Updated FAQ - Covid Test Required eff 8/15

[Coral]

Just now, CeCe_ said:

 

I might have to use that trick. 

For me it was true 😞 .

[CeCe_]

11 minutes ago, srpilo said:

 

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

 

Thank you for helping.  We are not in SoCal.  Believe me, I have looked all drugstores within 1 hour driving distance.  If they push the requirement out another day, we will have PCR available.

 

I have done what I can.  I should call Princess to tell them my situation.

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by CeCe_

[san diego sue]

Good this is being done. Fully vaccinated people are now getting sick with Covid because of the variances. My son in law has Covid right now. He is fully vaccinated with Pfizer. Went on a business trip to Texas. Came home and three days later, the symptoms appeared. He is sick not just a few sniffles.

[RJAM3]

3 hours ago, Italy52 said:

Nope

Yes I did…says “urgent”   also states it must be done at medical facility.  There are home test kits that would work but they do not allow them. Walgreens told me they have test kits ordered but the demand is not huge and they do not know when they will get them in stock.  

[RJAM3]

3 hours ago, wowzz said:

Why all the moans and groans ? All us Brits are quite happy  to undergo a test at the terminal. 

Adds to the safety  of the cruise - surely it is a good idea to not let anyone on board that tests positive for CV19 ?

The Brits are doing the test at the port just before you get on the ship.. Princess says tough luck figure it out on your own

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

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.

 

Oh, don't get me started.  There is more health risk to second-hand smoke than Covid-19 from fully-vaccinated people.  I'm supposed to wear a mask - which level of effectiveness is debatable - while a smoker can fill the air with their exhaust???  Fine to have a ventilated space for smokers - but should be a closed space like Churchill's - or outdoors.  OTOH, maybe the right mask filters out the smoke.  Ha, ha.

[Coral]

27 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

Good this is being done. Fully vaccinated people are now getting sick with Covid because of the variances. My son in law has Covid right now. He is fully vaccinated with Pfizer. Went on a business trip to Texas. Came home and three days later, the symptoms appeared. He is sick not just a few sniffles.

I also have several friends who got really sick (not hospitalized) from COVID/Delta variant. They had a mixture of vaccines covering all of them. They were thankful they had the vaccine or they thought they would have been hospitalized.

[landlocked12]

45 minutes 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.

That is a good policy. If you do say that you have had recent symptoms, you will have to change your story when they ask you questions about your health at check in.  I’ve gotten questions about Covid  symptoms the last six times I’ve checked in for a domestic flight.  No, make that eight. I left last December out of that list. 

Edited August 5, 2021 by landlocked12

[Jadn13]

Another resource for a list of testing locations

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

 

 

[billco]

1 hour 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

I have no problem with people not booking if they have to wear masks. I would prefer they not be on a cruise that I’m on.

[MamaFej]

39 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

Good this is being done. Fully vaccinated people are now getting sick with Covid because of the variances. My son in law has Covid right now. He is fully vaccinated with Pfizer. Went on a business trip to Texas. Came home and three days later, the symptoms appeared. He is sick not just a few sniffles.

I hope he has a quick and complete recovery. 

[Musky Ike]

1 hour 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.

Not all of us live near the terminal. In the very rare possibility of a positive test I would rather not fly all the way there just to be tested and denied boarding. 

[Kay S]

27 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

 

Oh, don't get me started.  There is more health risk to second-hand smoke than Covid-19 from fully-vaccinated people.  I'm supposed to wear a mask - which level of effectiveness is debatable - while a smoker can fill the air with their exhaust???  Fine to have a ventilated space for smokers - but should be a closed space like Churchill's - or outdoors.  OTOH, maybe the right mask filters out the smoke.  Ha, ha.

I understand your point, but second-hand smoke is slow working killer while covid can get you immediately.  I do know a few people who have worn masks for years to avoid second-hand smoke.  

[Cornteen]

3 hours ago, beaglesandducks said:

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

It is a deal breaker for me. Gonna call tomorrow and cancel, especially with the mask mandate. 

[TinaLee]

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

When I filled out the questionnaire for CVS the first option was " Are you seeking a test to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 for future travel, work or recreation (according to CDC guidelines)?"

and I said yes - answered no to all of the other questions. No issues with scheduling an appointment at that time, and it did say "Covid 19 testing is performed at no cost to you." even after I said I was only taking the test for travel. 

[Westsail32]

So I'm departing on Majestic on Saturday 10/30/21.  That means I should plan to do 3 tests on Wednesday 10/27/21 morning.  It looks like Walgreens, CVS and Curative are all offering free PCR testing around me.  Odds are one of them will get results back to me on time.  Walgreens and Curative are only scheduling a couple days out but CVS has two weeks of appointments available.

 

72 hours is really cutting it close.  I think Princess needs to offer testing at boarding for vaccinated guests.  I wouldn't even mind paying a fee for it just to ensure I have it at boarding time.  Having to wait on a lab for 72 hours will be nerve wracking.  I came down three weeks ago with Pneumonia (of all things).  I was tested at Urgent Care for Covid and it came back a few days later as negative (tested Wednesday morning got results Friday morning).  The following Monday I ended up in the ER due to shortness of breath and they tested me again (still negative - results in an hour).  I have another test scheduled tomorrow at Walgreens as a follow up just to make sure.  

 

Question:  Is it confirmed that Princess will accept the medically administered rapid antigen test?  That one takes a short time and would be much easier to get.  

[dobiemom]

4 hours ago, Jadn13 said:

Another good resource for testing.

https://curative.com
 

I have had to test often for work and used this resource a lot and it was free

The sites I could use only do the PCR test, not the “quick” antigen test. Too close for comfort (for me).

[TinaLee]

1 minute ago, Westsail32 said:

Question:  Is it confirmed that Princess will accept the medically administered rapid antigen test?  That one takes a short time and would be much easier to get.  

Yes - they say very clearly that they will accept PCR or antigen testing that is "medically observed." 

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/

 

Under Before You Sale - UPDATED: third from the bottom. 

[Kay S]

4 minutes ago, Westsail32 said:

So I'm departing on Majestic on Saturday 10/30/21.  

I'm also sailing in October.  Who knows what the rules will be by then?

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

The policy is temporary and according to a post on the Princess Vacation Planner's FB page, it is only through October 31st (coinciding with the expiration of the CDC CSO).  Things can and do change all the time but it may be a bit premature to cancel a November 30th cruise.  Here's the post:

 

 

This speaks to something I posted earlier.  PCL and others are bending over backwards to stay in good graces of CDC so that darn CSO is allowed to expire a natural death.  It's going to change again - at least by JAN 1 if not before - and it will be more relaxed I predict (no inside knowledge there).

 

[trey420]

If the cruise is on Sunday does that mean we need to do the test Friday? 

[Sea Hag]

11 minutes ago, Westsail32 said:

Question:  Is it confirmed that Princess will accept the medically administered rapid antigen test?  That one takes a short time and would be much easier to get.  

Yes, they will, but the antigen test for sure isn't easier to get where I am!

[Sea Hag]

5 minutes ago, trey420 said:

If the cruise is on Sunday does that mean we need to do the test Friday? 

72 hours out. You could do it Thursday or Friday.

[srpilo]

9 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

72 hours out. You could do it Thursday or Friday.

Or Saturday

[RJAM3]

2 hours ago, Chai8 said:

I suspect that the Powers That Be at Princess made this call without really considering what it would mean for those shipping out on our cruise on 8/8. Thus far, I haven't received anything that indicates even accelerated mask wearing. Had I not seen your post and then dug into the FAQs myself, I wouldn't have known. The notification for this has been, shall we say, poor? 

 

 

1 hour ago, srpilo said:

 

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

it does not go into effect until the 15th