Currently on Coral Princess ....

[onboard2005]

I travel solo and I know I would be starting to feel a little insecure right now.  I hope they get home soon.

 

Please keep us informed as things  happen.

[Steelers36]

I imagine many of the cruise ships are periodically coming into PE to re-fuel or re-stock.  No passengers left on the ships.  I have read that crews are getting turns with breaks at the Bahamian private beaches.

 

[onboard2005]

4 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I imagine many of the cruise ships are periodically coming into PE to re-fuel or re-stock.  No passengers left on the ships.  I have read that crews are getting turns with breaks at the Bahamian private beaches.

 

I think you're right.

Is the Coral the only cruise ship left with this situation??

 

It does sound like the staff and crew have been very accommodating and aware of the passenger travel safety to disembark the ship. It sounds like they are not letting them leave without assurance that they will get to their destination. 

[Steelers36]

4 minutes ago, onboard2005 said:

I think you're right.

Is the Coral the only cruise ship left with this situation??

 

Not sure that Pacific Princess is completed shortened voyage.  Last I read Perth was a target end port.

[Wichard]

The Captain just informed us that we will leave Montevideo for Fort Lauderdale and is estimated to take 14 days.   Oh happy days...

[cruisequeen4ever]

1 minute ago, Wichard said:

The Captain just informed us that we will leave Montevideo for Fort Lauderdale and is estimated to take 14 days.   Oh happy days...

Even though that’s a long time to wait to land, I think this is the safest bet at this point! Save travels home!

[onboard2005]

Yea!!!!

Now relax awhile and enjoy the rest until you arrive there.

 

🙂

[LostFan#1]

We were on this cruise and are more than happy to be home in the US now. While Princess and this ship are dealing with extraordinary circumstances I'm sure the best they can, it was a nightmarish scenario getting off the ship the 19th. Our flight number was never called, so around 3:30, DH finally asked someone checking tickets, "what about us; flights leaving later than ours have been called." She looked at our confirmation and said, "oh, you can get off now."  We high-tailed it to a shuttle to the terminal, and that left quickly; passengers applauded when we got on and the bus left right away! Then came the l-o-n-g wait to get on a bus for the 50-minute (if you were lucky) drive to the airport. I don't know if BA was unaware of needing to transport so many of us or what, but everyone on our (and likely each) bus was getting anxious as it didn't look like we could possibly make our flight, and we'd been told we couldn't re-board the ship if our flight was cancelled. (That turned out to be untrue as I know many were returned to the ship after 8pm. Contradictory or incomplete information was the norm for the last few days of the cruise, as many of you are reading about here. It was frustrating, and I feel deeply for those remaining on board.) I can't praise Latam Air enough for holding our flight 1.5 hours for all of us to get on board; likewise, Latam waited an hour in Santiago for all passengers.

 

I must say we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and the ports we did get to visit. Crew was exceptional. Entertainment was very good. Ports - king penguins, yes!!! - were fantastic. Even after we knew the cruise would be abbreviated, people generally kept trying to enjoy their time. Yes, we all discussed our travel arrangement woes and bemoaned not getting more frequent updates from the captain, but on the whole, spirits were good. While I'm deeply disappointed to miss the rest of the cruise, of course, I acknowledge that's minor now as we've returned home to a world turned upside down. We were in a safe, healthy (no virus aboard) environment, well (and frequently) fed with no TP shortages 🙂.

 

Thanks, everyone, for following along and offering your empathy and prayers.

 

Debbie

[san diego sue]

6 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Not sure that Pacific Princess is completed shortened voyage.  Last I read Perth was a target end port.

It is now in Freemantle. Most will be flying home from there. 75 passengers are staying on to LA and are the ones that can't fly on long flights for physical reasons. Holland America's ship The Amsterdam,  pulled in next to them. Also on a World cruise.

They will be transferring passengers from that ship to the Pacific. These are also passengers that can't fly on long flights.

I have been reading the HAL board and that is where I found this information.

[voljeep]

10 minutes ago, Wichard said:

The Captain just informed us that we will leave Montevideo for Fort Lauderdale and is estimated to take 14 days.   Oh happy days...

is it still 'as normal' on the ship - shows ? casino ? bars ? trivia ? bingo ? free internet/phone ?

[chamima]

22 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Not sure that Pacific Princess is completed shortened voyage.  Last I read Perth was a target end port.

 

4 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

It is now in Freemantle. Most will be flying home from there. 75 passengers are staying on to LA and are the ones that can't fly on long flights for physical reasons. Holland America's ship The Amsterdam,  pulled in next to them. Also on a World cruise.

They will be transferring passengers from that ship to the Pacific. These are also passengers that can't fly on long flights.

I have been reading the HAL board and that is where I found this information.

 

Perth and Freemantle are two parts of the same city.

[onboard2005]

Debbie, I am so happy you made it home safely. The world has been changed by this. It must have been scary for you at times, being in a foreign place and wondering when you would get home. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. Glad you made it!

[LostFan#1]

Just now, onboard2005 said:

Debbie, I am so happy you made it home safely. The world has been changed by this. It must have been scary for you at times, being in a foreign place and wondering when you would get home. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. Glad you made it!

Thank you!!

[Wichard]

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

is it still 'as normal' on the ship - shows ? casino ? bars ? trivia ? bingo ? free internet/phone ?

Yes it is.  I cannot say enough about how Princess and the Captain and crew have treated us.  These are difficult times but knowing Princess would fulfill their commitments to the passengers comforting.  I know this is costing the financially but every action they have taken has shown their commitment to passenger safety and well-being.  Uncommon in today’s world.  

[Steelers36]

13 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

 

Perth and Freemantle are two parts of the same city.

That I do know, with Fremantle (one 'e') being the passenger port area.  We stayed in that town just about a year ago.  

Edited March 21, 2020 by Steelers36

[onboard2005]

2 minutes ago, Wichard said:

Yes it is.  I cannot say enough about how Princess and the Captain and crew have treated us.  These are difficult times but knowing Princess would fulfill their commitments to the passengers comforting.  I know this is costing the financially but every action they have taken has shown their commitment to passenger safety and well-being.  Uncommon in today’s world.  

It's good to hear you are comfortable and can still enjoy the ship. About how many passengers are on board now? 

 

We appreciate the information you give us. 

[Wichard]

2 hours ago, onboard2005 said:

It's good to hear you are comfortable and can still enjoy the ship. About how many passengers are on board now? 

 

We appreciate the information you give us. 

There are 1024 passengers and 875 crew.  

[ClwtrBoi]

16 minutes ago, Wichard said:

Yes it is.  I cannot say enough about how Princess and the Captain and crew have treated us.  These are difficult times but knowing Princess would fulfill their commitments to the passengers comforting.  I know this is costing the financially but every action they have taken has shown their commitment to passenger safety and well-being.  Uncommon in today’s world.  

So jealous, we were supposed to board on the 19th in BA and instead we are trapped in our homes. Enjoy it while you can, and good luck. 

[onboard2005]

8 minutes ago, Wichard said:

There are 1024 passengers and 875 crew.  

Just curious...

Is everyone in their original cabins or have they moved anyone? Like an inside to a balcony? 

[Roberto256]

1 hour ago, Wichard said:

The Captain just informed us that we will leave Montevideo for Fort Lauderdale and is estimated to take 14 days.   Oh happy days...

 

Excellent for you!

 

I heard this a little earlier from someone working on board.

 

There are about 360 americans onboard who (obviously) need to be repatriated.

 

The State Department is helping other americans who are stranded outside the US,

so it seems logical to help those on ships as well.

 

https://thehill.com/policy/international/488655-state-department-sets-up-task-force-to-bring-home-americans-abroad

 

And, about 375 British, who will hopefully be able to fly onward.

 

Again, great news for you, and others on board!!!

 

[Wichard]

2 hours ago, onboard2005 said:

Just curious...

Is everyone in their original cabins or have they moved anyone? Like an inside to a balcony? 

I am not sure but we stayed in our original cabin.  Now we know our destination we can unpack the suitcases.  

[beg3yrs]

44 minutes ago, lstone19 said:

 

Pretty sure the previous poster means the military has restricted non-essential travel by military personnel, not that the military is preventing non-military personnel from traveling.

 

That looks like it's the case. However, saying there's going to be a full travel shutdown followed by that statement as evidence sure is misleading.

[suzyed]

2 hours ago, Fear-the-turtle said:

We were on this cruise and are more than happy to be home in the US now. While Princess and this ship are dealing with extraordinary circumstances I'm sure the best they can, it was a nightmarish scenario getting off the ship the 19th. Our flight number was never called, so around 3:30, DH finally asked someone checking tickets, "what about us; flights leaving later than ours have been called." She looked at our confirmation and said, "oh, you can get off now."  We high-tailed it to a shuttle to the terminal, and that left quickly; passengers applauded when we got on and the bus left right away! Then came the l-o-n-g wait to get on a bus for the 50-minute (if you were lucky) drive to the airport. I don't know if BA was unaware of needing to transport so many of us or what, but everyone on our (and likely each) bus was getting anxious as it didn't look like we could possibly make our flight, and we'd been told we couldn't re-board the ship if our flight was cancelled. (That turned out to be untrue as I know many were returned to the ship after 8pm. Contradictory or incomplete information was the norm for the last few days of the cruise, as many of you are reading about here. It was frustrating, and I feel deeply for those remaining on board.) I can't praise Latam Air enough for holding our flight 1.5 hours for all of us to get on board; likewise, Latam waited an hour in Santiago for all passengers.

 

I must say we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and the ports we did get to visit. Crew was exceptional. Entertainment was very good. Ports - king penguins, yes!!! - were fantastic. Even after we knew the cruise would be abbreviated, people generally kept trying to enjoy their time. Yes, we all discussed our travel arrangement woes and bemoaned not getting more frequent updates from the captain, but on the whole, spirits were good. While I'm deeply disappointed to miss the rest of the cruise, of course, I acknowledge that's minor now as we've returned home to a world turned upside down. We were in a safe, healthy (no virus aboard) environment, well (and frequently) fed with no TP shortages 🙂.

 

Thanks, everyone, for following along and offering your empathy and prayers.

 

Debbie

Absolutely agree! We are still onboard and intend to enjoy the rest of our travels.... even if the only port we get to visit is Fort Lauderdale! 😉

[onboard2005]

1 minute ago, suzyed said:

Absolutely agree! We are still onboard and intend to enjoy the rest of our travels.... even if the only port we get to visit is Fort Lauderdale! 😉

Continue to be positive! You have 2 more weeks onboard so relax and enjoy the cruise! Someday it will be a great story!

[suzyed]

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

is it still 'as normal' on the ship - shows ? casino ? bars ? trivia ? bingo ? free internet/phone ?

Not at present. We still have bars, trivia although less frequently. We are hoping that as we proceed back to Fort Lauderdale that the casino will open, maybe some shows, bingo, shops, etc.