Which test at embarkation?

[kmtoner]

We sail from Amsterdam on Sunday, May 29. Does Windstar administer a PCR test at the pier or a rapid antigen test? What happens to passengers who test positive on PCR tests but negative on repeated rapid antigen tests as well as at-home rapid tests?

[r&rd]

They do the rapid antigen. I was told last cruise (April) that if you test positive you can not board but they will refund your cruise fare. If you test positive once onboard (or anyone you have traveled with or had dinner with) you are quarantined.

[kmtoner]

Thanks. I suspected as much. I don’t see how any cruise line could administer PCR tests to all passengers in real time at the pier. We’re in a situation where one of us suddenly has a positive PCR result but lots of negative rapid antigen results and zero Covid symptoms. Plus, we’ve been quarantining ourselves for 9 days straight in preparation for travel. So stressful!

[Lvwindstar007]

At pierside in Lisbon, we received a PCR test for Windstar at no direct cost to us.  We were allowed to board but were confined to our stateroom or on deck until cleared. One of the 8 couples on the prior tour with us failed and had to remain in Lisbon.  We were different than people who traveled direct to the ship but I think others who spent time in Lisbon before boarding had the same PCR requirement.  We boarded the Surf on 17 April.

[kmtoner]

Thursday night, we made the agonizing decision to cancel our May 29 cruise just hours before the 48-hour cancelation window was about to close. Despite zero symptoms and multiple negative rapid antigen tests, the one positive PCR test made the risk too high for us to fly. We decided we would feel awful if we tested positive at the pier or aboard the ship because it would mean we likely exposed many other travelers to the virus. It is sad to plan for so long and get so close to a vacation. But these are “first world” problems and we decided it was the right thing to do. Now we think about where we can put the cruise and airline credits to use for our first Windstar cruise. And we grumble about how much the prices have risen in recent weeks. We think about how we initially lost this vacation to the Crystal Cruise line insolvency. Now, it was to a single test result. But at least we don’t feel sick and can still count our blessings. 

[milepig]

Do note that as of July 1st WS is not testing at the pier. Of course this could always flip back next week. There's a separate thread on this recent change.