Current Situation Question

[MsTabbyKats]

I haven't been on this board for a while because I haven't been on Carnival for a while.

I have a Sept-Canada cruise booked and final payment is coming up soon.

My research shows "masks optional"....just want to confirm the mask police won't arrest me.

Testing...antigen test 2 days prior is ok.  Again....just want to confirm I don't need anything additional.

If you test positive prior to sailing....you get a future cruise credit.  No cash refund?  What happens to credits?  I have the $600 OBC....will that go back to my account or I lose it (due to a "book by....sail by" rule).

 

Thanks

[mz-s]

The answer to your questions is yes - as of today - Carnival's COVID policies change often and it is up to you to understand their policies as you get closer to your cruise. Two days for an antigen test is OK for now, but who knows what will be the rule by September. I'm sure Carnival would prefer that by September, no testing or even proof of vaccination would be required at all. Their protocols are here and this page is continuously updated as the protocols change.

 

https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_040122

[firefly333]

I thought I read carnival changed to 3 days before for vaccinated. 

 

Rcl is still at 2 days but carnival went to 3 days.

 

Both quit testing between b2bs and covid is showing up more and more, especially those testing after they get off, but we are learning to live with covid.

 

Staff shortages on all lines. 100% pax and 70% crew is the new norm. Carnival closed chefs table and the italian at  night. The staffing shortages seem to show up most for dining. Imo.

 

 

[MsTabbyKats]

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I thought I read carnival changed to 3 days before for vaccinated. 

 

Rcl is still at 2 days but carnival went to 3 days.

 

Both quit testing between b2bs and covid is showing up more and more, especially those testing after they get off, but we are learning to live with covid.

 

Staff shortages on all lines. 100% pax and 70% crew is the new norm. Carnival closed chefs table and the italian at  night. The staffing shortages seem to show up most for dining. Imo.

 

 

Ugh...no reduced capacity?

 

I was on 2 NCL sailings...not a lot of people, no crowding, it was great! There was no staffing shortage....the buffet staff were all volunteering to carry my food to the table just to have something to do!

I have another one next week and I'm concerned that the crowds gonna be back.

Edited May 29, 2022 by MsTabbyKats

[elklemi]

Covid test 3 days before if you have both covid shots and 1 booster, if no booster 2 days before cruise for test

[BrianMD]

30 minutes ago, elklemi said:

Covid test 3 days before if you have both covid shots and 1 booster, if no booster 2 days before cruise for test

Fully vaccinated guests traveling on a cruise that calls on Canada will need to take their pre-cruise test no earlier than two days prior to sailing.

[TomCruise48]

59 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I thought I read carnival changed to 3 days before for vaccinated. 

OP mentioned a Canada cruise.  Canada is now requiring 2 day testing regardless of booster status for Alaska cruises stopping in Victoria.  Unless Canada changes their rules before September, the 2 day rules should still apply.  You also need to download and complete the ArriveCAN app. 

Edited May 29, 2022 by TomCruise48

[JT1962]

17 minutes ago, BrianMD said:

Fully vaccinated guests traveling on a cruise that calls on Canada will need to take their pre-cruise test no earlier than two days prior to sailing.

Currently for Carnival cruises that includes Canada, fully vaccinated & up-to-date can take a PCR reset 72-24 hours before the cruise or Antigen test anytime in the 2 days prior. 

From Carnival website:

* BERMUDA AND CANADA: Fully vaccinated guests traveling to Bermuda and Canada, including those who are up to date with their vaccines, can take either a PCR test between 72 and 24 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen pre-cruise test no earlier than two days prior to sailing, in order to comply with CDC and destination regulations.

 

https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_040122

 

From the Canadian Website for cruises visiting Canada: 

 

1. - Proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken no more than 2 days before you’re scheduled to board your ship the 2-day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time that you board for example, if your ship is scheduled to leave on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Wednesday, Thursday, or on Friday it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service
   • the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained 
   •  
2. - Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled boarding time for example, if you’re scheduled to board at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday

 

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise

Edited May 29, 2022 by JT1962

[ItsADryHumor]

4 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Ugh...no reduced capacity?

 

I was on 2 NCL sailings...not a lot of people, no crowding, it was great! There was no staffing shortage....the buffet staff were all volunteering to carry my food to the table just to have something to do!

I have another one next week and I'm concerned that the crowds gonna be back.

You want no masks, but you want reduced capacity? 
 

Sounds a little hypocritical, but go off, I guess? 

[MsTabbyKats]

2 hours ago, stinkyenglishteacher said:

You want no masks, but you want reduced capacity? 
 

Sounds a little hypocritical, but go off, I guess? 

Yes....that's what I want.  A reduced capacity ship so that there's enough space to go without masks.  I had 2 covid free NCL sailings....never even thought about masks because there was lots of room.

Nothing hypocritical about that.
Whatever....I more concerned about masks being mandatory....I'd rather cancel and lose my deposit and the generous OBC.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Yes....that's what I want.  A reduced capacity ship so that there's enough space to go without masks.  I had 2 covid free NCL sailings....never even thought about masks because there was lots of room.

Nothing hypocritical about that.
Whatever....I more concerned about masks being mandatory....I'd rather cancel and lose my deposit and the generous OBC.

carnival is mostly at 100% on longer cruises. Some of the shorter arent selling out. 

 

Dont look at rcl either as they are at 90% or higher and I heard some crew say they expect 500 kids on little grandeur this summer per leg.

 

There are a few coming back slower. Princess and celebrity for instance. Only because of crew shortages, not because they want to come back slower. Carnival and rcl are not only full but short staffed. 

 

Booking carnival and not expecting 100% you will most likely be disappointed. 

[ItsADryHumor]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Yes....that's what I want.  A reduced capacity ship so that there's enough space to go without masks.  I had 2 covid free NCL sailings....never even thought about masks because there was lots of room.

Nothing hypocritical about that.
Whatever....I more concerned about masks being mandatory....I'd rather cancel and lose my deposit and the generous OBC.

I mean, I want to win the Powerball, but it just doesn’t happen. 
 

We are headed on a cruise in a few weeks that’s booked to 100%. We sailed Celebrity when it was 40%. The cruise lines are fighting rising costs and mounting debt and, frankly, need to make money. 
 

We are all aware of the risks we are choosing to take when we board. To quote both The Rolling Stones and Yo Gabba Gabba, “You can’t always get what you want.” 

[Ilovesailaway]

9 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

There was no staffing shortage....the buffet staff were all volunteering to carry my food to the table just to have something to do!

Glad to hear no staffing issues at NCL. For some reason a theory exists that Carnival's staffing issues are because the US Government is slow to process the necessary paperwork and work visas.

[Sunshine3601]

10 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Ugh...no reduced capacity?

 

I was on 2 NCL sailings...not a lot of people, no crowding, it was great! There was no staffing shortage....the buffet staff were all volunteering to carry my food to the table just to have something to do!

I have another one next week and I'm concerned that the crowds gonna be back.

When was your last cruise on NCL?   Pretty much since spring break/Easter holiday all ships for most cruiselines have been sailing at much higher capacity than March or earlier.

[BlerkOne]

Masks are currently optional, but there are no guarantees that the policy won't change, either in general, or on a specific cruise. 

[MsTabbyKats]

11 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

When was your last cruise on NCL?   Pretty much since spring break/Easter holiday all ships for most cruiselines have been sailing at much higher capacity than March or earlier.

I get it.  Nothing lasts forever.  I have an NCL cruise in a few days....and judging by the uptick in prices I won't be the only one on the ship this time.

 

The reason I'm asking about Carnival is that the cruise I'm booked for was booked quite a while ago and the price was very good.  When you factor in the OBC (casino money!) the price is uber good.  But, Carnival is not my #1 cruiseline (didn't say I don't like it...just like others better)....and if I cancel now all I lose the $100 deposit.  I just wanted to make sure, as of now, the mask police won't be all over me and there's no "rules I don't know about".

[SuzWillCruise]

4 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I get it.  Nothing lasts forever.  I have an NCL cruise in a few days....and judging by the uptick in prices I won't be the only one on the ship this time.

 

The reason I'm asking about Carnival is that the cruise I'm booked for was booked quite a while ago and the price was very good.  When you factor in the OBC (casino money!) the price is uber good.  But, Carnival is not my #1 cruiseline (didn't say I don't like it...just like others better)....and if I cancel now all I lose the $100 deposit.  I just wanted to make sure, as of now, the mask police won't be all over me and there's no "rules I don't know about".

The rules could easily change between now and your cruise, though. I’m not sure what your options will be re refund if you pay in full and then decide not to go?

 

Here’s my decision matrix when there’s a big X factor that won’t be resolved prior to my decision deadline: which potential negative consequence of my choice would annoy me the least?
 

So for you, (1)cancel now because of your concerns re possible mask mandates for your sailing = lose 100 dollar deposit plus good price.  Or (2)keep sailing, but (2a) potentially have to wear a mask, or (2b) be stuck with whatever refund or future cruise credit option that might be available if you cancel after full pay.

 

Which above undesired outcome above would irritate you the least?