Coronavirus - Travel impacts II

[braumeister]

Will this experience cause you to book more refundable rooms for future trips? That is a bigger drawback to a VRBO type rental IMO they usually have much more restrictive refund policies.

Yes, definitely. Never had to cancel a trip before, so this was a learning experience. We just got lucky on being refunded nearly everything because the airline and tour company did the right thing based on the situation.

 

[tmm99]

Nile river boat MS River Anuket docks in the city of Luxor in southern Egypt Saturday, March 7, 2020. The ship, carrying some 100 mostly foreign tourists is under quarantine after 12 people tested positive for the new coronavirus. The passengers have been confined to the ship while they await testing by Egyptian health authorities

https://globalnews.ca/news/6644642/coronavirus-egypt-cruise/

A Taiwanese-American tourist who had previously been on the same ship tested positive when she returned to Taiwan. The World Health Organization informed Egyptian authorities, who tested everyone on the ship.

Health authorities found a dozen of the ship’s Egyptian crew members had contracted the fast-spreading virus, but did not show symptoms,.

 

[audreyh1]

Actually at this point further testing is a waste of resources. Everyone on the ship was exposed and needs to go through a lengthy quarantine.

That’s a good point. Especially with so many crew infected they might as well assume 100%. Everyone has to go through quarantine anyway.

My point originally was that all this news about 21 cases found was from only 46 tested so far.

 

[NW-Bound]

There are definitely more infected people on the same Feb 11-21 trip on the Grand Princess that the recently deceased Californian took. It was this Californian's sickness that prompted officials to stop the ship from docking in San Francisco after returning from Hawaii.

Proof of this: Hawaii announced its first case of the virus. A Hawaiian who took the above Feb 11-21 trip and flew back to Hawaii from Mexico has been positively tested.

Health officials were working with the ship manifest to track down all passengers on that last trip. No words on how that progresses, and what they have found.

We have one of the passengers from the previous trip here in Chicago, and she is (+), and worked at a school for a week while sick. Guess she didn't have sick leave.

Well, this is it. Containment fails, as an Harvard epidemiologist recently said.

 

[brewer12345]

Norwegian (NCL) did something similar last night:



Although we will still lose some monies (air, pre/post cruise apartments) we may re-book for next year.

Wow, the reeks of desperation. Bookings must have fallen through the floor.

 

[audreyh1]

Nile river boat MS River Anuket docks in the city of Luxor in southern Egypt Saturday, March 7, 2020. The ship, carrying some 100 mostly foreign tourists is under quarantine after 12 people tested positive for the new coronavirus. The passengers have been confined to the ship while they await testing by Egyptian health authorities

https://globalnews.ca/news/6644642/coronavirus-egypt-cruise/

A Taiwanese-American tourist who had previously been on the same ship tested positive when she returned to Taiwan. The World Health Organization informed Egyptian authorities, who tested everyone on the ship.

Health authorities found a dozen of the ship’s Egyptian crew members had contracted the fast-spreading virus, but did not show symptoms,.

This is what the now 8 Houston area cases are from in case anyone didn’t make the connection.

Also 3 cases in Maryland linked to same Nile cruise. You might have to drill down to the Maryland link to see that they mention the Nile cruise.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/h...case/285-192b8879-08b6-4ec0-8a0f-a0487ead1453

 

[Freedom56]

So we are 77 days from our departure and I checked our bookings with Virgin Atlantic and found that the cabin in our departure flight has gone from 80% full to just four people. If we end up being the only couple in the upper class cabin, I'm okay with that. If they cancel the flight, we will ask for a full refund which we are entitled to. Either way, fly in a nearly empty upper class cabin or full refund, will work for us.

 

[Fermion]

Is it even possible at this point to contain the virus in the USA? It seems to be out and about in the community so putting these cruise ship passengers through hell for the next two weeks will do what?

 

[Spock]

Is it even possible at this point to contain the virus in the USA? It seems to be out and about in the community so putting these cruise ship passengers through hell for the next two weeks will do what?

Probabilities. those on the infected ship are now much higher probability of transmission than random Joe/Jane Doe in say the middle of Idaho.


The whole containment thing is NOT to prevent spread, but to slow it down. By slowing the spread down, health facilities have a chance of keeping up. Giving up on containment and just letting it spread naturally will flood the hospitals and health care system.

 

[ncbill]

One week to go for us...two short domestic flights (~4 hours including a layover in Atlanta) to save me ~12 hours of driving.

On Delta...is there any way for me to check how "full" the flights are now?

 

[TromboneAl]

Next week we'll drive a bit and go to some nice hotels simply because that may not be as fun in the future. That is, we'll enjoy a trip like that less if we're worried about touching things.

 

[tulak]

I’m about 55 days out for my flight to London. The seating chart shows the plane is around a third full.

I’m flying Norwegian, who has already cut back on some of their flights. I’m hoping that nothing changes. I also have connecting flights in Europe, which are booked separately.

I also found $200 round trip tickets to Hawaii. This is very tempting, but I haven’t had any luck in finding reasonably priced lodgings. I’ve been told to work remotely and doing so from Hawaii (or anywhere warmer) would be quite nice.

 

[Pellice]

Paying for checked bag?

I am leaving in a week for a week's birding in Puerto Rico. I've got packing for birding trips fairly standardized, and can normally get away with two carry-on bags for up to 9 days, including flights to and from. But, the remote possibility of quarantine - departure airport NYC - has me thinking whether I should take a bit more. But that would mean paying a checked-bag fee (I use rewards cards, not airline or supercharged travel cards)

If I could use some of my miles for a checked bag, I would, but United, while bombarding you with "partner offers" for their miles, won't allow a simple miles for checked bags use. They want you using their branded card!

I think this is another call I'll make at the last minute.

*I hate paying that excessive checked bag fee. What a rip-off.

 

[luckydude]

Probabilities. those on the infected ship are now much higher probability of transmission than random Joe/Jane Doe in say the middle of Idaho.


The whole containment thing is NOT to prevent spread, but to slow it down. By slowing the spread down, health facilities have a chance of keeping up. Giving up on containment and just letting it spread naturally will flood the hospitals and health care system.

IMO containment/slowing down would only work if people are willing to "chip in" and do a little sacrifice (monetary considerations aside). Don't do non-essential travel. One could travel, get the virus and not show symptoms, and bring it back to one's family and community and spread it unwittingly. That's how containment fails.

Italy will be there 6 months from now. So will France, the UK, etc. etc. If everyone sacrifices a bit by putting off travel for now, maybe it'll buy the authorities some time to try to slow this down and maybe contain it.

Lucky Dude

 

[luckydude]

Sad repeat of the Diamond Princess quarantine fiasco being replayed:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...s-hit-Grand-Princess-plead-ship-evacuate.html

Lucky Dude

 

[sengsational]

To Go, or Not to Go...That is the question

We talked about walking away from the money as one aspect of the decision, but what about if the inevitability of the situation had an effect on people who are now caught out and/or on those of us currently in the throes of the decision?

We don't 'know' a lot, but if we think most of us will get this thing anyway(sooner or later), it could be that this inevitability played into peoples' decision to travel.

My thinking is that the younger one is, the more likely it is the attitude would be 'We'll get it sooner or later, so might as well live our life now, while travel is still mostly operating normally'. The calculus must include being sick or stuck at your destination (or floating off some coast), but if the impact of the disease process on your body isn't likely to be fatal (younger person), then the risk might be worth it.

 

[ziggy29]

Sad repeat of the Diamond Princess quarantine fiasco being replayed:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...s-hit-Grand-Princess-plead-ship-evacuate.html

This ship is scheduled to dock in Astoria on March 31, just a few miles up the road from us. Folks are scrambling to figure out what to do, or even whether it will be allowed to dock here at all.

Lots of ships come through in May and September as they are repositioning, usually to/from Alaska and Mexico. I'm not sure the locals really want the economic boost this time around if it may come at a high health cost.

 

[Teacher Terry]

When I was booking our Europe trip I purposely didn’t use Airbnb because you often lose money for cancellations. I have 2 weeks booked through Hotels.com which are not paid for. The trip is August so we are waiting to see what happens. I won’t like losing the airfare but will if necessary. So glad I hadn’t done the flights between countries yet.

 

[MarieIG]

Honestly, I don't know how I can avoid exposure. Last week alone I was on the NYC subways, LIRR, the Staten Island ferry, jammed packed elevators, and this week came down with a cough and a slightly elevated temperature. It is probably a common cold . . .

There is also trip planned to Rochester Minnesota in April - date not finalized.

We also had wanted to visit my in-laws in Greece. I don't want to kill them by bringing them this - so that visit will have to wait.

But I had been telling DH that I was interested in taking a cruise. That interest, at least for now, has plummeted to zero.

 

[Nemo2]

My thinking is that the younger one is, the more likely it is the attitude would be 'We'll get it sooner or later, so might as well live our life now, while travel is still mostly operating normally'. The calculus must include being sick or stuck at your destination (or floating off some coast), but if the impact of the disease process on your body isn't likely to be fatal (younger person), then the risk might be worth it.

We are, as yet, undecided as to which way to jump; our scheduled trip this Fall is one month after my (anticipated) 78th birthday......I'm a 'prime target'.

OTOH....we were in to see DW's father yesterday......he turned 94 last December and is fading fast.....basically he sits, waits for DW's sister who lives with him, (and to whom he's deeded the house...she's earned it), to bring him food, shuffles to the bathroom...rinse & repeat.

So...juxtaposing...do I go....or do I Duck & Cover, and miss one of my last opportunities, (DW's 10 years younger than me which might give her a small 'edge'), and wait for Armageddon to come knocking on my bunker?

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Ronstar]

I've mapped out coronavirus hotspots in relation to our upcoming road trip route. Looks like we need to avoid gas/food/bathroom break stops in the Omaha and Denver areas, and minimize exposure in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

 

[Gumby]

Honestly, I don't know how I can avoid exposure. Last week alone I was on the NYC subways, LIRR, the Staten Island ferry, jammed packed elevators, and this week came down with a cough and a slightly elevated temperature. It is probably a common cold . . .

Even in the best of times, I always viewed the NYC subway as an infection threat. I tried never to hold on to the poles or bars with an ungloved hand. In the summer, I would hold on through my sleeve or just lean against the pole or door. Nothing you can really do about the people physically crushed up against you on the 4/5/6 in the morning.

I know it would suck to be quarantined, but maybe you should call your physician about the cough and fever.

 

[Youngblood]

Well I cancelled my Vegas trip for next week. I had to eat the cost of the air fare, but I was able to get a refund for the hotel. I'm in my young 40's and healthy, but there is just still a lot of unknowns with this virus. I would feel horrible If I were to get this virus from my trip and unknowingly get someone else sick that has a weakened immune system.

 

[Freedom56]

I’m about 55 days out for my flight to London. The seating chart shows the plane is around a third full.

I’m flying Norwegian, who has already cut back on some of their flights. I’m hoping that nothing changes. I also have connecting flights in Europe, which are booked separately.

I also found $200 round trip tickets to Hawaii. This is very tempting, but I haven’t had any luck in finding reasonably priced lodgings. I’ve been told to work remotely and doing so from Hawaii (or anywhere warmer) would be quite nice.

Make sure you have a contingency plan in the event Norwegian Air ceases operations. They have a serious liquidity problem.

 

[tulak]

Make sure you have a contingency plan in the event Norwegian Air ceases operations. They have a serious liquidity problem.

I know. BA flights are cheap, so I could rebook there. And in general, it might be easy to find cheaper tickets.

The harder part are the connecting flights in Europe. We have flights scheduled a few hours after we land in London. If Norwegian goes belly-up, it’ll be a bit of work to get everything sorted out.

On the flip-side, travel hassles don’t bother me. If I get stuck somewhere, I’ll go exploring, read a book, etc.