Issues with covid

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 96

Review summary

Review of April cruise on Celebrity Apex We sailed with Celebrity on Apex on the 26th of March and had scheduled four weeks. We had done the covid test two days prior, and it was negative for both of us. We stayed at a Marriott Fairfield the day prior. We wore masks on the airplane, at the airport, during the Lyft ride to the Fairfield, checking into the Fairfield, and did the same when leaving for the ship. We wore the mask on Lyft to the port, at the port, and when onboard. During the first week, we wore our masks immediately when leaving the room and anytime we were not eating or drinking. We also took them off, even though we still had them, when we were outdoors with no one else around. During this entire time, especially in Florida, mask wearing was almost nonexistent. During the cruise we were only wearing our masks with about five percent of the passenger, including when in the buffet. Most of the crew wore masks, but a waiter in the steak house wore it under his nose, and no other staff said anything to him. At the end of the first week, we again had to do the covid test, done by Celebrity, and both of us tested negative. During the second week, again only about five percent of the passengers wore a mask. Crew were starting to take off their masks when outside. Our cabin steward wore his mask under his nose. We did not say anything, and many of the crew were relaxing their mask wearing, and we had ours on, again except when eating and drinking. We went to dinner at Eden one evening, and one of the male waiters took down his mask to yell at us over the music, from about 2 feet away, going over the menu. We again were tested on Friday April 8th, prior to porting in Ft Lauderdale, by Celebrity. I was told to contact Hoda Msabri at guest services immediately and was advised about 11am that I had tested positive and would need to return to my room. I had minor symptoms of tired, headache, and scratchy throat. I thought it was a cold or the flu. My wife had tested negative. A short time later a nurse arrived in a surgical gown, mask, gloves, and face shield to take another covid test, a PCR. Again, I tested positive. I was quarantined to the room and was told I was to be moved to an inside cabin on deck three until we returned to Ft Lauderdale. Since I was told to make our own arrangements for accommodations, I spent a lot of time finding a resort, finally in Pompano Beach at Renaissance Suites. We were to stay there for five days, as I was told by Celebrity that I could not fly for five days. I was also told that I could not cruise for eleven days, and therefore, our fourth week cruise was also cancelled. They were to provide a small amount for the room and meals for the five days. (We have yet to receive anything from them). They came to the room and wanted to escort me to the room on the third floor. We told them we had not eaten and still had to pack. They left. Late afternoon guest services called about the move, and because we were to port in the morning, let us stay in the concierge suite we had. We finally got lunch midafternoon Friday. The next morning, three of the medical team in surgical garb took us and our luggage thru the staff elevators down to deck two and off the ship. One of the team was directly behind us with a fogger. When we exited the ship, we were put into a large black SUV (think secret service or FBI) and taken to Pompano Beach. The driver was in surgical garb as well. The only time we heard back from Celebrity, was five days later when Kevin from the medical team wanted to know how I was doing health wise. Just for our own information, we both tested again on April 27th for Covid and both of us came back negative. On May 2, 2022, I spent three and a half hours talking to Celebrity about a refund, etc. I finally spoke to Edmund from Engagement and was promised an email detailing what I needed to do, and what documents to send to have our funds returned to us. Nadda. On May 4th I again tried to contact Celebrity. After 30 minutes and talking to Maria I was disconnected. I contacted our travel agent to have them contact Celebrity and was on the phone for 95 minutes before we got an answer from Engagement. I asked to talk to a supervisor and spent 24 minutes waiting to talk to Edwin, and then another 11 minutes trying to get some information from Celebrity. We were told it would be a week or two for us to see any compensation. Bottom Line: We were expected to take care of all expenses upon leaving the ship, including lodging and food. We did not get nor were we offered any compensation upon leaving the ship. We were given no contact person for us to follow up with. Had we not had the resources, what would have been the alternative? As Royal Caribbean has now allowed guests to sail without being vaccinated, where does this leave us? Can we get a refund for future cruises we have booked? I understand the cruise lines needing to make money, but that is being put ahead of concerns for our health. People need to understand the ramifications when they cruise, regardless of the cruise line. We are Elite Plus with Celebrity, so have taken and enjoyed many cruises with them. This latest cruise has been a very big disappointment and has given us pause as to whether we will cruise again with Celebrity or Royal Caribbean.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

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Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Bimini, Bahamas

Cozumel, Mexico

Disembarkation

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