BrandiGreg

14 minutes ago, srpilo said:

Still sip & cover on the 2nd leg  ?

Yes...it really is not that big of a deal but most people aren't doing it actually and I have not observed any enforcement.   Mainly masks when going from place to place, elevators, hallways, or in non- drinking/eating locations, etc.  I think what works best is just common sense that 90% of us use anyway.

6 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I just saw on FB that the Sept 30th sailing did have a most travelled passenger luncheon.  I’m not sure of the number of days required for the invite but we are only in the 200’s and we were not invited.  I think it may have started around 400+ days.  We’ve got a long way to go!  

The September 25 sailing had the MTP luncheon.  We attended.  About 440 days was the cutoff.  I heard the current sailing will have a specialty dining voucher for the top 40 most travelled.

3 minutes ago, SwimCarrie said:

Is it okay to ask a food related question? Have you all seen smoked salmon at breakfast? Weird, yes, but hey, we all have our things we look forward to. Lol. 

Yes, and sometimes smoked salmon sandwiches at lunch buffet

On 9/10/2021 at 7:47 PM, cruzsnooze said:

I'm thinking of just printing the medical report page for proof logging into my Kaiser account. I will also do a screen shot and email it to my phone. 

On 9/11/2021 at 8:27 AM, Sea Hag said:

We bought a two-pack here: COVID-19 Test for Travel - Abbott BinaxNOW™ Ag At-Home Kit 2 Pack | Optum Store

 

3 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

So they're giving you an antigen test onboard to see if you caught COVID on your first leg of your B2B on the second or third day of your second leg which is a 4 day cruise? I am so confused? What's the point since all the other passengers have to show proof of a negative antigen/PCR test prior to boarding? Shouldn't you have gotten your antigen test today (at the end of your first leg) so you would know the antigen test status prior to boarding your second leg?

I agree, seems weird to me.

We are on the Grand now and just got a letter saying we will be in the same cabin for our b2b, and to meet deck 7 aft at 10:15 am to go as a group through customs and then re-embark (same procedure as pre-covid). Testing will be done onboard on our choice of the next day (San Diego) or day after (sea day).  We also got In Transit cards if we want to get off the ship and leave terminal.

International Cafe breakfast selection.  They now have small breakfast burritos with salsa (egg and mild link sausage).

30 minutes ago, redrobin said:

 

@Cruise Raider- I was on the Majestic in August and will shortly be on the Grand. I can't wait! I'm genuinely curious and seeking clarification. Why do you believe the masking rule for lounges and bars is sip and cover? Are there signs, did you hear it from a crew member? If only a couple of people are masked at Crooners, I can't tell why you believe that to be the case?

 

The onboard masking requirements have not changed on the Princess website from what they were for our Alaska sailings. There were no Mask Required signs at the bars or bar lounges on the Majestic. Has that changed on the Grand? Thanks!

 

There are signs in  Vista and Explorer's lounge, and at trivias today in Explorer's,  the staff member mentioned it.  Just my observation, but it seems those less likely to be seen wearing a mask are the "younger" passengers (20s to 40s).  I've observed no enforcement of the policy though.  Just my observations.  We are cool with it.

On 9/27/2021 at 12:33 AM, Steelers36 said:

And with pax in there smoking and no masks, I'd like to know what's the problem with walking around in open areas with no mask?  Some of the rules just don't make sense.

No mask needed outside unless you are crowded together, such as on a tender. Just common sense stuff.

We booked four b2bs starting Saturday on the Grand.  We booked them way back in May (online...we never use an agent or vacation planner). Then I heard rumors that b2b's were not allowed (and the CDC never technically banned them...they just banned cruises more than 7 days.....so as long as each separate cruise of a b2b is 7 days or less, it is ok)  So I called Princess, and they said they were fine and our bookings were ok.   And as it turns out, they were right.  We just wanted to economically get back on the water, even for 3 Cabo visits.  We live in central Calif, but got airfares that morning of $120 round trip, which is about what driving and staying at the Doubletree with free parking would cost.  B2B Carnival cruise vloggers reported that they disembarked on turnaround days as usual, but were retested in the terminal.  We will gladly take any upgrade from our interior aft cabin, but would prefer it not involve moving between legs.  Doing the Ensenada wineries tours ( we've done them twice before), and "Best of Cabo" on our October 9 leg, to use up some OBC.   Otherwise, it's 19 days of "free" drinks and eating as much seafood as I can find.  Oh, and my passion at home, team trivia games.  

19 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

This is what I got back from Optum. It seems to cover the bases, and I'm reassured that the two pack I bought will work for both of us. We're thinking of these tests as the back up plan and will still be trying to get a rapid test locally.

 

Thank you for contacting the Optum Store. The BinaxNow Covid-19 2 and 3 packs can be used by individual people. Upon receiving this product, you will be prompted to download an app called Navica. This is where you will obtain your test results. Each individual person will then create separate credentials for this app. When you are ready to conduct your test, using the same credentials for Navica, you will then log in to eMed.com. This is the proctor that will help you conduct this test. Please let us know if there are any additional questions we can assist you with.

We also got the 2 pack for a back up to our tests this week, but we also ordered a 2 pack for our March cruise and the expiration date is before then, which they didn't tell us when ordering, so I complained and they say they are issuing a refund.  Try to call and ask for expiration date before you order.

I bought a 2 pack for myself and a 2 pack for my wife.  Nowhere in the ordering process did it state that these expire so soon.  I was planning one for our cruise coming up this month (as a back up to our regular testing, in case the results are late) and one for our March cruise.  But now I am seeing they expire in about 3 months.  So, I am going to ask for a refund or a new pair of kits in February.  Also, strangely, they asked me a few questions online before my order, but no questions about my wife's order.  

We ordered Optum kits September 6.  They still haven't shipped it, even though they said it would be FedEx.

7 minutes ago, Level six said:

I just read an article today saying that people are getting charged for covid tests for travel.  Some people have gotten bills for $200.  I don't know, I have never gotten a test, but just so you can look into it. 

I can always tell them I think I was exposed or complain of a scratchy throat.  

I made appointments at 2 different places on the morning 2 days before our cruise, in case results from one of them is late.  They are free (in US).  This is my back-up planning.

On 8/28/2021 at 5:35 PM, pris993 said:

Booked for January 31st... so no point in getting too excited by CDC updates at this point/  Things keep changing, what else is knew from the CDC!!

I'm glad that the CDC makes "knew" recommendations as the virus changes, data changes, and research changes.  They are on top of things and not just stuck in old ways.  Such is Science.

1 hour ago, RRFan said:

I wonder if you can go back to CVS and explain the situation that you will be cruising and need your Vax card to match your passport and they can give you another original card with your name written as it is on your passport?  If it's local, that would be worth a try to save you trouble at check in.  

Great idea! Thanks

I am a little worried that, because I use my middle name in non-official business like getting healthcare, my vax card thus shows my middle name, and is not my legal first name appearing on my passport.  The birthday dates match, however.  Just the first names dont.  At the time I got vaccinated, I did not forsee that the card would be so important for travel, or I would have provided CVS my legal first name to record on it. Hope there is no problem at embarkation.

I listened to it too, and he said they are not doing b2b.  But with 3 months to go, I anticipate my b2b bookings will be a go, unless covid gets worse.  I made my bookings online.  

As long as each voyage of the b2b is 7 days or less. it should meet the guidelines.  And what about the 900 or so crew staying on board for a b2b? If they are allowed, why are passengers banned? Makes no sense to me.  

I called Princess this morning,  and our b2b2b out of LA in September is still ok. (no one cruise is over 7 days) They said they have received no instructions to cancel b2b's.  

B2B2B in September via online booking.

11 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Because there's no guarantee that the 1 hour test will be available.

True. But currently,  they are readily available in all US embarkation ports.

It seems to not make any logical sense that back to back cruises from US ports are not currently allowed booking, if each cruise is 7 days or less.  Why is a newly-arriving passenger safer than an in-transit passenger who submits to the exact same screening and testing requirements? (assuming the 1 hour rapid test is acceptable).The in-transit passenger's comings and goings are known during the first cruise, whereas new passengers have unknown exposures in unknown locations prior to boarding.  The CDC did not specifically ban back to backs....only that each cruise not exceed 7 days.  Back to backs are separately marketed cruises.  OK, my venting is over.

Got off Sapphire Jan.21, 14 day SEAsia cruise. No wine package offered due to "unavailability  of many wines".

3 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

and they keep going up.  Some Disney cruises are even cheaper.

No, they don't keep going up.  In my 41 Princess cruise experience, they usually go down over time.