Borntocruise22

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

Not committed to RC at all, this would only be the 2nd cruise ever with them.  For this one it is the itinerary, which I found amazing, and to celebrate retirement in a big way.  I have learned that Life is short, so live it wide.  For the record, my two successful adult children, encourage me to enjoy what I have worked hard for.  

Good for you- I wish we could do this one but we have one booked with Princess in 2023. We are hoping to be able to do the Asian segment on this one in 2024 and hopefully will see you onboard if they don’t sell out. I’m so jealous- this would be a dream cruise 😛

32 minutes ago, twinmom22197 said:

In response to those worried about testing for celebrity. When we landed today and went to the terminal, just before immigration there was a kiosk if you needed a  PCR Test it was $120. If I remember correctly it was 30 minute results. It seems like they are trying to make it easy as they can. 

Thank you for the info!! We are right behind you on the 19th. Looking for all the posts from the cruise. I just know it will be awesome. Yaaaay for you!!!

25 minutes ago, imtired1959 said:

 

Fantastic Borntocruise!  We get in Thursday after 1PM. So Friday morning will be cutting it close to get the results by Saturday's boarding.

We get in Thursday at 2:30pm. We are going to drive (we got a car) to the first testing site if they are open Thursday afternoon and get the test. I just emailed them. I can let you know when I hear. 

10 minutes ago, imtired1959 said:

Thank you Borntocruise22.

There is a lab downtown who sends the results to the above lab. They just sent me this information-

 

Simpson Bay Medical Clinic is conveniently located at the Simpson Bay Yacht club (Lago del Plaza), just behind the Simpson Bay Pharmacy in walking distance from the main hotels and marinas. 

COVID TESTING INFORMATION

 

TESTING HOURS

MONDAYS - FRIDAYS 9AM-11.30AM

SATURDAYS- 9AM-10:30AM

 

PRICES

CASH ONLY!

WALK-INS ONLY/ NO APPOINTMENTS

PLEASE WALK WITH ANY FORM OF IDENTIFICATION: PASSPORT/DRIVER'S LICENSE

12 minutes ago, imtired1959 said:

As I recall, the antigen test was to be administered prior to boarding.  This was the protocol before Celebrity changed it to the 72 hr PCR test.  I made hotel and flight reservations based on this.

 

With this change, it throws my plans to near impossible if I am unable to get a PCR test in St. Maarten and results back in time to board.

 

So... what do you suggest?   

 

Hope we can get tested in St. Maarten (on our own dime) and be allowed to board with the risk of flying back home and not getting a refund for the cruise since I didn't cancel in time? 

 

Or perhaps just cancel now and at least get FCC?

 

What Celebrity should do is make arrangements for folks to get the PCR test as soon as they enter the country if they are unable to get their results in time from their home country. 

 

Another option is to cancel the port call to Barbados and call on a country that respects the science. 

 

I am being quite fair to Celebrity as they are changing the rules now at least twice a week and if you go back a few posts, they are sending conflicting emails. 

 

It is Celebrity that is not being fair to us, their customer, who has over $4500 to purchase a product from them.

 

This purchase has now become a gamble.

You can easily get the test done in St Maarten. You can email info@healthcarelab.sx - they have a clinic in town who will send it out to them for the test. It’s $70 per person (please verify) and make a appointment. 

 

2 hours ago, ZiggyGA said:

Funatseascott - I see that you are on the June 5th cruise out of St Maarten, arriving earlier that week and staying an extra day after the cruise.

 

We are in the same situation but on the June 12th cruise.  I also see that you have experience filling out and submitting the St Maarten Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) form for previous trips to St Maarten.  With the introduction of cruising the form has changed and now includes a new option "Air-Sea Travel".  Because we are arriving a day early staying in a hotel, and leaving 2 days after the cruise I am unsure if we should use the "Air Travel", or the "Air-Sea Travel" option.

 

It seems that neither of these options applies exactly to our situation.  "Air Travel" asks for Hotel information but nothing about the ship, but "Air-Sea Travel" asks for Ship information but hotel information for the rest of your stay on the island.

 

Do you have any information on which way people in a similar situation should complete the form?  If not, would it be possible, that after you get your approval back from St Maarten,  posting instructions on how you filled out the Travel Information section of the form?

 

I am sure there are many people in our situation and any information you can provide would be appreciated

Thanks

I would like to know this also. We are 2 days before and 2 days after our cruise on 6/19. Thanks!

57 minutes ago, George C said:

Post this in your roll call

Will do thanks. 

Looking for 3 couples to share this excursion - it’s  $156.13 per person. The excursion is in the cruise planner. It would be 8 which I think would not be too crowded. I will have to double check if 8 is allowed but in the meantime I’d like to see if anyone is interested in joining us. If 2 couples join its $208 per person. That might be the best option. 

Find me if you make it. We have some wonderful friends in Melbourne we met while in Sydney. We have a lovely Airbnb on our property. 

28 minutes ago, lyndarra said:

You could do that in Miami and save $$$$$.😃🙄

I live in Savannah. At the beach all the time. We love supporting the locals at the ports. Also staying 4 days in St Maarten which we will do that. I sent a message for a private custom tour which could include others. We shall see. If I wanted to save money I wouldn’t even go on the cruise. 

Thank you. I have written Celebrity to see what can be offered. I’m open to a small group and will post when they have some ideas in our wheelhouse. We did a awesome excursion in Cozumel which was to a orphanage and then to a private home for lunch (serving local dishes) It was 3 sisters who prepared the meal (it was scrumptious) ending with a little shopping. 

4 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

 

Just to make sure that you are both on the same page, what do you mean by "book our own excursions"? Do you mean with Celebrity or privately? There seems to be some difference of opinion as to whether the latter is allowed currently.

I’m asking about getting to the ports and going out on our own. We have been to all of these a dozen times and the excursions offered we have done multiple times. Could we just go to the beach on our own or go shopping?

Just now, George C said:

Yes we can book our own excursions 

Thank you!!!

Does anyone know if we can book our own excursions? Thanks!

19 hours ago, JennyD1 said:

Are you cruising on the Millennium from St Marten?  I was thinking about doing a June cruise on the Millennium from St Marten, but wanted to fly there a week before the cruise and spend some time on the island..  Did not know if this would be possible, as the covid testing that we will have done in Florida prior to our flight would be expired by the time we cruise?

Thanks for sharing your info.  Hope you have a great  time.

We are sailing on June 19 out of St Maarten. We are staying at the Oyster Bay. They offer testing on site but I also understand that the airport will also offer testing so I think going early will not be a issue. I’m so looking forward to cruising again!!

18 minutes ago, Host Anne said:

I wanted to share the information from Celebrity's website on the Covid-19 Assistance program they are offering if you book by May 31, 2021.  I'm not sure you need additional insurance that covers Covid if your cruise is booked before May 31.  Click the link and then scroll down the page to read about their Covid-19 Assistance:

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety

We saw that but our flights were expensive and we have hotel rooms before and after. I don’t think it covers all of it. We used some vouchers from 2019 that were from flights cancelled due to Covid so we didn’t think they would cover our air since we booked direct. We have been purchasing travel insurance for several years now and it has never been a bad investment for us. I don’t trust the flights being on time or possibly moving due to staff shortages with the airlines. We just want to play it safe. It’s a small amount based on what our vacation cost us. 

We booked through aardy.com which is aarp travel insurance but it may insure any age. It covers 100% refund Covid and 150000 medical and 1 million med evac - not too expensive. 

26 minutes ago, lhsail said:

We are not going until 8/7. Also going a couple days early. Hope you will come back and post regarding your experience with testing, etc. Like you, I think it

will be different by the time we travel. 

Maybe I’ll have the opportunity to post while traveling to give others some insight. I will post once back. I’m waiting to see if by June they relax some of the requirements.  🤞🤞

I booked through Expedia and contacted the Oyster Bay Resort through their website. They have offered pick-up and drop off at the airport. Of course there is a charge but that is with most resorts. We are staying there 2 days before and 2 days after. 

We are booked June 19, but flying in on the 17th and staying a few days after. I think before we cruise a lot of things will change and be finalized. We are just keeping a open mind when it comes to this trip. We did buy insurance that covers Covid. I booked the Oyster Bay Beach Resort before and after.  They do offer onsite PCR testing in addition to the airport offering it I believe. We are so looking forward to cruising. We miss it so much and can hardly wait!!

We took the FCC but we expected our airfare back. Still waiting.....now over 100 days and counting



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UPDATE 9/1/2020 Finally got our airfare credit back to our credit card. Princess wanted to make it FCC but we declined. I have enough of those and when we went to book the world cruise 2022 they do not accept FCC as a deposit so you have to put down more money.


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Borntocruise22;  if you booked EZAir; then yes you should have received refund from Princess.  Since you we less than 90 days to your cruise; you already had paid in full for both air and cruise.  Have you received any money for your cruise? Or did you take FCC?

We took the FCC but we expected our airfare back. Still waiting.....now over 100 days and counting



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We booked our air thru Princess in February. Our April cruise was cancelled on 3/12/20. We still have not received our almost $5000 airfare reimbursement. We have a TA who is acting on our behalf but it seems not to be helping. 

Sorry just updating my earlier post. Having to use my cell phone whereas I usually use my tablet but our internet is out.