Testing positive a few weeks after getting Covid

[Shidah]

My biggest fear is testing positive at the pier.  I recall last year it was reported some people who had Covid still tested positive weeks and even months after but did not have enough virus load to actually pass the virus on..  Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back.  If someone has recovered from covid within the previous three months and can prove that, are they still required to test at the pier?  Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

[AwesomO]

I don't think there are any exceptions to the testing requirement. 

[njhorseman]

44 minutes ago, Shidah said:

My biggest fear is testing positive at the pier.  I recall last year it was reported some people who had Covid still tested positive weeks and even months after but did not have enough virus load to actually pass the virus on..  Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back.  If someone has recovered from covid within the previous three months and can prove that, are they still required to test at the pier?  Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

Everyone is required to take a test at the pier. No exceptions.

https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe?intcmp=pdt_sl_SAILSAFEVAC#t4m1

Universal testing & Pre-Embarkation Protocols

All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by the cruise line, prior to boarding and receive a negative result. Guests are also responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional testing.

[Traveling Mike]

You can test yourself now and/or right before you go.  You can purchase a COVID-19 Antigen Self Test at your pharmacy for about $12 each.  The test is easy to do.  You just swab the inside of your nose and place it in the container, add solution and wait for the line to change colors.  That way you feel better before you go.  I am also going to wear a N95 mask for the 3 days before my cruise.  You can purchase N95 masks now and if you wear the correctly you will not get anything through to get you sick.  After that it is cruising and fun.

[BirdTravels]

Last week, there were two fully vaccinated passengers who were turned away at check-in (i.e., tested positive at the terminal) out of the 2600+ that were scheduled to sail. 

[Yinster]

5 hours ago, Traveling Mike said:

You can purchase N95 masks now and if you wear the correctly you will not get anything through to get you sick. 

No masks even N95 masks are 100% effective with keeping everything out. But it will filter up to 95%. 

 

 

[HowardK]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Last week, there were two fully vaccinated passengers who were turned away at check-in (i.e., tested positive at the terminal) out of the 2600+ that were scheduled to sail. 

I feel for them; I wonder and hope they were able to get home quickly. I am starting to think I won't fly to next cruise 

[DCGuy64]

13 hours ago, Shidah said:

My biggest fear is testing positive at the pier.  I recall last year it was reported some people who had Covid still tested positive weeks and even months after but did not have enough virus load to actually pass the virus on..  Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back.  If someone has recovered from covid within the previous three months and can prove that, are they still required to test at the pier?  Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

You're not alone. We're getting tested next Wednesday due to a planned cruise in Italy on the 28th. We just want to make sure, and although NOTHING is 100% in this world (except death and taxes, LOL), we want to be sure of our status. We also plan to be extra careful in the next week or so. Please bear in mind that the news media doesn't cover the 99+% who don't test positive, they only focus on the newsworthy items of those who DO. As @BirdTravelspoints out, 2 out of 2600 vaccinated pax tested positive, which means 2598 didn't. That's 99.99% who were fine. The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor.

[prov2727]

I had an acquaintance who contracted COVID right as he was set to begin a new job. New job required him to test negative to start. After weeks of testing positive again and again, he tried nasal lavage or netti pot and then tested negative. Yes, it could have been that enough time finally passed but I will be bringing my machine to wash after the flight and before the test! 

[Rick&Jeannie]

13 hours ago, Shidah said:

My biggest fear is testing positive at the pier.  I recall last year it was reported some people who had Covid still tested positive weeks and even months after but did not have enough virus load to actually pass the virus on..  Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back.  If someone has recovered from covid within the previous three months and can prove that, are they still required to test at the pier?  Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

If you have a CVS nearby you can get a test for free (assuming you have insurance) and *maybe* you don't even need the insurance.  Schedule a test on the CVS site.  The very first question it asks is whether you are testing as a requirement for travel.  Just answer that "Yes".  We have done so once already and have another scheduled for this Thursday for a Greece sailing.  We chose the antigen test (which all travel providers appear to accept). You'll get results in 20-30 minutes.

[CruizinKittie40]

14 minutes ago, prov2727 said:

I had an acquaintance who contracted COVID right as he was set to begin a new job. New job required him to test negative to start. After weeks of testing positive again and again, he tried nasal lavage or netti pot and then tested negative. Yes, it could have been that enough time finally passed but I will be bringing my machine to wash after the flight and before the test! 

I would think you could just use a saline nasal spray

[victory2020]

If anyone lives in the LA area there is a place called Total Testing Solutions that does a test with same day results. It is free with or without insurance, & they say it is good for air travel. I was able to make an appointment for late September which makes me feel confident in getting results in time before I fly to Europe.

[Sthrngary]

22 hours ago, Shidah said:

My biggest fear is testing positive at the pier.  I recall last year it was reported some people who had Covid still tested positive weeks and even months after but did not have enough virus load to actually pass the virus on..  Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back.  If someone has recovered from covid within the previous three months and can prove that, are they still required to test at the pier?  Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

Shidah, As I read your post, I want you to know I feel your emotions.  My wife and I were to be on our first sailing in 24 months July 31, 2021.  It was not on NCL, that cruise is end of November.  It was on Crystal Cruises.  8-Days prior to the cruise she tested positive.  I had to cancel, 50% fee.  I had travel insurance with Trip Cancellation and I was covered.  That did not take the sting out of the situation.

 

We booked another cruise for August 23, 2021.  Last week I had my wife take a Coved test again, she was negative.  Both of us are taking Covid test on Wen of this week to gain our Bahamas Health Visa.  I am posting to let you know, you have hope.  I forced my wife to take the test last week because I wanted piece of mind.  Not out of the forest yet.  I do feel hope.  Hope that helps. 

[Shidah]

Thanks for all the tips and glad I am not alone in my anxiety!  We cruise in the beginning of December, and maybe things will calm down by then.  I just worry about Thanksgiving  gatherings for those going on the cruise with me and then my nieces birthday event earlier in November planned at, of all places, an indoor water park.  Throughout this whole pandemic I have never once feared getting sick, worked the entire time, went to Disney World, go to casinos (too much actually!) all the time not worrying at all.  Obviously we are all vaccinated.  With how much we are looking forward to this cruise and all the planning, I’ll just be heartbroken if I get to the pier and am turned away due to testing positive! 😿I’m not as worried about the couple of days before the cruise as I am the 3 weeks prior.

[ziggyuk]

9 hours ago, prov2727 said:

I had an acquaintance who contracted COVID right as he was set to begin a new job. New job required him to test negative to start. After weeks of testing positive again and again, he tried nasal lavage or netti pot and then tested negative. Yes, it could have been that enough time finally passed but I will be bringing my machine to wash after the flight and before the test! 

 

9 hours ago, CruizinKittie40 said:

I would think you could just use a saline nasal spray

 

Wow, advocating washing out the nose to fake a negative result, whatever next, how low can people go!

[texas bound]

Does CVS or Walgreens turn in for an insurance claim? My insurance said they don’t pay for travel testing.

[Sthrngary]

19 minutes ago, texas bound said:

Does CVS or Walgreens turn in for an insurance claim? My insurance said they don’t pay for travel testing.

I am not sure if I have your question right.  So here is my best take.  My wife had Covid 8-days before our cruise.  This lead to the Cruise being cancelled and a 50% cancellation fee.  I had Travel Insurance that included Trip Cancellation (yes for covid).  When my wife was tested to find out she was Covid Positive, it was a WalGreens Test.  My insurance claim was paid 12 days after I processed it with the Walgreens test.  If I missed your question, please forgive me.  

[jstraw89]

^I thought if you tested positive prior to sailing NCL would reimburse you for the cruise fare either through FCC or cash refund. Didn't know that you would be charged a 50% cancellation fee?

[Outerdog]

On 8/15/2021 at 6:34 PM, Shidah said:

Where I work, employees were not required to have a negative test after having covid, just had to wait the quarantine period, was 14 days then evolved to 10,  and could come back

 

It's worth pointing out that workplace regulations don't really compare fairly to cruise ships, or anything else really.

 

In California, for example, §3205 prohibits employers from requiring a negative covid test to return to work.

 

(C) Once a COVID-19 case has met the requirements of subsection (c)(10)(A) or (B), as applicable, a negative COVID-19 test shall not be required for an employee to return to work.

 

The other subsections there define the exclusion periods you mentioned. I'm not entirely sure on the rationale behind this particular regulation.

 

Anyway, just a tid-bit of mostly useless info.

Edited August 17, 2021 by Outerdog

[emcelh]

56 minutes ago, jstraw89 said:

^I thought if you tested positive prior to sailing NCL would reimburse you for the cruise fare either through FCC or cash refund. Didn't know that you would be charged a 50% cancellation fee?

He said it was Crystal Cruises

[Navis]

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Shidah, As I read your post, I want you to know I feel your emotions.  My wife and I were to be on our first sailing in 24 months July 31, 2021.  It was not on NCL, that cruise is end of November.  It was on Crystal Cruises.  8-Days prior to the cruise she tested positive.  I had to cancel, 50% fee.  I had travel insurance with Trip Cancellation and I was covered.  That did not take the sting out of the situation.

 

We booked another cruise for August 23, 2021.  Last week I had my wife take a Coved test again, she was negative.  Both of us are taking Covid test on Wen of this week to gain our Bahamas Health Visa.  I am posting to let you know, you have hope.  I forced my wife to take the test last week because I wanted piece of mind.  Not out of the forest yet.  I do feel hope.  Hope that helps. 

Any chance you rebooked to the Seabourn Odyssey? I know we’ve chatted in the past about our upcoming Seabourn journey that (I think) we both had to cancel last year. 

[Sthrngary]

15 minutes ago, Navis said:

Any chance you rebooked to the Seabourn Odyssey? I know we’ve chatted in the past about our upcoming Seabourn journey that (I think) we both had to cancel last year. 

I did not.  I rebooked on Crystal Cruises.  Just 4 weeks later. I have never considered Seabourn. I will in the future.

[Navis]

21 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I did not.  I rebooked on Crystal Cruises.  Just 4 weeks later. I have never considered Seabourn. I will in the future.

Ahh, gotcha. I was not aware that Crystal was operating out of Barbados this summer as well! I just found out that Crystal is also operating this month and next out of Boston doing round trips to Bermuda … had we known they were sailing out of here earlier we might have booked before we made land-based summer plans! The 10 min walk to the terminal would have been perfect! 
 

Have a great cruise!

[kamikazii]

14 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

 

 

Wow, advocating washing out the nose to fake a negative result, whatever next, how low can people go!

 

You're making a quick assumption here. You can actually test positive due to residual "dead cells" LONG (like, months) after the 10-12 days quarantine recommendation.  You're not longer contagious and the cells still trigger the test. Doing a nasal rinse can get rid of the lingering dead cells that may trigger your pre-cruise test. I'd hate to trigger a test with dead cells and lose out on my vacation, personally.

I work in a hospital in a medical office, to clarify. We run into this all the time. But do your own research if necessary.

[bbnmom]

On 8/16/2021 at 11:17 AM, prov2727 said:

I had an acquaintance who contracted COVID right as he was set to begin a new job. New job required him to test negative to start. After weeks of testing positive again and again, he tried nasal lavage or netti pot and then tested negative. Yes, it could have been that enough time finally passed but I will be bringing my machine to wash after the flight and before the test! 

But what if it is beyond your nose? What if you are asymptomatic and make someone sick who's vaccine happens to be of the 5%? I wish they would give an antibody test instead.