Best Of
Re: Hits and misses
How about you sign with someone else's name, e.g. Greta Garbo? All this talk about COVID, quarantine, etc., etc. is so depressing. I just want to put my fingers in my ears (in my eyes?) and go, "Na na, na, na . . . . ." Ya pays your price and takes your chances.

Re: New Masking and Social Distancing Policies
I don’t know who is kidding and who is serious? I know there are Captains who never turn the seatbelt sign off cuz they are afraid of what might happen if they hit unexpected turbulence. And I have over twenty five thousand hours flying airplanes and I don’t know what an “air pocket” is. But, pilots and air traffic controllers talk to each other and have a pretty good idea where the rough air might be, so that is where we put on the seat belt sign or if we feel uncomfortable with the ride. The pilots are ‘always’ strapped in except when going to the Jon. You can hit a downdraft unexpectedly that may exceed five thousand feet per minute … that is roughly sixty miles an hour, and that is how fast you will be going when you hit the ceiling of the airplane … or the luggage compartment. As a passenger I never have the seatbelt off unless I’m walking about for whatever reason. Whenever you hear the Captain tell the flight attendants to strap in, you best be ready for an exciting ride … with your seatbelt fastened. I was once in uniform riding as a passenger and reading the paper during some bad turbulence. When it was over, the person sitting next to me said, “if you stopped reading the paper I was going to scream!”. .
P.S. A couple more ‘by the ways’. Air marshals will never reveal themselves unless they are going to shoot somebody, and the cockpit door will never open during a disturbance.

Re: Hits and misses
Yes, I think I’m getting way too cray about this trip. I’m trying some mindfulness to chill so I can enjoy. If I get quarantined, I’ll try to learn Hungarian. That will take at least 10 days….

Re: Hits and misses
I don't expect Tauck to be perfect all the time and this year definitely seems to be a challenge. However, I do appreciate honest reviews. Certainly better than the vague " they did me wrong" posts without enough detail to make a fair assessment If it's valid or they are a difficult crank.
If Tauck isn't willing to enforce the travel well pledge requirements then drop it.
I don't think travel - especially to somewhere like Europe - is more dangerous than at home, but the repercussions of a positive test are higher. Expense and hassle of staying longer, trying to meet the requirements to get on a plane, etc.
If I'm about to spend a large chunk of money on a tour and deal with any risks/inconveniences, I want to know what to expect from the tour as far as the TD, accommodations, food, sights, etc. Therefore I appreciate detailed reviews. Then I can pay my money and take my chances.
Ps- if a post bores you, don't read it. Plenty I skip.

Re: Covid medication Paxlovid
I'd say the third doctor isn't ethical. It is supposed to be prescription only if 1) you test positive and 2) are at high risk. The person who obtained Paxlovid may be at high risk but she hasn't met the first requirement by testing positive.
Some may feel what's the harm--well, I have family who tested positive and have at least one co-morbidity who had a tough time getting Paxlovid so for people to be asking for this drug as a precaution doesn't sit well with me. I'd also be concerned about a doctor flouting the rules on this drug as so many doctors did on prescribing opioids. Definitely not the same thing. Nonetheless it's not ethical and whether this person is a lawyer or not should have no bearing on whether she is able to get a drug that is not meant to be a medicine cabinet staple.
Go ahead and flag me.
Re: Hits and misses
Forewarned is forearmed. I scoured these forums ahead of our trip for what travelers are experiencing now so I could make the appropriate risk assessment for me. Currently on the trip, and the “elephant in the room” was discussed at the welcome dinner and then again as we gathered (tightly packed indoors) aboard the riverboat). Masking is based on the rules of the country you are in and a personal decision otherwise. We were told how many from the last cruise incurred the unplanned trip extension and what limited help our TDs can offer. International travel is not for the risk-averse right now.
Re: Hits and misses
Thomas: Please do not stop posting. I enjoy your posts and humor. There is always something to learn, positive and negative from all of these posts. Take what you like and leave the rest, I always say. We are all different people (which is great) with different expectations. You did nothing wrong. Covid has and continues to be extremely challenging with regards to travel. I hope you have a fantastic trip, I know you will. Please do post a review afterwards, it will be appreciated by many on this board. Safe travels.
Re: Riverboat menu
Updating my post for those of you who had questions.
Approximately 40 of 67 guests on our ship caught Covid. Once we tested positive, our care was turned over to the ship's director, Axelle. She was excellent and organized all of the hotel reservations and transportation for everyone. She also personally accompanied me (prior to testing positive) to the pharmacy to act as interpreter with the pharmacist for my husband, who had tested positive and had a severe sore throat. Everyone onboard was boosted but several people caught "colds" early on and it turned out they were positive. We believe that so many of us got ill because we were repeatedly exposed to people who didn't realize they were infecting others.
We spent five days isolating in the hotel and Tauck changed our flights twice with no issues. Yes, we made it home after testing negative. My complaint with AON is being resolved through Tauck guest services. Without Cathy's intervention over the course of two days, we still would not have the claim request.
As I said, my husband and I have taken 8 trips with Tauck. Seven have been superb; this one was not. Posting twice was an error on my part, not an attempt to spam. Kathy0529 is correct; I do not make daily visits to the forum and I do appreciate those who have offered advice. For those taking upcoming trips with Tauck, I would just caution that Covid symptoms seem to manifest the same as cold symptoms. If you feel anything or someone around you is coughing a lot, get tested immediately.
Thanks. everyone. Apologies to those who were upset by my post for whatever reason.
Re: Hits and misses
Yes, Wildcat, that is one of the points the US Travel Association made in their 5 May letter to Dr Jha
Here's a link to it a pdf https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/5.2.22-dr-jha-final.pdf
I'd seen the letter but not the full list of signatories. Tauck is on the list.
