Toranut97

How I miss the wonderful O staff!

48 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

May 11, 2020 - that is a very interesting date to pick considering that not a single one of O‘s cruise begins on May 11, 2020?

Because it is a Monday? Perhaps it is that they plan to reopen full operations - office and shipboard?  - that day?
 

just guessing.

Continental Quest, Riviera 2013. So many memories revolve around dining on O and the caring and devoted service of the staff. Memories of cruising with my late husband and being surrounded by love. ❤️

2 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Well, I can no longer worry about when O is sailing as our grandaughter who is a nurse has a husband and year old baby just was confirmed to have coronavirus..prayers for Paige will be very welcome..right now she is sheltering at home..her symptons were no sense of smell or taste..so be aware..

Jancruz1

Oh, Jan! So very sorry to hear this. You all are in my prayers in the difficult days ahead.

Donna

7 hours ago, LHT28 said:

people over  a certain age  with pre existing medical condition cannot get insurance  & if they can it will cost  more than they are willing to pay

JMO

It may be quite expensive, but it is obtainable. You have to purchase quickly after booking if you want to avoid the preexisting conditions restrictions. 
 

Cruised with my diabetic husband who had congestive heart failure and was never without travel insurance. Claims were paid promptly, too.

When living with such conditions, it ought to be unthinkable to travel without travel insurance in place.

Donna

We should also note that the cruiser in question said in the interview that his insurance covered the airlifting and transport, etc. 

Perhaps, rather than anticipating a ban on older passengers with preexisting conditions , the cruise lines might explore requiring appropriate travel insurance for such passengers.

just a thought.

Donna

Thank you so much for posting this. Fascinating interview. So happy for this man, 

Donna

25 minutes ago, DeanoNorthPerth said:

I wonder what happens to those people half way through their ATW cruise. I assume they are offloaded, returned to their homes then returned to somehow finish their cruise at some later date?

I read on the Facebook O group that they are disembarking at the next Brazilian port and air travel will be arranged for them.

49 minutes ago, susiesan said:

That would be your low information voters and most of Americans who believe everything they read on the internet and from Facebook. I have a few of those ignorant people working for me.🙄😳

I know you are tense and unhappy, but is this necessary?

19 minutes ago, Nachosdelux said:

Riviera, I presume?

I am thinking Sirena, as John was CD in January.

1 hour ago, Jancruz said:

When I talked to the boss he said it is Secret, but I was quick to point out to him it doesnt end with an "A"The news is supposed to  come out March 31 but with all that is going on it now became tentative..,

Jancruz1

 

Probably they initially chose “Corona” as it is a royal sounding name. But had to scrub that plan.

😉

1 hour ago, bbwex said:

I think they are hoping that, like the flu, Covid-19 will diminish with warmer weather (in the north).  It could obviously get more widespread in the winter parts of the southern latitudes.  Health people in the U.S., China, and other places where it has been widespread are, I think, talking about the lessening of spread once the weather gets warmer.  Of course, if it isn't like the flu, then that bet is off.

Yes. And I suspect our speaker was trying to alleviate local anxiety. When asked why warmer weather would matter, he explained that the colder weather lead to the lungs being drier and absorbing the infections more readily.  
 

Dr. Dobbins drew comparisons to the SARS outbreak as well as the 2009 Mexican pandemic. Understanding the origins and evolution of the diseases was engrossing. This also taught about what does - and doesn’t - help to control or slow down the spread. 
 

13 minutes ago, Fetchpeople said:

I believe that the web site listed below is more complete as well as having frequent updates and details on new cases, etc.

 

Just be sure to scroll down to review all the data

 

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Thank you. Similar information in a different layout. The Johns Hopkins site is updated continually.

This morning I attended a lecture regarding Coronavirus with Dr. James Dobbins, epidemiologist with the CDC. It was enlightening. To be unfairly brief about it, he felt the virus will spread a good deal more, but that it will begin to subside with global response and warmer weather. 
 

I am posting because he recommended a website from Johns Hopkins to monitor the spread of the virus and its imoact. Thought I would share the link.

Donna 
 

 Real time map COVID -19

9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

The way I am reading Mexico Bob's post is not just simply the presence of Chair Hogs,  but the actual lack of chairs in relation to demand on warm weather cruises.   The post he referenced states that items were actually being removed to the 'claim here' table.  but, it was still very hard to find a lounger.

There was also (at least) one report of guests sitting on towels on deck space, as there were just no more chairs available to bring out.   From my experience on Princess, this would simply never, ever, be the case.  They have so many loungers stacked onboard that they could cover every available inch of deck space on a busy day, and there would still be chairs stacked somewhere.

 

There have been comments here that might have negative connotations about those passengers who make a big effort and make a priority to spend time on deck.   

 

Even the exclusive deck space at the Spa Terrace has no shade, no drinks, no ambience, no service, etc.

All cruise lines have pros and cons...  the Princess Sanctuary is def. a wonderful pro, with nothing like it on Oceania.  (while Oceania has other things that are better, which would include the food and dining by most all accounts)

 

As I compare Princess to what I am seeing about Oceania,  it is just a different animal.  And, I am getting the impression that they do not give adequate space and consideration to those who might cruise for the open air, pool deck, at sea, experience.   (And I will openly admit that I would be in that category)

 

I know this will be met with great angst and bristle by some Oceania enthusiasts...  But Oceania might really want to reconsider this factor.

This is priceless! If I read your profile correctly, you have never cruised Oceania. On the basis of hearsay, you are already suggesting how O ought to run its business.

wow,

Two passengers on the quarantined Diamond Princess have died. 
 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/20/coronavirus-two-diamond-princess-passengers-die-as-japan-defends-quarantine

just an FYI.

1 hour ago, Hoyaheel said:

I'm basing my response on a Dec 2019 cruise on Riviera. Other threads are discussing portable Vero water bottles, so it's possible some ships have those already, if Oceania rolls out one at a time? So I'd search for a Vero thread for specifics before your departure.

I just cruised January 13 -24, Sirena. The Vero bottles are glass and, as stated, a liter each.  No way are they portable. When going ashore in port, however, the usual individual plastic bottles were distributed to us.

Donna

Cruised Sirena last month and managed to get our bags under the bed by lifting the edge slightly as you described. You will be fine. 

Donna

2 minutes ago, Mura said:

Sounds like it's in the eye of the beholder ... we were on Sirena three years ago and it was just fine back then.  Obviously the complaints expressed were recent ones, not about a long-past cruise.

So far, three of us who cruised Sirena within the past 60 days responded to the OP. That ought to be helpful to him/her as we have relevant and timely experiences to report. 

Donna

I was on the January 13 - 24 Caribbean Flair cruise on Sirena. 

I also regretted reading all the negativity about Sirena, because it was a lovely cruise. Found the food to be lovely, the staff friendly and caring - and very personable - and the refurbishment refreshing. 

On our cruise, the seas were a bit rocky - headwinds messed with the scheduling - but stuff happens.  

Our other "calamity" was that there was apparently some illness around the crew which resulted in our being under some disease precautions. We had the paper menus, etc., but still had tablecloths and salt and pepper shakers, etc. 

Our CD was John Ekins, and I cannot say enough positive things about him. A consummate professional, a true gentleman. 

This was my 9th O cruise and my only regret was that I no longer cruise with my dear husband, who died last year.

If there is anything I can offer informationally, please let me know.

Donna

Of course it is much more enjoyable to complain here after the cruise, when nothing can be done about it. 🙄

In any case,I hope you will let the forum know if you have any luck using any suggestions folks have given you.

Donna

Cant we just scroll by it? Honestly, you are dealing with a public that requires a dedicated TV channel own the ship on "How to wash your hands" - and still, some will not wash! Tell them a thousand times, someone will still protest "Nobody told ME!"

11 hours ago, AtA said:

 

 

Regarding sandwiches; On Crystal I can get a plain tuna sandwich, or a tuna melt, or a chicken salad sandwich, etc... 

I am in Sirena now and as always you can request some things like sandwiches and they will be provided.

i hope your cruising is happier now that you can go to some other line that better suits your refined tastes,

4 hours ago, susiesan said:

I am a sorbet fan and often have it for my dinner dessert. I will be able to try this ice cream on Marina in the Baltic in June. Will O fly the ice cream in to Europe to stock the ships there?

If you check the full article, it says O will make the ice cream fresh daily at sea.

I have always enjoyed the no sugar added ice cream options. This sounds fabulous, but I hope the no sugar options will still exist!