Ports are being canceled now

[bike1964]

I just read that RCCL will continue to call in the Mexican ports, but are now charging everyone a $3.95 surcharge for a white mask. $4.95 for a blue, gold, and white one with their Logo on it!!!;)

[Uncle Doug]

We are booked to travel to Cozumel in a month with out 2 granddaughters. Of course we will be disappointed if we don't call on the 2 Mexico ports. At this stage I don't want to second guess their decision as it is based totally on the safety of the passengers and crew. New bookings and cancelations will be affected by the missed ports if it continues for long.

 

A lady from our church is hosting a cruise booking party tonight and we have agreed to attend to answer cruise related questions. We just fired off a couple of IM's & emails to her to alert her to the situation. Hopefully most will continue to book but would understand if they waited to see what the outcome of this will be.

 

While not related to the current crisis, a co-workers wife was our TA when we first started cruising 20 years ago. Some where on one of her cruises she contracted a rare form of TB not seen in the US. She had not traveled outside of the US other than on cruises. It took doctors here a long time to figure out what it was. By that time it had done its damage to her lungs and she went down hill fast after that.

 

While very rare, travelers can pick up then bring back to the US strains of a virus not seen here causing health issues here as well.

[finoky]

Or maybe they are not buying into the panic;)

 

My boss has a plan in place. We are supposed to remain calm till tomorrow afternoon and then we are supposed to panic.:p

 

Should we start a poll? Which would you rather be exposed to - Swine Flu or Norovirus?

 

I am more afraid of the bird flu.:p

[Kurbanfan]

someone posted an article earlier that showed if you port out of TX, NO or MObile on a 5 day or less cruise if the MX ports are closed it will be a cruise to no where. There are no other ports they will go to and you can't stop at say Key west because you have to have an international port to stop at, not just a US port.

 

The Sapphire Princess is going to Catalina, San Diego.....and stopping one hour in Ensenada and back to San Pedro.........

[Patdmoose]

Hey, I just returned last week from Progresso and Coz and my only symptom of swine flu is the weight I gained from eating like a pig...

[Thirsty Cruiser]

ahhh ok sorry for the misunderstanding.. I'm new here and frankly any vacation is better than none so no major complaining here. LOL

It depends. If the vacation involves health risks, riots, or constant stress (Disneyworld comes to mind - for all three;)), then I would rather stay home and drink beer.

 

My boss has a plan in place. We are supposed to remain calm till tomorrow afternoon and then we are supposed to panic.:p...

Now that's what I call being proactive - in a reactive sort of way.:cool:

[Nezmo]

I just read that RCCL will continue to call in the Mexican ports, but are now charging everyone a $3.95 surcharge for a white mask. $4.95 for a blue, gold, and white one with their Logo on it!!!;)

LMAO. If CCL does this you know Platinum cruisers will demand they get it free. ;)

[Vanessa L]

Hey, I just returned last week from Progresso and Coz and my only symptom of swine flu is the weight I gained from eating like a pig...

 

I like it! LOL!

[michelle1836]

Hey, I just returned last week from Progresso and Coz and my only symptom of swine flu is the weight I gained from eating like a pig...

 

LMFBO!!! too funny

 

I'll take one of those carnival red white and blue masks please ;)

[mistyinca]

Well I feel bad for the crew on these ships, they are going to get the brunt of the whining, then next will be to call Carnival to complain about denying them the right to choose to go to a Port (where Mexico and US are saying to not travel there). Their vacation was ruined! They want their money refunded, OBCs! Then we will get the posters who will hate Carnival and never cruise on them again, blah blah blah. The other cruise lines will follow suit.

 

hmmm...maybe cruise fares will go down... (silver lining) :)

[Vanessa L]

LMAO. If CCL does this you know Platinum cruisers will demand they get it free. ;)

 

And the platinum color better be visible from the space station, FTLOG! LOL!

[Traveler353]

What port in the Eastern Caribbean are you thinking they will go to?? If its only a 4 day, not sure it can make it to past Key West. Maybe on a 5 day?

 

The announcement at 5 pm will be interesting.

 

Doing a 5 day. Last year we were diverted for a storm and ended up in Key West (good) and Freeport (bad). Could do the same again or head further south, ????

[crzndeb]

I guess I just don't understand the panic over this flu. Is it any different than the thousand of other flu viruses that millions of people get sick with every single year. Is it because it started in Mexico and it has a name? If you are pretty healthy and never get the flu, you probably won't get this one either.

[ShannonP]

I'll take one of those carnival red white and blue masks please ;)

 

But then I'll have funky mask tan lines.:rolleyes:

[Vanessa L]

I guess I just don't understand the panic over this flu. Is it any different than the thousand of other flu viruses that millions of people get sick with every single year. Is it because it started in Mexico and it has a name? If you are pretty healthy and never get the flu, you probably won't get this one either.

 

Because the networks (radio and TV) need ratings. And they know that the majority of Americans will tune in 24/7 for any information. And they will continue to do so until, like SARS, the public catches on that it is just not a big deal. How many winters do we hear about the flu? All of them. Edited to say that, if you live in the US where we have medicine, it is not a big deal. It is certainly a big deal in Mexico and other areas where medicine and proper medical care is not available.

[Thirsty Cruiser]

I guess I just don't understand the panic over this flu. Is it any different than the thousand of other flu viruses that millions of people get sick with every single year. Is it because it started in Mexico and it has a name? If you are pretty healthy and never get the flu, you probably won't get this one either.

It is quite different in that it appears to be more deadly to young, healthy people than a "regular" flu. Existing flu shots are not effective against it. Other than that, it is just as contagious as other strains.

[Vanessa L]

But then I'll have funky mask tan lines.:rolleyes:

 

I've seen people with "sunglass" face. I'm trying to get a mental picture of this, ROFL!! And what if you had both, sunglass AND mask face? Man, that would be a picture!!

[Vanessa L]

....Existing flu shots are not effective against it. Other than that, it is just as contagious as other strains.

 

No, but Tamiflu and Relenza are. This is no different than taking an antibiotic for strep throat. You feel like crap for a few days, then the medicine kicks in, and it's all over.

[upset_with_carnival]

Anyone who would want to go to Mexico right now is foolish!:cool:

 

This has got to be one of the stupidest responses to this that I can think of. Considering that people make these reservations, 3, 6, 9 months in advance (some even more) at a time when the swine flu wasn't even a consideration, why would you say something that like that? I can only think of two explanations...either you don't have a brain or you choose not to use it.

[pinkprincess78]

It depends. If the vacation involves health risks, riots, or constant stress (Disneyworld comes to mind - for all three;)), then I would rather stay home and drink beer.

 

 

Now that's what I call being proactive - in a reactive sort of way.:cool:

 

 

LOL thats why we dont consider disneyland a vacation.. we consider it insanity.

[harlekuin]

Just another thought... doing the 3 day to the only stop, Ensenada, starting Thursday. Isn't it the deal that no foreign port, no casino? Might have to dock, but maybe they won't let anyone off or on. Should be interesting

[jpg1747]

I've missed ports before due to weather. Doo Doo happens. It's the chance you take when you cruise.

 

I'm scheduled for an Ensenada stop in June out of San Diego. Wouldn't bother me a bit if we just stayed out to sea for 2 days, or went to Catalina instead. Nothing I can do about it but wait and see.

[Vanessa L]

I've missed ports before due to weather. Doo Doo happens. It's the chance you take when you cruise.

 

I'm scheduled for an Ensenada stop in June out of San Diego. Wouldn't bother me a bit if we just stayed out to sea for 2 days, or went to Catalina instead. Nothing I can do about it but wait and see.

 

You are the polar-opposite poster child for the person I referred to in my original thread!! You go girl!!!

[poobears]

Isn't it the deal that no foreign port, no casino?

 

Don't they open the casino on the cruise to no where sailings? Now if I missed both ports and had no casino, I would not be a happy cruiser.

[5waldos]

I guess I just don't understand the panic over this flu. Is it any different than the thousand of other flu viruses that millions of people get sick with every single year. Is it because it started in Mexico and it has a name? If you are pretty healthy and never get the flu, you probably won't get this one either.

 

Yes it is different. Since it is new nobody is immune. Also it is attacking strong and healthy youth as opposed to the very young or old.