NCL announces outside of US cruises for July/August,

[AstoriaPreppy]

48 minutes ago, hallux said:

There's a CHNACE this would exclude anyone that's had COVID in the 3-5 months prior to sailing. The reason for my comment - when I went for a test in January there was a woman at the facility looking to be tested for return to work after a positive test and the facility told her that she could test positive for 3-5 months after recovery.

Um, that doesn't seem right, at all. A COVID test (PCR or antigen or NAAT) finds virus if you are currently infected at the time of the test. Even a week or two after recovery, you shouldn't still be testing positive, or else you could continue to spread COVID to people for months afterwards.

Maybe they were mixing up antibody and antigen? Antibody tests tell if you have had a coronavirus infection in the past,  but currently test negative for active infection.

[DCGuy64]

I've literally never heard of someone testing positive 3-5 months after recovery. In my case it was 3 WEEKS. 3-5 months sounds like a statistical outlier that they're required to state, just in case, but I highly doubt it's anywhere near relevant. CERTAINLY not relevant to this discussion. It'd be like saying all cruises must cease because there's 1 billionth of a chance a passenger has a deathly allergy to seawater. 🙂

[GA Dave]

Just as an aside, my company is sponsoring the mass vaccination center for all of southeast GA in one of the huge parking lots on my campus.  I just walked by at 1:30 PM and there were a total of six cars in the center being processed, at a facility that can handle up to 2,000 per day.  There is obviously no excuse about capacity for anyone in this area not to get vaccinated.  They do not even require an appointment!

[zerooveride]

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

I've literally never heard of someone testing positive 3-5 months after recovery.

 

1 hour ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

Even a week or two after recovery, you shouldn't still be testing positive, or else you could continue to spread COVID to people for months afterwards.

 

So when I got my second vaccine shot, I was talking to the RN who administered it. She was also an ICU Nurse at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY. She contracted COVID in November and guess what . . . she still shows positive on every test she takes. She is regularly tested (weekly I think she said) and has been fully vaccinated since her COVID diagnoses. She informed me that no matter what type of test she takes, it has always come back positive even when she has no active infection.

 

This is not the first I have heard or read about this. In some cases, this can happen. 

[LouChamp]

because quite frankly some people are morons 

[DCGuy64]

14 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

 

 

So when I got my second vaccine shot, I was talking to the RN who administered it. She was also an ICU Nurse at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY. She contracted COVID in November and guess what . . . she still shows positive on every test she takes. She is regularly tested (weekly I think she said) and has been fully vaccinated since her COVID diagnoses. She informed me that no matter what type of test she takes, it has always come back positive even when she has no active infection.

 

This is not the first I have heard or read about this. In some cases, this can happen. 

There's no way this is possible, I'm sorry. That nurse has GOT to be the proverbial "exception that proves the rule." No way this is true, but even if there's the remotest possibility in the world that it is, it is NO excuse whatsoever for people to make a blanket statement like "you can still be positive after getting vaccinated." I'll never believe that. I'd suggest that the tests she's getting are flawed. Incidentally, when I tested positive for Covid-19 in January, my doctor told me that it's possible I could still continue to test positive after recovery, but, and this is the important point, I wasn't contagious and there was no reason to self isolate after 10 days. Therefore, I'll go on record saying I'd be comfortable in a room full of people who tested positive, providing that, like me, they weren't contagious and couldn't spread any active virus. Sometimes people test positive because even after fighting the virus and the disease, there are vestiges of the virus (now defeated) lying around in the body. Saying that that makes a person a danger to other people is tantamount to saying that dead soldiers on the battlefield are a threat; they aren't.

 

[rjrpar]

5 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Just priced a week on Celebrity, sailing July 10th...AI, drinks, internet, DSC etc...$3540.

 

I agree, I need a cruise too....problem is getting to St Marteen or the DR.  😞

Just vacationed in the DR.  No problems, cheap airfares - nonstop from Newark. No required incoming Covid tests. 

[bbnmom]

3 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

There's no way this is possible, I'm sorry. That nurse has GOT to be the proverbial "exception that proves the rule." No way this is true, but even if there's the remotest possibility in the world that it is, it is NO excuse whatsoever for people to make a blanket statement like "you can still be positive after getting vaccinated." I'll never believe that. I'd suggest that the tests she's getting are flawed. Incidentally, when I tested positive for Covid-19 in January, my doctor told me that it's possible I could still continue to test positive after recovery, but, and this is the important point, I wasn't contagious and there was no reason to self isolate after 10 days. Therefore, I'll go on record saying I'd be comfortable in a room full of people who tested positive, providing that, like me, they weren't contagious and couldn't spread any active virus. Sometimes people test positive because even after fighting the virus and the disease, there are vestiges of the virus (now defeated) lying around in the body. Saying that that makes a person a danger to other people is tantamount to saying that dead soldiers on the battlefield are a threat; they aren't.

 

I was in disbelief also so I googled it and sure as the world a severe case of covid can continue to show positive for up to 3 months but they are no longer communicable. I guess the problem would be proving that to whoever wanted to deny you access.

[idiebabe]

6 hours ago, GA Dave said:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24713-norwegian-cruise-line-sets-restart-plan-with-three-ships.html

 

Just checked out the Joy.  Balcony cabin (NOT sailaway), all extras, flights, and DSC included, $3709 total for the second week of August.

I checked the pricing for the Rooms but didn't go any further.  Pricing looks good!  How does the Air work?  Is it a credit up to a certain amount, etc. Thanks!

[zerooveride]

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0814-updated-isolation-guidance.html

 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/verify-can-you-test-positive-for-covid-19-long-after-youre-contagious/275-d2c510d4-5886-4deb-beb9-94e12cdde08d

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-coronavirus-may-remain-in-the-body-for-a-month-or-more-but-does-that-mean-youre-still-contagious-2020-09-02

 

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/88099

 

And I could go on and on with stories about testing positive even when you're not really months later

[AstoriaPreppy]

40 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

So when I got my second vaccine shot, I was talking to the RN who administered it. She was also an ICU Nurse at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY. She contracted COVID in November and guess what . . . she still shows positive on every test she takes. She is regularly tested (weekly I think she said) and has been fully vaccinated since her COVID diagnoses. She informed me that no matter what type of test she takes, it has always come back positive even when she has no active infection.

This all is very confusing, and doesn't seem to make sense medically. 

There's a difference between long term COVID symptoms (which have been widely reported) and receiving a positive test for months at a time. Mysterious ailments post-COVID are one thing, but nothing about people who continue to test positive for weeks after recovery. 

At the very least, if she was still testing positive, NYS seems unlikely to allow her to work in any medical setting, including a vaccination site. 

It seems most of these are anecdotal stories online, although the NBC affiliate found an infectious disease specialist who said it's possible up to three months post-COVID. https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/verify-can-you-test-positive-for-covid-19-long-after-youre-contagious/275-d2c510d4-5886-4deb-beb9-94e12cdde08d

Edited April 6, 2021 by AstoriaPreppy

[GA Dave]

10 minutes ago, idiebabe said:

I checked the pricing for the Rooms but didn't go any further.  Pricing looks good!  How does the Air work?  Is it a credit up to a certain amount, etc. Thanks!

No, NCL makes the reservations for you.  If you want to fly in early for some sightseeing or whatever, or want to fly a specific airline, you should decline the flights when booking the cruise.

[Joebucks]

Add to the list of another industry that is essentially operating overseas now to escape overbearing US regulations

Edited April 6, 2021 by Joebucks

[idiebabe]

5 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

No, NCL makes the reservations for you.  If you want to fly in early for some sightseeing or whatever, or want to fly a specific airline, you should decline the flights when booking the cruise.

Thank you for the info! 😀 

[DCGuy64]

I am 100% OK cruising, traveling, and being coughed on by people who have inert, non life threatening bacteria in their lungs. I had my 1st Pfizer shot last Saturday and my 2nd one is in a couple of weeks.

I have no illusions of ever being 100% guaranteed not to get sick again, but since my case of Covid-19 was mild to start with, there's a) very little likelihood I'll get it again and even if I did, b) every chance it'll be even milder than the 1st time.

Fortunately, I live in the real world and don't expect that travel or even daily living must occur in a 100% germ-free bubble. And neither does even the CDC, which acknowledges these facts and still is in favor of loosening restrictions. I can't wait to cruise again, and the cruise lines are making that more likely every single day. If you're the type who lives in fear or expects 0% risk in order to travel, have fun staying at home for the rest of your life. Not me!

 

[Silver Sweethearts]

6 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

 

No changes have been made to the July and August cruises on Norwegian Bliss and Pride of America.

 

Does that mean the Pride of America will be sailing then or not?

[All-ready2cruise]

Well, their cruises remain bookable so I'd say, Yes. 

However, since I don't work for NCL, it's not 100% guaranteed. 

Edited April 6, 2021 by All-ready2cruise

[PhillyTravelBug]

It’s very exciting to see NCL take the next step with or without the United States. I will wait for more European sailings since the Caribbean doesn’t interest me.

[kenns]

6 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

TRAVEL ALERTUpdated: April 6, 2021 - Suspended Cruises

In conjunction with our return to service announcement, we have extended our voluntary temporary suspension through August 31, 2021 for the following ships; Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sun. In addition, Norwegian Epic through Sept. 1, 2021; and Norwegian Pearl through Nov. 7, 2021 have also been suspended.

Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem now boast new homeports in Greece and the Caribbean for three new and exciting itineraries sailing in July. Book them now!

No changes have been made to the July and August cruises on Norwegian Bliss and Pride of America.

We are committed to taking all appropriate actions to combat the spread of COVID-19 and are working closely and in partnership with local, state, federal and global agencies. Our teams are working around the clock to do what is right by our guests and travel partners and will keep them informed of the latest happenings.

I don't see the Encore mentioned, could they be saving another "surprise" itinerary for her, or was it a simple mistake in leaving her off the list?

[zerooveride]

36 minutes ago, kenns said:

I don't see the Encore mentioned, could they be saving another "surprise" itinerary for her, or was it a simple mistake in leaving her off the list?

I hope they don't make too many changes. I am booked on the 12/26 Encore out of Miami!

 

If it were changed to a non-Breakaway/+ ship, with what I paid for my Club Balcony Suite, I would probably cancel. I expected it to cost more because of the holidays and it being the newest ship, but if you take the newest ship or newer ship out of the equation and replace it with say a Jewel class, it wouldn't be worth that price point to me. The older ships, while quite nice, do not have as much as to do as the Encore does and that is why I specifically picked the Encore.

 

[tumblew467]

7 hours ago, TSUmom said:

My only thoughts and question will be having the negative covid test coming back to the US.  How/when and where would these be handled?

NCL will be testing prior to disembarkation. Its on the sale safe press kit.

https://presspage-production-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2627/nclhsailsafehealthampsafetyprotocolsfinalfor4-5-21.pdf?10000

 

[tumblew467]

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

There's no way this is possible, I'm sorry. That nurse has GOT to be the proverbial "exception that proves the rule." No way this is true, but even if there's the remotest possibility in the world that it is, it is NO excuse whatsoever for people to make a blanket statement like "you can still be positive after getting vaccinated." I'll never believe that. I'd suggest that the tests she's getting are flawed. Incidentally, when I tested positive for Covid-19 in January, my doctor told me that it's possible I could still continue to test positive after recovery, but, and this is the important point, I wasn't contagious and there was no reason to self isolate after 10 days. Therefore, I'll go on record saying I'd be comfortable in a room full of people who tested positive, providing that, like me, they weren't contagious and couldn't spread any active virus. Sometimes people test positive because even after fighting the virus and the disease, there are vestiges of the virus (now defeated) lying around in the body. Saying that that makes a person a danger to other people is tantamount to saying that dead soldiers on the battlefield are a threat; they aren't.

 

Well it is true per the CDC.

On August 3, 2020, CDC updated its isolation guidance based on the latest science about COVID-19 showing that people can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others

 

And a update from the CDC Feb 13 2021--Recovered patients can continue to have SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in their upper respiratory specimens for up to 12 weeks after symptom onset.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0814-updated-isolation-guidance.html#:~:text=On August 3%2C 2020%2C CDC,not be infectious to others.

 

[tumblew467]

My question is the documentation they are going to require  for  proof of vaccine. In the safe sail press kit under FAQ Is the question but no detail of exactly what  you need to provide.

 

What documents will be required to show proof of vaccination and when do I provide them?

In order to provide the safest cruise experience possible, all guests and crew will need to be fully vaccinated for all sailings embarking through October 31, 2021. We will continue to constantly evaluate our health and safety protocols with our expert Council and will follow the latest science to determine requirements for all future sailings embarking beginning in November 2021. We commit to keeping guests apprised of any policy changes as far in advance as possible of their scheduled vacation.

[hallux]

4 hours ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

Um, that doesn't seem right, at all.

 

3 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

I've literally never heard of someone testing positive 3-5 months after recovery. In my case it was 3 WEEKS. 3-5 months sounds like a statistical outlier that they're required to state, just in case, but I highly doubt it's anywhere near relevant.

I did say CHANCE, didn't I?

 

@zerooveride thank you, and  - hi neighbor!  I was vaccinated at a St. Peter's facility...

[Jamesatgsu]

3 hours ago, GA Dave said:

No, NCL makes the reservations for you.  If you want to fly in early for some sightseeing or whatever, or want to fly a specific airline, you should decline the flights when booking the cruise.

According to their website, they will try and book you on flights for up to 2 days before or after if you request it. 

 

I'm booking Greece, since regardless we'd have to fly there to go, unlike the Caribbean which we can do from the US for less once cruising restarts here. There is a big question of what limitations there will be on us in Greece though. 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Jamesatgsu