So I tested positive for covid on Symphony

[cruisebot21]

Pt4
 

Late that morning (still day 4) I got a call from the manager of guest services requesting copies of my passport and vaccine docs and was told they were working on things in the background

 

6-7 hours later, I was told the process for disembarking the next morning: 

 

- Positive cases and close contacts of cases would be last off the ship

- I had a scheduled time where workers would come to my cabin, take my luggage and escort me off. Basically the same  process as moving me before.

- Disembarking would be directly onto the working dock via gangway on deck 2 - just like a port stop.  No fancy Terminal A for us!

-  Immigration would take place on the dock before being whisked away via car service.

*** This is where my experience is going to differ from those going forward ***

 

- My family would also be escorted off at the same time and meet me on the dock.

- Private transportation would take us to the airport

- Med Jet will be waiting to fly us directly home.

 

Yeah, RCCL really stepped up.

Edited December 24, 2021 by cruisebot21
One of these days I’ll learn to spell

[wake74]

Cruisebot21 - Nothing to add here, other than to say how refreshing it is to see that the OP is mature enough to actually work the problem, without the crazy, world is coming to end drama that you so often see on CC.  He identified the problem and is working well to solve the problem, not ranting crazily stamping their feet like a little child or that he's waiting to call a low end ambulance chasing lawyer to immediate draw up class action papers.   We are headed off to the islands for a week, and know there is always a risk we'll get stuck in an extended quarantine, bringing childs school laptop, IT stuff to work if necessary etc.  Identify the risks and either manage / mitigate the risks, or stay home.  It's not that complicated.  Well done to the OP!  I'd do the hope you get back safely, etc., but given the logical approach laid out so far, there is no doubt, you'll manage your own destiny and make sure things are just fine.

[Mapleleafforever]

31 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

This conversation is for another thread but If I fly to another country on vacation I am responsible for finding and paying for my own covid test.     Why should royal be responsible for testing anyone that needs a test to fly home?

If you go on a vacation, it is your choice.

 

Royal can do no wrong to some. 

[Jimbo]

17 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Our son and his family were on Mariner that was scheduled to dock at Coco Cay on the same day and they were unable to dock because of the high winds. It had nothing to do with what happened to the OP.

Well it sure wouldn't have looked good if the one ship said it couldn't dock and then an hour later the other ship docked would it? Mariner took one for the team. 🙂

[Mapleleafforever]

13 minutes ago, cruisebot21 said:

Pt4
 

Late that morning (still day 4) I got a call from the manager of guest services requesting copies of my passport and vaccine docs and was told they were working on things in the background

 

6-7 hours later, I was told the process for disembarking the next morning: 

 

- Positive cases and close contacts of cases would be last off the ship

- I had a scheduled time where workers would come to my cabin, take my luggage and escort me off. Basically the same  process as moving me before.

- Disembarking would be directly onto the working dock via gangway on deck 2 - just like a port stop.  No fancy Terminal A for us!

-  Immigration would take place on the dock before being whisked away via car service.

*** This is where my experience is going to differ from those going forward ***

 

- My family would also be escorted off at the same time and meet me on the dock.

- Private transportation would take us to the airport

- Med Jet will be waiting to fly us directly home.

 

Yeah, RCCL really stepped up.

You are SOOOOOOOO lucky this happened when it did.....I believe anyway. Is it true that Royal will no longer be providing such a service very soon?

[cruisebot21]

11 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Well it sure wouldn't have looked good if the one ship said it couldn't dock and then an hour later the other ship docked would it? Mariner took one for the team. 🙂

No conspiracy here - waves were 4-5ft and washing over the pier 🙂

[davekathy]

29 minutes ago, cruisebot21 said:

Yeah, RCCL really stepped up.

I agree. Thanks for sharing your experience(s). 

[RedIguana]

48 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

This conversation is for another thread but If I fly to another country on vacation I am responsible for finding and paying for my own covid test.     Why should royal be responsible for testing anyone that needs a test to fly home?

If you go on a vacation, it is your choice.

It is just a perk the cruise line gives, just like if you fly to another country you pay for dinner, but on Royal the MDR is free. It can be pretty difficult to line up post cruise flight testing that meets international flight rules, especially as the time frame can be iffy, and most cruise ships now have the testing equipment on board due to the CSO. Might as well use it if they have it, as the cost per use is pretty negligible. It can easily be the difference between someone booking a cruise and not booking a cruise, and may impact post cruise departure plans. I am cruising out of Amsterdam next August. I expect to have to procure my own pre-departure test. I also will fly in at least a day early. If I cannot get a return flight test on board, I might have to plan a few nights post cruise in Amsterdam to allow time for departure testing.

[orville99]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Well it sure wouldn't have looked good if the one ship said it couldn't dock and then an hour later the other ship docked would it? Mariner took one for the team. 🙂

Pure BS. The Coco Cay weather station was reporting 25mph sustained winds with 35 mph gusts out of the NNE. 

[Jimbo]

18 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Pure BS. The Coco Cay weather station was reporting 25mph sustained winds with 35 mph gusts out of the NNE. 

What day was that? was that at 8am or 9am, not what I saw during that time frame. Pure BS  😛

Edited December 24, 2021 by Jimbo

[D4]

1 hour ago, Mapleleafforever said:

You are SOOOOOOOO lucky this happened when it did.....I believe anyway. Is it true that Royal will no longer be providing such a service very soon?

Royal will no longer be providing the tests at the end of the cruise for people that need proof for international flights.  That change is effective 1/5/2022.

 

I live in the USA so it doesn’t apply to me.  But I think this change is very unfair for people that booked before they announced this change in policy.  

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-to-take-a-test-if-traveling-to-us-from-another-country

[Oceansaway17]

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Well it sure wouldn't have looked good if the one ship said it couldn't dock and then an hour later the other ship docked would it? Mariner took one for the team. 🙂

 

 

AW but it did happen.  On Nov 17th, Independence coming from P Rico could not dock at 7 am and left. My ship Anthem of the Seas, coming from FLA did get to dock within a window of opportunity.

I am glad I got to see Coco Cay even if very windy an hour later and water in pool was cold.

 

So yes, on a given day one ship can get in and one can't.  Depends on direction and time of day

[Sunshine3601]

2 hours ago, D4 said:

Because Royal published a policy stating they would do that testing near the end of the cruise for people that needed proof to fly home. 
 

Here is their policy.  The recently added the part about stopping these tests on 1/5/2022

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-to-take-a-test-if-traveling-to-us-from-another-country

Yes, I am fully aware of this as I am the person that started the Re-entry thread. 

we live in a world with constant change.    We have all had contracts broken and disappointment.    Bring a travel test with you they cost $20 to $35 USD 

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, RedIguana said:

It is just a perk the cruise line gives, just like if you fly to another country you pay for dinner, but on Royal the MDR is free. It can be pretty difficult to line up post cruise flight testing that meets international flight rules, especially as the time frame can be iffy, and most cruise ships now have the testing equipment on board due to the CSO. Might as well use it if they have it, as the cost per use is pretty negligible. It can easily be the difference between someone booking a cruise and not booking a cruise, and may impact post cruise departure plans. I am cruising out of Amsterdam next August. I expect to have to procure my own pre-departure test. I also will fly in at least a day early. If I cannot get a return flight test on board, I might have to plan a few nights post cruise in Amsterdam to allow time for departure testing.

If we go on our Baltic cruise this coming summer I plan on bringing with us the at home test kits that we can order thru emed or optum.     

I understand that various countries also allow the rapid antigen test for re-entry and most of them don't require the proctored tests that cruise ships requires.     So hopefully those international travelers can bring their own travel test kits with them. 

I wonder right now what is the % of international travelers boarding cruise ships in US ports.    

[cruisebot21]

Getting there:

 

So on departure day, I was scheduled to be met at 9:15 or so.  At about 8, I got a call from room service offering up a few options - she was concerned I hadn’t called and wanted to make sure I had something.
Got an omelette , a fruit plate, and a few waters and had it delivered within 10 minutes with well wishes from both her and the crew dropping off.

 

I ate as I viewed the action from my window.  Tyvek suited crew escorted one group at a time off the gangway, a customs agent looked at passports from a distance and then groups were taken away by hired cars to the quarantine hotel (I assume)

 

Most people seemed ok with the process, but a few passengers were waving around wildly and yelling - I felt terrible for the staff as they continued to perform flawlessly 

 

There seemed to be more cases as I wasn't fetched until closer to 10:30 - well after the Captains last call to get off the boat!  I did get to hear him call one last family by name to please leave 🙂

 

when I was my turn - everything went as previously laid out and in. On time my family was in a luxury sprinter limo on the way to the private airport between Miami and Fort Lauderdale 

 

We passed through the gates at the airport and went out on to the tarmac jumped on board and were away.

 

After a short refuelling stop and break, we arrived home and were met at the plane by CBSA officers and given 2 home test kits for each of us.  Street side, RCCL even had a pair of minivans waiting to drive us home from the airport

 

I’m now safely at home with the family and living like a bachelor in the basement while wifey hold down the fort with the kids upstairs.

 

I’ll post some final thoughts later, but in the end, we are home, safe, and eternally thankful for everything Royal Caribbean did for us.

 

As for the cruise? It’s always what you make of it - we got to see a great version of Hiro while the ship was still docked and got to see iskate 2.0 which is something we missed last time on Symphony - although somewhat curtailed for me, we had a great time overall and look forward to our next adventures!

[cruisebot21]

Some photos:

[jerseygirl3]

3 hours ago, cruisebot21 said:

Pt3:

I’ll try to answer some of questions above in this update 🙂

 

In light of me being Cdn vs US, would I have been tested anyway? Probably yes.  I started to have light cold symptoms early afternoon and if I didn’t already have a scheduled test in a few hours, would have called medical.  To be honest, I felt like I had a bit of heat exhaustion from the really hot / humid weather the day before.

 

The next morning in my new digs, I started to figure out the many moving parts of getting everyone home.

 It was really windy out and the ship couldn’t dock at CocoCay - after a long delay, we turned around and started the last leg to Miami

 

I’m sure guest services was swamped, but I had multiple calls throughout the day updating travel info / policy and what to expect, Doctor checking in, offers for room service and general wellness check-ins.  Everyone was courteous, listened to any concerns, and made it clear they had time to work with me.

I know that was clearly not the case as there were announcements requesting people to report to the conference centre (where testing took place) and there were reports on FB that corridors had been closed like when I was moved the day before.  

 

The plan:

We had flights booked to leave the morning of docking - clearly I wouldn’t be able to go.

It also wasn’t fair to put that on my wife to haul lots of luggage and 2 kids through an unfamiliar process of border crossing / immigration with continually changing protocols - not CBSA’s fault, but I didn’t want to send her into a situation where she may be delayed by long lines, miss a connection, require further testing, quarantine in Toronto, etc

 

It was going to be a really long day at the best of times, with arrival home being just after midnight.

 

We were planning on probably all of us quarantining in Miami in 2 rooms and once I was good, travel home together. We were going to have her work send her the required IT to maybe work down there for a week or two.

 

When we had booked, we specifically choose to go on this itinerary so we could be home and do our 14-day post travel quarantine over the holidays to minimize impact on jobs and school. 

We were reassured before we left that there was a repatriation policy that ensured we’d be immediately flown back if we tested positive.  In discussions with guest services, they mentioned that policy had changed the prior week - while we were on the Freedom of the Seas and that quarantine in Miami with later flights is the current solution. They said they’d see what they could do, but were not optimistic.

 

 

 

Are you seriously expecting Royal to pay for 2 hotel rooms and allow you all to quarantine and to travel home afterwards together so as not to burden your wife with luggage and 2 kids?  You chose to sail during  pandemic. Royal is being incredibly generous in dealing with your illness. To expect more is beyond.  

[Sunshine3601]

3 hours ago, cruisebot21 said:

 

No - Anyone positive was getting moved. They could only stay in the original cabin because they were negative.  If they wanted to, they could have moved with me to deck 3.

 

I know some are strategizing that they will spring for a balcony in the event of quarantine - too bad, you’re  going to a separate blocked off section of the ship if positive.  I’m sure some were upset, but it’s the best plan to reduce further spread.

Delete I know see you were flown home.    I am sure you are very happy to be able to quarantine at home instead of a hotel.   

Edited December 24, 2021 by Sunshine3601

[rs45thompson]

I am glad everything worked out for you and your family.  Royal did an exceptional job.  I wish you a speedy recovery.

[rs45thompson]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Sorry if you already said but is your family also staying at the hotel you are at?     Did Royal or possible travel insurance pay for their hotel room?

I hope you are feeling better now and able to enjoy Christmas with your family 😍

Keep reading.  They were flown home.

[Sunshine3601]

3 minutes ago, rs45thompson said:

Keep reading.  They were flown home.

Yes, I just corrected my post.    thank you

[orville99]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

What day was that? was that at 8am or 9am, not what I saw during that time frame. Pure BS  😛

Son just showed us the video he took while both Mariner and Symphony were idling off of Coco Cay with the waves crashing over the dock. Symphony tried to dock and ultimately pulled away. The captain on Mariner came on the PA and announced that the sea conditions were too rough and they could not safely dock. Facts is facts.  

[cruisebot21]

24 minutes ago, jerseygirl3 said:

Are you seriously expecting Royal to pay for 2 hotel rooms and allow you all to quarantine and to travel home afterwards together so as not to burden your wife with luggage and 2 kids?  You chose to sail during  pandemic. Royal is being incredibly generous in dealing with your illness. To expect more is beyond.  

Umm - that was THEIR offer, not a request or demand on my part.  They came to me with a couple different options and this was one of them for the initial proposed quarantine.  In regards to the hotel, it is a popular one we’ve stayed at and has a number of room with two twins each. Not going to name it so as not to stigmatize 

 

Like I’ve said, they were balance of compassionate and professional and in my mind went way above the minimum required under the circumstances.

 

Anyway, have the day you deserve 😉

Edited December 24, 2021 by cruisebot21

[Another_Critic]

I'm curious what type of stateroom you (before quarantine) and your family had?

 

It seems like you were treated better than Star class.  😄

Edited December 24, 2021 by Another_Critic

[melbur]

So refreshing to hear a straight forward and accurate account. Those days are about to over for Cdns though. Wishing you and your family well.