Bachelorette Party on Cruise - Coronavirus?

I would not go on this cruise and no one else should either. CDC is recommending no one goes on a cruise at this time.

I would offer to come up with a Plan B and not let her guilt trip you. You are looking out for your safety and especially who wants to be quarantined or sick on a cruise??

I think you’re valid actually. I am one to not be that scared of the coronavirus And i would still travel. However a cruise is a bit different to me in the sense that it’s like a Petri dish of germs aha because you’re having so many people contained in one place.

I would send her the CDC recommendations of not getting on a cruise ship! I agree with PP, don't let her guilt trip you. I would personally refuse to go on a cruise anytime in the near future!

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She is aware of the CDC and laughed it off. She thinks its a glorified flu. With her having this mindset, I am afraid to even try to convince her otherwise.

It's this simple,

"The State Department on Sunday advised Americans against traveling on cruise ships, warning that they presented a higher risk of coronavirus infection and made U.S. citizens vulnerable to possible international travel restrictions, including quarantines."

A cruise ship is the LAST place I want to be and I travel a minimum of two weeks out of every month.

The other part to that... Just yesterday my FH's co-worker advised that his wife's company has told employees they are welcome to go on cruises, however they will be mandated to take two-weeks off without pay following their cruise return (she works for a major bank). I just don't think putting yourself at risk is worth the reward, even if it is your best friend. I would hope they would understand. How do the other bachlorette's feel?

Omg. You could not pay me to go on a cruise right now. I think she’s crazy for still wanting to go and expecting you all to!

Also, whether it’s a “glorified flu” or not, it’s not about that. It’s not fear of contracting the coronavirus, it’s fear of being stuck in quarantine on a cruise ship if someone gets it!

Your thoughts and feelings are completely valid. I can’t imagine being stuck on a cruise ship right now and then possibly having to go into quarantine for 14 days afterwards. Also a lot of cities are saying cruise ships aren’t allowed to dock there right now, I know my city has made that rule and we get 1 or 2 cruise ships a month.

Honestly, some people don't understand that you will have to be using your earned PTO on the "off chance" (I view it as highly likely) you get quarantined an additional 2 weeks. You're valid. If she doesn't see that, she sounds a little selfish if I'm being honest.

PS my boss told a coworker that if they go on their cruise in April, our company is almost guaranteed to make that person quarantine themselves upon returning.

People/companies are not messing around

While you're all not nearly likely to contract (let alone die from) COVID-19, quarantines are incredibly real. People have had to stay on the ships for weeks and weeks. This isn't about it being a "glorified flu" (which shows she really doesn't understand what the flu is), but potentially being stuck on a boat for a month.

How do the other guests going feel about the cruise? I assume airlines & cruises are refunding/rescheduling cruises and flights during this time so maybe you can push her to go another time? I'd be stressed about going on a cruise right now. Not even for if I get sick and have to be quarantined at home, but God forbid I get stuck on a cruise for some ridiculous amount of time and can't leave.

Oh heck no. I have my reservations about how this is being played out on the media. But I would not be going on a cruise right now. So many are being quarantined coming off cruises.

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This, exactly. Very few people can actually afford to spend 2 weeks quarantined on a ship (loss of income, etc.) and that is a very real possibility. You are smart to be concerned and to follow the official guidance, which is very clear about cruises.

As for your friend's callous statement of "I can't believe when my MOH would bail on my once in a lifetime bachelorette party for a big what if", that would seriously tarnish the friendship for me. Bachelorette parties are completely optional under any circumstances and not attending won't affect her wedding or her marriage. She is being terribly naive and selfish.

That said, there's probably nothing you can say to convince her to change her stance. Make your decision with confidence, apologize for the circumstances that are affecting her party (not because you caused them but just because it sucks all around), and then move on with your life.

The bride sounds selfish and in denial. I get where she's coming from, but it's not as if you're bailing on her actual wedding. Even if it were her wedding, the responsible thing to do is to avoid cruises right now. I am surprised that cruises are even permitted right now. Even if YOU are young and healthy enough to recover (should you get infected) you could infect those who are not. There is also the chance of being stuck in quarantine.


Stay off that ship.

The CDC and the WHO are all but begging people to restrict non-essential travel, like cruises.

I would ask the bride: can she afford to be quarantined ON the ship past the cruise dates? Can she afford to be quarantined AFTER? What if she gets sick? What if she doesn't get sick, but carries this illness to her elderly family members? What happens if someone gets sick on the cruise and you are stranded in a foreign country?

It's awful to have to cancel/postpone, but these are ... unique times.

I wouldn't go and I am pretty relaxed about this whole situation in general. But they specifically warned against cruise travel.

You could not pay me to take a cruise right now. Does she live under a rock? I mean, entire countries are being shut down because of this virus. I’ve been on a couple cruises & have had an interior cabin. I would lose.my.freaking.mind if I was stuck in that tiny room for however long we were quarantined. She sounds entitled & I would question my friendship with her if she really was mad about you choosing not to go.

The gov may be halting all cruises. Small indoor spaceuûs, limited change of air, all air recirculating. Cancel while you can. Several lines are already saying no penalty for cancellation due to flu or Corona virus. Be a responsible adult, take responsibility for the health and safety of you and the other partygirls, and do not go on a cruise. You cannot control the bride. But show more respect for the others than she thinks necessary. Home many of you have jobs where if someone in your group gets it and recovers, up to 18 extra days off work will be needed if ship passengers get quarantined. Will they say, gee, I didn't think an extra 18 days would be an issue, so I risked my health and my job for a bachelorette party. Makes a person look low on intelligence and planning skills. Great on a resume.

OMG, you couldn't pay me a million dollars to go on a cruise right now...don't do it!

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Yeah cruise ship I would feel same probably, but I'm not crazy about cruises and hate being stuck on a boat lol. But you would be stuck out on the water. Lots of people close together and easier spread of germs. on the other hand traveling doesn't scare me.