dorts

Looks like the app is similar to the old terminology and helps. 2 days before sail date for antigen and 3 for PCR 

If your cruise visits Greece then testing remains. I too got the email and was confused (but not surprised) that RCCL managed to word things differently again. I'm thinking it may just be bad wording as previous updates as this would make the pre-cruise testing requirements harder for us rather than easier which I don't see a reason for doing. I would think the 2 days before boarding day is the true message and hopefully will be rectified soon!

17 minutes ago, seapad said:

ALso, this is the screenshot if you embark from Rome. I just pick one of the destinations here: 

Of course RCCL make things that little bit more confusing by now talking about hours before sailing rather than whole days! Will give it a few days and it will be corrected I'm sure. Hoping Greece come on board and testing is dropped altogether for fully vaxxed

Yeah someone disembarking last Sunday said it was more 2hrs 15mins to Marco Polo from Ravenna

Thank you so much for all this info. I'm on the same route on Brilliance end of September!

From experience of previous cruises in the Med, ship time was always the same as on land

As someone did above, if you look at the app and pick for example, Wonder of Seas, the vaccination rules read differently are are more in line with what we are all thinking....if primary course is 270+ days out then you will need the booster to be classed as "up to date" 

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Help needed please!!

 

How do others interpret this rule; if your booster is older than 270 days old…. You need to test before being allowed ashore…. If you visit multiple ports in Greece- do you think this is a $55 test before each Greek port or one $55 test will cover all Greek ports???

 

Guests age 12 and up (or 6 and up in select countries as indicated below) who are not up to date will need to complete additional testing onboard prior to going ashore in the ports listed below. For guests age 12 and up, the cost of the test is at their own expense, conducted onboard by a licensed third-party testing provider for $55 USD per test. Royal Caribbean does not retain any part of the testing costs. Any required testing for kids age 6 to 11 is complimentary: 

• Belgium 
• Cyprus 
• Denmark 
• Estonia 
• France  
• Germany 
• Greece (for guests 6 and up) 
• Ireland 
• Italy (for guests 6 and up) 
• Latvia 
• Montenegro 
• The Netherlands 
• Portugal 

If you look at some of the previous posts above this has come up already. It's definitely not clear at all and the app states something more in line with the official EMA rules in Europe. Hoping RCCL have just worded this wrong, which wouldn't surprise me from experience!

3 minutes ago, Garden_Girl said:

Just opened the Royal app and under Health this info came up which seems to have better wording on the 270 days issue

This makes more sense! Thank you

29 minutes ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

Not the case with RCCL.  They have said to be "up to date" the booster needs to be within 270 days.  

They say "According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA)" who currently do not have a limit for boosters, only your primary dose/s. I think this is just poor English by RCCL. I read it as "According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), being up to date means you have had the second dose of your original vaccine series within the past 270 days, OR a booster dose."

1 hour ago, Wedgeh said:

I think those are very likely to be the same protocols for roundtrip cruises from Barcelona, at least for a few months.

I would also suspect this will be the case bar the period before may change to 2 days depending on embarkation country. All could also change as we move through the summer and into Autumn as we see currently with different countries in an almost daily basis!

In recent reviews for Brilliance some people mention an imminent drydock coming up? I see there are no sailing in April for Brilliance and the transatlantic crossing to Europe is cancelled before she starts her European season. Anyone have any insider info and what this drydock may entail? 

22 minutes ago, CaroleC said:

We get on as you get off (unless you’re doing a B2B of course lol). I see you’re from Belfast, we’re from England and just wanted to check that arrivals from our part of the world do not need an additional Covid test prior to check in, just the mandatory one at the terminal. I’m still a bit concerned about the wording of the email we all received yesterday morning 🤦‍♀️

Think it's just the one at embarkation which we registered for. The email was worded weird I agree but was told check-in is after the testing so I think the email basically means you have your test and cert for check-in. I very much doubt they will need a test if they are doing one already at embarkation. Enjoy and yes just the one leg for us.....been a very long time coming!

Hi all, due to board Harmony Sunday and have been living it up since Wednesday here in sunny beautiful Sitges! Everyone is sticking to the rules and honestly with the weather so nice we are outside mostly so masks etc haven't been a real issue. Lots of tourists here also from around the world from what I hear and everyone just loving the sunny beach vibes. I am super excited for Sunday and will accept the changes that come with travel at this time. This will be my fourth attempt at getting on a cruise and although less passengers I am looking forward to being spoilt by the crew and just getting back to cruising...

Hi, received an email from RCCL yesterday basically saying that the cruise on Harmony of the Seas leaving Barcelona 5/9/21 for UK passengers is dependant on whether Italy cancels the quarantine arrangements for UK. This is due to be made by at least 30/08/21. I am due to leave for Barcelona 1/9/21 so cutting it pretty close of I wait it out ... They promised an update on 1/9/21 also but going to keep an eye on what Italy does between now and then. Nerve wreaking situation and wonder if anyone else is in a similar position and did they just cancel already for 100% refund as given in email or waiting it out??

Supposed to go 5/9 and pre-booked two excursions in Italy with RCCL before any official announcements as we expected prices increases. We were shocked to see the tour we booked two months ago in La Spezia went from £79 to over £150 per adult!!! It is now £125 in their sale. The other tour didn't increase too much but think this increase is crazy...just hope we don't get cancelled but just two weeks to go....or not 

10 minutes ago, Kbonner said:

Ireland presently is no good - it is not part of Schengen and treated by Italy like the UK (NI) as there is a soft/green border  between Ireland and UK

Actually travel between Ireland and Italy is fine with the EU Covid Cert. No quarantine or testing. I have an Irish passport and EU passcard too, and plan on spending 14 days before cruise in Ireland (south) and Spain so according to the Itlaian government questionnaire and embassy, I am free to visit but my booking is with UK TA and they are just saying RC told them to cancel all UK bookings for August and I am trying to explain my unique position but don't think they fully understand. Plan B may be needed 😅

Yeah no UK cruisers allowed onboard in August. Poorly handled I feel to alert something this important so close to sail date for many. Strange that they won't let UK cruisers onboard, offer some incentive, and just not let them off in Italy. Many would probably opt for this option I think. I have added headache that I live in NI but will have over 14 days in Ireland/Spain before cruise and also have Irish passport and ID. RCCL and my TA are not sure how it works for me and if I can still go if rules are not relaxed between Italy and UK end of August. Good luck everyone

Got an email from TA saying all UK bookings cancelled for first three sailings...I do hope Italy changes the rules later this month as due on Harmony 5/9. Seems like it may be a very quiet few sailings...

Got an email from TA saying all UK bookings cancelled for first three sailings...I do hope Italy changes the rules later this month as due on Harmony 5/9. Seems like it may be a very quiet few sailings...

It was a UK booking which included the promotion of a deluxe drinks package each and the OBC was due to changes with the perks of a central park balcony room. More so the drinks package shifting over that I'm hoping for!

Hi all,

I lifted & shifted my AOS sailing this Sept to HOS next Sept. All good so far. I did have a promotion of two deluxe drinks packages and $50 credit for this Sept. Am I right in thinking these promotions will also shift over to next year?

How will they know about chronic conditions? Only mentions a doctor note for over 70s. Just thinking of myself who has no issues but I am already in Miami so can't exactly pop to my doctor's now for a note back in the UK!

Finally something not Corona related! Thanks for the great review - leaving Thursday for Saturday boarding and trying my best to keep positive and excited for my two weeks onboard regardless of what may or may not happen!

8 hours ago, ebonybee said:

Just off Seaside and I can honestly report that the room stewards are changing out beddings to include duvets and disinfecting rooms at the hospital level.  Pillows were removed and sent to laundry. Even the covering used on the bed to protect the bed from luggage....everything.  Two members of my party are medical personnel and they were impressed with the cleaning protocol.  Example:  The Seaside uses glass toothbrush holders and when we picked up luggage from our room this morning after breakfast The holders were filled with a disinfectant solution and soaking.

 

We had a fabulous time....ship had less than 4000 passengers onboard out of a capacity of 5500.

Thanks for the info. Due to board her 14th March so keeping a close eye on things. On a slight positive, did you feel a difference to the level of service provided due to less people onboard?