Tony UK

It will be an interesting lawsuit. The cruiselines procedures, the sick passengers medical history...how did she know she wasnt already hiv positive for example, The donor will obviously get to know as their health history will be under scrutiny.

I also feel for the donor who could face a double blow of finding out they have HIV and that they have passed it on to another person....they were trying to save a life!

On 5/24/2022 at 11:24 PM, Oceansaway17 said:

on You tube JJ Cruise has done two videos on the beyond.  check it out.

seems like the pool deck area has some negatives with alcoves.

Those guys are great...they give a really detailed review of staterooms, and all the areas of the ships. We met them on Edge and they are really genuine guys xx

I'm confused by Certificate of recovery. If you test negative on an antigen why would you need a certificate of recovery. 

What is the time frame for when you can use antigen rather than COR after a positive test?

2 hours ago, Londoncruising1971 said:

We were also on inaugural

We found Le Voyage excellent. Some were critical, but we thought that the food was superb and the ambience was nice and intimate. We love Murano on S class ships, and found it to be comparible.

We found Eden quite underwhelming, although I think we were in the minority here. Our experience was a little spoiled by over fussy staff, and being asked about our day by everyone from the head chef to bottle washer. To be fair, it was the inaugural cruise, and I think they were just trying a little too hard. The food was very good, but I can't remember what I ate, so it didn't stand out

Ocean view was superb with lots of choice. Our big letdown was Luminae. With so many suites, it now feels like a MDR. We ate in Blu most evenings. Very good food and excellent service

Enjoy 🙂 

We loved Murano and have been lots of times. Le Voyage sounded a similar concept although pricey!

We weren't sure whether to try the tasting menu. We did do it once in Murano but then reverted to the full menu, especially as we have the premium drinks package to contribute to our wine!

We have tried 2 very different menus in Eden. We did enjoy both, but the recent experience on Edge was amazing. We loved it and will be going again on Beyond in September.

On 5/23/2022 at 7:39 PM, terrydtx said:

You can do it on any device with internet connection, a video camera and a microphone built in, so yes an I pad, Galaxy S tablet or laptop will work as long as you have internet connections. My Galaxy S7 tablet has cell data so we can do our texts almost anywhere. The tests take 10 to 15 minutes online to complete.

 

I did mine on my phone...no problems!

40 minutes ago, Michidoeme said:

Was considering review, but while we enjoyed our holidays, I am afraid my comments would be seen as too critical as can t help compare with previous cruises of which we have great memories (S class, pre covid).

Please do a review. I am sure we all realise that we all have different opinions, likes and dislikes. I for one prefer to read an honest account of a real cruisers trip. 

For most new ships there is a shakedown period before things settle down.

I'm surprised there are no reviews posted yet. Anyone tried the speciality dining, especially Le Voyage? I'd love some feedback. 

14 hours ago, MDTrip said:

Was your test with eMed (Navica)? We have three people and it will be helpful to know. Thanks.

Mine was through Project Screen by Prenetics. Lateral flow test with a telehealth video consultation. Cost was £28 each.

On 4/20/2022 at 9:07 AM, Miaminice said:

 

No, in the EU and Italy it is a recommendation - not a legal requirement. So the cruise line decides to follow the recommendation or not. Don´t know about the UK, but the topic is Italy etc.

 

I thought I spotted a few days ago in the news that Italy had changed to a 1 day testing requirement, anyway it is as it is. When we travelled for a cruise out of USA the esting requirement changed and we had to alter all our test plans.

Travel anywhere isnt easy nowadays!!

By the way we always do a standard antigen test to make sure we are OK before we do the proctored one!

We used prenetics and it was an easy process to follow. We prebooked an appointment 24 hours a day appointments available. We received a zoom link. 

We watched you tube videos and also practiced zoom meetings with each other pre test.

When we started our 1st test the man said is there more than 1 person, we said yes and he did both of us together which made it easier.

Good luck.

9 minutes ago, Honeybadger418 said:

Entry back to USA.

I think you only need a negative antigen test. Always best to check with airline though.

1 hour ago, Honeybadger418 said:

We are booked on the June 11 Edge sailing. Our plan is to spend 3 nights post-cruise in London. We have packed many Covid tests, both proctored and unproctored.

 

We plan to take unproctored tests both before getting off the ship and while in London.  
 

In the event that we test positive in London, should we get the antibody test at a local clinic or pharmacy there so that the positive result is documented and the clock starts for the recovery certificate?

It isnt an antibody test is it? I thought you needed a pcr test.

It is very poor I think to debark people first.....it tells its own story about the numbers they expect to be positive I think. In the past I have always thought the company would look after me but right now he drive seems to be keep sailing.

Tip for future, take your own kit to do on board before you debark. We always do an ordinary antigen test before the proctored one to know where we stand. Download hotel tonight so you have somewhere to go if the worst happens so you'll at least have some thinking time. Think very carefully about officially reporting anything as it limits your options, unless you need medical attention of course!

Funny how I read through the terms and conditions for our next booking when a friend has had on board problems.....

DID YOU KNOW that if you develop covid symptoms or test positive within 14 days of the end of your sailing you are required to report to Celebrity as soon as possible in addition to your local health authority.(version December 2021)

I had been critical of no follow up.....now I know it is down to all of us to provide the information!!

Funny how this sort of thing makes you read terms and conditions more thoroughly...mine arrived today for our next cruise!

DID YOU KNOW that if you develop covid symptoms or test positive within 14 days of the end of your sailing you are required to report to Celebrity as well as your local health authority.

I had been critical of now follow up.....now I know it is down to all of us to provide the information!!

9 minutes ago, Ommadawn said:

They need to have different cruises with different levels of Covid protocols.

 

Level 1 (minimum level): No protocols; Covid is treated like a cold. You are only paid attention to if you go ask for help at the medical center. No required quarantine. No required masking. No testing to board. Full capacity on the ship (100%).

 

Level 2: Current protocols. Required quarantine if tested positive. No required masking. Little contact tracing. Testing to board. Limited capacity on the ship (75%).

 

Level 3 (maximum level): Masks required at all times while inside except while eating or drinking. Testing to board. Testing once a week on the ship. Robust contact tracing. Very limited capacity on the ship (50%).

 

Designate certain ships/cruises at the various levels and let the market decide. Some people will pay more for the Level 3, some people, like myself, would prefer Level 1. Others will go with Level 2. You could do at least one ship of each class for each level of Covid protocols and let the people choose their level of comfort/risk. 🙂

I see where you are coming from with your suggestion. The current regimen is an attempt to persuade cruisers that ships are covid safe. They would have to be extremely careful about how they marketed the options. Covid positive cases could still be introduced onto the ship even with negative tests pre cruise. It would be wrong to suggest otherwise. 

16 minutes ago, ROYALBOY said:

Let me get this straight…we are on Apex in October Rome east to Israel b2b with Rome TA to Ft Lauderdale (home). So if you tested positive on the first portion, they would allow you to continue on the 2nd cruise to the US? Now I am wondering if my Doctor would prescribe to have Paxlovid 

just in case?

Well, what a question! The first hurdle is to get a negative test to get on the ship. Once on there if you report to the medical centre and test positive, it is up to the ship, Celebrity Miami and the local authority in Italy to determine what to do. Some have been given the option to stay on board in isolation. To get a clear test seems to take around 10 to 12 days!. Some have been given the option of leaving the ship, however you need a negative test to fly home so it means finding accommodation and laying low until clear.

It may be that nearer your sailing date things will ease....although Autumn is a time when things can start going downhill!!

It just isn't clear what would happen I'd read others experiences to help plan and have contingencies like medication, back up hotel ideas etc just in case.

Good Luck....travel isnt easy nowadays!

48 minutes ago, latserrof said:

Thanks. As I suspected. Exposure risk and contact tracing are two very different things, and it is dangerous to confuse the two.

 

I don't know if citations are "an American thing."  I also don't know whether "information that I was told on these boards" is a particularly reliable source, as you have demonstrated.

Actually it was RCL on return to sailing who quoted 15 minutes for contact tracing. Celebrity said close contact for an extended period (unspecified). I'm not sure it is still being done. Certainly from personal experience last month it wasn't happening.

Anyway the point really is the industry cant recover if their arrangements are designed to suit the most cautious. Current USA flying rules and cruiselines pre sail testing are putting people off travelling out of the USA. Ships are sailing at low capacity. Europeans can travel throughout Europe to hotels and resorts with no testing other than if unvaaccinated. That option is likely to be more risky than a cruise ship actually but easier in terms of pre vacation stress

A more middle ground approach is needed to get the industry we love back on its feet again.

26 minutes ago, latserrof said:

??? Can you cite a source for this notion?

actually I think even CDC who seem to be the most cautious use 15 minutes indoors at 6 feet apart. I think that would not be achievable on cruiseships currently...it would be like playing dodgeball in theatres, bars, restaurants or any of the entertainment spaces. You would be constantly on the move when people took a seat near to you!

1 minute ago, latserrof said:

??? Can you cite a source for this notion?

I dont do citations... is that an American thing? Neither an I a scientist although there arent many of them who can give definative covid answers. I do realise that many want a specific safety rule to follow but sadly there is no such thing!

 Actually it was 2 metres for 15 minutes iindoors in a ventilated space. initially in the Uk but that has been withdrawn now as we dont do contact tracing anymore as Omicron is a lot milder..Curently We only have general rules now about being grown up, looking after our own health and some general guidelines about how to behave if we have symptoms. All has changes since the start of all this. Many of these things are historic rather than current. Of course all could change again in the future.

The 30 minutes came from information that I was told on these boards that Cruiselines used a 30 minute rule for when they used to do their close contact tracing. not sure they do that now, but it was for indoors not outdoors like a balcony!

Hope that helps? I'm 

 Some interesting points on this thread, and other similar ones.

I know many are still living the grim history of Covid when we knew little or nothing. Great strides have been taken by now. I'd like to make a few points on various aspects referred to.

Vaccination is going a long way to prevent hospitalisation and death unless immuno compromised. It does NOT prevent you catching covid.

No testing, pre flight, pre cruise  will prevent it getting on board, unless it is daily testing and isolation for a significant number of days pre cruise which most people wouldnt tolerate.

Mask wearing The main times masks arent work is for eating drinking and outdoors...thats a lot of the time for most cruisers. The main risk is for 30 minutes or more in an indoor space with other people in close proximity.

Balconies are an outdoor space so unless you speak to your neighbour for extended peiods of time close proximity face to face there is virtually no risk.

Ports in Europe are mainly open. There was uproar when people couldnt get off the ship or could only go on ship excursions. Now passengers and crew can go off independantly, but that carries risks too.

Risk tolerance., many dont want to take any risk at all, and so need to accept that cant be the case on a cruise ship. Others want to minimise their risk by personal actions to reduce those risks, and that is laudable however cant provide the high level protection they desire due to travelling with others. Many accept the risk they are facing and try not to compromise the health of others.

IMHO routine testing is not a realistic way to eliminate covid at embarkation and needs to be discontinued. There should be a requirement to notify any symptoms as with Norovirus, and crew Isolation should be limited to the infectious symtomatic phase in the booked stateroom with adjacent passengers being able to move to available cabins if they choose to do so.

The sooner the cruiselines move to a more sustainable capacity the better for all of us in the long run. If that means marketing to a younger and more risk accepting demographic then thats what will need to be done.

7 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Don’t no why banana’s husband was denied vegetables.    We have seen the photos of meals offered in room service and have definitely seen photos of salad and broccoli and broccolini.   It’s not right that this gentleman was singled out for this treatment especially since he was in a suite and could also order from Luminae

stateroom status doesnt seem to matter when in isolation! Service varies ship to ship, and I guess with the numbers they are dealing with. The reality is this ISNT a free cruise or an even semi pleasant experience as some have suggested.  Thats why the majority dont report unless they really need medical intervention.

Its all a nonsense really. 

2 hours ago, canderson said:

We're you inside their 20 minute rule?

Well we were in conversation within 2 metres indoors for around an hour. no face coverings!!

18 hours ago, canderson said:

If there were any positives, you can bet close contacts were being tested whether you were aware of it or not.

Well I know I was in close contact with a positive in a public area, under a concierges nose and we weren't contacted at all......

My advice would be to take your own. Use the Ship wifi whilst on board and whilst you still have some support on board should the worst happen. There are reports of tests only being given at debarkation, and at some ports you are not allowed to do tests in the terminal. Depending on flight times and given that you need to provide a test result pre flight it can leave things a little tight for your flight home....even if you are negative.