bluewater2111

Well what a waste of time that all was.

Printed immigration form, both got the app, uploaded everything and guess what - no one ever asked for this info.

Marella need to update their website and information, hassle that would have been avoided.

There was also a delay heading back to Birmingham, no rush at Grantley stating 20 minutes for sanitisation turned into an hour but then we were on Caribbean time.

Also, if they need you to use this app then there must surely be free wifi at the airport...my phone isn't going to work in Barbados as there is no coverage.

8 hours ago, CRUIS4ME said:

Just returned from Barbados on 14 night cruise on the Grandeur.   There were several hoops we jumped through as we went from through American Airlines, getting into Barbados, and at the port terminal.    
we used Verifly app and it worked at the American Airlines desk at the airport….we loaded pictures, vaccination records, Covid  results, passports, etc.  
 

We uploaded and filled out BIMSafe.  Again adding vaccination records, passports, photos, and Covid test results as well as immigration form.    Bimsafe…ie Barbados government…requires  this info at the airport terminal once we landed and before going  though their customs.  
 

RCCL sent us a form about a week before cruise which we filled out electronically which was required at the port.   Again, uploading the info as required.   This hoop gave us an appointment at the port for an antigen test AND a reservation number. The paper copy was especially handy at this point.

 

We made copies of QR codes, reservation numbers , etc etc.  At each stage, the paper copies seemed, for us, to be handier and more convenient to get through the various checkpoints.   So my suggestion is electronic copies on cell and paper copies  in a travel  binder.

 

The one other lesson we learned was, at the time, we were required a PCR test…nasalphenogeal.   We had the correct test done but the paperwork had it written as a nasal swab….Barbados wanted the word nasalphenogeal …. When they rejected our test results, good news was they gave us…and many other passengers..a free nsalaphenogeal swab test.   So, if they require a specific test done by a specific medical professional vs home test kit….then make sure you get specifically what they want written in the documents.

 

And, if I may, exiting Barbados at their air terminal was horrendously disorganized and chaotic.   Allow five hours for check in and to go through their one man security desk.   If it takes less, then it’s a win!   Hope this helps.  

 

 

Thanks for the heads up, can't wait for the 5 hours in the airport!!!

 

 

Every 

Thanks for this, just about to go for the PCR test, I hope that they will accept the recommended Tui test links for screen 4 at the air terminal as I doubt we can dictate what they describe this test as, otherwise we may as well not pay and go to the effort of driving a distance to get this there and then.

Anyone else used Screen 4 and had difficulties at Barbados?

I know, we do the same best to be prepared!

Do you have to download this Bimsafe app? Isn't this for just for tracking those staying in Barbados? 

We have printed the forms out.

Agree with all above, such a shame the MDR was something to look forward to.

No overnight we leave at 8pm so maybe 0 nights.

Might have to do the form from my phone if we need to upload passport pics.

Talk about jumping through hoops to go on holiday.

Hi, we can't fill this for a little while yet, but looking through there's a bit about uploading Biodata under travel information, how do you do this and also how many nights do you put surely it's 0 as we are cruising on the ship?

Apologies the 2 on my keyboard doesn't work, I meant the 25th!

Sorry to jump on this, I would like to know the same, out ship is the Marella Explorer arriving on Friday 5 March.

Thanks in advance

Wished I hadn't bothered two recent ones were awful and we good next week!!

Last summer we cruised and noticed that some things had changed over the years. For example no food gala night, they used to be magnificent and also no atmosphere in the dining room and no pavlova nights! 

Anyone else?

I can see there are posts above on these but there are no new ones, why is that? I understand about Covid but surely there must be more recent reviews available?

As an aside...I had damage to my suitcase at Newcastle (UK cruise) and Tui refused to pay for another, the handle was completely trashed. They told me to claim on my own insurance which was pointless given the 50 excess.

Apparently they only deal with damaged luggage through the airline not UK cruises. I was so annoyed as I now have to buy another.

Just had an email from Marella, useful links for PCR and yes the lateral flows are with Chronomics.

Thanks, that's great.

I don't think Chronomics are an option I think it's Randox...

Hi, yes we are aware of the requirements but I wanted to know which companies people have used and their experiences.

So...I would like to hear your recommendations for testing partners, it seems that Select 4 seems a good option for us with a local (ish) clinic where we can go, read a lot on here about others but nor hear about this one.

The Lateral flow at 9pm before you fly seems a bit too close for comfort getting the certificates back if  you have dodgy wifi given we are in a hotel that night but that's what we have to do.

Also, to confirm if we fly on the Sunday are we OK to get the PCR on the Thursday?

Thanks in advance.

On 1/27/2022 at 4:39 PM, Rebel Rouser said:

Marella Explorer - this morning ( Thurs 27th ) in Funchal, Madeira - she is the only Marella ship at the moment sailing with guests but Discovery is scheduled to re-start on Sunday 30th January from Barbados and then Explorer 2 on 1st March from Jamaica

Do we know if Discovery has moved?

I did the thing you should never do and that is run the holiday we moved with them last year which departs in a few weeks, it was stacks cheaper so if it's cancelled I'll just ask for a refund and chance my luck another time. So annoying I think some cruise lines actually give you the difference back if it's cheaper, forget who but that would have been nice, could use the cash for excursions.

I could always cancel and rebook but knowing my luck the flights would have changed or something.

Interesting to see what happens on the 30th then...