Informatics Nurse

17 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

Someone in my roll call said Walgreens did a NAAT test. Would that work?

Yes, if they have it. It's the Rapid ID Now. It's NAAT and it will work for the cruise or Hawaii. 😉

I don't know if this is a week to ask because of all of the active rain- how are the mosquitos? In a few days, all of the active rain might make it a GREAT time to ask this question. 😉

8 hours ago, PointRoberts said:

  We live in a remote area of Washington that requires us to travel through Canada to get to Seattle for our 8/15 cruise. They only test for Covid is 2 days a week and Sunday is the one day a week that does not fall into the 3 day window for Covid test required for our cruise. We decided to take a test on Sunday 8/8 to make sure we were negative before we made the trek thru Canada to get additional testing within the 3 day window. We did this to so if we had been positive we could quarantine at home since Canada would not have allowed our return with a positive result. We made arrangements to be tested again, today at 5pm to be within the 72 hours originally stated that was needed to board our ship. There are only 2 testing sites available and we choose the public testing site since the other was already booked up thru 8/17 after our cruise had left. We showed up at our appointed time and we found the sign below. No email warning or call even though Whatcom county had all that information. I have searched all evening for an alternative test site that could get the results in before sailing and there are none. Princess should really have had a private testing site in Seattle that was up and running for the 3 days before sailing. It is BS to put us through the stress of doing this. I currently don’t know if they are going allow us to board. We have our test from last Sunday and proof that we tried to get a test within the rules they set. How do you deal with trying to get a Covid test when the local health department shuts testing down and you tried to get tested in good faith. 

 

My brother in Seattle says testing resources are widely available. I'd be happy to ask for resources, if that's helpful. 

Maybe of interest, I will be testing in roughly two weeks. If I was to have an asymptomatic case now, I wanted to know because I would test positive now and again in two weeks. However, I'm right at the cut off point where I could have an asymptomatic case and then get a note that I had recovered and still go with a positive test*. I picked up a home, non-witnessed test. We were negative. So any positive test now, means no cruise. 😉

Edit: I am not suggesting people should do this, but I wanted to make sure I did not have a positive status and not know it. We've both had an occasional cough, which I felt was allergies, but I wanted to check.  

*Exceptions may apply for asymptomatic guests that have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to embarkation, but not less than 10 days prior to embarkation, and are fully recovered. Guests will need to provide a letter of recovery from their doctor and, laboratory test results that were taken at least 10 or more days prior to embarkation, and not older than 90 days.

21 minutes ago, nocl said:

Keep in mind that COVID effects various body systems.  It causes other body systems to fail, resulting in many conditions listed right along with COVID such as stroke, heart attack, pneumonia, blood clots,  kidney failure, etc.  A death certificate that only lists COVID is incomplete.  For example the US wonder system which tracks deaths lists 6 percent that only states COVID.  Those reflect incomplete data because COVID always causes death by its impact upon one or more systems of the body many as a result of inflammation and cytokine storms.

 

I would expect the UK system does the same thing reflects the details upon all causes of death.

 

This data is important because it is used to look at how an illness impacts the body and how it progresses and exactly how it causes death.

Thank you for taking the time to write this. I thought about it, but I've had people argue with me that unless Covid is the ONLY thing listed on the death certificate- it wasn't the cause of death. I am so tired of people without any medical experience telling me that I'm wrong. 

17 minutes ago, mthomp5 said:

This sounds promising.   How do you get the sample to the lab for testing? I don’t understand that part and how long it would take to send to a lab.

The costco ones you overnight to the lab and it can take 72* hours to get the results. 

The antigen ones you do at home. It's witnessed and they will watch you do the test. Based on what they say, you wait in a virtual cue to submit your result to them. After that point, they will send you an official result that can be used for travel. 

 Updated to add:

*I've had family use these and it took 48 hours from the time they did the test to get a result. It's about 24 hours after the lab gets them that you get a result. 

30 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

It's a  test that you take at home and the Antigen is a quick test with results in minutes. 

 

You use the tele health portion for them to monitor and walk you through the steps.

Click  the link as they have a some more information and can probably be called or emailed for further  information.

 

I did notice that the 2 pack is now sold out.

 

3 pack is still available. $99

 

I'm using some tests I bought from Costco last December, as my back up if I can't get a test locally. I bought them for Hawaii, but got a test locally that took less than two hours. So I still have them on hand and I'll use them for the cruise if I can't get a test locally.

I did just buy antigen tests for an upcoming Mexico trip. I bought them yesterday and they were shipped today. They will work for the cruise. They were $59 with free shipping and there are offering a 10% discount through American. I don't see why you couldn't use the code too. 9Use promo code AATRAVEL10 at checkout) They are witnessed tests and you get results quickly and an email output that can be used for travel within two hours of completing the test- per their website. 

8 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 

What makes you suspicious of CCL and Princess in this regard?  They could face severe penalties I presume.  What makes you think Majestic is under observation?  I did read some CDC reps were on board week 1, but are they still there?  What did you mean by "observation"?  Makes it seem like someone needs to keep an eye on them. 

 

ETA - I know for YELLOW, it states on CDC that ships are under observation, but that could mean watching the required reports, no?

 

I am asking about that above as she makes it sound ominous.

 

It's been reported that those color codes are not all current.  Not sure if correct, but I think when Majestic began sailing with pax that some crew had not completed second vaccine + 14 days?

 

The Majestic is under observation, it's a fact. Most ships with passengers have met the threshold to be under observation or investigation. The CDC lists what each color means, which is related to cases reported by guest, crew, or within 5 days post departure. Yesterday it changed from "CDC has started an investigation." to "CDC has investigated and ship remains under observation." I've been checking it daily M-F, as I'm getting on the ship in a few weeks. I had hoped it would have gone to orange, rather than stay at yellow. The color status has to do reported/identified cases, not the reports sent to the CDC or the vaccination status of the crew. Yellow means they met the threshold. It's all listed, but they do not identify what the threshold is. 1%, 10%, 15%??? 

I'd like the Carnival corporation to be transparent about cases on board. The 26 cases was initially reported as a few. It came out as 26, when they were trying to get permission for the guests to go ashore for one of their scheduled stops. I'm getting on one of their ships and I'd like to have all of the information to make the best decision. It's about transparency. 

My reply was related to your post where you mentioned that you felt testing was overkill for a vaccinated cruise. Nothing is 100%, but this decreases the chances. I'm happy to test, I'm happy to mask- I'll have a great time either way. I'd also be happy to know more about what cases are being reported on the ship I'm getting on. 😉 

50 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I am now thinking this new testing requirement is going to cause Princess more damage than the MC App issues.  At least with MC App, there are workarounds to get people checked-in and onto the ship.

 

And the pity is that this extra testing is largely a waste of time, money and effort when the cruise is for the fully-vaccinated. 

I don't agree that it's a waste of time, money, and effort...26 crew members are positive on the Vista. Their crew is supposed to be vaccinated. The majestic remains under observation for cases, yet I've not heard of cases being reported. I am not so sure the Carnival corporation is being forthright about the cases on their ships. 

I hope this isn't duplicate information, but there are multiple companies doing the witnessed, online antigen test. You can get it done for less than $60. I'd recommend looking at the companies airlines are recommending. This is the company I am using to come home from Mexico this fall. 

However, I plan on using IDNow at Walgreens for my cruise. Just about everyone lives in an area where there is community spread- thus you qualify. I've used this test before and the results come back within a few hours. I'd use a PCR, but it might not be resulted before I fly to Seattle. I do not want to quarantine in Seattle for an asymptomatic presentation. 

Good luck and wishing you a pleasant journey. 

4 minutes ago, P.A. said:

Thank you for that new info. I will take a look and pray it will work.👍

They've updated it. You'll totally be fine and they will take email results. Have a wonderful voyage!

3 hours ago, Ombud said:

@Coralwas your test run by Minute Clinic or Walgreens? I have to get the results in time to print them off at Staples (no printer now that I've gone smartphone)

You can show email

12 minutes ago, P.A. said:

I was just told my my local Walgreens that mine does NOT have the rapid antigen test that no walgreens in our state, Oklahoma, has them. They do have the rapid test but not antigen. Going to plan B now.

 Based on what my TA said, who contacted Princess medical about my question on NAAT Rapid and at home antigen test- the FAQ section is going to be modified.  Based on what they told him via email, I think you'll be able to use the rapid test- but keep watching. 

Both the PCR and IDNow, which is the rapid one are NAAT. 

Thank you for sharing you experience on this trip, we appreciate it! Does anyone know the capacity for the enclave, due to the required reservations. I'm hoping they cap it to help with social distancing. 

Thank you in advance for the information!

3 hours ago, CruzinNoony said:

I didn't see the afternoon tea event listed anywhere on day 7 patter.  I'd like to go on our upcoming cruise and need to know where to find it.

I couldn't get anyone to confirm the formal high tea occurred, I think it was called Royal tea when I went. It seems like regular afternoon tea is being held in the MDR, per usual. I will miss having the tea with the towers of food, teapots, and cocktails. 

On 7/31/2021 at 9:40 AM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

Ours was the first chef table in the fleet. Neville said he will be doing them moving forward if your roll call has discussed it. 
this is some of our roll call and a couple of food pics. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this information. I guess they are monitoring the roll calls. I would also guess we would need to contact him, upon arrival? Or would you try the DINE line?  

Thanks again for all the info and for sharing your journey! 

8 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Is the Enclave like the Sanctuary?

The Enclave is a pay for access thermal suite. 

Just now, Jeter02 said:

I don't even bother wasting my time with those statuses it actually was yellow yesterday so orange is a level down. So I wouldn't be too concerned.

9 minutes ago, jpearson50 said:

I just saw that CDC went to orange meaning covid aboard. Has this been mentioned or is this also outdated info (even though it looks like it was updated today)?

I agree, the Edge has a breakthrough case and it's green. 🤔

Can anyone tell me how afternoon tea (free) is working on the ship? Do they still offer is daily in one of the dining rooms and have they done high tea (extra)? I've looked at the patters that were previously posted and it seemed like some of the dining rooms were open from for an extra 90 minutes that made me wonder if that was it. 

Thank you in advance and I'm so thrilled you're all having a wonderful time!

Maybe we can ask the chamber of commerce for the two smaller towns to provide a list of who IS open! 

2 minutes ago, tutuwahineLV said:

 

Y'all, please remember that it's been longer than just a year for the people in Alaska.  Their 'tourist season' ended late sept early oct 2019, with them fully expecting to see the ships return in May 2020.  Which obv didn't happen, and this season is drastically shorter than the usual one.  Please, PLEASE!  get off the ship!  support the business's that are open, that's how these people are gonna get back on their feet.  Buy another T-shirt, grab a coffee, lets all do whatever we can to help these communities who depend on the cruise ship industry.... 

Skagway brewery is still open, go grab a pint of Spruce Tip Blonde! 😋

20 minutes ago, CruzinNoony said:

I guess I may be the only one that likes the new menu better than the old one.  I am an adventuresome eater, but few items on the old one looked appealing.  We will definitely try it out on our Sept. 5 cruise.  

We are on the same voyage. 🙂 

Does anyone know if you can go to the Crown Grill bar and just order appetizers? I'd like to have Steak Tartare if they still have it on the menu. I love that stuff. 😋

I'll still probably go for a full meal, but I would be okay having that more than once on the cruise. 🙂

13 hours ago, bflysmile said:

Agreed on Harmony. I’m on the Alaskan cruise next week and was excited by the noodle bar, tea place and more interesting Harmony options. 

 

We usually sail Royal Caribbean and are used to their specialty restaurants (which we prefer now) but Princess doesn’t seem to have the same number or variety. Hopefully that means the focus is quality in the main dining room (which I think suffers on Royal). 

Someone reported the tea place is now a regular bar. They have some regular tea, but none of the stuff with Boba or specialty teas. 😞 My son will be very disappointed. 

13 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

 

There was no early show because the ship was in port until late evening.

Thank you, I'll be curious to see what occurs tonight with the 19:00 return time.