Updated FAQ - Covid Test Required eff 8/15

[muffin]

18 hours ago, trey420 said:

If the cruise is on Sunday does that mean we need to do the test Friday? 

72 hours before you board.  Say you board at noon Sunday, need test after noon on Thursday. 

[CarChick]

Looks like they are continuing to update the mask policy.  Here is what the letter says as of 8/4:

 

"In addition to testing requirements, we have also adjusted our onboard mask policy as follows:

 We strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks when indoors.

 All guests will be required to wear face masks in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking.

 Guests will be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in all dining areas. You may occasionally be asked to wear a mask in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate.

 As a reminder, masks are required during embarkation and debarkation in the terminal, and masks must also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

 We recommend guests wash or replace their mask daily and choose a good quality double-layer cloth or medical-grade mask. Please note that bandanas, neck gaiters and masks with exhaust valves will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask and that visors and face shields are only permitted when used in addition to a mask."

 

So, not required (but recommended) everywhere indoors, just in places where larger numbers of guests will be congregated in close spaces.  I do hope it will cut down on the smoking in the casino, and it's even more motivation for me to never take the elevator and use the stairs (to burn off the calories!)

[Kay S]

2 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

We get the PCR test at Kaiser which has an LA area lab & each time we received test results by Sunday afternoon. 

This will be our method.  I have several friends (also Kaiser members) who have done this for international flights.  No one has had a problem with it.  People should check with their health plans to see if others offer a similar option.

[rayandshirl]

Princess sent us an email yesterday.  Our TA gave us a link to get an appointment on Thursday as we board the ship in Seattle on Sunday.  Test costs $150.00.

[rayandshirl]

Princess sent us an email yesterday.  Our TA gave us a link to get an appointment on Thursday as we board the ship in Seattle on Sunday.  Test costs $150.00.

[pris993]

1 hour ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Well you should be concerned about getting a mild case if you care at all about us ever getting back to normal.

 

If you get it then you might get it asymptomatically in which case you could be giving it to other people for many days or even if you get symptoms then you are likely to be contagious for 2-3 days prior to symptoms showing during which to could spread it to others.

 

It is this "I don't care if I get it" attitude that is really hindering our progress. You might not get sick or die but the people you give it to might and they might pass it on to others that might die... clearly that doesn't bother you. 

 

It is like the objection to masks with people saying I don't mind if I get it. The thing is that masks do a better job at preventing you spreading it to others than it does preventing you from getting infected. Wearing a mask is not about you... it is about you protecting others.

I would be no more concerned getting covid being vaccinated then I would about getting a cold or the flu.   If get a cold or the flu I stay home or if I am traveling I stay in my cabin on a ship.   Let's not over react, lets encourage folks to get vaccinated and then no one really needs to be concerned.   The vaccination is the way to go.

[bj24]

Are the rapid tests acceptable?

My CVS said PCR tests for travel are $139 and take 2-3 days for results. So for a Tuesday departure I would go on a Saturday. But are labs open to process tests? 

[Astro Flyer]

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Princess language refers to days, so you should be fine anytime on Day Zero.  Day Zero + 3 is sail date.  You can also do test on Day 1 or Day 2 (assuming can get quick result back).  IDK how they would measure the 72 hrs - from personal check-in time, or scheduled sail-away time.

 

16 minutes ago, muffin said:

72 hours before you board.  Say you board at noon Sunday, need test after noon on Thursday. 

There have been several posts including this one answering the question about how far in advance and Princess states it’s 3 days & not 72 hours.

[Jadn13]

9 minutes ago, bj24 said:

Are the rapid tests acceptable?

My CVS said PCR tests for travel are $139 and take 2-3 days for results. So for a Tuesday departure I would go on a Saturday. But are labs open to process tests? 

You don't need a PCR test if you are in the US you can use the Rapid Antigen Test.

 

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing

 

Should be free

Edited August 5, 2021 by Jadn13

[bj24]

3 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

You don't need a PCR test if you are in the US you can use the Rapid Antigen Test.

 

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing

 

Should be free

CVS said tests for travel are $139. Free test only if you have symptoms or been exposed.  Are all antigen tests rapid? “Rapid” wording not used by Princess—

Yes, effective with cruises departing on August 15th, we will require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.

 

[Astro Flyer]

16 minutes ago, bj24 said:

Are the rapid tests acceptable?

My CVS said PCR tests for travel are $139 and take 2-3 days for results. So for a Tuesday departure I would go on a Saturday. But are labs open to process tests? 

Princess has stated both antigen & PCR tests are acceptable.

 

Whether a lab is open to test samples will vary by provider. One post using your scenario with Walgreens had delays getting results from a lab; using SoCal Kaiser they have a lab open on weekends & using your example we got results on Sunday afternoon from the swabs done on Saturday morning. Although I do not know if KP has paid testing for non-members which is doubtful to me.

 

We’ve used KP several times for the HI required test so we have some experience with them.

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Astro Flyer

[redrobin]

ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino except when eating or drinking. 

 

I read on the Carnival forum that when the immediate masking policy was implemented on the Carnival Vista, due to the positive covid cases, indoor smoking was no longer allowed. To me, the above wording from Princess suggests that smoking might no longer be allowed in the casino for now? I'm not a smoker, so would be happy with that. I'll find out next week. 

[wvdeedee]

Well, just canceled our Sep. 26 sailing to Alaska. Agent said we will receive a full cash refund within 5-7 business days, no fees assessed due to the new testing/mask requirement. And supposedly our Future Cruise Deposit will go back into our account for later use. Hated to have to do it but the cruise was to be the culmination of a 3 week road trip from West Virginia so it was a logistical nightmare trying to find a testing place along the road in the required time frame (believe me, I looked). Had they been testing at the port it wouldn't have been an issue for this fully vaccinated couple. 

 

[bj24]

Again (and I realize we are not doctors here), when Princess says Antigen test, is that a rapid antigen test? Or is there another antigen test like the PCR that takes 2-3 days to get results back?

[Jadn13]

Just now, bj24 said:

Again (and I realize we are not doctors here), when Princess says Antigen test, is that a rapid antigen test? Or is there another antigen test like the PCR that takes 2-3 days to get results back?

It's a Rapid Antigen Test- Which is the quick test.

I would look over the CVS website, it lists all the details along with payment info. 

 

[ABTM101]

19 minutes ago, wvdeedee said:

Well, just canceled our Sep. 26 sailing to Alaska. Agent said we will receive a full cash refund within 5-7 business days, no fees assessed due to the new testing/mask requirement. And supposedly our Future Cruise Deposit will go back into our account for later use. Hated to have to do it but the cruise was to be the culmination of a 3 week road trip from West Virginia so it was a logistical nightmare trying to find a testing place along the road in the required time frame (believe me, I looked). Had they been testing at the port it wouldn't have been an issue for this fully vaccinated couple. 

 

I'm on hold with Costco right now to cancel our 8/15 sailing. We're fully vaccinated, have the antigen test scheduled, but we chose Princess and to cruise at this time due to their vaccination requirement and no-mask policy. We understands the updates they're making but the mask-deal is a game changer for us. 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by ABTM101

[bj24]

Just now, Jadn13 said:

It's a Rapid Antigen Test- Which is the quick test.

I would look over the CVS website, it lists all the details along with payment info. 

 

Well, thanks! I feel much better is it’s a rapid one. There should be no problem getting quick results with those. Maybe even the Monday before Tuesday departure.

[azbirdmom]

Princess finally got around to notifying those of us on the August 8th cruise about the mask requirements.  Three phone calls to both cells + home, and three emailed notices.  I'm glad they did communicate the change to us.

 

[Sea Hag]

27 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

You don't need a PCR test if you are in the US you can use the Rapid Antigen Test.

 

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing

 

Should be free

I'd go for that like a shot, but the nearest location to us for the antigen test is an hour and a half away. I'm not so sure that my DH is going to be onboard with 3 hours driving time and however long it takes at the testing facility.

[Italy52]

3 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I'd go for that like a shot, but the nearest location to us for the antigen test is an hour and a half away. I'm not so sure that my DH is going to be onboard with 3 hours driving time and however long it takes at the testing facility.

We live in Northern California -- see your name shows Northern California.  We are doing our rapid antigen at a place called Covid Clinic.  Perhaps they have a location close to you?

[Sea Hag]

3 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

We live in Northern California -- see your name shows Northern California.  We are doing our rapid antigen at a place called Covid Clinic.  Perhaps they have a location close to you?

Thanks for the thought, but the nearest location that comes up through Covid Clinic is that hour and a half away. This is definitely a puzzlement.

[Syracusefan44]

Princess should have followed the lead of NCL and partnered with CVS to administer the tests on the day of the cruise.  You are assigned an ID number, given a rapid test in port, and if it is positive they conduct a PCR test to verify the results.  Why can’t Princess do this?
 

In my opinion this decision to require vaccinated passengers to find a test facility on their own and not provide it at the port is going to cost them millions of dollars in lost revenue. Please note I am more than willing to pay for the test but not run around a city I have never been to looking for a testing facility and then hoping my results come back before the cruise departs. 

 

Princess management dropped the ball with regards to this situation.

 

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/cruise-line-voluntary-testing

Edited August 5, 2021 by Syracusefan44

[Crystabel]

1 hour ago, Westsail32 said:

 

It looks like these are some permanent King County sites available.

 

https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/health/communicable-diseases/documents/C19/COVID-19-testing-locations.ashx?la=en

 

 

I believe I’ve found a way around this mess. Our airline allowed me to change our flight to Seattle for a day later at no charge. I now have a chance to get the rapid antigen test close to home. We lose a day in Seattle, but we would have anyway trying to find a place to be tested that offered speedy results. 

[Astro Flyer]

23 minutes ago, wvdeedee said:

Well, just canceled our Sep. 26 sailing to Alaska. Agent said we will receive a full cash refund within 5-7 business days, no fees assessed due to the new testing/mask requirement.

Good to know that Princess treated you & others fairly by providing refunds so quickly after making the announcement yesterday. 👍

 

We’ll make a decision before our 60-day final payment is due in a couple of weeks for our October cruise. Hopefully they’ll soon make a statement on their homepage’s Cruise Updates site or by email so everyone will know their options & not just us on CC.

[gofen]

1 hour ago, Westsail32 said:

 

It looks like these are some permanent King County sites available.

 

https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/health/communicable-diseases/documents/C19/COVID-19-testing-locations.ashx?la=en

 

 

 Read a news article , dated Aug. 2nd, that all but two of the testing sites in the City of
Seattle are being closed.  "The city is direction patients to two testing hubs, in SODO and North Seattle which UW Medicine runs."