Aggie83

Yes, I had same questions. I think it is sloppy editing/proofreading and that it should read like the Japan protocol. I had 2 different chats with Princess reps between 12/10 and 12/12 and they both said it can be self-administered. I received the following in an email from Princess on 12/13: I'm telling you what I did to get on the Sapphire on the 19th in Chile. As I previously posted, check the CruiseHealth FAQ which was updated 12/19.

See posts #4 and #9 above. Also check out the CruiseHealth FAQ on the Princess website. This was updated on the 19th. The cruise duration guideline for testing was eliminated several months ago. Also, there is a dedicated pinned Covid topic in the Princess section of CruiseCritic.

You need to do a Covid test. You don't need to do a proctored antigen test to get on the ship. You can if you want, but it is not required. A self-administered antigen test, not proctored, is accepted. Another option is a proctored PCR test if you want. I boarded the Sapphire on the 19th. See post #4 above.

The OR is correct. Yes, a non-medically observed self-administered antigen home test is accepted. Granted Princess could always revert to the previous requirement of a medically observed test in the future, but today self-administered is accepted. On Saturday I took my non-medically observed self-administered home antigen test at the hotel. I uploaded a pic of the negative test results along with my ID to the Medallion app. I boarded the ship in San Antonio on Monday. No issues or questions asked about the self-administered test. Take a look at the Medallion app - same section where you upload your proof of vaccination. You'll see a reference to self-administered.

Check now. There are updates noted as of 12/19.

What does your Cruise Personalizer say? The Travel Summary?

The 12/14 date may apply to the one line item that says "Updated". That is incorrect information on testing for the 'enhanced' protocol. They have outdated/contradictory information on their website. On 12/13 I received the following communication from Princess. This same verbiage was in my Cruise Personalizer for that cruise. My cruise had the "enhanced" protocol. The list of cruises with the applicable protocol (e.g. enhanced, Japan, Columbia, Australia) is no longer accessible on the website. It was available just a few days ago. I see that the main page on Princess no longer has the health advisory banner either. Maybe they are in the process of revamping the info?????

Yes, a non-medically observed self-administered antigen home test is accepted for cruises with the Enhanced protocol. Granted Princess could always revert to the previous requirement of a medically observed test in the future, but today self-administered is accepted. On Saturday I took my non-medically observed self-administered home antigen test. I uploaded a pic of the negative test results along with my ID to the Medallion app. I boarded the ship today. No issue or questions asked about the self-administered test.

Along with any entity using geofencing to send targeted push messages or digital ads.

Princess didn't just figure out the Columbian requirements. Their 'Columbia' protocol, which applies to the Emerald cruise you reference, has those exact requirements listed. Current version of the protocol is dated 12/2.

It appears they did for the 12/19 cruise. The Travel Summary I printed on Sunday has different wording than what it says today. I will use the most current communication as my governing document which is the email Monday night. This also corresponds to the info in the Cruise Personalizer. I will now do a non-medically observed, self-administered home test Honestly, there is so much outdated and contradictory information in the FAQ section that Princess needs to scrap it and start over. An added bonus would be if it was done by someone with proofreading and editing skills.

Sounds plausible, however the March SA cruises aren't doing Antartica and they are included on the Enhanced protocols which requires testing. That includes the cruise from Santiago to LA.

Duration of the cruise is no longer a determining factor in testing requirements. Princess eliminated that a while ago. As for remoteness and access to care, my Oct TA from Southampton to FLL had no testing requirements - and we had lots of days in the middle of the Atlantic not near anything. As for seasons, it is currently summer in the Southern hemisphere. I have no problem complying with the testing requirements. On that note, I would like requirements to be clearly communicated and Princess fails in this effort. I agree with the OP, I would like to understand why Princess requires a Covid test for some (Dec/Jan/Mar yes, Feb no) of the South America cruises. The countries on the itinerary don't require a test if you are vaxxed. For the cruise itself, Princess requires that you are vaxxed and at least one booster for these cruises. The good news is that per an email from Princess last night, I can now do a self-administered antigen test for the 12/19 Santiago to BA cruise. The medically observed requirement has been removed. This is a recent change and makes it much easier as I'll be in Santiago 5 days prior to embarkation.

It has to be a Princess thing. I don't understand why the February cruises in South America aren't included. The March cruises are. And now it says 3 days not 72 hours. Is that 3 days the way the airlines previously defined it or 72 hours? If I embark on a Monday, can I do a test anytime on the previous Friday?

Maybe it is supposed to read like the Japan protocol: Testing Requirements All guests ages 5 and older are required to take a COVID-19 Test. PCR or antigen (either medically observed or self-administered) COVID-19 test must be taken within 3 days before embarkation. The Enhanced protocol has been edited so many times, and this version is the first one with reference to 'self-administered'.

Using the tool, the protocol my cruise is classified with is the 'Enhanced' protocol and the screen shot above is that protocol. All cruises listed with that protocol will see that document. The other protocols a cruise may fall under are: Japan, Colombia, Australia, Enhanced Australia. There are separate documents for those protocols. https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced

I posted the current Health Protocol above for Enhanced guideline cruises. The first bullet and the third bullet under Testing Requirements aren't in alignment. You can also use the link I included to see all the protocols.

Princess really needs to review all of the information they have on their website as it relates to testing requirements. It appears that the cruises that fall under the Enhanced protocols (https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced) now allow self-administered antigen test results, even though the first bullet under Testing Requirements seems to contradict the last bullet. Prior to this 12/2 update, the requirement was for medically observed COVID test and there was no reference to self-administered home antigen tests. I think this is a case of sloppy editing/proofreading and it should probably be the same wording as the Japan protocols. I called Princess to get verification that I could do a self-administered home antigen test. Although the response was 'yes', I still don't have that warm fuzzy feeling that the rep was doing anything other than regurgitating the last bullet to me. I would love to avoid the hassle of doing a 'medically observed' COVID test in a foreign country (Chile). My back up plan is to use Azova and the home tests I will be taking with me.

Here is a useful link. It lists all cruises that have specific Health Protocols. https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced

I was on the recent Sky Princess TA and no tapas available/offered in Vines. That was a disappointment.

On the recent Sky Princess TA (10/29 - 11/12) they had NFL games showing on MUTS and in Princess Live.

I just completed the Sky Princess TA on 11/12 and they had the egg drop competition.

A pet peeve of mine. Lots of nebulous titles on CC.

Although there was a time when the menu was largely dictated by corporate, today the chef determines the menu. There is a pre-dinner meeting which you will communicate food allergies and other dietary considerations. I've included the menu from our 2018 Royal Chef's Table. IMHO, I would not recommend the experience to a "picky" eater. You don't need to be a "foodie" to enjoy. If you like good food that is beautifully presented, I think you will enjoy the experience. The chef will explain each dish, such as the ingredients and any interesting preparation notes. The chef does not talk throughout the meal.

Does anyone have a current Sterling Steakhouse menu they can post. I'm trying to decide between Sterling and Sabatini's for an upcoming cruise. Thank you.