Updated FAQ - Covid Test Required eff 8/15

[HBCcruiser]

Just now, Italy52 said:

We need fast turnaround so we have to do rapid antigen and insurance doesn't pay since we have no symptoms --- $139 x 4 (2 cruises x 2 people) --- ouch!

 

Yeh, that stinks. 😔

[azbirdmom]

8 minutes ago, Cruzinnana47 said:

Folks on our Nov. 30th cruise are cancelling because of this update, and we're seriously thinking of taking that route, as well---no fun to have to be masked virtually everywhere when we're fully vaccinated.  AND the final tipping point is having to obtain a negative covid test within 3 days of embarkation.  This really takes the fun out of getting back to cruising.

 

Our final payment coming up right around the corner--Sept. 1st.  Time for a decision we hoped we wouldn't have to consider.

 

The policy is temporary and according to a post on the Princess Vacation Planner's FB page, it is only through October 31st (coinciding with the expiration of the CDC CSO).  Things can and do change all the time but it may be a bit premature to cancel a November 30th cruise.  Here's the post:

 

[wowzz]

19 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Anecdotally, I don't think it's going to be much of a benefit or added assurance for the fully-vaccinated.

I agree - it is a bit of window dressing,  but anecdotal evidence on the P&O boards,  (P&O have been testing passengers for the last 3 or 4 weeks) is that one or two oeople per cruise (out of 1100 or so) have been denied boarding, due to a positive test result. 

[CeCe_]

1 hour ago, drmel said:

I really don't want to wear a mask all week in Alaska.  We just cancelled everything.😢

 

May we know if they made you pay cancellation fees?  

[EDDY0827]

1 hour ago, Esjung1 said:

I'm reading the updated FAQ's and I'm wondering if they are testing at the pier for cruises that leave 8/8/21.

 

No.

From Princess' email today:

Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that you bring your negative test results to cruise check-in.

[Jadn13]

26 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

We need fast turnaround so we have to do rapid antigen and insurance doesn't pay since we have no symptoms --- $139 x 4 (2 cruises x 2 people) --- ouch!

If you are in the US you can search for one that could have free Rapid Antigen.

CVS, Walgreens are just 2 I am aware of and they take appts. 

 

[HappyInVan]

I was afraid of that. With the uncertainty about the Variants of Concern, and the masking/testing requirements; just no fun to cruise. I'm glad that I cancelled my October cruise in the Mediterranean! 🙄

[CeCe_]

1 hour ago, beaglesandducks said:

Did anyone receive email from Princess about this requirement?   Seems it could be deal breaker for some 

 

Yikes!  We got the email.   I wish they would add a clause for cancellation option.  There must be something happening in the first two sailings that prompted this action.  

Edited August 4, 2021 by CeCe_

[EDDY0827]

1 hour ago, beaglesandducks said:

Did anyone receive email from Princess about this requirement?   Seems it could be deal breaker for some 

Yes, I did. Titled "Emergency notification".

Here it is:

Thank you for your attention to this notification.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

UPDATED COVID-19 TESTING AND MASK PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR CRUISE

We look forward to welcoming you on board for your cruise. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that you bring your negative test results to cruise check-in.

We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.

Please view our letter with full details at https://*****/3AfAJYj.

[Jadn13]

Just FYI-

 

These include travel as a reason for testing, you don't have to show symptoms and they are free.

 

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

 

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

[azbirdmom]

2 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said:

Yes, I did. Titled "Emergency notification".

Here it is:

Thank you for your attention to this notification.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

UPDATED COVID-19 TESTING AND MASK PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR CRUISE

We look forward to welcoming you on board for your cruise. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that you bring your negative test results to cruise check-in.

We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.

Please view our letter with full details at https://*****/3AfAJYj.

 

Maybe they are only sending the notices to folks who require testing.  We didn't get one for our August 8th cruise but I would think that people would want to know so they could take a supply of masks along.  I'm also wondering what the masking policy will be for smokers.  They say that masks must be worn except while eating and drinking.  They do allow smoking in the casino and I'm kind of hoping this means that this will kill smoking indoors during the length of this policy.

[CeCe_]

6 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Maybe they are only sending the notices to folks who require testing

 

That is not a good assumption.  We are fully vaccinated. 

[Coral]

Walgreens and CVS will do testing. Just check your location before you count on that.

 

My rapid test was done very quick (within 20 minutes). The snag was the lab (not Walgreens) didn't send the results until I called them.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Coral

[RRFan]

2 hours ago, CeCe_ said:

 

Unless Princess offers no-penalty to cancel after final payment has been made, there is a cancellation penalty if we cancel ourselves, $4000 in our case.  Much less than our cabin, but still a lot of money.  So far Princess has not waived any cancellation fee.

But when we booked and paid for our cruises, we did so under the "All passengers must be vaccinated.  No vaccinated passengers will be required to take a test" provisions!  I think they should at least offer future cruise credit for cancellations.  What about those who planned to go to Seattle early and spend time there before the cruise?  Very complicated!

[HBCcruiser]

9 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

They do allow smoking in the casino and I'm kind of hoping this means that this will kill smoking indoors during the length of this policy.

That'd be a positive outcome of all of this. 

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, Jadn13 said:

Another good resource for testing.

https://curative.com
 

I have had to test often for work and used this resource a lot and it was free

Their website says "self-collected". That doesn't meet the requirements that Princess outlined.

[azbirdmom]

3 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

That is not a good assumption.  We are fully vaccinated. 

 

I meant to say that maybe they are sending notices to folks on cruises that will require pre-testing.  They only new policy for our August 8th cruise is that masks will be required and they didn't seem to think that worthy of an emergency notification email.  I think that they should send out notices to everyone...

[pris993]

1 hour ago, Cruzinnana47 said:

Folks on our Nov. 30th cruise are cancelling because of this update, and we're seriously thinking of taking that route, as well---no fun to have to be masked virtually everywhere when we're fully vaccinated.  AND the final tipping point is having to obtain a negative covid test within 3 days of embarkation.  This really takes the fun out of getting back to cruising.

 

Our final payment coming up right around the corner--Sept. 1st.  Time for a decision we hoped we wouldn't have to consider.

Agree with you, the negative covid test 3 days before travel is over the top for me too, since we are vaccinated.  I want to travel to Israel, even have a $3000 credit on United but Israel requires the negative covid test to board the flight, another test upon arrival; plus a test to take return flight.  I will give up my credit before putting myself and my dh thru all this.    Does not make sense for vaccinated folks.  

 

[Jadn13]

19 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Their website says "self-collected". That doesn't meet the requirements that Princess outlined.

 PCR tests are done through Curative and they are done in front of a person.

I did at least 5 through curative at different locations. I also did a quick test antigen at one location,  performed by a physical person.

Each location has different tests and different set ups, you would have to pick the one that meets your needs.

It also says "medically supervised", I stood in a tent w/ someone who described to me exactly what I needed to  do and  that would be considered medically supervised.

For others I had what people call the "Brain Swab" and that was definitely performed by a person. 

Edited August 4, 2021 by Jadn13

[CeCe_]

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

Why all the moans and groans ? All us Brits are quite happy  to undergo a test at the terminal. 

Adds to the safety  of the cruise - surely it is a good idea to not let anyone on board that tests positive for CV19 ?

 

The only reason for the "moans and groans" is the timeline. 

[pris993]

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

Why all the moans and groans ? All us Brits are quite happy  to undergo a test at the terminal. 

Adds to the safety  of the cruise - surely it is a good idea to not let anyone on board that tests positive for CV19 ?

Princess is not providing test at terminal in USA... so that means passengers need to get this done in advance within 72 hours, just another problem for travelers.

[Chai8]

26 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Maybe they are only sending the notices to folks who require testing.  We didn't get one for our August 8th cruise but I would think that people would want to know so they could take a supply of masks along.  I'm also wondering what the masking policy will be for smokers.  They say that masks must be worn except while eating and drinking.  They do allow smoking in the casino and I'm kind of hoping this means that this will kill smoking indoors during the length of this policy.

I suspect that the Powers That Be at Princess made this call without really considering what it would mean for those shipping out on our cruise on 8/8. Thus far, I haven't received anything that indicates even accelerated mask wearing. Had I not seen your post and then dug into the FAQs myself, I wouldn't have known. The notification for this has been, shall we say, poor? 

 

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, Chai8 said:

I suspect that the Powers That Be at Princess made this call without really considering what it would mean for those shipping out on our cruise on 8/8. Thus far, I haven't received anything that indicates even accelerated mask wearing. Had I not seen your post and then dug into the FAQs myself, I wouldn't have known. The notification for this has been, shall we say, poor? 

 

 

If you can and are willing, please report back after your cruise to let us know how things were for you while boarding and onboard.  I wish you a wonderful stress-free cruise. 

[Chai8]

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

Why all the moans and groans ? All us Brits are quite happy  to undergo a test at the terminal. 

Adds to the safety  of the cruise - surely it is a good idea to not let anyone on board that tests positive for CV19 ?

Because a) these cruises were so appealing BECAUSE they were touted as mask-free and fully vaccinated; b) because it doesn't actually add to the safety or security if they're increasing capacity but requiring masks and c) because they've done an incredibly poor job notifying those affected and/or offering either a postponement or cancellation option. 

 

I leave this Sunday. I haven't heard anything from Princess about ANY of the new protocols. Had I not read it on the CC boards, I'd have been completely in the dark arriving at the port. This is NOT the way to treat customers. Honestly, this is my first cruise, and first with Princess and I sincerely doubt I'll do another one after this. It's not their fault that the delta variant is surging, but it is absolutely their responsibility to treat us passengers with respect for our time/money. Between the shoddy app rollout and now all this, I feel pretty disrespected and devalued by the whole experience and I haven't even gotten on the ship yet. This is not the way to have a vacation. 

[Chai8]

3 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

 

If you can and are willing, please report back after your cruise to let us know how things were for you while boarding and onboard.  I wish you a wonderful stress-free cruise. 

Will do. And thank you! I'm trying to look on the bright side.