Beware of "policy changes". Just got ripped off $840

[twangster]

Latest:

 

Today, we are reaching out to advise of an important change to our debark testing for international guests. For sailings departing on or after January 5, 2022, all international guests who require a re-entry test to return home can do so at the terminal via our testing partner. This is a fast and convenient "swab & go" option, with both antigen and PCR available and test results in about 30-45 minutes. 

• • Guests sailing between January 5 - January 31, 2022: While we transition from onboard testing to our new terminal testing partner, we will cover the cost of this test for our international guests on sailings through January 31, 2022. Once guests debark, our testing vendor will be waiting to provide your clients with either a PCR or antigen test based on their home country’s testing requirement. They may also test at other locations outside the terminal, such as at the airport or a local pharmacy, although the arrangement and cost for tests outside the terminal will be the guest’s expense and responsibility. 
  • Guests sailing February 1, 2022 and beyond: Starting on February 1, 2022, guests who require a re-entry test to travel back home will be responsible for the cost of testing. The cost of testing in the terminal varies by port and test requested, starting at $105 for an antigen test and $210 for a PCR test. They may also take advantage of other testing options, like airport testing or testing at a local pharmacy. The arrangement and cost of these tests are the guest’s responsibility and should be paid directly to the test provider.            

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to having you onboard soon!

[Cez]

13 minutes ago, twangster said:

 You HAVE choices including free tests available in the US with 3rd parties or an infinite number of paid tests available for PCR or NAAT on a rapid basis.

You have choices.

With no sarcasm whatsoever. 
Could you please provide some sites that will do free or inexpensive PCR testing for non US residents in Miami or FLL on Saturday or Sunday morning. 

[twangster]

20 minutes ago, Cez said:

With no sarcasm whatsoever. 
Could you please provide some sites that will do free or inexpensive PCR testing for non US residents in Miami or FLL on Saturday or Sunday morning. 

This Saturday or Sunday?  What date?

[Cez]

4 minutes ago, twangster said:

This Saturday or Sunday?  What date?

Any Saturday or Sunday  

For example, I have one cruise ending March 28 (Monday) and the other May 22 (Sunday)

[twangster]

18 hours ago, Cez said:

Any Saturday or Sunday  

For example, I have one cruise ending March 28 (Monday) and the other May 22 (Sunday)

I don't know of any testing sites that book appointments 3 to 5 months in advance, in either country. 

Shoppers in Ontario only let me book PCR test within 48 hours for example.  

[teddy]

Here in Maine, my in-laws were able to get free PCR tests at cvs for their return to Canada after our thanksgiving (they are Canadian citizens)

They said Walgreens would do the tests as well, but the timing didn’t work for them. 
 

There are free tests available to non-US citizens, as well as lower cost tests. The issue is making appointments and timing the tests for flights back to the home country. 

[Sstj]

Does this apply to US residents after Caribbean sailing? My TA said “it is possible.” I really hope not.  

[SpeedNoodles]

30 minutes ago, Sstj said:

Does this apply to US residents after Caribbean sailing? My TA said “it is possible.” I really hope not.  

US residents do not have to test post-sailing.  (That being said, I do once I get home).

[CruiseGus]

4 hours ago, twangster said:

I have no proof but feel strongly this is behind the policy change.

Last week a Canadian on Symphony went for their routine PCR test to fly home.  Stop the truck, positive result, asymptomatic.  From their accounting Royal was great to work with but in the end it likely cost Royal over $20k to manage.  Royal likely spent hours negotiating with the Canadian government over repatriation.  

It simply doesn't make business sense to continue on that basis.  They'll go bankrupt doing that for any sort of number of Canadians.  Omicron is too easily spread despite what appears to be mild outcomes.  For a business they simply can not afford multiple $20k+ expenses every week.  

The above Royal policy was fine when they were trying to restart cruising and positive test were rare in freshly Vaccinated cruisers and crew.  As they have now started filling cabins with more willing to take the risk, it no longer make business sense to incentivize cruisers to come back.

As has been stated it's not the testing cost, it is all of the asystematic caught trying to disembark.  I think Royal still wants to provide that service to the symptomatic during the cruise, but I predict that will end soon also and 3rd party insurance will be offered for fee or made mandatory 

[scott_s]

Why couldn't you bring your own PCR tests (such as, the ones RCCL sells) with you on the cruise and take the proctored test before departing the ship or boarding the flight home?

[Lovetocruise2002]

12 minutes ago, scott_s said:

Why couldn't you bring your own PCR tests (such as, the ones RCCL sells) with you on the cruise and take the proctored test before departing the ship or boarding the flight home?

The ones that Royal sells are not PCR.  Secondly, Canadians cannot get the ones the Royal sells shipped to Canada.  Lastly, CBSA has a strict criteria for what is acceptable as a test for re-entry.  A self-proctored one is not on that list.

[recogneyes]

We are sailing on the January 2nd sailing on Oasis.  I called the Crown and Anchor desk and after 40 minutes of trying to get clarification we were assured that PCR tests would be available on board and complimentary.  The agent I spoke to said it was a bit of a grey area since procedures change on January 5th but since we board on the 2nd we would be tested on the ship and not at the terminal.  A visit to guest services is required to schedule the test. Just wanted to share in case anyone is wondering the same.  

[TXcruzer]

23 hours ago, TXCoastPatriot said:

Of course.  Just read RoyalCaribbeanBlog latest.  I'm sure more than a few irate customers were appealing through attorneys. 

This is a joke, right??

[TXcruzer]

25 minutes ago, scott_s said:

Why couldn't you bring your own PCR tests (such as, the ones RCCL sells) with you on the cruise and take the proctored test before departing the ship or boarding the flight home?

There is no such thing as a self administered PCR test

[twangster]

2 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

The above Royal policy was fine when they were trying to restart cruising and positive test were rare in freshly Vaccinated cruisers and crew.  As they have now started filling cabins with more willing to take the risk, it no longer make business sense to incentivize cruisers to come back.

As has been stated it's not the testing cost, it is all of the asystematic caught trying to disembark.  I think Royal still wants to provide that service to the symptomatic during the cruise, but I predict that will end soon also and 3rd party insurance will be offered for fee or made mandatory 

The policy to provide PCR tests for international guests worked fine until Omicron arrived on the scene.  With Omicron there is more potential for vaccinated to become infected even though the infection appears to be less than flu like impact - if vaccinated.  

The problem is that the rest of society and our governments haven't updated policies for something that impacts vaccinated people with less than flu like symptoms.  For governments it's binary.  You either have Covid or you don't.   Full nuclear if you do, even if you are vaccinated and have less than flu like symptoms.

At some level you can understand that approach because a vaccinated person with super mild symptoms could infect the unvaccinated and then the symptoms for the unvax may not be very mild.  

Like in all other aspects of our lives, the unvax are impacting life for the vaccinated.  The approach and reaction to Omicron is living proof. 

[AshleyDillo]

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The ones that Royal sells are not PCR.  Secondly, Canadians cannot get the ones the Royal sells shipped to Canada.  Lastly, CBSA has a strict criteria for what is acceptable as a test for re-entry.  A self-proctored one is not on that list.

Do they allow the proctored RT-LAMP tests? There's a telehealth version of that which may be an option.

[SpeedNoodles]

23 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Do they allow the proctored RT-LAMP tests? There's a telehealth version of that which may be an option.

They don't specify "proctored" but they say RT-LAMP tests are accepted.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

 

[Lovetocruise2002]

31 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Do they allow the proctored RT-LAMP tests? There's a telehealth version of that which may be an option.

 

10 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

They don't specify "proctored" but they say RT-LAMP tests are accepted.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

 

@SpeedNoodles is correct. But they also go on to list what must be on your results document, which I don’t know if a self-proctored test can give you. 
 

Providing proof of your result

When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:

• Traveller name and date of birth
• Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
• The date on which the test was taken
• The type of test taken
• The test result

[AshleyDillo]

6 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

 

@SpeedNoodles is correct. But they also go on to list what must be on your results document, which I don’t know if a self-proctored test can give you. 
 

Providing proof of your result

When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:

• Traveller name and date of birth
• Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
• The date on which the test was taken
• The type of test taken
• The test result

Apparently Switch Health in Canada offers one that is acceptable. They partnered with Air Canada and you can order the test kits online. 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

[Lovetocruise2002]

48 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Apparently Switch Health in Canada offers one that is acceptable. They partnered with Air Canada and you can order the test kits online. 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

Cool! I will have to look into that more. I have heard of the switch health/AC partnership. For some reason, I thought it was only antigen available but this might be a good option. In the end though,  for myself anyway, I think I would rather do a rapid PCR when I return to Detroit. 

[Jax]

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Cool! I will have to look into that more. I have heard of the switch health/AC partnership. For some reason, I thought it was only antigen available but this might be a good option. In the end though,  for myself anyway, I think I would rather do a rapid PCR when I return to Detroit. 

This is the one offered through Air Canada via Switch Health. I had looked into it but when we changed our return travel date, it became irrelevant.  Results within minutes.  

[Lovetocruise2002]

7 minutes ago, Jax said:

This is the one offered through Air Canada via Switch Health. I had looked into it but when we changed our return travel date, it became irrelevant.  Results within minutes.  

After thinking about it some more, that would work for those Canadians flying back into Canada, but not me. My test results require a US address to cross the land border. I am better off taking a test when I land in Detroit. 

[Jax]

16 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

After thinking about it some more, that would work for those Canadians flying back into Canada, but not me. My test results require a US address to cross the land border. I am better off taking a test when I land in Detroit. 

Yup, that’s right. I keep forgetting you cross the land border and I fly.

[twangster]

To play an unpopular game of devil's advocate for a minute, if tests have to be bundled in by a cruise line, should a guest who doesn't need a test receive a credit in lieu of a test?

Royal is a business.  Tests costs money.  That money has to be covered somehow.   Not everyone need or wants one.

Like any discussion about bundling, why should everyone pay more so a subset of guests can receive something included? 

You can argue that having Voom makes all the data entry into different COVID related apps much, much easier.  I lived this when I had to leave a ship early.  Thanks goodness i had a Voom plan.  That made my life much easier.  

Should everyone get free Voom right now?  If so that cost has to be paid for somehow.  Satellite internet is not cheap. 

Make everyone pay by increasing fares so anyone who wants Voom and tests can have them "free"?

They are not turning a profit right now.  They are operating in the red.  

 

[Traveler]

4 hours ago, twangster said:

To play an unpopular game of devil's advocate for a minute, if tests have to be bundled in by a cruise line, should a guest who doesn't need a test receive a credit in lieu of a test?

Royal is a business.  Tests costs money.  That money has to be covered somehow.   Not everyone need or wants one.

The same I can ask if all the non Diamond customer should pay for the Diamond/+/Pinnacles 4/5/6 drinks ? or maybe they should get refund since they are not getting it ?    

As you said , RCL is a business , I tend to believe international customers spending more on cruise than locals (by the way also people that need to take flight to ports) simply since they cruise less and spend on board more (more packages and other things) as its special vacation and not something they do every second month. Again its just my feeling I do not have statics evidence to support it but we have some good examples of people saying - since I am can not cruise so much when I cruise I will choose better cabin and invest in UDP.   

For me , its not the money its just the comfortable of doing it on board. 

[Ray]

25 minutes ago, Traveler said:

I tend to believe international customers spending more on cruise than locals (by the way also people that need to take flight to ports) simply since they cruise less and spend on board more (more packages and other things) as its special vacation and not something they do every second month. 

 

I may be outnumbered but as an international customer i dont spend a lot onboard ( may be the fact im scottish and therefore tighter than 2 coats of paint ) 

Specialty Dining? Nope! Why buy a meal when i can get it for nothing in MDR

Casino? Limit myself to $20 if i win i give winning to my wife but keep $20 for the next day.

Photograph package? Last time someone took a photo of me they had a height chart behind me and i was in cuffs lol 

Yes i save up for good holidays abroad but for me its cheaper to have a long weekend abroad than to jump on a train 130 miles! 

 Aberdeen to Edinburgh

Train £130 pp                                      hotel £200+ per night                        so £1000 at least for 4 nights

I had 5 nights in Gibraltar on a 5 star Yacht for £900, so travelling abroad rather than staying at home makes sense as it costs less. 

[twangster]

3 hours ago, Traveler said:

The same I can ask if all the non Diamond customer should pay for the Diamond/+/Pinnacles 4/5/6 drinks ? or maybe they should get refund since they are not getting it ?    

As you said , RCL is a business , I tend to believe international customers spending more on cruise than locals (by the way also people that need to take flight to ports) simply since they cruise less and spend on board more (more packages and other things) as its special vacation and not something they do every second month. Again its just my feeling I do not have statics evidence to support it but we have some good examples of people saying - since I am can not cruise so much when I cruise I will choose better cabin and invest in UDP.   

For me , its not the money its just the comfortable of doing it on board. 

The very definition of a loyalty program is to target a specific subset of customers.  

In that case, yes, less loyal customers pay for more loyal customers.  That is the definition of every loyalty program on the planet.  

I tend to believe certain demographics tend to spend  more.  I also believe some source countries spend less and some regions even tend to remove auto gratuity more than others.  Europeans for example, tend to remove gratuity more than Americans.  

[Traveler]

54 minutes ago, twangster said:

The very definition of a loyalty program is to target a specific subset of customers.  

In that case, yes, less loyal customers pay for more loyal customers.  That is the definition of every loyalty program on the planet.  

I tend to believe certain demographics tend to spend  more.  I also believe some source countries spend less and some regions even tend to remove auto gratuity more than others.  Europeans for example, tend to remove gratuity more than Americans.  

Don't get me wrong , we are enjoying the free drinks   . 

I think it is combination of demographics and the fact that when you cruise (or go to other vacations) less you tend to spend more in this vacation but I might be wrong. 

 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Hubby and I talked about this in length last night because this policy could directly impact us on our next cruise.  If Canada still imposes PCR re-entry requirements on us by mid-March, we will not only have to cover cost for the two of us, but for our family 4 since the girls are coming with us on that one.

I first saw news of this policy change last week while onboard Allure.  I will admit, it doesn't make me happy, it is most definitely more inconvenient, it will cost us an extra $600-800 USD, but I get it.  That is bottom line.  As others have already said, Royal is a business, it's as simple as that.  The on board testing was a perk, not a right.

As @twangsterhas put it many times, cruising in a pandemic is not for everyone.  We saw that this past week from masking changes, port/entertainment cancellations, policy changes, to flight cancellations.  You have to be flexible and understand that nothing is for certain.  If you cannot do that, then cruising or perhaps even travelling is not for you at this time.  If you can be happy to just get on a ship and sail, accept the unexpected, know that there most definitely will be some add on costs that were not there before and that the experience might not be exactly what you are used to, then sail on.

[PatchyBoaty]

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. 

[Censored]

As of February forward , any sailings  Royal has stopped complimentary return home

PCR molecular testing.  It is now done at the Port Terminal at a cost of $210 US PP!

for a family of 4  in Canadian Dollars that's over $1,000,00   Really??   Why?  From free

to that?  Absurd!  We all need to protest this absurd cash grab. 

 

[Censored]

For a Canadian family of 4 the cost is $1074.00 CAD  !    

RCCI needs to find a way to lower that down.   No time to go to a local Walgreens or chance the EWR airport  test .      By the way, with chances of being tested positive are high with omicron,  how does Royal implement promises to get you home?  Or Air 2 Sea?   

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, Edmund said:

We all need to protest this absurd cash grab. 

It's not a cash grab the way I see it.  And I am Canadian as well.  It's not Royal who is requesting that we return with a negative PCR, it's our Canadian government.  The fault lies with them IMO.  And Royal has given each person a way out, full refund if you don't like the policy change.

18 minutes ago, Edmund said:

By the way, with chances of being tested positive are high with omicron,  how does Royal implement promises to get you home?  Or Air 2 Sea?   

How does one get home to Canada if they test positive while vacationing in Mexico, or Cuba, etc.?  How is cruising any different?  Again, if you are going to travel (in any way, shape, or form) during a pandemic, the responsibility lies on the traveler.  Pandemic travelling is not for all.

[MrMarc]

On 12/27/2021 at 12:00 AM, Ampurp85 said:

In all honesty I am a little tired of people that behave in such an entitled manner. Sue!? Really? There would be no legal grounds for a lawsuit. Getting a free PCR test was a perk and a privilege.

The cruise contract states, polices, port etc. can change at will. There was no bait and switch. 

I agree that the cruise contract allows RCCL to change anything at any time, however just because it's legal does not make it right.  I have no problem with no compensation for missed ports, canceled shows and such.  However in this case everything relating to this is totally within their control.  They could easily determine which bookings were made before or after they decided to no longer provide something that was essential to the initial booking.  I usually defend RCCL on these types of things, but I think they are wrong in this case.  I don't think a letter  from any lawyer will help, these cruise contracts have been fairly well tested in the courts.  However if enough of the individuals got together as a group, they could possibly get RCCL's attention, but just as possible that it wouldn't.  And for those blaming the country requiring the test, this was known by everyone at the time of the booking.  I think it would be different if the requirement started after the booking.  I don't think it's bait & switch, but I do think it's deceptive advertising.

[MrMarc]

On 12/27/2021 at 10:42 PM, twangster said:

To play an unpopular game of devil's advocate for a minute, if tests have to be bundled in by a cruise line, should a guest who doesn't need a test receive a credit in lieu of a test?

Royal is a business.  Tests costs money.  That money has to be covered somehow.   Not everyone need or wants one.

Like any discussion about bundling, why should everyone pay more so a subset of guests can receive something included? 

You can argue that having Voom makes all the data entry into different COVID related apps much, much easier.  I lived this when I had to leave a ship early.  Thanks goodness i had a Voom plan.  That made my life much easier.  

Should everyone get free Voom right now?  If so that cost has to be paid for somehow.  Satellite internet is not cheap. 

Make everyone pay by increasing fares so anyone who wants Voom and tests can have them "free"?

They are not turning a profit right now.  They are operating in the red.  

 

I agree with your logic, but in this case all the parties are asking for is what was offered at the time of booking.  There was not an offer for the costs of the test if you didn't need it.  You could look at it like the loyalty perks, only passengers that meet certain criteria get them.  In this case only passengers that needed tests were offered them, and everything about the change is within the control of RCCL.  The cost should have been accounted for at the time of the booking, not at the time of sailing, as a liability attached to the booking.  But I also realize what the cruise contract says, so I am also just playing the game.

[Ampurp85]

37 minutes ago, MrMarc said:

I agree that the cruise contract allows RCCL to change anything at any time, however just because it's legal does not make it right.  I have no problem with no compensation for missed ports, canceled shows and such.  However in this case everything relating to this is totally within their control.  They could easily determine which bookings were made before or after they decided to no longer provide something that was essential to the initial booking.  I usually defend RCCL on these types of things, but I think they are wrong in this case.  I don't think a letter  from any lawyer will help, these cruise contracts have been fairly well tested in the courts.  However if enough of the individuals got together as a group, they could possibly get RCCL's attention, but just as possible that it wouldn't.  And for those blaming the country requiring the test, this was known by everyone at the time of the booking.  I think it would be different if the requirement started after the booking.  I don't think it's bait & switch, but I do think it's deceptive advertising.

I don't think it is right that ports can change, and we just have to agree but it's in the legal document I signed. I was told in business, might makes right. I didn't bring up whether it was wrong or right, just that people aren't entitled to a perk. It was not as if those who needed the test were charged for them. In respect to the situation, those tests are specific to certain countries rules and aren't the burden of cruise lines. 

But I also get what you mean and agree to some extent. I guess my issue is the entitlement. RCG gives them the option of a refund; they don't have to from a legal standpoint but choose to do so. I guess also I have little sympathy for people who have no back-ups when it comes to testing, vacation and traveling in general. I honestly believe if Covid didn't continue to expand they would have kept this perk. But with the current situation, it is not feasible, nor is it conditional. I am not saying those affected shouldn't be upset. I am saying that RCG is not to blame in this instance. Lots of businesses have had to make adjustments during this time, our only recourse is to either accept or not. 

[MrMarc]

9 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I don't think it is right that ports can change, and we just have to agree but it's in the legal document I signed. I was told in business, might makes right. I didn't bring up whether it was wrong or right, just that people aren't entitled to a perk. It was not as if those who needed the test were charged for them. In respect to the situation, those tests are specific to certain countries rules and aren't the burden of cruise lines. 

But I also get what you mean and agree to some extent. I guess my issue is the entitlement. RCG gives them the option of a refund; they don't have to from a legal standpoint but choose to do so. I guess also I have little sympathy for people who have no back-ups when it comes to testing, vacation and traveling in general. I honestly believe if Covid didn't continue to expand they would have kept this perk. But with the current situation, it is not feasible, nor is it conditional. I am not saying those affected shouldn't be upset. I am saying that RCG is not to blame in this instance. Lots of businesses have had to make adjustments during this time, our only recourse is to either accept or not. 

And I understand your point of view also.  However, I don't think it's "entitlement" to expect what was sold as part of the cruise and the decision not to provide it is totaly within RCCL's control.  In the case of port changes, those are decisions made outside of RCCL's control, although to a certain extent it is indirectly in their control by how they change or enforce certain protocols onboard, how full the ship is, etc.  But even then, they do not have a visible target, the ports are making these decisions on a ship by ship basis.  So to me, it is about what is and is not within RCCL's direct control.  But I know this is moot, that wonderful cruise contract gives them the right and might.

[twangster]

One would think that with Canada committed to testing 100% of all arriving Canadians at the border they'd remove the requirement for a PCR test.

The Canadian way at the moment appears to be attempting to discourage Canadians from traveling by making it really ugly.  Threatening potential quarantine at your own expense but when pushed on those requirements they back off and allow home quarantine.  Too afraid to actually close the border they resort to making it difficult to leave the country or the illusion of protection while not actually accomplishing anything.

At the end of the day what are they going to do?  Turn away a Canadian citizen coming home who tests positive?  It's all theater.  Made up rules to give the illusion of doing something that in the end do nothing to actually protect any Canadian.  

So you test positive.  Okay, now go home, on your connecting flight, to quarantine.  Makes perfect sense.  

[FionaMG]

On 12/28/2021 at 9:34 AM, Ray said:

I may be outnumbered but as an international customer i dont spend a lot onboard ( may be the fact im scottish and therefore tighter than 2 coats of paint ) 

Specialty Dining? Nope! Why buy a meal when i can get it for nothing in MDR

Casino? Limit myself to $20 if i win i give winning to my wife but keep $20 for the next day.

Photograph package? Last time someone took a photo of me they had a height chart behind me and i was in cuffs lol 

Frugal, Ray, frugal... (ex-pat Scot myself) 

But, yes, I agree. We are the same. On our most recent cruise - Harmony out of Barcelona in September - our onboard spend (apart from gratuities) was zero. We didn't do speciality dining, the only drinks/photos we "purchased" were our diamond drinks and one free pic each, and DH is exactly like you are, limiting himself to $20 a night max in the casino. 

We would have bought a couple of excursions but Royal got greedy and hiked the price because of having a captive audience (3 Italian ports requiring bubble excursions) so we just stayed on board and consumed the consumables that were included in our very cheap base price. Why pay over $200 per person for a day trip to Capri when you can get a 3-night trip to Italy for the same price?

[Ampurp85]

12 hours ago, MrMarc said:

And I understand your point of view also.  However, I don't think it's "entitlement" to expect what was sold as part of the cruise and the decision not to provide it is totaly within RCCL's control.  In the case of port changes, those are decisions made outside of RCCL's control, although to a certain extent it is indirectly in their control by how they change or enforce certain protocols onboard, how full the ship is, etc.  But even then, they do not have a visible target, the ports are making these decisions on a ship by ship basis.  So to me, it is about what is and is not within RCCL's direct control.  But I know this is moot, that wonderful cruise contract gives them the right and might.

From my POV the entitlement aspect comes into play when threats of lawsuits are thrown out. I definitely feel for the OP. But I also don't think providing PCRs was in RCG direct control. I am scheduled to cruise soon, and my testing center informed me yesterday that they are out of testing supplies, so I need to check back and make new appointments. RCG isn't even doing PCRs for children anymore, it could be a supply issue. Since they are in the cruising business and not the testing one, I don't think this is something they can control.