hazeleyes46

51 minutes ago, britty1 said:

I was very stressed for months about the testing. Was going to go to Walgreens because at one point they were free, travel companions had an appt at SAC airport at an approved urgent care, they cancelled appt a few days before appt.

we all had IHEALTH at home tests so decided the best thing to do was to pay for an internet proctor service and use the tests we had. Made 4 appts with rapidtestandtrace, the easiest testing for $20 per person.  No problems and RCI accepted the paperwork, no question I would use them again and not fret.

I am going to book my appointments for tomorrow with them 🙂

1 minute ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

So once Royal announced testing was required, did you contact them to get a refund since they've changed the terms?  Or postpone your booking?  You've KNOWN for well over a year you'd have to test.  Apparently you still do.  

 

I get it, I wish we didn't have to test.  But it's a part of some cruising (currently).  

Our cruises were for May 2021 and then pushed to August 2021. Both were cancelled and RCCL did not start sailing until September of 2021. The last time we re-booked was the last time we could do so before losing all our money. All the mandates did not come out at that time, if I remember correctly. We also thought after another year, things would be lifted. I will test as I have had to do for work but it is very stressful to have to test 4 people and hope we are all fine. I made the choice to get vaccinated when I didn't want to and was perfectly fine without a vaccine. No other vacation or places to go have these requirements and hopefully they all will be lifted soon for another cruise in our future 🙂

25 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

This thread is a prime example (IMO) of what's wrong with society today.  Everyone wants what's "theirs".  If I don't get what someone else gets, that's not fair, is stupid, worthy of complaint.  

 

Everyone around the world at this point in time with a cruise booked KNEW they had to test before getting on the ship.  Is it stressful not knowing if you're going to be able to board until two days before?  Sure.  But what if there's a major flight delay/cancellation like has happened multiple times this year?  For those driving, what if there's a major traffic tie up (that could be a result of everyone trying to drive when their flights are cancelled)?

 

This doesn't change a thing for those booked on 6+ day cruises.  But because "someone else" gets a benefit, break out the pitchforks!

    

Not all of us booked after covid so we did not know we needed to do so back then. We also got bumped up a few times and would lose all our money if not rebooking.

Life has gone on elsewhere and no place else do I need to vaccinate or test to do things. 

19 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

Considering that day 4-5 is when those contracting the the virus day 1-2 become contagious, Yes.

That's an assumption and the majority of people on the ship are not getting sick. This all needs to end.

13 minutes ago, dltaeg said:

Not entirely true. We booked before Covid was a thing and cancelled cruise after cancelled cruise and cruise credit after cruise credit we didn't have a choice anymore. Sail or lose our money. So we didn't really have the choice. 

Same here. 

20 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

MommaBear, 

Trying to explain R naught and statistics is probably not going to be well received by those on these boards that believe testing is useless. But your statement explains the policy perfectly.

Do you honestly think ONE day will make a difference? We don't test for anything else that can get others sick and for no other place. 

Just now, crewsweeper said:

Maybe, maybe not.  Current variants tends to show itself in 3-5 days.  But you could still have it and be asymptomatic earlier.   So if RCCL's experience has been fewer COVID positives on board for shorter cruises and most on Board positives coming around day 5 or 6, it makes some sense.  But nothing about treating or prevent the spread of COVID makes complete sense anyway.

 

It all just makes no sense, honestly and the majority of us know that 🙂

7 minutes ago, MommaBear55 said:

It makes sense when you look at the infection rate and the doubling time. They will be able to get people off before it can blow up into a major issue.

1 day will make a difference?????

1 minute ago, neverbeenhere said:

It’s been suggested that it does Help those on 7 night and longer cruises. 

So 7 days but not 1 less at 6. 🙄

7 minutes ago, mkrr1123 said:

On the website it says 10 days.  Besides they would need to lie on the health questionnaire.  I am a wreck about getting on this boat next Thursday. 

Well that stinks since the CDC changed it to 5 days awhile ago 😞

16 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

What this says is the ramifications of not testing will only be seen on cruises 6+ nights.

Yes 6 + nights HAVE to still test while less than that do not. Doesn't help for the majority of cruisers who go at least 7 nights.

13 minutes ago, mkrr1123 said:

Does not help me and my stress level for our cruise on the 4th.  One of the families just had their daughter test positive yesterday so they are out. Luckily my girls have not seen her for at least 2 weeks but  I am a wreck about whether or not we will be getting on that boat on next Thursday.   This is so stressful.  I was so hoping for the requirement to be dropped August first. 

Why are they out? Isn't it 5 days quarantine now or are the ships different?

3 minutes ago, dltaeg said:

Absolutely gutted 😭

We sail on the 7th of Aug for 7 nights and was really hoping the stupid testing requirement would be scraped before we sail. 

Same as this is just one more stressful thing we have to incur before starting our vacation.

I think most take 7 day cruises and not happy we will still have to test. Very stressful.

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Here is the relevant paragraph.

 

Looks like they are implying that unvaccinated guests will be able to sail.

 

"Last week, the CDC ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. Based on this change, we are continuing to adapt our protocols to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating. This means that we're transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us while always working with our destination partners to meet their regulations. Starting Aug. 8, testing will be required for unvaccinated guests on all voyages and for vaccinated guests only on voyages that are six nights or longer. "

I was thinking that is just for kids who are unvaccinated. I wouldn't doubt it though that you can be unvaccinated and cruise since I just got vaccinated to cruise lol

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/27941-royal-caribbean-reports-q2-2022-financial-results-cash-flow-positive.html?fbclid=IwAR1_4WPF9CVYOcvpzhE1OpG6L-Rnls5DpuwGyTZCN29ckFCrquuvDsjGJp8

Hopefully they will mention something tomorrow so I know if I need to plan to test 🙂

4 minutes ago, MaddyandMax said:

 

This concerns me a bit.  My youngest (10) is vaccinated.  His last shot was December 29. 

Canada has not approved boosters for this age group and I doubt they will before our cruise in 2 months.  He will be 285 days from his last shot.  I'm assuming then he'll be classed as unvaxxed and have to go through all the extra testing.  Which he will gladly do but the extra expensive of a PCR test at $150 plus and the pier testing, makes me anxious and sad for him.

Why? Is this something required in Canada? In the U.S. it doesn't matter when you got your shot, you are considered vaccinated after 2 shots. 

15 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

My hat is off to ya!  I could never!  We live on a mountain in Arkansas and the sun peaks up around 5:30, so we cannot sleep later than that and more often we get up a little before it, but we love to watch it with our espresso!  Below is mist over Rhea Valley below us.  Paradise!

Blackout curtains lol

15 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

So for the past 20 years, every cruise I say, "This time we're gonna stay up and hoot with the owls."  And every cruise we end up packin it in around 9:30!  It's hilarious.  I've only stayed up past that time maybe 3 or 4 times on all our cruises.  Walking all day long and greeting the sunrise every day, climbing or going down stairs and then running all over a port is exhausting.  Especially to someone 72 yrs old!  Our normal bedtimes at home are 9:00 pm and up at 5:00 am and neither of us have a real job!  I'm fully retired and hubs works from home and now delivers packages for Amazon for cruise money! LOL  Anyway, I"m sure next month we'll profess our new resolution to "stay up with the owls" and end up falling asleep in our cups as usual.

You should try training yourself to stay up later. At home go to bed a half hour later and try and get up to the time you want to be up until on the cruise. Maybe napping during the day on a cruise will help too. There is so much to do after 9pm that I can't believe that people actually go to bed that early lol. Many of the shows don't even start until 9 or 10 and even the Quest never started until about midnight.

17 hours ago, topnole said:

Was on Allure in May.  Even saw gym shorts in the specialty restaurants for dinner.  Saw the same guy in the CK the next morning at breakfast and I’m almost certain it was the same outfit.  I remember because it was a bit unique even for gym clothes.  I’m guessing he packs light.  
 

We did a specialty restaurant almost every night and my friend wore shorts every night.  I did on some nights.  No issues at all.  We wore golf attire as you mentioned.  
 

Dont worry at all.  Be comfortable and enjoy your dinner and drinks.  It is a vacation, not work.  

Even work is so casual now. We can wear anything except sweats and shorts lol

I guess we will see as I need to know soon to schedule our proctoring tests 🙂

Hopefully more about testing for the cruisers going in the next month 🙂

Just saw this:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/07/26/questions-about-cruises-ahead-of-royal-caribbean-groups-earnings-call-week?fbclid=IwAR1carjSMKizwYi062qr3Dt1LksqUE79g-Oh7LMhTg8Eo-UQtvEcNMmN2OI

Nope and I can attest that I had to go to the naughty room to get my luggage minus the iron until the last day.