PatchyBoaty

Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, first post. I’ve been traveling with Royal Caribbean for quite some time, always enjoyed their service and their customer support but I just got a very bad Christmas surprise by email today.
Up to now, Royal offered free Covid-19 tests, on board, for those of us who need to prove they are Covid-free when returning home. This was one of the reasons to chose Royal, like I did in last September, as you knew you didn’t have to pay extra for the test and it would be done in advance, on board the ship. Everything worked fine and we were all happy about it.
This morning, Royal sent an email informing everybody that starting February 1st, Covid-19 tests wouldn’t be made on board but at the terminal after debarking. Also, the price would change from “free” to “starting at $210” for a PCR test!... Here are my two biggest concerns about this:
I now have to worry that on the last day, just a couple of hours before my plane takes off, tests will really be offered by one of their “testing partners” and the results will indeed be sent out quickly enough for me to board the plane. For a family of 4, I now have to budget an additional $840 USD for the exact same cruise. Obviously, I called customer service and after an hour of back and forth, sending the email I received and the proof that at the time of booking, tests were included in the price, a specialist agent confirmed that there was nothing she could do. The main reason: “this is a policy change” and policies are subject to change at anytime. Nothing I could say changed her mind even though she accepted all the evidence I was giving her. I was also told that I would lose my deposit if I wanted to cancel the cruise because I selected non-refundable while booking (apparently, *that* does not count as a “policy” that changes).
Needless to say, I feel I was taken advantage of and Royal will get my money anyway. My next family vacation is going to cost a lot more and I’m supposed to just accept it. Here, I wanted to take the time to warn all of you of this new charge and the way Royal deals with sudden changes of policies affecting existing reservations. Also, if you have idea how to solve this, I’m open to suggestions as our “spend on the boat” budget just disappeared into thin air.
Merry Christmas.

Thank you all very much for these posts and suggestions. The RT-LAMP test seems to be the best option for us, although I'm still bitter about the additional unexpected cost. 

Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, first post. I’ve been traveling with Royal Caribbean for quite some time, always enjoyed their service and their customer support but I just got a very bad Christmas surprise by email today.
Up to now, Royal offered free Covid-19 tests, on board, for those of us who need to prove they are Covid-free when returning home. This was one of the reasons to chose Royal, like I did in last September, as you knew you didn’t have to pay extra for the test and it would be done in advance, on board the ship. Everything worked fine and we were all happy about it.
This morning, Royal sent an email informing everybody that starting February 1st, Covid-19 tests wouldn’t be made on board but at the terminal after debarking. Also, the price would change from “free” to “starting at $210” for a PCR test!... Here are my two biggest concerns about this:
I now have to worry that on the last day, just a couple of hours before my plane takes off, tests will really be offered by one of their “testing partners” and the results will indeed be sent out quickly enough for me to board the plane. For a family of 4, I now have to budget an additional $840 USD for the exact same cruise. Obviously, I called customer service and after an hour of back and forth, sending the email I received and the proof that at the time of booking, tests were included in the price, a specialist agent confirmed that there was nothing she could do. The main reason: “this is a policy change” and policies are subject to change at anytime. Nothing I could say changed her mind even though she accepted all the evidence I was giving her. I was also told that I would lose my deposit if I wanted to cancel the cruise because I selected non-refundable while booking (apparently, *that* does not count as a “policy” that changes).
Needless to say, I feel I was taken advantage of and Royal will get my money anyway. My next family vacation is going to cost a lot more and I’m supposed to just accept it. Here, I wanted to take the time to warn all of you of this new charge and the way Royal deals with sudden changes of policies affecting existing reservations. Also, if you have idea how to solve this, I’m open to suggestions as our “spend on the boat” budget just disappeared into thin air.
Merry Christmas.

Thank you all very much for these posts and suggestions. The RT-LAMP test seems to be the best option for us, although I'm still bitter about the additional unexpected cost. 

Thank you all very much for these posts and suggestions. The RT-LAMP test seems to be the best option for us, although I'm still bitter about the additional unexpected cost. 

Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, first post. I’ve been traveling with Royal Caribbean for quite some time, always enjoyed their service and their customer support but I just got a very bad Christmas surprise by email today.
Up to now, Royal offered free Covid-19 tests, on board, for those of us who need to prove they are Covid-free when returning home. This was one of the reasons to chose Royal, like I did in last September, as you knew you didn’t have to pay extra for the test and it would be done in advance, on board the ship. Everything worked fine and we were all happy about it.
This morning, Royal sent an email informing everybody that starting February 1st, Covid-19 tests wouldn’t be made on board but at the terminal after debarking. Also, the price would change from “free” to “starting at $210” for a PCR test!... Here are my two biggest concerns about this:
I now have to worry that on the last day, just a couple of hours before my plane takes off, tests will really be offered by one of their “testing partners” and the results will indeed be sent out quickly enough for me to board the plane. For a family of 4, I now have to budget an additional $840 USD for the exact same cruise. Obviously, I called customer service and after an hour of back and forth, sending the email I received and the proof that at the time of booking, tests were included in the price, a specialist agent confirmed that there was nothing she could do. The main reason: “this is a policy change” and policies are subject to change at anytime. Nothing I could say changed her mind even though she accepted all the evidence I was giving her. I was also told that I would lose my deposit if I wanted to cancel the cruise because I selected non-refundable while booking (apparently, *that* does not count as a “policy” that changes).
Needless to say, I feel I was taken advantage of and Royal will get my money anyway. My next family vacation is going to cost a lot more and I’m supposed to just accept it. Here, I wanted to take the time to warn all of you of this new charge and the way Royal deals with sudden changes of policies affecting existing reservations. Also, if you have idea how to solve this, I’m open to suggestions as our “spend on the boat” budget just disappeared into thin air.
Merry Christmas.

Sad that RCI is not honoring their original agreement.
My suggestion, get an attorney to write RCI a letter requesting to be fairly compensated.
I doubt the attorney fees would cost anywhere near the $840 cost for testing.

I agree! As a Canadian this affects me but I have already taken advantage of the testing provided. I also understand why Royal made this change from a business perspective. However, I believe this is the exact reason for their cruise with confidence policy which should allow you to cancel up to 48 hours prior. 
I understand your frustration. The policy introduced back on Dec.20 affected my January 8th sailing and I considered cancelling due to the additional cost. I had decided to go anyways and eat the extra cost (the fact that it is freezing and snowing in my hometown factored into this) but it is just my wife and I. If travelling with 4 the cost is doubled and I might have cancelled for sure.
If it’s any help I did do some calling around and the best deal I found was through Nomi health at Miami airport where a rapid PCR test (results within 45 minutes) was $179USD per person
 

BTW: When I was doing my reservations I specifically asked if complimentary Covid testing is provided onboard and the answer was yes. So it is not policy change but simply removal of the service. If they don’t want to refund your deposit you should at least try to get onboard credits. I will be calling them for sure. 

Yes, first reported here on December 20.  Sorry that it's affecting you.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/12/20/royal-caribbean-will-stop-offering-onboard-covid-19-tests-international-passengers

I get that Royal wants to offload cost and burden of those tests. This is understandable, but they should meet clients halfway. Charging over $ 210 per PCR test simply disguised me. 
Worksitelabs near airports are doing those test for $90 and still making money. 
Royal could find/negotiate less expensive solutions for their clients who travel from far to cruise with them. Adding over 840 USD for family of 4 on top of expensive flights is discouraging. 

Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, first post. I’ve been traveling with Royal Caribbean for quite some time, always enjoyed their service and their customer support but I just got a very bad Christmas surprise by email today.
Up to now, Royal offered free Covid-19 tests, on board, for those of us who need to prove they are Covid-free when returning home. This was one of the reasons to chose Royal, like I did in last September, as you knew you didn’t have to pay extra for the test and it would be done in advance, on board the ship. Everything worked fine and we were all happy about it.
This morning, Royal sent an email informing everybody that starting February 1st, Covid-19 tests wouldn’t be made on board but at the terminal after debarking. Also, the price would change from “free” to “starting at $210” for a PCR test!... Here are my two biggest concerns about this:
I now have to worry that on the last day, just a couple of hours before my plane takes off, tests will really be offered by one of their “testing partners” and the results will indeed be sent out quickly enough for me to board the plane. For a family of 4, I now have to budget an additional $840 USD for the exact same cruise. Obviously, I called customer service and after an hour of back and forth, sending the email I received and the proof that at the time of booking, tests were included in the price, a specialist agent confirmed that there was nothing she could do. The main reason: “this is a policy change” and policies are subject to change at anytime. Nothing I could say changed her mind even though she accepted all the evidence I was giving her. I was also told that I would lose my deposit if I wanted to cancel the cruise because I selected non-refundable while booking (apparently, *that* does not count as a “policy” that changes).
Needless to say, I feel I was taken advantage of and Royal will get my money anyway. My next family vacation is going to cost a lot more and I’m supposed to just accept it. Here, I wanted to take the time to warn all of you of this new charge and the way Royal deals with sudden changes of policies affecting existing reservations. Also, if you have idea how to solve this, I’m open to suggestions as our “spend on the boat” budget just disappeared into thin air.
Merry Christmas.

Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, first post. I’ve been traveling with Royal Caribbean for quite some time, always enjoyed their service and their customer support but I just got a very bad Christmas surprise by email today.
Up to now, Royal offered free Covid-19 tests, on board, for those of us who need to prove they are Covid-free when returning home. This was one of the reasons to chose Royal, like I did in last September, as you knew you didn’t have to pay extra for the test and it would be done in advance, on board the ship. Everything worked fine and we were all happy about it.
This morning, Royal sent an email informing everybody that starting February 1st, Covid-19 tests wouldn’t be made on board but at the terminal after debarking. Also, the price would change from “free” to “starting at $210” for a PCR test!... Here are my two biggest concerns about this:
I now have to worry that on the last day, just a couple of hours before my plane takes off, tests will really be offered by one of their “testing partners” and the results will indeed be sent out quickly enough for me to board the plane. For a family of 4, I now have to budget an additional $840 USD for the exact same cruise. Obviously, I called customer service and after an hour of back and forth, sending the email I received and the proof that at the time of booking, tests were included in the price, a specialist agent confirmed that there was nothing she could do. The main reason: “this is a policy change” and policies are subject to change at anytime. Nothing I could say changed her mind even though she accepted all the evidence I was giving her. I was also told that I would lose my deposit if I wanted to cancel the cruise because I selected non-refundable while booking (apparently, *that* does not count as a “policy” that changes).
Needless to say, I feel I was taken advantage of and Royal will get my money anyway. My next family vacation is going to cost a lot more and I’m supposed to just accept it. Here, I wanted to take the time to warn all of you of this new charge and the way Royal deals with sudden changes of policies affecting existing reservations. Also, if you have idea how to solve this, I’m open to suggestions as our “spend on the boat” budget just disappeared into thin air.
Merry Christmas.