John H announced masks and Mandatory testing,

[mommysoncruiser]

14 minutes ago, BigCountry76 said:

Until they start canceling cruises. Have fun!

They'll do what they have to do. My life will go on. I just don't understand how complaining to a bunch of strangers online is effective. Oh yeah, it's not!

[GTO-Girl]

2 hours ago, imola said:

So does boarding day count as one of the three days?  Example...arrive into embarkation port on Friday and board ship on Sunday.   Do we have to get tested on Friday OR can we be tested on Thursday before we leave for our overnight flight?  Just trying to figure out when the 3 days start.  TIA for any help offered.  

Royal spells out their 3 days requirements as this:

 

Sailing Saturday - can test starting on Wednesday 

Sailing Sunday - can test starting on Thursday 

Hope this helps….

[TNcruising02]

38 minutes ago, toad455 said:

I'm just thrilled they're still cruising. Everyone wanted cruises back up and running and really didn't expect things like this to be in place? Be thankful cruises are still happening and haven't had to be shutdown again.

I am very thankful they are still cruising and hope that a lot of people still go on the cruises.  

I finished rebooking my Mardi Gras cruise.   I changed it to April 2022 and I like the itinerary better.  I lost my Free Cheers promo because you have to choose a current promo for rebooking.  I couldn't get a cabin on the lido deck, but got deck 15.  I was able to keep my $600 rebooking OBC.  However, they could not transfer my $100 OBC for stock and I will need to resubmit a request.  I have an additional OBC of $51.80 on the new cruise, so that's $651.80.  I feel a lot better!

Good luck to the people keeping their cruises, the people requesting refunds, and the ones rebooking.  Everyone should do what they feel comfortable of doing and not feel ridiculed because of their personal choice.

We will keep our airline tickets to MCO and enjoy a maskless Florida vacation!

Edited August 4, 2021 by TNcruising02

[Thenagers]

32 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

WOW - go off for lunch and a new topic is at nearly 200 posts.

 

I'm just sad for those people who test within 72 hours that get a false positive... and, at the same time, glad our 8/7 cruise won't be subject to testing.

 

I'm ok wearing a mask - I've become quite accustomed to it. We just need to hang in there. This is not "the end".

 

Tom

I just got off Freedom of the Seas.  I know a lot of people thought RCL was making a bad choice with the mask route.  It was not that bad!  Of course, we only had 1200 passengers and there were a lot of areas designated for the vaccinated only.  Not sure if that will change.  Carnival also might want to revisit the self serve buffets and such.  They definitly embraced the rip off the mask mentalilty.  

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

@Brew12 @JMG1973

I appreciate the links both of you provided but neither say in one sentence RAPID INSURANCE FREE.  
 

I’ve already copied/pasted that CVS will not rapid test if the patient is paying via cash.  

 

Hopefully EXACT clarification is obtained before folks travel & expect results within 72 hours.  I actually just ran to a local CVS on my lunch hour to ask the pharmacist directly…long line & I had to bail.  
 

Thanks anyway

[Brew12]

3 minutes ago, Thenagers said:

I just got off Freedom of the Seas.  I know a lot of people thought RCL was making a bad choice with the mask route.  It was not that bad!  Of course, we only had 1200 passengers and there were a lot of areas designated for the vaccinated only.  Not sure if that will change.  Carnival also might want to revisit the self serve buffets and such.  They definitly embraced the rip off the mask mentalilty.  

Carnival's policy went from being more lax than RCL to much more strict. No designated vaccinated only areas on Carnival where you can be unmasked.

[stellarose]

Time will tell for December.  we fly the day before.  135 for rapid test per person.  yikes. 

[DB2VA]

2 hours ago, beloum said:

That sucks.  Will the tests be provided at the pier for free, or will guest need to get tested privately in advance at their own expense.   Vaccinated and non-vax? 

Carnival.com said there will be no testing for Vaccinated passengers at the pier. They will test unvaccinated people at $150 a piece. You can get tested for free using insurance at most pharmacies. 

[BrianMD]

I just got off the phone with Carnival and they canceled & refunded my 8/24 Alaska cruise w/o penalty. It was a casino (Jackpot) offer so they had to transfer me to that dept. to complete. She didn't bat an eye at my cancellation request, she just asked if I was interested in a later cruise and I told her that I just wanted to start fresh after all of the dust settles. It would have been nice to cruise w/o restrictions but there are too many other vacation options available than to deal with these uncertain times. I still haven't received the email announcing the new protocols. 

[mredandchis]

1 hour ago, freewilly said:

Ok.. so we leave cruise on Monday… is CARNIVAL requesting slow PCR or rapid test. 

the rapid test. 

[Jasalth]

I am probably in the minority in general on this, but I will sail either way. In truth... I expected this days ago when RCCL announced. At that point, I found 3 places with rapid PCR tests near me. Sure they were pricey ($200pp) but eh that is life. Then today I woke up and had to find Antigen places! At least they are cheaper ($75pp near me for 10 min lab results!) I figure it's the cost of cruising. Would be nice if it was the same price was pay at our vacation club in Mexico though ($15pp!) but again, cost of traveling. 

Both DH's and mine workplaces reinstated mask mandates this week also (though I WFH now so..) I also got mobbed by 6-10 yr olds multiple times in stores the past weekend w/o masks on, so I understand where these are coming from and actually decided that both DH and I were going to start masking again shopping. Not because we can't follow the rules, but because it seems like everyone else refuses to! It's a shame the few ruin it for the many, but hey.. again that is life and I like living it! 

[deb1eric]

1 hour ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

From reading above, antigen or PCR if you're fully vaccinated; PCR only if not.  

So if you're vaccinated do you have antibodies for the antigen test?

[kleibo]

There's definitely more to the story than we know.  I am sure the CDC after seeing almost all of the restricted cruises go to yellow and the surge of the Delta, they are pushing for more restrictions on the cruises behind the scenes (JMO - no hard data).   No one wants a No Sail Order.  I think the Cruise Lines are trying everything to avoid that.

[ScottsSweetie]

I just bought this mask - will this work?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0836V8L27?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image

 

🌞

Edited August 4, 2021 by ScottsSweetie

[Trinam2]

2 hours ago, helene109 said:

Just called Walgreens insurance covers the test but results take 2-24 hours!

Thanks, do they take appointments?

[DB2VA]

2 hours ago, MT_Sea_Cruisers said:

Negative antigen test may be tricky for those who fly into port a day ahead of time.  Last test I took, it took 3 days to get the results.

 

 

This is huge problem , since many people do fly in the day before. If your cruise is a Monday, you would test Saturday and fly tp port on Sunday. You will not get the results. 

[Brew12]

1 minute ago, SidneyHuff1950 said:

 

According to research scientists at MIT, social distancing does not provide any protection. But maybe they arent experts like the CDC?

 

https://news.yahoo.com/staying-6-feet-apart-indoors-112732760.html

 

I'd suggest looking at the actual study, and not a yahoo article. If you look at the study you will see that social distancing is only ineffective in areas of very low air exchange. This is why Carnival (and all the other cruise lines, I believe) upgraded their ships ventilation systems. 

[DB2VA]

Just now, DB2VA said:

This is huge problem , since many people do fly in the day before. If your cruise is a Monday, you would test Saturday and fly tp port on Sunday. You will not get the results. 

We need to find out if the rapid test is acceptable. That is ready within an hour. 

[EmmasNana]

5 minutes ago, mredandchis said:

the rapid test. 

Rapid is fine if vaccinated. Unvaccinated need the PCR.

[kdr69]

2 minutes ago, DB2VA said:

This is huge problem , since many people do fly in the day before. If your cruise is a Monday, you would test Saturday and fly tp port on Sunday. You will not get the results. 

Why not test Friday then its still within the 3 day period?

[Trinam2]

17 minutes ago, GTO-Girl said:

Royal spells out their 3 days requirements as this:

 

Sailing Saturday - can test starting on Wednesday 

Sailing Sunday - can test starting on Thursday 

Hope this helps….

So Monday sailing would be testing in Friday?

[EdmundXXIII]

19 minutes ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

technically it's within 72 hours of your check-in/embarkation.

Source on that?

 

I need to figure out the exact rule here, and Carnival’s wording is inconsistent and vague.

[Bases5]

2 minutes ago, DB2VA said:

This is huge problem , since many people do fly in the day before. If your cruise is a Monday, you would test Saturday and fly tp port on Sunday. You will not get the results. 

Test day is day zero. 
so if you sail on Monday. Test Friday. Easy pisy 

[DB2VA]

2 hours ago, imola said:

So does boarding day count as one of the three days?  Example...arrive into embarkation port on Friday and board ship on Sunday.   Do we have to get tested on Friday OR can we be tested on Thursday before we leave for our overnight flight?  Just trying to figure out when the 3 days start.  TIA for any help offered.  

I agree, not sure how they calculate the 3 days. 

[helene109]

2 minutes ago, Trinam2 said:

Thanks, do they take appointments?

Only 2 days before so going with CVS making the appointment for rapid test now