Dear #SalsaFam,
Your health, safety, and security has always been the #1 priority to Whet Travel. As we closely monitor the Coronavirus updates, we are taking all measures the health department has provided us to protect you. We will let you know as soon as we hear anything new throughout this event.
We would like to take note that Salsa Cruise 2020 is very far in the future, and as the Coronavirus may get worse before it gets better, generally these outbreaks are seasonal and most likely will calm down. It is important to note that none of our partner cruise lines: MSC, Celebrity, or Norwegian, have had a case of the Coronavirus to date. As unfortunate as this has been to all those affected, we want to shed a light of positivity to all those who are worried within our community. Right now, all of our cruises are a go, and we cannot wait to see each and every one of you.
Yesterday the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, told Forbes, “If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship. But the fact is that if you have…an individual who has an underlying condition, particularly an elderly person who has an underlying condition, I would recommend strongly that they do not go on a cruise ship.” You can read the full article here.
The cruise lines we work with are multi-billion dollar public companies and they all have extremely strict guidelines for health, and have vast experience and resources with viruses and outbreaks around the world for many years. They have implemented proactive safety measures including enhanced health screening as detailed below. There has been an additional precautionary measure just added regarding required temperature screenings before embarkation. We will do everything we can to ensure you are safe healthy and have the absolute best time of your life!!
If you know me I am always purchasing and harping on travel insurance and this particular situation is another great reason to ignite the convo. We live in a crazy world where a lot of things can come up: Personal or family illness or death, work related issues not allowing you to travel, loss of job, terrorism, canceled delayed or missed flights, lost or stolen bags or items and several other unfortunate situations.
Travel insurance gives you peace of mind that if something does arise you can get all or some of your money back (depending on the policy you purchase and what is covered). So whether your concern is a virus outbreak that can happen anytime or one of the above I highly recommend getting a travel insurance policy.
Thank you,
Myrna, Jason, and The Whet Travel Team
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Pre-cruise communication and additional health screening is key. We will continue to keep you updated up until each event as things continue onward.
It is important to recognize that as we monitor the world-wide developments regarding the Coronavirus, we will follow the guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while the cruise lines extend all medical boarding questionnaires before embarkation.
- Deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau or Japan, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Italian regions of Milan, Lombardy and Veneto within 14 days before embarkation.
- Any guests who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau or Japan, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Italian regions of Milan, Lombardy and Veneto within the 14 days before embarkation are required to notify us prior to sailing.
- Deny boarding to all persons who have had any close contact with, or helped care for, anyone who may have been suspected of or has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus within 14 days before embarkation. Or who is subject to health monitoring for any possible exposure to the Coronavirus.
- Crew members who are from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, who may have been scheduled to work on any of our charters have been delayed from working. This also includes crew members who may have to fly through those regions in order to join us.
- Any guest or crew member with a temperature detected at or above 100.4F / 38C will be denied boarding.
- Additional onboard sanitation measures have been put into place on top of the extended daily cleaning regimen.
- All guests must comply with the standard pre-boarding health reporting at time of check-in.
