Update for Forthcoming Cruise Onboard Protocol

[RW75]

Received this email last night, sure it will answer a couple of questions we all have.

 

apologies if this info is posted or available on the Azamara site, didn’t see it. 

 

 

 

 

 

Azamara Guest,

We're writing to share some important details about the experience you can expect on your upcoming Azamara Quest sailing to Greece. We're implementing new health and safety standards with our Explore Well at Sea program to ensure a healthy vacation for guests and crew. 

• Important Note: As health protocols evolve, we're committed to sharing updated requirements with you. These protocols are subject to change. Please note, many governments and certain airlines require proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test no more than three days before entry or flight departure. Please check with your airline, local health authority or government travel agency regarding any requirements they may have when exiting or entering the countries you will visit.
• Vaccination
  • All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated in order to sail. To be considered fully vaccinated, the final dose of the vaccine must be completed at least 14 days before sailing. Vaccinated guests must present their original vaccination document issued by the country's health authority or administering healthcare provider as proof of vaccination for COVID-19. Please refer to our FAQs for additional vaccine requirement information. 
• Greece Travel Requirements
  • Travelers arriving in Greece are required to have either a negative PCR certificate from an accredited testing laboratory of their choice, for a COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen (rapid) certificate taken no longer than 48 hours before arrival. This test is mandatory for all tourists (including children over the age of 12), regardless of the epidemiological situation in the country of departure. Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate. All costs for this test are the unvaccinated guest's responsibility.
  • All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before entering Greece providing detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece. The PLF can also be found on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr. It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free, prior their arrival in Greece.

• Azamara Testing Requirements
  • As a requirement to sail with Azamara, all guests must undergo an antigen test in terminal as described below. Testing at the terminal prior to embarkation and onboard prior to disembarkation will be conducted by licensed and accredited third-party testing providers we have contracted. All Guests must register for this testing and agree to the third-party testing provider terms and conditions. Registration details will be sent via email in advance. 
    • Testing schedule:
      • At the Terminal: All guests 12 years and older are required to take an antigen test for COVID-19 when checking in at the terminal, which will be administered by one of our testing vendors. Registration details will be sent via email in advance. 
      • Prior to Disembarking: While onboard, all guests 12 years and older will be required to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours of the end of voyage. This test will be conducted the day before the cruise ends by one of our testing vendors. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test. Vaccinated guests who require an antigen or PCR test for entry into their destination country may receive one onboard at no charge. Arrangements for PCR tests must be made onboard. 
• Going Ashore in Greece
  • Views on independent exploration by international visitors vary by country and by port of call. This remains a very fluid situation and can change on short notice. At present, fully vaccinated guests visiting Athens, Mykonos, Heraklion, Santorini, Rhodes, and Cyprus will be able to go ashore either on an Azamara shore excursion or independently, at their leisure. All guests must follow local health and safety requirements. We offer a variety of curated small-group and private excursions that comply with Azamara's health and safety measures. Our shore excursions are available to book on-line or through one of our Destination Insiders who can create a customized Private Journey for you. 
• Travel Documentation Checklist 
  • All guests: Passport books (not cards) are required. Passports must have a validity of at least six months after the sailing's return date. Guests must present their original vaccination document issued by the country's health authority or administering healthcare provider as proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
• Face Masks and Physical Distancing
  • All guests will be required to wear masks indoors and outdoors, except when eating or drinking, and in ports of call based on local government requirements, which will be provided onboard.
  • Masks are not required in your stateroom when you are with your traveling party, outside on the open decks. 
  • You'll find the entire ship and boarding process set up to allow for physical distancing, which is encouraged whenever interacting with those outside of your traveling party. 

Please visit www.Azamara.com/ExploreWellGreece for the latest Explore Well at Sea protocols.

If you have questions or concerns that need to be addressed, you are more than welcome to call our special help desk at 1-855-AZAMARA (292-6272), option 3.

Thank you for your understanding. We take great pride in bringing you and every Azamara guest unforgettable experiences both onboard our ships and within our destinations. We can assure you that your future Azamara vacation will deliver the highest standards of service and quality for which we are known. 

We look forward to welcoming you onboard.

 

Sincerely,

AZAMARA

[Tripgalrf]

Very helpful, thank you for posting. Answers some questions on testing.

[Travels with Lisa]

Well, that doesn't sound like much fun!  But it was expected....

[uktog]

Do you read that masks are required when say by the pool as bullets 1 and 2 seem to contradict.  I’ve just returned from a cruise where masks were required indoors including the theatre and on tour buses.  I found I could manage about 90 minutes in a mask, then I started to struggle 

[Huntingdon1701]

59 minutes ago, uktog said:

Do you read that masks are required when say by the pool as bullets 1 and 2 seem to contradict.  I’ve just returned from a cruise where masks were required indoors including the theatre and on tour buses.  I found I could manage about 90 minutes in a mask, then I started to struggle 

 

Yes, they do seem to contradict, as do their comments about testing before arriving at the ship. Given the rules in Greece at the moment, I can't see why they would require them around the pool deck unless it gets very crowded. They may be thinking of specific events like the White Party or Azamazing night where most passengers will be out there close together. 

[uktog]

25 minutes ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

Yes, they do seem to contradict, as do their comments about testing before arriving at the ship. Given the rules in Greece at the moment, I can't see why they would require them around the pool deck unless it gets very crowded. They may be thinking of specific events like the White Party or Azamazing night where most passengers will be out there close together. 

There is no white night at present and the azamazing event onboard is capacity controlled, they are running it several times in the evening like they did in the Caribbean last year

[excitedofharpenden]

2 hours ago, uktog said:

Do you read that masks are required when say by the pool as bullets 1 and 2 seem to contradict.  I’ve just returned from a cruise where masks were required indoors including the theatre and on tour buses.  I found I could manage about 90 minutes in a mask, then I started to struggle 

Yes, I just read it again and it is contradictory, isn't it?  I'd assume that being outside you'd not need to wear one. Don't fancy that on a sun lounger. It's not a good look!

 

Phil 

[uktog]

At least it reduces my usual Rudolph look 😂😂😂

[Huntingdon1701]

10 hours ago, uktog said:

There is no white night at present and the azamazing event onboard is capacity controlled, they are running it several times in the evening like they did in the Caribbean last year

 

It's still almost certain to have numbers that make social distancing hard though, and masks advisable. I hide from crowds anyway, so won't find either change an issue. 

[Huntingdon1701]

On 8/9/2021 at 10:19 AM, Huntingdon1701 said:

I've been following up on the website discrepancy where it says at the start that you're not required to get a PCR test, as in the email in the opening post. However, on the website, you scroll down to 'Boarding procedure' and it says guests must provide a negative pcr test within 3 days of travel. 

 

I have called the helpline twice and they say you must turn up with a PCR test result even if you have been double jabbed. 

 

So don't rely only on the email they sent out supposedly outlining the requirements. 

 

Okay, so online check-in has now opened and that repeats the message that you do not need a PCR test if you're double vaccinated 14 days before boarding. The website 'Boarding day' section has also been updated to use the same language as the top of the page, where it says "Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate." [My bold]

 

So, I'm concluding that the agents on the call centre were giving wrong information, as was that part of the webpage, and that a PCR test is not required if you're fully vaccinated more than 14 days ahead of sailing, and can prove it. There will still be a test at the pier before boarding.  

 

Now, if only the online check-in actually worked... There's a disclaimer saying you accept the health risks which you have to accept before moving to booking your boarding time, but whenever I check the box to accept, it sends me into a loop and back to the start. Have tried 3 different browsers and 2 different computers. The actual on-board experience better be good, because the pre-cruise stuff is shocking. 

[uktog]

So glad that one is sorted out.  Sadly not the first time agents/the website has been pumping out inaccuracies.  
 

Quest is on its way to Athens, due to arrive on 21st, so good contingency built in for all the finishing off activities before the 28th.  She already looks great, from all the photos I’ve seen the onboard team have really bonded again during their quarantine and beyond. I think this long approach to start up might give a different feel to some of the other start ups as everyone is so much a team back together and ready to look after guests.  Hope I’m right and you have a really good experience onboard.  Do keep us posted on how it goes. 

[excitedofharpenden]

19 hours ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

Okay, so online check-in has now opened and that repeats the message that you do not need a PCR test if you're double vaccinated 14 days before boarding. The website 'Boarding day' section has also been updated to use the same language as the top of the page, where it says "Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate." [My bold]

 

So, I'm concluding that the agents on the call centre were giving wrong information, as was that part of the webpage, and that a PCR test is not required if you're fully vaccinated more than 14 days ahead of sailing, and can prove it. There will still be a test at the pier before boarding.  

 

Now, if only the online check-in actually worked... There's a disclaimer saying you accept the health risks which you have to accept before moving to booking your boarding time, but whenever I check the box to accept, it sends me into a loop and back to the start. Have tried 3 different browsers and 2 different computers. The actual on-board experience better be good, because the pre-cruise stuff is shocking. 

This is very useful. Thank you for working on it and posting back here. 👍

 

I'm sure you will have a great time onboard.  D- beforehand, but always A+ on the ship as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Phil 

[Huntingdon1701]

9 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

This is very useful. Thank you for working on it and posting back here. 👍

 

I'm sure you will have a great time onboard.  D- beforehand, but always A+ on the ship as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Phil 

 

Thanks. 👍 In fairness to Azamara, that does seem to be true of most cruise lines.

 

MSC issued a press release about cancelled cruises and a week later I was on my third call with customer services trying to set out about transferring the cruise, and firstly I had to show all of them the press release, and then they all tried to convince me it was still running. The third guy tried to convince me that it was still on because 'August isn't Summer'. 🙄

 

If cruising wasn't by far and away the best holiday, I'd long ago have given up dealing with their customer services and bought a holiday cottage in Cornwall.  

[Huntingdon1701]

FYI, this is what pops up when doing online check-in. You may need a magnifying glass (it's readable onscreen).

Edited August 15, 2021 by Huntingdon1701

[laurieb]

Interesting; it didn't pop up for our October cruises when I checked in online.

[Cruizer Diana]

It didn't show up on our October 9th and October 19th (not Greek cruises) online check-in either.

 

Has anyone seen the check-in (health check) procedure for back-to-back cruises? We were given a 3:00 "Health Check" appointment for both legs. As you stated on the Oct 19th roll call, it does seem a bit late.