Nukesailor

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I would challenge it.

 

Other people even got a refund for the days they had to isolate.

Good point.  I see the Princess policy is to issue a refund for the day(s).  I'll have to check into it.  Thanks.

Art

2 hours ago, mrell345 said:

 

You laugh (and it is funny), but on a past cruise I have seen crew wearing hazmat suits enter a cabin just down the hall from us.  Noro.  An eye-opener.

5 minutes ago, memoak said:

Coughing really has little to do with Covid in many cases. I have had Covid twice and never had a cough or major symptoms that matter. Many people cough frequently due to allergies or lack of complete lungs due to surgery 

This is my second bout with Covid.  Minor cough with this one, major cough with previous.  Also body ache, headache, etc.  Yes, there are people who cough for other reasons, such as smoker's cough, and some with Covid who are asymptomatic. In this case, we could hear both occupants of the adjacent cabin coughing.  Didn't start until a few days out.  In the cabin on the other side was a completely different, loud cough that sounded more serious than Covid.  This version of Covid (Omicron, I believe) also can include gastrointestinal issues, as I can attest to.  Pretty nasty.

By the way, I think there was way more Covid on board than was officially recognized.  We could hear the people in the cabins on both sides of us hacking away.  The official isolation requirement, we were told, was 4 days; however, we only had to isolate 1 day because of when I tested positive.  Good thing we had a balcony; I can't image how it would be isolated in an inside cabin.

They also billed me $38 for a Covid test they never administered.  I could challenge it or collect from our insurance, but it's not worth it.

Feeling much better today, probably because we are up to date on vaccinations.  We drove to/from the cruise, so it wasn't too hard to get home.  No idea the difficulty for any who had to fly out.

Art

16 hours ago, mthomp5 said:

Thank you for your report and hope you feel better soon! Do you know if the ship had Paxlovid onboard if a passenger needed it?

 

I didn't feel the need for any additional medication at the time and didn't ask about Paxlovid.  However, the medical office did ask if I needed any medication, so I assume they would have some.

One thing I forgot to mention was that included in the COVID debarking (sounds like something a dog does) information was the interesting item that, if a passenger had reserved a transfer to the airport through Princess, it would be canceled and alternate arrangements must be made by the passenger. Compensation would require submitting a claim with the travel insurance. 

Yes, we wore masks during this. Escorts had bottles of sanitizer to spray anything we touched.

Wonder what kind of cleaning our cabin got. 

Just off the Ruby Princess Dec. 30, 2023 - Jan. 9 2024 Half-Panama Canal out of Ft. Lauderdale.  Came down with Covid on Day 8; self-tested positive.  Isolated in cabin Day 9 after reporting the Covid to the Guest Relations Desk.  Got a call back from their medical asking questions about severity, symptoms, etc.  Was told to isolate in our cabin (both of us).  Looks like there was a lot of Covid on the ship; nobody would give me a straight answer about this. Some interesting observations:

• Because we were isolated, room service meals included anything from the dining room menus (not that I really felt like eating), not just the usual limited room service menu.  And it was complimentary.
• I didn't see anyone checking to see if we remained in the cabin, then, again, with the medallion, they know where you are.
• For disembarkation, we were placed in a separate group of other Covid sickies and were to be off the ship at 7:30AM.  The night before, one of the Guest Relations people came around to photograph our passports - per arrangements with Customs & Immigration, we were to bypass customs to avoid crowds.  Also, they were giving out special instructions & luggage tags, Red #1, for this; she had quite a stack of these.  At 7:30AM, they came to our cabin and escorted us to the conference room near the Princess Theater.  A number of other Covid passengers also showed up.  We were then escorted to the crew gangway on Deck 4.  This led immediately to the dock at a gate near where the shuttle busses parked.  We were then escorted across the dock to the gate and allowed to leave.  I noticed a stack of red-tagged luggage there (we were walk-off).  That was it.  No customs or passport check.

Should have worn our masks more.  Very few were.

Art

We did this tour in June. One of the worst tours ever. It stays in Havana Vieja; the cannon ceremony is at the fort across the harbor. There were 3 or 4 groups doing the same tour at the same time. Each group was about 40 people with one guide. Couldn't get close enough to hear anything, so I concentrated on taking photos. There were two additional stops - one for a mojito at a local bar and one at Sloppy Joe's for a "sloppy Joe" and drink. At each of these, more than one tour group showed up, causing severely crowded conditions. By the way, skip the mojitos. The water and ice in Havana are contaminated. We paid for our mojito for the next couple of days. Judging from "evidence", we weren't the only ones on the ship with this problem. Also, the "Sloppy Joe" was pitiful. Some browned meat on a bun. No flavor.

On the other hand, the Art tour was fantastic.

Art

Hopefully future walking tours will skip Sloppy Joe's, which is state-owned. That was a waste of time.

Art

The unique Fusterlandia (pronounced foo-ter-lahn-ja) is an interesting addition to a tour of Havana. You can take a taxi (if not on a tour already). Lots of photos online.

 

Did that tour take you to Callejon de Hamel too?

Fusterlandia is indeed interesting. Sort of like art on steroids.

No the tour did not go to Callejon de Hamel. I wish!

Art

On the ship's tour The Art of Cuba, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, I bought an interesting handmade ceramic tile done by Jose Rodriguez Fuster ($30) at his home in Jaimanitas and a gorgeous print of a hummingbird ($40) directly from the artist at the art project center at Muraleando. I figured they would get the greatest benefit from the purchase. However, looking at them again, perhaps I did.

Art

Don't wait until right before you about to reboard the ship. The lines her can be long and the cashier may be slow. It took about 30 minutes in line here when we were buying our rum 5/31/17.

That's why I bought the rum the first time returning to the ship.

The second day, I had some left over Cuban CUCs... And there were these Cuba ballcaps calling my name... I waited in line about 45 minutes.:D

Art

I don't think they were going to just pack people onto a bus and drive them around. My take on the cruise lines is that they are planning tours that fit the people-to-people requirement. They have to do this for their own protection--following the US rules keeps them out of trouble. Azamara's website says you can go out on your own, but you have to do something that fits one of the 12 categories (person-to-person being most likely), and have to sign some kind of affidavit saying what you did. I suspect other lines have similar options...

 

The big question for passengers is how closely will the cruise lines "police" the independent activities. And I think that will depend on how the US government will monitor what the passengers do. I suspect the cruise lines were planning to keep the necessary paperwork but they never expected anyone to actually check it. Maybe they even figured they could turn a blind eye to what passengers chose to do.

 

If the rules tighten and Big Brother is watching closely, cruise lines might only allow passengers to go off the ship if they take a ship's tour, rather than risk trusting passengers to stick to approved activities. Something more like the full-time schedule the educational groups follow. It will be interesting to see what the penalty/punishment is for not sticking to the tighter rules.

 

We returned last week from the 6/5 Norwegian Sky cruise to Havana. We booked a private auto tour (1955 Buick Super convertible!) for 6 hours, plus two tours booked through the cruise line - the "Evening Stroll in Havana" and "The Art of Cuba, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

First of all, the tours booked through the cruise line did basically "just pack people onto a bus..." The evening stroll consisted of about 30+ people with one tour guide. Between the pace of the tour and the number of people, interactions with Cubans was not really possible. The art tour was better, but still consisted mainly of being bused around to 3 different art locations; however, I was able to talk to the tour guide and a couple of other Cubans about their art and Cuba today. The discussion with the tour guide was actually extensive and ranged from the art to economics and politics (they are definitely NOT restricted in what they can say). Very interesting.

Secondly, the OFAC affidavit we each had to complete and sign is a requirement of the U.S. government, not the cruise line. The 12 categories were determined by the U.S. State Dept. Similarly, I was required to keep a journal detailing what I did and who I spoke with (which I'm still working on - also a good remembrance of the trip). I am required to keep these two items, plus any receipts for items purchased, for 5 years. The cruise line does not keep these. If later reviewed and found that the activities were inadequate, it will be me that gets into trouble, not the cruise line. The cruise line did not "police" our activities. The same could be said for anyone flying to Cuba; the airline will not police what you do there.

Realistically, I don't think the affidavits and journals will ever be reviewed. They never have in the past, and with the decreased Federal funding, they likely won't in the future since many people would have to be hired to collect, review them, and go through some arbitration process with the individuals submitting them. The current penalty, as of Feb. 10, 2017, for violation of the "International Emergency Economic Powers Act" is the greater of 2X the underlying transaction, or $289,238. Not a trivial amount.

Art

They also have Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba rum and others in the store at the cruise ship terminal. Near the money exchange.

Art

85 days!

Norwegian Sky to Cuba!

Art

We have a condo in that area of Cocoa Beach. Right now Thai Fuku is our favorite - weekday early bird specials $5 entree (just the entree) and $10 with sushi. We usually get one with and one without sushi and split the sushi. NY Pizza and Brano's are also good. Another seafood restaurant is Florida Seafood on 520 just at the east end of the bridge. You can walk to it from the Comfort Inn. We avoid the Epic Burrito Co. and Longdoggers - tried 'em, didn't care for them.

Either would be appropriate. I've done it both ways (not on the same cruise). However, I find that the suit is easier and quicker. Fewer men are wearing tuxes now.

Art

We were on the Royal Princess last month. They used the cargo port, Woodbridge Bay. Not entirely sure why, as the Royal was the only cruise ship at Dominica that day.

Art

Another option for sandwiches is the Subway across the highway from the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. It's open 24 hours.

As I remember, when we did the Wilderness Tour, they picked us up at 5:30AM at the lodge.

Take some time to check out the Denali Visitor's Center. It's pretty good.

Art

I was just there for the Fort Lauderdale boat show. From I95, take Davie Blvd east to Rt. 1. Turn south (right), go a few blocks and turn east (left) on SE 17th St (after McDonalds). Go to traffic lights at Eisenhower Blvd just before the bridge and turn south (right) - there's a Walgreens there. You'll go a short distance to the port security checkpoint. Once through there, turn left at the next lights to enter the garage. I'm not sure how to get to luggage dropoff at the terminal, but it appears on the map that there's another road just beyond Eisenhower off SE 17th St. The security people at the checkpoint should be able to help. There's a map and other info on http://www.porteverglades.net.

art

Second on the West Street Cafe. Look for the blue and white awning.

Don't forget the blueberry pie!!

Earlybird specials 11AM - 6PM.

Art

Just a warning - DEET melts some plastics such as watch crystals, plastic camera bodies and breathable waterproof fabrics (Gore-Tex), among others. The higher the concentration, the greater the damage. Be careful applying it.

We've been throughout the Caribbean and several places in Central America; we bring the bug spray but haven't needed it.

Art

Walgreens, CVS, Winn Dixie are across the street from the Comfort Inn.

Also across the street: A NY Pizza, Branos (both Italian), IHOP, McDonalds, and Thai Fuku (decent Thai food - in the white/red Xtreme Surf Shop bldg across the street).

Almost next door: Ron Jon's Surf Shop - worth a walk through.

The beach is one block away.

Stay away from the Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen; both have the worst service ever.

Art

We've used Park-N-Fly for years. Located between the Fort Lauderdale airport and Port Everglades. In can be booked at a discount online - print out the voucher to pay as you exit. Just used them last weekend for the airport.

Park-N-Go is also in the same vicinity.

Warning: major construction on the road to Port Everglades with detours, especially on exiting to try to get to I595.

Art

Check out Caravan.com for a bus tour of Costa Rica (and other places, as well). We've used them twice, once for a tour of the U.S. west and once for Costa Rica and highly recommend them. English speaking tour guides in Costa Rica (ours was a U.S. expat). One or two buses start the tour in San Jose (C.R.) every day of the year. I assume they will let you book from overseas, but you'll have to call them as they don't book online. Prices include everything except airfare and tips for tour guide and driver.

Art