Jim S

I took the letter to my doctor today and he refused to sign it. He had no problem in confirming that I was not suffering from any of the listed chronic illnesses but he said he could not attest to me being fit to travel on a cruise ship since the UK government had issued guidance to all over 70’s advising not to travel on a cruise ship. Looks like I will not be allowed to travel on our March 23 cruise. ??

You sound like a great physician and human being, Dr. Ogre, I loved what you said. 

Thank you ? 

My sister is a nurse, so I have the upmost respect for people who work in health care.

Sorry to hear that. We have to evaluate our pts individually and when we do things like this it is not because we don't care, its because we do care.

So sorry.

I took the letter to my doctor today and he refused to sign it. He had no problem in confirming that I was not suffering from any of the listed chronic illnesses but he said he could not attest to me being fit to travel on a cruise ship since the UK government had issued guidance to all over 70’s advising not to travel on a cruise ship. Looks like I will not be allowed to travel on our March 23 cruise. ??

I took the letter to my doctor today and he refused to sign it. He had no problem in confirming that I was not suffering from any of the listed chronic illnesses but he said he could not attest to me being fit to travel on a cruise ship since the UK government had issued guidance to all over 70’s advising not to travel on a cruise ship. Looks like I will not be allowed to travel on our March 23 cruise. ??

I received an email this morning from RCCL stating that from Monday March 16th all persons aged 70 or older need to obtain doctors certification that they are fit to cruise before being allowed onboard. They issued the following template letter to take to my doctor for, would you believe, my cruise on Jewel of the Seas on Monday March 16th, which was cancelled a couple of days ago. ??
By the way, it takes 2-3 weeks to get such a letter from my doctor and they charge £30 for this. ?

Jewel of the Seas March 16th cruise: Official notice of cancellation received this morning from RCCL.
We have also received information from our Canadian friends who are currently onboard Jewel of the Seas that the Guest Services staff onboard are saying that it is very likely that the March 23rd cruise may also been cancelled. However, no official word has yet been received from RCCL to confirm this.

Received an email early this morning from our Canadian friends who are currently on the Jewel of the Seas. The ship sailed yesterday from Dubai heading for Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island but both ports were closed and the ship returned to Dubai overnight. We were due to join our friends on Monday for two B2B cruises on 16th and 23rd March but it is looking like both of these cruises could be cancelled.
Two passengers onboard are also ill and waiting to be tested for COVID-19 by the Dubai Port Authorities before a decision will be made on future sailings.
We have heard nothing from RCCL so far but will post updates on the forum as and when we receive any more information.

We are currently rescheduling our flights to Dubai for the March 23 cruise but I am not very confident that it will go ahead. We will be keeping our fingers crossed anyway. Let’s hope you are right. 

Jewel of the Seas March 16th cruise: Official notice of cancellation received this morning from RCCL.
We have also received information from our Canadian friends who are currently onboard Jewel of the Seas that the Guest Services staff onboard are saying that it is very likely that the March 23rd cruise may also been cancelled. However, no official word has yet been received from RCCL to confirm this.

Update from Ben and David aboard Jewel, good news! 
 

Received an email early this morning from our Canadian friends who are currently on the Jewel of the Seas. The ship sailed yesterday from Dubai heading for Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island but both ports were closed and the ship returned to Dubai overnight. We were due to join our friends on Monday for two B2B cruises on 16th and 23rd March but it is looking like both of these cruises could be cancelled.
Two passengers onboard are also ill and waiting to be tested for COVID-19 by the Dubai Port Authorities before a decision will be made on future sailings.
We have heard nothing from RCCL so far but will post updates on the forum as and when we receive any more information.

No problem! 
Really surprised that Royal hasn't made an announcement by now, must be nerve wrecking for everyone booked on Jewel this month. 
Did some more reading, here's an article with additional info. 

I shared this video with @Matt a few minutes ago on Twitter, but here's a perspective video from YouTube cruise vloggers onboard Jewel. 

So sorry to hear about your friends' situation, @Jim S, and best wishes on your March 23rd cruise. 

Received an email early this morning from our Canadian friends who are currently on the Jewel of the Seas. The ship sailed yesterday from Dubai heading for Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island but both ports were closed and the ship returned to Dubai overnight. We were due to join our friends on Monday for two B2B cruises on 16th and 23rd March but it is looking like both of these cruises could be cancelled.
Two passengers onboard are also ill and waiting to be tested for COVID-19 by the Dubai Port Authorities before a decision will be made on future sailings.
We have heard nothing from RCCL so far but will post updates on the forum as and when we receive any more information.

Latest update. Ship still in Dubai. Passengers not allowed to leave until the results of the two ill passengers tests come back. The Captain announced an hour ago that he will make a further announcement between 6 and 7 local time in Dubai.

I hope you’re right as we are on the 23rd March cruise as well. Let’s wait and see. 

@Jim S I'm sorry for the problems you're experiencing, but remember. Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time died.
Good luck with the rest of your trip.

Thanks WAAAYTOOO. We are due to fly out to Dubai on Friday and have still heard nothing from RCCL, nor has my TA. ?

This is an unfortunate example of the worst that can happen.  So unfortunate.  Good luck @Jim S with your plans.

A guest onboard shared this letter with me
 

Yes, I think RCCL have created a monster that they cannot feed. The number Diamond and Diamond Plus members is increasing dramatically every year. I think RCCL should introduce a new Crown & Anchor loyalty level at, say, 350 points. Access to the Concierge lounge could be awarded from that level. By the way, I am Diamond Plus with 262 points so I am not suggesting this to benefit myself, but merely suggesting the change as way to address the problem of the overcrowded lounges. The Diamond lounge could then be restricted to Diamond Plus members with less than 350 points. Diamond members would receive the normal 3 free drinks on their sea pass each night.
Only my opinion. Hope I don’t upset anybody.

Received an email early this morning from our Canadian friends who are currently on the Jewel of the Seas. The ship sailed yesterday from Dubai heading for Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island but both ports were closed and the ship returned to Dubai overnight. We were due to join our friends on Monday for two B2B cruises on 16th and 23rd March but it is looking like both of these cruises could be cancelled.
Two passengers onboard are also ill and waiting to be tested for COVID-19 by the Dubai Port Authorities before a decision will be made on future sailings.
We have heard nothing from RCCL so far but will post updates on the forum as and when we receive any more information.

Received an email early this morning from our Canadian friends who are currently on the Jewel of the Seas. The ship sailed yesterday from Dubai heading for Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island but both ports were closed and the ship returned to Dubai overnight. We were due to join our friends on Monday for two B2B cruises on 16th and 23rd March but it is looking like both of these cruises could be cancelled.
Two passengers onboard are also ill and waiting to be tested for COVID-19 by the Dubai Port Authorities before a decision will be made on future sailings.
We have heard nothing from RCCL so far but will post updates on the forum as and when we receive any more information.