September Tahiti Sailings

[Petoonya]

Contributors to the Tahiti TA forum reported that as late as 7/23 some ATN gate agents at LAX were turning away people even when their lab report stated clearly that their result was negative for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. Apparently some agents thought the "RT" part of SARS-CoV--2 RT-PCR stood for "rapid test", while it actually stands for "reverse transcriptase".

While the rapid test (the antigen test) is unacceptable, some SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests are rapid, taking less than 2-3 hours, and the word "rapid" is used on the report. Hows that for confusing?!

 

Can understand the initial mix-up but in the past couple days things have improved at LAX. Unfortunate for the few refused boarding but understandable with the initial roll out. Things will surely be streamlined by the time any of us fly.

[susiesan]

13 hours ago, Barrycat said:

 

Granted this is all very new to everyone involved and as time goes on the details will be settled, but at this point what is clear is that the specific molecular test noted is required to be conducted no earlier that 72 hours prior to departure and proof is to be supplied at check in. Rapid or Non rapid is upon the air at this point.

 

And therein lies the problem. With the backlog of getting test results back in the US due to everyone running off getting tested for no reason when they have no symptoms,  people who actually have a need for a test cannot get them in timely fashion. I have encouraged people on TA and the FB page for visitors to Tahiti to report their testing problems to Tahiti Tourism, especially if the lack of testing is causing people to cancel their planned trips. If my trip was in the next 2 months and not January, I would have to cancel since here in Kansas City you cannot get results back any sooner than 10 days. The city keeps running these free testing events so everyone and their brother goes and gets tested because it is free. These people are using up the scarce resources for testing because they are curious or want "peace of mind", not because they are sick or have been exposed to someone.

[Heartfelttraveler]

For anyone whose September cruise was cancelled by Windstar - What did they offer you?

Did they offer full refund?

[ridethetide]

7 hours ago, susiesan said:

And therein lies the problem. With the backlog of getting test results back in the US due to everyone running off getting tested for no reason when they have no symptoms,  people who actually have a need for a test cannot get them in timely fashion. I have encouraged people on TA and the FB page for visitors to Tahiti to report their testing problems to Tahiti Tourism, especially if the lack of testing is causing people to cancel their planned trips. If my trip was in the next 2 months and not January, I would have to cancel since here in Kansas City you cannot get results back any sooner than 10 days. The city keeps running these free testing events so everyone and their brother goes and gets tested because it is free. These people are using up the scarce resources for testing because they are curious or want "peace of mind", not because they are sick or have been exposed to someone.

You cannot accurately say that people are getting tested for curiosity's sake when many people have family members who are immuno-compromised or elderly or their employment depends on being healthy.. Take a deep breath and relax.  You are only worried about a vacation to Tahiti.  Others are worried about loss of life and livelihood. We all want to be healthy.  It is going to take some time, given the state of affairs that our administration is in.

[Strenz]

@ridethetide: Bravo, well said and so right.  Happy Sailing

[Petoonya]

@ridethetide

You say it well. Everything will either come together or it won't.

Sailings could proceed in the fall and be shut down again in winter or spring depending on COVID in FP. Who knows? None of us has a crystal ball , and no control of the circumstances.

 

[susiesan]

The CLIA announced today that per CDC rules there will be no cruises until Oct. 31. Just like they did last month, Windstar will likely cancel their October Tahiti sailings. So far, the Windstar web site has not been updated to reflect this. They have also not extended the dates of their Travel Assurance policy past dec. 31, 2020.