Testing could be changing again as of the 14th

[Bailey & Sophie]

35 minutes ago, BND said:

Well, if you go by their rules of no testing for a 5 day and no testing in between b2b's then I'd say yes.  Those rules really go a long way towards no testing at all.  

 

That's what I thought. We have a few weeks to wait till we cruise so I'm sure it will change again by then. 

[SilkySal]

58 minutes ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

I haven't seen this addressed yet....

 

I have a b2b booked. 

First leg is 5 days, 2nd is 8 days. From what I understand, Royal is not testing for the 2nd leg. Correct?

With this new announcement am I also correct that I don't need to be tested for either leg?

I also have a B2B2B in October of this year from PC on Mariner. The 1st leg is a 5-night and the other 2 are 8 nights which include Bermuda on the 2nd two legs. Now what? Shall I assume that they will test us on board before continuing to Bermuda? Ken? Anyone? TIA!

[not-enough-cruising]

2 hours ago, watcher_62 said:

Royal Caribbean said, “For those clients booked after August 14, 2022, please await the specific protocol details from us related to those sailings.”

The cruise line is starting to transition to allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail, which will be a gradual process. Royal Caribbean President Michael Bayley recently said, “We will also continue to operate highly vaccinated cruises with a vaccinated population greater than society. This continues to exempt kids 12 and under.

Read Also: Four Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Redeploy Due to Speed Regulations

Bayley continued, We will also welcome unvaccinated guests over 12 and guests with a certificate of recovery within 90 days to travel keeping in mind our ships will typically sail with 80 percent plus vaccinated guests onboard.”

MB stated this in his Facebook page DAA us ago.  
when protocols were updated last night, they decided to NOT to update vaccine requirements at this time.  Vaccine still required for age 12 and over. 

[dada2199cc]

19 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

MB stated this in his Facebook page DAA us ago.  
when protocols were updated last night, they decided to NOT to update vaccine requirements at this time.  Vaccine still required for age 12 and over. 

We will all see in a few days.  

I have numerous unvaccinated friends who live super close to ports who are “taking one for the team” before the doors blow open with the rest of us later this season.

[hazeleyes46]

32 minutes ago, pcur said:

This is what I've always thought, too.  I'm making sure I don't bring an infection to OTHER people.  That's also why I wear a mask on board the ship most of the time, only then it's a 50-50 protection:  I am protecting myself from picking up respiratory infections and/or COVID, too.

 

I am continuously puzzled why people get upset about pre-cruise testing.  I could see the expense for a family, and PCR tests for kids.  But, with BinaxNOW I was spending about $35 each on the test, with my iphone, from anywhere I was in the world 2 calendar days before I cruised.  Now, it appears OnPoint does telehealth testing with the government's free tests, so the price is now down to $20 - $30.  This all falls into my category of "miscellaneous travel expenses" like Uber.

 

I look at it like I did when luggage was limited to 50 lbs or pay a fee.  Or, drink pricing and gratuities got more expensive.  It's part of cruising.

 

(She posts, with a puzzled look on her face, and mentally scratching her head.)

 

How many cruises/vacations have you been on in the last 2 1/2 years?

[pcur]

2 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

How many cruises/vacations have you been on in the last 2 1/2 years?

11......9since mid-January this year

 

I got COVID pneumonia on the b2b January / February 2020 cruise.

Edited August 5, 2022 by pcur

[hazeleyes46]

2 minutes ago, pcur said:

11......9since mid-January this year

 

I got COVID pneumonia on the b2b January / February 2020 cruise.

Haven't been on a vacation in 4 years, kids, 6 years. It is kind of stressful for us as this is a LONG awaited, MUCH needed vacation for all of us. 

[pcur]

3 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Haven't been on a vacation in 4 years, kids, 6 years. It is kind of stressful for us as this is a LONG awaited, MUCH needed vacation for all of us. 

Glad you can go.  Don't stress the tests, and if the kids need a PCR the extra day to get it will help.  Truly, the telehealth proctored tests are the answer IMO.  You do it when you want to, you don't go out, you don't stand in line, wait, etc.  Worth every penny of the cost.  Results in 15 minutes.  Done.

Edited August 5, 2022 by pcur

[marycruz]

40 minutes ago, SilkySal said:

I also have a B2B2B in October of this year from PC on Mariner. The 1st leg is a 5-night and the other 2 are 8 nights which include Bermuda on the 2nd two legs. Now what? Shall I assume that they will test us on board before continuing to Bermuda? Ken? Anyone? TIA!

Yes we were told that on our Oct cruise to Bermuda they will test us on board.   This info came from MB's office.   Maybe requirements could change by then but who knows.  

[hazeleyes46]

1 minute ago, pcur said:

Glad you can go.  Don't stress the tests, and if the kids need a PCR the extra day to get it will help.  Truly, the telehealth proctored tests are the answer IMO.  You do it when you want to, you don't go out, you don't stand in line, wait, etc.  Worth every penny of the cost.  Results in 15 minutes.  Done.

"Kids" are adults so we all are going to test the same day. Just very stressful. Trying to think positive though. 🙂

 

[pcur]

1 minute ago, hazeleyes46 said:

"Kids" are adults so we all are going to test the same day. Just very stressful. Trying to think positive though. 🙂

 

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

[xpcdoojk]

6 minutes ago, pcur said:

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

 

We need to move past plan A and B, and move on to plan N.  

 

Plan N no testing.  Waste of energy resources and it is not making us safer in the real world.  It may make us feel good, but is as effective as a cloth mask which is equally pointless.

[rudeney]

45 minutes ago, pcur said:

I am continuously puzzled why people get upset about pre-cruise testing.  I could see the expense for a family, and PCR tests for kids. 

 

For some, it may the expense, especially if they don't realize they can pay $10-$20 for a proctored test instead of $100++ at a chain drugstore.  For most, I believe it's the stress of having to take a test that is a snapshot measurement of something totally beyond their control.  Most people would not board a cruise ship or even go out in public if they were truly sick, but with this, you can test positive and have your entire vacation canceled yet experience zero symptoms or symptoms no worse than allergies.  We here reports on the forums every day that someone came back from a cruise and tested positive for COVID and felt a little bad for a few days, or even that one spouse was positive and one was not.  I've not seen a single person say they were so sick they needed medical treatment, although a few did get it prophylactically.  If people were truly getting very sick or even dying because of COVID on a cruise ship, it would be plastered all over the news with headlines about "petri dishes".  Continue to test and making otherwise healthy positive people stay home is about in line with being told you have cooties.

[hazeleyes46]

14 minutes ago, pcur said:

That's even better!  You'll be fine.  Have a Plan B, and check on testing at the airport and the dock.  

I don't think they will test anymore at the dock according to the new protocols yesterday.

[hazeleyes46]

6 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

For some, it may the expense, especially if they don't realize they can pay $10-$20 for a proctored test instead of $100++ at a chain drugstore.  For most, I believe it's the stress of having to take a test that is a snapshot measurement of something totally beyond their control.  Most people would not board a cruise ship or even go out in public if they were truly sick, but with this, you can test positive and have your entire vacation canceled yet experience zero symptoms or symptoms no worse than allergies.  We here reports on the forums every day that someone came back from a cruise and tested positive for COVID and felt a little bad for a few days, or even that one spouse was positive and one was not.  I've not seen a single person say they were so sick they needed medical treatment, although a few did get it prophylactically.  If people were truly getting very sick or even dying because of COVID on a cruise ship, it would be plastered all over the news with headlines about "petri dishes".  Continue to test and making otherwise healthy positive people stay home is about in line with being told you have cooties.

Thank.you.

[karena1]

20 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

As the cruise sector continues to evolve and adapt to an everchanging environment, we look forward to moments where we can share progressive movement. While continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, we are excited to begin transitioning to a point that more closely aligns with other travel and hospitality sectors. With that, we are pleased to announce the easing of test requirements for most U.S. itineraries.
 
Testing Update: For your clients sailing from the U.S. August 8 -  August 14th, 2022: 

• Fully vaccinated guests will only have to show a test result at boarding if the sailing is 6 nights or longer.
• Unvaccinated children will still need to show a test result to board all sailings, regardless of length. However, they will not need to test again at the terminal.
• Guests will now have the same test standard, regardless of vaccination status: You can show a negative test result from a supervised PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of boarding day. 

This revision does not apply to guests whose itinerary visits Canada or Bermuda. These clients will still need to follow our current testing protocols until further notice.

Please note that guests confirmed on U.S. sailings departing on or before August 7, 2022, should adhere to protocols previously communicated.

For those clients booked after August 14, 2022, please await the specific protocol details from us related to those sailings. 

As we begin to transition to a point where everyone, regardless of vaccination status, will be able to sail with us once again, we continue to work closely with our destination partners. Additional information will soon follow, however, until then, current vaccine guidance remains unchanged.

not thinking anything is going to change for our 8/19 cruise.  Looking forward to not have to be tested.

 

[pcur]

6 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

I don't think they will test anymore at the dock according to the new protocols yesterday.

Good to know.

[hazeleyes46]

3 minutes ago, pcur said:

Good to know.

Yes people with small kids are thrilled.

[Roybthered]

We have a cruise booked for the Med at the end of Sept and a cruise booked for mid Oct out of NJ so are keeping a close eye on when/what/where to test or if we need to! just DW and I sailing in the med both vaccinated but both plus DD (vaccinated) and Granddaughter who is 6 and unvaccinated for the US cruise all very stressful. 

[SherriZ366]

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

[never_cruised]

13 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

That’s certainly what I read 3 days instead of 2.

[handbellplayer]

36 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

We are sailing on Harmony on August 21 out of Port Canaveral so I will watch this thread.  

 

It now looks like our tests only have to be 3 days ahead instead of 2 -- is that correct?  

 

If a new thread is started with changes that occur on August 14, 2022, please post a link.  

We're sailing with you and anxiously watching for changes.  Of course, I made our appointments for testing two days out yesterday....

[SherriZ366]

39 minutes ago, handbellplayer said:

We're sailing with you and anxiously watching for changes.  Of course, I made our appointments for testing two days out yesterday....

I have E-med tests but I may make On-Point reservations for two of the tests we got from Medicare.  I got familiar with the testing regime by doing home tests when we thought we were exposed awhile back.  

[mrpayroll]

5 hours ago, SilkySal said:

I also have a B2B2B in October of this year from PC on Mariner. The 1st leg is a 5-night and the other 2 are 8 nights which include Bermuda on the 2nd two legs. Now what? Shall I assume that they will test us on board before continuing to Bermuda? Ken? Anyone? TIA!

October is a long ways off. I wouldn't worry about it now.

[teddybear231]

22 hours ago, AlohaLivin said:

Us too. But we are set up and ready, but honestly it isn’t half as bad as going through airport security and that is every flight, all the time.

 

I just hate the uncertainty of not knowing if the test could possibly come back positive. I know a few people who had no symptoms, felt fine, but tested positive.