Any predictions on the end to pre-cruise virus testing for US departures?

[Shellbelle28]

It seems as though more and more requirements are being eased for cruise travel in the US, but I haven't seen any speculation at all on pre-cruise COVID tests being dropped. Not looking for discussion about if it should or should not be lifted, but just wondered if anyone had seen any information on a timeline?

[tallnthensome]

Nobody, not even the lines even know so that's why you don't see much speculation on it. I hate to say that it will be next year at this point but I would like to see it gone by July 4th. 

[CaptainBazz]

I don't think the cruise industry will change the testing requirement until the US border restrictions lift their testing requirement to enter the country.

I am hoping for August 30th as I am cruising early September.

[Karaboudjan]

3 hours ago, Shellbelle28 said:

It seems as though more and more requirements are being eased for cruise travel in the US, but I haven't seen any speculation at all on pre-cruise COVID tests being dropped. Not looking for discussion about if it should or should not be lifted, but just wondered if anyone had seen any information on a timeline?

 

Here are some thoughts from Scott Gottlieb.  Per this article he thinks vaccines will continue to be required through next spring, and testing for some additional time after the vaccination requirement goes away:

 

https://cruise.blog/2022/04/former-fda-chief-talks-when-vaccine-requirement-cruise-ships-might-end

 

 

[1025cruise]

The first thing that has to happen is that the islands the ships visit have to allow it.

[ace2542]

15 hours ago, CaptainBazz said:

I don't think the cruise industry will change the testing requirement until the US border restrictions lift their testing requirement to enter the country.

I am hoping for August 30th as I am cruising early September.

I doubt the U.S will ever lift the testing requirements at least not for non U.S citizens.

[lx200gps]

16 hours ago, CaptainBazz said:

I don't think the cruise industry will change the testing requirement until the US border restrictions lift their testing requirement to enter the country.

I am hoping for August 30th as I am cruising early September.

To clarify, I believe the testing requirement only applies to flying into the US? AFAIK if someone is driving down there is no need for a test, only proof of vaccination?

[ontheweb]

48 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

To clarify, I believe the testing requirement only applies to flying into the US? AFAIK if someone is driving down there is no need for a test, only proof of vaccination?

And the same goes for US into Canada. I saw recently that major league baseball teams going to Toronto are flying into Buffalo and then taking buses to Toronto rather than flying to avoid the testing.

[CaptainBazz]

@lx200gps and @ontheweb...you are both correct. But my point was until all border restrictions are lifted the cruise industry will not lift their requirement IMO. 

[CaptainBazz]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

I doubt the U.S will ever lift the testing requirements at least not for non U.S citizens.

They are already lifted if you drive/train across the border, they are only required if you fly. Next logical step, IMO, would be to do away with the Antigen test when flying but require people to be fully vaccinated as lots of other countries are starting to do.

[CILCIANRQTS]

November 18, 2022.

Hey, you wanted a prediction…

[BermudaBound2014]

2 hours ago, lx200gps said:

To clarify, I believe the testing requirement only applies to flying into the US? AFAIK if someone is driving down there is no need for a test, only proof of vaccination?

 

This is only partially correct. It is a common misunderstanding that a vaccination is required of US citizens. Vaccination is not required for US citizens returning regardless of transport.

 

 When returning by air you are only required to show a negative test or document of recovery. When returning to the usa via land or ferry nothing is required (no vaccination/no test... wide open boarder).

 

 

 

From the department of homeland security:

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/frequently-asked-questions-guidance-travelers-enter-us

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by BermudaBound2014

[FLAHAM]

Seeing as how the federal government is predicting about 100 million Americans will contract Covid-19 next fall and winter, I don’t think the cruise industry will end its testing and vaccination requirements anytime soon.  

[Homosassa]

16 hours ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

Here are some thoughts from Scott Gottlieb.  Per this article he thinks vaccines will continue to be required through next spring, and testing for some additional time after the vaccination requirement goes away:

 

https://cruise.blog/2022/04/former-fda-chief-talks-when-vaccine-requirement-cruise-ships-might-end

 

 

I have seen  this article quoted numerous times and the wrong conclusions drawn from the incomplete information in this article.

 

What Dr Gottlieb said (and it is easy to google and find the complete statement) was that the requirements will continue through the winter of 2022-2023, an evaluation will be made in the spring of 2023, and decision will be made then about the continuation of the requirements of vaccines and testing.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

28 minutes ago, FLAHAM said:

Seeing as how the federal government is predicting about 100 million Americans will contract Covid-19 next fall and winter, I don’t think the cruise industry will end its testing and vaccination requirements anytime soon.  

 

Currently there are more people admitted into University of Michigan Hospital for covid who are vaccinated and boosted than there are who are unvaccinated.

 

The actual predictor of hospitalization from covid is comorbidity. If cruise ships really wanted to keep their ships free from possible serious covid illness, they need tp prevent everyone who has a comorbidity from boarding (and we all know that will never happen because that includes everyone over 65). 

 

https://www.uofmhealth.org/coronavirus/covid19-numbers

[Karaboudjan]

57 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

I have seen  this article quoted numerous times and the wrong conclusions drawn from the incomplete information in this article.

 

What Dr Gottlieb said (and it is easy to google and find the complete statement) was that the requirements will continue through the winter of 2022-2023, an evaluation will be made in the spring of 2023, and decision will be made then about the continuation of the requirements of vaccines and testing.

 

 

What wrong conclusions did I draw?  I said 'through next spring.'  That does not mean ending in the spring.

Edited May 11, 2022 by Karaboudjan

[BermudaBound2014]

3 minutes ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

What wrong conclusions did I draw?  I said 'through next spring.'  That does not mean ending in the spring.

 

FWIW: You did not draw any wrong conclusions. He responded similar when I posted the sane link last month. It makes no sense at all, but I did get a giggle because I wasn't the only one @Homosassawas confused by 🙂 🙂 🙂 

[CILCIANRQTS]

All these COVID threads (and there wayyyyy too many) bring out the Junior Epidemiologists and result in no conclusions or useable information.

But they do help fill the days until we cruise again!! 😉😎👍

[suegee0]

I really wish they would end. I have an Alaska land and sea on Celebrity in July and I'm not sure, but think I have to test before both legs of the trip.

[ChiefMateJRK]

31 minutes ago, Redsky5292 said:

Covid cases are around 13%

13% of your population currently has Covid?!

[Redsky5292]

@ChiefMateJRK according to our local news the positivity rate in CT is 13%

 

https://www.wfsb.com/2022/02/28/covid-update-cts-positivity-rate-is-258/

Edited May 12, 2022 by Redsky5292

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, Redsky5292 said:

@ChiefMateJRK according to our local news the positivity rate in CT is 13%

 

https://www.wfsb.com/2022/02/28/covid-update-cts-positivity-rate-is-258/

Doesn't that say that of those tested, 13% test positive?  That makes a whole lot more sense.

[The Traveling Man]

On 5/11/2022 at 5:46 PM, CILCIANRQTS said:

November 18, 2022.

Hey, you wanted a prediction…

My guess would be next June.  No, not this June, next June.

[Twocoasts]

I am in Europe for work right now and we have to test to fly back to the US. If vaccinated, you can take an antigen test--if not vaccinated a PCR. 

 

I started this trip thinking this would be a total annoyance. But 4 colleagues came down with COVID this week so I can see the benefits of pre-flight testing. Fortunately, I am negative and can go home tomorrow!

[BirdTravels]

On 5/10/2022 at 6:04 PM, Shellbelle28 said:

It seems as though more and more requirements are being eased for cruise travel in the US, but I haven't seen any speculation at all on pre-cruise COVID tests being dropped. Not looking for discussion about if it should or should not be lifted, but just wondered if anyone had seen any information on a timeline?

Hopefully never. The last thing you want is an outbreak on a ship. That impacts everyone’s cruise, not just the infected person. And if an outbreak includes crew (which it always does) you impact future voyages.