MS Westerdam, Holland America Line's Unwanted Ship

[bigwheelzip]

It seems mass hysteria has gripped the voyage of the MS Westerdam, which left Hong Kong on February 1 for a fourteen day cruise of Asian ports. Based on fear of the COVID-19 Corona Virus, it has been refused entry everywhere, even the American port at Guam, even though nobody aboard is known to be sick.

If entry continues to be denied, international law dictates that it must be accepted at port once it's reserves of food or fuel are exhausted, which is expected to happen in about three days.

This might be a good year to stay home on vacation.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

MS Westerdam, Holland America Line's Unwanted Ship

Yep, a "Staycation" is making a lot of really good sense all the time. A friend is on that ship. $25,000 (includes airfare to-from the port) for fourteen "sea days" just doesn't sound like a great vacation plan to me either!

We were planning to go to the "Baltic States" in August. but it sure doesn't occur to me that this virus in under control by any stretch of the imagination.

Bill

 

[6518John]

“Going on a cruise is like being in jail except you have the chance to drown.” Lou Holtz.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Yep, a "Staycation" is making a lot of really good sense all the time. A friend is on that ship. $25,000 (includes airfare to-from the port) for fourteen "sea days" just doesn't sound like a great vacation plan to me either!

We were planning to go to the "Baltic States" in August. but it sure doesn't occur to me that this virus in under control by any stretch of the imagination.

Bill

25 grand, wow. I hope your friend gets home afterward without too much more aggravation, and maybe a refund.

I've got a land tour of Italy booked for May, and found out that the first virus cases found in that country, were at the hotel next to the one we are using in Rome. Still planning to go, but have unlimited cancellation insurance in case we chicken out.

Good luck with your Baltic trip.

 

[walkin jack]

We have been on between 27 and 30 cruises on various cruise lines. All the scares over viruses aside, the absolute worst, sorriest, most lack-luster cruise ever in every measurable way and in lots of ways that are unnameable ways Holland America was the worst. I wouldn't cruise them again if some one paid me to do it.

I haven't been on just every cruise line but I've been on enough to have a good point of reference and HA has not one redeeming quality.

 

[NYlakesider]

We have taken 16 cruises, with most of them being 2 weeks.

Sure glad I'm home and not floating around in a giant Petri dish right now.

 

[bigwheelzip]

...floating around in a giant Petri dish ....

People here have such a way with words.

 

[DWalt]

My wife is on a Caribbean cruise this week on a Holland America cruise ship. I doubt that there will be much of a Coronavirus outbreak risk until after she returns next week. I have always had my concerns about some disease outbreak at sea.

 

[mbliss57]

We are scheduled to cruise HALs sister ship the Eurodam on March 1st to March 18th. 17 nights. San Diego to Hawaii and back. This was $5K total with balconies for 2 people. $25K is a really high price for a 2 week cruise on HA. Maybe on a Regents 7 Seas or Crystal cruises that have much smaller ships and is all inclusive. We have cruised a lot but it is our 1st HA cruise. Usually Royal Caribbean or Princess.
As far as Corona Virus it is so overblown by our media. I don't have stats but these flu virus happen every year. Nevertheless I wouldn't be happy to be quarantined on a ship. But if it sails we will be on it.

 

[glenwolde]

My wife works in Healthcare and describes cruise ships as "giant floating Petri dishes". She won't get on one.

 

[beaverislander]

Koingsdam 11 day Carribean

Wife and I just got off the Koingsdam Feb 2nd and have been sick every since. Thankfully it's just the run of the mill flu, but at 70 y/o getting this sick isn't fun. Flu advanced to bacterial infection.... on the second antibiotic now, wife has to have breathing treatments etc. etc. It was our second and last cruise.

I tried to call Holland American 2 days after we got back to see if there were updates that they didn't tell us about we when got off, was disconnected 3-4 times, kept getting put back in the 1st prompt after choosing the correct prompts, and finally got angry enough that I called their emergency number...and had to leave a message! They called back that night, 7 hours later, and informed me I needed to talk to the medical team so I said I'd hold.... then told they were busy and it would be several days, up to two weeks before I should expect a call back. I told them by then we'd either be better or dead so to just forget it.

NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!

(p.s. the ONLY good news is that a S&W 500 mag somehow ended up in my luggage

 

[Watchdog]

I've never understood the fascination with or attraction to cruises.

 

[Onomea]

No cruises for me, thank you very much!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Wife and I just got off the Koingsdam Feb 2nd and have been sick every since. Thankfully it's just the run of the mill flu, but at 70 y/o getting this sick isn't fun. Flu advanced to bacterial infection.... on the second antibiotic now, wife has to have breathing treatments etc. etc. It was our second and last cruise.

How awful! You and your wife are in my prayers. Get well soon.
With COPD and parts of a lung removed, my advanced risk with pulmonary issues concerns me during these outbreaks.



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[BAM-BAM]

Noticed they're starting to show "World War Z" on the cable channels................................. just saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grayfox]

China is being very tight lipped about the Corona outbreak. I've seen some pictures that have gotten out showing hospitals with the hallways packed with patients. Estimates are thousands dead. But nobody knows for sure because China ain't talking.
Without verifiable info, every other country in the world is scared poopless that it could spread.
I truly do feel sorry for those poor folks stuck on that ship, but I do understand why.
I'll bet that whatever port they end up in, the officials will give them food, water and fuel, but leave the people quarantined aboard the ship.

 

[muddocktor]

I've never understood the fascination with or attraction to cruises.

As a person who has worked on both floating and stationary steel in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico for a large part of my working life, I know just where you are coming from. There is no attraction for me to go get on a piece of steel and float around and be cooped up with with thousands of germ laden folks. I've seen first hand just how fast the flu can spread around in those circumstances.

 

[JH1951]

My wife and I sat down today to discuss the reservations we made for this summer. It took two minutes to agree without reserve or compromise to cancel the plans and get a refund. We decided to beat the rush and had it done within 15 minutes. We will remodel the bathroom instead.
Honestly, I hope we are wrong and nothing much comes of the virus. But we will have a nice bathroom either way.
Wait until we start hearing the statistics and revenue losses to the travel and destination industries. Things like this do not bode well for the world economy.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have been on two cruises and enjoyed both very much.
But I’m glad I’m not on that Ship!

 

[mbliss57]

How many people know that influenza kills 250K to 500K people every year? About 35K 50K in the USA. Not at all a good thing... don't misunderstand. But I am not convinced think this is not still media inciting panic. Or some other agenda driven panic.

Flu Kills 646,000 People Worldwide Each Year: Study