Have any of you had a trip overseas planned and then had to cancel because of an international

[Frustratedlady]

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]

1. me... I was planning to visit Europe this month.

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]

3. You can still come

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]

6. relatives and friends...

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]

11. We haven't seen any of that here yet.

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]

64. I was in your neck of the woods last summer.

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]

66. That's right down the road, for sure

Köln is about half an hour or less by train from Düsseldorf.

[SoCalNative]

20. Netherlands has 2 reported cases now

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-02-28/second-case-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-netherlands-health-authorities

[DFW]

22. And probably 100,000 unreported cases

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]

35. I bet you're right.

This is just getting started.

[DFW]

48. Unfortunately

That is just how I see it as well.

[Laurelin]

30. 18 confirmed in the NL

I'm sure there are many more here. Also in the US I assume.

[Frustratedlady]

4. Sorry! Their first international trip, as well. Wanted to visit my daughter's "ancestral home"....

Did you already have reservations? If so, will you be charged for withdrawing?

[DFW]

2. We are planning to go to an infected country this summer, and are not changing our plans yet

We usually fly over to the USA for our summer vacation. I hope the place isn't quarantined off!

[Frustratedlady]

5. If either country is quarantined, will they (or, you) be charged a canceling fee?

[DFW]

9. Yes, but Air Chance made that clear at the time of booking, and gave me an insurance option

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]

12. Good for you. A house on Cape Cod sounds great. We always rent a house when we travel.

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]

14. We have one daughter here in Germany and one in the USA

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. That's where they are headed. Inverary Castle, for one.

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]

21. We intend to try!

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]

60. One of our relatives was beheaded due to religious disagreements.

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. United is offering vouchers/ waiving change fees for flights

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]

27. I've seen a couple cruise lines doing this, not nearly enough IMO.

[Johnny2X2X]

7. Yes

I had work travel plans to China that have been cancelled.

Best friend's family reunion in Italy for May has been cancelled.

[dmr]

8. Yup! I was planning a cruise for later in the year, but we nixed it.

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]

10. Good for you! I hope this is short-lived and we all can relax our defenses.

That is a HUGE reason to celebrate and I hope you are able to take that cruise...maybe later?

[KatyMan]

15. We have a cruise planned in October

With no plans of cancelling. Sailing to destinations in Mexico from Galveston.

[Frustratedlady]

19. You might be OK later in the year. Let's hope! n/t

[KatyMan]

25. Thanks!

We've been on 10 cruises in the last 5 years and never had an issue being sick.

[NewJeffCT]

17. My daugher's high school canceled a trip that was supposed to start on Friday

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]

18. What a disappointment for them. Can they reschedule for later on?

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]

24. Thanks - not sure about that

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]

34. That was my class trip in 1970

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]

23. My niece and her husband have two trips cancelled.

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]

26. No

But I'm postponing a flight to Phoenix because I don't want to be in a virus tube, at least for now.

[Laurelin]

28. Not yet

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]

41. Oh, I hope you are able to go to the wedding. Sounds like insurance likes to use Acts of God a lot.

I guess Trump was wrong blaming it on the Democrats, eh?

[Laurelin]

59. Thanks!

Me too. I'm a bit worried. At least there's Skype or signal but it's not the same.

[tavernier]

29. Going to Grand Canyon this summer instead of a cruise or flight to Europe.

Still have to fly, but we could drive. All depends.

[Totally Tunsie]

31. My youngest son and his family are moving to Sweden

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]

32. Planning on going to Egypt in may

The travel insurance companies say they do not cover for pandemics. So still plan on going on the trip of a lifetime.

[HipChick]

33. I will be in London in 2 weeks..

Not changing my plans...

[SharonClark]

36. I have 3 European trips planned this year.

Belgium-Germany-Moldova, Scotland, Kosovo-Hungary. I’m a bit anxious at the moment but plan, at this time, to go. If these trips weren’t already in the can then I’d 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 I’m not second guessing anyone.

[Frustratedlady]

40. That's what I was hoping they had done (ins.) but they thought, "What's the chance.."

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]

37. I just flew today from Raleigh through Miami

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]

38. My husband and I went to Aruba for 12 days at the beginning on February.

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]

39. I boarded a cruise to Hawaii yesterday.

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]

42. Enjoy a drink for Me on the Lido Deck

….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]

45. I will order one in your honor.

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]

47. Never Been on Holland America-Usually Go on RCCL and Sometimes Carnival

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]

68. Perhaps at happy hour tomorrow I'll order a couple of martinis and think of you.

Does that work?

[Stallion]

69. Sounds Like a Plan!!!

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]

70. The time commitment is a serious one.

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]

43. An Icelandic volcano

I missed a long planned trip to Morocco because of a giant cloud of ash

[Vivienne235729]

44. We have a trip to Nepal in the summer. I am hoping that it will improve by then.

[Recursion]

49. Oh nice

I went there right after the earthquake. I would love to see how Kathmandu is doing now.

[Vivienne235729]

51. Interesting. I didn't know they have earthquakes there. We'll spend most of our time

Hiking the Anna Surnna range. I am also debating going a few days to chitawan.

[jberryhill]

52. The 2015 Nepal earthquake killed 9,000 and injured 22,000

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]

55. Oh wow. That is significant. I had no idea. It will be interesting to see its impact.

Thanks for the info, jberryhill!

[jberryhill]

56. There are a number of documentary films you might consider

This was the avalanche at one of the base camps at Everest:

...and further away...

[marlakay]

46. We cancelled our Mediterranean cruise

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]

50. Travel Insurance doesn't cover disease epidemics....

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]

61. Well, I guess not buying the insurance wasn't as bad as I thought.

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]

53. We are going to Italy for two weeks at the end of April.

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 can’t convince my husband that the trip might have to be changed or cancelled. He just says it’s two months away, stop worrying.

[Frustratedlady]

62. Good luck to you all.

[Tanuki]

54. Yes. My niece and I were supposed to fly to Japan this Thursday.

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]

63. How disappointing. I hope you are able to go eventually.

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]

57. Trip insurance may not pay...we have a school here that is canceling their trip to Italy...

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]

65. Bummer!

[lapislzi]

58. Traveling to Belgium and the Netherlands later this month

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]

67. Or Poe's "Masque of the Red Death"

https://www.poemuseum.org/the-masque-of-the-red-death

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]

71. Remind me again how many hundreds of thousands of people have been sickened by this virus?

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.