So Let's Speculate

[kishgo]

If you were retired2, where would you go for a holiday? I'm guessing Cuba. Your guess?

[gale force]

R2 is a cool guy - I bet he's gone cruising!

[retired2]

GL is the winner

Well we finally made it home from our cruise to hell and back. So nice we can enjoy the ill effects even here. Actually we are both enjoying it now were as I had the pleasure to my self on board. Mr. Norvolk Virus likes to spread his good cheer

[gale force]

So sorry to hear that Retired2. Being confined to a (probably somewhat smelly) cabin puts a damper on the fun very quickly. May I ask who you sailed with? We were fortunate never to meet Mr. Norvolk Virus when we used to cruise - for which I am extremely grateful.

[retired2]

It was the Crown Princess. Heard there were a couple of ships in Florida that had to turn around and go back to port but don't know any other details

[Rick Wisson]

I didn't get a chance to speculate , but lets hear some of the good points , even the bad ones. Of your cruise. It sure sucks when one gets ill on a trip.

[Ruby Tuesday]

Terrible being sick on vacation! I've had it "deathly" bad in both Mexico and Dominican. Not something I have fond memories of. I think this whole cruise idea is also gone for me ... Just not good reviews all the way around this winter for cruise ships.

So, let's hear the good stuff about the cruise!?

[observer]

Is there any chance that it's also known as the Norwalk virus??

One cruise we were on, I contracted some kind of virus. It was only a day or 2 before the end of the cruise, and I was just going to tough it out (It wasn't that bad) - but my husband convinced me it would be better to see a doctor shipboard rather than chance being barred from the flight home. They quarantined me for 24 hours! My food was delivered - and I was given a restricted diet - including no coffee. When I called for breakfast and ordered coffee, they told me I wasn't allowed. I said "Well my husband is not sick, can't HE have coffee?" - So, they DID send the carafe - and I got my morning boost anyway! I thought it was also cute, cause all my food came on disposable everything - while my husband's came on normal china! AND - h never got the virus either! Interesting how all that works!

[observer]

Ruby - island stays and cruises are fairly different, I find. The island thing normally tends to be a more relaxing holiday - unless you're a daily tour goer! Otherwise, it's just loll around and wait till you're hungry to go for the next meal. Cruising - most people feel almost obligated to disembark and have a look at the port they've arrived at. If you can resist that, it's certainly every bit as relaxing - but probably a bit more expensive than an all inclusive to Cuba or Dominican. Especially, if you like a few drinks. THOSE are not included in cruise fares

[retired2]

Yes it was the Norwalk or Norvo virus. I got it within 36 hours, my wife never got it till the day we were getting off. I never did get rid of it and was  quarantined twice for 2 days each. The day we disembarked we were escorted to immigration and they would not process us until they wore gloves and facemask. After they processed us they waved us through and as much said go and infect the rest of the country. We were free. We flew home that afternoon. Today I'm back to 90%. A lot of people never did report it. Wife overheard 2 women on the elevator. one saying she had been fighting this all week. Under the circumstances there is nothing good to say about the trip. Don't really blame anybody, just something that happened . Might be a while before we  sail again. Apparently Nov. to Mar. is the worst times for the virus.
Yes we get off at every port and take an excursion to see the country side or city. We are not ones to sit on the beach all day. First bad experience in about 10 cruises. One plus I forgot, wife was up at the casino.

[observer]

Hey - up at the casino is always a good plus!!!

What stops were on your itinerary on this cruise then? (that you didn't get to visit many of, obviously)

With my quarantine story, we were in the Med. Stayed in my room for one port - cause I really didn't feel well; then went to dr. and was given a 24 hour sentence. Next noon I went to doc again and got her to give me a release a few hours early - since I'd been fine almost since the time that I saw her. So, she gave me a note. None-the-less, when I inserted my card at the exit, great buzzers went off! They obviously send the quarantine notice to the card readers. The guy at the "gate" couldn't read the doctor's signature, so wasn't going to let me disembark. He called her - she gave the OK - and off I went. Funny thing was, when we got back - and again inserted the card - great buzzers sounding again! Fortunately it was the same guy at the gate, and he recognized me so let me back on! No detention or demerit points or anything!

[Ruby Tuesday]

Nope, like to enjoy a few drinks on vacation, so that's one reason that we've always stayed with that all inclusives. After the first few trips we quit doing the tours - they are literally all the same. We just go to enjoy the culture and relax. I just wish they would create a 6 star!

Between people getting sick on cruise ships this year, cruise ship sinking, cruise ship stuck at sea, etc, I have no interest in trying it for a change. Only thing better may be the food, because
I do understand that the food is very good. Islands are a bit lacking at some resorts for that, not to mention the sanitation problems there.

[gale force]

The best vacation spot I have ever been to was Aruba. The Dutch idea of sanitation is amazing and the food at the resort we stayed at (called Divi-Divi) was amazing. Unfortunately, that vacation took place about 40 years ago. It was the first time I had vacationed outside Canada and the US so perhaps that contributed to my appreciation. However, the day after we checked in, my husband and I were passing a room that had been vacated that morning. The beds were striped down to the mattress, the furniture was pulled away from the walls and cleaned behind. Now that's clean!!

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