Zuiderdam Quarantine

[NMCruiser123]

Thought I would add to the information about what the isolation/quarantine experience is like on HAL.  Was able to greatly enjoy my first 4 days on the Zuiderdam San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale Panama Canal Cruise, but then unfortunately tested positive yesterday (Jan. 6) with required antigen test for the Panama Canal Transit.  This was then confirmed by a PCR and I was quickly moved to quarantine (solitary confinement).

 

Background:

My partner and I did the Dec 26 - Jan 2 Mexican Riviera on the Koningsdam.  It was my first time with HA in 15+ years and we had a wonderful week.  I am fully vaxed and boosted with Pfizer, negative antigen test before boarding Koningsdam, then again on last day of Koningsdam cruise, transferred to Zuiderdam on January 2nd through hectic San Diego port to do this bucket list Panama Canal crossing on Zuiderdam.  This second leg I am doing alone as my partner had to return home to work.  First few days on Zuiderdam were excellent, and generally I thought the masking and safety protocols seemed to be followed well…but I’m assuming somewhere on the tail end of my Koningsdam voyage, or the start of the Zuiderdam voyage, I got blessed with a visit from the virus.

 

I was asymptomatic when I showed up for antigen testing yesterday (whole ship was tested as requirement to transit Panama Canal).  Process was efficient.  Was told to go to my cabin and if I did not receive a call in 30 minutes we were negative.  Phone rang after about 5 minutes…of course it was the ship physician explaining that the antigen test was positive and she would send a nurse to my room to do a confirmatory PCR.  Nurse showed up about 30 minutes later, had me swab in the doorway, then disappeared with my sample.  I had been advised to stay in my room until the results were done.  2 hours later, another call from the physician.  PCR positive.  She asked if I had any symptoms (no) or medical conditions (no) and said a team would be arriving soon to move me to an isolation veranda stateroom for the duration of my journey.  She asked how much time I needed to pack…fast forward 45 minutes, the hazmat team arrives and escorts me down the hall, into the crew area, crew elevator, up one level to the 6th deck, and I am deposited into a veranda cabin on the opposite side of the ship from my original.  

 

I’m not great at writing narratives, but I’m happy to answer questions.  Looking at 10 straight days of solo quarantine until we arrive in Ft. Lauderdale.  Would appreciate the distraction.  This will be a psychological test.  I’m appreciative that I feel well though, and I hope I didn’t manage to transmit the virus to anyone else before I was isolated.

 

 There seems to be a loooong stretch of occupied quarantine cabins in this verandah line…they haven’t announced the number of cases onboard, but I don’t think the number is small.  I saw at least 3 other groups get moved into quarantine through my peephole yesterday, in addition the the many rooms that were already occupied when I arrived (judging by people on other balconies).

[Lizofwisconsin]

8 minutes ago, NMCruiser123 said:

Thought I would add to the information about what the isolation/quarantine experience is like on HAL.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you are at least not feeling sick! We were scheduled to be on this trip, but due to concerns about the potential Omicron, decided to cancel and try again next year, for fear of this happening. Hope they maybe decide to shorten your quarantine.

[nagsheadbeachbum]

So sorry that you are having to deal with this ugly virus that just wont let go.  We are on b2b on the Rotterdam (Caribbean) in mid February and were told we would be tested the day before disembarkation of the first cruise.  I am wondering if there is random testing throughtout the week on HAL ships if not transiting the canal or are you responsible for reporting feeling ill? Are temperatures being taken on a regular basis?  It seems you didn't have any symptons to set up a red flag. We are having some trepidation about following all the rules and regulations like you did and still being exposed. Any help, info or advice would be appreciated.  I have emailed people at HAL but get no solid info to help us make our decision. 

Please keep all of your fellow HAL cruises updated on how you pass the time and how you are being treated. It may assuage some of our fears and keep you busy.

[NMCruiser123]

I’ve heard there is random testing if the voyage is over a certain length, but I don’t know the details.  No temperature checks at any point (not even after I tested positive).  Responsibility lies with passenger to self-report symptoms.

[iflyrc5]

Are you allowed to go out on your balcony?   Do you get to order from the normal room service menu?

[KirkNC]

Curious on the length of quarantine.  You mentioned ten days.  Is that just because that the remaining amount of cruise?  I thought CDC had changed it to five days if you have no symptoms.

[NMCruiser123]

13 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

Are you allowed to go out on your balcony?   Do you get to order from the normal room service menu?

Yes the balcony is the small thread of sanity I’m holding onto.  No restrictions.  I don’t smoke, but they even gave me an ashtray which was surprising.

 

7 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

Curious on the length of quarantine.  You mentioned ten days.  Is that just because that the remaining amount of cruise?  I thought CDC had changed it to five days if you have no symptoms.

I will ask medical when they call today, but I don’t think CDC changes apply to congregate settings (nursing homes/prisons/cruise ships).  

[NMCruiser123]

14 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

Are you allowed to go out on your balcony?   Do you get to order from the normal room service menu?

Room service normal as well.

[ger_77]

Sorry you have to go into solitary, but while you're there, call Guest Services and ask for a deck of cards.  Are you allowed to drink?  If you've got a wine package ordered, you can have that brought for your enjoyment as well.

 

Thanks for starting this thread; I'm sure there will be lots of folks trying to help get you through it.  Best of luck to you!

 

Smooth Sailing! 

[albingirl]

So sorry you are going through this.  If I couldn't have a glass of wine through quarantine, if I wasn't feeling sick, I'd go bonkers.  Imagine sitting in a cabin for that period of time without a libation.  It would be hell for me.

[Mtn2Sea]

Thanks for sharing your experience.  So sorry you’ve ended up in quarantine and can’t enjoy your cruise as anticipated.  Hopefully you’ll continue to stay asymptotic and find ways to entertain yourself.  Please keep us posted on how things go during your remaining time on the ship.  You’ll certainly be in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

[syesmar]

@NMCruiser123

So sorry this is happening to you, appreciate you taking your time to share despite the ordeal! I hope your days go by quickly & you continue to feel well. 

 

For the rapid antigen test, they did do nasal swabs only, or also swab the throat? Some respected testing experts are saying the throat should also be swabbed, as sensitivity to Omicron is a bit different and isn’t always picked up as quickly via the nasal swab, though this isn’t usually done in the US. Just curious how cruise lines are testing. It sounds like quite a few infections were found. 

 

Praying for all aboard and affected! Sending best wishes!

[boze9999]

This is a very thorough CC post @NMCruiser123 Considering the situation these posters made the best of their quarantine - quite humorous at times- and will give you some insight as to what to expect and to ask for. We're on the ship with you and wish you continued asymptomatic symptoms and a speedy recovery!

 

https://markmcelroy.com/what-happens-when-you-get-covid-on-a-luxury-cruise/

[NMCruiser123]

Thanks for everyone’s well wishes.  I am trying to keep myself occupied but I am finding this experience surprisingly emotional/depressing.  I usually don’t mind solitary time, but when it is forced, it changes the scenario.  To answer some other questions, yes I can order alcohol to the stateroom (beer at least) but they have not figured out if that is included in my beverage package.  I called yesterday and guest services said “It is only included if I visit a bar, but I will have to look into it for quarantine guests.”  

 

The antigen test was an anterior nasal self swab.  Same with the PCR.

 

I did find that blog about the passengers quarantined on the Koningsdam.  I am so envious they could at least keep each other company.  From my experience so far, I would say that they were better taken care of on the Koningsdam than I feel on the Zuiderdam.  No one has reached out to me for 20 hours now, and my calls to guest services to ask questions about the implications of all of this have not really provided any answers.  I kind of feel like I am shuttered away and forgotten about, which is too bad because I felt that the service and care was quite good before I was quarantined.

[wdw1972]

1 hour ago, NMCruiser123 said:

I will ask medical when they call today, but I don’t think CDC changes apply to congregate settings (nursing homes/prisons/cruise ships).  

Correct - the revised CDC guidelines were for the purpose of getting people back to work more quickly (primarily healthcare workers but anyone essential).  I work at an intermediate care facility and we have a number of fully vaccinated & boostered residents who came up positive - all fully asymptomatic but we're having to quarantine them 10 or 14 days.  We were told the 5 day thing doesn't apply in their case.  

 

NMCruiser - sorry this happened to you & hope you can find a way to make it tolerable.  Did they say anything about refunding part of your fare, or granting a future cruise credit so you can replace these days with a real HAL cruise some day?

 

Sue/WDW1972

[travelbug615]

Thanks for making the effort to share your experience with others.   I hope you remain asymptomatic and your days pass quickly.  Maybe you can have some interesting conversations with you next door neighbors via your balconies.  Lots of us here on CC pulling for you.  Best Wishes.

[boze9999]

Continue to contact and press Guest Services and Medical for all your questions @NMCruiser123. Perhaps ask if they have an email for additional direct communications vs ship phone. We'll all keep in touch with you. 

[NMCruiser123]

18 minutes ago, wdw1972 said:

Correct - the revised CDC guidelines were for the purpose of getting people back to work more quickly (primarily healthcare workers but anyone essential).  I work at an intermediate care facility and we have a number of fully vaccinated & boostered residents who came up positive - all fully asymptomatic but we're having to quarantine them 10 or 14 days.  We were told the 5 day thing doesn't apply in their case.  

 

NMCruiser - sorry this happened to you & hope you can find a way to make it tolerable.  Did they say anything about refunding part of your fare, or granting a future cruise credit so you can replace these days with a real HAL cruise some day?

 

Sue/WDW1972

I asked about refund/FCC and was told initially “we aren’t doing that” and then 2 minutes later they called back and said “someone will contact you about that today.”  I also have Platinum Travel Protection through HA which says in their FAQ that they will refund the portion of days kept in quarantine, but I’ll wait to hear from guest services first to see how to go about that.  Does anyone have any experience with that?  I know that these financial questions will held more importance for me in the future, but they are sort of on the back burner at the moment.

 

[KirkNC]

26 minutes ago, NMCruiser123 said:

Thanks for everyone’s well wishes.  I am trying to keep myself occupied but I am finding this experience surprisingly emotional/depressing.  I usually don’t mind solitary time, but when it is forced, it changes the scenario.  To answer some other questions, yes I can order alcohol to the stateroom (beer at least) but they have not figured out if that is included in my beverage package.  I called yesterday and guest services said “It is only included if I visit a bar, but I will have to look into it for quarantine guests.”  

 

The antigen test was an anterior nasal self swab.  Same with the PCR.

 

I did find that blog about the passengers quarantined on the Koningsdam.  I am so envious they could at least keep each other company.  From my experience so far, I would say that they were better taken care of on the Koningsdam than I feel on the Zuiderdam.  No one has reached out to me for 20 hours now, and my calls to guest services to ask questions about the implications of all of this have not really provided any answers.  I kind of feel like I am shuttered away and forgotten about, which is too bad because I felt that the service and care was quite good before I was quarantined.

Is this the definition of insanity or what?

[Suslor]

Glad you’re feeling ok. May be just the right time to start writing your great novel or polish up your stand up comedy act 🤪. Boredom may be worse than being sick. 😱. 

[VMax1700]

25 minutes ago, NMCruiser123 said:

“It is only included if I visit a bar, but I will have to look into it for quarantine guests.”  

Totally stupid answer!  Tell them that in that case you will go to the nearest bar and collect a beer and would they please clear the way for you to go there, as you do not want to infect others, but that HAL are being unreasonable.

Have you tried phoning others in the adjoining quarantine rooms to introduce yourself and discuss what each other has experienced?  Start a knowledge pool amongst yourselves.

[voyageur9]

2 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Have you tried phoning others in the adjoining quarantine rooms to introduce yourself and discuss what each other has experienced?  Start a knowledge pool amongst yourselves.

I agree. An email list or What's App group of the 'quarantined' will also provide you collectively with support and leverage when dealing with HAL. 

[VMax1700]

2 minutes ago, voyageur9 said:

I agree. An email list or What's App group of the 'quarantined' will also provide you collectively with support and leverage when dealing with HAL. 

That is a good idea but would require data package and knowing other pax contact details.  My suggestion was based on just using the stateroom telephone and call the room next door and next door but one etc.   I know, old fashioned, but it could be fun and pass a bit of time!

[puppycanducruise]

Sorry you are going through this alone, but thanks for sharing with us.

Keep your chin up!  We're praying for you.

[dmcfad2]

This whole post scares me. I am doing a 35 day cruise in February. What if I tested positive on that cruise with no symptoms. Would I have to quarantine for the rest of the cruise or just 10 days? I would love to know the answer to that one. 😳 I would be bummed out if I had to quarantine for a month.