Julie Jester woke up on board the Coral Princess with a sore throat – and found herself in isolation shortly afterwards.
As she was cared for by the crew, she read reports of the so-called “COVID crisis” on board the ships with incredulity.
It was claimed “thousands were trapped on the ship” despite an assurance from Carnival Australia’s CEO Marguerite Fitzgerald.
Ms Jester has nothing but praise for the way she was treated – and says she preferred to be at sea than at home, despite COVID.
“Three days ago I woke up with a sore throat. I was already aware that there were cases onboard and I didn’t want to take any chances so I phoned the Medical Centre emergency number as requested in the notices given to us earlier.
“A medical technician arrived later that morning and did the PCR test on me plus a RAT on my husband. His RAT was negative so he was allowed to leave the cabin however he was not allowed to eat or drink at any of the bars or restaurants but could bring food etc back to the cabin, such as chocolate ice cream to soothe my sore throat.”
Unfortunately, following this Ms Jester did test positive.
“My initial PCR test was negative but I was required to isolate for 24 hours until a second PCR test was done the next day. Unfortunately, this one was positive. I now have to isolate for around seven days. My husband has to do a RAT every day and report the results to the Medical Centre.”
Ms Jester says she has been well taken care of by the ship’s crew.
“We are being taken care of very well indeed. Both the Medical Centre and Guest Services phone us daily to check how we are and if we need anything. All Covid medical treatment and testing are free.
“Even though my initial PCR test was negative the Medical Centre sent up a strip of throat lozenges in case I needed them although as experienced cruisers/travellers we do carry a kit that is well stocked with over-the-counter meds to cover all situations. I have been prescribed a course of anti-virals which I started last night.”
Ms Jester says the food and service have been excellent in isolation.
“The dining room lunch and dinner menus are delivered each day and we can order meals off those through room service, plus breakfast items that are not on the standard cabin breakfast list.
“The Medallion app is great for ordering drinks (of any kind – tea, coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, wine etc) and we have been told all drinks are free while we are in isolation.
“The ABC had a very fair and factual report about our port stop in Broome. However, most of the other media reports I have seen have been ridiculous, lacking in facts and high in speculation, designed to put the cruise industry in the worst possible light. Irresponsible journalism at its worst.”
“As far as we can tell Princess is following all the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australia Cruise Protocols to protect passengers, crew, and the communities in the ports we visit. Based on previous experience Princess has always placed high importance on the health and safety of passengers and crew and this cruise is no exception.”
Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia president Marguerite Fitzgerald said: “We continue to monitor closely a small number of guests who tested positive for COVID-19 and who are isolated and are being cared for in their stateroom by our medical and support staff. All cases on board have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
“As of today, case numbers remain relatively steady with a vast number of our 2000 guests continuing to enjoy facilities onboard.
“Unfortunately, Mid West Ports Authority has advised that adverse weather affecting the port, means that Coral Princess will be unable to make her scheduled call to Geraldton tomorrow.
“Coral Princess will instead sail directly to Fremantle as planned and is scheduled to arrive on Friday, 28 October. Guests will be able to disembark after undertaking Rapid Antigen Tests to enjoy an extended call at this popular destination.”
Princess Cruises said only a small number of guests are currently in isolation and cases on board have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
Unfortunately our experience on the Majestic Princess 20/10- 2/11 was not quite so glowing as all the previous ones. We contracted Covid on the 4th. day of our 11 day cruise and were isolated in our cabin for the remainder of the journey. Yes, they fed us via room service but the hot meals were usually luke warm and the icecream was melted. Furthermore we were told that the antiviral oral medicine would cost $750 even though we are both aged over 70. Since we disembarked Princess 8 days ago Princess has not been in touch with us and we are waiting to see if compensation via a refund for the isolation days is forthcoming. We have emailed the company but so far have had no response? We also paid for excursions we could not go on.
I have to agree with Julie Jester’s comments both my husband & I had tested positive and have only come out of isolation today 02/11 after 10 days. We cannot praise all crew aboard Coral Princess highly enough for the care and attention we have been given during this time.
We too will be receiving credits for our missed cruise days. This has not put us off cruising we cannot wait until we cruise next on Majestic Princess. Thanks again to everyone at Princess Cruises.
We also have nothing but praise for princess after the time spent on Diamond Princess in Japan. We both had Covid We have been on 3 princess cruises this year Alaska Mexico and Brisbane All different ships. All fabulous.
So nice Julie to read a realistic review of what really happens in unfortiate situations like you and your husband found yourselves in.
Ive never been on a cruise but id love to 1 day & after reading your review, Princess is where il be booking.
Well I’m booked for Coral Princess in Feb 23 covid or not I’m going to enjoy every minute
I got Covid-19 in July 22 on the Coral Princess. My husband isolated with me and never got the Virus. We were looked after so well in our balcony cabin and then in a Medi Resort on the Gold Coast. We have rebooked for our next cruise in February 2023. The only negative on our Cruise was the beat up by some of the Media outlets. I can attest to the agreement of Australian National, States and Princess Cruises is working well and their protocols and management of Covid 19 are World Class.
As a seasoned cruiser I have every faith in the staff & crew I am more than happy to cruise regardless of media crap I have been a victim of media stories & I have come to the conclusion never believe all that you read. Looking forward to my up & coming cruise in 2023
Nothing will turn me off cruising getting vivid now is really no different then getting the flu the media needs to just leave the cruise. Industry alone they do exactly what they are told to bo and 100 out of 2000 who cares it’s no different to the gastric bug can’t wait 4 my next cruise in 23 days
I was also on Coral Princess on a cruise out of Brisbane in July. Julie Jester is absolutely accurate in her description of how Princess looked after their passengers.
The media circus about our cruise was just as inaccurate and misleading as Mrs Jester’s cruise.
Perhaps that’s why, in a survey of the 30 most trusted occupations, journalists finished 29th.
I also was on the Coral Princess on July when I got Covid19. I cannot fault the way I was looked after. And I got credits for the days I was in isolation although they fed me whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it.
They also arranged my journey home from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.
I just cannot fault Princess in any way.