Fredric22

Hopefully MSC gets a clue this week and reverses their testing policy for short cruises.  

1 minute ago, AnA4ever said:

I also just realized the Covid testing at Walgreens and CVS is no longer free. Walgreens wants over $180!!! I think I found 1 private test center here in Osceola County but it is still $79 for a Rapid Antigen.  What crap!

I literally have no idea what MSC is thinking.... wouldn't surprise me if they reverse this next week but who knows.  The August 29th date is completely arbitrary.  

22 minutes ago, AnA4ever said:

Well it looks like MSC has changed the plan on Covid Testing. We leave on the MSC Divina on the 14th and we just got this email.

CURRENT COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENTS UNTIL AUGUST 28, 2022:
(For U.S. and Puerto Rico residents departing on cruises from U.S. ports)

• All fully COVID-19 vaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than 2 days prior to ship embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. MSC Cruises may provide additional testing, if necessary, at the terminal during embarkation or on board to protect our guests and crew.
• All guests not fully vaccinated (based on the above vaccination requirements) are required to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 3 days prior to ship embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. These guests may undergo an additional COVID-19 test at the terminal prior to embarkation provided by MSC Cruises, free of charge. The only exception is that no pre-embarkation or embarkation testing is required for guests under 2 years of age.

UPDATED POLICY BEGINNING AUGUST 29, 2022 (Pending destination requirements):

• For fully vaccinated guests sailing 5 nights or less from U.S. ports, COVID-19 testing within 3 days of embarkation is recommended, but not required.
• Fully vaccinated guests sailing 6 nights or longer from U.S. ports must show proof of a lab-administered negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation. MSC Cruises recommends vaccinated guests to test within 1 day of embarkation, when possible.
• Unvaccinated guests 2-11years must show proof of a lab-administered negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation for all cruises from U.S. ports. MSC Cruises recommends unvaccinated guests to test within 1 day of departure, when possible. These guests may undergo an additional COVID-19 test at the terminal prior to embarkation provided by MSC Cruises, free of charge. The only exception is that no pre-embarkation or embarkation testing is required for guests under 2 years of age.

MSC Cruises’ current vaccination requirements will remain in place for sailings from U.S. ports. All guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. MSC Cruises recommends that fully vaccinated guests receive booster doses when eligible to do so, per CDC recommendations. MSC Cruises crew are fully vaccinated and regularly tested.

You can sail with confidence knowing that MSC Cruises will operate under its industry-leading health and safety protocols, enabling safe and enjoyable cruising.

This is absolutely ridiculous!  Carnival just changed their policy today and confirmed no testing required after August 8th. So why is MSC now waiting until August 28th? Ugh. 

As many of us knew (except 1 person) the rules changed because they didn't make sense.  Carnival either misunderstood the Bahamian requirements or something else was happening behind the scenes. However, as predicted Carnival has now fallen in line with all of the other cruise lines.  Have a good evening everyone! 

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

For the sake of this conversation, false rumors aside, Carnival currently requires testing for the Bahamas.

 

Due to destination requirements, ALL guests on itineraries that include Bahamas, Bermuda and Grand Cayman must complete a pre-cruise test, irrespective of the length of the cruise.

 

 

 

 

LOL... citing what other cruise lines are doing is not "false rumors".... You can't make this stuff up!  I feel like whoever this person is is just trying to get a rise out of people.  Whoever you are,  you are very good at what you do!! 

45 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Royal ends up testing everyone at the pier. Time will tell.

For the 10th time, Virgin and Margaritaville have already been sailing to the Bahamas with untested guests for over a week now and will continue to do so this weekend without any changes.  

2 minutes ago, prmssk said:

Royal just posted their updated protocols and their short cruises to the Bahamas do not require testing for vaccinated passengers.  The only countries excepted from the new no testing policy are Bermuda and Canada.

 

I wonder what makes Carnival different.

Exactly!  Carnival is the only line requiring testing for the Bahamas and is blaming it on them.  As I've said before this makes no sense because Virgin, Margaritaville, MSC, and now Royal are continuing with no pre-test for The Bahamas. 

This would be true however other cruise lines are not requiring testing.... so something else is up. 

2 minutes ago, mickeychicky said:

Carnival is following what the Bahamas government issued.....Virgin is slacking on their updates it seems

Virgin just made an update last night.  What government guidance are you referring to? 

Carnival just updated their policy and re-affirmed that all cruise passengers will be required to test before entering the Bahamas (vaxxed or unvaxxed) due to the local rules.  So... either Virgin is right or Carnival is right... not sure how both can be following the correct rules. 

2 minutes ago, carolinablue704 said:

I am on the Elation sailing out tomorrow, and I just received this email at 10am this morning

 

August 3, 2022 Dear Carnival Guest,   While we have previously communicated our plans to no longer require pre-cruise COVID testing for fully vaccinated guests on itineraries 5 days or shorter, this policy is subject to local destination requirements. Since the resumption of cruising, The Bahamas has required pre-cruise testing for all guests on ships calling in The Bahamas, regardless of itinerary length or a guest’s vaccination status. While we are hopeful that the Bahamas will continue to evolve its policies, pre-cruise testing requirements remain in effect.    Therefore, in order to comply with destination requirements in The Bahamas, all guests (irrespective of vaccination status), age 2 and older, must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen COVID test taken within three (3) days prior to embarkation.   Please make every attempt to get tested prior to arrival at the cruise terminal. Considering you will be departing for your cruise shortly, in the event you are unable to get the test done ahead of time, we have made arrangements for a limited number of tests to be taken at the pier for a reduced fee of US$30, per person, to be applied to your Sail & Sign account. Testing availability may be limited for each specific port, so you are strongly encouraged to complete the testing before your arrival.   CARNIVAL ELATION AUGUST 4, 2022, ONLY If you are unable to get a test done externally, you may pre-register for a “in-car/drive through” test here. Testing will be conducted at the pier from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and pre-registration is mandatory.  We look forward to welcoming you on board your Carnival cruise vacation shortly.

Sincerely, Christine Duffy President, Carnival Cruise Line

HA! How ridiculous!! What the heck is going on at Carnival!?

OK it looks like Virgin might actually provide some clues here.  Originally Virgin's updated policy was that no testing was required at all for vaxxed or unvaxxed.  However, this update was made late last night: https://www.virginvoyages.com/voyage-well#general-information

It looks like unvaxxed are now required to test within 24 hours of departure.  This is indeed a big change.  It is possible the Bahamas was not happy with the possibility of having unvaxxed guests come to their island without testing so they made some changes.  Hopefully this is a compromise and Carnival follows (the compromise being that unvaxxed are required to test within 24 hours vs. 2 or 3 days, etc.).  What isn't clear though is why Carnival is saying that vaxxed guests are also required to test.  That part is still a mystery.....  unless perhaps Carnival is planning to sail with significant amount of unvaxxed and Bahamas isn't comfortable with that?  

Ugh.... this is getting ridiculous!  Carnival also announced yesterday testing is required for all cruises going to the Bahamas....

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

How it works:

 

Carnival is pleased to announce that we are adjusting certain protocols to reflect the lifting of CDC requirements for the U.S. cruise industry. These changes will be made in phases, with the first taking effect on Thursday, August 4, 2022, and focused on short cruise itineraries of 5 nights or less. All changes are subject to any requirements of destinations on the itinerary. We are waiting to hear back from certain destinations and these protocols will continue to evolve.

Great...?? I'm not sure if you think you're actually contributing to this conversation or not but regardless I wish you the best of times on your future cruises! 

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

No, I'm not new. As a company, Carnival can set any protocols they want, but weren't tests required for the Bahamas before? or cruises in general?

Sorry you haven't been keeping up with the latest news.  I can see how it can be confusing! 

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

So if Margaritaville at Sea jumps off a bridge, Carnival should follow? Doesn't make sense.

 

Carnival's cruise line; Carnival's rules.

huh?  are you new here?  The protocols are being based off of the requirements of the DESTINATION. You think Carnival suddenly wants to require tests for the Bahamas just for fun?  No.... not how it works. 

Just checked and Margaritaville at Sea goes to Freeport every other day and testing has already been dropped.  Please make this make sense!  Carnival is really doing a number on everyone....

What the heck is going on at Carnival?? Virgin dropped testing last week and sails to the Bahamas on every cruise from Miami.... 

Just now, JT1962 said:

Yes, so far. Royal Caribbean begins their new testing policy on Aug 8 and still haven’t posted the details on their website, that I have seen, so they may require testing for the Bahamas as well.  I can’t imagine Carnival deciding to do this on their own if it was not a requirement from the Bahamas.

Virgin has already dropped testing last week and no changes so far today....

1 hour ago, JT1962 said:

The testing requirements now also include the Bahamas and Grand Cayman as of an update yesterday. I am guessing a lot of people will be upset when the arrive at the pier in a few days, are unaware of this and are denied boarding.  

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols

 

TESTING REQUIREMENTS (UPDATED 8/01/22)

CRUISES 5 DAYS OR LESS

Except where destination requirements differ, effective with sailings departing August 4, 2022, there will be no pre-cruise testing for fully vaccinated guests booked on certain cruises with itineraries 5 days or less. Due to destination requirements, ALL guests on itineraries that include Bahamas, Bermuda and Grand Cayman must complete a pre-cruise test, irrespective of the length of the cruise. For these itineraries, guests may take either a PCR or antigen test starting 3 days before departure and including embarkation day, provided test results are received in time for check-in (for example, if the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken any time from Wednesday).

Meanwhile Carnival is apparently the only cruise line requiring testing for The Bahamas at this point...

Virgin, MSC, Royal and others have not made any changes to their rules regarding testing and the Bahamas so I'm not sure why Carnival is the only one to have made this change. And with no further clarification today it is doing to be a real mess at the pier next week if this is indeed true.. 

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Okay, in your legal opinion, what is the basis of the suit?  Are the cruise lines going to be discriminated against, or singled out over mask mandate?  Does the US government not have the right to place requirements and restrictions on vessels entering the US?  I suppose that the government could say that no masks, no vaccinations, no nothing, and we will board every ship as it enters the US and look for signs of contagious disease, and quarantine the ship if found.  Lets go back to the 1700's.

Absolutely they are being singled out!  A cruise ship should NOT be treated the same as a plane, train, or other form of "public transportation" because they are nowhere close to being alike.  The basis of the suit can be that the CDC mask order should not actually have any jurisdiction over cruise ships.  Regardless of whether you believe it is right or wrong, there is no one entity who should be able to control huge areas of society/business without that entity being legally challenged.  Florida already took the CDC to court once and they prevailed.  You are making up arguments in your head about going back to the 1700s... I am not sure what that is about but it sounds like you have a very active imagination.  🙂

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

And in the unlikely event of this happening with the Captain being led away in handcuffs, many of the unmasked would be cheering for him for having stood up for their freedoms.🤦‍♂️😒

This is also so completely ridiculous it isn't even funny anymore.  The cruise lines absolutely have a right to sue and I am sure that attorneys on their side are looking into any an all options with regards to these new "guidelines."  

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

While this is true for the majority of the cruise, the mask mandate is a requirement for the ship to enter US waters.  It has to have been in place at least since the last foreign port.  Without a declaration from the Captain that the mandate has been enforced that long, then the USCG will not grant clearance to enter US waters.  Should the Captain falsify this declaration, he would, personally, be liable for criminal charges.  Not sure any Captain values his job over incarceration and fine.

It will be hard to find creative ways around that for sure.  Perhaps a middle of the night stop in the Bahamas right before returning to FL? HA!  Either the cruise lines will try to negotiate something else with the CDC or there may be some kind of legal action coming.  I just can't see them adopting the booster requirements... their already decimated business would be cut so much further.  I can't see how it would work financially.  But, I've been wrong before... 

18 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

while it is noble that you have learned what an RCT is, the logic behind your demand for them is flawed:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7992121/

 

The beauty of it all is that we now have 2 years worth of real world data to look at the effectiveness of population level mask mandates... and we can compare places with and without them.  Based on that data, we know if they work or not.  I don't have to tell you the answer to that since I am assuming you already know.  

27 minutes ago, mollybloomers said:

That's a heck of a cherry pick. The real conclusion is below. Regardless, I'm not arguing with you anymore. My original reply was to someone who said that there were no studies. I showed there were. You said you didn't believe them bc they weren't randomized. I showed you two - including one that randomized 350,000 people. I doubt there is any convincing you, regardless of facts. And that's fine. It's not the purpose of these boards. This is my happy place, and I just won't spend any more time arguing with a brick wall. Cheers!

 

"The study suggests that community mask use by well people could be beneficial, particularly for COVID-19, where transmission may be pre-symptomatic. The studies of masks as source control also suggest a benefit, and may be important during the COVID-19 pandemic in universal community face mask use as well as in health care settings. Trials in healthcare workers support the use of respirators continuously during a shift. This may prevent health worker infections and deaths from COVID-19, as aerosolisation in the hospital setting has been documented."

LOL cherry pick?  It is literally in the summary of the results of the article you linked to!!! I can't even... you are just too funny!  Anyway, enjoy your next cruise! 🙂