Warning in St Maarten /St Martin

If you are over 65 ,or have diabetes or high blood pressure or a heart problem your risk is highly elevated if you are bitten by the mosquito & contact Chikungunya virus /fever according to the CDC :o

I contacted my doctor to write a letter for cancellation ,if Celebrity continues to berth in these islands with this virus ;because we are in our mid 70s with medical conditions that put us at greater life threatening risks:eek:

Our schedule cruise to the Eastern Caribbean aboard Silhouette is March 2nd 2014:rolleyes:

If you are over 65 ,or have diabetes or high blood pressure or a heart problem your risk is highly elevated if you are bitten by the mosquito & contact Chikungunya virus /fever according to the CDC :o

 

I contacted my doctor to write a letter for cancellation ,if Celebrity continues to berth in these islands with this virus ;because we are in our mid 70s with medical conditions that put us at greater life threatening risks:eek:

 

Our schedule cruise to the Eastern Caribbean aboard Silhouette is March 2nd 2014:rolleyes:

We are in our mid-70's and are just back from two weeks on St. Maarten. While there is a fair amount of hype, there have been very few cases actually reported. We did take the precaution of applying insect repellant every day - although we never noticed any flying insects while on the island - the governments on both sides have been actively spraying to control Mosquitos.

That said, if you are seriously concerned, you should take any precautions you and your doctor feel appropriate. While you can certainly cancel the cruise, I do not believe a note from your doctor will cause the line to refund your fare; without cancellation insurance (which is offered precisely to allow people to change their minds for specified reasons) you are not likely to get your money back for a personal decision.

If you are unable to get a refund, a reasonably safe alternative would be to simply stay on board, perhaps even avoiding exposed decks, while in ports which you feel are unsafe.

We are in our mid-70's and are just back from two weeks on St. Maarten. While there is a fair amount of hype, there have been very few cases actually reported. We did take the precaution of applying insect repellant every day - although we never noticed any flying insects while on the island - the governments on both sides have been actively spraying to control Mosquitos.

 

That said, if you are seriously concerned, you should take any precautions you and your doctor feel appropriate. While you can certainly cancel the cruise, I do not believe a note from your doctor will cause the line to refund your fare; without cancellation insurance (which is offered precisely to allow people to change their minds for specified reasons) you are not likely to get your money back for a personal decision.

 

If you are unable to get a refund, a reasonably safe alternative would be to simply stay on board, perhaps even avoiding exposed decks, while in ports which you feel are unsafe.

The internet has reported close to 500 cases of this mosquito virus on the island of St Maarten & St Martin through by the CDC & there are no known medications to prevent the very high fever ,swelling of joints & high degrees of pain . :eek:

The CDC expects the mosquito born virus to ultimately spread through out the Caribbean islands .At present it is not here in the US. However ,a ship or other vessel can bring those mosquitos into southern Florida where the climate would support substantial growth .Although the USA has far superior methods to wipe out that threat vs a 3rd world nation /island

Folks over 65 & those with diabetes ,high blood pressure or heart problems are at a much higher risk .:(

We always carry trip insurance because we never know when things like this crop up & we had no idea that this problem existed when we booked our b2b Caribbean cruises:o:eek:

The Canadian equivalent of our CDC has placed a level 2 warning on this virus

The internet has reported close to 500 cases of this mosquito virus on the island of St Maarten & St Martin through by the CDC & there are no known medications to prevent the very high fever ,swelling of joints & high degrees of pain . :eek:

 

The CDC expects the mosquito born virus to ultimately spread through out the Caribbean islands .At present it is not here in the US. However ,a ship or other vessel can bring those mosquitos into southern Florida where the climate would support substantial growth .Although the USA has far superior methods to wipe out that threat vs a 3rd world nation /island

 

Folks over 65 & those with diabetes ,high blood pressure or heart problems are at a much higher risk .:(

 

We always carry trip insurance because we never know when things like this crop up & we had no idea that this problem existed when we booked our b2b Caribbean cruises:o:eek:

 

The Canadian equivalent of our CDC has placed a level 2 warning on this virus

Of course, if you have "cancel for any reason" insurance, you will not need a doctor's letter. My point was that such a letter would be unlikely, on its own, to get a refund.

The disease would be unlikely to spread to the US by a mosquito hitching a ride on a cruise ship. A much more likely route would be for infected passengers being bitten by mosquitos in the US who would thus pick up the virus and spread it to other people. That is virtually certainly the way the virus got transmitted to the Caribbean in the first place.

wow was unaware of this

If you are over 65 ,or have diabetes or high blood pressure or a heart problem your risk is highly elevated if you are bitten by the mosquito & contact Chikungunya virus /fever according to the CDC :o

 

I contacted my doctor to write a letter for cancellation ,if Celebrity continues to berth in these islands with this virus ;because we are in our mid 70s with medical conditions that put us at greater life threatening risks:eek:

 

Our schedule cruise to the Eastern Caribbean aboard Silhouette is March 2nd 2014:rolleyes:

Did you not know that your cruise was scheduled to stop in St Maarten/St Martin when you booked?

If you are over 65 ,or have diabetes or high blood pressure or a heart problem your risk is highly elevated if you are bitten by the mosquito & contact Chikungunya virus /fever according to the CDC :o

 

I contacted my doctor to write a letter for cancellation ,if Celebrity continues to berth in these islands with this virus ;because we are in our mid 70s with medical conditions that put us at greater life threatening risks:eek:

 

Our schedule cruise to the Eastern Caribbean aboard Silhouette is March 2nd 2014:rolleyes:

I wouldnt involve my doctor in this. Surely if you are mid 70's and with medical conditions on top, you would have purchased medial travel insurance. Just cancel via insurance if you are concerned for your health. The flu and norovirus are also going around so those to would be things that you would want to avoid.

Edit: the one and only mention about Chikunguya in St. Maarten on the cruisecritic news section was on Dec. 19, 2013

Could you please quote your source for the number of cases of Chikunguya virus in St. Maarten. I haven't come across a number even half as high as you are quoting. Keep in mind that since mid December on this board we have only read about 2 possible cases of the virus affecting cruisers who cruised prior to Christmas ( one was back in October I believe) and prior to the word getting out and the island fogging and dealing with the issue.

Personally, with up to 25,000 cruisers in to the port of St. Maarten daily and only having 2 posters post about most likely getting Chikunguya on St. Maarten I think the risk is worth taking if you use bug spray and avoid any swampy or woodsy areas.

Look on the cc news area. LauraS said that they would keep us updated on there. Again, please post a link to your Internet source for others interested in this topic.

Of course, if you have "cancel for any reason" insurance, you will not need a doctor's letter. My point was that such a letter would be unlikely, on its own, to get a refund.

 

The disease would be unlikely to spread to the US by a mosquito hitching a ride on a cruise ship. A much more likely route would be for infected passengers being bitten by mosquitos in the US who would thus pick up the virus and spread it to other people. That is virtually certainly the way the virus got transmitted to the Caribbean in the first place.

Please post the link to where you got the information that Chikunguya virus can be spread person to person as I have read the exact oposite. :confused::eek:

Please post the link to where you got the information that Chikunguya virus can be spread person to person as I have read the exact oposite. :confused::eek:

I never said it spread from person to person: it is spread by a mosquito biting an infected person, picking up the virus, then transmitting the virus to the next person she (yes, the female mosquito is deadlier than the male) bites.

Malaria, yellow fever, sleeping sickness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, bubonic plague, and many other diseases are spread by vectors such as Mosquitos, tse tse flies, deer ticks, fleas etc. biting infected people, picking up the virus and then spreading it to other people.

Of course, if you have "cancel for any reason" insurance, you will not need a doctor's letter. My point was that such a letter would be unlikely, on its own, to get a refund.

 

The disease would be unlikely to spread to the US by a mosquito hitching a ride on a cruise ship. A much more likely route would be for infected passengers being bitten by mosquitos in the US who would thus pick up the virus and spread it to other people. That is virtually certainly the way the virus got transmitted to the Caribbean in the first place.

This is what you said navybankerteacher and I quote: "A MUCH MORE LIKELY ROUTE WOULD BE FOR INFECTED PASSENGERS BEING BITTEN BY MOSQUITOS IN THE US WHO WOULD THUS PICK UP THE VIRUS AND SPREAD IT TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS VIRTUALLY CERTAINLY THE WAY THE VIRUS GOT TRANSMITTED TO THE CARIBBEAN IN THE FIRST PLACE."

Edit : ok I get what you are saying now but the way you wrote it was confusing because you should have written about the Mosquitos spreading the virus. We certainly don't need widespread panic on this with people thinking that it can be spread from person to person.

Did you not know that your cruise was scheduled to stop in St Maarten/St Martin when you booked?

Yes we knew the ports ;however ,we had no knowledge of this virus on St Maarten at that time from any news ,until some one posted that these is this virus , on our cruise roll call .:eek:

Please post the link to where you got the information that Chikunguya virus can be spread person to person as I have read the exact oposite. :confused::eek:

Here is one link P:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/14/chikungunya-virus-spreads-in-caribbean-just-weeks-after-breaking-out-in-tiny-st/

please note the date of this report .I am now posting this information on Jan 30th & this information is now 9 days old:eek:

This is what you said navybankerteacher and I quote: "A MUCH MORE LIKELY ROUTE WOULD BE FOR INFECTED PASSENGERS BEING BITTEN BY MOSQUITOS IN THE US WHO WOULD THUS PICK UP THE VIRUS AND SPREAD IT TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS VIRTUALLY CERTAINLY THE WAY THE VIRUS GOT TRANSMITTED TO THE CARIBBEAN IN THE FIRST PLACE."

Edit : ok I get what you are saying now but the way you wrote it was confusing because you should have written about the Mosquitos spreading the virus. We certainly don't need widespread panic on this with people thinking that it can be spread from person to person.

I'm sorry you misread my post.

I'm sorry you misread my post.

I am happy that I made your comments clear so we can avoid unnecessary panic.:)

Yes we knew the ports ;however ,we had no knowledge of this virus on St Maarten at that time from any news ,until some one posted that these is this virus , on our cruise roll call .:eek:

It was on the cruisecritic news as of Dec 19, 2013. It has been an active topic on the St. Maarten board as well since that time.

Here is one link P:

 

 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/14/chikungunya-virus-spreads-in-caribbean-just-weeks-after-breaking-out-in-tiny-st/

 

please note the date of this report .I am now posting this information on Jan 30th & this information is now 9 days old:eek:

I could not find it there. Do you have a credible reference? A government health agency site perhaps? Thanks

Here's an official report from January 24th identifying 393 cases in St. Marten and 11 in St. Maarten.

gary

It was on the cruisecritic news as of Dec 19, 2013. It has been an active topic on the St. Maarten board as well since that time.

Come on what are you inferring :rolleyes:.

We booked this trip /cruise long before there was any news present about this virus:eek: . Now we plan on going providing my wife's specialist tells her she can fly ;not because of this virus but a inner ear problem that causes her to get dizzy ;as in almost passing out:(

Here's an official report from January 24th identifying 393 cases in St. Marten and 11 in St. Maarten.

 

gary

Gary thanks for posting that supportive information;) .

Us seniors over 65 & those with diabetes,high blood pressure ,or heart ailments are very much at a elevated risk to life if bitten according to the CDC.:eek:

Cliff

Come on what are you inferring :rolleyes:.

 

We booked this trip /cruise long before there was any news present about this virus:eek: . Now we plan on going providing my wife's specialist tells her she can fly ;not because of this virus but a inner ear problem that causes her to get dizzy ;as in almost passing out:(

Your travel insurance should cover both of you I would think if your wife can't fly because of an inner ear infection. I think that you have a way out.

The cruise line should be informing every passenger by email of this issue. I have said this in the past on here as well.

I hope that your wife feels better soon.

Your travel insurance should cover both of you I would think if your wife can't fly because of an inner ear infection. I think that you have a way out.

 

The cruise line should be informing every passenger by email of this issue. I have said this in the past on here as well.

 

I hope that your wife feels better soon.

Thank you:) .We are hoping that the specialist allows her to fly ;but ,if he says no then no it is . :eek:

Yes I agree ;however Celebrity has not told their booked passengers via any means about this issue (imo their top & bottom line takes priority over their pax) . This way of handling is very consistent with their past performance, when it comes to illness whether in a port or if it is stomach virus aboard one of their ships:eek: .Only when you reach their embarkation point do they have information .Sad but very true:rolleyes:

I personally have a contact at the executive offices of Celebrity .The person is directly in contact with the CEO ,Michael Bailey .

The person I talked to would report only that they are monitoring the situation & that there own chief doctor is not concerned at this time .of course the CDC still has the situation as a Level 1 . Yet the Canadian counterpart of CDC put it at a Level 2 . Go figure ?

Here's an official report from January 24th identifying 393 cases in St. Marten and 11 in St. Maarten.

 

gary

Thanks Gary. The difference in number of cases reported on the French side compared to the Dutch side is very intriguing to me. Seems so bizarre as so many people travel regularly to both sides of the islands.

Thanks Gary. The difference in number of cases reported on the French side compared to the Dutch side is very intriguing to me. Seems so bizarre as so many people travel regularly to both sides of the islands.

It could be that there are more mosquito breeding areas on the French side, therefor more Mosquitos. Totally unscientific, but I seem to recall seeing more low marshy areas on the French side. Of course, the salt pond area just behind Phillipsburg has marshy areas, but the high salinity might limit Mosquitos.

Because the disease is only spread by Mosquitos from person to person, the fact that people travel to both sides is not as significant as the amount of breeding areas, because Mosquitos are really short range.

Just read that with the St Maarten (Dutch side of the island ) out break of the Chikungunya Fever ,that Curraco is preparing to fight this virus ;)

It could be that there are more mosquito breeding areas on the French side, therefor more Mosquitos. Totally unscientific, but I seem to recall seeing more low marshy areas on the French side. Of course, the salt pond area just behind Phillipsburg has marshy areas, but the high salinity might limit Mosquitos.

Because the disease is only spread by Mosquitos from person to person, the fact that people travel to both sides is not as significant as the amount of breeding areas, because Mosquitos are really short range.

Perhaps people just know where abouts they were when they got bit. I don't ever remember even seeing a mosquito on St. Maarten so if I ever did get bit, I would remember where I was when I happened to get bit.