John H announced masks and Mandatory testing,

[TNcruising02]

31 minutes ago, BrotherCraig said:

 

 

Look at the UK and other countries for example.  UK opened everything  back up during the height of the Delta virus saga and then numbers dropped rapidly and continue to drop.  Scientists and doctors are predicting the South to see a big decline in a couple of weeks and the northern states to continue to surge for a few weeks. 

Yes and that makes sense.  The virus can't be stopped, it can only run its course.  Stricter places will just have a delayed reaction.

Edited August 4, 2021 by TNcruising02

[camper49]

2 hours ago, BrotherCraig said:

These new guidelines won't be around very long.  I give it a month or two.

Would u wait it out if your cruise was mid January?

[TNcruising02]

24 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

 

Their stock is off just under 2% now, so at least they're not getting hammered... yet... again.. !

 

Tom

Yet.

[BrotherCraig]

15 minutes ago, TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail said:

I guess where was the testing site is the next question.  I’ll gladly mark both of us as uninsured if that gets us onboard.  
 

Folks make this appear as a slam dunk.  My skepticism goes back months where I first questioned the cost related to unvaccinated being mandatory tested at port @ $150.  
 

These are trying times.  We need legit info not opinions (not questioning you).  I’m still not certain I can fulfill my testing requirements being fully insured, willing to pay some $$ if necessary for a 2-3 day turnaround.  I (like many) have thousands $$ invested and only so much is refundable or carried over.

 

 

Got ours at CVS.   Same place we got our vaccines.  This was in Houston, TX.    Antigen Rapid Test.  It even says no cost on their website with insurance or federal program for uninsured.  I guess they put my father-in-law down as federal program uninsured.  I don't believe CVS cares because the government pays them for every test.   Again, got the results back quickly (20-30 minutes) and the documents we needed to travel.  Uploaded the documents to the airlines and the airline approved it within a few hours.  I imagine there are other places that do the same but we have been very happy with CVS through all of this.  https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing

Edited August 4, 2021 by BrotherCraig

[cbowls30]

I literally don't know how we're going to do this. We're on Mardi Gras in January and coming from the UK. To be fair though we can't even get into the USA yet anyway!.... If we're allowed in to the country I don't know how getting a test will work unless we're allowed to bring test results from the UK? 

[Saint Greg]

30 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

So if me and my cigarette both wear masks, can we smoke anywhere now?

 

Just make sure the mask covers your nose, mouth, and the cigarette and I think you'll be good.

[BrotherCraig]

4 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

Yes and that makes sense.  The virus can't be stopped, it can only run its course.  Stricter places will just have a delayed reaction.

 

Exactly.  We should have learned this by now.  Looks like NYC learned and following what UK did.

[BrotherCraig]

2 minutes ago, camper49 said:

Would u wait it out if your cruise was mid January?

 

 

That is a tough one but -- I would say yes.  My only hesitation is that it will be flu season.  

[Saint Greg]

1 minute ago, cbowls30 said:

I literally don't know how we're going to do this. We're on Mardi Gras in January and coming from the UK. To be fair though we can't even get into the USA yet anyway!.... If we're allowed in to the country I don't know how getting a test will work unless we're allowed to bring test results from the UK? 

 

That's a long way off but don't you need a test to enter the United States anyway? I needed it returning from Mexico. Same deal within 72 hours.

[BlerkOne]

2 minutes ago, BrotherCraig said:

 

Exactly.  We should have learned this by now.  Looks like NYC learned and following what UK did.

Requiring vaccines?

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

...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...

 

Tom

After reading about false positives for the antigen test on the WHO website, this is my only worry.  The studies of comparative testing showed 17% of the positive readings were false positives.

[ZoeyVictoria]

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

[Shipcats6]

Was booked on Horizon sailing 8/15.  Canceled.  We live in Texas.  Got vaccinated in April and haven’t worn a mask since.  Not going to do it on vacation.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

While I'm in the casino for 3 - 5 hours most days, I'll tell the server to keep 'em coming and bring two at a time in case there's a lull in service.  Can't wear mask right now, I have pocket Aces - er, I mean I have a drink.

Have the mask ready for the frequent trips to the restroom.

[EmmasNana]

1 minute ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

My cvs in Texas will only let you make an appointment 2 weeks out.

 

[Saint Greg]

4 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

 

Not this far out. CVS only schedules out two days and walgreens only schedules out two weeks. Unless I have it backwards. It's one or the other. Either way I can't schedule until next week.

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by Saint Greg

[BrotherCraig]

4 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Requiring vaccines?

 

 

No, no more lockdowns.  UK opened up completely during the highest point of the Delta variant surge there.  After the opened up, cases dropped.

[Jasonsterling]

2 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

You can in my area but only two weeks out so I'm still a day off of being able to schedule. Going to check tomorrow and hopefully get it scheduled and then hopefully get a negative. 

[DGNewton]

Just being off an 8 day cruise I saw so many throw caution to the wind this is necessary with the Delta variant.

Ojhters did wear mask at times, but few.  I did the first day or two.

 

Great dop the prices as we are on board again!

 

So to keep them sailing.  I'll do it to go again, so how can the piano man sing?  hmmmm

[BlerkOne]

13 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

Yes and that makes sense.  The virus can't be stopped, it can only run its course.  Stricter places will just have a delayed reaction.

Healthcare facilities are already overrun. Again. Slowing the spread is a good thing. Fewer people die. More people get vaccinated. Better treatments have time to be developed.

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

6 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

I'm in Central FL, and my local CVSs will let me schedule out 2 weeks - I just checked for that very concern.  The rapid antigen test is not available at all locations, so choose wisely.

[pc2425]

8 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

We are on Mardi Gras on the 14th.  I scheduled our rapid antigen tests for next Wednesday the 11th on the CVS website.

[BrotherCraig]

11 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We need to be tested on September 1.  I tried to make an appointment online with CVS, but the only choices are today or tomorrow.  Anybody able to schedule in advance?

 

 

I didn't think you could schedule those that much in advance.  We schedule the same day without issue.  Interesting.

Edited August 4, 2021 by BrotherCraig

[BlerkOne]

45 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

So if me and my cigarette both wear masks, can we smoke anywhere now?

Both ends have to be masked.

[Floriduh]

I just booked Rapid Antigen tests for me and my wife at CVS two days before our cruise leaves. Was easy to do online and results come in an hour or two.

 

We have already done a fully masked cruise on American Queen Steamboats. Was no big deal and everyone had a blast. Don't really see what the problem is.