danv3

This would be really helpful, though who knows if this will be permanent.

(Of course the real answer is for the US to end its nonsensical test requirement)

26 minutes ago, durberville said:

I’m all for CDC guidelines in general,  but this particular rule of testing to fly home is out of step with the rest of the world and sure hasn’t raised the country up to a beacon of success on the Covid front. Other countries have dropped testing to enter, and still have much better numbers. 

I'm sure this rule would get more popular support if there was even the slightest bit of logic behind it.  

No one can articulate a reasonable basis why someone driving from Toronto to New York doesn't need to test but someone flying from Toronto to New York does.  And lest anyone suggest it's because flying is different, ask why no one has to test when they fly from Los Angeles to New York (a much longer, but domestic flight).  

Good information. Appreciate the first hand report. 
 

Still hoping the requirement goes away though!

Surely, having already changed back to one day from two days once, X was more cautious this time and will not revert back to one day yet again.  

I think I've heard this one before.  I have to assume it will change multiple times before my sailing on July 4.

Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice...

12 hours ago, d9704011 said:

No test.

True.  As we all know, COVID can only cross international borders via air.  Sea and land borders are impervious.  😄

38 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

Ahh, the problem is that the US requires you to test negative to come back, where a lot of other countries have dropped this as a requirement.  Many in the travel industry has been pressuring The CDC to drop this.

Yes, this is the problem.  Pointless requirement based on an early 2020 mindset.  

Restrictions and requirements slowly dropping away.  Now let's see the US drop the foolish return testing requirement!

12 hours ago, misha1 said:

Because of this very debate, we have changed our flight home from Vancouver to Seattle and will hire a car service to Seattle.  Expensive?  Yes, but no more than trip insurance and we do not need to test and risk either missing our flight or having to isolate in Canada.  If we are symptomatic, then we test onboard and take it from there.  It was just too much stress after a vacation.  It's enough to cancel...once again.  First world problem

No more evidence is needed of the absolute absurdity of the return to US testing requirement.

7 hours ago, Denny01 said:

They’ve been doing this for an extended time, I assume since starting cruising.

 

You realize being ‘asymptomatic’ means you have COVID which isn’t making You ill, but you can then pass it on to anyone who could very well be adversely impacted. And yes, all onboard are vaccinated, but we are still working with a disease that some can contract even vaccinated, and be gravely impacted……used the word ‘grave’ for a reason. 

 

I’d hate to ruin someone’s vacation by making them ill/killing them….but what the heck, its a lower percentage so why not. 

 

Den

If this logic is followed, everyone should test before going to the movies, eating at a restaurant, or basically meeting with any person outside of their home.  

On 5/5/2022 at 5:03 PM, Denny01 said:

Well, maybe Viking has a better cut, since I’be been told that we will be tested very day on our Viking cruise.

Wow, really?  What a bizarre step backwards.  All that level of testing serves to do is catch a lot of asymptomatic cases and ruin a lot of vacations.

Are these parts of the dress code actually enforced on X?

 Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants. And guests are asked to follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances.

I've normally said sister brand RCI and certainly shorts are de facto allowed in the MDR  there notwithstanding any written policy.  

4 hours ago, mimlypops said:

We are hoping the same as an emergency back-up if there is a problem with the online supervised tests we will now have to take with us to use 1 day prior to cruise. The online tests look reliable but if there is a problem with that testing process then there is no pharmacy back-up in Civi on a Sunday so we will have no choice but to go to the port on the Monday and explain. Surely they wouldn't refuse to test you and let you board ??? 

This is our emergency backup plan too.  Not ideal but I don't see what else we can do given the bind X is putting us in.  

Wow, that is extremely disappointing. 

Good news!  Now we just need the US to get rid of the nonsensical return home test requirement.  

And this is the "solution" that X is presenting to its US-based guests?  

Really hope the pointless return to US testing ends soon.

19 hours ago, C-Ya said:

For the sake of discussion……. If you were to test positive at the end of your cruise, how does the quarantine hotel work? Does the cruise line, local authorities, or YOU, pick the location of hotel? Can somebody give any details of that type of situation? Costs, food, testing, etc? Maybe somebody has first hand experience of this situation?

I believe the answer is that it's all on you at that point.  Because of the post-cruise positive test, you can't fly (to the US, at least) but I don't believe Italy is going to isolate you.  So you have to find a hotel, get food, make new travel arrangements, etc.  Honestly, I hope my understanding is wrong, because it's a lot of risk to take on.  Travel insurance might help to cover the costs (maybe) but you'd still have to figure it out in a foreign country on the fly.

2 hours ago, sgmn said:

Our 'day before' is a Sunday. We were due to arrive in Civitavecchia on Sunday afternoon for the cruise on Monday. My hotel has said pharmacies are not open in Civitavecchia on a Sunday PM and will have to do it on Monday on the day of cruise.

My alternatives are:

To take an Internet supervised test with me and hope that there's no problems with the Internet 

Or, take it a test on arrival at Rome Airport and change my hotel to an airport hotel (more expensive) as won't know when to book my transfer 

Or change our LHR flight to later in the day and take the test in UK  . This will arrive at midnight so again will have to book airport hotel

 

 

Same for us.  Tentatively planning to do proctored test in our hotel room.  

12 minutes ago, Princess Fi said:

Canadians no longer have to test to fly home (effective April 1)

Fingers crossed for the US to follow suit soon.  Return testing is pointless.  

8 hours ago, Susanb10567 said:

I was surprised to see Italy was one day prior testing. I had read that about Spain but not Italy. It makes it basically impossible to test before leaving the US. 

Very unfortunate to see this.

Wondering what the rules will be for stops in Turkey in 2022.  We have a cruise scheduled with stops in Istanbul and Kusadasi this July.  If I knew right now those stops wouldn't happen, I'd probably cancel.  

3 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

You should always have your passport with you in another country

Every time. The only exception in my mind is a private island. 

The vaccinated continue to pay for the choices of the unvaccinated.  Very frustrating.

It's pretty clear that Royal is expecting the mask requirements to be relaxed for vaccinated passengers, and very soon:

In the coming days, we are expecting updated guidance from the CDC on mask policies for vaccinated guests and will update you at that time.

I would be quite surprised if many, or even any, sailings happen where vaccinated passengers are expected to wear masks.

10 minutes ago, koolZip said:

Wah, wah wah!

When you run a cruise line you can make up your own rules.

In the meantime, if you don't like it, stay home.

Hope this helps...

Overreact much?  Goodness.