Covid Testing for side by side cruise

[atabs12]

We are getting off Celebrity and going on a Royal Caribbean the same day. Does Celebrity offer testing on board for side by side cruise by sister company? If not thats ok. We have a back up plan. I just was wondering if anyone did a side by side and would know the information. Thank you

[Arizona Wildcat]

31 minutes ago, atabs12 said:

We are getting off Celebrity and going on a Royal Caribbean the same day. Does Celebrity offer testing on board for side by side cruise by sister company? If not thats ok. We have a back up plan. I just was wondering if anyone did a side by side and would know the information. Thank you

Was told no, but as things are changing often I would ask Celebrity.

[phoenix_dream]

46 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Was told no, but as things are changing often I would ask Celebrity.

And I've read several posts that said yes. Typical Celebrity customer service.  I hope they do, as we have an Apex to Reflection cruise next month!

[canderson]

Have read a couple of first hand posts here over the last couple of months that said yes.  Need to advise Guest Relations when boarding so they put you in the same queue with the B2B and internationals who must test before boarding flights.  Done the day prior to disembarkation. 

[Ken the cruiser]

4 minutes ago, canderson said:

Have read a couple of first hand posts here over the last couple of months that said yes.  Need to advise Guest Relations when boarding so they put you in the same queue with the B2B and internationals who must test before boarding flights.  Done the day prior to disembarkation. 

You would think there would be some kind of fee attached since it wasn’t another Celebrity cruise.

[canderson]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

You would think there would be some kind of fee attached since it wasn’t another Celebrity cruise.

Call it "professional courtesy"?

[SeasideMemories]

Taken directly from the Celebrity Healthy at Sea FAQ…..

 

”Are consecutive/back-to-back cruises still an option for guests? 

We can accommodate vaccinated guests on as many consecutive/back-to-back cruises as they wish. Guests who sail on back-to-back cruises must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. This test will be administered by Celebrity Cruises at no expense to the guest, as long as your consecutive cruises are less than two days apart. Visit Guest Services while onboard to arrange this test ahead of your next cruise.   Negative COVID-19 test results acquired from a COVID-19 test taken aboard another Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean International ship will be accepted as long as the test is taken within two days of embarkation for vaccinated guests.

Guests who are not fully vaccinated; or who do not wish to show proof of vaccination; or are not eligible to be vaccinated, such as children who are younger than their country’s permitted vaccination age, are not able to sail on back-to back-cruises. We will continue to evaluate this policy as public health guidance evolves.”

[SeasideMemories]

12 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

You would think there would be some kind of fee attached since it wasn’t another Celebrity cruise.

Not sure why they would do that. It’s the same parent company. Edited to add: We are doing this in December for 2 Celebrity cruises on different ships separated by 1 day. Even if they did charge I would be fine with it to just eliminate that hurdle between cruises!

 

Edited October 31, 2021 by SeasideMemories

[Ken the cruiser]

7 minutes ago, SeasideMemories said:

Not sure why they would do that. It’s the same parent company. 

Other than each cruise line has their own revenue streams. But, you’re probably right. But if it were us, I’d at least ask the question just to make sure.

[SeasideMemories]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Other than each cruise line has their own revenue streams. But, you’re probably right. But if it were us, I’d at least ask the question just to make sure.

Yes, absolutely! Things are changing each day. I just hope that this policy sticks around since it’s part of the Safe at Sea program that has been continued at least until the end of the year. Just in case, we are bringing the proctored self tests with us. Worst case we can test ourselves in our hotel on the day in between cruises! 

 

Good Times!

 

[nocl]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

You would think there would be some kind of fee attached since it wasn’t another Celebrity cruise.

It is a situation where a test is required for travel immediately following the cruise, not unlike the requirements for those returning home or traveling to another country. If they do not charge for those that must have it for other travel, why would they charge for someone needing to board another ship.

[canderson]

Haven't we also heard one or two cases where pax were provided tests when the side-side was with another company altogether?  I recall at the time using the word 'reciprocity' as a possible explanation.

[Ken the cruiser]

21 minutes ago, nocl said:

It is a situation where a test is required for travel immediately following the cruise, not unlike the requirements for those returning home or traveling to another country. If they do not charge for those that must have it for other travel, why would they charge for someone needing to board another ship.

Makes sense. We were looking at booking a Princess cruise the following day after the 7 day Reflection cruise ended we have booked in February. It would be nice if we could get an antigen test before we leave the ship (and for free would be even better) if we choose to book it.

[LeeW]

Just got email of information for trip next week and it included this.  Note that Royal was giving tests for free to any passenger that needed one for travel after the ship, and it certainly looks like Celebrity is also doing it:

 

• Entry/re-entry tests: Guests with testing requirements for their next destination following the cruise may receive a complimentary COVID-19 test during their cruise. Learn more onboard.

[phoenix_dream]

22 hours ago, nocl said:

It is a situation where a test is required for travel immediately following the cruise, not unlike the requirements for those returning home or traveling to another country. If they do not charge for those that must have it for other travel, why would they charge for someone needing to board another ship.

Exactly.  If they are providing free tests to passengers going back to a different country, they could certainly provide tests to people getting on another cruise within the same overall company.  It's very nice of them to also include other cruise lines - I'm presuming those lines have a reciprocal agreement.

 

Now if only they would offer free (or reasonably priced) testing when boarding the ship for those having a tough time getting testing done ahead of time now that the requirement is 2 day!  (esp. those of us like me who are flying in on a holiday, Thanksgiving, and sailing two days later).