The Captain had said he would make an announcement yesterday morning with an update on whether we'd be getting off in Fremantle or cruising back to the USA. At 9:30 a.m. Hamish, our Cruise Director (as he tells us every single time he makes an announcement) came on and ignored the giant elephant on the ship and just gave the typical run down of the day's activities.
Around 11:00 a.m., the Captain came on to say that the Australian authorities would be allowing us off the ship in Fremantle and that all passengers must disembark on March 22. The ship will stay in port until March 23. He also said that he knew that a number of passengers had reported that they are physically unable to fly and that if that was certified by the ship's Doctor, they "would be accommodated". Presumably that means cruising back to the US.
He went on to say that HAL in Seattle was working on a letter to provide details about disembarkation and reimbursement. I happened to be in the hall outside my cabin along with a number of other passengers and my cabin steward. There were tears and someone said a really bad word with a lot of feeling. Ok, that was me. I had to apologize to my young cabin steward. Almost everyone on the ship wanted to just skip ports, except for refueling and supplies and just head home.
About an hour later, the Captain came back on to say that because no more information was currently available from HAL and Guest Services was being inundated with questions, he was going to provide an overview of the information we'd be getting in the letter. I suspect he only did this because it's his last cruise. What are they going to do? Fire him and keep his pension?
Here's what he said:
- If you booked air through HAL, they would make your travel arrangements home. If you booked independently or didn't have any air booked (the case for several hundred of us who live in Florida), we are on our own. HAL would reimburse up to $1,250 for flights, hotels, etc.
- Our transit visas are valid for 14 days in Australia.
- For reimbursement for the missed second half of the cruise we had two options. Option One - 50% of fare paid would be credited to our credit card on file PLUS 50% of fare paid would be given as a future cruise credit. Option Two - 125% of fare paid would be given as a future cruise credit.
- If you had used the HAL luggage program (bags are picked up at your house before the cruise and taken to the ship and sent to your home after the cruise) HAL would honor that. Also, other baggage (some passengers have 12-14 bags) can be left on the ship and picked up at a later date in Ft. Lauderdale or they can Fed Ex bags, at passenger expense.
The Captain said HAL is working on the details and we would be getting a letter in our staterooms, hopefully in the afternoon. That was yesterday. We still have no details from HAL.
People were clearly VERY unhappy about the decision to kick us off the ship. Many (including me) believe it is a decision made to limit liability. Better to take a hit by angering loyal customers than risk another month on board when someone tests positive for the virus.
Some of us immediately started trying to book flights using the incredibly slow internet. Others are taking a "wait and see" approach and planning to make arrangements once we're in port.
I was able to get a flight booked yesterday. Assuming international flights are still flying, I'll leave Perth at 10:50 pm on Monday night, March 23. Itinerary is Perth >Sydney>Los Angeles>Orlando. I also have a room booked near the airport and plan to just get a taxi to the hotel from the ship.
There was one business class seat left on that itinerary. Many people haven't started booking flights yet. The thinking seems to be that since not many people are traveling, there will be lots of empty seats. But, airlines have already cancelled a lot of flights. And yesterday when I realized my flight left at 10:50 at night, not in the morning, I tried to change the flight to the 22nd. The Delta site kept kicking me out mid-change and I thought it was just slow internet. Nope, they were changing the fare. The price increased over $2,000 from when I booked it an hour earlier. Which explains why I'm just getting a hotel room instead of coming home a day earlier.
I'm trying not to worry about possible scenarios - like Australia or the US closing down international flights as some countries have begun to do. While I wouldn't mind getting a short term apartment and staying here for a month or two, my transit visa is only good for 14 days from March 22. Or is it 14 days from when we docked in Sydney? That's one of the details we're waiting for.
We got a notice yesterday that today at noon is the last time to turn in clothes to be washed. Luckily, I've been using the unlimited free laundry service regularly so I'm good. The free laundry is a perk of being a 4 Star Mariner. Which makes me wonder - will I get credit for the sea days we missed? Not that I'm likely to ever accrue 500 days on board to get to 5 Star status.
Last night's cocktail party was great. I sat with my regular trivia/happy hour friends in our usual spot, along with another couple. Lucky that we planned ahead and got there early. The place was packed - unlimited free liquor is one way to fill a bar. Norris, our regular server was a star. Even though he was being run ragged, he made sure that he took our orders and then didn't bother to ask for more - he just brought fresh drinks when the first ones ran out.
He was the same guy who worked the Cruise Specialist cocktail party. While others were sipping the house wine being handed out, without me asking Norris brought my preferred drink (a Brooklyn). Last night he also played photographer for our group when there was a break in the crowd.
The mood was upbeat in the room with lots of jokes being made. One woman wore a large sign on her back that said "So Sorry - Free Hugs!"
BTW, some have asked why Australia is letting us in given that they've closed the borders to in transit ships. The Captains explanation was that it is because the ship/passengers were medically cleared in Sydney where we went through immigration and we've been either at sea or in Australia since. Lucky for us. I heard yesterday that the Crystal is using the same loophole and will also be docking in Fremantle but I'm not sure what day.
After docking overnight in Fremantle, the Amsterdam with only crew and select passengers, will cruise on either the Bahamas or the USA for dry dock (which was scheduled to follow the world cruise).
Yesterday when the Captain made his announcement he said passengers physically unable to fly needed to be certified by the ship's doctor. That resulted in a very long line of people outside the medical center yesterday trying to get clearance to stay on board. The Captain had to make another announcement asking people to NOT go to the medical center unless they had an emergency and not for clearance.
No announcements yet today. When we get the letter from HAL with details, I'll share that. In the meantime, fingers crossed that I'm on the plane next Monday, heading home.
Meanwhile, enjoy these great photos! Just kidding. The internet is slower than ever because so many passengers are trying to make travel arrangements.
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