So with new test requirement, what will you do (if anything) to increase chances of testing negative?

[Jill]

For us, we’re going to lay low starting 2 weeks before our cruise in October. No going out unnecessarily. We’re lucky that we are home based, so no offices we have to go to. 
 

We were going to drive to Miami with our friends, but now (if cases remain high) considering taking separate cars. Especially since one of the friends will have just flown home from NYC a few days before we leave. 
 

I’m not risking it! Lol We’ve waited so long to finally get back onboard that to test positive would be just awful. 

[BrianB]

Good thinking! I’m also thinking of staying in a semi-quarantine for the two weeks prior. Going to limit my contact and really try social distancing…which shouldn’t be too hard for me as I was pretty much always social distancing before it became a thing! I agree that it’s been sooooo long that I definitely don’t want to do something that interferes with me enjoying a wonderful sail away and a fantastic cruise again!

[smokeybandit]

Douse your nostrils with rubbing alcohol before the test?

[teddy]

Since I’m working up until we drive to the airport, I guess I’m rolling the dice. 
 

I work for a big regional supermarket chain, so I’m hoping for big bucks and no whammies. 

[ChessE4]

My wife and I continue to wear masks while shopping, picking up pizza, etc.  That in addition to what has been said about social distancing, etc.

[Reigert2008]

17 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

My wife and I continue to wear masks while shopping, picking up pizza, etc.  That in addition to what has been said about social distancing, etc.

Exactly, none of this changes anything for us.  We’ve continued to mask up, socially distance, and practice our good hygiene.  We’ve been fully vaccinated since February since both of us are in the health care fields. 
 

we have started to travel some, but still take all the precautions we can.  We’ve always carried hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes when we travel, so we were wiping down plane seats before it was cool

 

stay safe.

[barbeyg]

Because of Delta, we have started ordering grocery pick up for now, we aren’t eating inside restaurants (pickup or outdoor seating only), no unnecessary appointments, etc. Sorta like last year, just without masks.  We would wear them if we felt uncomfortable going into a situation.  
 

We aren’t doing this to be able to cruise, but to try to avoid Delta. My family at home has been seriously affected by Delta.  Went thru my sister’s family like a brush fire.  Very contagious, and the original case was a vaccinated sibling. All the rest are unvaccinated 20-50 year olds. Don’t know about their children, none are symptomatic for now. All quarantining.

We will do the same things for a couple weeks before our cruise, if we don’t cancel.  

[Bob_KY]

Am I the only one that feels challenged/stressed by the timing of taking the covid test, getting results, departing early (minimum day before), and boarding?  Throw in the mad work schedule to cover projects and requirements because of taking vacation.  Sigh..

[JimnKathy]

24 minutes ago, Bob_KY said:

Am I the only one that feels challenged/stressed by the timing of taking the covid test, getting results, departing early (minimum day before), and boarding?  Throw in the mad work schedule to cover projects and requirements because of taking vacation.  Sigh..

I think we all share the same feeling...just have to remind ourselves how awesome it'll be when we do the embarkation walk onto the ship. 

[MicDay]

26 minutes ago, Bob_KY said:

Am I the only one that feels challenged/stressed by the timing of taking the covid test, getting results, departing early (minimum day before), and boarding?  Throw in the mad work schedule to cover projects and requirements because of taking vacation.  Sigh..

@Bob_KY I right there with you!  Since I wanted to see some of Seattle before we cruise we are there two days earlier with plans to explore.  We won’t talk about preparing to leave work for 13 days.  
I'm trying not to stress about it but holy cow.  I understand why RC is doing this but it doesn’t take the stress of it away.

[dandi799]

We are cruising out of Miami 2 weeks from today. We are masking up and not hanging out with other indoors as much as possible. I do have two days at an in-person conference this week, which makes me very nervous, if I'm being honest. We are flying to Miami the day before the cruise, and I have N95 masks and face shields for all of us. I'm completely over caring if I look silly at this point. We have been planning this cruise since 2019, and I just want it to happen!

[MicDay]

I really think we are at a point that everyone just does:

you do you and I’ll do me 

what makes me feel comfortable and safe might not be the same for you and that’s ok

no judgement here

[steverk]

I take airborne supplement every day  and hope for the best 

[cdixon22]

33 minutes ago, steverk said:

I take airborne supplement every day  and hope for the best 

I swear by airborne gummies. 

[wordell1]

Generally, you should avoid small indoor spaces if you are with anyone who you do not know, or trust to do the same.  The Delta variant is 50% more contageous than the original covid.  The vaccines do provide some protection from getting the disease so I don't think you need to hide in your house for 2 weeks prior to a cruise, but I do think it is wise to take precautions to avoid a negative test. 

I had to take the test immediately before boarding AOS, and I can assure you that it was a nervous 40 minute wait for my results.

[JeffB]

Agree with the comments above. Here's my 2 cents posted at another thread where this thread's question was brought up:

 

[AlmondFarmer]

My families cruise isn’t until after thanksgiving. As a young and healthy family we are considering finding someone who has Delta variant and hanging out with them in an effort to get it, then hang low to keep from giving it to others. In doing this we will have less worry about accidentally getting it before pre cruise test and being denied boarding. 

[barbeyg]

1 hour ago, Bob_KY said:

Am I the only one that feels challenged/stressed by the timing of taking the covid test, getting results, departing early (minimum day before), and boarding?  Throw in the mad work schedule to cover projects and requirements because of taking vacation.  Sigh..

You are not alone. We may cancel our next before final payment for these reasons. Going on vacation shouldn’t cause worry or stress. Some of us live in places where testing is expensive due to insurance not covering for travel, and results can be delayed. Not worth the cost or fretting over it…even for a cruise.  

We have a month to think about it ourselves. I suggest not rushing to a decision, but make the best one for you.

Hope we all can cruise again soon.

[cruisellama]

[JimnKathy]

Here're a few thoughts regarding this new test mandate 3 days prior to embarkation:

1. Vaccinated folks like the missus and me still have to sweat out test results that could screw up our entire vacation plans at the midnight hour...false positives are a thing.

2. The data seems to show that 99% of new cases are occurring in the group that choose to not get vaccinated.

3. Vaccinated folks who do test positive rarely risk hospitalization and/or death...the therapeutics administered to the already-vaxed seem to reduce fatality risk to almost zero.

4. RCG is in a tough spot. They're playing a balancing act between satisfying the CDC rules, assuaging national political shenanigans, managing guest perceptions and overcoming the financial risks of getting back to creating amazing vacation experiences while avoiding the gargantuan risk of cruising lockdowns.

Happy sailing to all! 

[Jill]

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Douse your nostrils with rubbing alcohol before the test?

Ok you try it first and let me know

[Jill]

1 hour ago, AlmondFarmer said:

My families cruise isn’t until after thanksgiving. As a young and healthy family we are considering finding someone who has Delta variant and hanging out with them in an effort to get it, then hang low to keep from giving it to others. In doing this we will have less worry about accidentally getting it before pre cruise test and being denied boarding. 

However, there are some that continue to test positive for a few months even though they’ve recovered. 

[sk8erguy1978]

Nothing.

Hopefully this doesn't come across wrong but if I change my behavior for a vacation then I'm questioning how serious I'm taking this virus.

If I test positive, even a false positive, then so be it. IN FACT, if a true positive (I'm vaccinated) I need to question how serious I'm taking this virus.

Edit: although, I did get COVID in January from my wife. She was exposed volunteering as an EMT. 

Edited July 31, 2021 by sk8erguy1978
Edit line.

[wordell1]

48 minutes ago, JimnKathy said:

 

4. RCG is in a tough spot. They're playing a balancing act between satisfying the CDC rules, assuaging national political shenanigans, managing guest perceptions and overcoming the financial risks of getting back to creating amazing vacation experiences while avoiding the gargantuan risk of cruising lockdowns.

RCL stock dropped 4% yesterday just because of the news reports of 6 people getting covid on AOS.  They need to ensure that they do not have a widespread outbreak on one of their ships or it will prove the CDC correct.  

[wordell1]

10 minutes ago, sk8erguy1978 said:

Nothing.

Hopefully this doesn't come across wrong but if I change my behavior for a vacation then I'm questioning how serious I'm taking this virus.

If I test positive, even a false positive, then so be it. IN FACT, if a true positive (I'm vaccinated) I need to question how serious I'm taking this virus.

Edit: although, I did get COVID in January from my wife. She was exposed volunteering as an EMT. 

I am vaccinated along with my entire family.  I am not worried that I would be seriously sick if I got it so I generally behave as I did pre covid.  

I would (and have) changed my behavior pre vacation so that I don't travel to my cruise and get turned away from a vacation that I have been anxiously awaiting.