Covid quarantine on the Apex

[Loracpin2]

45 minutes ago, jerryd1 said:

We were quarantined in Deck 6 balcony cabins on the Solstice in June.

Glad to hear someone at Celebrity figured out the sane way to handle quarantining!

[cruising sister]

5 minutes ago, Loracpin2 said:

Glad to hear someone at Celebrity figured out the sane way to handle quarantining!

I don’t think it is a corporate decision. I really think it is what each ship will do based on cabin availability. It was clearly deck 2 on the Infinity on the June 25th sailing. 

[calicakes]

3 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

 

 

Well the OP was in a Celebrity Suite so I don't think that's true. Also, a few weeks ago there was a thread about a couple that was in a Royal Suite and wound up in an OV too....  

I remember a Zenith level couple allowed to stay in their suite rather than move to an OV. 

[canderson]

6 minutes ago, calicakes said:

I remember a Zenith level couple allowed to stay in their suite rather than move to an OV. 

IIRC, disembarkation was the next day in that particular case.

[Ralfkrippner]

two days after disembarkation in AMS we now test positive and are quite sure we were infected on the last sea day in the oceanview cafe, where a number of guests nearby did not wear masks properly and coughed heavily for some time. We stayed for an hour early afternoon.

We're disappointed that Celebrity has decided that despite communicating mask rules those were never at any place other than casino and entrance of theater enforced. Not even by friendly adressing people without masks directly.

[renji]

On 7/6/2022 at 4:51 PM, twincheryl said:

Does anyone have actual experience doing this?  
 

I might be inclined to prefer quarantine OFF the ship in a hotel or AirBnb rather than a cabin without at least an infinite veranda.  No amount of refund to compensate for that would be worth it.

I’m with you…I would much rather quarantine off the ship, refund my cruise and I’ll book my own accommodations.  Covid is everywhere, certainly all over cruise ships,  so this response is ridiculous. They are trying to discourage reporting.

[renji]

On 7/7/2022 at 1:27 AM, quicklabs said:

Physically, my husband and I are both doing well.  I self reported because I had a bit of a cough, a headache and malaise.  Later, I developed a low grade fever and was very fatigued .  The quarantine concierge checked on me by phone every day, but I never saw medical after being placed in quarantine.  If I would have needed meds, I could have called and they would have been delivered. M I had my own thermometer and Tylenol which I brought from home.  I did get some cough drops.  

Just sending support…I’m so sorry you are dealing with this.

[renji]

On 7/9/2022 at 5:05 PM, RichYak said:

That's the "in your control" scenario.

I don’t know if avoiding self-reporting is a guarantee…are they still contact tracing?

[Oville]

7 hours ago, calicakes said:

I remember a Zenith level couple allowed to stay in their suite rather than move to an OV. 

Was that the b2b Zenith couple where on tested positive the last full day of the first cruise?

[calicakes]

6 minutes ago, Oville said:

Was that the b2b Zenith couple where on tested positive the last full day of the first cruise?

Yes. I just met a couple at a party who were on a back-to-back in in May, they tested positive on the last cruise. They were allowed to stay in their suite on beyond.

[Northern Aurora]

7 hours ago, calicakes said:

I remember a Zenith level couple allowed to stay in their suite rather than move to an OV. 

 

Well -- we are  Zenith level Captain's Club members.  My husband tested positive on the what would have been the first leg of a B2B on the Eclipse.  I opted to remain in our Suite but my husband was moved to a deck 3 Ocean View stateroom.  While we would have been allowed to remain for the second leg we opted to leave the ship in Honolulu to complete the remaining five days of his isolation.  He was going stir-crazy in that Ocean View.

[Cruising89143]

On 7/7/2022 at 2:49 PM, drarill said:

Patients are supposed to start Paxlovid within five days from symptoms onset, you shouldn't  wait until your symptoms get worse.  Paxlovid stops the replication of the virus, and is the best tool we have right now to avoid being hospitalized.  Besides that, COVID is not a cold, COVID is an inflammatory disease with serious cardiovascular and neurological sequelae.  If there is a drug that will stop the replication of the virus in my body, I'll take it! BTW, I already took it after getting infected on the Edge.

About the rebound, on the original Paxlovid studies, this "rebound" was also seen on patients taking the placebo. This phenomenon is called COVID rebound and  has  been seen in patients that didn't take Paxlovid.  As a matter of fact, it happened to a good friend of mine, a doctor, that got infected back in December 2021.  A week after testing negative he was feeling better, decided to play some tennis and all the symptoms came back with a vengeance.  If you want to read a little bit more about the topic, here are some links.  

 

https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1365

 

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/study-finds-few-covid-19-patients-get-rebound-symptoms-after-paxlovid-treatment/

 

We officially tested positive this morning and started Paxlovid. Started to feel the symptoms on Friday.This virus is no joke. I feel like I stepped in front of a bus. Hoping the Paxlovid kicks in quickly. We did manage to go almost two and a half years without getting this stuff. I guess it was our time. Thankfully we’re at home and not traveling.

 

To the OP, just started reading this thread today. I hope that you and your husband are doing well. 

[Cruising89143]

On 7/9/2022 at 3:25 AM, Gracie115 said:

I took Paxlovid after a recent bout with Covid.  I'm sure it helped me recover and have not had a rebound but the godawful taste it left in my mouth for the entire time I was on it and for many days afterward has made me wonder if I would do so again.  I know I would wait until Day 4 before making the decision.   I would rather have had the "no taste" symptom that Covid can cause then this horrible taste.  It IS one of the possible side effects, supposedly only 6% get it but every person I know that has taken it has experienced this symptom...... nasty is everyone's description.

 

 

The aftertaste is no joke but it only lasted for about an hour. It may get stronger and last longer the more that we take it. I’m drinking a ton of water. 

[RichYak]

54 minutes ago, renji said:

I don’t know if avoiding self-reporting is a guarantee…are they still contact tracing?

I don't know. I never mentioned anything about contract tracing. I'm merely saying that self reporting is a choice.

[quicklabs]

22 hours ago, calicakes said:

Or their "status". 

Believe me, status and cabin class have nothing to do with treatment in quarantine.  We are almost Elite Plus, had a Celebrity Suite on a B2B, and were sent to Deck 3 along everyone else.  

 

 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by quicklabs

[quicklabs]

1 hour ago, cruisingator2 said:

To the OP, just started reading this thread today. I hope that you and your husband are doing well. 

Thank you.  We are home now, and feeling very well.  

 

[TheWanderingViolet]

9 hours ago, Ralfkrippner said:

two days after disembarkation in AMS we now test positive and are quite sure we were infected on the last sea day in the oceanview cafe, where a number of guests nearby did not wear masks properly and coughed heavily for some time. We stayed for an hour early afternoon.

We're disappointed that Celebrity has decided that despite communicating mask rules those were never at any place other than casino and entrance of theater enforced. Not even by friendly adressing people without masks directly.

I think this is what I am most disappointed about as well. I made a risk assessment based off Celebrity’s current guidelines to require masks on transport for excursions and by not filling transport to capacity, both if which were false (although printed on the agenda daily). I never book excursions through the cruise line but did this time for that reason. 
 

There were SO many people who did not isolate themselves and just walked about coughing without even bothering to cover their mouths. I knew the risks and accept that because I decided to cruise, I have Covid so ultimately the responsibility is with me BUT I also excepted Celebrity to honor their promise too on mitigations. 
 

Also, I was HIGHLY disappointed to hear one of the activities people (Ryan) blatantly lie to a guest the morning of disembarkation. She flat out asked why her group 1 hadn't been called yet and we were all leaving the ship (escorted) he told her its because we were walk off… these people congregating in grand plaza had no idea isolation passengers were being paraded out and standing waiting with non isolated passengers in a common area - and more than half removed their masks as we were walking from the holding room through unsuspecting passengers.
 

Celebrity’s actions vs messaging is not consistent and for that I am disappointed.  I hope everyone who contracted Covid on board Apex last sailing are doing well. This is definitely not a cold for me. Thankfully for my husband he was symptom free in less than three days. 

[Gracie115]

10 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

The aftertaste is no joke but it only lasted for about an hour. It may get stronger and last longer the more that we take it. I’m drinking a ton of water. 

 

Happy for you that it only lasted an hour, hope that continues.  It was constant for me until I stopped taking it and even for a day or so afterward.  Yes, drink lots of water!!

[Loracpin2]

9 hours ago, TheWanderingViolet said:

Also, I was HIGHLY disappointed to hear one of the activities people (Ryan) blatantly lie to a guest the morning of disembarkation. She flat out asked why her group 1 hadn't been called yet and we were all leaving the ship (escorted) he told her its because we were walk off… these people congregating in grand plaza had no idea isolation passengers were being paraded out and standing waiting with non isolated passengers in a common area - and more than half removed their masks as we were walking from the holding room through unsuspecting passengers.
 

 

If Celebrity's  policy is to now blatantly lie (Ryan) to Passengers to cover-up the number of Passengers who had contacted Covid while on their Ships, their credibility on how they are handling Covid contamination is very concerning.  

[TeeRick]

12 minutes ago, Loracpin2 said:

 

If Celebrity's  policy is to now blatantly lie (Ryan) to Passengers to cover-up the number of Passengers who had contacted Covid while on their Ships, their credibility on how they are handling Covid contamination is very concerning.  

I truly doubt this is their policy.  And credibility is a personal evaluation by those cruising.  Many people do not report their symptoms.  An undisputed fact.  So how can this be blamed on Celebrity when it is a personal passenger-based choice? 

 

Concerning numbers on board- Ages ago (but only months!) some captains on board reported positive cases.  Not so much anymore.  Too many of them. Celebrity reports what is required to the CDC if the ship sailed from a US port.  They are not required to report anything concerning numbers to the public or press or even their passengers.  That is not anything different from any other cruise line.  Or frankly most businesses.  Covid is everywhere and that is all we really need to know and plan for when we travel and cruise.  Pretty good odds that we will get infected despite every precaution.  It is a calculated risk we take these days,

[quicklabs]

12 hours ago, TheWanderingViolet said:

I think this is what I am most disappointed about as well. I made a risk assessment based off Celebrity’s current guidelines to require masks on transport for excursions and by not filling transport to capacity, both if which were false (although printed on the agenda daily). I never book excursions through the cruise line but did this time for that reason.
There were SO many people who did not isolate themselves and just walked about coughing without even bothering to cover their mouths. I knew the risks and accept that because I decided to cruise, I have Covid so ultimately the responsibility is with me BUT I also excepted Celebrity to honor their promise too on mitigations. 
 

Also, I was HIGHLY disappointed to hear one of the activities people (Ryan) blatantly lie to a guest the morning of disembarkation. She flat out asked why her group 1 hadn't been called yet and we were all leaving the ship (escorted) he told her its because we were walk off… these people congregating in grand plaza had no idea isolation passengers were being paraded out and standing waiting with non isolated passengers in a common area - and more than half removed their masks as we were walking from the holding room through unsuspecting passengers.
 

Celebrity’s actions vs messaging is not consistent and for that I am disappointed.  I hope everyone who contracted Covid on board Apex last sailing are doing well. This is definitely not a cold for me. Thankfully for my husband he was symptom free in less than three days. 

 

 

You stated the problem perfectly.  The problem lies both with the cruise ship and the passengers themselves. 

 

Celebrity wants the cruise experience to be normal, as if it were 2019 again.  That's a dollars and cents decision.  And passengers collude with this, wanting to go back to vacationing as it used to be.  As a result, masks are not being required on excursions, busses are packed.   Even when required on the ship due to escalating cases, masking is not enforced, there is no effort to social distance at all, and the ships are sailing with as many passengers who are willing to book.

 

Passengers and prospective passengers are kept in the dark about how much outbreak there is on the ships.  They are simply told that their other passengers are isolated, giving the illusion of greater safety.  

 

Isolation is made terribly unpleasant by the accommodations provided.  Few will self report under those conditions, and having endured that small airless room for 10 days, I can't say that I blame them.  

 

Many are actively symptomatic and doing nothing to protect their fellow passengers, crowidng elevators and  coughing without even bothering to cover their mouths.  No one allows themselves to be inconvenienced by wearing a mask or distancing, even when obviously symptomatic.   The utter selfishness in this regard is truly appalling.  

 

Celebrity makes promises regarding refunds for quarantine, but the process for doing so is not easy to discover.  Information given is conflicting, phones go unanswered and emails are not returned. There is no clear sense on how much one is even owes.  Money is returned slowly, in dribs and draws.

 

I just obtained Elite Plus status. I have 6 more cruises booked, all of which I will cancel.  I suspect my cruising days are over.  And that makes me very sad indeed.

 

To those wondering if they should take the risk associated with cruising, please know that the risk of getting Covid is considerably greater than you might estimate based on officially-given percentages.   Good luck to everyone.  Please take care not only for your own health and enjoyment,  but also exercise responsibility,  due concern and compassion for those around you. The "Golden Rule" is so important under these circumstances.

[calicakes]

16 hours ago, quicklabs said:

Believe me, status and cabin class have nothing to do with treatment in quarantine.  We are almost Elite Plus, had a Celebrity Suite on a B2B, and were sent to Deck 3 along everyone else.  

 

 

 

I just spoke with someone yesterday who were on a 3 back to back cruise.  They tested positive before the 3rd leg and were allowed to remain in their suite for the entire 10 days of the cruise.  They were on Beyond. 

[twincheryl]

1 hour ago, quicklabs said:

 

 

You stated the problem perfectly.  The problem lies both with the cruise ship and the passengers themselves. 

 

Celebrity wants the cruise experience to be normal, as if it were 2019 again.  That's a dollars and cents decision.  And passengers collude with this, wanting to go back to vacationing as it used to be.  As a result, masks are not being required on excursions, busses are packed.   Even when required on the ship due to escalating cases, masking is not enforced, there is no effort to social distance at all, and the ships are sailing with as many passengers who are willing to book.

 

Passengers and prospective passengers are kept in the dark about how much outbreak there is on the ships.  They are simply told that their other passengers are isolated, giving the illusion of greater safety.  

 

Isolation is made terribly unpleasant by the accommodations provided.  

 

I just obtained Elite Plus status. I have 6 more cruises booked, all of which I will cancel.  I suspect my cruising days are over.  And that makes me very sad indeed.

I do hope you will consider emailing Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and say exactly what you did here. I have suggested this to a couple others who were nicely surprised by a rapid response. They need to keep hearing from us… and we can keep hoping for change. 

[TheWanderingViolet]

6 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I truly doubt this is their policy.  And credibility is a personal evaluation by those cruising.  Many people do not report their symptoms.  An undisputed fact.  So how can this be blamed on Celebrity when it is a personal passenger-based choice? 

 

Concerning numbers on board- Ages ago (but only months!) some captains on board reported positive cases.  Not so much anymore.  Too many of them. Celebrity reports what is required to the CDC if the ship sailed from a US port.  They are not required to report anything concerning numbers to the public or press or even their passengers.  That is not anything different from any other cruise line.  Or frankly most businesses.  Covid is everywhere and that is all we really need to know and plan for when we travel and cruise.  Pretty good odds that we will get infected despite every precaution.  It is a calculated risk we take these days,

In the example I gave of Ryan we (Covid isolated passengers) were literally being paraded through the grand plaza. I was standing less than three feet from them as told to do while listening to him lie to the passenger.  Once in the terminal celebrity made zero effort to separate from other disembarked passengers waiting to get their luggage.  I watched as those from the isolation holding room removed their mask in front of celebrity personnel with not so much as a reminder to mask up. 

[Anita Latte]

OP I appreciate you sharing. We moved to Florida in the year our nest emptied...2019...and were on our way to enjoying being able to cruise easily and I want to cruise again, but I am not willing to subject myself to being so out of control of my own circumstances. I check periodically here to see how things are being handled onboard so again I say thank you for sharing. I will continue to wait for cruising and feel like it may be years before I would want to get on board again.

 

I'm certainly no expert but the news of all the variants of Omicron and how sneaky it is...it doesn't respond to antibodies from previous Omicron infection...it just goes round and round. Reinfection is common. No one is talking about the potential consequences to the next passengers in the cabins where those who may not report...or who don't even test because symptoms are so slight or not seemingly particular to Covid. IDK the situation with the air filtration and how often it is replaced and how well the cabins are really being cleaned and how long Covid hovers in the air... 

 

I'm not as concerned about having Covid. Though Covid is no joke and I have to deal with the life long consequences of my own response to having Delta. It's the control factor for me...I'll continue with my non cruise travel...