For most of the last couple weeks I have spent most of the day answering questions about the Coronavirus. They come from everyone too. Many from travelers currently booked on a cruise or thinking about booking one soon. But it’s surely the big topic all around Central Florida. At the grocery store this morning shoppers were stocking up on items to…what? Hunker down like a hurricane is coming? Sure, let’s go with that. Because we really don’t have much guidance to help us plan for whatever might happen. While we work through that, answers to your questions…

If It Sails, I Will Go

“There’s no doubt about that …but are there extra precautions to take?“- Roger C, Tulsa

Yes, and this could also be an updated checklist for what we should already be doing to insure our health when traveling:

1. Wash Your Hands- this is the best advice because our hands are most likely to bring us sickness by contact.
2. Just Wave- shaking hands, bumping elbows and fists or hugging: all ways to get sick. Just wave.
3. Carry Hand Sanitizer Everywhere- In your car, in your pocket, in purses, bags and backpacks. You should already have a bottle on your packing list for in-cabin use when sailing.
4. Visit Buffets & Dining Rooms Early If Possible- The most cleaning happens after and between meals. Your early dining choice makes you the first people to sit at a table in several hours. That’s better than being the third party sat at that table who inherit germs from previous diners.
5. Ozium Could Be Your Best Friend– Ozium Air Sanitizer has been on my packing list for sailings we drive to. The aerosol can it comes in is a problem for airlines though. Work around that. Sanitize the air in your stateroom every time you enter with one quick application. Ozium combats airborne contaminants with glycol-ized micron sized particles that linger in the air, attach to airborne bacteria to purify and sanitize the air.
6. Use Nozin Before Every Flight- Nozin Nasal Sanitizer is commonly used before each leg of any flight plan to reduce the risk of infection. It is also clinically proven to reduce nasal bacteria, and used by hospitals for infection control. I have not tried using it on a cruise but several applications throughout the day wouldn’t hurt.
7. Maintain Distance If Given The Choice- Three to six feet between people will keep most of us out of range of the bacteria produced from others coughing or sneezing. Which brings us to #8
8. If You Are Sick, Stay Home– No one wanted you, your coughing and hacking on their cruise before Coronavirus. They sure don’t now.
9. Note To Self: Buy Travel Insurance From Now On– An enduring takeaway from the Coronavirus situation: Travel insurance really is worth it. Shop around for the best price and be sure to buy when you book for maximum coverage…but get it.
10. Sneeze And Cough Into Something Other Than My Air– Even if not sick, no one else needs to share your germs, especially now. Cough into an elbow, kleenex or a handkerchief.

What About Cancellation?

“This gets scarier all the time. Can I cancel my cruise?” – Bob S from Omaha

First to know: Yes, absolutely. The intricacies of each cruise line are a bit different but believe me, they all feel our pain and are bending over backwards to accommodate us…in the future. Many cruise lines have canceled entire seasons and more will follow. Many are offering generous credit going forward or a complete refund with little or no cancellation fee. Only one line I know of is currently charging admin fees for changes and they will probably end up dropping that. So what to do:

• Contact Your Travel Agent- Right now, your travel professional who is in constant contact with cruise lines should be shining brightly. You don’t want to be on an hour long hold with the cruise line.
• No Agent? If you’re not past final payment, transfer your booking to an agent a close friend might use…if they are accepting new clients. Many are not right now.
• Detailed Recordkeeping- Use a journal, spreadsheet or some other way to keep track of what happened when. When talking to agents or the cruise line, your best bet is email if possible. That way you have a record of what was said, promised and/or done.

Back to the grocery store this morning. In Florida, it seems to be an unwritten law that pending disaster = WE NEED LOTS OF TOILET PAPER. Not sure why this is an issue. I bought steaks. My thought: If I’m going to die, red meat is the least of my worries.

More as this story develops or goes away.