Is PCL offering C19 testing options when flying back to the US after a cruise?

[Ken the cruiser]

We’re getting ready to go on our 21 day July cruise in the Med on the Regal and were curious as to what’s going to happen towards the end of July when it’s time to fly back home to the US from Barcelona. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any recent or current “Live from” threads associated with either the Regal or Enchanted cruising in the Med to post this question on.
 

So, if you have recently disembarked either of these ships in the last week or two in either Spain, Italy or Greece, I would be interested to hear what you experienced regarding this issue so we might have some foresight as to what might be the case when it’s our turn. Of course, our turn is almost two months away and it would be great if the US would stop requiring a negative test to fly back to the US like most EU countries are now. Well, one can hope anyway. 🤞

[cruzin4us]

I'm just guessing based on the Alaska cruises ending in Canada.   Since you are now on your own to get tested, no more testing on the ship.  Princess no longer takes any responsibility (financially or otherwise) if you test positive once off the ship.  They don't have to worry about finding you accommodations and no per diem for food or hotels to pay for.

If testing is required for you to get back in the states, you might want to feel sick right after dinner on your last night.  They'd have to test you, and they'd be on the hook for paying for the hotel/food, etc. should you test positive.   Just a thought anyway.

Edited May 30, 2022 by cruzin4us

[Ken the cruiser]

6 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

I'm just guessing based on the Alaska cruises ending in Canada.   Since you are now on your own to get tested, no more testing on the ship.  Princess no longer takes any responsibility (financially or otherwise) if you test positive once off the ship.  They don't have to worry about finding you accommodations and no per diem for food or hotels to pay for.

If testing is required for you to get back in the states, you might want to feel sick right after dinner on your last night.  They'd have to test you, and they'd be on the hook for paying for the hotel/food, etc. should you test positive.   Just a thought anyway.

Thanks, but I’m more interested in what’s currently happening over in the Med on debarkation day. 

[UT-Volsfan]

According to the Princess FAQ for European cruises:

 

If a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Princess will cover the costs of tests, provided guests can show proof that their flight arrangements are the same day as they disembark the ship. Guests will need to make their own test arrangements if onward travel is not the day they disembark.

 

We sail in a couple of weeks from England and are keeping a close watch on the FAQ pages for any policy changes.  We are flying home the same day we disembark.

Edited May 30, 2022 by UT-Volsfan

[Ken the cruiser]

1 minute ago, UT-Volsfan said:

According to the Princess FAQ for European cruises:

 

If a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Princess will cover the costs of tests, provided guests can show proof that their flight arrangements are the same day as they disembark the ship. Guests will need to make their own test arrangements if onward travel is not the day they disembark.

 

We sail in a couple of weeks from England and are keeping a close watch on the FAQ pages for any policy changes.  We are flying home the same day we disembark.

Thanks for that! But it just says they will cover the costs of the tests. I’m also curious when and where those tests will be administered? Hopefully, either the day before while on the ship or in the terminal as soon as we disembark the ship. Either way works for us. I would just like to hear about those details. 😁

[cruzsnooze]

Can you bring your own test kits which are free if you have medicare and test at the airport showing it's negative?

[nini]

From what I have read, the Regal really has their act together!!! We disembarked the Emerald on May 21st. If you were flying home the day of disembarking (to the USA), then we were tested from 6:00-9:00 am the morning before. There was no charge. 

 

We were to wait in our cabin for 30 minutes. No news was good news. If you were called with a positive test then you were separated from your Cabin mate(s) and escorted to the Aloha deck for quarantine.

[Ken the cruiser]

5 minutes ago, nini said:

From what I have read, the Regal really has their act together!!! We disembarked the Emerald on May 21st. If you were flying home the day of disembarking (to the USA), then we were tested from 6:00-9:00 am the morning before. There was no charge. 

 

We were to wait in our cabin for 30 minutes. No news was good news. If you were called with a positive test then you were separated from your Cabin mate(s) and escorted to the Aloha deck for quarantine.

Thanks! That’s good news to hear. Hopefully this protocol continues! 😁

[Thrak]

Not sure how things are now but... We disembarked Royal Princess on May 14. For those who were flying back to the US on that same day, Princess had free testing on the ship the day before. For those of us who were staying an extra day and flying back to the US on the 15th we were sent across the street to the hotel where we were provided with free testing. (We both tested negative.) I've read that Princess may not be offering this service any longer but I'm hoping that is not correct. Needing a recent negative test to fly into the US is a major stress issue. It's also stupid since one can walk, bike, hitch a ride, take a bus, take a cab, take a train, etc. from Canada to the US without needing any sort of test at all. It's only those who are flying who need the negative test.

[nini]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

Not sure how things are now but... We disembarked Royal Princess on May 14. For those who were flying back to the US on that same day, Princess had free testing on the ship the day before. For those of us who were staying an extra day and flying back to the US on the 15th we were sent across the street to the hotel where we were provided with free testing. (We both tested negative.) I've read that Princess may not be offering this service any longer but I'm hoping that is not correct. Needing a recent negative test to fly into the US is a major stress issue. It's also stupid since one can walk, bike, hitch a ride, take a bus, take a cab, take a train, etc. from Canada to the US without needing any sort of test at all. It's only those who are flying who need the negative test.

 

Agreed, it is a silly policy since you can enter the USA by other means... Which obviously does not guarantee that you are negative. Hmmmmmmm.......

[caribill]

2 hours ago, Thrak said:

 Needing a recent negative test to fly into the US is a major stress issue. It's also stupid since one can walk, bike, hitch a ride, take a bus, take a cab, take a train, etc. from Canada to the US without needing any sort of test at all. It's only those who are flying who need the negative test.

 

Since the requirement is for anyone flying to the USA from any other country, it also apples to countries with no USA border so that walking, biking, hitching, busing, cabbing, or training would not be possible.

 

Requiring it on flights from Canada and Mexico means it consistent.

[Once Upon A Time]

We disembarked the Grand Princess May 25th in Vancouver, BC.  Princess announced that they would no longer be offering testing for passengers flying back into the US just a couple days before our cruise began on May 11th.  It definitely caused concern because the cost to have it done at the airport was $68.00 CAD per person.  We had 6 in our party who had qualifying test kits with them and were able to get a WiFi connection long enough to take the tests.  Were at sea the day before disembarkation...therefore difficult.  Long lines at the internet cafe.  Luckily, we were driving, so no test required to cross the border into US by car.

[Kitty Ellas Mom]

I think I received something saying that they were no longer offering any onboard tests just prior to departure.  I'm on a June Alaska sailing that ends in Vancouver, and I'm from the US.  But, I can't find it in my emails.  I just remember getting it.

[caribill]

1 hour ago, Once Upon A Time said:

It definitely caused concern because the cost to have it done at the airport was $68.00 CAD per person. 

 

Also of concern:

o Is your flight booked late enough to allow the time for this testing? You cannot check in until you have the results.

o Do they have enough slots available for the time you want/need to be tested?

[Ken the cruiser]

In an attempt to keep this thread on track, I'm trying to get feedback regarding current antigen testing options offered to PCL passengers disembarking in Mediterranean countries flying back to the US on the same day. Unfortunately, for some reason there haven't been any "Live from" threads coming from the Enchanted or Regal for some time now.

[nini]

7 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

In an attempt to keep this thread on track, I'm trying to get feedback regarding current antigen testing options offered to PCL passengers disembarking in Mediterranean countries flying back to the US on the same day. Unfortunately, for some reason there haven't been any "Live from" threads coming from the Enchanted or Regal for some time now.

Actually, at some point in the last couple of weeks, I DID find someone who said that the Regal had its act together and did the testing for those USA people who were flying home the day of disembarking. That is why many cruisers were able to "spoon feed" this information to the Emerald Staff that they too, could get organized for this testing..... which they did and it was very organized. If I come across the thread, I will let you know.