and have a great time!

[Bluewake]

On 6/5/2022 at 6:47 PM, JamieLogical said:

 

Right? Captain Matt made daily announcements over the ship's intercom. This info should have been included in those announcements and not at theater shows that only a small percentage of the passengers attend.

 

In any event, I feel pretty lucky I was never contact traced and all of the people I did sharing tables with throughout the cruise were still free to walk about the ship on Day 6, as I saw them all at some point the last day.

 

 

We were on the May 21st cruise and did not hear the Captain make any announcements about cases aboard…or I missed it if he did.   On the 6th day, signs were posted at the theater and casino stating masks should be worn in those venues.  It’s my understanding that this is done only when a designated threshold has been reached.  Not sure if that is 1%, 3%, or something else.  Of course, that is only the known cases from passengers and crew who have reported being ill and were tested as the cruise progressed. 

Do you think you might have done anything differently had you been advised of the actual number of known cases aboard the ship?  Should the cruise line be more forthcoming or would that not have mattered?

[JamieLogical]

On 6/14/2022 at 6:51 AM, Bluewake said:

 

We were on the May 21st cruise and did not hear the Captain make any announcements about cases aboard…or I missed it if he did.   On the 6th day, signs were posted at the theater and casino stating masks should be worn in those venues.  It’s my understanding that this is done only when a designated threshold has been reached.  Not sure if that is 1%, 3%, or something else.  Of course, that is only the known cases from passengers and crew who have reported being ill and were tested as the cruise progressed. 

Do you think you might have done anything differently had you been advised of the actual number of known cases aboard the ship?  Should the cruise line be more forthcoming or would that not have mattered?

 

Honestly, probably not. I wore my mask in the casino and the theater and everywhere indoors onboard as it was. The only things I could have possibly done differently would have been to not share tables at dinner and to try to keep more social distance in the bars. Realistically, that would have made for a much less enjoyable cruise.

[mauimary]

20 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Honestly, probably not. I wore my mask in the casino and the theater and everywhere indoors onboard as it was. The only things I could have possibly done differently would have been to not share tables at dinner and to try to keep more social distance in the bars. Realistically, that would have made for a much less enjoyable cruise.

It’s hard to know. It can be anywhere!!

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 6/14/2022 at 3:51 AM, Bluewake said:

 

We were on the May 21st cruise and did not hear the Captain make any announcements about cases aboard…or I missed it if he did.   On the 6th day, signs were posted at the theater and casino stating masks should be worn in those venues.  It’s my understanding that this is done only when a designated threshold has been reached.  Not sure if that is 1%, 3%, or something else.  Of course, that is only the known cases from passengers and crew who have reported being ill and were tested as the cruise progressed. 

Do you think you might have done anything differently had you been advised of the actual number of known cases aboard the ship?  Should the cruise line be more forthcoming or would that not have mattered?

 

The problem is there are still too many touch points.  Terminal and on board XRay machines aren't wiped down, elevators are full at peak times including during disembarkation, drink serving staff are delivering new drinks then taking away dirty/empty drinks with the same gloved hand, cash tips, receipts that require signatures, etc, etc, etc...

[mauimary]

7 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The problem is there are still too many touch points.  Terminal and on board XRay machines aren't wiped down, elevators are full at peak times including during disembarkation, drink serving staff are delivering new drinks then taking away dirty/empty drinks with the same gloved hand, cash tips, receipts that require signatures, etc, etc, etc...

This is exactly why we keep hand sanitizer in our pocket. We are constantly using it after exiting elevators and touching anything.  We use it immediately after picking up our things after the X-ray machine.   Wash wash wash.  So far it has saved us!  I know I am a little overboard on this.  We have never gotten ill  on any of our cruises from Noro or anything else. 

Edited June 15, 2022 by mauimary

[JamieLogical]

28 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The problem is there are still too many touch points.  Terminal and on board XRay machines aren't wiped down, elevators are full at peak times including during disembarkation, drink serving staff are delivering new drinks then taking away dirty/empty drinks with the same gloved hand, cash tips, receipts that require signatures, etc, etc, etc...

 

It has been proven that COVID does not spread effectively on surfaces. I think it is FAR more likely that I caught COVID from a tablemate or sitting next to someone at a bar than it is that I caught it from the xray machine at the terminal or a drink tray onboard.

 

From the CDC: The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low.

 

Because of the many factors affecting the efficiency of environmental transmission, the relative risk of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is considered low compared with direct contact, droplet transmission, or airborne transmission.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html

 

Edited June 15, 2022 by JamieLogical

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

It has been proven that COVID does not spread effectively on surfaces. I think it is FAR more likely that I caught COVID from a tablemate or sitting next to someone at a bar than it is that I caught it from the xray machine at the terminal or a drink tray onboard.

 

From the CDC: The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low.

 

Because of the many factors affecting the efficiency of environmental transmission, the relative risk of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is considered low compared with direct contact, droplet transmission, or airborne transmission.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html

 

 

I overall agree that's most likely how you got it; I'm pointing out there are still many touch points.  Expose yourself to a couple dozen touchpoints a day and your risk increases.

[LGW59]

17 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

I overall agree that's most likely how you got it; I'm pointing out there are still many touch points.  Expose yourself to a couple dozen touchpoints a day and your risk increases.

Elevator buttons don’t pass on Covid.

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

Elevator buttons don’t pass on Covid.

 

Good point, it's not the touch point of the elevator that's very risky, it's someone breathing or coughing that is.

[Snowey88]

1 hour ago, mauimary said:

This is exactly why we keep hand sanitizer in our pocket. We are constantly using it after exiting elevators and touching anything.  We use it immediately after picking up our things after the X-ray machine.   Wash wash wash.  So far it has saved us!  I know I am a little overboard on this.  We have never gotten ill  on any of our cruises from Noro or anything else. 

I respect that!  We just came back from Alaska via Solstice and had a great time. I hate the hand sanitizer.  I feel that the more you use it the more we create super bugs.  ie, soon nothing is going to kill the germs.  LOL.  I have never had Covid, am vaxed & boosted.  We sat at the martini bar maskless and at dinner but was just with my husband.  On the plane coming, were were 1.5 hours on the ground and most of the plane was maskless.  I felt like if anytime I was going to get it it, it was then.  I was not happy with DH since he took his mask off.  I guess it is the luck of the draw.  We had a great time.  We did not ride the elevators most of the time but I guess it just takes 1x.   I am blessed.  btw, I am O+ and I think this is in my favor, but who knows?  Oh, and I did wear a mask in crowded areas.

Edited June 15, 2022 by Snowey88

[chamima]

On 6/10/2022 at 8:23 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

I've come to agree with you.     As vigilant as I was on our B2B I contracted Covid.    I was vaxed and boosted, wore mask 100% of time outside cabin except in Retreat always 10 feet from others and Luminae always 6 feet or more away from others.   Never rode an elevator.  

 

But with 2 Butlers, 1 Stateroom Attendant and a Sommelier testing positive it was inevitable whether by touch contact or other means I still caught it.    I was very lucky that it was so mild I would have never guessed I was positive had it not been for the b2B test.

 

Jim

Weren't the Butler, Stateroom Attendant and Sommelier wearing masks ALL of the time?

I really thought double masking (you and them) offered protection.  😪

[Shimsdan]

Hi Jamie,

Thanks so much for your review!  I just found out that two of my friends were on your cruise - Douglas and Bill.  If you met them, I am sure you would remember them - Douglas can be hilarious!  

[jg51]

On 6/5/2022 at 11:27 AM, 39august said:

Do you know if the Back to Backs were tested on your cruise helen?

 

On 6/10/2022 at 11:22 PM, Jim_Iain said:

I missed our 3rd cruise.   I tested the last of the 2nd and was tossed off the ship in Southampton.   I tested about 10 hours before the B2B testing and had tested negative.    I guess it's all about timing.

.

Thanks for the review, Jamie.  Sorry to read about your health-related misfortune, but glad to read that your symptoms were not terrible.

 

The first post quoted above was directed to Helen Haywood, but she did not respond.  We would like to direct the question (written by "39august" to you), Jamie.  Did you hear anything about recent back-to-back guests being tested on the final sea day (as was done to us on Equinox in September, 2021)? 

 

A Celebrity employee recently told us that she was not aware of virus tests now being performed aboard (on back-to-back guests).  She said that, if a back-to-back guest were to report being ill during the first cruise -- and if CoViD-19 were confirmed (in the Medical office) -- the guest would be allowed to remain aboard for the second cruise ... but in a temporarily quarantined status.  [Of course, we have no way to confirm the accuracy of her statement.]

 

Sorry about your tough luck, Jim.  During what month was your unfortunate test administered (just before the Reflection docked at Southampton)?  What happened after you had to leave the ship?  Did you have to stay in a hotel?  Did Celebrity help you to fly home?  Did you get a full refund or a 100% "Future Cruise Credit" and/or something else? 

 

Thanks, in advance, for your replies.

.

[Oolie]

I am currently on the second of back to back cruises on the Equinox. My husband and I were tested on the last day of our first cruise. We tested negative, so not sure of options if we were positive, but assume we would not be continuing on the second cruise. By the way, Captain indicated only 3 cases on the first cruise. Nonetheless all back to backers were tested.

[jg51]

18 hours ago, Oolie said:

I am currently on the second of back to back cruises on the Equinox. My husband and I were tested on the last day of our first cruise. We tested negative, so not sure of options if we were positive, but assume we would not be continuing on the second cruise. By the way, Captain indicated only 3 cases on the first cruise. Nonetheless all back to backers were tested.

Thanks, Oolie, for that helpful information.  If you happen to see one of the crew members that managed the back-to-back transition -- and if it would not cause you an inconvenience -- could you please confirm or refute your suspicion (that anyone testing positive would have been forced to leave, even if asymptomatic)? 

 

Since we have not gotten a reply (from Jim) to our other questions, may we further impose upon you?  If you do speak to a well-informed crew member about this subject -- and if he/she says that a positive test would prevent "consecutive cruising," then ... What happens to the unlucky "ex-guests"?   Do they have to stay in a hotel for some days?  Does Celebrity help them to fly home?  Do they get a full refund or a 100% "Future Cruise Credit" and/or something else?

 

Thanks again.

.

[MarKay525]

jg51,

Since this thread is a Live from a cruise that ended several weeks ago and specific individuals are not replying to your inquiries, you may get a better response to your excellent questions if you start a fresh thread.

[chamima]

50 minutes ago, jg51 said:

Thanks, Oolie, for that helpful information.  If you happen to see one of the crew members that managed the back-to-back transition -- and if it would not cause you an inconvenience -- could you please confirm or refute your suspicion (that anyone testing positive would have been forced to leave, even if asymptomatic)? 

 

Since we have not gotten a reply (from Jim) to our other questions, may we further impose upon you?  If you do speak to a well-informed crew member about this subject -- and if he/she says that a positive test would prevent "consecutive cruising," then ... What happens to the unlucky "ex-guests"?   Do they have to stay in a hotel for some days?  Does Celebrity help them to fly home?  Do they get a full refund or a 100% "Future Cruise Credit" and/or something else?

 

Thanks again.

.

 

 

I understand your wanting to have some idea of what would happen in advance but I have to tell you that, after reading of various people's experiences contracting Covid on board you need to know that nothing is guaranteed.

I've read of people allowed to stay on board, people forced to disembark, allowed to stay in their cabin, forced to move to a less desirable cabin, being very well taken care of by the medical center and room service and being totally forgotten and not able to get hold of anyone. Asking in advance is a normal precaution but hard to count on anything.Things seem to be VERY fluid right now.

My only advice is to bring medication and cosmetics for at least double the time you're cruising.

I wish you lots of luck!!!! (Best case scenario is you'll never need to know what would have happened had you tested positive.)

[terrydtx]

2 hours ago, MarKay525 said:

jg51,

Since this thread is a Live from a cruise that ended several weeks ago and specific individuals are not replying to your inquiries, you may get a better response to your excellent questions if you start a fresh thread.

Thank you, some people never end with their insistent questions and pestering of people.

[Jim_Iain]

On 6/30/2022 at 4:13 PM, jg51 said:

Sorry about your tough luck, Jim.  During what month was your unfortunate test administered (just before the Reflection docked at Southampton)?  What happened after you had to leave the ship?  Did you have to stay in a hotel?  Did Celebrity help you to fly home?  Did you get a full refund or a 100% "Future Cruise Credit" and/or something else?

We tested positive on April 29th with turn around being April 30.   Fortunately we were on the pre-May sailing Policy.    In our case the escorted us off the ship on April 30 into a terminal full of people with no masks.   UK had dropped all requirements including quarantine. 

At the time we tested positive they Paid for a Car or Taxi,  5 Days hotel up to $250 per day plus $100 PP for Food (based on actual receipts).      Even though we continued to test positive for 11 days there was no additional reimbursement or help on flying home.   For us that was no problem as we already were planning on flying to Scotland for 10 days at the end of the second cruise so we just used our existing reservations.

 

We rented a really nice AirBnB for 5 days.  

 

In additional they gave us a pro-rated of the days (1 day) we were in quarantine on the ship plus 100% refund of the cruise that was cancelled.    All of the above were refunded to may Credit Card.  

 

Takes a bit of pushing.    I had one remaining credit of about $4,000 missing and e-mailed that agent last night and was told they had checked on it and it was processed on 6/30 so should see it shortly.

 

By the way I often find on Celebrity they only process Credits once a week usually on a Thursday which is true this time. 

 

For European Sailing the Policy changed  on May 1and you can stay aboard the ship until you test negative and then they will assist you plan your return home but it is at your expense.    I believe the reimburse pro rata for days in isolation and possibly for a cancelled b2b.    You can see the new policy under country specific restrictions.