Coronavirus Resources

This post was originally posted as Coronavirus Travel Advice  during the early stages of the outbreak when people were wondering if their destination was on lock down or if their cruise line had cancelled their cruises.  

We are modifying this post to remove content which may be misinterpreted as suggesting traveling is safe.    W\e do have links to help people with travel booked for later in the year.  They will need to make decisions, if those decisions aren't made for you by the travel provider.

For example, most cruise lines are extending the 30 day shutdown.  

Put simply  #StaySafeStayHome   #SelfDistancing

Obviously, not everyone can stay home, so then use the guidelines posted on CDC & WHO (and other medical / government) sites.  We are home and here to help with any travel questions -- whether Covid-19  travel related or any future dreaming you might be doing. 

We are posting a daily "Where is Chris"  image for you to guess the destinations.  We encourage those with children to find ways to keep them engaged using travel related topics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City. 

Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States. There are ongoing investigations to learn more.

The following  video is very informative - worth watching.

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public

The World Health Organization has a website dedicated to Novel Coronavirus 2019.  The advice for the public, including those traveling, is very simple - and it is advice that should be followed all the time.

• Wash Your Hands Frequently
• Practice Respiratory Hygiene
• Maintain Social Distancing
• Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose & Mouth
• If you have Fever, Cough & Difficulty Breathing - Seek Medical Help
• Practice General Hygiene when visiting Live Animal Markets, Wet Markets or Animal Product Markets
• Avoid Consumption of Raw or Undercooked Animal Products

Protect Yourself & Others from Getting Sick

Click on Images Below To Enlarge

Additional Resources  

• WHO Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
• Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak
• CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus
• Travelers Returning from High Risk Countries (CDC)
• Mapping The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (ESRI)
• Coronavirus Resource Center (John Hopkins)
• CDC Global Health - China
• Be Careful Where You Get Your News about Coronavirus (Harvard Medical)
• Ease Your Travel Fears Infographic
• John Hopkins - Coronavirus

Cruise Line Specific Resources   

These links are intended to help guests that may have travel booked for later in the year.  Cancellation policies are very dynamic - often changing daily depending on the current status of the pandemic.  Our recommendation is to stay current on those policies (we are here to help our guests).   In most cases, you can wait until 48 hours before scheduled travel to make any decision.   Hopefully things will return to normal later in the year, but for now just stay safe and informed.

• CLIA Statement on 2019-Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
• Coronavirus Updated Cruise Ship Polices & Cancellations
• COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel (CDC)
• Azamara Cruises Travel Alerts
• Carnival Health & Sailing Update
• Celebrity Cruises Travel Alerts
• Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus Advisories
• Holland America Line Travel Advisories
• Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Alerts
• Princess Cruises Notices & Advisories
• Princess Cruises Health Advisory on Coronavirus
• Royal Caribbean Travel Alerts

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Coronavirus Travel Advice

As the new decade kicks off, so does a world-wide health concern with Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Public Health Agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Decease Control and Prevention, have published extensive information on their websites to help educate the public.

(Updated: March 21, 2020)

Most travel is suspended at least through April.  Below are resources to the various travel providers websites as cancellation polices vary.  If you have trips scheduled for later this Spring / Summer, our advice is to wait until your carrier makes an announcement about your itinerary to make any decision.  Most companies are allowing you to wait for as long as 48 hours before departure to cancel.  That gives you time to understand the risks of travel (if it is even possible).
Our state is on lock down until April 7th, and many other states / countries have followed this precautionary measure.  Links below are useful resources to keep informed.

We are getting calls from our guests, concerned about traveling.   Speak to your personal doctors for their advice - they will be familiar with your circumstances.  Also, take precautionary measures, which should be standard practice - washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, staying away from those exhibiting symptoms.  Monitor guidance from world health organizations such as the WHO and CDC.

If you are traveling, or even if you are staying local, it is important to know the facts as they are known at this time. Since this is an evolving story, not all information is known but be assured that top health care professionals are seeking the answers. Of course there are often myths (click for some myth busters) that are circulated, so this blog post will try to disseminate links to the official resources that you can use to expand your knowledge.

Cruise lines are monitoring the situation and have imposed precautionary measures including refusing boarding of individuals presenting with certain symptoms.  The lines have implemented enhanced policies, which are in effect as of 27 February 2020, built upon those which were first implemented on 31 January 2020 and focus on conservative measures, as the situation evolves, to appropriately and effectively screen every guest and crew member on every ship prior to boarding.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City. 

Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States. There are ongoing investigations to learn more.

The following  video is very informative - worth watching.

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public

The World Health Organization has a website dedicated to Novel Coronavirus 2019.  The advice for the public, including those traveling, is very simple - and it is advice that should be followed all the time.

• Wash Your Hands Frequently
• Practice Respiratory Hygiene
• Maintain Social Distancing
• Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose & Mouth
• If you have Fever, Cough & Difficulty Breathing - Seek Medical Help
• Practice General Hygiene when visiting Live Animal Markets, Wet Markets or Animal Product Markets
• Avoid Consumption of Raw or Undercooked Animal Products

Protect Yourself & Others from Getting Sick

Click on Images Below To Enlarge

Additional Resources  

• WHO Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
• Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak
• CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus
• Travelers Returning from High Risk Countries (CDC)
• Mapping The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (ESRI)
• Coronavirus Resource Center (John Hopkins)
• CDC Global Health - China
• Be Careful Where You Get Your News about Coronavirus (Harvard Medical)
• Ease Your Travel Fears Infographic
• John Hopkins - Coronavirus

Cruise Line Specific Resources

• CLIA Statement on 2019-Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
• Coronavirus Updated Cruise Ship Polices & Cancellations
• COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel (CDC)
• Azamara Cruises Travel Alerts
• Carnival Health & Sailing Update
• Celebrity Cruises Travel Alerts
• Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus Advisories
• Holland America Line Travel Advisories
• Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Alerts
• Princess Cruises Notices & Advisories
• Princess Cruises Health Advisory on Coronavirus
• Royal Caribbean Travel Alerts

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

Health and Fitness at Sea

World Health Day 2018

On 7 April, World Health Day, the World Health Organization marks its 70th anniversary. This year, World Health Day is dedicated to one of WHO’s founding principles: “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”

Spa & Fitness Center

Why do we bring up health and fitness in a cruise blog?

Going on a cruise vacation doesn't imply that you'll have to break your health and fitness regiment..    While it is true that you can eat 24 hours a day if you like, that doesn't mean you have to do so or eat foods that go against your healthy lifestyle.   Quite the contrary is actually the case.  Cruise lines offer a wide variety of food for all lifestyles.   Many ships have recently expanded dining options to include spa menus served in either a spa restaurant setting or in the main dining room.

click images to enlarge

Perhaps one of the best Spa and Fitness Centers at sea is the Vitality at Sea  Spa and Fitness Center on the largest ship afloat, the Allure of the Seas.

Vitality at Sea Spa

The spa features 29 treatment rooms with a full menu of indulgent treatments: signature treatments, facial treatments, massage therapies, body therapies, acupuncture services, Medi-Spa cosmetic treatments, tooth whitening and men's services.

Vitality at Sea Fitness Center 

Become a master of movement and stretch your body beyond its normal boundaries.  Enjoy state-of-the-art cardio and strength fitness equipment and new programs, including Gravity, heart-rate-based spinning and Kinesis.

Following a good workout in the fitness center, continue with a well balanced three course meal from the Vitality menu.   If you have special dietary needs, Allure of the Seas, as well as other cruise ships, are able to provide meals that satisfy those requirements.   Advance notice is suggested to assure that the cruise ship has necessary ingredients in stock.

So I hate to break the news to you that going on a cruise isn't an excuse for breaking those New Years' resolutions.   In some cases, it might even make it easier to keep your resolutions, since you have the healthy foods available as well as more fitness equipment and options than many stateside fitness centers.   

Vitality Spa and Fitness (click for more images on our FB fan page - make sure to Like us)

Video: Royal Rejuvenation: Vitality and Wellness at Sea
 Rev-up, relax, or refuel at the Vitality Spa & Fitness center onboard Royal Caribbean's ships. Guests can enjoy state-of-the-art cardio equipment, enjoyable fitness classes or choose from an array of services from the spa as well fuel up with healthy fare.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat