terry&mike

I would imagine he could have picked up Covid in a number of different ways. Passengers attended several tours with free time afterwards, so they could have interacted with shop keepers, waiters, and so on on multiple occasions. We also attended several nice lunch, dinners, wine tastings off the boat, so again ample time for someone to interact with others, and possibly pick up a bug. 
As to when, he would have had a Covid test to fly in, and then he did a pre cruise stay in Lisbon for 3 nights, boarded on Saturday, then took his test on Thursday. That would be about the 10th day since his international flight or so. 
I don’t remember having to show our negative test to board the ship. We did show it several times for the international flight. I remember showing proof of vaccine to board. 

Pardon if this is a double post, as I don’t see my post here. 
 

Yesterday (Friday) DH and I took Antigen tests at 2:45pm, and were relieved when our results came back negative around 9pm. 
 

Passengers could choose to take tests on Thursday or Friday, Antigen or PCR, if they were interested. Most passengers took tests on Thursday as most were flying back to the US on Saturday. 
 

On Friday at lunch, 45 minutes before our test we were notified a passenger had tested positive on Thursday on his antigen test. As we are only 34 passengers on board, it was easy to figure out who and then scurry up some details.

The ship was notified very quickly of his positive test and he and his wife were quarantined to their cabin on Thursday. He was given a PCR test which came back positive Thursday during the night. They remained in cabin quarantine until today (Saturday), and will then be quarantined in a hotel in Porto until 10 days of quarantine have been met, and will then test again. They were scheduled to return to the US today, so that has changed for them. 
 

As for us, we are flying on to France today, and will stay in an Airbnb in Bordeaux for the night, and will board the Scenic Diamond tomorrow. Our pass sanitaire has not come through yet though. 

We are docked in Porto today. There are a couple of tours to choose from, we chose the Active tour. It was a walking tour for about 3 hours with a guide that included a ride on a cable car and a visit to Sandemans port house and tasting. 
At 2pm DH and I had a Covid antigen test and are awaiting our results. Passengers who were interested in tests could schedule for Thursday or Friday, and for antigen or PCR. Our cost was 20 euros pp; I believe the PCR test was 80 euros pp. 

We will remain docked here until tomorrow’s disembarkation, and are free to wander around Vila Nova de Gaia (where we are docked), or Porto (10 minute walk across the river). There is also a shuttle bus to Porto, but I’m unsure of the schedule. 

A university band, called a Tuna, came onboard and performed after dinner last night. Music, singing, very talented young men. 

We went to Lamego today and those that wanted to could climb the 686 steps up to the Cathedral. We did the climb and it was very nice to get a little exercise. 
Afterwards we had lunch at a lovely Quinta/winery, Pacheca I believe. The setting and lunch were wonderful, and the wines and ports were some of our favorites. 
We are having our disembarkation briefing this afternoon, and a gala dinner tonight. 

This evening we had a fabulous traditional Portuguese dinner of many courses, paired with local wines, at the lovely Quinta de Avessada, near Pinhao. The host was delightful with fun stories, there was lively music, and everything was delicious. The views were spectacular. 

Today we visited Castelo Rodrigo, a beautiful stone town with the ruins of a castle on top of a hill. It is surrounded by miles of almond trees, and produces many delicious almond products  - flavored almonds of many types, almond liquors, etc - and beautiful cork handicrafts. 
This evening will we have dinner and entertainment at a Quinta. 

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I found that our stay in Cologne (on AMA, going upstream) was too short and I felt (correctly) that my chances of being in Amsterdam again were greater than being in Cologne again – so I for one would have no trouble making lemonade out of this lemon!

I agree with this!

Today we enjoyed a full day in lovely Salamanca, Spain. The buses departed at 8:30a for a 2 hour drive. We stopped at the Hotel Alameda Plaza when we arrived, and then had free time of about 45 minutes at a market and in the main square. Then a 1 hour walking tour. Followed by an incredible lunch at the Hotel Alameda plaza, we flamenco dancers, singers, music. Then about 2 hours free time to wander about, and a 2 hour drive back to the ship. We arrived back at 6:15p. Great day!

The folk and fado music band that performed last night was excellent!

Today we had a walking tour to the train station in Pinhao to see its beautiful tile murals. Then had free time to wander about for another hour plus. I took a nice walk, and bought a painted tile. 

The rest of today spent sailing towards Spain, the scenery is stunning. 

The food onboard has been top notch, interesting, good selections, local flavor sets, delicious. 

Every day we say to each other how happy we are that we came on the trip. 

They are offering Covid testing on Thursday afternoon, PCR 80 euros, Antigen 20 euros. We think we don’t need either to fly from Portugal to France on Saturday, unless something changes. 

7 hours ago, Wings55 said:

Here in the US we've often heard about the 'unfriendly French' but we found that to not be our experience. We found the welcome to be as warm as possible. 

Paul

Also agree. DH and I have always found the French to be quite warm and friendly people. 

Today we had a relaxed morning on board with scenic sailing. Spent the afternoon visiting Mateus palace and gardens, and then a visit to a Quinta for a tour and port tasting. Tonight we have a local folk/fado band on board. 

7 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Paul, I went back and read everything in the Travel Ready Center instructions..........it sure was easier flying to Greece😉.   Will have to make sure I go on the right day to get the results back in time for my flight.

We utilized a same day results PCR testing facility, it cost $159 pp, but we felt it was worth it to cover our bases. We scheduled an appointment for the morning before our departure. 

14 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Oh...my flight over is from here......Jax to Newark to Lisbon.  So no stopover in Europe except for when I return home.  I will just keep looking.........I could not see where it said I had to have a negative test but I will re-read again. I know when I sailed out of Athens in July I did not need a PCR test--only my vax card and QR code.  I guess every country has different rules.

I’m just guessing, but that sounds like a United route. If so, go to your booked trip on the United website, and at the top of the page with your trip details, click on Travel Ready Center, it will spell out specially what tests and docs, and when, are needed. 

59 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Terry and Mike, I have a logistics question for you......please.   I am flying into Lisbon on Oct 6th...arriving the morning of the 7th.  What paperwork did you need to enter the country? Your vaxx card and Passenger Locator Form? I see in your first post you flew into London first? 

I am just trying to make sure I have what is required.........

 

Thanks for any help.🙂 and I went to Portugal's website but thought I could get better information live on here👍

I think it could depend on where you transit through, but here was ours-

Washington Dulles to London Heathrow, PCR dated no earlier than 8/28/21 and Passenger Locater Form for UK (we stayed airside for our 6 hr layover).

London to Lisbon, PCR no earlier than 8/28/21, Passenger Locator Card for Portugal. 
We were asked for our docs at airline check in, and a couple times along the way. 
We were also asked for test results at Lisbon hotel check in. 
We were only asked for our vaccine card when we got to the River cruise. 

 

We took the train from Lisboa Santa Apollonia train station to Vila Nova de Gaia, just under 3 hours. Then took an Uber to port, 3 euros, 7 minutes. 
Showed up at the ship at 11:25am. They were disinfecting, so we left luggage, went for a stroll, shopped the vendors along the River, and then did a port sampling at an outdoor cafe. Came back a bit after 1p, had a light lunch, until rooms ready at 3p. 
We are in 319, and find the room and bathroom nice. 
There are 34 passengers on this sailing; the usual occupancy of the AmaDouro is 102 passengers. 
we have safety drill at 6p, with welcome talk, dinner at 7p, scenic sailing at 9p. We overnight here. 

We both received emails from France today saying they were overwhelmed with requests for the Pass Sanitaire and unable to process them; we had applied on August 18.  There were instructions on a new online registration process we could register for, so we did that, and each received a confirmation email saying our submission had been received. The email mentioned we could be tested at a local pharmacy and the results would be good for 10 days. We plan to travel from Portugal to France on September 11. 

A note on our hotel in Lisbon, Be Poet Baixa - it is perfectly located, center of everything, walkable to so many sites and neighborhoods, on a pedestrian street, and very quiet. The breakfast is awesome with pastries , fruit, meat and cheese, eggs cooked to order, juice, coffee. The room is modern and very clean. If you are a luxury seeker, this is not your spot, as it is not about that. We booked direct and paid 108 euros per night including breakfast. We would stay here again in a second. 

Having a great time in Lisbon, so happy we went forward with the trip! Weather is beautiful, sunny and high 70s to low 80s.  Walked all over. Joined the Chill Out Lisbon free walking tour; tipped well as tour guides are struggling. Have enjoyed lots of delicious food and wonderful wines. 

We made it to Lisbon! We are in our hotel room having a glass of port and our first pastel de nata! It was an amazingly uneventful trip, especially given we were prepared for quite a haste. Weather is great, people are out and about, we are about to go find dinner. 
As to transiting in Heathrow, we stayed airside so never went through passport control, so no long lines. We did have a security clearance when we landed into Terminal 2, and flew out of T2. We decided to go to a lounge in T3 we could access, so had a couple extra security clearances, but nothing more than 15 minutes or so at any point. 

We took Uber from Lisbon airport to hotel at 5:25p, 25 minutes, and 14 euros. Taxi quoted us 20 euros. 

Sitting in a lounge in London Heathrow, awaiting our flight to Portugal. All has gone very smoothly so far. 

We are in Dulles, getting ready to board flight to London Heathrow. Had our Covid tests and UK passenger locator forms checked here. So far, we keep getting green lights and going forward. Fingers crossed. 

Just finished all my uploading of Negative PCR test results, and my different Passenger Locator and Entry forms for transiting through London Heathrow, and arriving in Lisbon, Portugal.  Took about 1.5 hours.  Was not able to complete check-in at end of all of that as one of the documents has to be verified in person at the airport when we arrive tomorrow.  One step at a time. 

Looks like the announcement is coming out now from the EU. Recommended closing borders to US (and a few other countries), but left some wiggle room for countries to make decisions on vaccinated travelers.  As we are vaccinated, we are going forward with our plans until we are notified differently, and will take it day by day. 

The guidance from the bloc is a recommendation and any decision on who to let in, and what restrictions to impose, ultimately rests with the governments of each member state. Countries can also choose to accept proof of vaccination to waive travel restrictions. 

PCR tests back - we are Negative!

DH and I drove to Tampa this morning for our PCR tests with same day results. The office was just a bit over an hours drive from our house. We arrived at 8:10am for our 8:30am appointments - the office opens at 8:00am, and schedule appointments beginning at 8:20am.  We were the first clients in and the tech was just getting set up for the day, nurse arrived about 8:20am

We had our tests which involved a long swap for what seemed like a very long time rubbed up each nostril. We could have chosen testing back in 2-4 hours at $179 pp, but went with testing back by end of day at $159 pp. We were out the door by 8:30am, and there were quite a few people waiting and arriving for tests by then. 

We received our test results via email with a link to follow by 9:29am, just as we were about to arrive back home. Very relieved to test Negative. 

Now to wait on the EU announcement.....