4/26/09 Live from Carnival Splendor !!!

[socbay3]

There are 150+ deaths reported at this point in Mexico from the swine flu...2000 "reported" cases and while, yes, there are lots of deaths every year from the regular flu? There is no treatment for this one - i.e. Cipro, Z-pack, etc.

 

Hope everybody on the Splendor has a terrific time! It's pretty cold here in beautiful downtown Burbank so I really hope you guys have clothing for it!

 

Like you said "Reported" only 113 cases confirmed. None of those antibiotics work on regular flu. The flu is viral those treat bacterial infections. There is a huge difference between reported and confirmed. People get the sniffles and they think they have it.

[melika091900]

so is the ship just heading to SF then back down to LA? and thats it ???

im just wondering since im following all these threads about it ..

[bobandsherry]

I'm a little taken aback by Fred's ranking of Long Beach as so bad he won't return ! ! :eek: It's one of my favorite ports ! ! With early checkin at the Queen Mary (right next to the Splendor) I couldn't have seen a more organized embarkation. With the now inclusion of the "shade" provided for those standing in line I envisioned it as being perfect.:rolleyes: By contrast I thought Miami was a friggin' zoo ! !

 

As an FYI for all cruisers now on Splendor - they no longer have early check-in at Queen Mary. When Splendor came into port, the expanded the terminal and now have early check-in right there at the terminal. Check in is now outside, we were able to check in at the terminal at 9:30AM. Everyone then just sits around outside, great when weather is nice, not sure what they do on bad weather days.

[bsdmhutch]

Strange - wife and I just returned on the 26th from the same cruise just a week earlier. We found it quite well organized at the terminal. What may have confused you is all check-in is now outside, so all passengers wait outside once they check-in. May look disorganized when you have thousands of people just sitting/standing around waiting.

 

Not sure why the complaint about the VIP lounge and bathrooms, the bathrooms are right across from the lounge - maybe not directly in the lounge, but come on, really necessary? Not sure why you had no VIP line, our cruise had VIP's board before everyone else - boarded around 12:15.

Once our floor was called, we were off the ship and out of the terminal in 15-20 minutes (9:20). Found it to be no hassle at all. We were at the airport by 10:00 (had a 12:15 flight, so plenty of time).

Seems strange to me that the cruise only a week later would be different. All special assistance folks were accommodated and moved to front of the lines, boarded even before the wedding parties/VIP folks. The Carnival rep made special attention to come out to the passengers and locate those in wheel chairs.

We were 8E, we didn't notice that the cabin to be any different in size than any other cruise we've been on.

 

Enjoy your cruise - we had a blast on ours. Glad that we made it the week earlier, would have been disappointed to have Mexican ports cancelled.

[/size]

 

If I remember correctly the Splendor was late returning to Long Beach this past weekend. Which would account for a delay in boarding and perhaps issues with a separate VIP line. Especially if there were any weddings scheduled.

[Winterstale]

That's not true, Tamiflu is reported to be working.

Yes, that's true...but it is not in abundant supply...

[Kurbanfan]

I think the San Francisco thing is a joke.

 

Not tropical......and cold:(

[tycruiser]

I called Carnival and they told me basically what was in the announcement. I asked about refunds, optional ports considered and just got a blow off to wait until tomorrow. The guy told me that they will be sailing and will have an update with details of the new itinerary, reschedule or opt out options by 5pm tomorrow.

If they change the destinations to SF and Vancouver we will probably go on our May 3rd date on the Splendor as it is our 1st anniversary Monday and we really wanted to be away then. To us those stops would be ok. SF is my previous home but we will need to bring leather jackets as it is quite cold there. If the new stops are a non-disembark technical/service stop in some Mexican port like Ensenada then ports of SD and Catalina then we will either cancel or reschedule for later in the season. They need to hit a port out of the US .

This is all such a silly overreaction.

[Kurbanfan]

geez we are driving down to SF to catch a plane for LA to get on the ship just to cruise back to SF??? :confused:

 

Oh know:o

[big_duck]

Got to be almost 2000 miles round trip. If they can cover 500 miles per day there might be time for a peek at the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Got to be a sailor around here that knows the logistics.

 

Cabo is approx 1150 nautical miles from San Francisco. At a cruising speed of about 22 knots it would take aout 53 hours to get there. If they left Cabo at 6 then they could arrive in San Fran Sometime Thursday evening (More likely Friday morning). Spend Friday there then sail Fri evening/Saturday back to LA.

 

By my guestimation.

[nolaAlive]

Yes, that's true...but it is not in abundant supply...

 

The US alone has some 50 million doses of effective anti-virals stockpiled.

 

So far, I don't think any of the cases in the US has required any - the cases are that weak.

[stevethepirate]

Cabo is approx 1150 nautical miles from San Francisco. At a cruising speed of about 22 knots it would take aout 53 hours to get there. If they left Cabo at 6 then they could arrive in San Fran Sometime Thursday evening (More likely Friday morning). Spend Friday there then sail Fri evening/Saturday back to LA.

 

By my guestimation.

 

But, They're only traveling at 16 knots. That's gonna be a long ride for a trip to Catalina.

[Tgianco]

Cabo is approx 1150 nautical miles from San Francisco. At a cruising speed of about 22 knots it would take aout 53 hours to get there. If they left Cabo at 6 then they could arrive in San Fran Sometime Thursday evening (More likely Friday morning). Spend Friday there then sail Fri evening/Saturday back to LA.

 

By my guestimation.

Well, they can catch a game at AT&T park on Friday night vs. the Washington Nationals.

 

Alright. it's time to get these cruisers a list of things to do in The City:

Bike across the Golden Gate

Pier 39

Academy of Sciences

Golden Gate Park

SF Opera

North Beach

Alcatraz (but that's another boat trip)

The Marina

SOMA

Haight Ashbury

De Young Museum

Union Square (big time shopping for the ladies)

Ghirardelli Square

Exploratorium

Fisherman's Wharf

Fort Mason

Museum of Modern Art

Conservatory of Flowers

Too Many art galleries

The Presidio

Chinatown

 

There's a lot to do, see & eat. I like days at sea anyway.

[big_duck]

But, They're only traveling at 16 knots. That's gonna be a long ride for a trip to Catalina.

 

According to Carnival.com they are going straight to San Fran due to arrive Friday May 1st.

[tbjl24]

Fisherman's Wharf

 

There's a lot to do, see & eat.

 

Mmmmmm. Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl gets my vote!!!!

[bobandsherry]

If I remember correctly the Splendor was late returning to Long Beach this past weekend. Which would account for a delay in boarding and perhaps issues with a separate VIP line. Especially if there were any weddings scheduled.

Late? No, we were in the port at roughly 7AM. Seemed to take a long time for customs to clear the ship (or that's what the staff said). But we were allowed to leave around 9AM which was about the same time as the week previous. Let's all remember, the boarding time is stated as being 1:30PM. We were allowed to board at 12:15PM, in talking with Carnival reps at the terminal, the earliest they have let people on (since Spledor has been there) was 11:30, the latest was 12:45.

[glrounds]

As an FYI for all cruisers now on Splendor - they no longer have early check-in at Queen Mary. When Splendor came into port, the expanded the terminal and now have early check-in right there at the terminal. Check in is now outside, we were able to check in at the terminal at 9:30AM. Everyone then just sits around outside, great when weather is nice, not sure what they do on bad weather days.

 

Thanks for the headsup. I'm truly sorry if I misinformed anyone. Its been a couple years. :o

[maxamuus]

Mmmmmm. Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl gets my vote!!!!

 

Those are soooooo tasty!!!

[retcwby]

have they gave out any info regarding shore excursions in SF yet??

 

you could go here

 

[shawilson]

We just got off Splendor on the 26th. The last day was so cold and windy, we couldn't even go out on our balcony. Seas were really rough. Everyone and their cousins were crowding into the casino. Not a free slot machine.

 

Our room steward told us the CDC was onboard, that was the delay in getting off. He was afraid they would say they couldn't sail.

 

I live 2 hours south of San Francisco, and it has been in the 40's in the morning, warming to the mid 50's at best. This morning they were saying cloudy and possible sprinkles for Fri & Sat. I hope the Splendor has calmer seas and wind than we had going into Long Beach.

[ccure911]

Too bad the Mexican ports were cancelled over such a small "scare". The media is really blowing things out of proportion. Over 140,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the regular flu, and less than 100 have died from this "swine flu" worldwide, two in Los Angeles, and the world is up in arms?

 

Have fun in San Francisco. According to weather.com the high for the rest of the week is 59 degrees, hope you packed some pants and a jacket! That retractable roof over the lido pool will actually come in handy this week.

 

I think I may make the two-hour drive down to SF just to get a good shot of the Splendor docked up here for probably the only time, what day / days will you be in SF? Or have they not shared the full details at this point?

 

Enjoy the rest of the cruise, I'm sure you'll make the best of it, and keep the updates coming!

 

"Splendor" Disembarked in San Francisco March 21, 2009 after it's South American voyage, so this is not the FIRST time in that port.

 

The ship arrived with majority of passengers still having an upper respiratory infection that had plaqued the ship for 49-days. The Doctor ran out of medication to treat the ill passengers.

 

Media is not blowing the swine flu out of portion "New flu strain of virus can MUTATE" and become stronger beyond what the US has experineced in years past, nor has meds to treat at the moment. US doctors are very concerned with this virus.

 

Carnival, and other cruise lines should be commended for the action they have taken to safe guard their passengers.

[LauraS]

Thanks for the suggestions for San Francisco. We're thinking (meaning me and the hosts) that we'll do Alcatraz together, the 'breadbowl' gig, and get some chocolate :)

 

As you can imagine, there are angry people on board. I won't give you my opinion but I did just come from a meeting in the theatre about the change. Many people where not so nice, I'm afraid. The Cruise Director, Brad, was wonderful and patience and extremely professional. I give him a lot of credit in this situation. It isn't pleasant to be yelled at.

 

Anyway, some of the requests by pax were: getting off in Long Beach, full refund of cruise far, refund of ALL cruise port charges (rather than just two), discount off future cruise, FREE future cruise.

 

Brad took the list and will make an announcement when he hears back from the powers that be.

 

This post of mine isn't meant to start a debate -- I'm just posting live from the ship. I'd like to keep Fred's post strictly a "what's happening" type discussion, so that everyone can enjoy it. If you want to discuss the issue, g/a and start a new thread.

 

I'm off to dinner, wish you were here!

 

Laura

[CC Help Michell]

Thanks for the suggestions for San Francisco. We're thinking (meaning me and the hosts) that we'll do Alcatraz together, the 'breadbowl' gig, and get some chocolate :)

 

As you can imagine, there are angry people on board. I won't give you my opinion but I did just come from a meeting in the theatre about the change. Many people where not so nice, I'm afraid. The Cruise Director, Brad, was wonderful and patience and extremely professional. I give him a lot of credit in this situation. It isn't pleasant to be yelled at.

 

Anyway, some of the requests by pax were: getting off in Long Beach, full refund of cruise far, refund of ALL cruise port charges (rather than just two), discount off future cruise, FREE future cruise.

 

Brad took the list and will make an announcement when he hears back from the powers that be.

 

This post of mine isn't meant to start a debate -- I'm just posting live from the ship. I'd like to keep Fred's post strictly a "what's happening" type discussion, so that everyone can enjoy it. If you want to discuss the issue, g/a and start a new thread.

 

I'm off to dinner, wish you were here!

 

Laura

 

Wish I were, too, even in these circumstances, Laura. I think some of your fellow pax need either a reading lesson (as they read the contract THEY signed), or just a general reality check! :D

 

Hope the rest of the cruise is great!

[bankonus]

Thanks Fred for your suggestion. I am doing just what you recommended. I know alot of people cannot handle a 7 day at sea cruise, but I would love it. I hate to change my vacation for ports I don't like, especially when I have plane tickets I can't change. I wold rather have my port charges refunded to me and use them for the DOD's by the pool for 7 days. I am from California originally and I hate to waste my port money visiting places I've been to on a regular basis. However I do understand others have never been to these places before. Hopefully this will be played out by the time June 7th comes. Probably not though.:( A cruise is still a cruise though.

[sam1148]

Thanks for the suggestions for San Francisco. We're thinking (meaning me and the hosts) that we'll do Alcatraz together, the 'breadbowl' gig, and get some chocolate :)

 

 

Laura

 

 

I'd do Japantown. Lots of resturants..Japaneses shops for souvenirs. (get a puzzle box). Sometimes they'll have dancers, street performers..etc. Toy stores for the kids (and adults) with Japanese pop culture wacky stuff, antique stores, cooking stores..etc.

[retcwby]

Thanks Fred for your suggestion. I am doing just what you recommended. I know alot of people cannot handle a 7 day at sea cruise, but I would love it. I hate to change my vacation for ports I don't like, especially when I have plane tickets I can't change. I wold rather have my port charges refunded to me and use them for the DOD's by the pool for 7 days. I am from California originally and I hate to waste my port money visiting places I've been to on a regular basis. However I do understand others have never been to these places before. Hopefully this will be played out by the time June 7th comes. Probably not though.:( A cruise is still a cruise though.

 

Ditto what Bank said!!