Zuiderdam Quarantine

[cruzingnut]

35 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Interesting, and good to know thanks. When are you sailing? Since you mentioned you received notice of the relocation about a week and a half ago, I'm wondering how much in advance of your sailing is that.

And did they give you a choice of cabins on your reassignment..  were they equivalent accommodations? Depending on the deck 5 location, it may not be that desirable... like directly over the lifeboats on deck 4 for example.

 

We were supposed to be on the Zuiderdam for B2B Canal cruises this coming Sunday (16th) so it wasn't too far in advance but then maybe they didn't realize they needed more cabins for quarantine earlier than that!  No notice or choice and they just sent us another confirmation.  I happened to notice the cabin was different from what we originally had.  It was in the forward area of midship and the same category as we had on 6.

[notladjr]

On 1/12/2022 at 5:10 PM, canadianbear said:

I think it’s insane to isolate/quarantine someone in an inside cabin and basically throw that key away.  It would be torture to me.  I’m glad HAL has put people in a balcony cabin.   

While I agree with your sentiment I fully understand why some cruise lines are doing it. They are taking the time and effort to make their quarantine rooms negative pressure rooms just like hospitals have for contagious patients. This protects the not infected crew and passengers much better on the ship. You can't make a room a negative pressure one if it has a balcony door opening and closing.

[notladjr]

On 1/13/2022 at 2:04 PM, Btimmer said:

No numbers have been disclosed that I know of, but it has been reported that about 225 rooms have been set aside in Decks 4 & 6 forward. We get our antigen tests tomorrow for the turnaround voyage.

My cabin for the January 30th cruise is on Deck 4 but midship. I am a little nervous being that close to the plague! I am hoping they upgrade and move me.

[canadianbear]

4 minutes ago, notladjr said:

While I agree with your sentiment I fully understand why some cruise lines are doing it. They are taking the time and effort to make their quarantine rooms negative pressure rooms just like hospitals have for contagious patients. This protects the not infected crew and passengers much better on the ship. You can't make a room a negative pressure one if it has a balcony door opening and closing.

Oh I totally understand why they do it.   But lots are in balcony cabins so there is opening & closing of those doors.  The person that got stuck in an inside cabin is amazing in my opinion as I’d go bat #%# crazy.  

[0106]

NMCruiser-  You made it!  Thanks for sharing your insights with us.  Looking forward to your final reflections. Would love to know if you decide to keep your booking in February.  Safe travels home. 

[IPB4IGO]

7 hours ago, notladjr said:

My cabin for the January 30th cruise is on Deck 4 but midship. I am a little nervous being that close to the plague! I am hoping they upgrade and move me.

Currently, the entire fourth deck is set aside for quarantine. If the January 30 cruise is as sparsely filled as the current one, they will have plenty of cabins available for reassignment of passengers currently booked on Deck 4.

Of course, the quarantine cabin assignments may be completely different by then.

[rotjeknor]

On 1/13/2022 at 11:22 PM, CruiserBruce said:

10 days in a hotel, feeding and otherwise supporting? Considerably more expensive than housing them on a ship that can't and won't be full for the foreseeable future.

 

My guess is they screen the new crew extensively prior to travel to drop the risk of bringing Covid with them.

The Oosterdam has been in use as a quarantine ship for the HAL group ( HAL , Princess and Seabourne) in the past months. It was anchored off the Dutch coast at Scheveningen and had , besides their own skeleton crew of 90 , 160 other crewmembers on board for 14 days before they were literally shipped by tender to the port of Scheveningen and then to their assigned ship. The vaccinated crew of the new Rotterdam and several Princess ship crews have been  quarantined on the Oosterdam. Princess made several so called technical calls into the port of Rotterdam to receive these crews. The crew of the new Rotterdam was tendered directly from the Oosterdam when the Rotterdam was in the same anchorage area.
The Oosterdam then went in to a “ wet” drydock in Rotterdam , sailed to Sicily where she met up with the Volendam who has been in Corfu together with the Zaandam. The Oosterdam is currently in Cyprus awaiting her return to service.

Maybe this construction was not possible for the Zuiderdam crew as there were no “ quarantine “ ships in the area.

[CruiserBruce]

@rotjeknor my comments are regarding HAL operations in the US, both East Coast and West Coast, so a quarantine ship in the Netherlands doesn't much help.

[sue1898]

Anyone else notice that we haven’t heard from NMCruiser123 since Thursday evening? Hope all’s well!

Edited January 15, 2022 by sue1898

[OC PAT]

2 minutes ago, sue1898 said:

Anyone else notice that we haven’t heard from NMCruiser123 since Thursday evening? Hope all’s well!

Maybe he's free and this would be the last place he'd be if he achieved his freedom!

[KirkNC]

6 minutes ago, OC PAT said:

Maybe he's free and this would be the last place he'd be if he achieved his freedom!

I don’t know, he deservedly has quite a following here.

[farjar]

17 hours ago, islander47 said:

Yes, East to West, for sure. Must confess I have been so nervous about our 48 hour Covid test I've been a wreck. First took our scheduled PCR at CVS and were told at least 72 hours for results. Then heard a rumor an Emergent Care place nearby had rapid tests. No one else does here. Zipped over there and handed over $100, but both tested negative. Best $100 we've ever spent. See you at our Mix and Mingle soon!

We found ourselves in a similar situation before our Koningsdam cruise in Oct. Went to a private lab and paid $99 each for our rapid tests.  When we got home I thought "what the heck" and submitted the bill to our insurance company.  They reimbursed us the entire amount.  It's worth a try.  You might be pleasantly surprised as we were. 

[NMCruiser123]

I’m still here!  Just hard to come up with new material in my 225 square foot universe day after day.  As you’ve probably seen on another thread,  we were denied from tendering at Half Moon Cay today due to our COVID load.  Rotterdam appeared to be successful though and we had some nice views of her this morning.  We are now making our way slowly towards Florida.  Interestingly, I just got a letter under my door.  HAL is crediting my shipboard account $200 for not being able to attend any of my shore excursions I had booked with my “Have it All” fare.  Of course not redeemable for cash so I’ll step off the ship tomorrow with a couple hundred dollars credit vanishing into thin air, but what can ya do.  I can only stuff myself with so much steak and lobster.

 

Medical will drop off a letter tomorrow with 1). My positive test results 2) Verification of my 10 days in quarantine (should I decide to pursue a refund with the insurance company, but I’ll probably just opt for the automatic FCC) and 3) a letter of recovery, should there be an issue with testing for my Eurodam cruise in 3 weeks.

 

I also worked out details for disembarkation tomorrow.  My flight is at 11:30 AM so they are planning to escort me off in full PPE and chemical spray at 7:30 AM.  They also told me they will come to my cabin today and take a picture of my passport so that I don’t have to interact with customs officials tomorrow.  I’ve never heard of that happening.  Otherwise, I’m packing up, drinking wine, and feeling like a prisoner on his last day before parole! 

[GrannieNannie]

Just wanted to tell you I've enjoyed your account of quarantine.  Please update us about getting home.

[Nickelpenny]

5 minutes ago, NMCruiser123 said:

I’m still here!  Just hard to come up with new material in my 225 square foot universe day after day.  As you’ve probably seen on another thread,  we were denied from tendering at Half Moon Cay today due to our COVID load.  Rotterdam appeared to be successful though and we had some nice views of her this morning.  We are now making our way slowly towards Florida.  Interestingly, I just got a letter under my door.  HAL is crediting my shipboard account $200 for not being able to attend any of my shore excursions I had booked with my “Have it All” fare.  Of course not redeemable for cash so I’ll step off the ship tomorrow with a couple hundred dollars credit vanishing into thin air, but what can ya do.  I can only stuff myself with so much steak and lobster.

 

Medical will drop off a letter tomorrow with 1). My positive test results 2) Verification of my 10 days in quarantine (should I decide to pursue a refund with the insurance company, but I’ll probably just opt for the automatic FCC) and 3) a letter of recovery, should there be an issue with testing for my Eurodam cruise in 3 weeks.

 

I also worked out details for disembarkation tomorrow.  My flight is at 11:30 AM so they are planning to escort me off in full PPE and chemical spray at 7:30 AM.  They also told me they will come to my cabin today and take a picture of my passport so that I don’t have to interact with customs officials tomorrow.  I’ve never heard of that happening.  Otherwise, I’m packing up, drinking wine, and feeling like a prisoner on his last day before parole! 

Funny, I don't know you but I was worried about you because we hadn't heard from you in a couple of "days"!!  I am glad your quarantine is almost over!!  Best wishes to you!!!  🙂

 

[cruise kitty]

5 minutes ago, NMCruiser123 said:

I’m still here!  Just hard to come up with new material in my 225 square foot universe day after day.  As you’ve probably seen on another thread,  we were denied from tendering at Half Moon Cay today due to our COVID load.  Rotterdam appeared to be successful though and we had some nice views of her this morning.  We are now making our way slowly towards Florida.  Interestingly, I just got a letter under my door.  HAL is crediting my shipboard account $200 for not being able to attend any of my shore excursions I had booked with my “Have it All” fare.  Of course not redeemable for cash so I’ll step off the ship tomorrow with a couple hundred dollars credit vanishing into thin air, but what can ya do.  I can only stuff myself with so much steak and lobster.

 

Medical will drop off a letter tomorrow with 1). My positive test results 2) Verification of my 10 days in quarantine (should I decide to pursue a refund with the insurance company, but I’ll probably just opt for the automatic FCC) and 3) a letter of recovery, should there be an issue with testing for my Eurodam cruise in 3 weeks.

 

I also worked out details for disembarkation tomorrow.  My flight is at 11:30 AM so they are planning to escort me off in full PPE and chemical spray at 7:30 AM.  They also told me they will come to my cabin today and take a picture of my passport so that I don’t have to interact with customs officials tomorrow.  I’ve never heard of that happening.  Otherwise, I’m packing up, drinking wine, and feeling like a prisoner on his last day before parole! 

congrats! Wonder if you can do duty free shopping with the OBC from your tv screen?

 

Anyhow, I have very much enjoyed your reports from isolation, thanks for taking us along your very unexpected journey!

[regnig]

 

Hopefully your trip home will be uneventful!  Might be worth a call to the front desk and ask if your OBC can be applied to your next cruise.  As you have learned it never hurts to ask. 😄

 

Safe travels.....

[sue1898]

Glad to hear from you! I would request that your unused OBC transfer over to your next cruise. Can’t hurt to ask…

I have enjoyed your posts and hope that coming here and sharing your thoughts with all of us has somehow helped you cope with your circumstances! Safe travels home.

[seaoma]

@NMCruiser123

 

Well, you're finishing the cruise with one more day for the memory book. 

 

It does sound like HAL is doing well with the documentation and the assistance with getting you to your flight. I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow. You deserve it.

 

From reading about some of the other cruise lines and their quarantine care, I have to tell you that it appears that HAL has done a good job. It may not seem that way to you, but your posts may have left out the worst bits for us followers.

 

Take care and I hope to see you on a HAL cruise one day. Drinks will be on me!

[0106]

Can OBC be used as an additional tip for the crew?  Better than letting it go to waste.

 

Could you use it in the shops?  Maybe you could call in your order and they could deliver it upon departure.

[merriment]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree with the others that you should be able to apply your OBC to something. 

Your experience has helped us, I think. We have decided to cancel our 15 day Rotterdam sailing on Feb. 5. Ten days in quarantine on a 15 day cruise, not too appealing. Plus the added disappointment of cancelled ports like Half Moon Cay has also influenced our thinking. 

(Took a Hawaii cruise a few years ago when due to weather we only went to one port! Very Sad)

But, haven't actually cancelled yet. The cancel insurance is good until day of departure so.............there is room for a change of heart.

We wish you well as you disembark and return home to prepare for your next sailing. 

 

[Vict0riann]

Thanks so much, this has been a very interesting thread - OP may not have enjoyed it, but I think we all have!   Now I'm wondering how far you have to fly,  and how HAL is going to get you home?  And will you have to quarantine or test again when you get home?  So many questions...  please stay in touch, @NMCruiser123!   This is not over yet. 😷

[cruzin4us]

I agree, order some liquor and take it home with you....better than letting it go to waste.  

 

You've been a trooper, we've all lived vicariously thru you and your quarantine.   I'm sorry you had to go thru it, but it's still probably better to be quarantined on a ship then in your house 🙂

 

Take care and enjoy your next cruise!

 

[Msrigby]

3 hours ago, NMCruiser123 said:

I’m still here!  Just hard to come up with new material in my 225 square foot universe day after day.  As you’ve probably seen on another thread,  we were denied from tendering at Half Moon Cay today due to our COVID load.  Rotterdam appeared to be successful though and we had some nice views of her this morning.  We are now making our way slowly towards Florida.  Interestingly, I just got a letter under my door.  HAL is crediting my shipboard account $200 for not being able to attend any of my shore excursions I had booked with my “Have it All” fare.  Of course not redeemable for cash so I’ll step off the ship tomorrow with a couple hundred dollars credit vanishing into thin air, but what can ya do.  I can only stuff myself with so much steak and lobster.

 

Medical will drop off a letter tomorrow with 1). My positive test results 2) Verification of my 10 days in quarantine (should I decide to pursue a refund with the insurance company, but I’ll probably just opt for the automatic FCC) and 3) a letter of recovery, should there be an issue with testing for my Eurodam cruise in 3 weeks.

 

I also worked out details for disembarkation tomorrow.  My flight is at 11:30 AM so they are planning to escort me off in full PPE and chemical spray at 7:30 AM.  They also told me they will come to my cabin today and take a picture of my passport so that I don’t have to interact with customs officials tomorrow.  I’ve never heard of that happening.  Otherwise, I’m packing up, drinking wine, and feeling like a prisoner on his last day before parole! 

Just a thought.  Perhaps you could donate the unused OBC to the crew fund or the HAL charity ?  Better than it going back into corporate .   Stay safe

[Msrigby]

Just a thought perhaps you could donate the OBC to the crew gratuity/appreciation fund?