Regent Grandeur Illness
Sep 6th, 2024, 07:47 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regent Grandeur Illness
The unfortunate reality of cruising in 2024.
We first noticed the problem within 24 hours of boarding the magnificent Regent Seven Seas Grandeur on August 24, 2024. One day into the 16 day trans-Atlantic voyage from Barcelona to New York City, my partner and I commented “There sure are a lot of sick people on this ship.”
During the six weeks we were traveling around Europe prior to beginning the cruise, we had read and seen the daily news reports from the United States indicating that Covid was making a big comeback and levels of the infection were the highest in two years. We weren’t worried because we were up to date with vaccinations and brought test kits and Paxlovid with us, just as a precaution. Fortunately, we traveled throughout Europe happy and healthy.
So seeing the level of obvious illness on the ship was disturbing. The ship echoed with a constant cacophony of coughing, sneezing, and hacking yet there was almost zero masking.
In La Veranda buffet, I witnessed a passenger sneeze into her hand then pick up the tongs to load lettuce onto her plate then wade through the salad bar using the same hand to add tomatoes, onions, etc (I moved on to another salad bar outside but thought how others would likely now fall ill because of her inconsideration).
In the library, a woman sat in a corner loudly coughing and sneezing about every 15 seconds, no mask, likely spreading whatever she had to others in the close quarters. I thought her cabin mate probably told her she was so sick to get out of the stateroom and go somewhere else.
By day three, the ship made an announcement that passengers must increase hand washing and begin masking if they were ill. Masking increased somewhat, but by then, it was too late.
On previous cruises we have taken (this is our 35th cruise), cruise lines like Celebrity and Crystal have implemented urgent safety measures including no more self service at buffets and in some cases, mandatory masking when illness became apparent. But that was not the case on this Regent cruise. While the Captain made the decision to scrub one port stop in The Azores because unfavorable winds made docking difficult (all done for “the safety of passengers and crew”), no such safety measures were implemented to address the levels of illness on the ship.
Sure enough, on the tenth day of the cruise, I caught a very mild cold. Unfortunately, the suitcase I had which contained cold medicine (and Paxlovid) was stolen while in Barcelona so I couldn’t self medicate. Being in the middle of four days at sea and unable to visit a drug store, I made the mistake of going to the ship clinic (and yes, I was masked). There, I tested positive for Covid. The doctor said I was the fourth person he was treating at the time for Covid, but added there were indeed a lot of sicker people on board who would not come to the clinic and there was nothing they could do to adequately track the rate of illness on board.
As with my prior bout with Covid, Paxlovid knocked it down quickly and within two days I was 100% back to normal. All symptoms are gone. But the impact lingers. I am now quarantined in my stateroom for the remainder of the cruise. Twice a day, I get a phone call making sure I am abiding by the quarantine. When I asked if I could at least walk up the stairs to the top deck (masked) and get some exercise walking in the open air, I was told absolutely not, and they would know if I did. When I pointed out that their regulations do not match those that the CDC issued in March of this year, their reaction was that they don’t go by the CDC rules, they have their own.
I have trip insurance that would reimburse me should I need to leave the ship, so I asked the doctor if he would authorize me to get off at the next stop in Portland, Maine. He said no, I needed to stay on board (without a doctor order, the insurance will not pay).
My partner is fine and is able to continue all activities including shore tours, etc. As a courtesy to others, he is now masking. Coming back from a tour yesterday, he again commented on the obvious illness which has only increased among passengers. While they remain ill and going about their cruise, the conscientious passengers (some may call them stupid) who went to the clinic are treated like lepers in their own private leper colony.
Cruise lines are understandably scared of losing passengers as it decimated the industry during the Covid shutdown. A mere hint of illness onboard sends shudders throughout the industry to the point that it seems best to ignore the issue rather than acknowledge it. And that attitude has perhaps lead to the current situation here on Regent.
Had Regent and its parent company NCL taken steps to better safeguard their passengers (as Celebrity and Crystal did on previous cruises) early in the cruise, many of us on board would not be in the situation we are, spending thousands of dollars to be confined to a floating bedroom 24 hours a day. I have contacted Regent customer relations but have yet to hear back as of this posting.
We first noticed the problem within 24 hours of boarding the magnificent Regent Seven Seas Grandeur on August 24, 2024. One day into the 16 day trans-Atlantic voyage from Barcelona to New York City, my partner and I commented “There sure are a lot of sick people on this ship.”
During the six weeks we were traveling around Europe prior to beginning the cruise, we had read and seen the daily news reports from the United States indicating that Covid was making a big comeback and levels of the infection were the highest in two years. We weren’t worried because we were up to date with vaccinations and brought test kits and Paxlovid with us, just as a precaution. Fortunately, we traveled throughout Europe happy and healthy.
So seeing the level of obvious illness on the ship was disturbing. The ship echoed with a constant cacophony of coughing, sneezing, and hacking yet there was almost zero masking.
In La Veranda buffet, I witnessed a passenger sneeze into her hand then pick up the tongs to load lettuce onto her plate then wade through the salad bar using the same hand to add tomatoes, onions, etc (I moved on to another salad bar outside but thought how others would likely now fall ill because of her inconsideration).
In the library, a woman sat in a corner loudly coughing and sneezing about every 15 seconds, no mask, likely spreading whatever she had to others in the close quarters. I thought her cabin mate probably told her she was so sick to get out of the stateroom and go somewhere else.
By day three, the ship made an announcement that passengers must increase hand washing and begin masking if they were ill. Masking increased somewhat, but by then, it was too late.
On previous cruises we have taken (this is our 35th cruise), cruise lines like Celebrity and Crystal have implemented urgent safety measures including no more self service at buffets and in some cases, mandatory masking when illness became apparent. But that was not the case on this Regent cruise. While the Captain made the decision to scrub one port stop in The Azores because unfavorable winds made docking difficult (all done for “the safety of passengers and crew”), no such safety measures were implemented to address the levels of illness on the ship.
Sure enough, on the tenth day of the cruise, I caught a very mild cold. Unfortunately, the suitcase I had which contained cold medicine (and Paxlovid) was stolen while in Barcelona so I couldn’t self medicate. Being in the middle of four days at sea and unable to visit a drug store, I made the mistake of going to the ship clinic (and yes, I was masked). There, I tested positive for Covid. The doctor said I was the fourth person he was treating at the time for Covid, but added there were indeed a lot of sicker people on board who would not come to the clinic and there was nothing they could do to adequately track the rate of illness on board.
As with my prior bout with Covid, Paxlovid knocked it down quickly and within two days I was 100% back to normal. All symptoms are gone. But the impact lingers. I am now quarantined in my stateroom for the remainder of the cruise. Twice a day, I get a phone call making sure I am abiding by the quarantine. When I asked if I could at least walk up the stairs to the top deck (masked) and get some exercise walking in the open air, I was told absolutely not, and they would know if I did. When I pointed out that their regulations do not match those that the CDC issued in March of this year, their reaction was that they don’t go by the CDC rules, they have their own.
I have trip insurance that would reimburse me should I need to leave the ship, so I asked the doctor if he would authorize me to get off at the next stop in Portland, Maine. He said no, I needed to stay on board (without a doctor order, the insurance will not pay).
My partner is fine and is able to continue all activities including shore tours, etc. As a courtesy to others, he is now masking. Coming back from a tour yesterday, he again commented on the obvious illness which has only increased among passengers. While they remain ill and going about their cruise, the conscientious passengers (some may call them stupid) who went to the clinic are treated like lepers in their own private leper colony.
Cruise lines are understandably scared of losing passengers as it decimated the industry during the Covid shutdown. A mere hint of illness onboard sends shudders throughout the industry to the point that it seems best to ignore the issue rather than acknowledge it. And that attitude has perhaps lead to the current situation here on Regent.
Had Regent and its parent company NCL taken steps to better safeguard their passengers (as Celebrity and Crystal did on previous cruises) early in the cruise, many of us on board would not be in the situation we are, spending thousands of dollars to be confined to a floating bedroom 24 hours a day. I have contacted Regent customer relations but have yet to hear back as of this posting.
Sep 6th, 2024, 10:01 AM
#2
Not surprising that there is a lot of COVID on board. Cruise Ships are notorious for spreading respiratory illnesses.
You were probably too early for the "new" COVID vaccine which just was released a week or two ago. A lot of the boarding procedures do cram everyone together and then there are all of the people flying in a day or two before the cruise. I would have given that library lady the biggest stink eye.
Don't you keep your meds (and especially Paxlovid) with you, and not in luggage that could be stolen (or was it stolen from your hotel?)
I would be curious about how much NCL charges for your clinic visit and medication? I can only imagine. I've heard that without insurance Paxlovid is about $1,000 for a course of treatment. And NCL is well known as the 'nickel and dime' cruise line.
I will be on an NCL cruise at the beginning of October so hope that getting the new jab helps....
You were probably too early for the "new" COVID vaccine which just was released a week or two ago. A lot of the boarding procedures do cram everyone together and then there are all of the people flying in a day or two before the cruise. I would have given that library lady the biggest stink eye.
Don't you keep your meds (and especially Paxlovid) with you, and not in luggage that could be stolen (or was it stolen from your hotel?)
I would be curious about how much NCL charges for your clinic visit and medication? I can only imagine. I've heard that without insurance Paxlovid is about $1,000 for a course of treatment. And NCL is well known as the 'nickel and dime' cruise line.
I will be on an NCL cruise at the beginning of October so hope that getting the new jab helps....
Oct 2nd, 2024, 06:45 AM
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 24,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What a bad story!
I am taking my first cruise in January on Princess, 7 nights with very dull stops in the Caribbean. I am doing this as a favor to my partner who has always wanted to go, and we got a good deal (or at least I think it is a good deal) through a Men's Club group in Florida. I think the ship is the Sun Princess......I did NO reading about this, just agreed to join the group who will be traveling.
SO: Question is: Is there anything one can realistically do to avoid getting sick? Sounds as if we ought to being Paxlovid with us (??)
I know this is question I should know, but can you bring your laptop and use it for free, or do you have to pay some crazy fee to do that?
How about using iPhone?
I am taking my first cruise in January on Princess, 7 nights with very dull stops in the Caribbean. I am doing this as a favor to my partner who has always wanted to go, and we got a good deal (or at least I think it is a good deal) through a Men's Club group in Florida. I think the ship is the Sun Princess......I did NO reading about this, just agreed to join the group who will be traveling.
SO: Question is: Is there anything one can realistically do to avoid getting sick? Sounds as if we ought to being Paxlovid with us (??)
I know this is question I should know, but can you bring your laptop and use it for free, or do you have to pay some crazy fee to do that?
How about using iPhone?
Oct 2nd, 2024, 03:52 PM
#4
I've not sailed on Princess . . . but on cruises in general - one pays (often a LOT) for wifi, etc. They usually offer data packages of some sort to 'save you $$' but in reality to just make it not cost as much as a car payment.
Oct 3rd, 2024, 08:33 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What a bad story!
I am taking my first cruise in January on Princess, 7 nights with very dull stops in the Caribbean. I am doing this as a favor to my partner who has always wanted to go, and we got a good deal (or at least I think it is a good deal) through a Men's Club group in Florida. I think the ship is the Sun Princess......I did NO reading about this, just agreed to join the group who will be traveling.
SO: Question is: Is there anything one can realistically do to avoid getting sick? Sounds as if we ought to being Paxlovid with us (??)
I know this is question I should know, but can you bring your laptop and use it for free, or do you have to pay some crazy fee to do that?
How about using iPhone?
I am taking my first cruise in January on Princess, 7 nights with very dull stops in the Caribbean. I am doing this as a favor to my partner who has always wanted to go, and we got a good deal (or at least I think it is a good deal) through a Men's Club group in Florida. I think the ship is the Sun Princess......I did NO reading about this, just agreed to join the group who will be traveling.
SO: Question is: Is there anything one can realistically do to avoid getting sick? Sounds as if we ought to being Paxlovid with us (??)
I know this is question I should know, but can you bring your laptop and use it for free, or do you have to pay some crazy fee to do that?
How about using iPhone?
Wearing a KN or N 95 mask is another measure.
Be up to your immunizations like flu and covid shots.
If you bring Paxlovid then also bring a self testing Covid kit to be sure you are treating it if that is what is causing illness.
Ships can charge very high fees for wi-fi. I don't know what Princess charges but as you will be in the Caribbean you can just find a spot with free wifi like say a bar or cafe and hook up once in port.
You can check with your carrier to see what packages they have when you are over seas. I think Verizon which is what I have charges $10.00 per day or at least they used to.
We have a cruise upcoming in April on NCL and it includes 300 minutes free wifi per device though connectivity at sea could be spotty for us as this is a TA from San Juan to Lisbon. You can upgrade this for a fee which is an option for us. I am not sure what your carrier offers or what Princess offers as well.
As for use of your laptop it depends on what Princess offers though if you want to spend a lot of time it will cost you a lot.
I'm bringing books to read as our cruise is 13 days with 7 days at sea.
Good luck.
Trending Topics
Oct 6th, 2024, 04:29 PM
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 24,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you!
It might be good to bring my books. I stock up on used paperbacks from amazon just to take with me when I travel.
I have Verizon but I might just take a break from the phone for a week....and if necessary use the WiFI on a stop.
We will have three port visits: One in the DR, and two in those "resorts" fenced off rom the locals and for use only by cruisers. The latter interest me not at all.
In the DR I guess we will just take a taxi to drive us around....you can see how little interest I have that I cannot even remember exactly where that stopover is...as I said, I am going to please my partner, who is interested in the shows and the casino. So I will be happy to read and walk around the ship......just to look out at the sea all day sounds great.
The ship is the SunPrincess and leaves from Port Everglades in early January, for 7 nights. I upgraded to a balcony cabin.
It might be good to bring my books. I stock up on used paperbacks from amazon just to take with me when I travel.
I have Verizon but I might just take a break from the phone for a week....and if necessary use the WiFI on a stop.
We will have three port visits: One in the DR, and two in those "resorts" fenced off rom the locals and for use only by cruisers. The latter interest me not at all.
In the DR I guess we will just take a taxi to drive us around....you can see how little interest I have that I cannot even remember exactly where that stopover is...as I said, I am going to please my partner, who is interested in the shows and the casino. So I will be happy to read and walk around the ship......just to look out at the sea all day sounds great.
The ship is the SunPrincess and leaves from Port Everglades in early January, for 7 nights. I upgraded to a balcony cabin.
Oct 7th, 2024, 06:53 AM
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you!
It might be good to bring my books. I stock up on used paperbacks from amazon just to take with me when I travel.
I have Verizon but I might just take a break from the phone for a week....and if necessary use the WiFI on a stop.
We will have three port visits: One in the DR, and two in those "resorts" fenced off rom the locals and for use only by cruisers. The latter interest me not at all.
In the DR I guess we will just take a taxi to drive us around....you can see how little interest I have that I cannot even remember exactly where that stopover is...as I said, I am going to please my partner, who is interested in the shows and the casino. So I will be happy to read and walk around the ship......just to look out at the sea all day sounds great.
The ship is the SunPrincess and leaves from Port Everglades in early January, for 7 nights. I upgraded to a balcony cabin.
It might be good to bring my books. I stock up on used paperbacks from amazon just to take with me when I travel.
I have Verizon but I might just take a break from the phone for a week....and if necessary use the WiFI on a stop.
We will have three port visits: One in the DR, and two in those "resorts" fenced off rom the locals and for use only by cruisers. The latter interest me not at all.
In the DR I guess we will just take a taxi to drive us around....you can see how little interest I have that I cannot even remember exactly where that stopover is...as I said, I am going to please my partner, who is interested in the shows and the casino. So I will be happy to read and walk around the ship......just to look out at the sea all day sounds great.
The ship is the SunPrincess and leaves from Port Everglades in early January, for 7 nights. I upgraded to a balcony cabin.
I think it’s a cool idea to upgrade to a balcony and I think you’ll enjoy that.
we have taken around 20 cruises and doing a private tour or as you suggested getting a cab in port, I think will be fine. We’ve had no problems at all, but to be aware that if the cab gets you back late, the ship won’t wait for you.
that being sad and as this is your first cruise and it’s on a brand new ship, it just may be in may not be your last.
Bon voyage
Larry
Oct 10th, 2024, 12:09 PM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the last year I've taken 4 cruises. Two were on Hurtigruten and two were on Princess. (Most recently the Sun Princess) Hurtigruten has very small ships and I was fine on both of those cruises. But on both Princess ships there were a lot of visibly sick people. Also on both Princess cruises, my traveling companion and I got covid. I understand it can happen on small ships too, but at this point I'm very hesitant to cruise on a large ship again. It was my impression that Princess was looking the other way when almost everyone on the ship was coughing loudly and sneezing into their hands, or just into the air.
