Updated FAQ - Covid Test Required eff 8/15

[CeCe_]

29 minutes ago, RRFan said:

I think they should at least offer future cruise credit for cancellations.

 

FCC is another option of cancellation.  Princess has been good in the past offering FCC.  They really need to get the sails out of the port this time; they can not afford giving generous FCC or money back anymore.

[Sea Hag]

2 hours ago, beaglesandducks said:

Did anyone receive email from Princess about this requirement?   Seems it could be deal breaker for some 

Yes, I did.

[CeCe_]

32 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

 PCR tests are done through Curative and they are done in front of a person.

I did at least 5 through curative at different locations. I also did a quick test antigen at one location,  performed by a physical person.

Each location has different tests and different set ups, you would have to pick the one that meets your needs.

It also says "medically supervised", I stood in a tent w/ someone who described to me exactly what I needed to  do and  that would be considered medically supervised.

For others I had what people call the "Brain Swab" and that was definitely performed by a person. 

 

Thank you.  Doesn't PCR need 2 business days for the results?  For a Sunday sailing, that is a strike out.

[srpilo]

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

[Sea Hag]

2 hours ago, need2cruisesoon said:

What a shame, now waiting for the email stating that a Delta booster shot needed before you board.

I also think it's a shame, but if that's what I need to do, then that's what I'll do. And I'll be lining up for a booster shot when/if that's a real thing.

[barrykel]

26 minutes ago, pris993 said:

Princess is not providing test at terminal in USA... so that means passengers need to get this done in advance within 72 hours, just another problem for travelers.

Awfully inconsiderate - if they'd just provided testing at the terminal it would have been a lot less inconvenient.

[Sea Hag]

Just now, 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

I would have still booked. I don't love wearing a mask. I'd really rather not. But for me, it's just not that bad.

[007colocruz]

6 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

Yes, I did.

And so did I   

was getting covid test pre flight anyway. 
do not like mask requirement for all inside areas 

will probably be using app more for room service delivery and enjoying my balcony

 

this starts with August 15/21 cruises. My email mentions why , masks & covid- testing.  

 

[azbirdmom]

1 minute ago, Sea Hag said:

I also think it's a shame, but if that's what I need to do, then that's what I'll do. And I'll be lining up for a booster shot when/if that's a real thing.

 

My sentiments exactly!  As much as I want to be done with the virus, it's clear that it's not done with us.  So I will do whatever I need to do to keep myself and others safe.  Even if it means going on a cruise wearing masks.

[Jadn13]

4 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

Thank you.  Doesn't PCR need 2 business days for the results?  For a Sunday sailing, that is a strike out.

in the verbiage it seems Princess is allowing Antigen which is the quick test.

CVS and Walgreens both have Antigen testing that is Free

Edited August 4, 2021 by Jadn13

[ebeluga]

1 minute ago, Jadn13 said:

in the verbiage it seems Princess is allowing Antigen which is the quick test.

CVS and Walgreens both have Antigen testing that is Free

Are any of these saliva tests?  Not a fan of deep-dive nasal swab...

[srpilo]

1 minute ago, Sea Hag said:

I would have still booked. I don't love wearing a mask. I'd really rather not. But for me, it's just not that bad.

I feel you're probably in the majority, but that still leaves a LARGE percentage of people who seek a vacation to escape the realities of the pandemic , and not one that embraces it

[CeCe_]

2 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

in the verbiage it seems Princess is allowing Antigen which is the quick test.

CVS and Walgreens both have Antigen testing that is Free

 

I have looked into Walgreen, their schedule only shows today and tomorrow available.  I have to look elsewhere. 

[Sea Hag]

1 minute ago, ebeluga said:

Are any of these saliva tests?  Not a fan of deep-dive nasal swab...

No, they're not. I think the antigen one might be the least invasive. I could be wrong, so you should look into that.

[Sea Hag]

1 minute ago, srpilo said:

I feel you're probably in the majority, but that still leaves a LARGE percentage of people who seek a vacation to escape the realities of the pandemic , and not one that embraces it

I can understand that a lot of people would feel that way, even though that's not how I feel. And I'm sorry it's working out this way, since so many people will probably be really unhappy.

[Sea Hag]

2 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

I have looked into Walgreen, their schedule only shows today and tomorrow available.  I have to look elsewhere. 

Yeah, that's maybe going to be a problem - getting an appointment to get a test. No way of telling how big a problem. 

[P.A.]

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Maybe they are only sending the notices to folks who require testing.  We didn't get one for our August 8th cruise but I would think that people would want to know so they could take a supply of masks along.  I'm also wondering what the masking policy will be for smokers.  They say that masks must be worn except while eating and drinking.  They do allow smoking in the casino and I'm kind of hoping this means that this will kill smoking indoors during the length of this policy.

That's because it doesn't start until Aug 15th cruises.

[landlocked12]

32 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

Thank you.  Doesn't PCR need 2 business days for the results?  For a Sunday sailing, that is a strike out.

It can be one day if you can travel to a lab that actually does the testing or up seven if you buy one of the mail in tests. That was my experience of getting a PCR test like we needed last December when my family decided to replace our cancelled cruise with ten days on Maui.  My sister deliberately scheduled our flight so that the 72 hours we needed to get our test results would fall on week days. We bought mail in tests, but when it became clear that we would probably not get the results back before our flight, we found a local test site, spent hours booking appointments (none available kept popping up but we persevered), and paid an extra $100 x 7 for the lab to expedite our tests. Even then it was agonizingly  stressful. We were relieved when all seven came back negative but it was a horrible way to start a vacation. 

Edited August 5, 2021 by landlocked12

[srpilo]

8 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

I have looked into Walgreen, their schedule only shows today and tomorrow available.  I have to look elsewhere. 

 

I just checked CVS here in SoCal , and their "Minute Clinic's" show available appointments going out several weeks

[Coral]

10 minutes ago, ebeluga said:

Are any of these saliva tests?  Not a fan of deep-dive nasal swab...

The Walgreen test I did was self administered (rapid) in the drive through. You only had to go 1/2" into your nose and swab each nostril for 15 seconds. 

 

I hate the deep tests and this I tolerated fine. BTW - I hate putting anything in my nose and it was fine.

[CeCe_]

2 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

Yeah, that's maybe going to be a problem - getting an appointment to get a test. No way of telling how big a problem. 

 

It is going to be a big problem.  PCR to me will not make the 72 hours timeline, while many labs that do the Antigen requires COVID symptoms present before approving a schedule.  Should I lie that we have symptoms in order to get an appointment?  No, I can't do that.

[azbirdmom]

5 minutes ago, P.A. said:

That's because it doesn't start until Aug 15th cruises.

 

No, the masking policy starts August 8th.  The extra "fun" with the 3 day pre-cruise testing starts August 15th.

[Coral]

1 minute ago, CeCe_ said:

 

It is going to be a big problem.  PCR to me will not make the 72 hours timeline, while many labs that do the Antigen requires COVID symptoms present before approving a schedule.  Should I lie that we have symptoms in order to get an appointment?  No, I can't do that.

When I did the Walgreens, I stated in the survey I had been exposed to someone who had tested positive but did not show symptoms. I was allowed to test.

 

I would check the local hospitals also. We have a walk-in clinic at one of our hospitals that will do PCR and rapid testing.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Coral

[barrykel]

18 minutes ago, barrykel said:

Awfully inconsiderate - if they'd just provided testing at the terminal it would have been a lot less inconvenient.

They _are_ still doing testing onboard just before disembarkation, right?

[CeCe_]

Just now, Coral said:

When I did the Walgreens, I stated in the survey I had been exposed to someone who had tested positive but did not show symptoms. I was allowed to test.

 

I might have to use that trick.