twangster Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 In a FB live video brand ambassador John Heald announced a few items of interest as it relates to protocols. Existing protocols will remain through the end of 2021. As of September 13 all guest will require a negative test result taken no more than 2 days or 48 hours from embarkation. Carnival is working to establish rapid testing capabilities at all ports. Carnival is abiding by all CDC recommendations despite an injunction by a federal judge lifting the CDC's CSO for Florida based cruises. Recently the CDC updated it's recommendations to include a 48 hour test window prior to embarkation and Carnival is implementing this change as of September 13. To ease the burden the 2 day testing window will place on cruisers Carnival is working with a testing vendor to add rapid testing capabilities at all ports it is sailing from. It's not known when the new testing will become available. John Heald indicated this isn't designed to be the primary testing mechanism and urged guest to continue seeking tests in advance of boarding day. The onsite testing is intended to be a backup in case guests can not find a test within the 2 day testing window. He did not address the cost for onsite testing but emphasized guests should seek tests before arriving on site. Since Carnival did not perform CDC simulation cruises it must maintain at least 95% vaccinated on board per CDC recommendations. For anyone unvaccinated including children of all ages they must apply for an exemption to be considered for the 5% unvaccinated that can be accommodated on board any given sailing. John Heald indicated these protocols will remain in effect for the rest for 2021. jticarruthers, Ampurp85, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 While unfortunate, I have always believed that the protocols would stay the same or get a bit worse until the beginning of 2022. I just read that they are trying to do away with free covid testing. At least CCL will try to offer testing at the piers. It looks as though the CDC want the cruise industry to fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Carnival's policy: https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_072821 Effective with sailings as of September 13, 2021, the CDC requires pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests to be taken within two days prior to the sailing date. If the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken on Thursday and Friday, and as late as Saturday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in. Mobile Testing We realize some of our guests are having a challenge getting a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially with the new two-day window established by the CDC that goes into effect on September 13, 2021. We are working to set up mobile testing sites at all our embarkation homeports to conduct a rapid test the day before or day of your departure. We are still working out the details and ask that you check back on this page. Carnival will be subsidizing the infrastructure of the mobile testing sites, but the company providing the testing will charge a per-person fee (to be established). Providers will not accept insurance, but you will be provided a receipt should you wish to submit the cost to your insurance carrier. You should consider this as a back-up alternative should you not be able to make arrangements. The mobile labs will either be in or adjacent to our terminals, or within walking distance. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted September 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 MSC Cruises has also implemented 2 day test requirement as of Nov. 1, 2021. https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises Nov. 1 Miami and Port Canaveral sailings: NEGATIVE TEST REQUIRED*: All guests 2 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test at the pier. The test must be taken no more than 2 days before arriving at the terminal for embarkation and the guest is responsible for the test and cost. Fully vaccinated guests must provide either a negative RT-PCR test, negative NAAT or negative antigen test. See below for more details about tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Falling in line, like good little soldiers. I expect RCI to line up shortly. jticarruthers and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Man why can't one of these cruise lines just say "CDC, look at our data. We're doing just fine. There's no need to make things even more difficult for passengers with no improvement in safety" If the CDC really cared, they'd offer to pay for all testing done day of the cruise WAAAYTOOO, jticarruthers and SebagoSue 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted September 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: Man why can't one of these cruise lines just say "CDC, look at our data. We're doing just fine. There's no need to make things even more difficult for passengers with no improvement in safety" If the CDC really cared, they'd offer to pay for all testing done day of the cruise The CDC doesn't listen to cruise lines. I think that's been well established. The federal government does pay for testing. The problem is availability. The CDC is doing the change to 2 day to make it less convenient to cruise. They are not doing this based on science or data. The last thing the CDC is going to do is pay for it or make it convenient. SebagoSue, WAAAYTOOO, JR&EM and 4 others 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rene Desmarais Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 2 days!! damn. I priced out covid test for same day results, looking at an additional cost of 1,750.00(Family of 4). I'm sure I can probably find something cheaper. i still have to pay for flights.. hope things gets more relaxed as we get closer to Jan 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 2 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Man why can't one of these cruise lines just say "CDC, look at our data. We're doing just fine. There's no need to make things even more difficult for passengers with no improvement in safety" If the CDC really cared, they'd offer to pay for all testing done day of the cruise You answered your own concern in the last line of your post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJsMrs Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 So we are all fully vaccinated (except for my 11 year old)... fly out of Canada on the Dec 10 for a cruise on the 12th. Have to have antigen tests done to enter the US... with the three day window we could have used that same test to board... now we have to find somewhere to get tested when we land in Florida. So instead of basically staying in our hotel room and self-isolating and ordering in takeout we now have to go out in public to a testing site, thus increasing our exposure risk, to obtain another test in a state where masking doesn't seem to be a commonly accepted measure of caution. It's a smidge bonkers. The change was posted minutes after we made our final payment. Awesome. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 39 minutes ago, TXcruzer said: You answered your own concern in the last line of your post. A highly rhetorical question, for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 This is where the self-administered, proctor-supervised, at-home tests will come in handy. We'll be traveling 2 days prior to our next cruise, so having the self-administered tests that we can do in the hotel will be a relief. IRMO12HD, WAAAYTOOO and columbus_cruiser 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 7 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: This is where the self-administered, proctor-supervised, at-home tests will come in handy. We'll be traveling 2 days prior to our next cruise, so having the self-administered tests that we can do in the hotel will be a relief. But the availability of the proctor can be a problem. There's also the internet signal at your location. In some hotels, the wifi service cannot support streaming. cruisellama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 5 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: But the availability of the proctor can be a problem. There's also the internet signal at your location. In some hotels, the wifi service cannot support streaming. But you can use your data plan SpeedNoodles and barbeyg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 15 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: But you can use your data plan Yeah, I'd never use a hotel wi-fi for anything personal anyway. columbus_cruiser and barbeyg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 21 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: But the availability of the proctor can be a problem. I guess, although I've never had any trouble getting one. The longest I've had to wait is 15 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlena Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Rene Desmarais said: 2 days!! damn. I priced out covid test for same day results, looking at an additional cost of 1,750.00(Family of 4). I'm sure I can probably find something cheaper. i still have to pay for flights.. hope things gets more relaxed as we get closer to Jan 2022 Do they offer antigen tests near you? We have results in 15 min for 75$. 300 for 4 people seems like a much better pill to swallow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 25 minutes ago, Marlena said: Do they offer antigen tests near you? We have results in 15 min for 75$. 300 for 4 people seems like a much better pill to swallow! Should be providing OBC to cover the out-of-pocket test cost. Doubtful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 8 minutes ago, cruisellama said: Should be providing OBC to cover the out-of-pocket test cost. Doubtful... Well they claimed they'd give OBC when the Adventure cruises first were announced, but that never happened WAAAYTOOO, Pattycruise and cruisellama 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I recently tried the at home proctor test and decided to use for the rest of my cruises. They do proctoring 24/7 and I waited 11 min to connect to someone. 15min after I did the test I had email of results. We will order 2 sets of test, so $350 for piece of mind is a small price to pay. Yes it will be free to get a test at CVS or Walgreens, but if you can get an appointment. They have been cancelling peoples appointments and running out of appointments. We will be at the theme parks before the cruise, in Orlando, so I doubt we will find convenient locations or times. Factor in people needing to get test 2 days before sailing and I don't want the stress. Pattycruise, cruisellama, CrznTxn and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 5 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I recently tried the at home proctor test and decided to use for the rest of my cruises. They do proctoring 24/7 and I waited 11 min to connect to someone. 15min after I did the test I had email of results. We will order 2 sets of test, so $350 for piece of mind is a small price to pay. Yes it will be free to get a test at CVS or Walgreens, but if you can get an appointment. They have been cancelling peoples appointments and running out of appointments. We will be at the theme parks before the cruise, in Orlando, so I doubt we will find convenient locations or times. Factor in people needing to get test 2 days before sailing and I don't want the stress. Interesting $350 - I think you can find some cruises with a pp price point of about $350. 4ensic and teddy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 @cruisellama The 6pc box of test are about $164 with shipping and 5 people will be going on the Oct 31st sailing. They recommend 2 test per person. That's only like $60pp. I won't be able to sail on a $350pp cruise without a negative test. If I can't get a free test then I am looking at $65+ pp in hopes that I can get it in time. I would rather forego the stress of hoping to find a testing center and just get 2 packs of test. Pattycruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted September 3, 2021 Report Share Posted September 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said: @cruisellama The 6pc box of test are about $164 with shipping and 5 people will be going on the Oct 31st sailing. They recommend 2 test per person. That's only like $60pp. I won't be able to sail on a $350pp cruise without a negative test. If I can't get a free test then I am looking at $65+ pp in hopes that I can get it in time. I would rather forego the stress of hoping to find a testing center and just get 2 packs of test. Not at all arguing - no issue saving the stress. Excuse the attempt at some humor . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Travel Posted September 3, 2021 Report Share Posted September 3, 2021 8 hours ago, barbeyg said: Falling in line, like good little soldiers. I expect RCI to line up shortly. Princess has joined the group too, beginning Sept 19: UPDATED: Will I need to have a pre-travel viral COVID-19 test performed prior to boarding the ship? Yes, on voyages sailing through September 12, 2021, ALL guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 3 days of their embarkation. On voyages sailing September 19, 2021 and after, in accordance with CDC directives, ALL guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation. If sailing on Sunday, the test may be taken on Friday and Saturday, and as late as Sunday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in. Guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board. Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airline requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing. In addition to mandatory pre-travel COVID tests for vaccinated guests, guests who have traveled internationally in the 14 days prior to embarkation, will require an antigen test at embarkation. For US sailings, this excludes travel to Canada. We expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard. barbeyg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 3, 2021 Report Share Posted September 3, 2021 34 minutes ago, Luv2Travel said: We expect these requirements will be temporary Until the CDC extends the CSO at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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