Covid outbreak on the Ruby

[startedwithamouse]

5 minutes ago, nini said:

The one in question is a longer one and the OP stated that there was no testing.

This is the first voyage back to SF without. 

[Babr]

28 minutes ago, voljeep said:

does 'arrange for' mean pay for in advance or at time of check-out? or must receipts be submitted ?

Even with Princess Platinum Coverage thru AON ?

 

“Arrange” means identify and possibly reserve. An earlier post indicated that people had to save all receipts and submit them for reimbursement.

 

That is always true for travel insurance even on Princess with their branded policies. Remember, insurance is underwritten by a major insurer and administered by AON. Princess has nothing to do with it except to provide a Family Assistance liaison to help you file a claim. So - have your credit card ready whether you have Princess insurance or a third-party policy.

[voljeep]

1 minute ago, Babr said:

“Arrange” means identify and possibly reserve. An earlier post indicated that people had to save all receipts and submit them for reimbursement.

 

That is always true for travel insurance even on Princess with their branded policies. Remember, insurance is underwritten by a major insurer and administered by AON. Princess has nothing to do with it except to provide a Family Assistance liaison to help you file a claim. So - have your credit card ready whether you have Princess insurance or a third-party policy.

and that also goes for if you have a 'medical situation' on a Princess ship and visit the medical center on board ...

[Level six]

6 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

I think they need to sanitize your whole cabin! It obviously wasn’t cleaned after the last guest left the room. Also ask them for a refrigerator if you want one in the room. 

Yep, and that guest had covid or would not have been in the quarantine unit......so gross. I would not stay in that room...........

[Optotronics]

2 minutes ago, Babr said:

“Arrange” means identify and possibly reserve. An earlier post indicated that people had to save all receipts and submit them for reimbursement.

 

That is always true for travel insurance even on Princess with their branded policies. Remember, insurance is underwritten by a major insurer and administered by AON. Princess has nothing to do with it except to provide a Family Assistance liaison to help you file a claim. So - have your credit card ready whether you have Princess insurance or a third-party policy.

We have to pay for all our care up front and sometime in the future maybe get reimbursed

[Buckeye10640]

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

But you will have a much better chance of avoiding catching the virus that causes Covid-19.

Perhaps. Being vaccinated, boosted, and having recovered from Covid, and having been on 3 cruises already post- covid,  I am not largely concerned ar this point. But I certainly realize everyone has different opinions and risk tolerance.  

[panda64]

Does anyone know if the ship is offering Paxlovid ( an antiviral med)? 
 

Also wondering if anyone has ideas for what the ship crew would most appreciate is bringing to them? I'm on the 16th sailing. Besides of course, NOT bringing them COVID. 
 

My best to all of you on Ruby right now! May symptoms be greatly lessened very quickly to all that are positive. 

[d9704011]

1 minute ago, panda64 said:

Also wondering if anyone has ideas for what the ship crew would most appreciate is bringing to them? I'm on the 16th sailing. Besides of course, NOT bringing them COVID. 

Money.

[wrongwaywatson]

We sailed on The Crown in November, while masking was still required.  We happily would have not worn our masks.   We had a contingency plan in place to get us home, in case someone became sick, before we went.   Thankfully, we didn't need it.  However, my BIL was exposed to it by his grandson right after we returned home and got sick, despite being double vaxed and boosted.  The cruise ship is not the only place you are at risk.  You are at risk at home.  It's, unfortunately, a part of life today.  
We are hoping to go on a cruise in June and I really hope there are no mandates.  If people want to wear a mask...fine, wear one, no one is stopping you.  If they work as well as many of you seem to think, you are protected by wearing one.  Most people wear them incorrectly, touch them with their hands, touch other things right after that, making their masks practically useless.
Any vacation that we take right now should be with the knowledge that we could end up quarantining during the trip.  Would I like it?  No, I would not.  Would I expect compensation from Princess?  No, I would not.   The cruiselines didn't operate for almost 2 years.  They are sailing with reduced capacities right now, as it is.  They can't be making money doing so.  If they continue doing this, and end up compensating people who get sick on board, they will go broke and it will be the end of cruising.  If they aren't making a profit, they won't continue.

[Princessfan20]

1 hour ago, brisalta said:

 

Because mask wearing is not being required I may consider cancelling our cruise to Alaska.

When I made the reservations it was with the understanding that Princess was enforcing mask wearing, no smoking in the casino and self service was not being allowed in the buffet except for items already placed in containers.  It appears that Princess has changed all those criteria.

 

We may be in the same situation also.  We liked what Princess was doing to create safe sailing and our whole family, several generations, booked a 10 day Alaska cruise this summer.  However, with the way Princess is handling things now as they are being reported by passengers it is giving us serious pause.  

 

The fact that it is also being projected that the BA.2 sub-variant, which is reported to be way more contagious than the earlier omicron, will be the dominant virus in the US this summer means we might be calling Princess next week and canceling.  Better safe than sorry it seems.

Edited March 26, 2022 by Princessfan20

[panda64]

17 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Money.

Always a given. 

[panda64]

2 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

Please do not give them gifts of any kind.  Their cabins are tiny and there is nowhere to put trinkets.  They get candy and chocolate for free onboard.  Please, if you can, give them extra money.  That is so appreciated by all the crew.

Some have shared that they like getting new face masks under covers. No interest in bringing candy, lots of people leave that at the end of the cruise. And yes, hoping we are all more generous in tips!!

[SAKay]

Is this the Panama Canal cruise that left Ft Lauderdale on Ruby on 13 Mar for San Francisco, arriving today, Saturday, 26 March ? 

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, JimmyVWine said:

What studies and data are you drawing from to reach this conclusion?  While the number of posters here is a statistically insignificant number, it seems as if the majority here would have preferred stricter procedures.

 

Every time protocols are brought up in this forum and others, pre-cruise testing is the one most want to see gone. The large majority are OK with vaccines but there have been numerous posts about getting rid of pre-cruise testing and the majority consensus is always to see them be removed for vaccinated/boosted folks because it's a hassle and antigen tests are not very sensitive. It's easy to extrapolate from that, that testing during mid-cruise would be even less favorable. A lot of people aren't living in fantasy-land and accept the current conditions for what they are and the limitations of testing, while some are still afraid of utensils, want testing everyday and masks forever. Not to mention, as restrictions lesson, bookings increase substantially. Watch what happens when vaccines and testing are removed altogether, CHA-CHING! Not everyone is living in fear, a lot of people are over it and accept reality/limitations for what it is.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

54 minutes ago, Optotronics said:

We have to pay for all our care up front and sometime in the future maybe get reimbursed

You should not be billed for any onboard medical expenses due to testing positive for covid. From the Health FAQs on Princess website. 
 

Will testing for COVID-19 be available on board the ship?

Yes, all ships have access to COVID-19 viral testing capabilities, including SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR, RT LAMP and antigen tests. Protocols for testing for SARS-CoV-2 are based on expert recommendations, including CDC testing guidance. Onboard COVID-19-related medical center care for positive or suspected COVID-19 cases are free of charge.

[crusinthrough]

I may have missed something.  A negative COVID test is still required for my upcoming Princess cruise.  When did Princess stop this?

 

I re-read the original post a few times, there is no details about this so called outbreak. No information on an announcement from the Capitan on positive cases, etc.   Outbreak is only mentioned in the title to alarm people. 

 

I'm not denying there may be some positive cases as this always the possibility.  I just cannot jump on a COVID/mask wearing bandwagon with no factual information.  

[geocruiser]

8 hours ago, MsDolly said:

Well I am on the next sailing of the Ruby Princess, not the news I wanted to wake up to!  
 

Don’t mind masking but no chance I can find any KN95 now before flying this morning.

 

Hopefully the increased numbers on the March 27th sailing won’t be a huge mistake by Princess.  I realized we need to get back to “normal” but it should be a slower process and perhaps not in conjunction with no masks and the return of self serve buffets.

Edited March 26, 2022 by geocruiser
can't find the place to type

[Astro Flyer]

2 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

I may have missed something.  A negative COVID test is still required for my upcoming Princess cruise.  When did Princess stop this?

 

We were required to have a negative test for our Discovery cruise tomorrow and here's their current CruiseHealth statement.

 

UPDATED: Will I need to have a pre-travel viral COVID-19 test performed prior to boarding the ship?

Yes, in accordance with CDC directives, ALL guests ages 2 and above will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken before embarkation. Testing requirements are as follows:

Vaccination Status	CDC Definition	Pre-Travel Test-Type	When to Take Test Before Boarding
Fully Vaccinated	Received primary series of COVID-19 vaccines with final dose at least 14 days before embarkation	Antigen	Within 2 days
		PCR	Within 3 days
Up to Date	Received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible at least 7 days before embarkation	Antigen	Within 3 days
		PCR	Within 3 days
Not Vaccinated	Not fully vaccinated	PCR	Within 3 days

As an example, for a fully vaccinated guest sailing on Sunday, the 2-day antigen test may be taken on Friday or Saturday, and as late as Sunday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in.

Fully vaccinated and up to date guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board.

Guests that have been approved for a vaccination exemption will be advised of additional requirements. For guests ages 2 to 4 years-old this includes the pre-travel test outlined above, plus an embarkation day COVID-19 test performed at the terminal.

Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airline requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing.

[geocruiser]

8 hours ago, MsDolly said:

Well I am on the next sailing of the Ruby Princess, not the news I wanted to wake up to!  
 

Don’t mind masking but no chance I can find any KN95 now before flying this morning.

 

Hopefully the increased numbers on the March 27th sailing won’t be a huge mistake by Princess.  I realized we need to get back to “normal” but it should be a slower process and perhaps not in conjunction with no masks and the return of self serve buffets.

You might try calling your local pharmacy and see if they have any of the Government issued N-95 masks.  They will give you 3 per person.   In my town they are still giving them out.

[KLM3164]

24 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

I re-read the original post a few times, there is no details about this so called outbreak. No information on an announcement from the Capitan on positive cases, etc.   Outbreak is only mentioned in the title to alarm people.

See post #32….notification to passengers from the Captain. I don’t think the OP used the word “outbreak” to alarm people. It appears from the Captain’s letter that there is COVID onboard in both crew and passengers. Is this an outbreak? I guess it depends on what your definition of outbreak is. From what I know in following the Princess boards I’ve not seen a letter like this one from the Captain to passengers before so it looks like COVID may be more prevalent on the Ruby than on other ships. I suspect that since masks have been re-implemented and the Captain has notified passengers last night through the onboard announcement and now this letter that this could be considered an “outbreak”. 

[DeeniEncinitas]

Just now, d9704011 said:

Money.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

I gave a card and $50.00 to our steward Hector!!He is wonderful and genuinely took such good care of us on board!! He is so dedicated and went over and beyond!! Very gracious person.He was always on call with his pager. I enjoyed the Medallion app.

🌺Denise

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

I gave a card and $50.00 to our steward Hector!!He is wonderful and genuinely took such good care of us on board!! He is so dedicated and went over and beyond!! Very gracious person.He was always on call with his pager. I enjoyed the Medallion app.

🌺Denise

 

That is very sweet of you. Those folks work so hard and really appreciate it, probably made his week. 

[caribill]

48 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

The large majority are OK with vaccines but there have been numerous posts about getting rid of pre-cruise testing and the majority consensus is always to see them be removed for vaccinated/boosted folks because it's a hassle and antigen tests are not very sensitive. It's easy to extrapolate from that, that testing during mid-cruise would be even less favorable.

 

Yet the number of posts to the effect that pre-cruise testing has detected Covid and required the people involved to cancel their cruise. So pre-cruise testing is a factor in preventing the virus from getting on board.

 

Is it perfect? No.

 

And testing of B2B passengers has found enough people with Covid that it also has been effective in reducing the next segment's risk from infected people being on board.

 

Since people have to get their pre-cruise test within 2 or 3 days before embarkation, it will usually be the less accurate antigen test since results are usually not guaranteed in time for the PCR testing that is available.

 

To me, the most effective pre-cruise option is to have testing at check-in available for a reasonable charge. This will detect cases of people who were infected 2 or 3 days earlier but had not enough Covid in their system to be detected if infected then. Will this detect 100% of infected people? Probably not. But it would remove the stress of finding pre-cruise testing locations as well as detect cases that would not have been detected 2 or 3 days earlier.

 

But to not test at all is to invite a PR disaster if a significant outbreak occurs on board.

[FlorenceItaly]

1 minute ago, JimmyVWine said:

But I think that as these restrictions are being lifted, they are done so with both the expressed (in some instances) and implicit (in other instances) understanding that "We will give this a try and see how it goes."  There is nothing irrevocable about the eased restrictions.  My company paused and delayed its return to office initiative three times before giving it a go two weeks ago.  And I can promise you that if we have an outbreak, masks are coming back, and if we have a widespread endemic, the work from home protocols are coming back.  While it is true that one might see more freedom and feel safer.  And it is equally true that others may see a rise in infection rates, hospitalizations and death and conclude that we jumped the gun and need to pull back.  There is nothing inherent in the human condition that precludes the possibility that stricter safety precautions will be reinstituted.  Once upon a time the drinking age was lowered from 21 to 18.  And then it was raised back up again in a full about-face.  Don't discount the possibility of mask requirements resurfacing.

Right!  I just had this some conversation with my husband in regards to our August cruise.  It is entirely possible at any time policies can change.  If this is not acceptable to us, we are better off not cruising at this time.

[brisalta]

The CDC Cruise Ship Status Dashboard at https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html#status-dashboard now shows the status of the Ruby Princess as orange.