COVID hit us when least expected

Silversea Cruises and The Crane Barbados have really stepped up

There we were, ready to finally get to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao with a cruise leaving from Barbados and returning to Barbados. After our cruise, we planned a few extra days in Barbados followed by a few days in New York before returning to Brussels.

Both of us are triple-vaxed so we went to get a PCR test before leaving. Doing a PCR allows entry to first the US (we were flying over New York) and the second day to Barbados. We had quite some airline « issues » but I will put that one in a separate blog post where I will compare Delta, United and American.

Chronology:
February 2 – RT-PCR test done in Belgium, results negative
February 3 – Self-test negative – flight to New York – Gilles has an upset stomach but that happens regularly
February 4 – Self-test negative – New York to Barbados
February 5 – when boarding cruise, antigen inconclusive – subsequent PCR shows Gilles as positif while I test negatif
February 6 – self-test confirms the same: Gilles positif and me negatif
Today February 9 – self-test Gilles shows inconclusive while mine is still negatif – he does not have any specific symptoms and no fever

Thank you, Silversea!
Silversea Cruises have been phenomenal in their support: they immediately reserved a hotel for us to quarantine in, arranged transfers, looked after our luggage. That was just day 1.
When we got to the hotel, we received a call from SilverCare. Sara was most helpful in explaining how things would work.
Silversea is taking care of our room, food etc during our quarantine. We will get an FCC (Future Cruise Credit) for the missed cruise.
Sara calls us every day to check in.
Nicki, from the local representative, is of course the one who was instrumental as she is the one who informed us and reassured us. We cannot speak highly enough of her professional help and attitude under what I can only assume is a hard time for anyone if it happens to you.
This is still not an ideal situation of course but the professional help we received and the very nice accomodations (see next paragraph on the Crane and the video) make it definitely more bearable….

Thank you, the Crane Barbados (Hilton Grand Vacations)
The Crane Barbados have been equally fantastic to accommodate us. We are in a Junior Suite with Balcony and Sea View, which also has a small kitchenette.
The video below of the room will show you clearly how wonderful the room is but what really sets it apart is how the hotel is organized.
Someone contacts you every day to check whether everything is OK, deliveries are prompt, the choices of restaurants is good, housekeeping provides additional whatever you need. The food is of very good quality (and that is based on room delivery – it must be even better in the restaurant itself).
The protocols are strict (of course) but well followed and applied.
If we can find any negative points, it would be (a) that the TV is tiny, especially compared to the room (but of course most people will not spend as much time in their room as we have in such a nice resort 🙄), (b) the AC does not seem to be working properly but since the windows open, we have not had any issue with it, and finally (c) that when you extend your stay and book this directly with the property you do not get Hilton points. That does not help to maintain (Diamond) status especially in these times of fewer travels. I really find it disappointing if a property only wants to be associated with a brand when it suits them but not go all in.
But overall this property is really highly recommended. Special mention to Janine Gilkes who has always been helpful with all our questions.

Conclusions
It is not fun when this happens – you look forward to an exploring holiday and instead you end up for 10 days in a hotel room.
Key is to not let it get to you and not be angry with people who are trying to help you. We were surprised to hear that this not always the case.
Stay happy, Zen, have a drink and pretend it is a transatlantic cruise rather than an exploring cruise…
Happy travels everyone!