Riviera - Barcelona to Barcelona 4/4-25/2022

[patbob1]

There have been a number of posts concerning pre-boarding testing and embarkation day processes. So I thought I would share our experiences. 
 We had a negative PCR test 72 hours before leaving ATL on 4/1/2022 to meet the negative testing requirements Oceania suggested as “insurance” in case we tested positive at the pier. We received an email several days before we left for Barcelona that we would be tested at the pier by Oceania. 

So here is how embarkation day went. Our boarding time was 11:00 am and we arrived at that time. We then checked in, they requested our boarding passes and passports. We then were sent to the testing station, we’re tested and asked to wait for our results. After about 15 minutes we received our negative results and were provided our Suite key and allowed to board. We were sent to the casino to check out our muster station. We then proceeded to the Terrace Cafe for lunch. Our suite, a PH1, was ready by 1:00 pm, so all in all we were in our suite in about two hours.

 

Yesterday, we received notification that we were required to have an “in transit” test on 4/14, the day before we arrive in Rome, where the second leg of our cruise begins. Folks that are disembarking in Rome can be tested as well, if needed to return to their home countries. 
 

Some thoughts on the cruise so far, there are about 600 passengers on board, extra reservations in specialty restaurants have been easy to get, food has been great except in the GDR, service has been good, it is obvious that some of the crew is new, but are trying hard to please. Masks are required in indoor spaces and on all transportation. 
 

Several excursions have been cancelled, we missed the port of Alicante, Spain due to high winds and seas and Morocco was cancelled before the cruise began, but Cadiz, Spain was substituted, which is where we are today, 4/12.

 

If anyone has questions, I will be happy to answer, as I have time. 
 

Bob

 

[Cruzin Terri]

We boarded the Nautica yesterday (4/11) in Barcelona. We received the same email as you did regarding the need to be tested 72 hours prior to boarding and that we would also be tested at the pier.  

Well, we arrived at the pier.  We were asked for our test results and that was it.  No testing done at all.  Once we presented proof of negative test results we were sent to check-in and then were free to board the ship.

So there seems to be a lot of inconsistency on the testing issue.

The ship is about 70% full.

The port of Tangier was switched out and we will be stopping in Cadiz in its place.

Today we are in Alicante.  It is raining.  Rough seas during the night.

Tomorrow is the port of Motril for Granada.  More rain is in the forecast.  We will see what happens.

Stay tuned for more info as we know it.

Terri

 

[patbob1]

Interesting how in changed in just a few days, just need to be ready to roll with flow. Sounds like they reverted to the previous testing policy. 
 

On second thought, I think they did ask for proof of vaccination at check in. 
 

 

[Cruzin Terri]

33 minutes ago, patbob1 said:

Interesting how in changed in just a few days, just need to be ready to roll with flow. Sounds like they reverted to the previous testing policy. 
 

On second thought, I think they did ask for proof of vaccination at check in. 
 

 

Yes, had to show negative test result and proof of vaccination and booster.

That’s all. And you were good to go.

Terri

[NattilyAttired]

Thank you both very much for these informative posts. We are awaiting our boarding instructions from O for our cruise on Nautica on April 23. They are late in sending, possibly because Europe is reported to be considering changes between now and May 1. At any rate, it is very helpful to know what your experience was. As we are boarding in Portugal and not Spain, our mileage may vary, as they say. We are preparing to be ready for every eventuality, and not be surprised or upset if the actual boarding process is different from what we were told. 

Kort

[bbtondo]

I also would like to thank you both for your posts.  If your first booster was more than 270 days old, did Spain require a second booster? Thanks!

[patbob1]

Sorry, I cannot help you with this question. Our boosters were less than 270 days. 

[NattilyAttired]

My understanding is that only primary jabs have the 270 day limit. Boosters are unlimited, for now. (In other words, if you have had one booster, you are good to go no matter how long ago you had it.) 

Kort

[OilnH20]

48 minutes ago, bbtondo said:

I also would like to thank you both for your posts.  If your first booster was more than 270 days old, did Spain require a second booster? Thanks!

We too, were faced with this issue, and got our second J&J booster last week for a May embarkation in Barcelona.  This is a question that can be answered on the Spain health website or app. As I recall, they "require" it for entry when you fly in, and must be no older than 270 days, or more recent than 14 days.  I urge you to check with the official requirements.

[NattilyAttired]

I repeat, the booster dose does not have an expiration date. Only the original two doses (or one J&J) have a 270 day expiration, which then require a booster. Here from the Spain Travel Health site:

 

• has been vaccinated against COVID-19, with a complete schedule or booster dose. In the case of a complete vaccination schedule, you should check the validity periods: this certificate will be valid from 14 days after the administration of the last dose of the complete vaccination schedule and will be valid up to 270 days from the administration of this last dose. The vaccination certificate with complete schedule for children under 18 has no expiry date.
  Thereafter, in order to be valid (people aged 18 and over), the vaccination certificate must reflect the administration of a booster dose. These certificates will be considered valid from the day the booster dose is administered.

[bbtondo]

18 hours ago, NattilyAttired said:

I repeat, the booster dose does not have an expiration date. Only the original two doses (or one J&J) have a 270 day expiration, which then require a booster. Here from the Spain Travel Health site:

 

• has been vaccinated against COVID-19, with a complete schedule or booster dose. In the case of a complete vaccination schedule, you should check the validity periods: this certificate will be valid from 14 days after the administration of the last dose of the complete vaccination schedule and will be valid up to 270 days from the administration of this last dose. The vaccination certificate with complete schedule for children under 18 has no expiry date.
  Thereafter, in order to be valid (people aged 18 and over), the vaccination certificate must reflect the administration of a booster dose. These certificates will be considered valid from the day the booster dose is administered.

I appreciate your response. Yes I saw this.  To me, this can read a few ways.  I've also been reading some real life experiences where people have been turned away from the plane because their last shot, whether 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc, was older than 270 days.  Whether what I've read is true or not,  it makes me want to investigate this further. 

 

So you believe that Spain is saying above even if a 3rd shot was a year ago, it's still good to enter Spain?  Personally I don't believe a shot over a year ago is still helping.  Just MHO Either way I'm getting my 4th shot before I cruise again just to be on the safe side. 

 

Thanks again!

 

 

[Redtravel]

Several European countries insist that you must have a booster no more than 9 months old.      If your booster is old, get a new one.  It will avoid any problem and will protect you.  

[Cruzin Terri]

On 4/12/2022 at 6:09 PM, bbtondo said:

I also would like to thank you both for your posts.  If your first booster was more than 270 days old, did Spain require a second booster? Thanks!

I don’t have the answer to that question.  Our boosters were less than 270 days old. So that was not even a consideration.  Don’t know of anyone who had a problem of that sort.

Terri

[itzfitz]

Has anyone asked why they're requiring boosters?  They do not stop you from getting the virus nor do they prevent you from spreading it.  Covid's survivability percentage is over 99% across all demographics.  I so wish more was made of this fact.  I pray one day very soon all of these mandates cease to exist.  They make no sense.