Posted on 03/03/2020 9:52:19 AM PST by entropy12
So many FRiends had expressed concern about me going on a crowded cruise ship due to Corona Virus Disease (covid), I am posting a post-cruise report here.
All the usual places such as show theater, buffet restaurants, dining rooms, casino, smaller bars & lounges were crowded. Everyone seem to be out of their staterooms having a great time. I did notice their were very few Oriental passengers but almost all of the crew was Oriental mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia & Philippines. The weather was cool but sunny most of the time, and so plenty of opportunity to use all the outside amenities on ship. The Gym on 12th floor at front of ship had expansive view of the ocean and was nicely equipped with variety of machines, and I used it everyday. That is necessary for me because I tend to eat a lot on cruise ships, with all the great cuisine and no bills. The entire ship was no-smoking except the casino and a small designated area on the 11th floor outdoors. So I avoided both.
The stage shows every evening were very good with vigorous dance routines in colorful costumes by 8 young people in fantastic shape. The cruise director "Cam" was particularly good and ran all the adult game shows such as newlywed games and was a comedian by himself. The adult comedians were good as well who performed in smaller lounges. The ship had 2 stops in the 5 day cruise, Freeport Bahamas and a private island beach. We stayed on the ship during the Free[port stop since we have been there a few times before, and the ship is a good place when in port with no crowds in pools and hot tubs and restaurants. The private island required tenders which are small boats which take you from ship to shore and we always enjoy that place.
OK so now it is 3 days since disembarking from the ship, and no signs of any sickness. But covid-19 can incubate for upto 2 weeks before symptoms can show up, so taking the usual precautions such as sleep enough, eat enough nutritious food and keep up with my Gym routine every other day. If you dont hear from me for 2 weeks on this issue, consider no news is good news!
You went on this after the news broke about the virus?
If you don’t mind tell us freepers, what ages are the two of you ? What were the average age of the other passengers. Carnival is known for the younger crowd. We usually do Holland when we can.
For cryin out loud, give em a break, after all it was the Carnival ECSTASY ship!
Good that you are still feeling well and taking care of yourself.
I thought about this a couple weeks ago when I was debating whether to cancel taking an airline flight, if you are going to end up catching this thing anyway, you’re probably better off getting it early. If for any reason you need medications or even a hospital stay, you’re much more likely to be well seen after than if you ended up coming down with it much later after the real SHTF. So I would never intentionally try to get infected, but I decided that it’s silly to change your life and travel plans now over it either.
I was on the Ecstasy about 10 years ago.
Out of Galveston, Cozumel - Progresso - someplace else.
It was pretty cool. Good food, cold beer & I could smoke in my cheap cabin.
You failed to mention where the cruise took place. That’s an important bit of information.
Also, was the ship recently re-named? Is the new name the “Diamond Prince” by any chance?
I’m all for ecstasy! The emotion - not the illegal drug, that is, heh.
Cruise ship, I’d probably take a pass.
Embarked and disembarked in Jacksonville, FL and only stops were Freeport, Bahamas and a private island not far from there.
Pop some vitamin C and make sure to get a half hour of sunshine each day, minimal.
My wife and I are looking at cruises right now, too. For some reason, the rates are REAL cheap.
Now this is only a single anecdotal data point, but the Southwest Airlines flight from Spokane to San Jose yesterday afternoon was only 45% full. That flight is normally 100% packed. The last time I took it was probably 6 months ago and I take it 2 or 3 times each year. It was shocking to see it so empty. I asked the nice flight attendant for a beer with the pretzels; she didn't charge me. As we were beginning our descent into the San Jose, I asked her for the bill. She tapped my shoulder and said "Don't worry about it" which was a nice surprise. Maybe they are trying to keep people flying with free alcohol. Free alcohol in the can is probably more effective than free alcohol wipes at keeping people coming back.
Yes, because I refuse to panic. Life must go on as normal as possible. And cruises are a bargain vacation value.
While 8 or so have died due to new virus, 100+ died during the same period in car accidents. So please drive carefully and defensively y’all.
Thanks. So not exactly hotspots, then.
“You went on this after the news broke about the virus?”
We went on a Princess cruise two weeks after the news about the virus. Everyone was fine.
That is funny cartoon, but as I said in my original post, did not see a single person wearing mask on ship.
That’s hilarious. Just sent it to my family and to my sister!
Very Funny
BTDT cruise (before the Ecstasy arrived), love Carnival cruises, try to go every few years, just went with 50+ HS alumni last year.
From personal experience, Carnival really does let one have as much fun as one wishes there.
Which as some others and I suspect, relates to the occasional obamahead “falling” overboard at times.
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