John H announced masks and Mandatory testing,

[Tyro1]

Just now, helene109 said:

No idea where to get the rapid test. Wouldn’t you think Walgreens 2-24 hours would be ok?

Be careful with Walgreens their rapid diagnostic test is not an antigen or PCR test, so it may not be accepted at the port. I know people who have been using CVS for their travel tests, as they have Antigen testing available more consistently then Walgreens. 

[GaHawkeye]

1 minute ago, parachutes63 said:

What kind of test do you need. Rapid antigen or Rapid PCR? My state offers free testing for both with results in less than 24 hours via email.

PCR is more accurate and less likely to throw out a false positive. 
Hank

[Buckeyefrank100]

20 minutes ago, ScottsSweetie said:

People commenting on JH's announcement that if cruisers don't want to wear a mask, then fine - just cancel and don't go.

 

They don't seem to understand that if Carnival can't sail at a particular percentage of occupancy then they won't sail. They've already severely limited families with young children. Now they are reducing their pool of available cruisers again. I believe there is some pent up demand for cruising right now, and I know that there are die hard cruisers who will go whatever the policies are - but can they go enough to keep Carnival (and the other lines) afloat??

I personally don't care in the least.  I assume they will still sail, but without me.  I'm not paying all this money to wear a mask indoor and on the islands.... not gonna happen.

[helene109]

1 minute ago, LHARTWICK said:

And that's probably if you're lucky!

My cruise is the 14th trying to figure this out! It isn’t easy. Thanks!

[BlerkOne]

2 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

What will the penalty be? The cruise cost itself? What is refundable ? 

It depends

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3401/~/i-need-to-cancel-my-booking%2C-is-there-a-penalty%3F

[TNcruising02]

1 minute ago, shof515 said:

this was bound to happen sooner or later considering the covid cases on Advantage of Seas and new Bahama requirements

Yes, I was preparing myself for either testing or masks.  The masks are just a deal breaker for us.  I am going to see if I can move my money to a later cruise.

[helene109]

2 minutes ago, Tyro1 said:

Be careful with Walgreens their rapid diagnostic test is not an antigen or PCR test, so it may not be accepted at the port. I know people who have been using CVS for their travel tests, as they have Antigen testing available more consistently then Walgreens. 

Any suggestions where to go? Ugh

[Saint Greg]

8 minutes ago, GaHawkeye said:

Not sure they’ll move Alchemy out there for you. But you never know in these unprecedented times. 
Hank

 

Well it should be a situation where you sit down at the alchemy and take your mask off. We'll see as more details come out. If not I'll only use the outdoor bars.

[EmmasNana]

4 minutes ago, parachutes63 said:

What kind of test do you need. Rapid antigen or Rapid PCR? My state offers free testing for both with results in less than 24 hours via email.

According to the letter I just rcvd if you are vaccinated you can do either the PCR or the antigen test If you are not vaccinated it needs to be the PCR.

[LHARTWICK]

10 minutes ago, redsox1584 said:

 

they should at least let us cancel with no penalty 

OR reschedule with no penalty. And yes - I agree with the John Heald that we are safer on a ship right now than on land.  No argument there.  It's not about that - it's about those stupid masks.  I can understand it on a no vaccine required cruise, but not on a 95/5.  At a minimum we should be given the option to RESCHEDULE with no penalty.  OR move the balance paid on our current cruise over to one that we already have booked for next year. Sorry - they aren't playing fair IMO.

[EmmasNana]

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON TESTING AND MASK REQUIREMENTS

August 4, 2021 We look forward to welcoming you on board your upcoming cruise.  Carnival’s restart of cruising from the U.S. last month has been successful, our guests and crew are excited to be sailing again, and more ships are returning to service over the coming weeks!   As always, our primary commitment is to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities where we bring our ships.  We will continue to operate vaccinated cruises as defined by the CDC, including having our crew fully vaccinated.  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 are updating our protocols and requirements.  We expect these measures will be temporary and we will adjust our protocols based on the advice of our medical and public health advisors.     Please carefully review the information below regarding new, temporary testing requirements: Effective with cruises departing on Saturday, August 14, 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 Carnival Cruise Line sailings. Guests who are unvaccinated will continue to follow the requirements already communicated (and as detailed below).  Fully vaccinated guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board. Please note that testing in the terminal will not be available for vaccinated guests so it’s critical that you have your negative test results with you upon your arrival.  We will not be able to accommodate guests without proof of a negative test.  Please check our Have Fun. Be Safe.  protocols at Carnival.com for further details on testing requirements.     Guests who are not fully vaccinated are still required to show the negative results of a PCR test taken between 72 and 24 hours prior to the sailing date, and will be tested again in the terminal prior to boarding the ship and again within 24 hours of debarkation (for itineraries five days or longer).  Unvaccinated guests approved for an exemption will continue to be charged US$150, per person, for testing, reporting and health safety screenings, and also must provide proof of travel insurance if departing from the states of Florida or Texas.  Children under two are exempt from testing requirements.   In addition to testing requirements, we are also making adjustments to our onboard mask policy effective with cruises beginning this Saturday, August 7, 2021, as follows: First, we strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks when indoors, particularly guests who are unvaccinated including children under the age of 12 who should wear masks in public areas, except when eating or drinking. All guests age 2 and older will be required to wear face masks in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking. Guests will be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the Lido Buffet area and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate.   As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board. These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while on board.  Several destinations have implemented their own requirements and all guests will be required to follow the protocols in each destination we visit. As stated above, we expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard. Sincerely,

Christine Duffy President, Carnival Cruise Line

[redsox1584]

Just now, LHARTWICK said:

OR reschedule with no penalty. And yes - I agree with the John Heald that we are safer on a ship right now than on land.  No argument there.  It's not about that - it's about those stupid masks.  I can understand it on a no vaccine required cruise, but not on a 95/5.  At a minimum we should be given the option to RESCHEDULE with no penalty.  OR move the balance paid on our current cruise over to one that we already have booked for next year. Sorry - they aren't playing fair IMO.

I would be fine with rescheduling with no penalty too…I had my eyes on a cruise for next year if I could just move the money from my September cruise to next year I would do that 

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

8 minutes ago, parachutes63 said:

What kind of test do you need. Rapid antigen or Rapid PCR? My state offers free testing for both with results in less than 24 hours via email.

 

• Effective with cruises departing on Saturday, August 14, 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 Carnival Cruise Line sailings. Guests who are unvaccinated will continue to follow the requirements already communicated (and as detailed below). 

That is from the Email Sent out from Carnival so you can do either or. 

[Honolulu Blue]

25 minutes ago, LHARTWICK said:

This is conflicting info IMHO.  First they say "strongly encourage", then they say everyone age 2 and older "will be required to wear face masks......." at basically all indoor areas.  They should just say:  ALL passengers, regardless of age, are required to wear a mask in all indoor areas on the ship except for your personal cabin.  

 

Carnival's rules aren't quite the same as a general masking ban.  My interpretation is that you can take it off indoors when...

• You're sitting or standing outside of any room and there's no crowd around
• You're walking from somewhere to somewhere else
• In hallways or stairwells

That does leave some areas and times where you don't have to mask up.  But not a lot.

 

Thanks, everyone, for sharing the news and your experiences.  It's not too surprising, but disappointing nevertheless.  I'm looking for the exit for my Vista cruise in 2 1/2 weeks.  This is not the experience I would want, and I'll work with my PVP to see if there's a way out at a minimal cost.  I'll keep the Panorama cruise in September for now.

[LHARTWICK]

4 minutes ago, EmmasNana said:

According to the letter I just rcvd if you are vaccinated you can do either the PCR or the antigen test If you are not vaccinated it needs to be the PCR.

I've received nothing from CCL so far.  We sail 9/4/21.  

[csm5986142]

Below is the email I just received.  Sorry if it is a duplication - I've been so busy at work, I wasn't aware of any of this (until I just now saw the email).

 

August 4, 2021

We look forward to welcoming you on board your upcoming cruise.  Carnival’s restart of cruising from the U.S. last month has been successful, our guests and crew are excited to be sailing again, and more ships are returning to service over the coming weeks!
 
As always, our primary commitment is to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities where we bring our ships.  We will continue to operate vaccinated cruises as defined by the CDC, including having our crew fully vaccinated.  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 are updating our protocols and requirements.  We expect these measures will be temporary and we will adjust our protocols based on the advice of our medical and public health advisors.    

Please carefully review the information below regarding new, temporary testing requirements:

• Effective with cruises departing on Saturday, August 14, 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 Carnival Cruise Line sailings. Guests who are unvaccinated will continue to follow the requirements already communicated (and as detailed below). 

• Fully vaccinated guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board. Please note that testing in the terminal will not be available for vaccinated guests so it’s critical that you have your negative test results with you upon your arrival.  We will not be able to accommodate guests without proof of a negative test.  Please check our Have Fun. Be Safe.  protocols at Carnival.com for further details on testing requirements.    

• Guests who are not fully vaccinated are still required to show the negative results of a PCR test taken between 72 and 24 hours prior to the sailing date, and will be tested again in the terminal prior to boarding the ship and again within 24 hours of debarkation (for itineraries five days or longer).  Unvaccinated guests approved for an exemption will continue to be charged US$150, per person, for testing, reporting and health safety screenings, and also must provide proof of travel insurance if departing from the states of Florida or Texas. 

• Children under two are exempt from testing requirements.

 

In addition to testing requirements, we are also making adjustments to our onboard mask policy effective with cruises beginning this Saturday, August 7, 2021, as follows:

• First, we strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks when indoors, particularly guests who are unvaccinated including children under the age of 12 who should wear masks in public areas, except when eating or drinking.

• All guests age 2 and older will be required to wear face masks in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking.

• Guests will be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the Lido Buffet area and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate.  

• As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while on board.  Several destinations have implemented their own requirements and all guests will be required to follow the protocols in each destination we visit. As stated above, we expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

[gnocchi_mommy]

FYI I have had several antigen (aka “rapid”) tests done at different CVS pharmacies, results come back within an hour.

 

I’m unhappy about the mask requirement, it won’t be a dealbreaker for us because I’m desperate to cruise but I think it’s kabuki theater considering recent reports about low protection in cloth masks… but I’ll play along to keep my favorite industry afloat. The test part imo is a good idea and not difficult to obtain, especially since they included rapid antigen as an option.

Edited August 4, 2021 by gnocchi_mommy

[ScottsSweetie]

Hoping someone will report back here after talking to Carnival or PVP re: FCC or moving cruise with no penalty.

[LHARTWICK]

3 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

Carnival's rules aren't quite the same as a general masking ban.  My interpretation is that you can take it off indoors when...

• You're sitting or standing outside of any room and there's no crowd around
• You're walking from somewhere to somewhere else
• In hallways or stairwells

That does leave some areas and times where you don't have to mask up.  But not a lot.

 

Thanks, everyone, for sharing the news and your experiences.  It's not too surprising, but disappointing nevertheless.  I'm looking for the exit for my Vista cruise in 2 1/2 weeks.  This is not the experience I would want, and I'll work with my PVP to see if there's a way out at a minimal cost.  I'll keep the Panorama cruise in September for now.

So basically 99.9% of the time when you're indoors masks are required - no thanks.  Let us know what you find out about rescheduling.  We are on the Vista 9/4.  They should at least allow us a reschedule option.  That would only be fair.

[TNcruising02]

Just now, ScottsSweetie said:

Hoping someone will report back here after talking to Carnival or PVP re: FCC or moving cruise with no penalty.

I will.  I am on hold now and prepared to hold for a long time.

[MT_Sea_Cruisers]

35 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

Antigen tests typically have very fast turn arounds (Walgreens quotes within an hour). If those aren't available in your area you may try getting one enrt to the port city. 4-7 business days seems excessive in 2021. I haven't seen PCR results take more than 24 hours in quite awhile. 

I agree 4 - 7 days seems excessive in 2021 . . .  However, I live in a remote area of Montana.  The quote I provided was from the most current information posted for our local testing sites.   It may be too much of a risk to count on a facility near the port to be able to provide to us the day before.  Unfortunately, there are too many unknowns before now and  October.  And I have to consider if risking losing everything paid for two cruises (B2B's) would be worth it if we are unable to find a location who can provide an immediate test result. 

[TNcruising02]

I think the biggest reason for the masks on the cruise ships is that masks are now being required indoors for vaccinated people in a lot of places.  It was just a matter of time before the change got to the cruise lines.

[Yellowjacket1799]

So we’re going to have thousands of people flocking to get tested to cruise while some people need to be tested because their sick. That won’t cause the healthcare system any issues… smh

[BrotherCraig]

These new guidelines won't be around very long.  I give it a month or two.

[crazy4themouse]

I have typed and deleted so many things I know I can't utter on here for this reply... Suffice it to say, I am not happy. I *AM* happy -- extremely happy -- that we just got off Breeze on Monday after a wonderful, NORMAL cruise. It felt beyond good to rip those masks off our faces the moment we stepped onboard, and keep them off until it was time to disembark. 

 

As I've been saying for a long time, Carnival should have been sailing at 100% vaccinated -- there was zero need for them to pander to those with kids under 12 or anyone else. They could have easily filled the ships with vaccinated people until such time when it is much SAFER for those with kids to cruise. If the ship was 100% vaccinated, crew, guests, and everyone, none of this would be happening. Can we still get and transmit covid as vaccinated people? Of course, we all know that we can -- but who cares? It might show up as the sniffles at worst, but we know with near-certainty that we're not going to get seriously ill or anything even approaching that. The science has shown that. 

 

Now I have to figure out what to do about our October cruise, because there's no way we're cruising with masks required everywhere.. but like so many others, this cruise was a *great* deal that we're very likely not going to be able to replicate, and we've already made final payment. Thanks for screwing everything up for everyone, unvaxxed people. 🤬