Cruising choices with an active Pandemic

[RooFlyer]

Here's a Ponant question for anyone with any knowledge. ... ... .about how Ponant handles a Covid outbreak in a remote area; i.e. a long way from a major port.

Boarding with Ponant this afternoon. I'll ask & report back.

 

[Port Power]

Thanks @Quickstatus - read the Ponant doc but it really stresses the limited medical care available - I'm thinking of the whole cruise being totally disrupted by an outbreak and other 'doomsday' scenarios. Of course one could say if you're that nervous don't go which is our thinking right now. Ponant to date have refused refunds which is why we re-booked - could use the credit for something closer to home. This will be a tough decision as we have flights booked and many land-based hotels for pre/post cruise (all fully refundable thank goodness).

BTW - we have good friends who recently returned from a small ship cruise in Alaska (80 passengers / not Ponant) and in spite of pre-cruise testing required, there was a major outbreak (over 50% of all passengers and crew infected) - no one offloaded but greatly reduced activities and service. (They were OK probably because they both had recovered from Covid just before leaving Australia).

When my Ponant Australian cruises were cancelled last year because Ponant didn’t cone to Australia, I received full refunds of deposits paid. Firstly perhaps because of an an excellent travel agent. Secondly perhaps because of Australian laws. It seems unfair you were refused a refund

Regarding COVID, I assume you would be confined to your own cabin for a week and meals provided from the regular menu. I “assume” because this seems to be what all the ships are doing now. If you were extremely ill you might need evacuation, which is where your travel insurance comes in. There is a point over a certain percentage of positive cases when the Captain has to take action, but I don’t know any details.

 

[RooFlyer]

Or do they tend to board another way rather than a queue ( cabin no. Or front to back etc).

To answer my own question. When you rock up, check bags ( and hear amazement that my bags are labelled exactly as we were told!) and then given a sequential number. You are called up for health paperwork in that order.

Although I arrived 1/2 early, looks like most arrived earlier!!

Not sure about subsequent stuff. Seems to be at least 3 stages.

 

[Port Power]

To answer my own question. When you rock up, check bags ( and hear amazement that my bags are labelled exactly as we were told!) and then given a sequential number. You are called up for health paperwork in that order.

Although I arrived 1/2 early, looks like most arrived earlier!!

Not sure about subsequent stuff. Seems to be at least 3 stages.

View attachment 286853

I know it’s Darwin, and the weather is pretty warm, but I can’t see anybody dressed to the Ponant “standard”. No “resort casual” duds on show here. I guess it will be mainly Australians on board anyway, but I can envision the maître d’ having the vapours!

 

[RooFlyer]

I know it’s Darwin, and the weather is pretty warm, but I can’t see anybody dressed to the Ponant “standard”. No “resort casual” duds on show here. I guess it will be mainly Australians on board anyway, but I can envision the maître d’ having the vapours!

I was the same but showered and changed as soon as I got to the cabin!
I'm sure the captain will whip the recalcitrants into line.

I've just discovered the phrase "premium package"

 

[Pushka]

I was the same but showered and changed as soon as I got to the cabin!
I'm sure the captain will whip the recalcitrants into line.

I've just discovered the phrase "premium package"

The best part of being onboard any cruise. Don't like a drink? No probs. Get another.

 

[Pushka]

It's a little sad on the Viking forum with regards to cruises heading from Canada to Australia etc next month Asia specifically Japan and Hong Kong. Viking has not told their passengers anything about the issues whilst other cruise lines are already cancelling that part. Some people are across the issues and know that it will be completely modified, but can't get a word out of Viking. Others know the issues but think that Viking will sort it out with the Japanese and Hong Kong Govt . Some are only travelling for Japan and don't want a completely changed itinerary. The Viking Fan Bois are stating that Viking will be honest and give them a wonderful trip to somewhere they didn't want to and to call them (completely ignoring the fact that Viking have not said anything over the phone). And the funniest lot are those who've read the posts about the issues, and come in with 'we are booking a private tour in Japan as a shore excursion and who wants to join them There is a NZ traveller who is completely up to speed, she has already got her ETIAS? for Japan as she is doing a land tour of a few days with a Japanese Agency but she has to front up to the Japanese Embassy for her visa, and she is flying to Vancouver for this cruise down to Tokyo. Let me also state this cruise would have cost well over $20,000.

. An update. A bolshy Fan Boi just lectured me on how even Australia has introduced this new Entry Application App that cannot be completed online through a website, and takes a lot of time to complete and that Viking has to work through that process too. She knows this because she has friends who come to Australia every few months. I explained that the website was always available and worked better than the app and it's now been scrapped anyway. Crickets.

 

[drron]

Same on the Silversea board but only a few idiots such as Silversea will arrange the group tours through their agent. Well no.

 

[Port Power]

It's a little sad on the Viking forum with regards to cruises heading from Canada to Australia etc next month Asia specifically Japan and Hong Kong. Viking has not told their passengers anything about the issues whilst other cruise lines are already cancelling that part. Some people are across the issues and know that it will be completely modified, but can't get a word out of Viking. Others know the issues but think that Viking will sort it out with the Japanese and Hong Kong Govt . Some are only travelling for Japan and don't want a completely changed itinerary. The Viking Fan Bois are stating that Viking will be honest and give them a wonderful trip to somewhere they didn't want to and to call them (completely ignoring the fact that Viking have not said anything over the phone). And the funniest lot are those who've read the posts about the issues, and come in with 'we are booking a private tour in Japan as a shore excursion and who wants to join them There is a NZ traveller who is completely up to speed, she has already got her ETIAS? for Japan as she is doing a land tour of a few days with a Japanese Agency but she has to front up to the Japanese Embassy for her visa, and she is flying to Vancouver for this cruise down to Tokyo. Let me also state this cruise would have cost well over $20,000.

. An update. A bolshy Fan Boi just lectured me on how even Australia has introduced this new Entry Application App that cannot be completed online through a website, and takes a lot of time to complete and that Viking has to work through that process too. She knows this because she has friends who come to Australia every few months. I explained that the website was always available and worked better than the app and it's now been scrapped anyway. Crickets.

I haven't found the thread you refer to, but I have read some of the roll calls. It really beggars belief! Although there are numerous posts describing Japan being closed and cruise ships not allowed, someone then pops up with "I have arranged a walking tour. Who wants to join?"
Mind you, Viking are really way behind all the other lines in cancelling and letting their guests know! And we thought Silversea was dragging its feet!

 

[drron]

Well within 48 hours we will return to cruising. Our self performed RATs today were negative.

 

[Pushka]

I haven't found the thread you refer to, but I have read some of the roll calls. It really beggars belief! Although there are numerous posts describing Japan being closed and cruise ships not allowed, someone then pops up with "I have arranged a walking tour. Who wants to join?"
Mind you, Viking are really way behind all the other lines in cancelling and letting their guests know! And we thought Silversea was dragging its feet!

Tommycat is a bit naive. Posted on 9th August. He's only worried about getting his personal visa and not the fact that Viking cruises don't have the required Japanese Agency accreditation.

The link is HERE but you might need to be a member of CC to read it.

It's rather foolish of Viking because people just yesterday have worked out that now, from Canada the ship is now going to Hawaii. But they won't tell people until tomorrow. People find out things these days. Most will want to cancel because Japan was their reason for the cruise, not Hawaii.

 

[smckay]

how Ponant handles a Covid outbreak in a remote area; i.e. a long way from a major port.

thanks.

The paperwork we have states they have about 5 cabins set aside for positive results to isolate. Methinks it will be the 5 porthole rooms on deck 3.
They also have medical teams on board apparently able to deal with covid.
Last, they have started to offer a $45AUD insurance that will get you off the ship if need be.
Their Australian website has updated deets on how and what regarding the 'vid

 

[Quickstatus]

Our self performed RAT

How many did you carry for your TR? Are you intending to also procure replenishment RAT while on TR?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

How many did you carry for your TR? Are you intending to also procure replenishment RAT while on TR?

From memory I think we have about 20. I may buy some more depending on the price !!
We have organised a ratified test tomorrow morning at the hotel, with printed results in 3 hours, to get us on board the Silver Dawn.

 

[drron]

If you need a pre boarding test in Barcelona this is the place to use -
www.teletest.es
But book through [email protected].
Great service. You can get them to come to your hotel which we did. Booked time for 0830-0900.
Nurse in the room at 0831. Test done and waited the 15 minutes and immediately you get a certificate with QR code.
Mrsdrron wanted a printout so she went down to the concierge with the nurse and that was done straight away.
Even better the tests were negative,

 

[Quickstatus]

pre boarding tes

€?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

€?

From memory it was 65 euros per test, you pay by c.c when booking online. It is cheaper if you go to one of their collection offices.

 

[RooFlyer]

From memory I think we have about 20. I may buy some more depending on the price !!
We have organised a ratified test tomorrow morning at the hotel, with printed results in 3 hours, to get us on board the Silver Dawn.

for boarding my Ponant boat, it was a self -administered RAT within 24 hrs with a photograph of the result cartridge uploaded to their website. All done on the “honour“ system as they called it.

 

[drron]

So when we boarded 3 days ago we were told that we would have a RAT test done the day before the change over day.
Yesterday Silversea announced from now no more in transit testing so we are free.

 

[Pushka]

So when we boarded 3 days ago we were told that we would have a RAT test done the day before the change over day.
Yesterday Silversea announced from now no more in transit testing so we are free.

DIL joined a Cunard cruise from Southampton yesterday. Previously a boarding RAT was required. Now it's just take a test on your own and that's it. No proof of negative required, relies on honesty.