Ken the cruiser

So any idea how one finds out if an EU member country has decided to “ignore” paragraph 7.4, in essence leaving it up to a particular cruise line to make the decision to require/not required a pre-cruise C19 test? For example, we’re flying to Barcelona on July 1 to subsequently board the Princess Regal once we arrive. Barcelona has no requirement for a C19 test to land in their country if you are fully vaccinated. However, Princess states on their website you have to test within 3 days of embarkation. Is there a way to tell if that’s a Spain requirement or just the EU requirement Princess is adhering to?

Thanks for sharing your experiences. We won’t have a drink package on our up coming Jade B2B in November, but were planning on purchasing a 6 bottle wine package once we board. We’d purchase it pre-cruise if we could, but currently there is no online option we can find to do so. Do you by chance know if those wine bottle packages are also exempt from the Athens rule or will we have to wait until after we leave Greek waters?

What’s interesting is that in the same document at paragraph 5.2, it states what you’re saying with regards to incoming travelers to the country of embarkation. But in paragraph 7.4 they’re a little more specific when it comes to actually embarking on a cruise. 5.2. Screening of incoming travellers to the country of embarkation Passengers who have travelled from abroad to the country of embarkation must comply with the requirements for incoming travellers to the country of embarkation.

So the EU pre-cruise testing requirements listed at paragraph 7.4 in the EU Health Gateways Operational Guidelines are just a suggestion? Would these be considered similar to CDC guidelines, but applicable to all EU countries? 7.4. Testing of passengers on the day of embarkation All passengers (except children under the age of 12 years) should hold proof of a negative:  NAAT performed within 72 hours before embarkation, OR  RADT performed within 48 hours before embarkation https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/EUHG_Operational_guidelines_CoV_June2022.pdf?ver=2022-06-10-140149-413#page26

By chance do you know if Spain, Italy or the UK have adopted the EU 48/72 hour testing recommendation to board a ship in their country? I know Greece has a 24 hour requirement, but rumor has it that it's going to possibly expire on June 15. From what I can tell on the Celebrity site, you have to have tested negative within 2 days of boarding a ship in pretty much any of the European countries. Travel Requirements for Europe Cruises | Celebrity Cruises

It’s been on every one of the 10 cruises (90 days in all) we’ve been on since we started cruising again back in August. But I have to say my DW did just test positive for the first time after we got home last month after 18 days on a Panama Canal cruise. Now she’s only in her late 60s, but she said the symptoms which lasted 7 days were like a slight cold. So, yes, as far as we’re concerned as long as everyone is still required to be fully vaccinated, we’re good we going on our upcoming 21, 24 and 38 day cruises.

We were in a SV on the Apex last November, and spent most evenings eating up at the buffet, as we very much enjoy our privacy. However, what made it special was that we ate outside in the aft area of the ship. It was great eating outside under the stars with very few, if any, eating anywhere near us. 😁

Then there are the EU pre-cruise testing requirements listed at paragraph 7.4 in the EU Health Gateways Operational Guidelines. Would these be considered similar to CDC guidelines, but applicable to all EU countries? 7.4. Testing of passengers on the day of embarkation All passengers (except children under the age of 12 years) should hold proof of a negative:  NAAT performed within 72 hours before embarkation, OR  RADT performed within 48 hours before embarkation https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/EUHG_Operational_guidelines_CoV_June2022.pdf?ver=2022-06-10-140149-413#page26

I did some more research and found the following a little farther down in the EU guidelines. Sorry, the 48-72 hour pre-cruise tests are required. I knew it was wishful thinking. The information at paragraph 5.2 relates to “incoming travelers to the country of embarkation”. My bad. 7.4. Testing of passengers on the day of embarkation All passengers (except children under the age of 12 years) should hold proof of a negative:  NAAT performed within 72 hours before embarkation, OR  RADT performed within 48 hours before embarkation 7.5. Routine testing of passengers Routine testing of passengers is applicable only to cruise ships sailing with less than 95% of the crew members and/or less than 95% of the passengers on board vaccinated or recovered. For cruises which last up to 7 nights, RADT or NAAT tests should be conducted the third or fourth day of the voyage on all passengers 12 years of age and over who do not have proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19. For cruises which last for more than 7 nights, RADT or NAAT test should be conducted on all passengers 12 years of age and over who do not have proof of vaccination or recovery, every 4 days starting from the third or fourth day of the cruise. Transit passengers 12 years of age and over who do not have proof of vaccination or recovery on cruises which last up to 7 nights (i.e. passengers who will stay on board for another cruise) should be tested by RADT or NAAT every 4 days starting from the third or fourth day of the first cruise. An additional RADT or NAAT test may be performed on passengers before disembarkation if the country of disembarkation requires it. https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/EUHG_Operational_guidelines_CoV_June2022.pdf?ver=2022-06-10-140149-413#page26

From our perspective, we are so thankful Viking did what they did as someone had to be first to move away from pre-cruise testing! However, we absolutely have no desire to book a Viking cruise. Sorry, from everything we read and the videos we’ve seen, they just seem too “relaxing” for our taste.

I found this regarding the cruise pre-boarding testing requirements for EU countries in the “EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS JOINT ACTION PREPAREDNESS AND ACTION AT POINTS OF ENTRY (PORTS, AIRPORTS, GROUND CROSSINGS), Version 5, June 2022. 5.2. Screening of incoming travellers to the country of embarkation Passengers who have travelled from abroad to the country of embarkation must comply with the requirements for incoming travellers to the country of embarkation. In comparison, here’s the Princess link to FAQs regarding embarkation testing requirements for European sailings. https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/eu-cruises/ I know this is just wishful thinking, as we’re booked on a cruise on the Regal leaving Barcelona on July 2, but from what I found today, it appears the EU has updated their guidance which hopefully makes the guidance posted on the Princess website in the FAQ section outdated. 🤞🤞

I guess my curiosity is what European countries (UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Denmark, etc.) actually require cruise ships to test passengers prior to embarking a cruise ship in one of their ports? Anyone even know where one would check if they had the same curiosity? The only reference I could find was on the NCL website, with Greece currently being the only country requiring a negative test no later that 24 hours prior to boarding. http://ncl-drupal6.ncl.com:9050/travel-requirements-by-country

"Therefore, effective immediately, Viking will discontinue all on board COVID testing fleetwide. However, we will continue to provide testing if a guest reports symptoms, requests a test, or if our Medical Team deems necessary. Our vaccine requirement for all guests and crew remains in place—and for the time being, our crew will keep testing as needed and will wear masks at all times. Additionally, Viking highly recommends, but no longer requires, a pre-departure COVID-19 test—unless one is required by the destination. As of June 10, 2022, select ocean voyages on the Viking Orion and expedition voyages on the Viking Octantis in the United States and Canada will continue to require a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Further details can be found here." Viking Health & Safety Program (vikingcruises.com) I guess the USA and Canada are a couple of those "destination countries requiring it". I wonder what other European, Asian, African and/or Australian "cruise embarkation port" countries still require it? Smart move on Viking's part. If the country doesn't require it, why should they?

I guess the USA is one of those "destination countries requiring it". I wonder what other European, Asian, African and/or Australian "cruise embarkation port" countries still require it? Smart move on Viking's part. If the country doesn't require it, why should they? Testing of Embarking and Disembarking Passengers for Cruise Ship Operators Choosing to Opt into CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Screening Testing of All Embarking and Disembarking Passengers Passengers with Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 Passengers Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated Passengers Who Are Fully Vaccinated Passengers Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Pre-embarkation Day Testing Not Applicable Viral (NAAT or antigen test)[*] no more than 3 days before boarding; NAAT is preferred Viral (NAAT or antigen test) no more than 2 days before boarding [†] OR Viral test on embarkation day Viral (NAAT or antigen test) no more than 3 days before boarding† OR Viral test on embarkation day Embarkation Day Testing Not Applicable Viral (NAAT or antigen test)[*]; NAAT is preferred Disembarkation Testing [^] Not Applicable Viral (NAAT or antigen test) Not Applicable Not Applicable Back-to-Back Sailing[¥] Testing Not Applicable Viral (NAAT or antigen test) Recommended Viral (NAAT or antigen test) Recommended Viral (NAAT or antigen test) [*] Either the pre-embarkation day test or the embarkation day test must be NAAT. [†] Fully vaccinated passengers or passengers who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines may use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test)—see specifications in section below. [^] Disembarkation testing is only required for voyages of more than 4 nights. [¥] Back-to-back sailing refers to passengers who stay on board for two or more voyages. Operations Manual for CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters | Quarantine | CDC

Here’s what I found at the following NCL link today. For us, we’re going to take the eMed test 3 days prior to arrival before we board the flight from the US. That way we at least get on the flight with an approved negative test just in case Greece later removes their current 24 hour requirement and NCL falls back to the “default” 3 day negative test requirement. Europe Cruise Protocols Country Requirements Travel requirements may vary from country to country in Europe. Embarkation Requirements For cruises embarking in Greece, all guests ages 12 years and older must have negative NAAT (PCR) or Antigen test 24 hours prior to embarkation. If guest does not show proof of a valid test conducted within 24 hours prior to embarkation, an antigen test will be administered at the terminal covered by Norwegian. http://ncl-drupal6.ncl.com:9050/travel-requirements-by-country

This is great!! Just what I was hoping for. Thanks!!! 😁

We’ll be on the Jade for 19 days in November. We had the option of getting the unlimited drinks promotion when we booked the cruise, but declined the perk when we learned we had to pay $732 for the drink package gratuities. I guess that wouldn’t be too bad if you are a serious drinker. But since my DW only drinks water and I have a glass or 2 of wine at dinner, we decided to pass. But the only drink package I could find was for $65 per day for select wine and beer. So my plan is to buy a bottle of wine at dinner and then drink from it for 3 nights. Does any one know if you can buy a 3-5-7 bottle wine package once onboard?

I remember when we were on a 14 Oceania cruise a few years back (2016) and they went into a Code Red on day 2 for the rest of the cruise due to a norovirus outbreak. At the peak there were 102 cabins that had a red label stuck to each cabin door, with one end on the door frame and the other on the door, where at least one of the passengers tested positive. They also took away their Sea Pass cards as they were also requiring passengers to show them when they entered any of the eating venues. So there are options for securing a cabin.

Just curious. I’ve been reading on some threads as of late that folks are seeing biohazard bags and tables in the hallway outside a cabin door. In the past I’ve always heard C19 positive passengers were moved to an isolated area on the ship. Just wondering if that policy is changing on some of the current cruises?

Is Princess now allowing passengers that test positive to quarantine in the cabins they paid for rather than moving them to one in an isolated area of the ship?

I guess we’ll just have to keep our masks on when flying back home and stay up to date with our boosters. But I have to say our stress level just went down big time not having to worry if we were all going to be able to fly back home after our upcoming family Med cruise. But at the same time, no C19 tests have ever been required on domestic flights which can sometimes be 3-4 hours, even longer if you’re flying back from Hawaii.

Here you go. Look under COVID-19 Testing Requirements for various FAQs. What types of COVID-19 tests are accepted? Guests must take a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) viral test that's either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Antigen tests include: Rapid antigen Viral antigen Antigen chromatographic digital immunoassay Antigen chemiluminescence immunoassay Antigen lateral flow fluorescence Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) include: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-PCR) Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) Molecular test or molecular diagnostic Isothermal amplification Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) CruiseHealth™ FAQ: Sailings from the U.S. and Canada - Princess Cruises The short answer is yes. We get our eMed antigen tests by ordering through Optum. UPDATED: Where can I get a viral COVID-19 test near me? Contact your nearest health center, pharmacy (including CVS and Walgreens), state health department, or the airport you’re flying out of to learn more about their availability for COVID-19 testing. For U.S. based vaccinated guests, Princess also recommends a couple of options for FDA-authorized, medically supervised at-home antigen test kits. Optum offers an at-home antigen test kit ($69.99 for two), which can be ordered and shipped to your door in three business days or less. These at-home tests include a virtual video-supervised visit with an eMed Certified Guide through telehealth services. These guides will help you properly administer the test and verify the results, within 15 minutes. The lab result report is delivered via email and can be printed or displayed on your mobile device during check-in. Please place your order about two weeks prior to your boarding. Order your Optum test kit online^.

My guess is because it's the Oct 2022 itinerary. Here's the October 2023 itinerary. Much cheaper for verandas and higher on the 2023 itinerary. Cruise Details - 14-Day Search for the Northern Lights - Princess Cruises

Yay!!! 🕺🕺🕺

That would be good news rather than having to quarantine for up to 10 days waiting to test negative. You wouldn't my chance have access to a link that would reflect that Barcelona policy would you?