belchro22 Posted March 16, 2020 #1 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I've been in contact with a friend who is currently on the Norwegian Spirit. They have had at least 19 sea days so far with many cancelled ports. They are currently heading to Capetown , South Africa where they were to disembark on March 22. The South African government has declared a state of disaster and has declared a ban on travel from 8 countries including the United States as well as closed most ports. Needless to say , neither she or anyone on board, knows what is to happen next. She had mentioned yesterday that they had run out of fresh vegetables and were being served canned ham as supplies were low. Nobody on the ship is sick but obviously worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabella Benjamin Posted March 16, 2020 #2 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Yikes, that's terrible. I hope they are able to get home safe. Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 16, 2020 #3 Share Posted March 16, 2020 That is a tough situation. If I were NCL I'd have the ship sailing towards an area likely to be able to supply them and closest to whatever the majority if guests reside if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 16, 2020 #4 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The information from the captain just after noon was that we are going to Cape Town at a speed of about 23 knots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belchro22 Posted March 16, 2020 Author #5 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Wishing you all a safe return. I see you are from New Zealand and not on South Africa's ban list. Hope that helps in your travels. The Norwegian Jewell is also in transit after being turned away from ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 16, 2020 #6 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The last port we were in was Muscat on the 5th March; the next one will be Cape Town if and when we arrive there!!! There is discussion that we may be trying to see out a 14 day quarantine period before arriving in Cape Town. However we did refuel in the Seychelles and took on some crew which may mean that the supposed quarantine period may have to start from then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlak8 Posted March 17, 2020 #7 Share Posted March 17, 2020 I'm onboard, yes the ship is out of some items but there is still plenty of food. Far more than many groceries, based on news reports. There is nightly entertainment. Daytime activities. Stewards to clean cabins. Beautiful sunshine and most importantly we are in the safest place in the entire world in our uninfected bubble. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordseebaer Posted March 17, 2020 #8 Share Posted March 17, 2020 We wish you all the best from Germany. we also have some friends on board. Unfortunately we don,t hear any word since march 5th. Sounds good to me , when everything is working fine on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted March 17, 2020 #9 Share Posted March 17, 2020 12 hours ago, darlak8 said: I'm onboard, yes the ship is out of some items but there is still plenty of food. Far more than many groceries, based on news reports. There is nightly entertainment. Daytime activities. Stewards to clean cabins. Beautiful sunshine and most importantly we are in the safest place in the entire world in our uninfected bubble. Take care, you have amazing attitude....through all the trauma you've experienced from the week leading up to your delayed departure from the first leg in Rome....sounds like you are certainly in a good place onboard. Life here in the UK is surreal, and I guess you will find similar on your return home! Best wishes for a non-eventful conclusion to your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllieinNJ Posted March 18, 2020 #10 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Keep us all informed of your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comi.uy Posted March 18, 2020 #11 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Wow thought all NCL ships were docked long ago. Good luck on this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 18, 2020 #12 Share Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) @Invisiblecustard Australian government warning people to get home ASAP. Because soon you may not be able too. The major problem with all of us is that we are still 30+ hours from Cape Town and the situation may well change in that time. It would be nice of the Australian Government to charter an aircraft to get Australians home and then we New Zealanders might be able to coat-tail that far before going on to NZ. I have just made enquiries and there are only 268 Australians and 12 New Zealanders on board. If there is anyone with a connection to high ranking politicians in Australia how about seeing if the Australian Government would charter a plane, all of us would fit on one, to get us back from Cape Town. Edited March 18, 2020 by casofilia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Rob_H Posted March 18, 2020 #13 Share Posted March 18, 2020 5 hours ago, casofilia said: @Invisiblecustard Australian government warning people to get home ASAP. Because soon you may not be able too. The major problem with all of us is that we are still 30+ hours from Cape Town and the situation may well change in that time. It would be nice of the Australian Government to charter an aircraft to get Australians home . We're on the Norwegian Jewel, not due to arrive in Honolulu until March 22. This ship has asked us all for our home airports, had the Spirit done the same? That information would help Norwegian arrange charters, although based on recent experience we're doubtful they''ll do that. Although it would be nice, I don't think we should expect governments to fly us home when there's no medical reason. Lots of people are in the wrong country right now as borders close, few if any are getting government repatriation offered. Rob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 18, 2020 #14 Share Posted March 18, 2020 @Rob_H Nothing like that but we are real mushrooms; kept in the dark and not even being fed the b....t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted March 18, 2020 #15 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Reading P&O Arcadia has been refused entry to Cape Town returning to Southampton after technical stop in Durban. Has Spirit entry to Cape Town been confirmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 18, 2020 #16 Share Posted March 18, 2020 @inside cabin No. All we have been told is that we are making way to Cape Town. Not even an ETA or even date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted March 18, 2020 #17 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Please understand P&O will be 90% Brits, so read the article in the light of that, and the fact it is sailing on to England! However, it does confirm that UK citizens cannot enter as per the SA Government Statement....nor US/Italy/Germany/Spain citizens! Arcadia Denied in Cape Town; Sailing Back to Southampton March 18, 2020 P&O Cruises UK announced it will not be able to disembark guests or crew in Cape Town from the Arcadia. "The South African authorities have announced and are enforcing additional entry and travel restrictions because of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Guests or crew are no longer permitted to disembark in South Africa," the company said. As a result of this development, the Arcadia will no longer visit Cape Town. The ship will make a short technical stop in Durban on Sunday to bunker fuel, stores and medication before returning to Southampton. All guests are remaining onboard until the ship reaches Southampton, where Arcadia is due to arrive on Sunday April 12 as per the original itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueplay Posted March 19, 2020 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I have a relative on board. Does anyone have the latest on when you will be disembarking in Cape Town. She has been able to send some emails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 19, 2020 #19 Share Posted March 19, 2020 @sueplay All we know is that we will be close to Cape Town from n ow on. we are about 30NM out to sea at the moment. We had to fill forms in overnight stating when we were flying out on Sunday. It was also made clear that we had to fly out on Sunday and not later so that is a big discussion point at the moment. I was also told that there would be complimentary shuttles to get us to the airport on Sunday in time for checking in for flights. So no, no one knows the exact details. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAB1974 Posted March 19, 2020 #20 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Hi. I have someone onboard who isnt on email or internet so cant find out whats happening. She has flights for Monday booked, are the ship helping with changes? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 20, 2020 #21 Share Posted March 20, 2020 We will go to anchor in Cape Town Roads in 1 hour. Then when the berth is cleared will proceed to it. No one will be allowed off till getting transport to the airport on Sunday. Everyone has to depart South Africa on Sunday. 10.12am Friday 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted March 20, 2020 #22 Share Posted March 20, 2020 (edited) Duplicate Edited March 20, 2020 by casofilia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueplay Posted March 20, 2020 #23 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Thank you very much casofilia. I appreciate the updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllieinNJ Posted March 20, 2020 #24 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Boy, these two Spirit cruises, Venice to Dubai and Dubai to Capetown seem like noteworthy experiences. When all are at home safe and sound and have some time I hope someone will take the time to write a detail trip report for us who are extremely interested in your travels. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted March 20, 2020 #25 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Spirit is now docked in Cape Town but pax cannot disembark as yet. Supposed to disembark and go directly to airport on Sunday 22 Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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