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.

COVID-19 Doctor's Perspective

The following is going viral on Facebook - and for good reason.  This doctor, who specializes in Infectious Diseases, puts things in perspective about COVID-19.  For ongoing updates, see our dedicated post.

This is not our typical post, but we thought it was important to share.  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 (resources in our post above).

Please have a listen
#cleanhands #openhearts

Abdu Sharkawy

March 5 at 9:45 PM

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even
imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
Our children will thank us for it.

#washurhands #geturflushot #respect #patiencenotpanic