New Covid Policy - Some of you will be forfeiting your $$$

[forgotmyCCname]

4 hours ago, gerelmx said:

 

Home testing it's not accepted, RCI will deny you to board the ship

Royal states that if you have a supervised home test- that a physician or a lab will certify that you indeed were the one tested- then it is acceptable.

 

[RumJunkie]

Not sure if we are getting into an argument about semantics.

 

For "at home test", it not about location, its about profession administration.  I am referring to the group of tests you can do yourself and send off to get results (CVS sells 3).  This is performed by the person themselves without certification at the time of testing. 

 

Any test performed (or I get certified) by a professional 3rd party who verifies the identity of the person being collected from and the correct method of collection - whether its "at home", "in your car" or "at the Doctors office", is not.  For example, if CVS qualified person will administer/witness the "at home" test and certify it as such, then that should work.

 

I missed the Abbot test post but the web page product I saw for Abbot is a self-collection.

 

You may well be allowed to board with a self administered test, but I would not want to risk it.  And, as I was told by RCCL, being told you violated the cruise contract so now refund either.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

just an FYI: starting on August 15 and through Dec 31, 2021 Princess requires negative tests for all their passengers as well. They will NOT test at the pier. They are cruising as "fully vaccinated."

 

That's mostly a message for those who gripe about RCI requirements and want to cancel their RCI cruise and switch to another line.

 

"As always, we remain committed to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit. We will continue to operate vaccinated cruises through 2021 in the U.S. as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. caused by the Delta variant, we’re updating our protocols and requirements. We’re hopeful these measures will be temporary, and we will continue to adjust our protocols based on the advice of our medical and public health advisors.

Here are our new, temporary pre-travel COVID-19 testing requirements:

• Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, through Sunday, October 31, 2021, we will require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.
• In order to board, fully vaccinated guests will be required to provide proof of this negative COVID-19 test, along with proof of full vaccination (final dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to embarkation), upon arrival in the terminal.
• Please note that testing in the terminal will not be available for fully vaccinated guests, so it’s critical that guests have their negative test results with them at cruise check-in.

In addition to testing requirements, we have also made adjustments to our onboard mask policy as follows:

• We strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks when indoors, and we require mask-wearing in elevators, retail shops, the casino and other designated indoor areas, except when eating or drinking.
• Guests will also be required to wear face masks before being seated in all dining areas and may occasionally be asked to wear a mask in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate.
• As a reminder, masks are required during embarkation and debarkation in the terminal, and masks must also be worn during the debarkation process on board.
• We recommend guests wash or replace their mask daily and choose a good quality double-layer cloth or medical-grade mask. Please note that bandanas, neck gaiters and masks with exhaust valves will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask and that visors and face shields are only permitted when used in addition to a mask.

We’re implementing these new requirements to protect our guests and crew while on board. Several destinations have their own requirements, and all guests will be required to follow the protocols in each destination we visit."

[smokeybandit]

I'd like to know if there's any documented case of someone getting covid from elevator exposure. I'm guessing there isn't.

 

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

21 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

starting on August 15 and through Dec 31, 2021

sorry, I mistyped: through October 31, 2021.

[The Scurvy Pirate]

4 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

In addition to testing requirements, we have also made adjustments to our onboard mask policy as follows:

• We strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks when indoors, and we require mask-wearing in elevators, retail shops, the casino and other designated indoor areas, except when eating or drinking.

 

It looks like no smoking in the casino (assuming they had previously allowed smoking in the casino)...

Edited August 13, 2021 by The Scurvy Pirate

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 minute ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

It looks like no smoking in the casino (assuming they even allow smoking indoors)...

they allowed smoking in the casino pre-Covid. I'd be super happy if smoking were eliminated anywhere indoors on cruise ships.

[RumJunkie]

So... I "heard" (from a former employee) if you ask guest relations, they will get you a test, complementary... and today I called royal and was told that its not "announced" on the page but that everyone will be giving a rapid test before boarding and with disembarking with results in 30-60 minutes (by email when off boarding), and I can use those to board next ship. This will also happen for back to back cruises.  Those test are also complementary. Unless they are wrong or the policy changes!

[firefly333]

2 hours ago, RumJunkie said:

So... I "heard" (from a former employee) if you ask guest relations, they will get you a test, complementary... and today I called royal and was told that its not "announced" on the page but that everyone will be giving a rapid test before boarding and with disembarking with results in 30-60 minutes (by email when off boarding), and I can use those to board next ship. This will also happen for back to back cruises.  Those test are also complementary. Unless they are wrong or the policy changes!

I hope they announce this soon. That would sure be a relief. 

 

I'd book more cruises if I had the stress of going out and testing myself removed.

[molly361]

3 hours ago, RumJunkie said:

So... I "heard" (from a former employee) if you ask guest relations, they will get you a test, complementary... and today I called royal and was told that its not "announced" on the page but that everyone will be giving a rapid test before boarding and with disembarking with results in 30-60 minutes (by email when off boarding), and I can use those to board next ship. This will also happen for back to back cruises.  Those test are also complementary. Unless they are wrong or the policy changes!

Are you saying they're going to start testing everybody right at the port?  Is that going to be mandatory or can you still get tested in advance? So it could take you over an hour to get on board.

[molly361]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I hope they announce this soon. That would sure be a relief. 

 

I'd book more cruises if I had the stress of going out and testing myself removed.

Sounds like a good plan except for the part about it taking an hour for you to get on board.  Think I would rather get myself tested and get right on the ship.  And having to get another test to disembark, not sure I am liking that one.  

[Casino Comp Chick]

On 8/13/2021 at 1:43 PM, The Scurvy Pirate said:

It looks like no smoking in the casino (assuming they had previously allowed smoking in the casino)...

No, & that’s why I would never sail them.

[RumJunkie]

It seems like they should warn you if you are going to be rapid tested day of sailing.  They are saying that they want people to follow their assigned boarding times to spread them out to avoid delays from the "health screen", which is usually a questionnaire. that takes no time. But if you have to get a Covid tests and then wait 30 minutes for the results before you board, you could have a crowded terminal.   Which we probably will have which is probably worse than being on the ship!  It is what it is.   

[zebra36]

Though I do not cruise until Jan 2022(hopefully) I would much prefer at  terminal testing. Waiting an hour or more with potential delayed boarding should not be a big deal as long as crowd(?) control can be managed.

[jean87510]

if leaving from a port within driving distance from your home, I personally would not mind testing at port.  But for my upcoming Alaskan and Barbados cruises, no, I really would prefer not to test at the port.

[EllieinNJ]

Hmmmm...They changed our departure time from 4pm to 6pm on the Oasis out of Bayonne.  I wonder if this is because they will be testing us at the port but not telling us.

[ryano]

4 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

Hmmmm...They changed our departure time from 4pm to 6pm on the Oasis out of Bayonne.  I wonder if this is because they will be testing us at the port but not telling us.

 

Same with my Ovation cruise out of Seattle. 6pm departure 

[Basketball wife]

“...got my clients a full refund for a sailing on August 7th because they did not agree with the testing policy.”

Hi Ourusualbeach,

   I have read a few times that people who do not agree with the protocols of their sailing can get refunds; however, I cannot find anything in the FAQs that says this. Can you provide info re- where in the contract this may be stated and what types of protocols can you object to in order to get the refund?

 

Thanks!

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, Basketball wife said:

Can you provide info re- where in the contract this may be stated and what types of protocols can you object to in order to get the refund?

No notify a poster you need to use the @Ourusualbeach method. I believe the refund for protocol objection is some generic statement without specifics.

[mauraoel]

On 8/31/2021 at 3:55 AM, firefly333 said:

I hope they announce this soon. That would sure be a relief. 

 

I'd book more cruises if I had the stress of going out and testing myself removed.

This has to do with Side to Side and Back to Backs not initial boardings and it was actually it was announced in that crazy back to back email correction last week 

[molly361]

36 minutes ago, Basketball wife said:

“...got my clients a full refund for a sailing on August 7th because they did not agree with the testing policy.”

Hi Ourusualbeach,

   I have read a few times that people who do not agree with the protocols of their sailing can get refunds; however, I cannot find anything in the FAQs that says this. Can you provide info re- where in the contract this may be stated and what types of protocols can you object to in order to get the refund?

 

Thanks!

This is the wording on the email that I received with the Sept protocols for cruises from Florida

 

If you have questions about these protocols or have any concerns about sailing as a result of them, please contact us at 954-628-9290 or 1 (800) 256-6649. We will gladly answer your questions or work with you to reschedule or refund your cruise.

[mauraoel]

NM

Edited September 1, 2021 by mauraoel

[mauraoel]

On 8/12/2021 at 12:05 AM, RumJunkie said:

Not sure if we are getting into an argument about semantics.

 

For "at home test", it not about location, its about profession administration.  I am referring to the group of tests you can do yourself and send off to get results (CVS sells 3).  This is performed by the person themselves without certification at the time of testing. 

 

Any test performed (or I get certified) by a professional 3rd party who verifies the identity of the person being collected from and the correct method of collection - whether its "at home", "in your car" or "at the Doctors office", is not.  For example, if CVS qualified person will administer/witness the "at home" test and certify it as such, then that should work.

 

I missed the Abbot test post but the web page product I saw for Abbot is a self-collection.

 

You may well be allowed to board with a self administered test, but I would not want to risk it.  And, as I was told by RCCL, being told you violated the cruise contract so now refund either.

But your self administering in front of a webcam and a lab tech is watching you the whole time so it's isn't like the other home test kits that you send off to CVS as no one know what you have actually swabbed.

[RumJunkie]

Just to be clear, regarding testing pre-boarding, I did not mean to imply they were removing the testing x days prior to sail.

They have now lowered the days before from 3 to 2, which makes PCR a more risky choice. 

However, they are now allowing the at home with video rapid tests.  I would recommend you get 1 soon before there is a run on them!  Please don't "create" a shortage by buying to many. 

 

Royal Email I got today:

 

C.D.C. Change in COVID-19 Testing Requirement

The U.S. CDC has revised their pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirement for all cruises departing U.S. ports from September 13th, 2021.

Vaccinated guests must present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing in order to board. (Previously, it was 3 days.) Check out our new, easy, and convenient at-home test below.

Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 must present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing in order to board. (Antigen tests are no longer accepted.) There continues to be no testing
required for guests under age 2.

Your test result must be issued by an accredited test provider and show a laboratory negative result that can be printed out or shown on your phone. Test cost continues to be the guest's responsibility. Learn about accepted tests at RoyalCaribbean.com/Test.

Starting Wednesday, September 8th, fully vaccinated guests can order at-home test kits, shipped right to your door (anywhere in the U.S.) in two business days or less. Complete your pre-cruise test at home, with live video supervision by a Certified Guide. Get your results in 15 minutes.
Visit RoyalCaribbean.com/HomeTestKit.

[glentally]

On 8/2/2021 at 8:37 PM, Biker19 said:

If you call back, you will likely get a different answer. 

I called RCL twice on a different matter, waited on hold listening to the annoying commercials and then my call dropped off.