CURRENT Covid Protocol?

[Numer3]

I was reading a very recent review about a ship that my family will be on in a week, and there were SO many comments about people getting sick the last day or two, or once they got off the ship…testing positive for flu and or Covid.

 

Fingers and toes crossed, we won’t have to deal with that, but I would like to hear from some recent cruisers that have had this unfortunate experience.
 

What are the current protocols? I imagine it might be different than what was going on a year ago. So I’m hoping recent cruisers can respond. (For instance, I remember hearing that they will bring you food, but not from the dining room… so very little variety.) 

 

Are you quarantined in their medical facility? Do you stay in your cabin? What about the person traveling with you? Do they provide any medication you might need or would it be best to bring your own? 
 

Just trying to plan ahead…but hope it won’t be needed!

[firefly333]

I'm on harmony and some are testing positive. I asked and covid testing is still free. I did bring 2 tests with me to test myself. 

 

Mostly I'm reading they test after they get off. Not during.

[broadwaybaby123]

Just off Celebrity two months ago and there were no masking or testing requirements.

[MISTER 67]

2 hours ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

Just off Celebrity two months ago and there were no masking or testing requirements.

We were on the Enchanted Princess last week, ship was full and truthfully I can’t recall anyone sneezing or coughing including my DW and me and we happened to wind up on some packed elevators. No protocols at all but a few people wore masks.

Edited December 16, 2023 by MISTER 67

[Numer3]

I’m sorry… I should have been more clear! I meant what are the protocols if you get sick. I know they aren’t requiring masks or testing anymore. 
 

I was just wondering if you test positive what are the protocols & procedures that the ship follows. 

firefly333…we will be on Harmony, too. And this was the ship that I saw the review were so many people were talking about testing positive. I guess it’s a vicious cycle… Passengers have it, the crew gets it, and pass it back to others. Thanks for any info you may learn… although I can only imagine that Royal’s protocols would be the same on all ships.  
Thanks! 

[Gardener5b]

We were on Serenade in mid-September and both came down with Covid (we had self-tested).   We had to remain in our cabin.  Medical came within the hour to check vitals, temperature, and bring meds.  They called daily to check on us, as did guest services. 

 

We were given free wifi for the remainder of our cruise (I tested positive on day 6 of a 12 nighter, and my husband tested positive a day later).  We were able to order lunch and dinner from the MDR if we desired, but could only order from the regular room service menu for breakfast.  No problem getting bottles of water delivered our meals.     Because we were still technically on the last day of quarantine, we were escorted to a separate waiting area and were escorted off of the ship as the last to disembark.

 

We were treated and cared for very well.  

[Numer3]

Gardener5b, so sorry that happened to y’all! I’m glad to hear that y’all were well taken care of.
 

I’m wonder…were you in a suite? I heard that at one point, only people in suites were able to get food from the MDR. 
 

One more question. Is there anything you wish you had packed that might have made quarantining a little bit easier?

Thanks SO much for sharing your experience! 

[colesc15]

Been on many cruises since the restart. If you don't take a test, no covid. Simple. 

[smokeybandit]

There haven't been any protocols for North American cruises for a long time.

 

It's just another bug to catch along with the rest that are out there.

[Jasukkie]

I'd say the de facto policy is now don't ask, don't tell. Anyone going on a cruise should understand they will be exposed to covid. Keep enough sick time on the return side if you have a job that won't let you work with covid.

[RoperDK]

2 hours ago, Gardener5b said:

We were on Serenade in mid-September and both came down with Covid (we had self-tested).   We had to remain in our cabin.  Medical came within the hour to check vitals, temperature, and bring meds.  They called daily to check on us, as did guest services. 

 

We were given free wifi for the remainder of our cruise (I tested positive on day 6 of a 12 nighter, and my husband tested positive a day later).  We were able to order lunch and dinner from the MDR if we desired, but could only order from the regular room service menu for breakfast.  No problem getting bottles of water delivered our meals.     Because we were still technically on the last day of quarantine, we were escorted to a separate waiting area and were escorted off of the ship as the last to disembark.

 

We were treated and cared for very well.  

Hoping to never be in your situation, but I do have a question....what about alcohol drinks?  If you have the drink package or are Diamond or higher, will they deliver drinks?  My DH and I tested positive after an August Mariner cruise.  We had symptoms for 36 hours at the most. We felt right as rain by then but still quarantined ourselves for the whole 5 days.  I know Princess will deliver drinks, but what about Royal?  It would be a double bummer if you were quarantined and not able to enjoy some wine on the balcony if you feel perfectly normal.       

[Gardener5b]

2 hours ago, Numer3 said:

I’m wonder…were you in a suite? I heard that at one point, only people in suites were able to get food from the MDR. 

No, we were in a regular balcony stateroom.   They apparently had our cabin number listed as being able to order from MDR during regular hours as there was never any question.

 

I had brought a lot of OTC medications with us, but we were supplied everything we needed from medical.  We were both offered Paxlovid, in addition to the symptomatic relief.

I forgot to mention--we were both given FCC prorated for the days we were in isolation.  We were grateful to have a balcony for the natural light and being able to step outside occasionally.   We masked when our meals were delivered or when our room steward brought ice/fresh towels.  He called us daily to see if we needed anything.  Although he couldn't do regular housekeeping, he did keep us supplied with fresh towels/ice, which we really appreciated.  When we needed ice or our trash emptied, we just set it outside the door when we knew he was working.  

Edited December 16, 2023 by Gardener5b

[Gardener5b]

29 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

It would be a double bummer if you were quarantined and not able to enjoy some wine on the balcony if you feel perfectly normal.   

We could have drinks delivered, although they would not apply our diamond + coupons.   Not sure about the drinks package, as we didn't have one.   We seemed to be able to get unlimited bottles of water if we requested them at no charge.

 

We had a deck of cards, Yahtzee and a travel Scrabble game we always travel with, so we could keep ourselves occupied.   My techie DH brought something so we were able to stream shows from our YouTube TV service.

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by Gardener5b

[Mum2Mercury]

I don't think Covid is nearly as common as it was; I teach high school, and I only had ONE STUDENT who was out for Covid in fall semester.  Still, I wouldn't cruise without being vaccinated.  For flu too.  

 

Back to the point of your question:  I don't think the ships have an official protocol any more.  

[Gardener5b]

1 hour ago, colesc15 said:

Been on many cruises since the restart. If you don't take a test, no covid. Simple. 

Sorry, but as a health care professional, I couldn't even consider doing this in good conscience.   We brought our own tests and tested shortly after we felt first symptoms.  No need to spread the misery.

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

9 minutes ago, Gardener5b said:

I forgot to mention--we were both given FCC prorated for the days we were in isolation.  We were grateful to have a balcony for the natural light and being able to step outside occasionally.   We masked when our meals were delivered or when our room steward brought ice/fresh towels.

 

 

That's generous, but, I fear it's still not enough incentive for the don't ask/don't tell faction who will continue roaming the ship once they feel up to it while potentially infecting others. 

[Gardener5b]

Just now, Steeler Nation At Sea said:

That's generous, but, I fear it's still not enough incentive for the don't ask/don't tell faction who will continue roaming the ship once they feel up to it while potentially infecting others. 

I was very surprised to learn they were doing this.   As I said, I couldn't imagine not isolating once I knew we were positive.  We had to cancel our plans in Boston (we were staying over a few extra days at the end of our cruise).  We finished isolation in the hotel; GrubHub was our friend for meals.   Technically, I was out of isolation before my husband.  My only venture out of the room was to get a grab and go breakfast to take back to the room (I was masked and tried to avoid the busy times).

[jean87510]

39 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

Hoping to never be in your situation, but I do have a question....what about alcohol drinks?  If you have the drink package or are Diamond or higher, will they deliver drinks?  My DH and I tested positive after an August Mariner cruise.  We had symptoms for 36 hours at the most. We felt right as rain by then but still quarantined ourselves for the whole 5 days.  I know Princess will deliver drinks, but what about Royal?  It would be a double bummer if you were quarantined and not able to enjoy some wine on the balcony if you feel perfectly normal.       

I honestly don't know anyone who even cares about drinking (or eating) with covid.  I guess if you felt better, it's different.  I never had it but know many who have and no one cared about alcohol.

[RoperDK]

2 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I honestly don't know anyone who even cares about drinking (or eating) with covid.  I guess if you felt better, it's different.  I never had it but know many who have and no one cared about alcohol.

That's my point. Only had covid once and was totally well a day and a half later.  I have felt worse with a common cold and of course the flu.  Just wondering what they offered. 

[Gardener5b]

1 minute ago, RoperDK said:

have felt worse with a common cold and of course the flu. 

We both had sore throats as first symptoms, then cold-like symptoms and fatigue.  The fatigue for several days was very real!  My cough lingered for weeks afterwards.   

[RoperDK]

Just now, Gardener5b said:

We both had sore throats as first symptoms, then cold-like symptoms and fatigue.  The fatigue for several days was very real!  My cough lingered for weeks afterwards.   

It is a weird virus, isn't it?  We must have been very lucky with our cases.

[Gardener5b]

Just now, RoperDK said:

It is a weird virus, isn't it?  We must have been very lucky with our cases.

We both felt very fortunate we had mild cases (especially since DH has asthma).   He did, at my recommendation, take the Paxlovid offered by the doctor on the ship.   

 

[travelberlin]

34 minutes ago, Gardener5b said:

We both felt very fortunate we had mild cases (especially since DH has asthma).   He did, at my recommendation, take the Paxlovid offered by the doctor on the ship.   

 

Did you pay for the Paxlovid?

 

[Gardener5b]

Just now, travelberlin said:

Did you pay for the Paxlovid?

All of our care and medications were free of charge.  I thought that was quite amazing, because Paxlovid is not inexpensive.

[BND]

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

I honestly don't know anyone who even cares about drinking (or eating) with covid.  I guess if you felt better, it's different.  I never had it but know many who have and no one cared about alcohol.

My BIL just got over it.  All he had was a mild cough.  Otherwise he felt perfectly fine.  My sister had a bad headache for 4 days and mild flu symptoms for a couple of days.  BIL could have definitely drank, sister, not really. We've never had it either and we've cruised 12 times since restart.