Coronavirus Testing Impacting Cruises

Please see the following blog post for resources to assist you during this time of global health emergency.  We will try to keep you posted on breaking news here as well.

Coronavirus Travel Advice

We understand that there are many news reports about specific sailings that are being impacted as a result of Coronavirus. Below is what we currently know and our comments are in red. We will update you as new information becomes available.

Princess Cruises

Grand Princess Statement from Princess Cruises (Facebook, posted approximately 9 hours ago)

We have received word from state and local response operations that Grand Princess will proceed to the Port of Oakland on Monday (was initially scheduled for Sunday) to begin disembarking guests who require acute medical treatment and hospitalization. Exact timing is still being determined in a coordinated manner with all operations resources. These guests will be transported to medical facilities in California. Disembarkation will continue Monday (this may now happen Tuesday based on updated arrival day) for other guests. According to Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, following health screenings, guests who are California residents will go to a federally operated facility within California for testing and isolation, while non-Californians will be transported by the federal government to facilities in other states. Crew will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship. We will provide additionally information as we receive it.

Royal Princess Statement from Princess Cruises (Facebook, posted approximately 11 hours ago)

We were requested by the CDC that we share information about a crew member who previously served on Grand Princess and transferred to Royal Princess fifteen days ago. After sharing all information and details about the crew member, the CDC approved clearance for Royal Princess Friday, to sail Saturday, with no restrictions placed on the vessel. However, late Saturday afternoon, the CDC informed us of their decision to issue a “no-sail order” until the crew member was tested for COVID-19. We have unfortunately been unable to obtain this test given the lateness of the request. The crew member is past the maximum incubation of COVID-19, has been evaluated and has never developed any respiratory symptoms or fever. The crew member had no known contact or exposure to other guests or crew who were ill on Grand Princess. The crew member received a precautionary screening by the Medical Staff upon boarding Royal Princess to test for respiratory symptoms, including fever. Due to the unknown timing of obtaining the test and results or anticipated response, we have cancelled the cruise.

Our guest services and ground operations teams are activated and are working to assist guests who purchased air independently by providing lists of local hotels with availability. We will reimburse our guests up to $300 per booking for one-night’s hotel costs in Los Angeles and have booked our EZair guests in a LAX airport hotel. We share in our guests’ disappointment in the cancelled cruise and are sorry we could not communicate sooner given the lack of information. Therefore, all guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, Princess Air, Princess Cruise Plus pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, prepaid shore excursions and other prepaid items purchased through Princess Cruises. Unexpected expenses, such as air change fees, reimbursement of reasonable non-refundable out-of-pocket expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis when submitted to our office. As the cruise has been cancelled the day of departure, each guest will also receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit equal to the cruise fare paid on this voyage.

Regal Princess (Various News Reports)
This news is breaking now. According to reports, the Regal Princess which was supposed to dock in Ft. Lauderdale earlier today is being held off the coast of Florida. Two crew members who previously served on the Grand Princess are currently sailing on the Regal Princess and are being tested. The most official information we have is the attached letter that was provided to passengers who are currently onboard Regal Princess.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Panorama Official Statement from Carnival Cruise Line

As you may have heard, Saturday, guests on Carnival Panorama, were unable to disembark the vessel in Long Beach, Calif. due to a medical issue with a passenger that was sent to the hospital and tested for Coronavirus. At 10 p.m., the results came back negative and guests were cleared to disembark in Long Beach, the cruise company said in a statement: "The precautionary COVID-19 test on a Carnival Panorama guest has come back negative and guests have been cleared to disembark in Long Beach. The guests were notified by Carnival Panorama Captain Carlo Queirolo at 9:45 pm PT.   The next Carnival Panorama cruise to the Mexican Riviera will now operate as a six-day cruise, departing on Sunday and those guests have also been notified.

Costa Cruises
Costa Fortuna

Malaysia and Thailand have barred a cruise ship carrying about 2,000 people, including 64 Italians, from docking due to fears about the new coronavirus, an official said Sunday (Mar 8). The Costa Fortuna was first turned away from the popular Thai holiday island of Phuket on Friday, despite there being no suspected virus cases aboard, according to its operator.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Silhouette departed from Miami, Fla. on Friday and had to return twice due to incidents, which were not Coronavirus related. According to Dream Vacations Franchisee Mara Hargarther who is onboard, the cruise line is giving everyone two days value of OBC and a 25% refund of cruise fare. They are still awaiting an itinerary update.

Massive Blast in Government Building Oslo Norway

A blast in Oslo, Norway today has torn through a government building housing the Norwegian prime minister's office, blowing out most of the windows according to a Reuters report.   It has been reported that at least two people are dead with several trapped and injured at the scene.

In a second incident near Oslo, a gunman, disguised as a policeman,  killed at least 80 people at an island youth camp northwest of Oslo.  He lured the victims to gather around and then shot them twice to be sure they were dead according to survivors.  The Prime Minister was to speak at the camp, which is organized by the ruling Labor Party, on Saturday.

The Norwegian gunman, who is believed to have been involved in both incidents, was taken into custody at the camp when police arrived in response to calls from the youths. 

UPDATE: Sunday, July 24th: It is confirmed that both events were the work of one Norwegian man who took the lives of at least 93 people.  He leaves behind a 1,500-page manifesto which borrowed passages from the Unibomber and others.  He will get his day in court, but will be denied the public platform he desired.  As reported in our original post, MSC Orchestra was in port at the time and departed safely with all passengers on board as scheduled.

Here is a video courtesy of  USA Today of the scene in Oslo, Norway:

Oslo - a Popular Cruise Destination

According to the Oslo Port Authority website, there are two ships in Oslo, Norway today:  Costa Atlantica (which should have already departed) and MSC Orchestra (which should have still been in port at the time of the blast).  Costa Magica is due into port on Saturday with several other ships calling there in the next seven days.

Oslo is one of many ports of call on a typical Baltic cruise vacation.   It is an easy city to tour on your own with a local hop-on-hop-off bus stopping right at the cruise terminal.  City Tours offers a tour route, that for the cost of approximately $20, included several of the popular sights such as Akershus Castle, the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Viking Ship Museum.

Details are still coming in on the blast that occurred today.  Early reports indicate that the Prime Minister was not injured during the blast.    So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the explosion, so it is too early to say whether this was a terrorist attack or not.


Attacks Impact Cruise Call

Costa Magica was scheduled to call in Oslo on Saturday, but  the cruise line said that the ship will visit Kristiansand instead. Costa plans to resume calls to Oslo as scheduled next week.


Costa, Seabourn, MSC, Princess, and Celebrity all have ships scheduled to call in Oslo, Norway during the next seven days or so.   We will monitor this story to see if there is any additional impact on scheduled port calls.

Our thoughts go out to the people of Norway.  It is such a lovely area which normally is peaceful.   Summer time is the prime time for tourism, so this could be a very negative impact on their economy.

WLCN Offers Good Thru October Or Longer

OFFICIAL WLCN SALE
BOOKING WINDOW
Starting Oct. 14, 2009

As mentioned in previous posts, there are a number of special offers throughout the month. I'd like to call attention to the following offers which are valid after this week.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Booking Window: Oct 13 - 20

CRYSTAL CRUISES

$100 per person discount on most 2009 and 2010 departures

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Nov 7

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

$100 per person shipboard credit

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Nov 14

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

7-Night Cruises or Longer Itineraries
$100 onboard credit for cruises sailing Jan. 9, 2010 - Dec. 18, 2010

3-4- and 5-Night Bahamian Cruises
$50 onboard credit for cruises sailing Jan. 3, 2010 - Dec. 19, 2010

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Oct 28

COSTA CRUISES

$50 per cabin onboard credit

Valid for Caribbean and Europe sailings through December 2010.

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Oct 31

SILVERSEAS CRUISES

Savings of $100 per person (max $200 per suite double occupancy) per booking (not per voyage for combination cruises)

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Nov 14

MSC CRUISES

Onboard credits: Inside cabin will receive $ 25 pp (max $ 50 per cabin), Oceanview cabin will receive $ 50 pp (max 100 per cabin), Balcony and Suite stateroom will receive $ 100 pp (max $ 200 per cabin).

Booking Window: Oct 14 to Oct 24

All offers are for New Bookings ONLY and may have additional Terms and Conditions.

Contact us for complete details.

Happy New Year 2009

10 ... 9... 8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... Happy New Year 2009!!
A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing sea days aboard a cruise ship.

Looking ahead .... As in most years, there are plenty of destinations to chose from when planning your 2009 cruise vacations. Alaska and Hawaii mark their 50th anniversaries of statehood this year, so I would recommend putting those on the top of your wish list.

2009 is the year of the new cruise ships. The first ships will be introduced in April with additional entries in the Summer and Fall. The list includes Costa Luminosa, MSC Splendida, Costa Pacifica, Celebrity Equinox, Seabourn Odyssey, Carnival Dream, Project F3 from NCL, Silverseas Spirit, and Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

This is quite an impressive list of new vessels. Many of you love sailing the inaugural year; others of you may never have done so. Why not give it a try this year?

In upcoming columns, I'll provide additional information about these new ships. First on my list of topics is the conclusion of our Galapagos cruise. I'll also talk about our recent Alaska cruise as well as other surprises. Be sure to visit often.

If you have burning questions about a cruise topic, send me an email and I'd be happy to discuss them in future columns.

Again, Happy New Year to all and Happy Cruising.