Caribbean Princess HEALTH ADVISORY: 11/03/16

Just received this via email tonight for Saturday's cruise 11/05/16

CARIBBEAN PRINCESS PRE-BOARDING HEALTH ADVISORY

Please be advised that during the current cruise there was a slight increase in cases of gastrointestinal illness among guests suspected to have been caused by norovirus. A comprehensive sanitation program was launched in response, and in an abundance of caution Caribbean Princess will undergo an additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Check-in for your cruise will be delayed until 1:00 PM and your stateroom will be available after 2:00 PM. Please do not arrive earlier than 1:00 PM as the terminal will be closed for sanitation. To minimize terminal congestion we use a progressive check-in schedule as follows:

1:00 PM - Aloha & Lido Decks - Cabins begin with A & L

1:45 PM - Emerald & Dolphin Decks - Cabins begin with E & D

2:30 PM - Caribe & Fiesta Decks - Cabins begin with C & F

3:15 PM - Baja, Plaza & Riviera Decks - Cabins begin with B, P & R

All guests must be aboard by 4:00 PM. Caribbean Princess is expected to depart Fort Lauderdale at 5:00 PM.

Kudos to Princess for addressing the situation.

We all know that staggered boarding is merely a suggestion under normal circumstances. But when special circumstances arise such as this, are they more stringent about it? We are on the cruise after this and hopefully things will be cleared up by then. But just in case, what might we expect?

Seems there is no reason to get there until about 1 o'clock even with Priority Boarding .... :confused:

We all know that staggered boarding is merely a suggestion under normal circumstances. But when special circumstances arise such as this, are they more stringent about it? We are on the cruise after this and hopefully things will be cleared up by then. But just in case, what might we expect?

Once we had embarkation delayed until 3:00 PM due to disinfecting the ship & terminal and they didn't open the doors until 2:30.

That was in LA but it may be the same at Port Everglades because at both ports we arrive at 10:30 to be on the ship by noon with priority boarding.

Not a major delay. Better to be safe than sorry.

Its that time of year again. :rolleyes:

We had to check in at the convention center before one cruise due to noro on the previous cruise. We checked in, left to walk over to Total Wine and for lunch nearby, and then went back to the convention center to wait. They boarded Elite and suite passengers first then Platinum and then the rest by number. It was well after 2 before boarding started. I hope things go better for this upcoming cruise--and that they get a handle on the virus before we board in one month.

We had to check in at the convention center before one cruise due to noro on the previous cruise. We checked in, left to walk over to Total Wine and for lunch nearby, and then went back to the convention center to wait. They boarded Elite and suite passengers first then Platinum and then the rest by number. It was well after 2 before boarding started. I hope things go better for this upcoming cruise--and that they get a handle on the virus before we board in one month.

Good that you left the convention center for most of that time.

You have a large number of people in close quarters for hours and that is an excellent setup for spreading germs. Remember that included in the passengers in the center are B2B passengers who may have been infected during their just completed segment.

Just a heads up to anyone sailing out of Port Everglades today through Monday - it is International Boat Show weekend and the city is crowded. Use of the Convention Center won't be possible since it is dedicated to the Boat Show according to its schedule.

Port Everglades has an advisory on its website about traffic:

On the plus side, the water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com) while reducing the number of routes has also reduced its price substantially and if you're looking for something to do before boarding the Caribbean Princess you might consider that. The views of the yachts are amazing!

...for posting.

We're on in 2 weeks, and we, too, are hoping the embarkation process will resume to "normal" by then.

Excellent hygiene practices go a looooooooong way to ensuring a safe and healthy voyage. We've been super-fortunate to have enjoyed this so far on every cruise, every time.

I hope those heading out experience the same kind of great cruise, where the only let-down is disembarking on the last day.

:)

Its that time of year again. :rolleyes:

Yep. Boarding Royal the 30th. We'll see how she goes.

Darn New Englanders...

Kudos to Princess for addressing the situation.

I totally agree with you.

Tony