klfhngr

1 hour ago, steveru621 said:

We plan on using eMed.  I've heard many bad stories posted about huge delays for testing at the airports.

These are the ones that failed us, same brand, same app, same everything. 

If you're referring to POST cruise, you have 3 options:

1. Purchase a kit from X and hope it works

2. Test at FCO, but get there 2+ hours early

3. IF your last cruise day is in port, take the test at a pharmacy there.

I wish I knew better at the time, but I'd take option 3!

Pre Cruise:

Find a local pharmacy the day before cruise. That's what we did and it was EASY PEAZY! MANY pharmacies in Roma!

Sorry to hear that! It would've been so much easier to take one at a pharmacy. We did that for PRE boarding in Rome, it was so easy and convenient!

6 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

Did you ask about short-checking the bags to LHR only and not through to your final destination, so you could re-check at LHR for the US destination?

 

I imagine that you cannot check-in for a flight to the USA without the test right now, but they are also usually unwilling to just check-in for the first leg only, hence the problem you found...

Sure did, they said NO! BA staff was not helpful.

Just to add: I told them that the Covid testing line was long. They said I had until 12:15 to check in. In the Covid line, after about 45 minutes, I mentioned to one of the workers that we were going to miss our flight. They took us straight to the front! Waited 15 minutes and RAN to check in. I was there at 12:13. My mom and step dad were checking in, we were with another rep. Our rep said too late, cannot board, while my mom is checking in! I told the rep, you told me 1215, it's still not 1215! She insisted on not letting us on! Then another rep came over, I believe he was in charge. They went back and forth, while my mom is getting her boarding pass! He said to let us on! She kept arguing with him, but she finally did it! Last time with BA for us!

We just got off on Monday from our 10 day cruise, this is a warning if you're going to take test at airport, I just posted this in Roll Call to answer someone's question:

They asked about taking the test at the airport.

My response: DON'T DO IT THERE! The line was from one end of the airport to the other! We almost missed our flight! Expect an hour and a half if you do it there! Also, the stupid test from X are crap, ours failed, that's why we had to do it at the airport.

My suggestion to EVERYONE!!!! Find a pharmacy NOW at your last port, if it's 24 hours before flight, and make an appointment and take there! I found one at our last stop, but they were fully booked. If they had an opening, we would've taken it there and life would've been so much better and less stressful!

Hope this helps!

ADDITIONAL COMMENT FOR X: If they really cared about their customers, they would give you the test package the day before the cruise so that you could test on the ship. Handing it to you on the way out the back door is a slap in the face!!!!!

P.S. We had a flight from Rome to England then England to Los Angeles. I called British Air and asked where we needed to test. We were told either in Rome or England. We planned on taking in Rome, but decided to check in being that we had a long layover at Heathrow. At check in (FCO), we were told that we could NOT check in w/o test! That's when I explained what I noted above. They said NO, you cannot board until you submit results! 

So be careful on what you're told!

If booked thru TA, you should be able to do. I booked my parents room to ours, so I was able to check in, order stuff, etc. for them. I even used their CC, lol/jk!

Awesome, thank you!

23 minutes ago, klfhngr said:

We scored on our upcoming cruise next week. 10 day Europe on Reflection. We paid $5300 for 2, verandah cabin, with air from LAX. Price now is about 8k!

Strike it, now 9,837.74!!!

On 5/3/2022 at 11:51 AM, davekathy said:

Snoring or not. Two different staterooms. 

Yup, there'd be no need for a sock on the door knob! ;O

Can she sleep on the balcony?! 😉

2 minutes ago, D C said:

What is the itinerary? It may help somewhat.

 

10 day, Croatia, Montenegro, 2 stops in Greece, 4 stops in Italy.

Ah, thank you! Ugh! Not sure what to do, lol! We love aft, but this is first time on a European cruise. So we're thinking about the view, whether while sailing or while in port. 

We scored on our upcoming cruise next week. 10 day Europe on Reflection. We paid $5300 for 2, verandah cabin, with air from LAX. Price now is about 8k!

Even when in port? That's our question I guess, can you see the ports when the ship is parked? Is it a better view than the port view verandah. 

That's the room that we can move to. From port to SV Stern.

Just wondering if the views are better in SV than Port view cabin.

Veranda, either facing port or facing stern/aft.

Not sure what to pick, we have a chance to upgrade. 

For a 10 day Europe cruise, would you choose PORT side or STERN?

We did Princess twice, but on Ruby and Star and hated it! Maybe we'll reconsider on a newer ship. Did one X and loved it, and we leave next Tuesday for a 10 day Euro cruise on X!

We did similar cruise a couple of years ago, also in May. Might get a little nippy, maybe light rain. But overall sunny and nice, just not hot.

23 minutes ago, Glendakayself said:

I have not, but in my research I found cheaper prices if you order on line. Amazon is back ordered until 5/18. Walmart has them. They should work fine if you can get the internet you need.

Thank you! That's my concern, the internet. Was hoping someone has taken these to Rome and completed. My other option is to walk 5 mnts to the local pharmacy and get tested in Rome. Trying to decide what the best option is.

Has anyone purchased this here in the USA, then taken to Italy, then taken the test? How did it go? 

I say you do what's best for you, and no one should flame or shame you. 

Cheerio!

16 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Thank you! I started to blog it to keep my mind off my ankle/foot situation during the long wait for my ankle to be operated on, and then I realized I could impart some useful information as well.

 

I am going to look for your “miss the ship” thread!  

Lol, same here! I started writing it as I was going thru the 'ordeal', lol! 

Great post! I love post where people create threads such as 'What happens when you...' I did a similar thread, 'what happens when you miss the ship'! You hear of people missing it, but that's it! I've also heard of people getting hurt, but then never hear what happens after! Thank you!!!