Virginia100

11 minutes ago, Babr said:

Well, there is travel insurance for those who want to protect their investment and provide for the contingency of quarantine on shore; however, it won’t keep you from being confined in an undesirable cabin.

Insurance is expensive, doesn’t cover airfare in many instances and like you say crummy quarantine cabins.

I just did a search with Forbes: prices for 2 was $1300 to $3000 for total cost coverage etc.

1 hour ago, rachiem said:

And with the Covid Assistance ending at the end of the month too! 
To give up a suite to go to an OV with no partial refund is not acceptable IMO. 
 

The end of Covid 19 assistance on 4/30 is critical to me. I cannot go to Europe (Italy) in August if not extended thru 9/1. I just don’t feel that lucky!!

58 minutes ago, TMaine said:

I am curious why people would like to see a policy that protects people and their vacation funds come to an end?   

I have been on 2 cruises since the restart and luckily, both were great with only 1 and 3 known cases respectively.  The only way we would have gone is with this policy, vaccination and testing requirements.  I guess we aren't the gaming types with our money. 

I totally agree. If we are still in the pandemic and cases still present everywhere why is the Covid 19 protection coming to an end April 30? The risk is still there, why should I assume a 100% risk now? My 8/8 cruise on the Beyond with airfare is $10k. Am I to roll the dice? Does Celebrity still expect my FP in three weeks if not extended? 

8 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Good friends have a suite out of Amsterdam in May.  If they test positive on the final test they will be denied boarding and told to quarantine.   Thousands of dollars gone.  They are Canadian and to date have found only one policy that would cover the loss of the cruise fare that is 15% of the fare.  Excludes airfare and quarantine expenses.

Agree the policy needs to end, but not sure I would travel very far to cruise with those circumstances. 

This is a major consideration for my 8/8 Rome cruise. If the policy is not extended to 9/1, I’m most likely to pass. My FP is due 5/10, I hope for clarification by then. 

2 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Cancelling for next year already? That seems a bit soon, unless of course you just want to have time to make other plans for a different kind of vacation. I figure I'll wait and see what happens with Celebrity's policies into the new year and decide at that point. My cruises are next May so final payment due in February. I have some land-based trip itineraries in mind as a back up that should be relatively easy to throw together if the cruise doesn't work out.

I’m booked and ready for my Feb/23 Caribbean cruise. Off the Reflection a few weeks ago , went perfect. But new variants, cases starting to rise, test required to return to US and one day pre boarding test for Rome embarkation eliminating the test before heading to Italy as being valid, all has me seriously rethinking my 8/8 cruise on Beyond. I thought most of this would be gone. It isn’t. Going out Ft Lauderdale. An acceptable risk, a foreign country I thinking no. FP in 3 weeks, not looking good. Rats!

5 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

Whatever the numbers are on a ship the percentage is still much lower that on land. I'll take my chances on a ship anytime. Been on 2 cruises since restart, and have 4 more booked.

Agree but in the US no one really cares anymore. On board they are still sticklers and you could end up in quarantine in a crummy cabin.

39 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Hi klfhngr,

they closed the other thread down but in case you haven’t gotten an answer about vaccinated and Covid tests before flying to Europe. We have flights from US to Portugal (then on to Rome for cruise).  Portugal says you do not need a Covid test if you are fully vaccinated but they want to see the EU certificate or equivalent.  TAP airlines says they will not recognize the CDC card.  I argued that the CDC card is equivalent. The rep said that several passengers have reported that the airport staff does not recognize the CDC card as valid because there is no QR code. He advised to get the test. 

I’m getting an antigen test the day before I fly to Rome if I continue to go just for peace of mind but several articles state the CDC document is the equivalent as the entire US has no QR document. The airport staff are ignorant. This is one of reasons along with increasing infections I may well cancel. Europe is rather anal about this.

I only have access to an I phone. Not the best system. But Italy for some reason is 1 day pre testing , not 2 right now. I called CS, they didn’t know why. Protocols  now are good thru 7/31. I go in August. 

5 hours ago, Tigerfnan23 said:

 

There's definitely a lot of conflicting information out there.  Hopefully by then we can get a straight answer that isn't contradicted everywhere else we look.  

3 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

We decided to give up and took the CWC. We moved the booking to a ship close by (Solstice) with no flying. Will try next year. We were spending almost three weeks in total in Italy before and after the cruise. Too many hoops to jump through and a risk of testing positive. Luckily United Airlines stepped up big time and extended our flight credit until 12/31/23. Since we were booked Business class the flight was more than the suite on the Edge. On to other things. I wish all of you traveling to Europe a healthy and safe trip. 🙂

Your where I just about am. With 1 day testing for Italy embarkation you will not know for sure you can embark until your in Italy, a little late in the game, and then the logistics to be tested there, and then testing to return to the US and the crapshoot your not positive. When I booked this cruise a year ago I thought this would be done. It isn’t. I’ll stick to US ports snd the Caribbean. Don’t like it but it is what it is. Especially as I just read three more variants have been found.

I contacted the Captains Club and a supervisor there said if up to date vaccinated you must get that Covid test 1 day prior, will not be done at the port. As testing cannot be in the US and used as it will be 2 days old, if my hotel cannot set up an appointment for me locally (requested on 4/11, still no confirmation) by FP in 3 weeks I’m out. I’ve become less enthused with waiting until landing in Italy to be tested and having to test negative to return to the US. I think until this changes I’ll stick to my usual cruising the Caribbean.

I have a call and an email into one of Celebrity’s certified planners to ask if an up to date vaccinated passenger can be tested at the port on embarkation morning. No answer in a few days now.

What upsets me at this point is rival Princess stated in writing on their website that they will give complimentary Covid tests at the pier recognizing the one day testing rule is very inconvenient to US/Canadian passengers

You can fill them out anytime. You are suppose to change if any changes before entering Italy. If no changes when you fill them out does not matter. I filled mine out months ago and printed. No changes since.

4 minutes ago, rachiem said:

Just spoke with X and they tell me two days before for Italy now (only Spain needs to be the day before) which contradicts the UK FB page and APP check in.

That’s the opposite of their web page, see link in prior posts.

I just spoke to Celebrity CS and she said up to date vaccinated passengers can be tested at the port. This may delay your boarding based on the number being tested. She said you could arrive early if you want this testing. As my confidence in the information I’ve gotten from CS in the last day seems to be inconsistent has anybody else verified ?

Additionally, in terminal 3 of Rome airport there is a testing area for departing and arriving passengers, you a need a ticket to use. Has anyone used this or plan to?

9 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

Below is what I’m looking at on Celebrity’s website and it clearly shows testing one day prior for Italy for guests who are “up to date” on vaccines and boosters. I also have an issue with a cruise line rep stating something that does not match what is printed on their website. 

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/italy-travel-requirements

Thanks that CS rep I spoke with was dead wrong and incorrect. As I cannot test before my flight leaving the US now (was 2 days) and I will not chance being in Italy and then testing positive I’m done and out. 

21 hours ago, Susanb10567 said:

I was surprised to see Italy was one day prior testing. I had read that about Spain but not Italy. It makes it basically impossible to test before leaving the US. 

I just talked to Celebrity CS and like their website only Spain is identified as 1 day pre embarkation testing. The CS rep assured me Italy departures are still requiring only the 2 day prior embarkation testing not 1. Anyone have contradicting info ?

Well, I looked at the Celebrity website and it only mentions Spain requiring the 1 day pre embarkation Covid test, not Italy. I called CS again snd they assured me only Spain required the 1day test, no other European departures. All others are the usual 2 day prior embarkation test.
anyone  confused yet??

Well, at least I found out the European Union Healthy Guidelines (EUHG) are the ones setting the 1 day prior to embarkation testing requirements. With that these rules are fixed for the summer. On Princess due to this testing timeline, Covid testing at the terminal will be complimentary. Celebrity??

29 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

Even with the two day testing rule CWC is out and could not be used if one tested positive prior to their cruise. CWC and Covid assistance is two totally separate programs. According to the below schedule from Celebrity our Saturday sailing would have to be canceled by the Wednesday “before” the cruise using CWC. With the former two day testing rule, one has to test either Thursday or Friday for our Saturday departure. That would not leave CWC as an option if you test positive prior to the cruise. Also, Covid assistance ends as of 4/30/22 which means no compensation for testing positive prior to the cruise unless Celebrity decides to extend the program which as of today has not happened. 
 

This makes my cruise an expensive game of chance, especially with rising Covid cases again. So if those going out of Spain and Italy test positive at the terminal no FCC or other compensation?

27 minutes ago, sgmn said:

I seem to remember for mainland Europe last year that everyone got tested at port at celebritys expense and if positive they gave a full refund. Surely after another year of covid with the added advantage of jabs things should be easier not more difficult. 

We arrive in Civitavecchia the day before but its a Sunday. May have to do it at FCO on arrival 

I agree testing at the terminal may be the best option, But if positive even if fcc is issued, I doubt that will cover the RT airfare. Are you comfortable with that risk?

3 minutes ago, truedesigngirl said:

I'm glad to hear they are aware of the inconsistency between the 48 hours needed to cancel for 'cruise with confidence' and the one day testing protocol they have now instituted for Italy and Spain. But I certainly hope they make a change much sooner than the first week of May. We are supposed to be sailing out of Rome on the Edge on May 6 and now are faced with some tough decisions. If we fly there (and we were going to be there a couple days prior), are fine when we self test two days before and don't cancel the cruise but then come up positive the day before, we are out of luck. (And I've seen people be fine one day and test positive the next so it's possible). It seems the other major cruise lines (RCCL included) have extended their Covid coverage so I don't know why Celebrity still has theirs expiring April 30.

The CS rep I spoke to said CWC was extended thru September but the 48 hour cancellation provision was not adjusted for the 1 day testing in Europe. I agree the way the protocols are worded those boosted like me can opt for testing at the terminal. But if positive do I get a full FCC? How does my return flight get changed? I’ve just wasted a RT to Rome from the US. If I cannot arrange a testing before  I leave, I’m canceled. With 1 day testing that means my Rome flight from Washington DC arrives on the day of embarkation at 8:10AM. Little time to spare. And if CWC doesn’t change to 24 hours cancellation I’m out also. I’ve gone from 100.% going to who know !! Someone needs to really think these protocols thru,

I just called Celebrity CS. They said the new 1 day prior testing is protocol thru May 31 sailings. Sailings after this date will have protocols updated the first week of May. My Rome cruise FP is May 10 for August 8. I asked for extension of FP as I cannot pay for a cruise I do not know the protocols and for which the Cruise With Confidence still requires 48 hour cancellation, not one day. CS said they are now aware of CWC inconsistency with required testing for Italy snd Spain. I should call back for an update the first week of May and if testing not changed to 2 days ask for an extension of FP then. Either my current reservations all made based on 2 day prior testing will need to be changed if possible or I simply cancel.they did not know why the 1 day testing instead of 2 was made. A real mess,

Heard passenger count is 1,050. It does feel fairly empty but the lines are eliminated now!

Masks eliminated here in Virginia for some time. No increase in infections. Haven’t worn one except for medical appointments in many months. Go out every day to fitness center and to dinner. Just tested negative for my Reflection  cruise this Saturday. Of course required to wear on airplane tomorrow. But several travelers told me common to see people not wearing in terminal. 

I wonder why not at Ft Lauderdale?. Big airport and close to the port. A friend of mine on Princess out of FLL several weeks ago had the luggage valet service.