rps2004

I called Carnival again and got the same response I got earlier: B2B passengers on the 10/30 sailing wil be tested at sea by Carnival on a complimentary basis to satisfy the Bermuda pre boarding requirement and will not need to test for the earlier sailing Dont know which rep has it right, but testing three weeks before the 10/30 embark is not consistent with Bermuda’s preboarding requirements I’m going to have my TA call to see what they tell him. I will report back Richard

Are you vaccinated? Richard

According to Carnival reps, they will test B2Bers on board the 10/21 sailing within the 2 day Bermuda window for the 10/30 sailing. Complimentary. You should verify with Carnival and ask them to make sure you are shown on their system as B2B. Richard

I was on the phone with a Carnival rep yesterday on another matter and in the course of the discussion she volunteered that Onpoint was an acceptable proctoring method. There has also been discussion on a variety of other threads about people uploading OnPoint results to VeriFLY and having them accepted. Richard

I believe language and the booster requirements are now under the heading of the protocols for cruises that leave through September 5. The only protocols we have so far for cruises after that are the new general announcements they have just made which don’t deal in detail with the celebration and the pride specifically. Since the new general guidelines indicate that they will not be requiring vaccinations for Sailings from European ports and since those two ships are, I believe, the only two sailing in Europe, my guess is that the booster requirement will not apply to the TAs. But, we will have to wait for the upcoming guidance and amplifications. Richard

The CDC guidance has been out for days now. Carnival‘s website still says they are awaiting the guidance. As of this morning Royal Caribbean’s website has announced evolving protocols that include no testing for cruises under six days for vaccinated guests beginning with departures on August 8. The implication is that there will be more to come. Richard

I saw that. I only did a quick read, but I thought the fact they were giving people advice about what to do if their cruise line does not have a testing requirement was telling. It would seem to indicate that they contemplate cruise lines dropping the testing within the new guidelines. Interesting to see what the Big Three make of this. I also found it interesting that they defined fully up-to-date as requiring all shots and booster that you were eligible for. This is a slight change from the prior wording and would seem to indicate that if you could have had both boosters but chose only one you might not be up to date. Not sure what the up to date requirement might apply to if a cruise line does away with Testing, but I thought it was interesting, nevertheless. I am not going to go back and read the guidance in depth because the only real interpretation that matters is what cruise lines decide it means and how they develop protocols within that guidance. I would think that would happen pretty quickly this coming week. Richard

The new CDC guidance has been posted on their website. Should be a busy week for the cruise lines. Richard

Honest mistake

Here is the copy of the actual language on the NCL site. Refers to vaccinated passengers, not unvaccinated. For sailings beginning August 1, 2022, vaccinated guests sailing on a cruise originating from any port EXCEPT a U.S. port; Canadian port; or Piraeus, Greece are exempt from all pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements. Richard

I am interested in knowing how many and what type of electrical outlets there are in the Pride’s cabins. Also, are there any USB ports? Thanks Richard

I agree with your analysis. We remove the gratuities from our sign and sail and then tip the waiters and steward in cash Richard

We are on the TA in October. I read the language as including the TA. It is a departure in Europe so it appeared to me it would require a booster. But, checked with Carnival and our booking agent and they confirmed. Could change and maybe they has the wrong info, but I am treating it as required until they clarify otherwise. For us it doesn’t matter since we are doing the B2B staring in Rome and we are both actually double boosted. But, one of our traveling friends isn’t and will need the booster to get on in Rome. Richard

From the beginning of the franchise!!

NY Jets or Winnipeg Jets? Richard

I would keep an eye on this. There may be more to follow. Right now Carnivals FAQs say only one booster needed, as did John Heald’s blog on FB. BUT, the email from Carnival on European sailings was on 5/18 and John’s clarification was early AM on the 19th. later in the day on the 19th the CDC announced new strong recommendations for 5-11s to get boosted and for seniors to be double boosted. carnival’s vaccine protocols say that they will look to CDC’s evolving guidance and adapt accordingly. we might just get some additional insights from Carnival once the get back to their desks on Monday. Richard

Try calling Carnival and asking for Guest Services. There is a group at headquarters that talks to the ships and may be able to forward your request. Richard

I kinda figured this would happen. Hope you were able to get them retested. Richard

Safe travels. Richard

You were very astute to notice the conflict. Richard

I assume your on the Pride. If I had to bet the rent money, I would guess that 5-11 would need a booster now that CDC recommends it. Carnival is reeling from the large number of cases on the Spirit Panama Canal sailing that arrived in a Seattle with 200+ cases. Although not legally obligated, they paid for all of the quarantine hotels to avoid bad publicity. They are trying to avoid that on the European sailings. The only mitigating factor might be the timing of the CDC announcement so soon after the booster expansion by Carnival. Richard

Your brother might want to consider buying travel insurance before the cruise. If he has another stroke onboard he could be looking at significant uncovered medical and evacuation expenses there are a few reputable insurers that cover stroke and cardiac events even if preexisting. Richard