Testing eliminated (?) during your 14+ day cruise

[StrawberryHill]

I just heard on "Cruising with Don" that RCL and Princess ( Don is on the Island Princess now and no one was tested mid cruise) are not having passengers test

mid cruise (or B2B) if they are on the same ship for more than 14 days.   Hopefully this is the first step to eliminating tests altogether ?

We have 28 days for this wish to come true.   🙏

[Ken the cruiser]

We’re currently on an 18 day (single leg) Panama Canal cruise on the Caribbean Princess and were not tested mid cruise. I went down this morning to ask Guest Services if folks on a B2B continuing on to the next leg will have to take an antigen test tomorrow, the day before we disembark in Ft Lauderdale. They basically haven’t heard yet, which may be a positive thing, but we’ll see if we hear anything tomorrow.

[ghgeckos]

Great news, one less q-tip in the nose.

[Manderius]

Good news

 

[rdsqrl]

I'm mystified as why people think this is good news.  I for one would prefer to know that anybody around me (including me) who had developed covid was removed from circulation so that they couldn't spread it.  Of course nobody wants to be quarantined, but the sheer selfishness of not even wanting to be tested is breathtaking. 

[VibeGuy]

I keep having this thought that Princess refuses to learn from the experience on Ruby where they had identical cruises with and without serial testing (before people left home, pierside and 3 days in) and the difference in the results could be seen from outer space with the naked eye. 
 

It’s ten minutes of your cruise and a minor tickling sensation to keep a remarkably contagious virus under control.  FFS. 

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, VibeGuy said:

I keep having this thought that Princess refuses to learn from the experience on Ruby where they had identical cruises with and without serial testing (before people left home, pierside and 3 days in) and the difference in the results could be seen from outer space with the naked eye. 
 

It’s ten minutes of your cruise and a minor tickling sensation to keep a remarkably contagious virus under control.  FFS. 

 

Same on the Grand in March.  I had a friend who tested while doing a b2b.  Seems as though the Grand had made it safely (with only a few) Covid cases....in January and February with Hawaii and Sea of Cortez itineraries.  On those voyages, crew were not issued shore leave.  3 tests (2 days before, at pier, 2 days after leaving San Pedro) for Hawaii and Safe Travels App.  Covid protocols changed on March 1.  Crew was allowed to go ashore in Puerto Vallarta.  I was on the March cruises (b2b).  No masks, no additional testing, shore leave granted (I am not faulting crew for going ashore), and smoking allowed in the Casino...every night.

 

Result:  Covid was reported by many passengers on and off the ship.  I managed to survive all 25 days clean.  Several Entertainment crew and Dining Room crew were either in isolation or quarantine.  MDR embarkation lunch was cancelled for those boarding in April.  

 

I would have felt "safer" if more testing was involved.  I even brought my own home test kit to protect those I visited while in port.  I didn't think it was much of an inconvenience.

[tsj]

Currently on the Regal for 14 days. We were tested mid cruise and my husband was positive but asymptomatic.  He is in  quarantine they will test him six days after the positive test.  So best case scenario he is in Quarantine for a week.  Disappointing but necessary. They will retest me on day three and day five. Hoping I stay negative so we can fly home from Barcelona.  The most important thing to me is that he remains asymptomatic and that others are not infected!  As I said it is disappointing but this is the risk we took and we will do our best to take it in stride.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, tsj said:

Currently on the Regal for 14 days. We were tested mid cruise and my husband was positive but asymptomatic.  He is in  quarantine they will test him six days after the positive test.  So best case scenario he is in Quarantine for a week.  Disappointing but necessary. They will retest me on day three and day five. Hoping I stay negative so we can fly home from Barcelona.  The most important thing to me is that he remains asymptomatic and that others are not infected!  As I said it is disappointing but this is the risk we took and we will do our best to take it in stride.

Sorry your husband tested positive, and hopefully he tests negative from here on out.

 

If I might ask, when you say you both were tested "mid-cruise", was that because you are on a B2B and it was a "mandatory" B2B requirement to take the test the day prior to transition day between leg 1 and 2?

 

Did you also book your cruise as a B2B, with 2 separate booking numbers, or as one "combined" 14 day single booking? The reason I ask is because we have family cruise booked on a "combined" 21 day cruise on the Regal in July rather than as a B3B made up of three 7 day legs. 

 

Also, I noticed you weren't disembarked on transition day and your husband was allowed to quarantine onboard on the second leg even though he tested positive with no symptoms on the first leg. That's good news, as the main thing we worry about is getting escorted on the ship and quarantine in some strange country if one of us we were to test positive because of a "mandatory" mid-cruise antigen test, even though we showed no symptoms.

[Princessfan20]

5 hours ago, VibeGuy said:

I keep having this thought that Princess refuses to learn from the experience on Ruby where they had identical cruises with and without serial testing (before people left home, pierside and 3 days in) and the difference in the results could be seen from outer space with the naked eye. 
 

It’s ten minutes of your cruise and a minor tickling sensation to keep a remarkably contagious virus under control.  FFS. 

 

I agree.  Getting tested is one of the simplest and easiest  things I could do on a cruise and one of the most important.   All this dread about being tested is so entertaining to see also.  Information is knowledge and evidently Princess is willing to sail in the dark and bring back the plague ships.  

 

We booked a 21 day cruise when Princess had a lot of Covid protocols in place and it seems safe to sail and that is what they were advertising too.  Now it seems they have pulled a classic bait and switch in regards to passenger health and safety in regards to cruising.  They even announce in their boarding directions to arrive only at your assigned boarding time for the safety and health of others or you will be asked to return at the correct time.  We all know that is a hope and not a fact.

 

It is like some people believe if there is no testing then there is no Covid but we all know Covid is still alive and well in the world and starting to surge again so we sail on.  

[tsj]

34 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Sorry your husband tested positive, and hopefully he tests negative from here on out.

 

If I might ask, when you say you both were tested "mid-cruise", was that because you are on a B2B and it was a "mandatory" B2B requirement to take the test the day prior to transition day between leg 1 and 2?

 

Did you also book your cruise as a B2B, with 2 separate booking numbers, or as one "combined" 14 day single booking? The reason I ask is because we have family cruise booked on a "combined" 21 day cruise on the Regal in July rather than as a B3B made up of three 7 day legs. 

 

Also, I noticed you weren't disembarked on transition day and your husband was allowed to quarantine onboard on the second leg even though he tested positive with no symptoms on the first leg. That's good news, as the main thing we worry about is getting escorted on the ship and quarantine in some strange country if one of us we were to test positive because of a "mandatory" mid-cruise antigen test, even though we showed no symptoms.

Ken,  We booked it as a 14 day cruise but many people were on for only 7 days. We boarded on Saturday in Rome, on the following Friday we had a mandatory test.  I was wondering if we might have to leave the ship on Saturday in Athens.  I asked my husband what he preferred, he said he thought it would be simpler to stay aboard to Barcelona  .  I do not know what the response would have been if we preferred to get off in Athens. There were many passengers that ended their cruise in Athens so perhaps we could have left the ship there, I don’t know what the Greek authorities would permit.  Honestly I’m not sure what our best option would have been. I am cleared to go to port,  to go to dining rooms etc  I have no restrictions. I do not feel comfortable at this point doing a lot of those things. I might feel differently after my next test tomorrow if I continue to test negative.  As I’m sure you know this travel is very complicated and the guidelines and rules are constantly changing.  
Teri

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, tsj said:

Ken,  We booked it as a 14 day cruise but many people were on for only 7 days. We boarded on Saturday in Rome, on the following Friday we had a mandatory test.  I was wondering if we might have to leave the ship on Saturday in Athens.  I asked my husband what he preferred, he said he thought it would be simpler to stay aboard to Barcelona  .  I do not know what the response would have been if we preferred to get off in Athens. There were many passengers that ended their cruise in Athens so perhaps we could have left the ship there, I don’t know what the Greek authorities would permit.  Honestly I’m not sure what our best option would have been. I am cleared to go to port,  to go to dining rooms etc  I have no restrictions. I do not feel comfortable at this point doing a lot of those things. I might feel differently after my next test tomorrow if I continue to test negative.  As I’m sure you know this travel is very complicated and the guidelines and rules are constantly changing.  
Teri

Thanks Teri,

 

Thanks. I’m just glad you were allowed to stay on the ship, even if your husband had to remain in quarantine. When we cruised with Celebrity on four different B2Bs since August, you were not allowed to continue on the next leg if you either tested positive or if you were “traced” and tested negative. We would much prefer to quarantine on the ship until we test negative, but that’s just us.

[insidecabin]

There are still differing protocols depending on locations

 

In Europe it used to be test positive you get offloaded and into quarantine.

 

I think most if not all Europe locations have dropped that requirement  except for those that need medical assistance, the ships have the option to keep passenger on board and manage the situation.

(Greece was one of the few places that had state paid quarantine hotels) 

 

What is clear is it is far too early to be dropping onboard protocols,  the lack of testing is just ignoring/hiding the problem.

 

Which is fine till the ship has to test.

 

I have been monitoring the transatlantic,  everyone has been a car crash at the end when testing of those flying back USA had to happens with  100s are heading to hotels waiting to go negative.

 

NCL Dawn got notified they had to test to get into Amsterdam, result lots of positives and the next two ports missed and disembark Southampton(14th) with more testing for those wanting to fly home

 

Less than 1k pax on the crossing(easy to social distance), estimates are over 200 positive cases

 

The cruise lines are relying on not having to test along with most people being asymptomatic or won't report mild symptoms and get tested.

 

Covid on ships is being hidden.

 

 

 

[caribill]

No matter what many in the USA and elsewhere are tired of doing in regards to Covid-19, there are three proven things that minimize exposure to the virus and the seriousness of the illness if you do catch the virus.

 

a) Vaccination -- Being vaccinated does not mean you can never catch the virus that causes Covid-19, but it reduces to near zero the chances of hospitalization with a serious case and death. Not just the initial jabs, but boosters when eligible for them.

 

b) Wearing masks -- The main argument for wearing masks is that they reduce the amount of virus particles sent into the air by people who have covid that is either not detectable yet or not causing noticeable symptoms. Yes, proper masks worn properly help protect those who wear them to avoid catching covid, but that is not as effective as also having those who might have undetected covid also wearing masks. When people say it is up to themselves whether or not to wear a mask, they are basically saying it is up to them if they want to possibly spread a deadly disease to others.

 

c) Testing. People can be contagious with covid and not realize they have it. That is why testing is appropriate in many instances including when being on a cruise.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I do think that Princess created part of the issue themselves. If quarantine on the ship was well handled (which means an adequate number of crew assigned to providing what people in quarantine need), if communications from the ship were timely and accurate, if close contacts were treated the same on all ships, people might not be quite as resistant to the idea of interim testing. 
 

I’d like to think so, anyway. Otherwise, people really are as selfish as they are appearing to be. 

[cruzin4us]

I'm thinking that many people feel catching covid now is a matter of inconvenience and not an automatic death or hospitalization thus they feel comfortable cruising without a mask (I'm one of those people).    How many people have you heard of that have caught covid "but they masked up all the time"??

The problem is if you are immune compromised (or unvaccinated) or have any other issue that makes catching covid more serious.     These are the people that need to mask up (or not cruise) until the threat is over.....which by the way I don't think is going to happen.  (again my opinion).

Many of us that are vaccinated are willing to take the chance of catching covid because we aren't going to get seriously ill or perhaps be asymptomatic. Mask wearing is never going to stop the spread on a cruise ship as long as people are drinking and dining and are in close proximity to others (theaters, elevators, game shows, airplanes, embarkation/debarkation, etc)....or if you are wearing poorly made masks or using it as a chin guard.

If I don't wear a mask at home, at the grocery store, or anywhere else, why do I want to wear a mask onboard?

I think most people just want to get on with a "normal" life.

I've gotten the cruise cold and I've had norovirus while cruising.....it's the risk I take, but I'd rather take the risk than to wear a mask.     That's just me.

Edited May 16, 2022 by cruzin4us

[PrincessLuver]

9 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

I'm thinking that many people feel catching covid now is a matter of inconvenience and not an automatic death or hospitalization thus they feel comfortable cruising without a mask (I'm one of those people).    How many people have you heard of that have caught covid "but they masked up all the time"??

The problem is if you are immune compromised (or unvaccinated) or have any other issue that makes catching covid more serious.     These are the people that need to mask up (or not cruise) until the threat is over.....which by the way I don't think is going to happen.  (again my opinion).

Many of us that are vaccinated are willing to take the chance of catching covid because we aren't going to get seriously ill or perhaps be asymptomatic. Mask wearing is never going to stop the spread on a cruise ship as long as people are drinking and dining and are in close proximity to others (theaters, elevators, game shows, airplanes, embarkation/debarkation, etc)....or if you are wearing poorly made masks or using it as a chin guard.

If I don't wear a mask at home, at the grocery store, or anywhere else, why do I want to wear a mask onboard?

I think most people just want to get on with a "normal" life.

I've gotten the cruise cold and I've had norovirus while cruising.....it's the risk I take, but I'd rather take the risk than to wear a mask.     That's just me.

 

People do not get quarantined for catching a cold, the flu or other common illnesses.  Not so with Covid.  And you state most people want to get on with a "normal life."  Well Covid is our new normal and wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of Covid.  The latest polls show that the majority of Americans support the wearing of masks in many different situations.  Princess should not have relaxed their health standards so soon and less passengers would be suffering un-necessarily.

 

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/05/11/57-of-americans-say-masks-should-be-required-on-airplanes-and-public-transportation/

[cruzin4us]

54 minutes ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

People do not get quarantined for catching a cold, the flu or other common illnesses.  Not so with Covid.  And you state most people want to get on with a "normal life."  Well Covid is our new normal and wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of Covid.  The latest polls show that the majority of Americans support the wearing of masks in many different situations.  Princess should not have relaxed their health standards so soon and less passengers would be suffering un-necessarily.

 

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/05/11/57-of-americans-say-masks-should-be-required-on-airplanes-and-public-transportation/

 

I read the report, but 2 things I have questions on:

 

1.   How many people did they survey?  

2.   They didn't ask the following question:   While traveling, should people keep their masks on even when eating or drinking?    (As long as the masks come off for a short period of time, the protectiveness goes out the window).

 

 Because the past 2 cruises I've been on, I'd say the majority of the folks that chose to wear masks only partially wore them, mostly just around their chins with their noses hanging out.   And I never, ever saw someone eating or drinking with their masks on.....EVER.      Until the cruise line says you have to wear your masks while eating/drinking this will never work.    I guess they could make everyone eat in their rooms??

 

PS: They do quarantine you if you catch Norovirus (been there, done that).    I've said this before, I'd rather catch covid than Norovirus any day.

[Ombud]

Can we get back on track?? Per Princess (their ship / their rules)::

 

Cruises from USA & Canada (updated May 10th):

 

Cruises from UK is eerily the same (updated May 11th):

And once again under cruises from Europe (updated May 11th):

and finally Australia has something a little different (updated May 6th):

 

you may not like it & you may view it as unnecessary but this is what the last updates say. 

 

So unless there's a more recent update not available on the drone passengers are supposed to be tested. Minor inconvenience 

 

 

[HunterBarb]

19 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Can we get back on track?? Per Princess (their ship / their rules)::

 

Cruises from USA & Canada (updated May 10th):

 

Cruises from UK is eerily the same (updated May 11th):

 

And once again under cruises from Europe (updated May 11th):

 

and finally Australia has something a little different (updated May 6th):

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

you may not like it & you may view it as unnecessary but this is what the last updates say. 

 

So unless there's a more recent update not available on the drone passengers are supposed to be tested. Minor inconvenience 

 

19 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Quick question - and thanks for redirecting ~ ~

    Background -- - I have potential of a SIde to Side Cruise from MSC DIVINA to RCCL HARMONY,  both from Pt Canaveral,  in Sept.  

   I have done Side to Side from one RCCL ship to another, and did B2Bs as well.  There was complimentary COVID testing done between sailings - know it's changed on the B2Bs now.

    Question is - Does MSC provide such Complimentary testing when going from their ship to another cruise line's ship? 

   My possible MSC Cruise is a shortie and mostly comped, so I really don't want to double the price with an over $100 test !  It could be a deal killer for the MSC sailing. 

 

TYIA for any info and insights - and yes I WILL get tested and have ZERO problems with it.

Smooth Seas to ALL ! 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

42 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Can we get back on track?? Per Princess (their ship / their rules)::

 

Cruises from USA & Canada (updated May 10th):

 

Cruises from UK is eerily the same (updated May 11th):

And once again under cruises from Europe (updated May 11th):

and finally Australia has something a little different (updated May 6th):

 

you may not like it & you may view it as unnecessary but this is what the last updates say. 

 

So unless there's a more recent update not available on the drone passengers are supposed to be tested. Minor inconvenience 

 

 

Would it be possible for you to provide the link on the Princess website where this information is listed? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks!

[Ombud]

6 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Would it be possible for you to provide the link on the Princess website where this information is listed? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks!

USA & Canada:

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

 

UK:

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/uk-southampton-cruises/

 

Europe:

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/eu-cruises/

 

Australia: 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/au-cruises/

[Ken the cruiser]

Thanks! What’s interesting is that we didn’t book multiple cruises, back-to-back, but rather a continuous 21 day cruise RT Barcelona. That’s why we continue to ask folks on similar types of extended “single booking” Med cruises what their actually experiencing. 
 

Will I be able to book multiple cruises, back-to-back?

Yes, back-to-back bookings will be available for vaccinated guests, subject to availability.

Guests on back-to-back voyages will need to disembark the ship at the end of each voyage and receive a complimentary viral COVID-19 test. They will be permitted to board the ship again once they receive a negative test result.

Guests who test positive for COVID-19 will be denied boarding on the next voyage, together with their family members and close contacts who are not fully vaccinated. Guests, their family members, travel companions or other close contacts who are suspected of having COVID-19, are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC).

We will closely monitor guidance from government and health authorities and will adapt and evolve this policy accordingly.

 

[Yehootu]

28 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! What’s interesting is that we didn’t book multiple cruises, back-to-back, but rather a continuous 21 day cruise RT Barcelona. That’s why we continue to ask folks on similar types of extended “single booking” Med cruises what their actually experiencing. 
 

Will I be able to book multiple cruises, back-to-back?

Yes, back-to-back bookings will be available for vaccinated guests, subject to availability.

Guests on back-to-back voyages will need to disembark the ship at the end of each voyage and receive a complimentary viral COVID-19 test. They will be permitted to board the ship again once they receive a negative test result.

Guests who test positive for COVID-19 will be denied boarding on the next voyage, together with their family members and close contacts who are not fully vaccinated. Guests, their family members, travel companions or other close contacts who are suspected of having COVID-19, are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC).

We will closely monitor guidance from government and health authorities and will adapt and evolve this policy accordingly.

 

I was told and not so sure anymore that if you only have 1 booking # then no need to test. Who knows? We cruise on the Royal on the 28th for 14days, it was also sold as 2 7day cruises, and this week there will be others in this same situation. Hopefully they'll repost in.

[caribill]

5 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! What’s interesting is that we didn’t book multiple cruises, back-to-back, but rather a continuous 21 day cruise RT Barcelona. That’s why we continue to ask folks on similar types of extended “single booking” Med cruises what their actually experiencing. 
 

 

 

5 hours ago, Yehootu said:

I was told and not so sure anymore that if you only have 1 booking # then no need to test. Who knows? We cruise on the Royal on the 28th for 14days, it was also sold as 2 7day cruises, and this week there will be others in this same situation. Hopefully they'll repost in.

 

No matter how you booked the cruise (a booking for each segment or just a single booking covering multiple segments), all passengers staying on for the next segment will be subject to the same testing requirements for the next segment.

 

It does not matter what some phone rep tells you. That is the way it works.

 

These requirements seem to change often, so it is impossible to predict what they will be next week no matter what they are this week. And they can be different in different parts of the world.