Celebrity have released new guidelines for transatlantic cruises.

[GottaKnowWhen]

8 minutes ago, RichYak said:

I think that question was already answered when Celebrity cancelled all of Infinity's Med sailings for 2022. There is very little demand.

In yesterday's financial news, RCCL and NCL big shots were quoted as predicting capacity sailings and higher prices by the second half of this year. The "higher prices" comment came with a side note that many would be sailing with 125% FCCs which would at least partially offset the price increases.

[RichYak]

3 minutes ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

RCCL and NCL big shots were quoted as predicting capacity sailings

Alaska and sailings from Bayonne/Boston will bear that out. Europe, not so much it seems.

[Cruising89143]

17 minutes ago, RichYak said:

I think that question was already answered when Celebrity cancelled all of Infinity's Med sailings for 2022. There is very little demand.

I agree but that still leaves six X ships in Europe for the season. Can they still fill those ships? IMHO something strange is going on for both RCI and X not to have announced European health info with the first couple of cruises starting in a few weeks. Guess time will tell. 

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, cruisingator2 said:

I agree but that still leaves six X ships in Europe for the season. Can they still fill those ships? IMHO something strange is going on for both RCI and X not to have announced European health info with the first couple of cruises starting in a few weeks. Guess time will tell. 

Our Reflection cruise in August already has several categories sold out, Sky suites have been virtually sold out for a couple of weeks.

 

I think it is more they are waiting to announce anything until we see what happens after April 18 for masks on airplanes and as the EU continues to evolve their requirements, county by country. Spain and Portugal seem to be taking a harder line on testing for cruise ship passengers stopping or ending in their ports, for now.. if those of us cruising after May 1st in Europe would just wait a few more days, this will all be sorted out, I see no reason to keep stressing over this.

Edited April 5, 2022 by terrydtx

[terrydtx]

Error

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by terrydtx

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, cruisingator2 said:

 IMHO something strange is going on for both RCI and X not to have announced European health info with the first couple of cruises starting in a few weeks. Guess time will tell. 

 

Yes, I wish they would get on with it!

 

4 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I think it is more they are waiting to announce anything until we see what happens after April 18 for masks on airplanes and as the EU continues to evolve their requirements, county by country. Spain and Portugal seem to be taking a harder line on testing for cruise ship passengers stopping or ending in their ports, for now.. if those of us cruising after May 1st in Europe would just wait a few more days, this will all be sorted out, I see no reason to keep stressing over this.

 

They can't wait until April 18th. The first Silhouette cruise departs April 21 from Southampton. Those of us traveling over to be on it need to know what to expect and what we need to provide with more than two days notice!

[terrydtx]

4 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Yes, I wish they would get on with it!

 

 

They can't wait until April 18th. The first Silhouette cruise departs April 21 from Southampton. Those of us traveling over to be on it need to know what to expect and what we need to provide with more than two days notice!

If it was me, I would have a supply of proctored home tests to do at a hotel just in case. I thought the UK sailings of the Silhouette was covered under a prior protocol? The ones released by Celebrity last week or so was only for TA cruises.

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, cruisingator2 said:

IMHO something strange is going on for both RCI and X not to have announced European health info with the first couple of cruises starting in a few weeks.

Not strange to me at all. The inevitable announcement of one day testing and booster requirements will lead to a number of immediate cancellations. If I were X, I'd wait until the last possible moment hoping something changes too.

[Jim_Iain]

Just got this via text from Celebrity.  

 

[cruisemom42]

8 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

If it was me, I would have a supply of proctored home tests to do at a hotel just in case. I thought the UK sailings of the Silhouette was covered under a prior protocol? The ones released by Celebrity last week or so was only for TA cruises.

 

No, not covered. Currently Celebrity has no guidance on Europe 2022. Based on what's been announced for the TA, I am anticipating that they may require 1-day testing. Lovely use of my time in London. 😣

[terrydtx]

25 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

No, not covered. Currently Celebrity has no guidance on Europe 2022. Based on what's been announced for the TA, I am anticipating that they may require 1-day testing. Lovely use of my time in London. 😣

Worse case is you have to take 20 minutes of your London time to do the proctored test in your hotel room. Even if you knew today that 1-day testing was required, the proctored home test is still the best option. It could be the delay in release is that Celebrity is working with port countries that are the ones that require 1 day testing prior to boarding, to ease up on the requirements. Either way I would be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

[cruisemom42]

10 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Worse case is you have to take 20 minutes of your London time to do the proctored test in your hotel room. Even if you knew today that 1-day testing was required, the proctored home test is still the best option. It could be the delay in release is that Celebrity is working with port countries that are the ones that require 1 day testing prior to boarding, to ease up on the requirements. Either way I would be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

 

If it were only that it would not be as worrisome....although given that I am an uber-planner, I will likely also have a spot booked in London for a test -- just in case.

 

Plenty of other details have not been filled in yet. Reports this week of Spain turning away a couple of ships with a higher percentage of COVID cases than what they will allow (3.5%), so will there be additional onboard testing, will be make our ports, will we be allowed to get off and sightsee independently?

 

And what's more, given the likelihood of a test before cruising, there are more worries such as: should I just stay in my hotel room for three days to minimize the likelihood of a positive test before boarding? (Not exactly what I would've planned!). And if I do test negative on the day of, what then? I'm already at my embarkation port.

 

 

[Bo1953]

1 minute ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

If it were only that it would not be as worrisome....although given that I am an uber-planner, I will likely also have a spot booked in London for a test -- just in case.

 

Plenty of other details have not been filled in yet. Reports this week of Spain turning away a couple of ships with a higher percentage of COVID cases than what they will allow (3.5%), so will there be additional onboard testing, will be make our ports, will we be allowed to get off and sightsee independently?

 

And what's more, given the likelihood of a test before cruising, there are more worries such as: should I just stay in my hotel room for three days to minimize the likelihood of a positive test before boarding? (Not exactly what I would've planned!). And if I do test negative on the day of, what then? I'm already at my embarkation port.

 

 

cm - it sounds as if you may want to cancel cruising until there is 'uber' certainty in vaccination and testing requirements.

 

No need to put yourself under such strain and stress...

 

In health and bon voyage

[cruisemom42]

6 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

cm - it sounds as if you may want to cancel cruising until there is 'uber' certainty in vaccination and testing requirements.

 

No need to put yourself under such strain and stress...

 

In health and bon voyage

 

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm sure it was well meant, but I do not want to cancel.

 

What I want is for Celebrity to provide some clarity to cruisers who are less than two weeks out. Other lines have done so. It's not too much to ask.

Edited April 5, 2022 by cruisemom42

[terrydtx]

8 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

If it were only that it would not be as worrisome....although given that I am an uber-planner, I will likely also have a spot booked in London for a test -- just in case.

 

Plenty of other details have not been filled in yet. Reports this week of Spain turning away a couple of ships with a higher percentage of COVID cases than what they will allow (3.5%), so will there be additional onboard testing, will be make our ports, will we be allowed to get off and sightsee independently?

 

And what's more, given the likelihood of a test before cruising, there are more worries such as: should I just stay in my hotel room for three days to minimize the likelihood of a positive test before boarding? (Not exactly what I would've planned!). And if I do test negative on the day of, what then? I'm already at my embarkation port.

 

 

Again if you knew today what was required and that 1 day testing was required, what would you be doing differently in London?  You could also do a home self test (proctored not needed) the day before you get on a plane just to make sure you are negative. I have 4 of the home tests sent to me free by the government.

[Purplsmurf]

After the mess with the NCL cruise they other day in Barcelona, I’m sure Celebrity wants to give us valid information the first time rather than changing after the fact. If that means wait a little longer, I’m ok with that. We sail next month from Italy. We plan on testing the day we fly and if they change it to one day before boarding then we will immediately test once in Rome……and hope nothing changes in that short time span 😂

[cruisemom42]

1 minute ago, terrydtx said:

Again if you knew today what was required and that 1 day testing was required, what would you be doing differently in London?  You could also do a home self test (proctored not needed) the day before you get on a plane just to make sure you are negative. I have 4 of the home tests sent to me free by the government.

 

COVID in the UK is on the rise. I'd likely not go out for dinners, stay away from crowded places, avoid public transport, etc.

 

But it's not just about me. Hundreds of folks getting onboard Silhouette on April 21 would like to know what to do.

 

BTW, did you know there is a way to use those govt tests as your proctored test?  You have to place an order for the "proctor".  Info here:

 

 

 

[MamaFej]

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Yes, I wish they would get on with it!

 

 

They can't wait until April 18th. The first Silhouette cruise departs April 21 from Southampton. Those of us traveling over to be on it need to know what to expect and what we need to provide with more than two days notice!

I would think the various lines would want to avoid a situation such as what happened with NCL the other day.The thread I was reading on that seems to have gone poof. It seems 70-100 passengers were denied boarding due to what may have been last minute changes in protocols (others in the thread disputed the timing). It looks like there was an issue on MSC as well. 

 

It would definitely be nice to have clearly spelled-out rules and regulations. 

 

My first 2 month trip this year includes two cruises starting in Portugal, two starting in Spain, and one starting in Italy. I've been only loosely following the changing protocols, knowing that they woud keep changing. Now that we are less than two weeks from leaving home, and 18 days from the first cruise, I'm following more closely.

[terrydtx]

14 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm sure it was well meant, but I do not want to cancel.

 

What I want is for Celebrity to provide some clarity to cruisers who are less than two weeks out. Other lines have done so. It's not too much to ask.

We got the new protocols from HAL last week that covers our cruise from Rome on the Oosterdam that goes to Italy, Greece and Croatia. Since those three countries currently do not require pre boarding testing to enter if vaccinated fully and up to date, we do not have to be tested. The exception is if the first 2 jabs are more than 6 months from the cruise return you are not considered up to date, so you have to be boosted to avoid pre board and mid cruise testing at our expense. We got our booster in February since our jabs were in March 2021. However, what I am opposed to is HAL is requiring all passengers to wear masks on Europe cruises indoors and outdoors unless eating or drinking. This I hope changes by August. I would rather test pre boarding than have to wear a silly mask for 14 days.

Edited April 5, 2022 by terrydtx

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Got an email about our Apex TA April 30 , could be just for Canadians 🤔😁

PRE-ARRIVAL COVID-19 TEST Our boarding requirements include that, in addition to documentation of full vaccination, all guests must present at embarkation a negative COVID-19 test result. This test can be either an Antigen or PCR test, conducted within two days* of boarding the ship. Pre-arrival testing must be completed by an authorized provider at your own expense. * For itineraries that have a port of call in Spain OR that end in Spain, the pre-arrival test must be taken within one day of sailing, regardless of homeport. Guests who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may present a Certificate of Recovery and proof of the positive PCR test result taken between 11-90 days prior to the sail date in order to board. In addition, you must still present a vaccination card. We will not accept a Certificate of Recovery in place of a vaccination record.

[terrydtx]

6 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

COVID in the UK is on the rise. I'd likely not go out for dinners, stay away from crowded places, avoid public transport, etc.

I would do the above anyway, because I wouldn't want to increase my risk of having Covid while on the cruise and being escorted off to quarantine in some foreign country.

[Bo1953]

13 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm sure it was well meant, but I do not want to cancel.

 

What I want is for Celebrity to provide some clarity to cruisers who are less than two weeks out. Other lines have done so. It's not too much to ask.

It is well meant and I fully understand along with others who are sailing over the next few weeks, internationally.

 

Personally, I would take what is posted on their website as being as clear as it will get for now, until there is an unforeseen change by a country/port, X or you.

 

It appears that some passengers are getting text or email messages about their sailings, albeit a few days away, yet they are receiving them.

 

I do not want you to cancel, if you want to really go as opposed to I do not want you to needlessly worry about something which X may not or can not provide at this moment, no matter how badly we want them to.

 

bon voyage

[terrydtx]

6 minutes ago, Airbalancer said:

Got an email about our Apex TA April 30 , could be just for Canadians 🤔😁

PRE-ARRIVAL COVID-19 TEST Our boarding requirements include that, in addition to documentation of full vaccination, all guests must present at embarkation a negative COVID-19 test result. This test can be either an Antigen or PCR test, conducted within two days* of boarding the ship. Pre-arrival testing must be completed by an authorized provider at your own expense. * For itineraries that have a port of call in Spain OR that end in Spain, the pre-arrival test must be taken within one day of sailing, regardless of homeport. Guests who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may present a Certificate of Recovery and proof of the positive PCR test result taken between 11-90 days prior to the sail date in order to board. In addition, you must still present a vaccination card. We will not accept a Certificate of Recovery in place of a vaccination record.

I do not see that is any different than what Celebrity has already released for TA cruises departing this month for all passengers.

Edited April 5, 2022 by terrydtx

[cruisemom42]

6 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Personally, I would take what is posted on their website as being as clear as it will get for now, until there is an unforeseen change by a country/port, X or you.

 

...but that's my point. There is NOTHING posted on their website regarding travel requirements for Europe. US, Galapagos, TA -- yes.  Europe -- nada, as shown below:

 

[T^2]

@cruisemom42 it would be wonderful if Celebrity did anything clearly on the first or second attempt with communications to passengers.  We are currently on at least third iteration of cruise duration testing for Reflection cruise on 18 April.