liketraveling

There are cabs waiting.  Really easy they will get you to the pier.

On 11/24/2022 at 8:55 AM, DaveOKC said:

Yes you can and we do!  No sense in waiting in our nearby hotel room.

Won’t work if everyone at the port doesn’t want to see your boarding pass. 

I am out of isolation. Tested Negative after 5 days.  My dad tested negative after 5 days.  He had paxlovid and I did not.  So don’t know if it was the booster vaccine.

49 minutes ago, birdie16 said:

Exactly! Just so you know…you can refuse the test. (You don’t want them to make you stay longer) After I tested negative twice, I refused any more testing. I knew I had it and we were stuck in our cabin for my husband anyway. When we got home, after being declared good to travel, we both tested positive. The problem is, nobody is calling medical, they are walking around with Covid.

I brought my own tests. When my dad’s was positive I Contacted medical.  

1 hour ago, birdie16 said:

It sounds like you are being treated better than we were on the Amsterdam. At first I was angry with Holland America for the lack of care and protocols, but I’m beginning to believe it has more to do with the actual management on our ship. Our situation was a cluster of mistakes from beginning to end. I’m too tired to write more about it, as I’m still sick. When I am better, I will be writing a long letter to corporate. We were not offered any medication, that would have shortened our illness. I hope you are better soon.

I am so sorry.  Hal should be consistent across the fleet. I hope you feel better soon.   Hal will be getting a letter from me.  Because they are responsible for some of the mess at the pier.  I know that is where my dad picked it up.  The Ship got a last minute coast guard drill and boarding started later and passengers were advised that boarding would start at 12:30 so guess what, everyone shows up at that time. I was expecting to get a new boarding time and never did.  They could have included “All boarding times will be 1 hr later”.   My dad was suppose to get his silver medallion and now he could care less.  The crew have been great.  They assigned us a person from guest services and one from the medical department.  I just want to be able to fly home on Dec 1st.  Today we are going through the canal and I would love to go out on my balcony but so many people are out on n their balconies, I don’t want to spread any thing.  I get tested tomorrow.  Both my dad and I are double vaxed and triple boosted and it still kicks you in the butt.  Never had it in the last 2-1/2 years.  When I booked vaccine was required and pre Covid testing was required.  All changed after final payment.  Hope you feel better soon!

They really put you through the ringer for doing the right thing.

3 hours ago, seaoma said:

 

It sounds like their protocols have changed for positive covid passengers, in your case. Please re-post if you do get FCC. At least it sounds like you are getting better attention from the stewards.

 

How is the food service? What has been your experience with the medical team?

 

The problem that covid isn't going anywhere is because people haven't cared enough to prevent covid from spreading. The problem is that people aren't informed as to the true risk of getting covid. The reality should be that people should try and prevent others getting their covid, especially when they are on a pricey vacation on a cruise ship in the middle of the sea, miles from land. 

I didn’t answer about the medical team.  This has been a hard cruise for the medical team.  There have been 4 medical evacuations this cruise, two have been at sea involving the coast guard 3 that I know of were not Covid related.  I get a phone call everyday between 8:00 and 9:00 about my symptoms.  I was offered paxlovid $750 and it was sent to the dr for approval. I have two meds I can’t go off of ,have interactions and the dr said I was not eligible. I brought musinex.  Have been taking that and at first used Tylenol for the fever.  The only person I have had personal contact with from the doctor’s office is the nurse who comes to test.  Someone else from medical came to get copies of our vaccination cards for the Panamanian Authorities.

49 minutes ago, HAL4NOW said:

We received that same letter (or similar letter) when in isolation on the Koningsdam. The letter came on October 18th to the room; the FCC was applied to our Mariner accounts on November 16th.

Good to know.

36 minutes ago, seaoma said:

 

It sounds like their protocols have changed for positive covid passengers, in your case. Please re-post if you do get FCC. At least it sounds like you are getting better attention from the stewards.

 

How is the food service? What has been your experience with the medical team?

 

The problem that covid isn't going anywhere is because people haven't cared enough to prevent covid from spreading. The problem is that people aren't informed as to the true risk of getting covid. The reality should be that people should try and prevent others getting their covid, especially when they are on a pricey vacation on a cruise ship in the middle of the sea, miles from land. 

We got a letter from Guest Services that stated we would be getting an FCC posted to our mariner account. But like I say I am not holding my breath.  When we first went into isolation we were assigned someone from guest services to get what we need.  I can’t say enough about the staff.  

The food service has been good.  although have not had much of an appetite.  They will bring you anything you want.  

Both my dad and I are fully vacinated and triple boosted.  

I am in isolation now on the zuiderdam.  My dad tested positive on day 5 and I tested positive 7.  We both got letters that we would be given a per diem rate as a FCC for each day we were in isolation that would be applied to our mariners account.  I am not holding my breath.  
 

I have one more FCD on file that I am going to try and get back.  It has to be used by May 13, 2023.  Covid is not going anywhere. It is not if you get it, it is when you get it.  That is just a reality.

 On a positive note the crew have been great.  The cabin steward can’t come in but he checks on us 2x a day to see what we need.  He shows up with a garbage bag for me to empty the garbage and a towel bag to put the dirty towels in and hands me new towels.

Two weeks out.

I am on the Zuiderdam and we went tour muster station and nobody was there.

about 4 muster stations down there were crew scanning the keycard.

if you are on an odd side and there is no one at the muster station look for another muster station that can scan your card.  Same as with the even side.

Made things confusing but we got it done.

17 hours ago, ausbod said:

Had booked on Noordam for the San Diego to Sydney cruise in October but then when ports were cancelled and substituted we

cancelled. Now we notice this has happened with Zuiderdam cruise to Fort Lauderdale.

We have a cruise booked on P&O Australia on the former Star Princess (now Pacific Encounter). Today we were advised that 

Komodo Island was substituted with Lombok and also our Cairns overnight had been substituted with an additional sea day.

My feeling is that Carnival Corporate have directed brands to reduce port time and increase sea days to save fuel costs.

Doesn’t matter that many choose a particular cruise for specific ports that we wanted to visit. We are not the first consideration 

anymore.

 

 

I am in the Zuiderdam now.  Nicaragua was cancelled due to some problem with Nicaragua.  Hualtuco was cancelled because two days ago  there was a serious medical

issue and the medical team  had to transfer the passenger by launch to shore to get treatment.  It took about six hours.

Medical Emergencies happen.  

On 11/22/2022 at 4:19 PM, FLcruiser2011 said:

Well, this cruise just gets worse and worse.

 

We were told by the Pinnacle hostess that Pinnacle is sold out for the remaining 9 days of this cruise.  We have not even had a chance to try it.  What's the point of buying a Signature Suite and a Club Orange package if you can't get into Pinnacle once.

 

But we then decided to try Canaletto tomorrow night, when they have veal liver.  They could squeeze us in at 9 pm, we were told.  And THEN, to add insult to injury, the guest services person suggested we might like to have DINNER at the Lido, "where you won't need a reservation.
 

So what I'm really looking forward to on a not inexpensive cruise is fine dining in the buffet.  Wow!  This sure is one classy cruise line.

 

BTW, we sat a couple of miles out of Huatulco for three hours, while the Mexican authorities messed with the ship's officers for cancelling their stop in Huatulco.  Of course, we could have spent that three hours in port and perhaps everyone would have been happy!

If you want to try it, Can you order from Room Service.  I am on the same cruise and have club orange and I can order from Room Service from my Stateroom.  I am in isolation because my dad tested positive on Monday and I tested positive today.

So I don’t know if it was added because of the club orange or because I am isolated.

Sorry you couldn’t get a reservation.  

9 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Not to excuse the  port because they seem to have problems with accepting responsibility but it seems like hal screwed up royalty on boarding times.  Seems like a lot of people are a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket lately. 

Hal screwed up and the port screwed up. It was a complete disconnect between the two.  
 

On a positive night note.  The crew are great!

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

You do know thee person you quoted works at the port.  I would hope she would be correct.

I am aware the person I quoted works at the port.  On Thursday the port was one screwed up mess. I kept trying to show people my boarding pass and nobody wanted to see it.  My dad asked about assessibility accomations and he was told he had to go through the line.  What I saw on Thursday was criminal.  Many people with canes standing in line for hours.  There diffinately violations of the Americans with Disability Act.  There were no accomadations made when I was there.  Saw many people standing in line with canes.  

5 minutes ago, HAL4NOW said:

When my DW asked for Paxlovid it was provided (at a cost). We had insurance and hope it will be reimbursed, but she is worth it either way.

We have been charged for the paxlovid but it has not showed up.

1 hour ago, DAllenTCY said:

Why would you deem it necessary to test your father on the cruise with a home test?

 

Did he have symptoms before you embarked?  

 

Certainly you must have suspected that he was ill.

 

Do you really expect the ship to provide anti-Covid medications for your dad?

 

As to your other mention:

 

Do you think that everyone observed their Boarding time slots?

 

A - 11:30AM        287
B - 11:50AM        269
C - 12:10PM        251
D - 12:30PM        265
E - 12:50PM        265
F - 01:10PM        259
G - 01:30PM        273
H - 01:50PM        252
I - 02:10PM        251
J - 02:30PM        185

 

I do not.  

 

Most arrive early and suffer the consequences because Holland America prioritizes past guests....the same as hotels and airlines do.....because they deserve it. 

 

Three days into your 14 night cruise, and you are already complaining?

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No I did not expect the cruise line to pick up the cost of paxlovid.  We were made aware of the cost.

On 10/30/2022 at 4:48 PM, lais said:

Also, if your are 5 star, 4 star, Pinnacle suite or Orange club then you have front of the line privileges so you can show up anytime after the port opens at  10:30 or so. .  

 Not true for San Diego.  Nobody gets privaledges.  I am 4 star and Orange and you don’t get early check in.  Even Accessibility does not get early privaleges.

19 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

Tickets (sometimes blue, red, or whatever that day) are handed out at the end of the lines in San Diego.

This is to prevent line cutting.

 

All you had to do was fall in according to your arrival time posted on your Boarding Pass.

 

Get a ticket, and proceed in an orderly fashion.

 

Don't arrive early, as there is no advantage to do so.

 

David

 

 

They did hand out tickets til the time was called.  I have cruised out of San Diego many times and it was always organized.

This was screwed up.

The disconnect came from Hal and the pier  People were notified two days before by Hal that boarding would not commence til 12:30.  Everyone was expecting to get a new boarding time.  I never got one so had to assume boarding was 12:30.  Well so did everyone else.

The Pier was screwed up because nobody knew which side was up, Hal was for not giving people new boarding times.

when your time was called that was to enter the terminal.  It is another 1-1/2 in line before you get anywhere near boarding.

17 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

Why would you deem it necessary to test your father on the cruise with a home test?

 

Did he have symptoms before you embarked?  

 

Certainly you must have suspected that he was ill.

 

As to your other mention:

 

Do you think that everyone observed their Boarding time slots?

 

A - 11:30AM        287
B - 11:50AM        269
C - 12:10PM        251
D - 12:30PM        265
E - 12:50PM        265
F - 01:10PM        259
G - 01:30PM        273
H - 01:50PM        252
I - 02:10PM        251
J - 02:30PM        185

 

I do not.  

 

Most arrive early and suffer the consequences because Holland America prioritizes past guests....the same as hotels and airlines do.....because they deserve it. 

 

 

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a boarding time at 12:10.  I showed up at 12:30.  Outside people might have showed up early but you were not allowed in til your time was called.  12:10 was called at 1:30.  It was another 1-1/2 hour in the terminal.  Totally unacceptable.  When I got to the pier Security didn’t even want to see my boarding pass.  Was told I needed a blue ticket.  I asked how do I get a blue ticket.  They said I had to get in my time line.  The time lines we’re not on a chronological order just a screwed up mess.

8 minutes ago, dwc13 said:

Ugh. Sorry to hear things haven't gone the way you had anticipated/hoped on your cruise. Hopefully things will be much better the rest of your trip. 

 

BTW, are you sure you would even want free HAL internet? I mean, haven't you been 'punished' enough already with the port cancellations? 😁

 

   

When you are in isolation and can’t go anywhere you get bored.  I have been through the canal twice. So the port changed didn’t bother me.  I got a good deal.  I booked this as a spa cruise.

2 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

Why would you deem it necessary to test your father on the cruise with a home test?

 

Did he have symptoms before you embarked?  

 

Certainly you must have suspected that he was ill.

 

As to your other mention:

 

Do you think that everyone observed their Boarding time slots?

 

A - 11:30AM        287
B - 11:50AM        269
C - 12:10PM        251
D - 12:30PM        265
E - 12:50PM        265
F - 01:10PM        259
G - 01:30PM        273
H - 01:50PM        252
I - 02:10PM        251
J - 02:30PM        185

 

I do not.  

 

Most arrive early and suffer the consequences because Holland America prioritizes past guests....the same as hotels and airlines do.....because they deserve it. 

 

 

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He did not have symptoms before we left home at all.  I brought home tests with me in case we would come down with covid.  In todays world it is a possibility.  You need to accept that.  We left home on Wed.  Stayed in a hotel that night.  We boarded the zuiderdam on Thursday in San Diego where the pier was one screwed up mess. You waited outside for 1-1/2 and inside for 1-1/2 packed like sardines.

There was such a disconnect between HAL and the pier.  Plus. Til you got inside nobody who worked the pier knew which side was up.

I have boarded San Diego many times and have never seen such a mess.  It was totally 👍 unacceptable.

so. Am sorry that you think it was irresponsible of me before I called the medical department.  It could have been a possibility it was a cold.

1 hour ago, FLcruiser2011 said:

We are currently aboard Zuiderdam, en route from San Diego to Port Everglades.  This may be the worst cruise we have had in 100+ cruises on pretty near every cruise line.in

 

It started on a strange note.  A day before the cruise, we got an email telling us our exact embarkation time had been moved slightly to 1:05 pm.  OK.  If that kind of precision is needed to avert long lines, fine with us.  So we arrived at precisely 1:05 and joined several hundred people standing in a slow-moving line under the sun.  Not a very auspicious start.

 

From that point, it would be hard to find things that have gone well.  One of the planned Central American stops had been cancelled in favor of a sea day weeks before the cruise, and a few days before the cruise, we were told the Nicaragua stop had also been cancelled and we would have another sea day. 

 

Then this morning came the latest medical emergency (the ship has been having one or more daily) and we sat off the Mexican coast for a half dozen hours waiting for the passenger to be taken ashore. The result of that is yet another stop cancelled this one, Huatulco, Mexico, in favor of (guess what) yet another sea day.

 

We understand the need to make changes, but when a total of three ports have been cancelled in favor of sea days, we might expect to be told we will get free internet perhaps, or free drinks, or something to make up for it.  Not a word.

 

So we will see what happens from here, but we sure are wishing we had not taken this cruise.

 

 

I am on the ship too.  During the Medical Emergency my father tested positive for covid on a home test I brought from home. I called the medical center and due to the emergency the medical center did not respond til 4:00 PM.  They came to the room and tested both of us.  My Dad was positive and I was negative.  Since my Dad has mobility issues I get to quarantine with him.  They will be testing me every other day.  They are suppose to bring paxlovid but haven’t showed up with it yet

We knew we were taking a chance of possibly getting covid before we left.

San Diego was one screwed up mess.  It has never taken me 3 hours to board a ship anywhere.

Total disconnect between Hal and the pier.

The one thing I can say is that the crew has been wonderful and busting their butts.

Use the printed boarding pass.  The staff could see it better.  At least that was my experience in San Diego last Thursday.  San Diego was one screwed up mess on Thursday.  It has never taken me 3 hours to board a ship from San Diego Before.  Total disconnect between HAL and the pier.

This is what my father did with his on the Eurodam.  This was a balcony cabin on the Lower Promenade deck.  He doesn’t like to fold it.  He only kept it that way for a day.  Those are the two coat hooks.  I think we were in a quad cabin.

The R&S ships he usually can park it between the bed and sofa.  One time there were 3 of us so we got a signature Suite and there was more room for it.  Most balconies on the Eurodam and Nueuw AMsterdam you cannot get the walker past the bed.  We have stayed in obstructed view cabins on the Vista ships and he will fold it up against the sofa.  
 

we had the beds split.  It could make a difference if you left it as a queen.  My dad uses a rotator all the time and never wants an accessible cabin as long as he can get a shower stool for the shower.

On 11/12/2022 at 7:05 PM, DAllenTCY said:

San Diego no longer has a VeriFly lane.  

 

David

Just saw your post right after I did it.  Took me 10 minutes

thanks