SteveinSC

@twangster is the voice, and the LEADER we need in these dark, worrisome, confusing times. 

I do know that exceptions can be made to the PVSA but I have no knowledge of the circumstances that might pass muster, pun intended.  
A ship being refused into port isn't new.  There have been cases before but involving smaller cruise ships on a lesser known cruise lines or even cargo ships.  If I recall the flu was involved and the last incident I think was a couple of years ago.  What has happened isn't unprecedented , it's just more newsworthy because of the the current news environment.  
In the case of what occured this week there was a sick crew member on board.  That crew member had recently re-joined the ship and transited through the Philippines as I understand it.   This isn't a case of an island just randomly closing the port to all ships.  Acting out an an abundance of caution or possibly overreacting out of fear caused by sensationalized news stories?  We can only speculate.  The crew member may have eaten undercooked fish.  We don't know what caused the fever.  The Captain reported it as they must and the island reacted.  Next the ship tries to continue to the next island.   Naturally hearing the last island turned them away (because it was blasted out by the news media) the next island did the same.  
To project that outcome wholesale across the Caribbean and all cruise ships is unfounded.    If any government on an island that relies so heavily on tourism closed its airports and cruise ports that might pass for a few days but pretty soon the out of work residents would be screaming for them to open the island back up. 
This is exactly the Infodemic that the director of the WHO has cautioned us about.  The impact of overreacting can create tremendous damage to a country's economy and people's lives. 
The more recent countries that have begun reporting CV involved travel by air.  If an island nation in the Caribbean is on high alert or looking to proactively reduce risk they would be better served to close their airports.  A plane isn't likely to detect someone with a fever over a 90 minute flight and I don't even know if the pilot would ever know or be required to report it like a ship's Captain is.
Cruise ships represent less risk than airplanes in this matter.  

@twangster is the voice, and the LEADER we need in these dark, worrisome, confusing times. 

Ditto. I thought we were being responsible by waiting to have kids.....turns out being responsible isnt as important as being physically able. 

Favorite thing about cruising is the ability to unplug. With the nature of my job, I am basically on call 24/7 most of the time. So when I go on a cruise, I very intentionally do not get an internet package and let everyone know that I will be unavailable for a week. 

Dream cruise, I'm a sea day kind of guy, so I'd love to do a transatlantic someday and be able to spend some time in Europe. 

I love cruising because they're this multi-destination trip with an amazing hotel experience sandwiched in there -- oh, and there are sandwiches (and other delicious foods...)! I get to see something a little different in each port, and my view from on deck is a little different every day, too; even on sea days, you see something a little different -- the color of the sky, the color of the water, a particularly cool wave...
Plus, there are people all around, so if I feel like interacting with others, I can...or, I can do my own thing. It's pretty sweet!
Dream cruise? Something around the world, especially through the Northern Hemisphere and its northern latitudes. Icebergs, fjords, auroras, whales... 
Though honestly, I'm not sure what ship I'd pick -- I don't need a floating amusement park, just a nice variety of activities, especially for the bad-weather sea days!

I hope people cancel so my Royal Up bid gets accepted..... FACT
I hope people cancel so theres less of a line at the Windjammer..... FACT
Im going to enjoy my cruise..... FACT 

@twangster is the voice, and the LEADER we need in these dark, worrisome, confusing times. 

Just got off Enchantment yesterday. Business as usual - except maybe a bit more pushing the handwashing, and they were constantly cleaning and spraying down communal surfaces like the handrails and such. No biggie. We were not concerned with cruising at all. More worried about the flu than coronavirus.

Guidance from your employer is important particularly since work is a major component of our daily lives for many of us.  
As it relates to international travel the WHO guidance is:
Health measures related to international traffic
The current outbreak originated in Wuhan city, which is a major domestic and international transport hub. Given the large population movements, and the observed human to human transmission, it is not unexpected that new confirmed cases will continue to appear in other areas and countries. With the information currently available for the novel coronavirus, WHO advises that measures to limit the risk of exportation or importation of the disease should be implemented, without unnecessary restrictions of international traffic.
Source: https://www.who.int/ith/2019-nCoV_advice_for_international_traffic/en/
For mass gatherings the WHO guidance is to perform a risk assessment for any mass gathering.  No where are they recommending avoiding mass gatherings or "social distancing" unless you are known to be infected.
WHO advise for the general public 
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or if you have not travelled from one of those areas or have not been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting it are currently low. 

However, it’s understandable that you may feel stressed and anxious about the situation. It’s a good idea to get the facts to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions. (See Frequently Asked Questions) Your healthcare provider, your national public health authority and your employer are all potential sources of accurate information on COVID-19 and whether it is in your area. 

It is important to be informed of the situation where you live and take appropriate measures to protect yourself. (See Protection measures for everyone). If you are in an area where there is an outbreak of COVID-19 you need to take the risk of infection seriously. 

Follow the advice issued by national and local health authorities. Although for most people COVID-19 causes only mild illness, it can make some people very ill. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and those with preexisting medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable. (See Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading).
Source:  WHO Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation report 37 dated 10am CET 26 February 2020.
Current CDC Recommendations
Last updated February 25, 2020
While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed. If you are a healthcare provider, be on the look-out for people who recently traveled from China and have fever and respiratory symptoms. If you are a healthcare provider caring for a COVID-19 patient or a public health responder, please take care of yourself and follow recommended infection control procedures. If you have been in China or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you will face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your travel or exposure to a COVID-19 patient. For people who are ill with COVID-19, please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others

Ditto. I thought we were being responsible by waiting to have kids.....turns out being responsible isnt as important as being physically able. 

Everything is normal on the cruises. No masks its not half empty its fine.. I have a cruise in 23 days on Symphony and I cant wait to go.. Also my cruise is almost fully sold out.. I wish people would cancel so I could get an upgrade lol.. 

Absent of any advice or guidance by national and local health authorities to make any changes, cruises are operating normally.  
I board a ship this weekend and have no intention of cancelling.  

You should cruise. Absolutely no reason to avoid a cruise in USA, as it stands.

I'd sign up for that cruise! Sea days are great and there's no added cost for port fees and taxes if you're at sea.

1. Whats your favorite thing about cruising? Relaxation, seeing parts of the world, the food, the party?
Definitely seeing parts of the world that I didn't think I'd have the chance to, mostly because of the cost. That's closely followed by the food and wine, the people I meet on board (especially at the MDR where we always ask for a shared table), and a chance to truly step away from all the hustle and bustle.
2. If you could go on a cruise, anywhere in the world, right now.....where would you go and on which ship?
There are several HAL itineraries I'm dying to go on, but the current "if money and vacation time were no objects" cruise is a 37-day Spitsbergen, Iceland, and British Isles Explorer trip on the little MS Veendam. Multiple stops in Norway, the polar ice cap (Svalbard), Iceland, Scotland, Great Britian, and Ireland.

I love this post!!
I love cruising for the ports of call - I've been lucky enough to visit Cuba,  Russia and the Baltic so far. Places that I probably wouldn't have been able to visit otherwise.  My next cruise is Norwegian fjords in July. 
I'd love to do more cruises in the Caribbean and Alaksa is definitely on my list. If I could teleport over from the UK I'd do it in a heartbeat.  Haha.

I just really dont understand......I wish people cared about CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE the way they care about some virus.....its exponentially more likely to kill you. Yet, the same people canceling cruises out of fear are lining up at McDonalds for a sack of burgers, killing themselves happily.  
 

One Love! 

Look, people...this is supposed to be our happy place, where we talk about things that make us happy. A sanctuary from the outside nonsense of the world. Our distraction from the chaos.  I have participated in, and observed a lot of division of opinion and ideology on this board lately.....so I figured Id give us something to talk about that we can all agree on. WE LOVE CRUISING!  So, im going to pose a couple questions to you.....
1. Whats your favorite thing about cruising? Relaxation, seeing parts of the world, the food, the party? 
2. If you could go on a cruise, anywhere in the world, right now.....where would you go and on which ship? 
Kumbaya, Peace be with you, Woosah, Hakuna matata.......