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COVID Testing - Barbados or Miami Pre Cruise


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Hello Community, we are wondering if anyone knows how easy it is to get a COVID test results in Barbados? 

I need to book flights as here in Australia the Government is finally talking about International travel by December. We have booked the Grandeur out of Barbados Sunday 9th January, so American Airlines needing negative within three days of flying, so thinking flying out on Mon 3rd, which is via LA & Miami, getting into Bridgetown on Tue 4th. That is one hell of a long day but gets us in country.

Then we will need a COVID test prior to boarding and our concern if Barbados doesn't have the infrastructure to give results within a couple days. The other thought is to just stop at Miami and find a testing place and fly out of Miami on Sat morning so a day before. I would assume testing in Miami is not an issue. 

I know the protocols will change several times between now and January but I need to lock down the flights and I would hate being in Barbados only to find out I can not get tested and miss a bucket list cruise.

Appreciate any insights and BTW, we are fully maxed

 

 

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23 hours ago, CruisingOz said:

Appreciate any insights and BTW, we are fully maxed


Hello Aussie friends,

I am booked on Grandeur, sailing on December 5th.  I think you are reading the Barbados entry requirements the same as I am.  Not only do you need the negative PCR test to get into the country, you have to get a second COVID PCR test upon arrival at the Grantley Adams Int'l Airport (BGI).  THEN you have to quarantine at a government-sanctioned hotel until you get the results of the airport test (they recommend 1-2 days for this).  Yes, this is for vaccinated travelers!  So, it sounds like getting the the 2nd test on arrival isn't the problem, because you can't leave the BGI airport without doing it.  Its waiting for the results, as you alluded to. 

I can not find anything that waives this airport PCR test & quarantine period for cruise passengers who are sailing on an itinerary that departs from Barbados.  There are protocols for "in-transit" passengers, but typically that's only applicable for for passengers not leaving the airport & flying directly onwards to somewhere else.

It seems epicly stupid for departing cruise guests to have to arrive on the island 2 days early, JUST to quarantine at a hotel, to then get on a boat and leave the country anyways.  And what if you don't GET the results of that PCR test before the ship sails?  I emailed Royal last week about this, basically asking them if they have any further details or have been in contact with the Barbados authorities. I have not received a response yet.  I emailed Barbados today ([email protected]) so I will see which one of them responds first.

I booked this sailing as a solo cruiser with an incredible price ... so I'll net 28 cruise nights for this.  Plus I've never sailed on Grandeur before, and the ports of call are just awesome!  However the airfare has made this not-such-a-great-deal overall, and if I can't get around the mandatory quarantine period, I may turn this one back and book something else.  They have 3 months to figure it out, but the Barbados requirements already seem onerous ?

 

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I will be in a similar situation if this cruise even goes forward.  We disembark Symphony on 2-19 and have air rezzies for the AM of 2-20.  All of these requirements are show stoppers not to mention that we are unvaxxed.  I have very little confidence that we will be sailing on this cruise which is a big disappointment. Not only did we get an awesome cruise fare but I concur that the itin is so wonderful and it will be a shame to miss out.  I’m not doing anything for the time being. Things will change a dozen times between now and then.

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4 hours ago, PurdueFlyer said:

THEN you have to quarantine at a government-sanctioned hotel until you get the results of the airport test (they recommend 1-2 days for this).  Yes, this is for vaccinated travelers!  So, it sounds like getting the the 2nd test on arrival isn't the problem, because you can't leave the BGI airport without doing it.  Its waiting for the results, as you alluded to. 

Do you know if you must return to the test site to physically pick up your results or will they electronically provide?  I read some European & African airports required return to the airport to physically provide results for PCR.   (Fast antigen were provided quickly before leaving the airport)

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So, it appears I need to re-tract my original post.  There IS a separate .pdf for entry requirements pertaining to cruisers.  This contains some facts pertinent for those embarking on a sailing in Bridgetown and also for those on sailings making ports-of-call there. You can view it here:  https://issuu.com/visitbarbados/docs/bpi_covid-19_port_protocols

Here are the main bullet points as I see them:

  • This governs the protocols for cruises that have been dedicated to fully-vaccinated travelers & crew.  There aren't any details as to whether or not an unvaccinated traveler is welcome to embark on a cruise from Barbados, or stop there as a port-of-call.  My guess, from the tone / absence of these details is that unvaccinated cruisers better start making other plans. 
  • Looks like passengers arriving on the same day on scheduled flights and directly embarking on a cruise will be transferred directly to the port by pre-arranged transportation.  Those arriving on a charter flight will be deplaned in a staggered manner and have some kind of "sterile corridor" to the port
  • Passengers arriving a few days early and doing a pre-cruise stay in Barbados would need to abide by the regular entry requirements into Barbados (I assume that to mean the PCR test on arrival at the BGI airport, plus mandatory quarantine at government-approved lodging until you get your test result back). 
  • At the conclusion of the sailing, vaccinated guests may transfer directly to the airport for flights home AFTER presenting results of a valid PCR test (rapid or standard) -OR- rapid Antigen test taken ON BOARD within 3 days prior to arrival.  If you are doing a post-cruise stay in Barbados, you still need the test taken ON BOARD within 3 days of arrival but this one must be the PCR test (no antigen). 

My own musings:
 

  1. If these are going to be totally vaccinated sailings, how long until Royal communicates this?  They got on top of the recent Bahamas changes in a hurry, but were already sailing there, so they kind of had to be quick on it.
  2. Who wants to get to an island paradise a few days in advance JUST so you can quarantine?  And what happens when you don't get the results of your airport entry test back intime for embarkation?  Might as well book air2sea plane tickets the same day you embark, and get right on the boat.
  3. What happens if you test positive onboard on the way back?  They have to let you off the ship but are you escorted to another government hotel and told to quarantine?  how long before you can test again, or see a doctor for a check-up? 
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  • 4 weeks later...

It does not appear to me that anything has changed since the last post to this thread on September 6th.  We are scheduled to arrive in Barbados on Dec 3 but will likely change to the 5th or cancel all together if the quarantine rule is still in effect.  Does anyone have any additional insight?

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2 hours ago, BrandonOwen said:

arrive in Barbados on Dec 3

Hello Brandon, I reached out to the Australian Consulote and they replied back with the following, and no mention of quarantine. The below advice was early September. If you know more I would lobe to know as we are flying into Bridgetown on the 4th Jan  

Barbados has a number of travel and health protocols which have been put in place to make your visit safe . Please be aware that these are fluid and change from time to time. Entry into the island now requires you to show documentation of a negative PCR test result. This test is to be taken within 72-hour period prior to travel to Barbados. 

You are required to complete the online Embarkation/ Disembarkation card (ED card) which has personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms. This form is to be completed 24 hours prior to arrival and submitted with all supporting documents - this is uploaded onto the BG website.. Having completed this, a bar code certificate will be sent to you via email and must be presented in order to clear immigration. Form available here

On arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) you will notice the Barbados COVID-19 travel protocols which are in place and must be adhered to. Hand sanitisation stations and increased signage have also been erected to help you navigate the newly implemented arrival process. There are also a number of markers on the floors and seats which will help you maintain physical distancing which is required at all times. 

You will be issued with a visa to stay up to 28 days in Barbados on arrival

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  • 1 month later...
On 10/4/2021 at 6:57 PM, CruisingOz said:

Hello Brandon, I reached out to the Australian Consulote and they replied back with the following, and no mention of quarantine. The below advice was early September. If you know more I would lobe to know as we are flying into Bridgetown on the 4th Jan  

Barbados has a number of travel and health protocols which have been put in place to make your visit safe . Please be aware that these are fluid and change from time to time. Entry into the island now requires you to show documentation of a negative PCR test result. This test is to be taken within 72-hour period prior to travel to Barbados. 

You are required to complete the online Embarkation/ Disembarkation card (ED card) which has personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms. This form is to be completed 24 hours prior to arrival and submitted with all supporting documents - this is uploaded onto the BG website.. Having completed this, a bar code certificate will be sent to you via email and must be presented in order to clear immigration. Form available here

On arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) you will notice the Barbados COVID-19 travel protocols which are in place and must be adhered to. Hand sanitisation stations and increased signage have also been erected to help you navigate the newly implemented arrival process. There are also a number of markers on the floors and seats which will help you maintain physical distancing which is required at all times. 

You will be issued with a visa to stay up to 28 days in Barbados on arrival

We actually ended up cancelling the cruise from Barbados so I have not been following their protocols.  

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The timescales involved for testing were/are shocking!

I flew from UK to Gibraltar last week, landed went and got our luggage then went to testing point at airport, got test done, jumped in a taxi to hotel ( 5 minutes ) checked into hotel went to room and my phone pinged with test results. Result...all clear so it was out to play lol 

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