Confused

[cusematt4]

Hi,

 

I am contemplating a cruise in the next few months from Florida on Norwegian and have a few questions.

 

-For testing, is it true that despite requiring vaccinations Norwegian is requiring testing at the pier?  Are they covering the cost of pier testing?

 

-If testing is mandated at the pier without an option to get tested a day prior, what happens if someone who is vaccinated tests positive?  I would much rather take a test a day prior on my own than spend the time and money traveling from New York to Florida with the possibility of being rejected.  Seems a little much and unnecessary and may go with a line that requires vaccines and testing a day prior rather than at the pier after traveling.

 

-For a December cruise, does anyone think the pricing may come down?  By the week it is fluctuating a lot in both directions and is still very expensive but if it comes down 20 percent I’d consider a cruise on Norwegian

 

-Are ships going to be at full occupancy?  Is there going to be regular entertainment?

 

-Since everyone is tested and vaccinated, are masks optional?

 

-Did NCL replace the air filtration with the special updated hepa filters?

 

Thank you very much.

[BirdTravels]

18 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

 

 

 

-For testing, is it true that despite requiring vaccinations Norwegian is requiring testing at the pier?  Are they covering the cost of pier testing?

 

Yes. Since the restart, NCL has been testing 100% of the fully vaccinated passengers at check-in. And yes, they have had multiple COVID positive tests. NCL is covering the cost of the antigen rapid test. 

 

-If testing is mandated at the pier without an option to get tested a day prior, what happens if someone who is vaccinated tests positive?  I would much rather take a test a day prior on my own than spend the time and money traveling from New York to Florida with the possibility of being rejected.  Seems a little much and unnecessary and may go with a line that requires vaccines and testing a day prior rather than at the pier after traveling.

 

IF, you take your own test within 3-days prior to arriving at the terminal for check-in. AND if you were negative in New York, then NCL will whisk you off to one of their quarantine hotels and give you a food allowance to wait out your quarantine. So, yes, you need to take your own test before flying to Florida. And yes, there have been people who have tested 3 days prior to cruise, then fail multiple tests at check-in and are escorted out of the terminal and to transportation to a quarantine facility. 

 

If you did not take your own test in New York, you are on your own. 

 

If you test positive, you are not allowed to return to New York until you are COVID negative. You are not allowed on commercial flights. You are not allowed on trains. You are not allowed on buses. You are not allowed to rent a car. 

 

-Are ships going to be at full occupancy?  Is there going to be regular entertainment?

No, the ships are not a full capacity. Yes, there is regular entertainment. 

 

-Since everyone is tested and vaccinated, are masks optional?

Currently, for Florida cruises, masks are optional. 

 

-Did NCL replace the air filtration with the special updated hepa filters?

Yes. 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2021 by BirdTravels

[Back to school]

Bird, Always good information!

[LittleMissMagic]

This page should help you out: https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe

 

-For testing, is it true that despite requiring vaccinations Norwegian is requiring testing at the pier?  Are they covering the cost of pier testing?

Correct, all guests will take a Covid-19 antigen at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.

 

-If testing is mandated at the pier without an option to get tested a day prior, what happens if someone who is vaccinated tests positive?  I would much rather take a test a day prior on my own than spend the time and money traveling from New York to Florida with the possibility of being rejected.  Seems a little much and unnecessary and may go with a line that requires vaccines and testing a day prior rather than at the pier after traveling.

I recently took a Covid test at the pier for the Disney Wonder leaving San Diego. I was worried about the possibility of a "false positive." Prior to arriving at the port, I took two different PCR tests within 3 days of my departure and received negative on both which gave me a little more confidence. After some research, it looks like false positives on the pier tests are very unlikely. A "false positive" happens when an individual has had and recovered from Covid and still has the antibodies in their system. If you have not had Covid, it is very unlikely that you will get a positive test result.

 

-For a December cruise, does anyone think the pricing may come down?  By the week it is fluctuating a lot in both directions and is still very expensive but if it comes down 20 percent I’d consider a cruise on Norwegian

It depends on when you want to sail in December. The 26-2nd is the most expensive week. I just booked the 19th-26th which was not so bad. I think the first two weeks in December may come down in price, but I wouldn't delay much longer if you want to book a holiday sailing.

 

-Are ships going to be at full occupancy?  Is there going to be regular entertainment?

Not at full occupancy, but they do not reveal what the current occupancy is. Yes, most regular entertainment is available.

 

-Since everyone is tested and vaccinated, are masks optional?

Correct, masks are not required onboard the cruise ship.

 

-Did NCL replace the air filtration with the special updated hepa filters?

According to their website, they are "strategically installing" the Merv 13 filters - however, I don't know if they have a list published of which ships currently have them.

[Sailing12Away]

We were on the Encore last month to Alaska. For that trip we didn't do any self-testing and rolled the dice that we would be negative and we were.

 

Tomorrow we fly to Greece to eventually hop on a RCC ship out of Cyprus. For that one I took 2 tests a week apart just to make sure, most recent was today. But I also had a coworker test positive last Monday, so I wanted to make sure there would be no surprises when we got overseas. I would have no problem getting into Greece/Cyprus as I'm vaccinated, but if I tested positive at the pier or while on the ship, I wouldn't be able to come home. Much easier to find a hotel and communicate with home/work when you're in your home country and speak the language.

 

Thankfully both of my tests were negative, and hubby never leaves the house so we should be fine.

[njhorseman]

37 minutes ago, LittleMissMagic said:

A "false positive" happens when an individual has had and recovered from Covid and still has the antibodies in their system.

No...the test being given by NCL at the pier isn't looking for antibodies. NCL uses an antigen test at the pier, which is detecting molecules on the surface of the virus. PCR tests are more likely to produce false positives in those who have recovered because PCR tests look for genetic material from the virus, which still maybe present after a person recovers.

Antibody tests are a whole different animal.

[Sailing12Away]

4 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

No...the test being given by NCL at the pier isn't looking for antibodies. NCL uses an antigen test at the pier, which is detecting molecules on the surface of the virus. PCR tests are more likely to produce false positives in those who have recovered because PCR tests look for genetic material from the virus, which still maybe present after a person recovers.

Antibody tests are a whole different animal.

Thank you. I was tempted to jump in, but I'm flying tomorrow for my cruise and my work scientist brain has already started protesting and shutting off.

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Thank you. I was tempted to jump in, but I'm flying tomorrow for my cruise and my work scientist brain has already started protesting and shutting off.

I often just use Scotch to facilitate that......  At lease I did back when I endured that awful four letter word.  😎

[LittleMissMagic]

11 hours ago, njhorseman said:

No...the test being given by NCL at the pier isn't looking for antibodies. NCL uses an antigen test at the pier, which is detecting molecules on the surface of the virus. PCR tests are more likely to produce false positives in those who have recovered because PCR tests look for genetic material from the virus, which still maybe present after a person recovers.

Antibody tests are a whole different animal.

Apologies, I didn't mean to spread misinformation. I feel like I've probably read so much misinformation myself - don't trust anyone on the internet haha. I wish I could edit my prior post to remove that information as not to confuse anyone.

Anyway, taking PCR tests in advance is really all one can do to feel better about getting a negative test at the pier.

Edited September 29, 2021 by LittleMissMagic

[podgeandrodge]

4 hours ago, LittleMissMagic said:

Apologies, I didn't mean to spread misinformation. I feel like I've probably read so much misinformation myself - don't trust anyone on the internet haha. I wish I could edit my prior post to remove that information as not to confuse anyone.

Anyway, taking PCR tests in advance is really all one can do to feel better about getting a negative test at the pier.

Taking an antigen test in advance is what most people would do to feel better about getting a negative (antigen) test at the pier. 

[LittleMissMagic]

3 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said:

Taking an antigen test in advance is what most people would do to feel better about getting a negative (antigen) test at the pier. 

Wouldn't a PCR test be more accurate as to whether or not someone has Covid?

[podgeandrodge]

Just now, LittleMissMagic said:

Wouldn't a PCR test be more accurate as to whether or not someone has Covid?

Yes. But you said a PCR test was all you could really do to feel better. I'd imagine most people would consider a negative antigen test sufficient to feel better about another antigen test. Simpler where I am anyway. 

[deliver42]

Taking a PCR test 2 days before sailing is cutting it too close for me, so I opt for the antigen test, and got my answer in 1/2 hour from CVS. Then I can get the same test at the pier for NCL.

[Sailing12Away]

11 hours ago, deliver42 said:

Taking a PCR test 2 days before sailing is cutting it too close for me, so I opt for the antigen test, and got my answer in 1/2 hour from CVS. Then I can get the same test at the pier for NCL.

Ahhh, the benefits of working in a lab and being able to get your PCR results within an hour. I'm spoiled.

[TSUmom]

We have no other choice but to have a rapid test before we leave.  PCR tests are taking 3 to 5 days in our area and the max time NCL says is 72 hours - we would be heading to port without results.  

[Joanne G.]

On 9/28/2021 at 9:27 PM, Sailing12Away said:We were on the Encore last month to Alaska. For that trip we didn't do any self-testing and rolled the dice that we would be negative and we were.

 

. . .  I would have no problem getting into Greece/Cyprus as I'm vaccinated, but if I tested positive at the pier or while on the ship, I wouldn't be able to come home. Much easier to find a hotel and communicate with home/work when you're in your home country and speak the language.

This is my fear.  I could test negative before leaving home, and then test positive at the pier, either a false positive or due to exposure on public transportation to the airport, at the airport, on the plane, or during a pre-cruise stay.  I have a British Isles cruise next May which departs from Amsterdam.  A positive test at the pier would ruin my vacation and cause me much stress in a country whose language I don’t speak.  I have decided tests at the pier are a dealbreaker. If that is still being done when my final payment is due, I will postpone the trip to 2023. 
 

The requirement for a negative test before returning to the US is equally problematic. I am vaccinated but could be exposed anywhere and anytime, and not being able to return home on schedule is another fear.  
 

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 9/29/2021 at 3:36 PM, deliver42 said:

Taking a PCR test 2 days before sailing is cutting it too close for me, so I opt for the antigen test, and got my answer in 1/2 hour from CVS. Then I can get the same test at the pier for NCL.

Does the printout of your CVS test results include your date of birth as required by NCL?

[TowerOrchard]

I can't speak to CVS, but my son had to take a PCR test at Walgreens a couple of months ago because of an exposure and it did have his date of birth on the results they sent him. The text of the email didn't show it, but there was a link attached with a PDF of the full report and that did.

[ChiefMateJRK]

7 hours ago, TowerOrchard said:

I can't speak to CVS, but my son had to take a PCR test at Walgreens a couple of months ago because of an exposure and it did have his date of birth on the results they sent him. The text of the email didn't show it, but there was a link attached with a PDF of the full report and that did.

Thanks.  I'm guessing that CVS will be the same, but I really won't know for sure until I get the test right before the cruise.  I'll also go way out on a limb and suggest that if a major tester like CVS doesn't include date of birth on results, NCL would likely accept them anyways as legit.  Of course, I could be totally wrong about that.....

 

I live in a fairly large metropolitan area and it's surprisingly difficult to schedule a Rapid Antigen test.  Our Walgreens only offer the PCR test and only a handful of the CVS locations perform testing (and it books up rapidly when they release days two weeks out).

[welove2cruise*]

On 9/28/2021 at 9:39 PM, BirdTravels said:

-For testing, is it true that despite requiring vaccinations Norwegian is requiring testing at the pier?  Are they covering the cost of pier testing?

 

Yes. Since the restart, NCL has been testing 100% of the fully vaccinated passengers at check-in. And yes, they have had multiple COVID positive tests. NCL is covering the cost of the antigen rapid test. 

 

-If testing is mandated at the pier without an option to get tested a day prior, what happens if someone who is vaccinated tests positive?  I would much rather take a test a day prior on my own than spend the time and money traveling from New York to Florida with the possibility of being rejected.  Seems a little much and unnecessary and may go with a line that requires vaccines and testing a day prior rather than at the pier after traveling.

 

IF, you take your own test within 3-days prior to arriving at the terminal for check-in. AND if you were negative in New York, then NCL will whisk you off to one of their quarantine hotels and give you a food allowance to wait out your quarantine. So, yes, you need to take your own test before flying to Florida. And yes, there have been people who have tested 3 days prior to cruise, then fail multiple tests at check-in and are escorted out of the terminal and to transportation to a quarantine facility. 

 

If you did not take your own test in New York, you are on your own. 

 

If you test positive, you are not allowed to return to New York until you are COVID negative. You are not allowed on commercial flights. You are not allowed on trains. You are not allowed on buses. You are not allowed to rent a car. 

 

-Are ships going to be at full occupancy?  Is there going to be regular entertainment?

No, the ships are not a full capacity. Yes, there is regular entertainment. 

 

-Since everyone is tested and vaccinated, are masks optional?

Currently, for Florida cruises, masks are optional. 

 

-Did NCL replace the air filtration with the special updated hepa filters?

Yes. 

 

 

Hello, I just wanted to clarify something.  We plan to drive to the cruise port in Miami this year as the airfare is outrageously expensive.  We will get tested at home prior to leaving and will be extra cautious traveling on the way down but should the unimaginable happen - would we be able to just get in our car and go back home? I plan to buy cancel for any reason insurance.  We have an RV and are debating just camping for the week but I miss cruising so I am trying to decide if we should take chance.  

 

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, welove2cruise* said:

Hello, I just wanted to clarify something.  We plan to drive to the cruise port in Miami this year as the airfare is outrageously expensive.  We will get tested at home prior to leaving and will be extra cautious traveling on the way down but should the unimaginable happen - would we be able to just get in our car and go back home? I plan to buy cancel for any reason insurance.  We have an RV and are debating just camping for the week but I miss cruising so I am trying to decide if we should take chance.  

 

Without trying to definitively answer your question about whether you will be able to drive home if you test positive at the pier, my impression is that you can drive home in your own vehicle...but I wouldn't stake my life on it so hopefully someone else can chime in.

What I can say definitively is that CFR (cancel for any reason) insurance coverage is for circumstances where you choose to cancel, not a cancellation because you are not permitted to board the ship. Usually to invoke CFR coverage you have to cancel two to three days prior to the scheduled sailing. The exact timing depends on the policy. If you're insured by one of the policies NCL offers, CFR coverage provides a future cruise credit, not monetary reimbursement. 

However, your regular trip cancellation insurance should cover cancellation due to a positive COVID test taken at the pier before embarkation because that is cancellation due to an illness. However it's necessary to read your exact policy language just to make sure cancellation due to COVID isn't specifically excluded or has special conditions attached to it.

Edited October 3, 2021 by njhorseman

[behan]

1 hour ago, welove2cruise* said:

Hello, I just wanted to clarify something.  We plan to drive to the cruise port in Miami this year as the airfare is outrageously expensive.  We will get tested at home prior to leaving and will be extra cautious traveling on the way down but should the unimaginable happen - would we be able to just get in our car and go back home? I plan to buy cancel for any reason insurance.  We have an RV and are debating just camping for the week but I miss cruising so I am trying to decide if we should take chance.  

 

Of course you can drive back home.  I’m not sure who would try to prevent you from doing so.  This is our plan for next cruise, drive to the port and if we are not allowed to board, we will drive back home.

[Norway97]

We are just back from the 9/26 Breakaway from NY and husband had a false positive on the antigen test at the pier. As he had not left the house for over a week other than taking the Bermuda required 96 hour negative PCR test, we were not stressed and assumed throughout the retesting process that we would be cleared with a negative rapid PCR test. NCL staff at the pier who notified us and literally walked us through the retesting process couldn’t have been more supportive and kind. As we waited for test results which took about 40 minutes (conducted by CVS in a private large room) someone checked in with us at least every 5 minutes. We were asked for detailed bag descriptions and our bags which had been checked in about 3 hours before, were found and pulled. They assured us that if the PCR was in fact positive, we would be allowed to drive the 2 hours home vs NYC quarantine.  Once the negative PCR result came in, we were assured that our bags were headed back on the ship and we were personally escorted from Pier 90 to checkin at Pier 88. A nice touch of extra support that wasn’t needed but appreciated. There was one other couple impacted and cleared in the same room when we arrived, not sure if others.

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 minutes ago, Norway97 said:

We are just back from the 9/26 Breakaway from NY and husband had a false positive on the antigen test at the pier. As he had not left the house for over a week other than taking the Bermuda required 96 hour negative PCR test, we were not stressed and assumed throughout the retesting process that we would be cleared with a negative rapid PCR test. NCL staff at the pier who notified us and literally walked us through the retesting process couldn’t have been more supportive and kind. As we waited for test results which took about 40 minutes (conducted by CVS in a private large room) someone checked in with us at least every 5 minutes. We were asked for detailed bag descriptions and our bags which had been checked in about 3 hours before, were found and pulled. They assured us that if the PCR was in fact positive, we would be allowed to drive the 2 hours home vs NYC quarantine.  Once the negative PCR result came in, we were assured that our bags were headed back on the ship and we were personally escorted from Pier 90 to checkin at Pier 88. A nice touch of extra support that wasn’t needed but appreciated. There was one other couple impacted and cleared in the same room when we arrived, not sure if others.

Thanks for sharing this!!  It fills in a few blanks, including how they handle checked luggage.