Updated FAQ - Covid Test Required eff 8/15

[Jadn13]

2 minutes ago, spyro1952 said:

In what Walgreens, CVS, or any other testing site is a physician present???

It has to be medically observed, you are given all the direction on how to complete by someone who is medically observing you. 

[Iamcruzin]

15 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

 

That's sensible. 

 

The previous 'unvaccinated people will have to wear masks' was silly.

How would princess know who should and who should not be wearing masks?

 

On Royal Caribbean those who proved that they were vaccinated received special bracelets that distinguished them from the unvaccinated.

[Roberto256]

14 hours ago, geoherb said:

 

I'm sure there's a way to include that info in the medallion. 

 

Sure, but with 2000+ passengers wandering around on a ship...

(whatever level princess fills ships to)

 

Is there going to be a shipboard employee(s) constantly asking to see/scan the medallion

of any passenger not wearing a mask?

 

Maybe some mask checkpoints everyone has to pass through.

 

That has the potential to make passengers even more cranky than having to use the medallion app

to get on the ship in the first place ... which is a pretty high bar!

 

 

[Alcairns]

1 hour ago, Snaxmuppet said:

I don't think this applies to UK cruises.

Correct. This only applies to U.S. sailings. The announcement was made on the US website only. Uk passengers will be tested on embarkation.

[Jadn13]

For anyone concerned about testing because it's new to you,

CVS ,  Walgreens and Curative are all legitimate options for the guidelines that Princess has laid out.

 

Princess has said they will take PCR or Antigen test.

Antigen is a quick test that allows you to receive your results same day 

If you take a PCR test, I recommend getting 2 from different locations just in case one gets damaged or lost.

 

All these tests are medically observed even if they are self collected, as in you are taking this test in person in front of a medical professional. The person on site guides you through the process with strict instructions. 

 

In person tests are FREE at CVS, Walgreens and Curative and Tests are allowed for travel purposes, you don't have to say you have symptoms to get tested.

All of these will ask for your health insurance information and submit a  claim to see if it can be approved if not it is paid through a government funded program.  

Free for those with insurance and without 

 

I posted these links but I'm sharing again so they are all in one place.

 

I have been testing often  for work over the last year and a half.

This process  may seem overwhelming now but I promise it  isn't that difficult at all.

 

Your results are emailed to you. 

 

***the only exception would be at home testing that doesn't involve a zoom call with a medical professional

Walgreens

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

 

CVS

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

 

Curative

https://curative.com/

 

Health and Human Services (Gov't List)

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

 

I hope this helps ease some nerves.

Happy Cruising,

Jamie

Edited August 5, 2021 by Jadn13

[ready2cruzagain]

2 hours ago, Cornteen said:

I will be calling today to cancel. I got the vaccine so i wouldn't have to wear a mask and now they're telling me I have to. Especially in the casino where i would be spending most of my nights. 

Things my change by November but not holding my breath. 

We cancelled our Nov/Dec cruise, too much money to sit around wearing a mask with limited activities, I can sit at home without a mask and have limited activities 🙄.  Booked a cruise on MSC for next March instead.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, caribill said:

The publicity from this was quite negative for RCI.

The negative publicity would be over-the-top out of proportion no doubt due to the issues in spring 2020 as the pandemic took hold.  I imagine the press would have a feeding frenzy.

 

PER a later post, the affair wasn't that big a deal and no further cases occurred.  I gather details on a RCI thread.

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Steelers36

[USCcruisecrazy]

10 hours ago, geoherb said:

 

Actually it does make sense because people could test negative and then catch the virus on the way to the port. Just ask N.C. State's baseball team, where the unvaccinated players all tested negative on a Sunday (following two previous negative tests since the beginning of the tournament). One player, though, started feeling ill that day. They isolated him. Two days later he tested positive. Three days after that, seven additional people tested positive. Four of them had been vaccinated. 

Yeah, I felt sorry for the NC State guys...was pulling for them.  But it wasn't even the guys that tested positive that stopped them in their tracks.  It was contact tracing and not letting the guys that tested negative play.  But I digress.  From your example I would then conclude that testing is useless unless they require the PCR and then isolate people after the results until they board.  I would guess most people would say forget cruising then.  We aren't supposed to talk percentages and validity of things like masks so I will refrain from supporting my argument and suffice to say if me being vaccinated and not showing any symptoms is not good enough to board and go mask less on the ship then I'll spend my cash somewhere else. 

[Iamcruzin]

12 hours ago, Chai8 said:

Honestly, this is my first cruise.

You picked the worst time in history to book your first cruise.  I have been cruising since 1986 many times on Princess and won't even consider a cruise vacation until this mess is over or under control.  I would suggest that you don't base your experience on what's going on now and give it another try in the far future.

[mina]

4 hours ago, RJAM3 said:

drive through is not an option..physician must be prsent.

I do not  think this is true.  It only says medically supervised,  not physician.  I think more clarification is needed, but medically supervised can mean a nurse, pharmacist, etc.  very few tests are physician supervised and definitely not rapid ones in my area.  Drive thru testing is medically supervised, I believe.  

[Iamcruzin]

12 hours ago, srpilo said:

I wonder back when the congress passed the "Rescue Alaska Tourism Act" (?)  bill back in May if all the people who rushed to book Alaska cruises would have, if they knew at that time they were going to have to where masks ?

 

I'd be willing to bet a significant percentage would not have booked at that time knowing they'd have to wear masks

Probably not but in these uncertain times any possible change needs to be considered when booking a cruise. This virus isn't going away anytime soon

[mina]

12 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

For anyone concerned about testing because it's new to you,

CVS ,  Walgreens and Curative are all legitimate options for the guidelines that Princess has laid out.

 

Princess has said they will take PCR or Antigen test.

Antigen is a quick test that allows you to receive your results same day 

If you take a PCR test, I recommend getting 2 from different locations just in case one gets damaged or lost.

 

All these tests are medically observed even if they are self collected, as in you are taking this test in person in front of a medical professional. The person on site guides you through the process with strict instructions. 

 

In person tests are FREE at CVS, Walgreens and Curative and Tests are allowed for travel purposes, you don't have to say you have symptoms to get tested.

All of these will ask for your health insurance information and submit a  claim to see if it can be approved if not it is paid through a government funded program.  

Free for those with insurance and without 

 

I posted these links but I'm sharing again so they are all in one place.

 

I have been testing often  for work over the last year and a half.

This process  may seem overwhelming now but I promise it  isn't that difficult at all.

 

Your results are emailed to you. 

 

***the only exception would be at home testing that doesn't involve a zoom call with a medical professional

Walgreens

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

 

CVS

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

 

Curative

https://curative.com/

 

Health and Human Services (Gov't List)

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

 

I hope this helps ease some nerves.

Happy Cruising,

Jamie

Thank you for this info.  Have you had the  Rapid now test at Walgreens?  Their antigen rapid test is not available in my area, only this test.  Reading the description, it does not appear to be an antigen test.   I need to research for more clarity, but am curious if you have done that research already.  Thank you

 

[Iamcruzin]

10 hours ago, sailor moon said:

I wonder how the masking is going to affect the excursions we have booked for Alaska. Two are Princess excursions and one is private. 🤔

If you wear eyeglasses be prepared for them to fog up.  

[Jadn13]

17 minutes ago, mina said:

Thank you for this info.  Have you had the  Rapid now test at Walgreens?  Their antigen rapid test is not available in my area, only this test.  Reading the description, it does not appear to be an antigen test.   I need to research for more clarity, but am curious if you have done that research already.  Thank you

 

I believe the Rapid Now you are referring to  is a molecular test, which I haven't done. 

Not all Molecular tests are PCR tests so I wouldn't deviate from the PCR or Antigen since Molecular alone  isn't listed as an approved Princess test. 

I would call the testing facility and maybe they can give a better explanation. 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Jadn13

[Chai8]

21 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

You picked the worst time in history to book your first cruise.  I have been cruising since 1986 many times on Princess and won't even consider a cruise vacation until this mess is over or under control.  I would suggest that you don't base your experience on what's going on now and give it another try in the far future.

I know, I know. 😝 When we booked, the delta variant was only in India and it really looked like things were turning around. Friends who cruise frequently booked this trip and asked if we’d like to join them. We weighed the risks and decided we’d chance it. MSN plans, G-d laughs. 
 

That said, I’m still pretty underwhelmed by Princess’s lack of direct communication. When I think about the sheer volume of email at the start of the pandemic about how everyone was handling things, this misses the mark. 

[Iamcruzin]

9 hours ago, atexsix said:

 Not testing at the pier is the worst decision they could make. 

My opinion is that the decision was made to eliminate a large group gathering waiting to be tested and waiting for results at port. They could be hosting a super spreader just by testing. Nobody pays attention to boarding times and shows up at their convenience so scheduling wouldn't matter.  If they only have to test unvaccinated passengers they can board the ship safer and faster.

[P.A.]

36 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

For anyone concerned about testing because it's new to you,

CVS ,  Walgreens and Curative are all legitimate options for the guidelines that Princess has laid out.

 

Princess has said they will take PCR or Antigen test.

Antigen is a quick test that allows you to receive your results same day 

If you take a PCR test, I recommend getting 2 from different locations just in case one gets damaged or lost.

 

All these tests are medically observed even if they are self collected, as in you are taking this test in person in front of a medical professional. The person on site guides you through the process with strict instructions. 

 

In person tests are FREE at CVS, Walgreens and Curative and Tests are allowed for travel purposes, you don't have to say you have symptoms to get tested.

All of these will ask for your health insurance information and submit a  claim to see if it can be approved if not it is paid through a government funded program.  

Free for those with insurance and without 

 

I posted these links but I'm sharing again so they are all in one place.

 

I have been testing often  for work over the last year and a half.

This process  may seem overwhelming now but I promise it  isn't that difficult at all.

 

Your results are emailed to you. 

 

***the only exception would be at home testing that doesn't involve a zoom call with a medical professional

Walgreens

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

 

CVS

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

 

Curative

https://curative.com/

 

Health and Human Services (Gov't List)

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

 

I hope this helps ease some nerves.

Happy Cruising,

Jamie

This DOES help! Thank you for the info.👍

[Iamcruzin]

2 minutes ago, Chai8 said:

I know, I know. 😝 When we booked, the delta variant was only in India and it really looked like things were turning around. Friends who cruise frequently booked this trip and asked if we’d like to join them. We weighed the risks and decided we’d chance it. MSN plans, G-d laughs. 
 

That said, I’m still pretty underwhelmed by Princess’s lack of direct communication. When I think about the sheer volume of email at the start of the pandemic about how everyone was handling things, this misses the mark. 

I agree that the communication has been a disaster across the board on all cruise lines. I follow a few boards and read about the same issues.  This was bound to happen as cruising restarts. They are changing up the rules as the virus progresses.  I just hope that there isn't another disaster of being held at sea like what happened at the beginning of the pandemic.

[wowzz]

10 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

My opinion is that the decision was made to eliminate a large group gathering waiting to be tested and waiting for results at port

The majority of testing at Southampton is done in a drive-through facility away from the terminal. You only enter the terminal when you have  received your negative test result, and arrival times are strictly monitored and enforced to ensure that the system flows smoothly, and that large groups do not develop. So it can be done.

However, I guess that unlike in the UK, the majority of US cruisers do not drive to the port, but it would not be beyond the ingenuity of Princess to develop a satellite test facility adjacent to the port, that passengers would transit on an appointment basis.

It just seems to me, as an interested observer, that Princess are copping out here, placing the onus unfairly on passengers to get test results, rather than helping facilitate the process themselves.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by wowzz

[Alcairns]

5 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I agree that the communication has been a disaster across the board on all cruise lines. I follow a few boards and read about the same issues.  This was bound to happen as cruising restarts. They are changing up the rules as the virus progresses.  I just hope that there isn't another disaster of being held at sea like what happened at the beginning of the pandemic.

I agree - everybody must remember two words - “Diamond Princess”. Another incident like that will not only wipe out Princess but also the cruise industry. With this in mind you may  understand Princess’s caution!

[Syracusefan44]

1 minute ago, wowzz said:

The majority of testing at Southampton is done in a drive-through facility away from the terminal. You only enter the terminal when you have  received your negative test result, and arrival times are strictly monitored and enforced to ensure that the system flows smoothly, and that large groups do not develop. So it can be done.

However, I guess that unlike in the UK, the majority of cruisers do not drive to the port, but it would not be beyond the ingenuity of Princess to develop a satellite test facility adjacent to the port, that passengers would transit on an appointment basis.

It just seems to me, as an interested observer, that Princess are copping out here, placing the onus unfairly on passengers to get test results, rather than helping facilitate the process themselves.

 

 

We would NOT have cancelled our Alaska cruise if Princess had testing at the terminal (which we would be willing to pay for).  

 

We were arriving three days early from New York and spending our first day trying to find a testing facility that would guarantee results in 72 hours and then hoping the test results were negative was simply takes the joy out of traveling/cruising. 

[Shirt-man]

12 minutes ago, Syracusefan44 said:

We would NOT have cancelled our Alaska cruise if Princess had testing at the terminal (which we would be willing to pay for).  

 

We were arriving three days early from New York and spending our first day trying to find a testing facility that would guarantee results in 72 hours and then hoping the test results were negative was simply takes the joy out of traveling/cruising. 

Yes and how many other people from the other ships that depart Seattle will be looking to get testing in the downtown area? Thousands for sure. Can the local CVS, Walgreens, etc. handle this. Probably not. So we have flown across country and can't get a test. I guess they will let us watch the ship sail from the dock. Calling today to cancel our cruise. 

[P.A.]

I totally understand the frustration..I'm right there with ya. However, we have to remember WE have chosen to resume cruising and because of that then WE have to abide by the rules and their only doing it to keep us ALL safe. If you don't want to be tested or wear mask, then simply don't go..that is your choice. I'm all for doing what can be done to keep us safe. I certainly don't want to be stuck on a cruise ship like others were last year. I also don't want to get sick while onboard and have to stay in my cabin. Therefore I will comply and not be complaining. Praying we even get to go. Our cruise is in 2 weeks and a lot can change. Have a BLESSED day.🙂👍🙏🚢

[DUCHESSRN]

36 minutes ago, Syracusefan44 said:

We would NOT have cancelled our Alaska cruise if Princess had testing at the terminal (which we would be willing to pay for).  

 

We were arriving three days early from New York and spending our first day trying to find a testing facility that would guarantee results in 72 hours and then hoping the test results were negative was simply takes the joy out of traveling/cruising. 

I understand how you feel .

[landlocked12]

53 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

 If they only have to test unvaccinated passengers they can board the ship safer and faster.

So they are only adding new burdens on vaccinated cruisers.  Good one Princess.