cdwise

38 minutes ago, D&N said:

"not proctored" is not a term frequently used in UK or France so I'm not certain what record if any you get of the test result.

Unless the supplier validates the test via the internet and generates a certificate that the result was negative and includes all the details you quoted from the Cunard website in an earlier post it will not be accepted.

Test kits were being issued free until recently in UK, and we have boxes of them, which we have bought in France, but although these are the same type of test they they are not independently validated and no certificate is issued and will not be accepted at Southampton.

Which is why ifind their website confusing. If you have to have all the information in the first half what does it mean when they say government issued tests that are not medically supervised? 

25 minutes ago, 57eric said:

Which other cruise lines operating out of US ports still require masks?

Once on board none that I know of but masks are still required in terminals and curing embarkation and debarkation. All require medically supervised tests to board as far as I know.

1 minute ago, D&N said:

 

It depends how familiar you are with travel testing........

 

There are a large number of suppliers in UK that provide self tests, which you then scan and upload to their website. They verify that, having already taken all your identification details and provide a certificate. They don't supervise the actual test in person or by video.

 

Theoretically you could get someone else to take the test for you or fake the test, but should you get caught both of you could be prosecuted. Presumably that is thought to be a sufficient deterrent.

In the US every household can get at least 8 free from the government self tests like you describe but those are not accepted by the CDC for flying into the US. The cruise lines departing from the US require a medically supervised test. If you scroll down to the departing from USA or departing from Canada sections it does say the tests must be medically supervised either in person or by telemedicine/internet .

So it seems the US government issued not proctored tests are acceptable at Southampton but best to be clear if they are or we will have to find someplace to buy one in the UK. 

Definitely confusing as first it says: 

What is acceptable proof of my negative Covid-19 test result?
The following formats are acceptable proofs of a negative Covid-19 test: paper negative Covid-19 test results (original only), digital or emailed Covid-19 test results; or record of Covid-19 testing from a healthcare provider including original digital email notification or personal electronic health record.

The negative Covid-19 test result must include:

• Where the test was administered, including information such as the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test.
• Type of test.
• A specimen collection date within the correct timeframe before cruise departure.
• Guest’s name and either date of birth, age, or passport number.
• A negative test result using words or phrases including (and not limited to): Negative; undetectable; SARS-CoV-2 RNA not detected; SARS-CoV-2 antigen not detected; Covid-19 not detected; Not reactive.
• Test results marked “invalid” are not accepted.

But goes on to say the test doesn't have to be medically observed for Southampton departures. 

Definition of test.

For embarks in Southampton all guests must use a private antigen self-test that meets the criteria below. For Southampton embarks this test does not need to be medically observed.

Accepted antigen tests include:

• Antigen Lateral Flow.
• Rapid antigen test.
• Viral antigen test.
• Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay.
• Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay.

4 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Is it too late to cancel ? It doesn't sound as if it's going to be a very pleasant experience for you.

I don't have a choice since it is the return home and flying is even less of an option. Besides it is 6+ weeks and who knows what the else situation will be at that time on that ship. I've already cancelled or changed six times already. 

Well if masks are required I will most likely be  spending my time on board in my cabin with room service. While I don't need oxygen at sea level I cannot wear a mask Without having supplemental oxygen available and Cunard will not allow me to take my oxygen compressor on board. 

Here are the requirements for entry by land or sea updated January 2022 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-travelers-enter-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals

Since everyone on the cruise is required to be vaccinated this is the applicable section. 

Arrival at Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Effective January 22, 2022, inbound non-U.S. individual travelers (non-U.S. citizens who are neither U.S. nationals nor lawful permanent residents) can seek to enter the United States via a land port of entry (POE) or ferry terminal if they are fully vaccinated and have appropriate documentation.

Non-U.S. individuals traveling to the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must:

• verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status;
• provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website;
• present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program Card, or Enhanced Tribal Card;
• be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection; and

• meet all other existing requirements for entry not related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 testing is not required for entry via a land or ferry port of entry.

1 hour ago, lissie said:

This is quite amusing as I have no idea what sex you are - but I have you down to either gay women or hetero man now  haha.   We have a week in the USA before getting on a cruise I intend to wear a mask in all indoor settings to minimize the risk of being denied boarding. I'm genuinely curious to see how the locals react. 

Locals are not likely to care one way or the other. I can't wear a mask and Tennessee hasn't required one for ages (even then only in some municipalities ) and you see some people still wearing masks. Depending on venue I've seen up to 20% though as time goes by less and less. 

I'd skip taking the 150-600 lens.  I only take my 600 if I intend to do wildlife photography class. I would invest in a 1.2-1.4 wide angle but not fisheye  lens in the 16-35 range. Prime and manual focus is fine.  Practice using your camera or remote with thick gloves on. Air activated footbed warmers for skiing or winter hiking combined with wool socks will make standing outside in the cold far more comfortable and take up little room in your bag. Something living in the tropics you probably haven't needed to do. I can't comment on your ports but we will be doing an Alaska cruise in October hoping for northern lights as well. 

Most people don't realize that you can have as much control over you iPhone (probably the better quality android phones as well) as you can with a DSLR if you use Lightroom to take your photo and set it to Pro mode. There are other apps like Halide that give you full control as well. I've seen some amazing commercial and artistic photos done using an iPhone Pro. Go watch some of the Adobe Max sessions on using an iPhone from last year. They are online and free. 

Mobile Photography Tips and Tricks

Smartphone Photography with Lightroom

Mobile Magic: Powering Up Your Mobile Photography Game

While primarily designed for DSLR you might find a hand strap stabilizer more useful https://www.amazon.com/Camera-Hand-Strap-Stabilizer-Mirrorless/dp/B07MS1LV74/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=32WOI1BB8XYY6&keywords=camera+hand+strap&qid=1649540730&sprefix=Camera+ha%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMlhYWU4wOERBVzVVJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODg3Mjk4QVI3TTNUQkRVVlBPJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyMzY2ODQxVU9FTFdLUTc0V1hDJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

When I bought my last camera I debated between full frame and crop sensor. Talked to multiple camera and lens reps as well as other professional photographers at a couple different events. In the end  it came down to the garage to that most of my photography is wildlife,  travel or events and for that the crop sensor turned out to be the better choice. That is why I went with the Canon 7D Mark II. I've got half a dozen lenses from fast prime to long heavy  600. I also have a mirrorless Fuji x10 that Adobe gave me a few years ago.   Good camera and much lighter than my 7D which I will take if space/weight is an issue. Largest lens I have for it is a 50-200 zoom which it a good vesitile lens for travel if you are only taking one lens. 

For me it depends on the cruise. A short Caribbean cruise I'm likely to just take my iPhone pro. That is usually all I use onboard the shipunless there is something special I want to photograph.  I did use the DSL going through the Panama Canal.  Alaska, New Zealand,  Cannon7D Mark II with 3-4 lenses.  We are going up the Norweign Fyords in May and are debating which lenses to take for it. But we are also taking a 360 action camera and probably a GoPro as well since we will be hiring a narrowboat in the UK before returning home. Great Barrier Reef a camera that is waterproof or housing for DSR. 

4 hours ago, victory2020 said:

Here CVS does rapid that are paid for by insurance, do you have access to a CVS? Also, some urgent care or Drs offices do them & if you have insurance they are no charge. 

CVS has cancelled a lot of covid testing appointments people have made for cruises (36 between two different boards for our soon to sail cruise) and other travel. Others have been told 36 hour turn around Othersa few have gotten to CBS and we're required to check into the "Minute Clinic" for a full coincidence appointment with co-pays or if no insurance $150. A free test as home to satisfy yourself you won't be spreading covid.  

1 hour ago, victory2020 said:

I  would get a test beforehand weather it's required or not just to know that you don't have covid 

The difference is you can do a free (US mails 8 per household) or cheap home test ($9.99-19.99 at the pharmact) instead of a lab admistered or online proctored covid test ($79) if it isn't required I checked. If you have to pay for a lab administered test costs for testing at an airport ranged from $75 to $250 depending on type of test and airport location. Is rather use one of the government provided free tests than pay for a specific approved travel mandated test. 

Preboarding test from US is CDC driven more than the cruise lines. CDC sets the timing for tests as well. I'm hoping that before our scheduled cruises depart covid testing in the US will go away. It is the only place we have to have a test for. We don't need one for UK, France, Azores or Norway. Nor do we have to wear masks in any of those places or onboard. But we have to do so to board the ship in the US.

For me it depends on the dress and the shoes. Though having said that I an count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've worn tights in the last half dozen years. I do sometimes wear trouser socks or knew highs with dress pqnts since some of my shoes need something to be comfortable for extended periods.

Being a serious dancer shoes are my name. We have a tradition that requires dancing every night on a cruise. I have 2 pairs (minimum) of dance shoes. One sparkly dress ballroom shoes and one black lace up  1.5" heel. Sometime I'll take a jazz shoe as well but those take up no more space than a thick pair of socks. Black palazzo pants with 2-3 dressy tops unless I'm going on Cunard where I will take appropriate clothes for their themed gala night.   I will take either a pair of white palazzo pants or white lace dress for the white them night. Since that dress is just below the knee it sucks like a T-shirt. Good quality "office" appropriate styled yoga pants and boots block or print t-****. Sadly my favorite from the Segunda Familia gift shop shirt  is now too worn to take with me anymore. Pair or two of jeans if going to cooler climates or travel shorts for warmer weather. Waterproof windbreaker and for cooler climates a fleece.  Usually one light sweater for those cool a/c parts of the ship.  Colder weather trips replace a couple t-shirts with long sleevespecially and a pullover.  Two swimsuits and a T-shirt dress for a cover up. Clark sandals to wear with shorts and swimsuit and a good supportive casual shoe,  usually Clarks,  Brees or Sketchers. Easily fits in a bag with assorted device charges,  flat iron, toiletries. Carry on has DSLR,  whatever lenses are appropriate for our trip,  medications,  ipad and/or laptop depending on trip ((plus their chargers),  medications and a change clothes and undergarments,  one of the swimsuits and whatever paperwork might be needed,l.

21 hours ago, FritzG said:

We're on a 21 day fjord cruise from NYC on QM2 in May, and I hope masks are required--and enforced.  What I'm reading about high numbers of covid cases on other lines who have relaxed their mask requirements worries me. I'll do whatever is necessary to keep cruising. This is the 3rd time we've booked this itinerary--I want to sail!

We are in the QM2 returning to NT May 29. If masks are required I won’t be leaving out stateroom. I’m low oxygen and I can manage at sea level without a mask. Since I. won’t be able to bring my oxygen compressor per Cunard rules . Without which I cannot wear a mask. This is one reason we are taking Cunard from Southampton to NY as I I won’t fly with a mask even though I could take my portable oxygen compressor on it. If wearing a mask is something you need to do to feel safe then by all means wear one but that isn’t an option for me as 15 minutes in a mask drops my oxygen to 88. 

I wonder if this means they are going to stop requiring tests before boarding in Southampton. I saw that several airlines flying out of the UK have stopped requiring masks unless they are flying to the US.

34 minutes ago, vix2000 said:

won't the testing be finishing at 4am on the 18th March?

 

TSA has extended covid travel restrictions through April 18. Whether they will be extended again who knows. I do wish they'd stop like so many other countries.

6 hours ago, novicetraveller said:

Thanks for the detailed response. It's my first trip overseas in 6  years, so I had some gaps in my knowledge, so this helps a lot.

You are welcome. We are going to the UK,  France and Norway for the first time since covid so are negotiating the same things. At least it looks like returning on Cunard from Southampton  seems to mean any necessary preboard resting will be at the terminal at Cunard's expense. Then on board for $30 before US entry if that is still required. I'm hoping  the US will join the UK,  Norway and others in stopping pre entry testing requirements at least for vaccinated travelers. 

58 minutes ago, novicetraveller said:

I am asking out of ignorance more than anything else. As I am based outside the US / Canada bubble.... assuming Covid restrictions are in place until Christmas (and I hope they are not!), how would I go about doing a RCCL approved PCR test?

Any place in the UK that administers a covid test whether it is at a chemist,  pop up testing center like the ones at various airports and Southampton cruise port will work as long as it is administered by a health care worker.   If you are going on Royal Caribbean they have a link to order the proctored home tests and I assume other cruise line's have similar. 

We are traveling to Southampton on Antheum of the Sea and will have to treat before leaving the US on 2 May 2022. Whether we will have to treat again to reboarding after we spend a couple of days in Southampton before reboarding for Norway remains to be seen as UK/Europe boarding rules are TBD. Since neither the UK nor Norway require a test I'm hoping that will not be necessary though in our case we will be back on a Royal ship within 3 days so under their current rules Royal will provide a free test. Since we are returning to the US on Cunard the last update was 14 Feb 2022 and says you will have to treat at the terminal. If the US is still requiring a pretty arrival covid test shah we return in June they offer one on board for $35-50 USD depending on which test you take.

If you are leaving from the US most major airports have pop up testing centers.  Any pop up testing center,  pharmacy or health clinic can do one.   Just make sure they guarantee results in the time frame needed. Check costs since testing is free for US citizens and legal residents at many places testing for travel is not covered and can vary in price considerably. You may also be able to buy a proctored home tests in a local pharmacy OR have one shipped to a hotel you are booked to stay in. 

Transportation covid restrictions are currently serving to expire 18 March 2022 but as much as I'd like to say they will be allowed to expire I'm not optimistic since Biden notified the Senate Majority leader that his intent to extend  the state of emergency for covid pandemic another year last month. 

What it's the cost at the terminal?  Assuming we still have to test in May of course. 

Note the CDC puts a cruise in the same category as a group home,  detention center,  etc so you also answer truthfully to the last question.