Covid testing in Boston for Bermuda cruise on NCL pearl

[Artcricket]

I am hoping that someone familiar with Boston can give advice as to where to test for Bermuda Authorization. We will be arriving June 21, 2022 and sailing on Friday June 24. NCL is now requiring a Covid Test 48 hours before boarding. They have stopped testing at the pier. Bermuda, I believe requires a PCR test which their paperwork says 4 days prior to boarding. I have called the Bermuda Tourism twice and gotten 2 different answers. With an at sea day we don’t arrive in Bermuda until Sunday. Bermuda told me 2 days before leaving may not be sufficient time to get an ok’d authorization back. We are a family of 8. Myself (widow), daughter and husband, daughter and granddaughter, son & wife and 7 yr old grandson. The logistics of the testing is causing much anxiety. We have never been to Boston. We are staying at the Seaport Hotel. Any one who has traveled to Boston early and had to do all this testing and paperwork - any suggestions who be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. 

[cruiserbear55]

53 minutes ago, Artcricket said:

I am hoping that someone familiar with Boston can give advice as to where to test for Bermuda Authorization. We will be arriving June 21, 2022 and sailing on Friday June 24. NCL is now requiring a Covid Test 48 hours before boarding. They have stopped testing at the pier. Bermuda, I believe requires a PCR test which their paperwork says 4 days prior to boarding. I have called the Bermuda Tourism twice and gotten 2 different answers. With an at sea day we don’t arrive in Bermuda until Sunday. Bermuda told me 2 days before leaving may not be sufficient time to get an ok’d authorization back. We are a family of 8. Myself (widow), daughter and husband, daughter and granddaughter, son & wife and 7 yr old grandson. The logistics of the testing is causing much anxiety. We have never been to Boston. We are staying at the Seaport Hotel. Any one who has traveled to Boston early and had to do all this testing and paperwork - any suggestions who be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. 

Bermuda has now authorized a supervised/proctored antigen test two days before embarkation. NCL requires the same. Might I suggest you do one of the proctored/ supervised tests recommended under the SailAway section on the website? It would take care of both requirements

 and is relatively cheap. ( We're doing E-med/Navica at a cost of $25.00 per person). You can do these tests in the privacy of your hotel room.

   Also, if you choose to do the PCR test earlier in the week and still need the 2 day before/ up to boarding antigen test, NCL has said they will have testing at the pier "for a price". Good Luck!

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, Artcricket said:

I am hoping that someone familiar with Boston can give advice as to where to test for Bermuda Authorization. We will be arriving June 21, 2022 and sailing on Friday June 24. NCL is now requiring a Covid Test 48 hours before boarding. They have stopped testing at the pier. Bermuda, I believe requires a PCR test which their paperwork says 4 days prior to boarding. I have called the Bermuda Tourism twice and gotten 2 different answers. With an at sea day we don’t arrive in Bermuda until Sunday. Bermuda told me 2 days before leaving may not be sufficient time to get an ok’d authorization back. 

Please focus on the information provided directly to you by the cruise line, not random sites on the internet or tourist offices in Bermuda. The cruise line has very specific agreements with Bermuda to satisfy their requirements. 

 

NOTE: Testing requirements may be different in June. Please focus on the information updates sent directly to you by the cruise line. 

 

IF you can all do antigen tests (e.g., everyone is fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to cruise), we use eMed proctored self tests at home or in our hotels for our cruises (on Royal). Very fast and easy. We submitted a claim and our insurance paid 100% of the costs (although the federal government only requires them to pay the first $12 for each test).  

 

NCL: 

 

All guests must complete Bermuda Travel Authorization (TA) within 10 days of sailing. The cost of the Travel Authorization is $40 per guest. Link to form: https://www.gov.bm/cruise-travel-authorisation

All vaccinated guests (any age):

• Travel Authorization requirements include uploading vaccination card and proof of negative antigen test, administered by a verified third party or via medically supervised home test, within 48 hours of embarkation.
• Note: The upload of the antigen test results should occur at same time as the upload of proof of vaccination. Do not upload one without the other, as the application will be rejected.

All unvaccinated guests (only applicable to guests under the age of 12😞

• Travel Authorization requirements include proof of a negative PCR test, administered by a verified third party or via medically supervised home test, within 96 hours of embarkation.
• All unvaccinated guests (only applicable to guests under the age of 12) will also be required to take an additional antigen test at embarkation. This test will be paid for and administered by Norwegian Cruise Line.

[njhorseman]

18 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The cruise line has very specific agreements with Bermuda to satisfy their requirements. 

 

19 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Travel Authorization requirements include uploading vaccination card and proof of negative antigen test, administered by a verified third party or via medically supervised home test, within 48 hours of embarkation.

 

The only problem is that NCL has misquoted Bermuda's requirement for the timing of the antigen test, which has to be within two days of embarkation, not 48 hours as NCL says .  Also the statement about antigen tests is incorrect.  An NAAT such as a PCR test up to 4 days prior to embarkation is also permissible.

 

Further,  contrary to your statement , in 2022 all cruise lines have the same protocols to follow. The requirements for NCL are the same as Celebrity's, Royal Caribbean's or any other cruise line's. 

The proper site to review for the requirements is the Bermuda government's site, to which you have actually given the correct link: https://www.gov.bm/cruise-travel-authorisation . That page makes it very clear that the antigen test requirement timing is not more than two days before embarkation, rather than not more than 48 hours prior to embarkation, and that NAAT and antigen tests are permissible:

 

Summary table of travel requirements for cruise ship passengers landing in Bermuda:

 

Passenger Category	Cruise voyage where Bermuda is the first port of call	Cruise voyage where Bermuda is not the first port of call or ship takes longer than 4 days to arrive to Bermuda from embarkation port
Fully Vaccinated Cruise Ship Passengers	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test (PCR, LAMP or TMA) up to 4 days before embarkation  OR Supervised antigen up to 2 days before embarkation	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test up to 4 days before embarkation  OR Supervised antigen up to 2 days before embarkation AND COVID-19 NAAT or supervised antigen test up to 2 days before disembarking in Bermuda
Unvaccinated Cruise Ship Passengers 11 years old and under	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test up to 4 days before embarkation AND Supervised antigen test at embarkation in the terminal or on the cruise ship Unvaccinated children 11 years and under travelling with fully vaccinated parents will be allowed off the ship.	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test up to 4 days before embarkation AND Supervised antigen test at embarkation in the terminal or on the cruise ship AND Supervised PCR or supervised antigen test up to 2 days before arriving in Bermuda. Unvaccinated children 11 years and under travelling with fully vaccinated parents will be allowed off the ship subject to COVID-19 NAAT or supervised antigen test up to 2 days before disembarking in Bermuda
Passenger Children under 2	No travel Authorisation and no testing required	No travel Authorisation and no testing required

 

[BirdTravels]

9 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

 

 

The only problem is that NCL has misquoted Bermuda's requirement for the timing of the antigen test, which has to be within two days of embarkation, not 48 hours as NCL says .  Also the statement about antigen tests is incorrect.  An NAAT such as a PCR test up to 4 days prior to embarkation is also permissible.

Follow the directions provided by the cruise line. That is what they will accept at check-in. Doesn't matter what Bermuda says,,,, If you show up with a 4-day PCR test and get left behind at the pier, it is your own fault. 

[njhorseman]

59 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

  Also, if you choose to do the PCR test earlier in the week and still need the 2 day before/ up to boarding antigen test, NCL has said they will have testing at the pier "for a price". Good Luck!

The optional pier testing will not work for travel to Bermuda  because you have to apply for a travel authorization and have that approved document in hand in order to board the ship. You won't be able to take the test at the pier and then have sufficient time to submit the results to Bermuda and receive the authorization back from Bermuda. 

[njhorseman]

17 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Follow the directions provided by the cruise line. That is what they will accept at check-in. Doesn't matter what Bermuda says,,,, If you show up with a 4-day PCR test and get left behind at the pier, it is your own fault. 

OK...I'm willing to buy that on the 4 day PCR, but I'm not buying the 48 hours as opposed to two days because for every other cruise originating in the US NCL's protocol say two days. Since Bermuda says two days and NCL says two days in it's general US protocols why would NCL say 48 hours in the Bermuda protocol? It makes no sense and I believe it's an error on the part of the person or persons who wrote it.

Edited March 20, 2022 by njhorseman

[OrangeCatRamblers]

For those of you leaving from Boston (my hometown!) are you stopping in Nofolk first? It is my understanding that the 48hr test in order to board the ship has no bearing whatsoever on your entry to Bermuda IF you are stopping in VA. There must be 2 tests taken, one for boarding, one for VA. 

 

On Newbury St, there is a company called "Same Day Health" which offers rapid PCR tests with results in 1-2 hrs. The cost is $75. It is easily accessible on the Green line, or a very quick Uber from the Seaport. I mention this just as another reliable local option.

[njhorseman]

8 hours ago, OrangeCatRamblers said:

For those of you leaving from Boston (my hometown!) are you stopping in Nofolk first? It is my understanding that the 48hr test in order to board the ship has no bearing whatsoever on your entry to Bermuda IF you are stopping in VA. There must be 2 tests taken, one for boarding, one for VA. 

 

On Newbury St, there is a company called "Same Day Health" which offers rapid PCR tests with results in 1-2 hrs. The cost is $75. It is easily accessible on the Green line, or a very quick Uber from the Seaport. I mention this just as another reliable local option.

For those on a cruise making a port call before arriving in Bermuda, or if your ship will arrive in Bermuda more than four days after embarkation a second test is required.  That test will be conducted on board. For the NCL cruises calling on Norfolk you'll be tested during the sea day between Norfolk and Bermuda. 

[OrangeCatRamblers]

8 hours ago, OrangeCatRamblers said:

For those of you leaving from Boston (my hometown!) are you stopping in Nofolk first? It is my understanding that the 48hr test in order to board the ship has no bearing whatsoever on your entry to Bermuda IF you are stopping in VA. There must be 2 tests taken, one for boarding, one for VA. 

 

On Newbury St, there is a company called "Same Day Health" which offers rapid PCR tests with results in 1-2 hrs. The cost is $75. It is easily accessible on the Green line, or a very quick Uber from the Seaport. I mention this just as another reliable local option.

 Oh my goodness, I forgot a very important digit! The rapid PCR tests are $175 at Same Day Health.  

[cruiserbear55]

9 hours ago, OrangeCatRamblers said:

For those of you leaving from Boston (my hometown!) are you stopping in Nofolk first? It is my understanding that the 48hr test in order to board the ship has no bearing whatsoever on your entry to Bermuda IF you are stopping in VA. There must be 2 tests taken, one for boarding, one for VA. 

 

On Newbury St, there is a company called "Same Day Health" which offers rapid PCR tests with results in 1-2 hrs. The cost is $75. It is easily accessible on the Green line, or a very quick Uber from the Seaport. I mention this just as another reliable local option.

    I believe only ships leaving New York are stopping in Norfolk. The first four cruises out of Beantown are Boston-Bermuda-Boston; the rest of the summer they are Boston-Bermuda-BarHarbor, and back to Boston.

[Artcricket]

Thank you all for the information. I called the number listed on Bermudas official website for Covid questions and that’s where I got 2 different answers. I guess - since there are 8 of us - all fully vaccinated and boosted - except my grandson who will just turn 7 before we said - that doing the tests that you log on to have someone administer will be the best option. Hopefully an iPad will work. I have also noted in previous posts that some have gotten faulty test kits. Good to know. With 8 of us there are options of someone coming to the room to administer the tests. $250 a person. I have had to move this cruise 4 times due to Covid. We are using this time to celebrate my husband, their dad and Grandpa and will be in the 3 bed Garden Villa in the Haven. I’ve saved a long time to do this - I’m a retired high school art teacher - and this whole timing with NCL and Bermuda is sucking some of the excitement out of the trip. Everyone can be on pins and needles waiting for their results. One positive and no one goes. 

 

 

 

[OrangeCatRamblers]

2 hours ago, Artcricket said:

Thank you all for the information. I called the number listed on Bermudas official website for Covid questions and that’s where I got 2 different answers. I guess - since there are 8 of us - all fully vaccinated and boosted - except my grandson who will just turn 7 before we said - that doing the tests that you log on to have someone administer will be the best option. Hopefully an iPad will work. I have also noted in previous posts that some have gotten faulty test kits. Good to know. With 8 of us there are options of someone coming to the room to administer the tests. $250 a person. I have had to move this cruise 4 times due to Covid. We are using this time to celebrate my husband, their dad and Grandpa and will be in the 3 bed Garden Villa in the Haven. I’ve saved a long time to do this - I’m a retired high school art teacher - and this whole timing with NCL and Bermuda is sucking some of the excitement out of the trip. Everyone can be on pins and needles waiting for their results. One positive and no one goes. 

 

 

 

IMO, everyone should do a home rapid test by yourselves first, catch any surprises. At least steel yourself emotionally.  Good luck. 

[cruiserbear55]

2 hours ago, Artcricket said:

Thank you all for the information. I called the number listed on Bermudas official website for Covid questions and that’s where I got 2 different answers. I guess - since there are 8 of us - all fully vaccinated and boosted - except my grandson who will just turn 7 before we said - that doing the tests that you log on to have someone administer will be the best option. Hopefully an iPad will work. I have also noted in previous posts that some have gotten faulty test kits. Good to know. With 8 of us there are options of someone coming to the room to administer the tests. $250 a person. I have had to move this cruise 4 times due to Covid. We are using this time to celebrate my husband, their dad and Grandpa and will be in the 3 bed Garden Villa in the Haven. I’ve saved a long time to do this - I’m a retired high school art teacher - and this whole timing with NCL and Bermuda is sucking some of the excitement out of the trip. Everyone can be on pins and needles waiting for their results. One positive and no one goes. 

 

 

 

   My thoughts, again, on your testing quandary-

       Some one to come to your room-8x250.00=$2000.00. Plus 8x$40.00 for Bermuda Travel Authorization=$320.00. That totals $2320.00.

       Self administered supervised/proctored tests-8x$25.00=$200.00.BTA form 8X$40.00=$320.00.Total of $520.00. Throw in a couple of extra tests in case of breakage, dropped swab, etc and now you're at $570.00. $2320.00-$570.00=$1750.00.

   For $1750.00 you could rent 2 vans for a day and take a 4 hour tour of the island, have lunch at the Swizzle Inn, and still have money left over for the casino( or whatever)! I know which way I would go. Good Luck and Happy Cruising!!

[Artcricket]

Thank you all for the information. I called the number listed on Bermudas official website for Covid questions and that’s where I got 2 different answers. I guess - since there are 8 of us - all fully vaccinated and boosted - except my grandson who will just turn 7 before we said - that doing the tests that you log on to have someone administer will be the best option. Hopefully an iPad will work. I have also noted in previous posts that some have gotten faulty test kits. Good to know. With 8 of us there are options of someone coming to the room to administer the tests. $250 a person. I have had to move this cruise 4 times due to Covid. We are using this time to celebrate my husband, their dad and Grandpa and will be in the 3 bed Garden Villa in the Haven. I’ve saved a long time to do this - I’m a retired high school art teacher - and this whole timing with NCL and Bermuda is sucking some of the excitement out of the trip. Everyone can be on pins and needles waiting for their results. One positive and no one goes. 

 

Yes I have done the math and found it ridiculous. I think with what I’m paying for this adventure NCL would be a bit more help. I realize they sent a link to several places to purchase but my cruise consultant had no clue how I was supposed to get everyone’s test back quickly to send off the Bermuda authorization in order to leave enough time to get the ok. I don’t like the fact that we are at the mercy of a company to get results back quickly. I have no control of this which is not a “warm and fuzzy” feeling. 

 

[a1betpr]

Why wouldn't you just go to CVS or Walgreens on the Thursday before your cruise and do a proctored antigen test?  Results back in a couple of hours and last I checked it's free if you have insurance.  Probably also need an appointment.  This is what I plan to do (unless rules change) for our June Bermuda cruise out of Boston, so if this won't work someone please tell me!  

[OrangeCatRamblers]

I really think making an appointment at Same Day Health would be a good idea for you. There is no need to spend $250. There's also a really good Walgreens at 24 School St - literally ON the Freedom Trail :)

[Artcricket]

The problem with going on a Thursday and waiting for results is that you have to send the Bermuda Authorization paperwork in with a copy of your vaccination card and your negative results and wait for Bermuda to email you back with the ok to board. When I called the number listed on the official Bermuda Gov website (for Covid questions)the lady I talked to said that wouldn’t be enough time to get the ok back. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Artcricket]

There are also 8 in our 3 bed Garden Villa so it just complicates it with the amount of testing time and uploading everything and sending it off. 

[njhorseman]

7 minutes ago, Artcricket said:

The problem with going on a Thursday and waiting for results is that you have to send the Bermuda Authorization paperwork in with a copy of your vaccination card and your negative results and wait for Bermuda to email you back with the ok to board. When I called the number listed on the official Bermuda Gov website (for Covid questions)the lady I talked to said that wouldn’t be enough time to get the ok back. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should file the travel authorization form several days in advance of being tested. That gives Bermuda time to process the application. They'll send you an email to remind you to upload your test results. When you upload them Bermuda will be able to process it quickly and you'll receive your approval from the government.

Ignore the moronic recommendation on NCL's website to not file your travel authorization application until you have your test results. Bermuda does not want you to do that because as the person you spoke to said, it doesn't give them enough time to process the applications. 

[Artcricket]

Thank you. You seem knowledgeable. What would you recommend I do with 8 of us needing to test - knowing it needs to satisfy Bermuda and now NCL since they are no longer testing at the pier. Arriving Tuesday June 21 sailing June 24. Bermuda says tests need to be no longer than 4 days which doesn’t work well when we don’t get there until Sunday. The Bermuda person said if we test Wednesday and can get quick turn around it will work. 

[goldmom]

As njhorseman said,  apply for the travel authorisation before you leave home.  As of now, as long as you're vaccinated, Bermuda will accept an antigen test, which has a much faster turn around time than a PCR.  Look for a CVS or Walgreen's that does the 1-2 hour antigen test in Boston and make an appointment.

If you do it 2 days before your cruise the test will satisfy both the NCL and the Bermuda requirement.  Just upload the test results to the Bermuda website along with your vaccination card as soon as the results are available.

Good luck!

[cruiserbear55]

30 minutes ago, Artcricket said:

Thank you. You seem knowledgeable. What would you recommend I do with 8 of us needing to test - knowing it needs to satisfy Bermuda and now NCL since they are no longer testing at the pier. Arriving Tuesday June 21 sailing June 24. Bermuda says tests need to be no longer than 4 days which doesn’t work well when we don’t get there until Sunday. The Bermuda person said if we test Wednesday and can get quick turn around it will work. 

     Apply for your Bermuda Travel Authorizations ahead of time. I was able to do ours 25 days before embark day. Bermuda will send you a reminder 4 days before your cruise to send in your test results.

    If you do your tests on Wednesday, it will satisfy both NCLs requirements for boarding and for Bermuda's Travel Authorization.

[cruiserbear55]

1 minute ago, goldmom said:

As njhorseman said,  apply for the travel authorisation before you leave home.  As of now, as long as you're vaccinated, Bermuda will accept an antigen test, which has a much faster turn around time than a PCR.  Look for a CVS or Walgreen's that does the 1-2 hour antigen test in Boston and make an appointment.

If you do it 2 days before your cruise the test will satisfy both the NCL and the Bermuda requirement.  Just upload the test results to the Bermuda website along with your vaccination card as soon as the results are available.

Good luck!

  Sorry, Goldmom. We both thought alike at the same time!

[goldmom]

2 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

  Sorry, Goldmom. We both thought alike at the same time!

Ha Ha Great minds!  Lol!