Covid Document of Recovery

[groundloop]

Now that I managed to catch Covid on our cruise that ended a week ago I'm thinking ahead to our Hawaii cruise in 2 1/2 months.  I know that most of the time people won't be testing positive that far removed from having Covid, but it's not totally unheard of either (thankfully we've both been vaxxed and double boosted so our symptoms aren't real bad).

 

I don't want to take any chances with not being able to go on our next cruise so am thinking it would be a good idea for us to get a Document of Recovery letter.  If anyone else has been there / done that - what are the steps involved in obtaining one.  I'm seeing conflicting information on the internet (no surprise there) so any information from someone with firsthand experience would be appreciated.

 

 

[jerseygirlinAZ]

I don't have firsthand experience, but have researched this extensively since we tested positive at the beginning of June after our cruise on the Panorama and are scheduled to sail on Mardi Gras next Saturday.

 

Be sure to get a test that Carnival accepts (like from Walgreens).  You can't just have an at-home test.  Print the results and that's all you need (so long as it is between 90 and 10 days prior to your cruise.

 

We still plan on testing as I have tested negative at home; however, we are still bringing our positive test results from early June just to be sure.    

[Hoosierpop]

4 minutes ago, jerseygirlinAZ said:

 

Be sure to get a test that Carnival accepts (like from Walgreens).  You can't just have an at-home test.  Print the results and that's all you need (so long as it is between 90 and 10 days prior to your cruise.

This is correct. I’ve seen some folks talk about doctor’s note. That’s not necessary. But it has to be a result from a lab,  not the at home. Unless it’s an emed type at home.

[groundloop]

2 minutes ago, Hoosierpop said:

This is correct. I’ve seen some folks talk about doctor’s note. That’s not necessary. But it has to be a result from a lab,  not the at home. Unless it’s an emed type at home.

 

 

That could actually simplify things for us then since we want to spend a few days exploring San Francisco before our next cruise.  I'll just do the e-med test now (which will definitely be positive) and then not have to worry about how we're going to get tested and print test results from a hotel.

 

 

 

[crdtrnr]

I tested positive after my last cruise ,4/30 - 5/7/22.  I had to cancel my next one, 5/21/22.  I tested again  within the 10 days prior to that cruise in order to cancel with out penalty.  I had an international trip scheduled for 6/6/22.  I went to my Doctor and got him to give me a document, on the letterhead, stating that I had Covid within the last 90 days, and that I am cleared for travel.  Luckily I did not need to use it, since the US Govt. declared that negative tests were no longer mandated to enter the US from international travel.

Basically, you will need the same approximate document, along with a positive test from within the 90 day window.  I would recommend a test from Walgreen or CVS, instead of EMed, just to be on the safe side.

[Purvis1231]

A documentation of recovery is simply the positive test from a certificated lab that told you that you had Covid. At one time there was talk of having a doctor's statement, but they quickly realized that most people with Covid never went to a doctor. I verified this with Carnival FAQ, with my PVP (I emailed him my paper work, and John Heald) The only downside with documentation of recovery is that you cannot complete VeriFly that is hy we decided at the last minute to get retested thankfully we showed negative so we could use VeriFly. 

[keahi89]

21 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

A documentation of recovery is simply the positive test from a certificated lab that told you that you had Covid. At one time there was talk of having a doctor's statement, but they quickly realized that most people with Covid never went to a doctor. I verified this with Carnival FAQ, with my PVP (I emailed him my paper work, and John Heald) The only downside with documentation of recovery is that you cannot complete VeriFly that is hy we decided at the last minute to get retested thankfully we showed negative so we could use VeriFly. 

does the VeriFly really make it that much easier??  i just dread having to download yet ANOTHER app on my phone!! 😳🤣  🤣

[Hoosierpop]

1 hour ago, keahi89 said:

does the VeriFly really make it that much easier??  i just dread having to download yet ANOTHER app on my phone!! 😳🤣  🤣

Not much of one. On my last cruise, we went with my sister who had to use paper documents. It took her all of a minute or two longer than me. But she had her paperwork in order so it was easy for them to review.

[Purvis1231]

With VeriFly you do not have to show your test results or vaccination record, but you show your phone to prove that you are "ready to sail." But still have to have the paper records with you, so I doubt it really saves too much time.  

[jbm3238]

Well - depends on which line you're using.

Here is what our situation is:

We had mild COVID in early June - recovered well - did our quarantine.

Then found about the "Documentation of recovery" guideline from CDC as we may still test positive for 90 days.

Got an official POS PCR test and a letter form our Dr that we have recovered. This constitutes the requirements for the CDC Doc of recovery.

Called Oceania to make sure that if we still test POS 24 hrs before embarkation we can still go.

NO THEY DON'T RECOGNISE THE CDC GUIDELINE -  Doc of Recovery - only a NEG test no matter what.

Tried to get someone in the Oceania "Sail Safe"  to ask why they are not following CDC guidlines and recriminating against recovered customers. No luck!

So now we wait!

Looks like RCL does honor the CDC DOR.

Called AM Queen Steamboat and they DO recognize the Doc of recovery & that embarkation will be w/i the 90 days.

 

Good luck.

JB

[shibby sails]

Sorry, a little slow on the uptake. Got off cruise June 16th. Tested positive June 17th from Walgreen's lab. Have a cruise July 9th. I don't have to get a negative test 2 days before and just show my positive test from June 17th? Show I was positive now gets me on a ship? Doesn't make sense to me but will go with it especially since Walgreens may be charging for tests now.

[Hoosierpop]

10 minutes ago, shibby sails said:

Sorry, a little slow on the uptake. Got off cruise June 16th. Tested positive June 17th from Walgreen's lab. Have a cruise July 9th. I don't have to get a negative test 2 days before and just show my positive test from June 17th? Show I was positive now gets me on a ship? Doesn't make sense to me but will go with it especially since Walgreens may be charging for tests now.

Yep. And if they are going to accept vaccines from a year and a half ago, it absolutely makes sense to do this. 

[BTromboneFrack]

We just had this happen to us.   We were on the Vista in early May and were planning one week in Galveston before going to NOLA for a b2b on the Glory.   However, we got COVID at the end of the Vista cruise.   We got tested three days before our 1st Glory cruise, but tested positive, so we had to cancel that cruise and we isolated for a second week in Galveston.   We then got tested again but got a "Certificate of Recovery" from the same doctor the next week.   It cannot be handwritten.  Has to be printed and signed by the doctor.   It cannot be a "check off" type document.   It has to be accompanied by the first POSITIVE COVID test you had and that has to be at least 10 days prior to your cruise - and I think not more than 90 days.   We put the certificate of recovery with each of our positive test results from the week prior with our boarding pass.   When we got to NOLA for our last cruise of the month, we were escorted to the Carnival doctor at the terminal, and after about half an hour, we were able to get on the ship.   THE FOLLOWING IS A REASON TO HAVE THIS CERTIFICATE OF RECOVERY.   When we were on that last cruise, my wife got dehydrated and we had to debark the ship in Cozumel for a 5 day hospital stay.   Because the US had a rule about being tested negative for all people entering the country, we wouldn't have been able to get into the US without the certificate.   Now back in the US, my wife had to go to the hospital and therapy again this past week.   She wouldn't have been able to get to the in patient therapy - except that WE HAD THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOVERY.  Get it.  You can use it for multiple circumstances.