Testing could be changing again as of the 14th

[hazeleyes46]

2 minutes ago, pcur said:

11......9since mid-January this year

 

I got COVID pneumonia on the b2b January / February 2020 cruise.

Haven't been on a vacation in 4 years, kids, 6 years. It is kind of stressful for us as this is a LONG awaited, MUCH needed vacation for all of us. 

[pcur]

3 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Haven't been on a vacation in 4 years, kids, 6 years. It is kind of stressful for us as this is a LONG awaited, MUCH needed vacation for all of us. 

Glad you can go.  Don't stress the tests, and if the kids need a PCR the extra day to get it will help.  Truly, the telehealth proctored tests are the answer IMO.  You do it when you want to, you don't go out, you don't stand in line, wait, etc.  Worth every penny of the cost.  Results in 15 minutes.  Done.

Edited August 5, 2022 by pcur

[marycruz]

40 minutes ago, SilkySal said:

I also have a B2B2B in October of this year from PC on Mariner. The 1st leg is a 5-night and the other 2 are 8 nights which include Bermuda on the 2nd two legs. Now what? Shall I assume that they will test us on board before continuing to Bermuda? Ken? Anyone? TIA!

Yes we were told that on our Oct cruise to Bermuda they will test us on board.   This info came from MB's office.   Maybe requirements could change by then but who knows.  

[hazeleyes46]

1 minute ago, pcur said:

Glad you can go.  Don't stress the tests, and if the kids need a PCR the extra day to get it will help.  Truly, the telehealth proctored tests are the answer IMO.  You do it when you want to, you don't go out, you don't stand in line, wait, etc.  Worth every penny of the cost.  Results in 15 minutes.  Done.

"Kids" are adults so we all are going to test the same day. Just very stressful. Trying to think positive though. 🙂

 

[pcur]

1 minute ago, hazeleyes46 said:

"Kids" are adults so we all are going to test the same day. Just very stressful. Trying to think positive though. 🙂

 

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

[xpcdoojk]

6 minutes ago, pcur said:

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

 

We need to move past plan A and B, and move on to plan N.  

 

Plan N no testing.  Waste of energy resources and it is not making us safer in the real world.  It may make us feel good, but is as effective as a cloth mask which is equally pointless.

[rudeney]

45 minutes ago, pcur said:

I am continuously puzzled why people get upset about pre-cruise testing.  I could see the expense for a family, and PCR tests for kids. 

 

For some, it may the expense, especially if they don't realize they can pay $10-$20 for a proctored test instead of $100++ at a chain drugstore.  For most, I believe it's the stress of having to take a test that is a snapshot measurement of something totally beyond their control.  Most people would not board a cruise ship or even go out in public if they were truly sick, but with this, you can test positive and have your entire vacation canceled yet experience zero symptoms or symptoms no worse than allergies.  We here reports on the forums every day that someone came back from a cruise and tested positive for COVID and felt a little bad for a few days, or even that one spouse was positive and one was not.  I've not seen a single person say they were so sick they needed medical treatment, although a few did get it prophylactically.  If people were truly getting very sick or even dying because of COVID on a cruise ship, it would be plastered all over the news with headlines about "petri dishes".  Continue to test and making otherwise healthy positive people stay home is about in line with being told you have cooties.

[hazeleyes46]

14 minutes ago, pcur said:

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

I don't think they will test anymore at the dock according to the new protocols yesterday.

[hazeleyes46]

6 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

For some, it may the expense, especially if they don't realize they can pay $10-$20 for a proctored test instead of $100++ at a chain drugstore.  For most, I believe it's the stress of having to take a test that is a snapshot measurement of something totally beyond their control.  Most people would not board a cruise ship or even go out in public if they were truly sick, but with this, you can test positive and have your entire vacation canceled yet experience zero symptoms or symptoms no worse than allergies.  We here reports on the forums every day that someone came back from a cruise and tested positive for COVID and felt a little bad for a few days, or even that one spouse was positive and one was not.  I've not seen a single person say they were so sick they needed medical treatment, although a few did get it prophylactically.  If people were truly getting very sick or even dying because of COVID on a cruise ship, it would be plastered all over the news with headlines about "petri dishes".  Continue to test and making otherwise healthy positive people stay home is about in line with being told you have cooties.

Thank.you.

[karena1]

20 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

As the cruise sector continues to evolve and adapt to an everchanging environment, we look forward to moments where we can share progressive movement. While continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, we are excited to begin transitioning to a point that more closely aligns with other travel and hospitality sectors. With that, we are pleased to announce the easing of test requirements for most U.S. itineraries.
 
Testing Update: For your clients sailing from the U.S. August 8 -  August 14th, 2022: 

• Fully vaccinated guests will only have to show a test result at boarding if the sailing is 6 nights or longer.
• Unvaccinated children will still need to show a test result to board all sailings, regardless of length. However, they will not need to test again at the terminal.
• Guests will now have the same test standard, regardless of vaccination status: You can show a negative test result from a supervised PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of boarding day. 

This revision does not apply to guests whose itinerary visits Canada or Bermuda. These clients will still need to follow our current testing protocols until further notice.

Please note that guests confirmed on U.S. sailings departing on or before August 7, 2022, should adhere to protocols previously communicated.

For those clients booked after August 14, 2022, please await the specific protocol details from us related to those sailings. 

As we begin to transition to a point where everyone, regardless of vaccination status, will be able to sail with us once again, we continue to work closely with our destination partners. Additional information will soon follow, however, until then, current vaccine guidance remains unchanged.

not thinking anything is going to change for our 8/19 cruise.  Looking forward to not have to be tested.

 

[pcur]

6 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

I don't think they will test anymore at the dock according to the new protocols yesterday.

Good to know.

[hazeleyes46]

3 minutes ago, pcur said:

Good to know.

Yes people with small kids are thrilled.

[Roybthered]

We have a cruise booked for the Med at the end of Sept and a cruise booked for mid Oct out of NJ so are keeping a close eye on when/what/where to test or if we need to! just DW and I sailing in the med both vaccinated but both plus DD (vaccinated) and Granddaughter who is 6 and unvaccinated for the US cruise all very stressful. 

[SherriZ366]

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

[never_cruised]

13 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

That’s certainly what I read 3 days instead of 2.

[handbellplayer]

36 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

We're sailing with you and anxiously watching for changes.  Of course, I made our appointments for testing two days out yesterday....

[SherriZ366]

39 minutes ago, handbellplayer said:

We're sailing with you and anxiously watching for changes.  Of course, I made our appointments for testing two days out yesterday....

I have E-med tests but I may make On-Point reservations for two of the tests we got from Medicare.  I got familiar with the testing regime by doing home tests when we thought we were exposed awhile back.  

[mrpayroll]

5 hours ago, SilkySal said:

I also have a B2B2B in October of this year from PC on Mariner. The 1st leg is a 5-night and the other 2 are 8 nights which include Bermuda on the 2nd two legs. Now what? Shall I assume that they will test us on board before continuing to Bermuda? Ken? Anyone? TIA!

October is a long ways off. I wouldn't worry about it now.

[teddybear231]

22 hours ago, AlohaLivin said:

Us too. But we are set up and ready, but honestly it isn’t half as bad as going through airport security and that is every flight, all the time.

 

I just hate the uncertainty of not knowing if the test could possibly come back positive. I know a few people who had no symptoms, felt fine, but tested positive. 

[AlohaLivin]

28 minutes ago, teddybear231 said:

 

I just hate the uncertainty of not knowing if the test could possibly come back positive. I know a few people who had no symptoms, felt fine, but tested positive. 

I agree completely, it is a scary proposition just for a long awaited vacation! Since we sail on the 14th, it is inevitable for this cruise, but at least the second leg of the b2b won’t require testing and it seems this is likely our last “testing” cruise.

[Bobbiegentry]

On 8/4/2022 at 5:57 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

To me reading this still does not allow unvaccinated guests to sail starting the 8th.

Nor should it. 

[Ret MP]

3 minutes ago, Bobbiegentry said:

Nor should it. 

If the cruise lines says you have to be jabbed to cruise, it ends there.  And I haven't seen, yet, where Royal has changed that.  

 

However, some ports of call have dropped the requirement.  But, that doesn't mean squat if the cruise lines still requires it.  

 

But, the cruise lines will come to their senses eventually.  

[watcher_62]

Carnival updated (read corrected) their original changes as it relates to the Bahamas - they now appear to mirror RCCL...    

John Heald (Carnival Brand Ambassador

 

Before I head to my cruise tomorrow I wanted to share the news on testing which many of you have already received from our wonderful President Christine Duffy.

It reads as follows.

“ August 5, 2022

Dear Carnival Guest,

We are pleased to share that our COVID protocols continue to evolve. We remain, as always, committed to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve. Effective August 8, 2022, guests should be guided by the following COVID-19 testing requirements related to cruises visiting The Bahamas. This applies specifically to itineraries 5 days or shorter only:

• Vaccinated guests do not have to present a COVID test result at embarkation.

• All unvaccinated guests must present the negative results of a pre-embarkation test – either

a supervised PCR or an antigen test taken up to three (3) days prior to embarkation.

For complete information on vaccination and testing requirements and other protocols, please visit

our Have Fun. Be Safe. page here.

We apologize for the late notice but trust you will find this to be good news.”

[xpcdoojk]

2 hours ago, teddybear231 said:

 

I just hate the uncertainty of not knowing if the test could possibly come back positive. I know a few people who had no symptoms, felt fine, but tested positive. 

It absolutely happens, I know several.

[topnole]

7 hours ago, rudeney said:

 

For some, it may the expense, especially if they don't realize they can pay $10-$20 for a proctored test instead of $100++ at a chain drugstore.  For most, I believe it's the stress of having to take a test that is a snapshot measurement of something totally beyond their control.  Most people would not board a cruise ship or even go out in public if they were truly sick, but with this, you can test positive and have your entire vacation canceled yet experience zero symptoms or symptoms no worse than allergies.  We here reports on the forums every day that someone came back from a cruise and tested positive for COVID and felt a little bad for a few days, or even that one spouse was positive and one was not.  I've not seen a single person say they were so sick they needed medical treatment, although a few did get it prophylactically.  If people were truly getting very sick or even dying because of COVID on a cruise ship, it would be plastered all over the news with headlines about "petri dishes".  Continue to test and making otherwise healthy positive people stay home is about in line with being told you have cooties.

I’m going to disagree with you on one point.  I think most people do lots of things when they are sick and this is true long before Covid.  People go to work sick, parents send kids to school sick.  I can’t tell you how many parents we’ve met who even bring their kids to parties a little off or after just being sick in bed the day before (as if they aren’t contagious anymore).  Got tickets for a big concert and feeling off, most people aren’t going to skip it.   Same for any other big event.  Heck, I had a regular in my golf foursome show up quite sick saying he thought he might have the flu.  He looked horrible.  I had a 6 moth old at the time and he knew that well.  But he didn’t want to miss golf on Saturday.  I was pissed about that one because I was worried I’d get it a give it to my baby daughter.  
 

Many will board a cruise sick and this was true long before Covid.  It’s just human nature I guess.