danv3

No, that ended as well.  They went from most restrictive testing regime to least restrictive overnight.  

But will Viking continue testing passengers everyday onboard? That’d be a deal breaker for me 

I saw that Viking dropped all pre-cruise testing yesterday (except where required like US and Canada). If they can do it, RCI and other lines can too (at least overseas).  
 
As others have said, pre-cruise testing really sucks a lot of the joy out of the pre-cruise period since you have no idea if you’re going on the trip until two days before. 

I saw that Viking dropped all pre-cruise testing yesterday (except where required like US and Canada). If they can do it, RCI and other lines can too (at least overseas).  
 
As others have said, pre-cruise testing really sucks a lot of the joy out of the pre-cruise period since you have no idea if you’re going on the trip until two days before. 

I saw that Viking dropped all pre-cruise testing yesterday (except where required like US and Canada). If they can do it, RCI and other lines can too (at least overseas).  
 
As others have said, pre-cruise testing really sucks a lot of the joy out of the pre-cruise period since you have no idea if you’re going on the trip until two days before. 

The Trade association CLIA that represents the interests Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian and other cruise lines is now asking the CDC to drop its recommendation that recommends all cruise passengers present a negative COVID test prior to boarding. Although CDC only recommends passengers be tested it appears as though (at least here in the US) cruise lines will not take the next step and remove the testing requirement on their own unless the CDC first ends their recommendation that the test be required.  This probably has more to do  with legal ramification no cruise line wants to be sued by someone claiming they got COVID onboard a cruise. The CDC's recommendation is a problem for cruise lines as long as it exists.  Should the recommendation go away that then may provide legal cover for cruise lines against someone looking to file a frivolous lawsuit.  
According to the article (link provided below) the CLIA is only asking for the CDC to remove its testing recommendation there are no signs yet that the industry is looking to move away from the vaccine requirement. 
The CDC finally caved into the pressure from the nations airlines, lets see if they extend that same courtesy to the cruise line industry.
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/cruise-lines-call-for-cdc-to-change-covid-testing-policy

You just described me.
We had to do at-the-port testing last September in Barcelona, as it was mandatory for ALL passengers at that time. And those 15 minutes waiting for the test result, with the ship right there were miserable.
For our recent cruise on Odyssey, which sailed from Rome, we had to test one day ahead of sailing. The 15 minutes in the pharmacy waiting for the test result were equally stressful.
For our upcoming cruise on Anthem from Southampton the current testing requirement is two days ahead of sailing. That cruise is at the end of September. I am so hoping the testing will go away before then but at least for that sailing the test window means we can test before travelling to our departure city and that does actually make a teeny tiny difference because the big black cloud of potentially having to quarantine away from home has been removed.
In ALL cases, the pre-cruise excitement and anticipation has been essentially wiped out by the testing requirement. If it goes away before our Anthem cruise I will be dancing in delight.
I am still going to keep booking future cruises though because surely it has to go away sometime and I enjoy cruising too much to not book.

I saw that Viking dropped all pre-cruise testing yesterday (except where required like US and Canada). If they can do it, RCI and other lines can too (at least overseas).  
 
As others have said, pre-cruise testing really sucks a lot of the joy out of the pre-cruise period since you have no idea if you’re going on the trip until two days before. 

I hope its removed soon...its prevented me from booking multiple cruises so far, as I cant financially afford the risk of getting to the port and failing a covid test.
 
 

While I see the logic behind your post, I would not be in favor of this myself.  The 2-day-prior testing on your own is stressful enough...I can't imagine having to wait until getting to the port to see if you are actually going to get on the ship.
Personally, I would be glad to see the pre-cruise testing go away.  Normally at this time (< 2-weeks out) I am in full on ready-to-go mode, with passports dug out, boarding passes ready, activities planned and all necessary things taken care of around my house.  Now, none of that is done because I'm not sure I am going on vacation.  If I would have realized the level of stress I would be, and will be, feeling until next Saturday I would not have booked at this time.  And won't book again unless and until the pre-testing is eliminated. If pre-testing is eliminated  and cases rise dramatically on cruise ships, I'll make the call then as to whether I want to go.
IF my family and myself test negative next Saturday morning, I am going to have a VERY busy Saturday and Sunday around here.

Nonsense! Cases of Covid onboard are increasing; not declining, certainly not eliminated. Loosened protocols are not happening anytime soon.
 
A immediate change I would totally support would be the elimination of testing on your own in lieu of mandatory testing at embarkation as part of the boarding process. Add a fee to everyones cruise fare to cover the cost. As Matt has shown, Covid positive people are finding their way onboard and this needs to stop.
 
 

And wow a little uncanny that I apparently chose an unoriginal username.  wish i had seen that there was already someone with a nearly identical one!

Long overdue. Now if only the CDC would open its eyes regarding testing to cruise.

Starts Sunday
US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country - CNNPolitics

You do not need a Covid test before getting off the ship in Vancouver. Canada no longer requires a negative test for arrival. For some reason the US is hanging on to this requirement so you will need one to get on a flight to the US (it is not required to drive across the border into US 🙄).

I think nearly everyone prepares for a cruise right? Have you ever noticed how many new pairs of shoes shoes you see on fellow passengers on Day 1? In my case going on a cruise also means putting at least $100 into a cash register at Kohls. If Kohls does not have the shoes or dress pants or flip flops or polo I am looking for....I go to a different  store. I think it is entirely fair for Royal to prepare for an upcoming cruise in the same way. If they forecast a reasonable need based on upcoming passenger volume for more labor, potato flour, or Jack Daniels and they can't obtain this items from their normal vendors....then they too need to go to a different store.
We all can accept some shortcomings. You can blame it on COVID, supply chain issues, or unexpected demand. But the OP is bringing up a different situation. The OP (and lots of chatter I hear from other places online) is that for the high price that is being paid for todays cruise fares and onboard spending; there are too many shortcomings. So many shortcomings that they can no longer be overlooked and people are getting upset. 
This needs to stop, pronto.
 
 
 

Yes, please reverse this. By next Sunday is preferred
 
 

I just changed my flight home to be Seattle instead of Vancouver to avoid the stress of post-cruise testing.

I've been holding out on buying our emed tests in hopes that the re-entry test goes away, but we're about 3 weeks away now. At this point I think we'll need the two sets.

Well this takes us from 9 tests to 6. It’s an improvement but the US needs to drop it’s ridiculous testing requirement. We literally will walk off a ship that has been in the US ALL WEEK, go straight to Vancouver airport and we need a freakin test. 
 
Meanwhile you could drive from Seattle across the border, traisp all over Canada for 2 weeks, drive back across the border and no test required. 
 
Proof our government is totally dysfunctional 

One of these days people are going to start to realize that when you are vaccinated and boosted it is from a variant we already know of. When new variants come around it's all bets are off and you are not protected no matter how many shots you've had.
At some point we have got to treat the Coronavirus like just another virus that humans get from time-to-time. The good thing is that with every new variant it is getting weaker and we are buiding better immunity against it. 
One day it will change but not any time soon with our current attitudes treating this as if it is the plague.

This has always been the elephant in the room. Unless you are very sick And need medical assistance, Why would you voluntarily go to the infirmary and ask for a test or even mention your symptoms which invariably would lead to a test? 

This scenario seems to encourage people to not admit to a positive COVID event - especially since the majority of COVID cases are asymptomatic or just an annoyance. Just as I couldn't imagine someone sharing the fact they have a cold or flu. Seems more prudent to wear a mask, stay 6 feet away from people when possible and enjoy the cruise. Of course I would report the positive COVID result immediately and quarantine. Sure I would...

Needs to happen immediately.  What a pointless waste of time and resources at this point.  

From his lips to God's ears.