General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHave any of you had a trip overseas planned and then had to cancel because of an international
pandemic? Two members of my family have planned a trip to Scotland, this summer, and will be subjected to a loss of funds if they cancel. I know, they could have taken out insurance in the event they had to cancel, but didn't. If U.S. or the host country stops flights, would they still be fined if they canceled?
lapfog_1
(29,205 posts)Italy Greece Romania.
Not now... too bad... it would have been my first trip to Europe. Was planning on beating the summer rush... now thinking that the summer rush won't even happen.
DFW
(54,384 posts)Though, I would NOT have picked Italy, Greece or Romania as summer destinations this year.
Try Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavia instead?
We live in Germany, and so far, we are still going to dare to visit the USA this summer, as we usually do.
lapfog_1
(29,205 posts)but maybe I can travel to someplace and they come visit me?
I don't know, they are sharing stories of panic buying, empty stores, empty streets. With photographs.
I think it best to play it by ear.
DFW
(54,384 posts)However, I talked to a friend down in Köln (Cologne), about 50 km south of here, and he said there was some panic buying in the local supermarkets in some areas of the inner city.
Ace Rothstein
(3,163 posts)My wife had to visit some suppliers in Gevelsberg and Emsdetten for work. I tagged along and was her chauffeur for that part of the trip. We stayed in Cologne for a few nights to make those visits.
DFW
(54,384 posts)Köln is about half an hour or less by train from Düsseldorf.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)DFW
(54,384 posts)NL is the most densely populated country here, and it is right next door. I'm there once a week. The border is only an hour's drive from here. Schipol is one of the busiest airports in Europe. I'll bet they start adding zeroes to their number shortly.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)This is just getting started.
That is just how I see it as well.
Laurelin
(528 posts)I'm sure there are many more here. Also in the US I assume.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Did you already have reservations? If so, will you be charged for withdrawing?
DFW
(54,384 posts)We usually fly over to the USA for our summer vacation. I hope the place isn't quarantined off!
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)DFW
(54,384 posts)I declined. Even if I have to pay it, it's 400, and I have saved that 400 a year by not buying the option for the last 30 years.
Plus, I paid a ton of money to rent the house on Cape Cod, and I don't think I'll get any of that back. Virus infections usually decrease in the summer, anyway, so I don't see either place being walled off unless things get MUCH worse.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)The kids will be staying in a house that has been in the clan for centuries, so they are eager to make the trip.
I don't know what their fine is, but they were concerned. They are still planning on the trip...just depends on the quarantine, if held by either country.
DFW
(54,384 posts)So we'll get to see at least one of them no matter what.
We don't live in an old house, but we do have a 1000 year old castle out back, so we wouldn't lack for scenery even if forced to stay here.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Two grandsons have visited while on college trips and we are tracking the family history back as far as we can. I would love to go, but don't think I would be able to physically for long periods of time and would be a drag. I'll be content with stories and photos.
Enjoy your trip, if possible.
DFW
(54,384 posts)My family history does not go much farther back than 1870. It's a blur before that. One grandfather was the son of an impoverished immigrant tailor in South Carolina. The other was born in New York City, the grandson of deadbeat Mississippi riverboat gamblers looking to hid from their debts. One great grandfather was born in what is now Slovakia, and became a famous Manhattan attorney. I don't know much more that that.
My wife, on the other hand, is descended from some peasant nobleman in the northwest of Germany, and she has book of her family genealogy that starts in the year 1473! So we have both extremes.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)My Swedish grandmother's family was destitute and lived on welfare (9 kids might have been a reason...doh), one was a Civil War captain, a cobbler, several women were housemaids or managed other maids, etc. It is really interesting and amazing at how much info is out there.
During the Bush (W) administration, my grandson called to get some more info on the Scottish relatives before he visited the castle. I warned him to be sure he had the right clan because one clan had a horrible reputation of stealing babies, one of ours had been beheaded and one was a revolutionary. I then realized what that must sound like and said, "Oh, I hope you can fly back home, as someone might be listening to our convo and ground you. CLICK! I called out his name and the line was dead. Fortunately, he came home a couple weeks later. I asked him about hanging up, but he said he thought it was me. It was pretty evident "someone" was listening. That was after 911, so I'm sure they were listening.
PA Democrat
(13,225 posts)booked to areas currently on the travel advisory list (parts of China, northern Italy, Hong Kong, South Korea). They have more information here:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)I had work travel plans to China that have been cancelled.
Best friend's family reunion in Italy for May has been cancelled.
dmr
(28,347 posts)I'd been planning European river cruise to celebrate my 10-year diagnosis of metastasize breast cancer. Celebrating my survival. This is a huge reason to celebrate, but it's no time to take chances. I'll find another way to celebrate.
Some of the money saved for the cruise has been used to stock up on supplies in case things get bad.
If anyone has any ideas on how I can celebrate, I'm all ears, keeping in mind minor limitations. I fatigue easily, on high doses of morphine for the bone pain, walk with a cane, and am on oxygen, but I still have my wits about me, and live life with a positive frame of mind.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)That is a HUGE reason to celebrate and I hope you are able to take that cruise...maybe later?
KatyMan
(4,190 posts)With no plans of cancelling. Sailing to destinations in Mexico from Galveston.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)KatyMan
(4,190 posts)We've been on 10 cruises in the last 5 years and never had an issue being sick.
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)they had a group of maybe a dozen students going to Italy for 11 days over Spring Break - 7 days near Pompeii where they would do some sort of archaeological thingamajig and then the last 4 days in Rome for regular touristy stuff. Even though the village near Pompeii is sparsely populated and in Southern Italy, I think the school was more concerned about them in the airport in Rome and possible heightened travel restrictions in the coming weeks.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Surely we'll be past this later on this summer? Not knowing the virus sure doesn't help much.
I hope they are finally able to make the trip. Good luck to all.
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)My daughter graduates in a few months, so I'm not sure there will be time to reschedule. Several of the kids are seniors, so I'm also not sure if they have plans or jobs for the summer already lined up.
dmr
(28,347 posts)Rome, Pompeii and Florence. Spending Easter at the Vatican. It was a trip of a lifetime. Literally, because my adult life has been boring. Oh, how I wish I could do it all over again, lol.
I'm so sorry for your daughter and her classmates. Our trip almost didn't make it either due to the airline strike, but after several delays, we did get a plane to fly us out.
Thinking back, I had a wonderful time with my friends, and I learned a great deal. You know, it only cost us $419.00! Imagine that! That was a bargain even back then.
Grammy23
(5,810 posts)A river cruise in Cambodia to Vietnam first had an itinerary change to avoid Hong Kong. Then as things looked worse, they decided this was not a good place to be right now. So they are cancelling but did have trip insurance. Thank goodness because it was expensive.
Their second trio was with a grandchild to northern Italy this summer. It will more than likely be cancelled too, now that the virus is showing up in the exact places they planned to visit. 😥
I heard someone say that when deciding whether to go or cancel, you should think how being quarantined in a foreign country would impact you personally. For many it would be no big deal. Just a few weeks longer in the country than you planned. Others might risk losing their jobs if they were detained for weeks both in the foreign country and after you returned home. So there is that aspect to it as well. Not just will you get sick.
shanti
(21,675 posts)But I'm postponing a flight to Phoenix because I don't want to be in a virus tube, at least for now.
Laurelin
(528 posts)I'm in the Netherlands and I just booked flights to my daughter's wedding in the US in May. I checked on travel insurance but was told pandemics are acts of God and not covered. I was told that to check with the airline if quarantines or illness cause us to cancel but no guarantees. We're flying KLM/Delta.
Stores here are mostly out of hand sanitizer. One store had some today and limited purchases to one (teeny Dutch size) per customer. Plenty of food and everything else. Nobody seems panicked or terribly worried.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)I guess Trump was wrong blaming it on the Democrats, eh?
Laurelin
(528 posts)Me too. I'm a bit worried. At least there's Skype or signal but it's not the same.
tavernier
(12,388 posts)Still have to fly, but we could drive. All depends.
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)once the kids finish this school year, and I was hoping to meet up with them in August. I'm just keeping a watchful eye at this point and haven't booked yet.
Sweden has 14 COVID-19 cases, increasing by the day, so I'm concerned that it may be quite wide spread by the time the kids arrive there. Not to mention that the 2 RI cases are 15 miles from my front door, with an entire class plus chaperones being monitored after a school trip to Italy. There's a possible third case now also.
Another school class of 40 from Bellingham, MA, is also being monitored for the same reason. They're even closer to us than the RI confirmed, as we live right on the MA/RI border.
Panic buying hasn't hit my local Stop & Shop yet, as they had ample supplies of cleaning products and disinfectants today. I'll be at BJs Wholesale tomorrow, stocking up on items we'd miss if we end up in a quarantine situation.
Ghost of Tom Joad
(1,355 posts)The travel insurance companies say they do not cover for pandemics. So still plan on going on the trip of a lifetime.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)Not changing my plans...
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)Belgium-Germany-Moldova, Scotland, Kosovo-Hungary. Im a bit anxious at the moment but plan, at this time, to go. If these trips werent already in the can then Id probably be hunkering down at home instead.
I have annual travel insurance that covers cancellation due to illness. If the airline cancels the flights then they will have to reimburse the flight costs. My insurance should cover the rest.
I wish every one well regardless of their decision and Im not second guessing anyone.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)With this POTUS, that probably wasn't a good choice, but they are adults and can live with their own decision. Since a pandemic isn't considered covered, it doesn't matter. That said, they have a few months to change their minds about going this year. Experience is still the best teacher.
mnhtnbb
(31,389 posts)to the island of Bonaire off the coast of South America.
I moved seats several times at gate waiting areas to avoid being around sniffling or coughing. There were a few people wearing masks. Not many. Presumably they weren't sick themselves. Washed my hands a lot.
My oldest son and his partner are flying down this Saturday. His company has told people to cancel work trips and hold video conferences instead.
beaglelover
(3,484 posts)It was our second year in a row going to Aruba. We have not yet been to Bonaire. We love Aruba and plan to buy a place there that we can spend part of each year at during our retirement. Enjoy Bonaire!!
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)I feel very safe here.
After I get back home, I'm planning to take Amtrak to Seattle for a science fiction thing. I've bought tickets for the flight home. Hope nothing is cancelled.
Stallion
(6,474 posts)
.wondering how this will affect cruise rates later this year.
I had a cruise on the Saturday after 9/11-our plane was the second plane to leave DFW after the flight ban was lifted. The Ship was half-full but we got great service. Also 2 years ago my 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise turned into a 12 Day Western AND Eastern Caribbean cruise when Hurricane Harvey kept us from returning the Port of Galveston. So I've been lucky-but I'm sure one of these days a disaster will ruin my vacation
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)Care to make any recommendations?
I'm on Holland America, and I think it's possible another DUer is also here, which is totally cool. I don't know that person already, and I suspect we will not knowingly cross paths. But I'm having a lot of fun looking around and wondering who it might be.
Stallion
(6,474 posts)the best thing on Carnival is their Alchemy Bar where you create your own drinks but here are some provocative options
https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/onboard/bars/menus/alchemy-bar-menu.pdf
Heading towards my 30th cruise this summer--hopefully
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)Does that work?
Stallion
(6,474 posts)a few martinis during the day-take a nap-have a couple more at night too. Someone else is driving the Boat
been on land trips to Honolulu and Maui many times but really jealous of that Hawaii cruise-I've always wanted to cruise Hawaii but the time commitment is pretty tough at my law firm. Usually its a 10-14 day cruise plus travel days before and after. Aloha
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)This trip involves five days at sea to reach Hawaii. Five days around the islands. Five days back to the west coast, which involves a stop in Enseda, Mexico, which fills a requirement that cruises need to stop in another country at some point in the journey. So this cruise is 18 days.
I, like everyone on board, no longer has a job obligation, so we can all take long cruises. It's wonderful.
If you are going to cruise from the west coast to Hawaii I suspect that the 17 day cruise is honestly the minimum time involved. I will say that I am totally enjoying this time on board. I actually sat on my verandah this evening and watched the sunset. Oh, my. It was a delight.
This cruise is a slightly delayed 70th birthday present to myself. Back when I turned 70, nearly two years ago, I wanted to schedule this trip but was very resistant to the cost. I get the pleasure of paying a double fare. Darn. So I didn't book it to celebrate my actual birthday, and over time decided that I could and should do it. So I spend another year simply saving up the money and here I am.
So far the cruise is wonderful.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)I missed a long planned trip to Morocco because of a giant cloud of ash
Vivienne235729
(3,384 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)I went there right after the earthquake. I would love to see how Kathmandu is doing now.
Vivienne235729
(3,384 posts)Hiking the Anna Surnna range. I am also debating going a few days to chitawan.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)It is one of the most significant events of recent Nepalese history. More info here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2015_Nepal_earthquake
The reason the Himalayan Mountains are there is due to the continued subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, which is an ongoing process.
Vivienne235729
(3,384 posts)Thanks for the info, jberryhill!
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)This was the avalanche at one of the base camps at Everest:
...and further away...
marlakay
(11,468 posts)In the fall. So disappointing I had never been there or on a cruise.
I did it thru Costco travel and since it wasn't until fall I got all my money back.
Dorian Gray
(13,496 posts)so they wouldn't be able to get their money back for cancelling out of fear of this. (I'm currently looking at getting insurance for my Meditteranean Cruise that I've booked this summer.) So far, I've only put a deposit down. I'll probably Just suck up the deposit loss. THey've offered me the opportunity of postponing until the following summer, too, so I may put it toward that one.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)If the pandemic isn't an eligible reason, they didn't lose anything. It will be interesting if things calm down and they are able to go.
MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)Our first vacation in 6 years. Everything booked and purchased. We even paid for my daughter in NC to come spend a week with us. It was her Christmas present. My stepdaughter and her husband and baby are flying in from Germany to spend a long weekend at an agriturismo with us.
I cant convince my husband that the trip might have to be changed or cancelled. He just says its two months away, stop worrying.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Tanuki
(14,918 posts)We have been planning the trip since August. At first we said we were going anyway but as the situation developed, with prospects of quarantines, flights home potentially being cancelled, reports that the actual incidence of the virus in Japan is being underestimated due to testing restrictions, we decided only yesterday to pull the plug on the trip. Disappointing, as it would have been so much fun as planned. Many museums and attractions are closed right now. We hope to go in the future when things are back to normal. Meanwhile, there was a tornado last night in my town. Life comes at you fast!
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Those night time tornadoes have to be scarier than normal. The one in Nashville must have caught people off guard. Two killed? I hope your property wasn't hit.
cbdo2007
(9,213 posts)over spring break that they take each year, and their trip insurance company is saying they won't pay because fear of getting sick is not a valid reason for them to cancel, only if the people going were actually already sick then they would cancel.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)lapislzi
(5,762 posts)I hope to be able to make this trip. Anyone who knows the story "Appointment in Samarra" knows you can't outrun death. Here, there, if my number's up, it's up.
Tanuki
(14,918 posts)However, one of my considerations in cancelling my trip to Japan this week is the fact that I work in health care and am involved with vulnerable elderly patients and their caregivers. When it came down to it, even though I felt that my chances of becoming ill were extremely remote, what if I were wrong, and caused a chain outbreak, including deaths, upon my return? The Washington State cluster involves a similar scenario, so it was not an idle or exaggerated concern. I realized that i would have felt a moral obligation to self-isolate for 14 days upon return even if I felt perfectly healthy. That was not my only reason to cancel, but it probably tipped it over the edge.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)How many tens of thousands have died?
Oh, wait. What are the numbers for this flu season?
Hmmm.
I guess I'm the only one who thinks this might be a tad overblown.