Vaccinated Guests now need to be get tested 3 days prior to Cruise AND at the port?

[Jerseygirl1416]

I hope it’s absolutely everything you need - without the $180 tests😊

[Tee & Chilli]

For a Sunday sail date, is Wednesday sufficient fir testing?

[twangster]

Website for Florida still looks the same for me when using a computer

 

[BecciBoo]

I went back and read it again, that rep is crazy.  What she said is completely contradictory to their web page.  I think what was said as to exemption is correct.  Vaccinated guests who provide their cards will be exempt from any further testing.  That's what it says.  Besides, they are going to issue new protocols for September cruises.  I'm not gonna worry about it.

Edited August 18, 2021 by BecciBoo

[JessyCruises]

5 minutes ago, Tee & Chilli said:

For a Sunday sail date, is Wednesday sufficient fir testing?

No it should be Thursday at the earliest.   Test day counts as 0.

 

Edited August 18, 2021 by JessyCruises

[JessyCruises]

1 minute ago, twangster said:

Website for Florida still looks the same for me when using a computer

 

Yup, I agree!

[dmwnc1959]

4 minutes ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

I hope it’s absolutely everything you need - without the $180 tests😊

Thank you, and I hope so too. It’s why I booked a balcony cabin this cruise instead of my usual inside stateroom, already made reservations at specialty restaurants, and am day-dreaming about that morning cappuccino warming my hands as I gaze off at the distant horizon. Wash, rinse, repeat for seven days. Time to relax, time to get back to cruising… whatever it takes. 

[Tee & Chilli]

1 minute ago, JessyCruises said:

Not it should be Thursday at the earliest.

Message said excluding the sail date. Thanks for your upcoming reviews and assistance 

[LadyShiva]

The only people who seem to be getting hit with testing charges from RCI (at the moment) seem to be people who could be vaccinated and are not.  Back to back cruisers and kids are no charge for the testing performed by RCI's vendors or facilities.

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

2 minutes ago, twangster said:

Website for Florida still looks the same for me when using a computer

 

 

That's how I read it, too.  Nothing's changed.  If you provide proof of full vaccination document, you are exempt from having to take the 2 additional test.

[BecciBoo]

5 minutes ago, Tee & Chilli said:

Message said excluding the sail date. Thanks for your upcoming reviews and assistance 

On the website RCCL says if you sail on Saturday you test Wednesday so conversely if sailing Sunday, test Thursday.

 

We will test again on Saturday before we cruise, when we get to Tampa to pick up cruise buds...just to be sure.

Edited August 18, 2021 by BecciBoo

[JessyCruises]

I had grabbed a screenshot from somewhere which a nice little chart about the earliest you could take a test for each embarkation day but for the life of me I cannot find it.

 

Edited August 18, 2021 by JessyCruises

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, LadyShiva said:

OP, I will watch to see the RCI website's requirements change before putting too much faith in a manual copy of an email into a Discussion Board post.  Thank you for the heads up, though.  🙂 

 

My cruise is already going to St. Marten, so we are lucky that all those over 12 years old have to be vaccinated.

I thought it was cruises going to St. Thomas. Are there also vaccination requirements for St. Maarten? It is impossible to keep this all straight. 

[AshleyDillo]

It's poorly worded communication and an uninformed customer service rep.  Are we really surprised?  🤨

 

It basically tells you that you are exempt from the testing with your proof of vaccination unless otherwise indicated below.  The only test that spells out a non-exemption (the otherwise indicated) is the pre-cruise test.

 

Edited August 18, 2021 by AshleyDillo

[wallyj]

FYI, just to add what MSC is doing. They just updated their Health and Safety Protocols and of course have not bothered to email any passengers on upcoming sailings yet.

 

Vaccinated passengers are required to get negative test no more than 3 days before sailing. MSC will also test ‘everyone’ again at the pier before boarding at no cost to passenger. Pre cruise,  3 day before test is paid by passenger if required.

[LadyShiva]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

I thought it was cruises going to St. Thomas. Are there also vaccination requirements for St. Maarten? It is impossible to keep this all straight. 

Nope, you are right.  I was shopping excursions and twisted the two ports in my brain.  Sorry about that!!  

[bajathree]

1 hour ago, wallyj said:

FYI, just to add what MSC is doing. They just updated their Health and Safety Protocols and of course have not bothered to email any passengers on upcoming sailings yet.

 

Vaccinated passengers are required to get negative test no more than 3 days before sailing. MSC will also test ‘everyone’ again at the pier before boarding at no cost to passenger. Pre cruise,  3 day before test is paid by passenger if required.

I don't read it that way https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises

If you are vaccinated and cruising on or after Aug 27 you just need to show proof of vaccine and a negative test taken no more than 3 days prior.

[dswallow]

It's very clearly that a sentence/paragraph was missing in the email regarding the at-pier testing not being required if providing proof of vaccination.

 

If I had a dollar for every communication from Royal Caribbean that had some stupid error/mistake in it that could readily have been caught by someone before it got sent out, I'd have a free cruise by now. Maybe even with a drink package.

[wallyj]

6 hours ago, bajathree said:

I don't read it that way https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises

If you are vaccinated and cruising on or after Aug 27 you just need to show proof of vaccine and a negative test taken no more than 3 days prior.

@bajathree, yes you are right, I read the new protocols too fast, on sailings BEFORE, August 27, if Vaccinated you will take another test at pier/embarkation.

 

I would have no issue getting re-tested at embarkation. It is possible your 3 day pretest is negative because you have been ‘newly’ exposed, or you get exposed enroute to the port.

[nelblu]

9 hours ago, Tee & Chilli said:

For a Sunday sail date, is Wednesday sufficient fir testing?

Thursday if the date of record.  Which gives yo the 3 days or the 72 hours.

What I don't understand if it takes 2-3 days for PCR test results what does it accomplish the need for the test at pier.

[DISFANS3]

We will be on the Allure in Sept I Hope? We want to play by the rule but what is the rule???

[livingonthebeach]

11 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

So I sail on Sunday and everyone on my sailing got this email earlier today.  We are vaccinated and the email was confusing as it seemed to indicate that we needed to get a test no more than 3 days prior (which we knew) AND be PCR tested at the port.  The wording had changed a bit from the previous protocol emails we had received which indicated we would be exempt from the port testing.  

 

I sent a Facebook message to Royal earlier today just to confirm that my original understanding is correct and that we will not need to be tested again at the port.  Much to my surprise, the rep replied that we WILL need to be tested again.  Is anyone else hearing this?  I sent a reply that this directly contradicts the information on their website and I also sent a msg to Michael Bayley but have not heard back yet.  So confusing!!!

 

 

Florida August 2021 Sailings Protocols  Before we say, "Welcome aboard," we'd like to share our health & safety protocols with you for our sailings departing from Florida homeports, that do not visit St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Health and safety protocols are subject to change and as these occur, we're committed to updating you.  Visit this link for all of our health protocols & additional details. Please save it for future reference. VIEW HEALTHY SAIL CENTER Vaccination & Testing Requirements     Vaccination We strongly recommend all guests 12 and older be fully vaccinated before sailing. To be considered fully vaccinated, the final dose of the vaccine must be completed at least 14 days before sailing. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination (such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) in order to be exempt from certain health protocols and associated fees, including additional COVID-19 testing and travel insurance requirements. Testing  The following requirements apply to guests departing from Florida homeports through December 31, 2021.  Pre-Cruise: For all sailings (of any length), all guests 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status, will need to undergo a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) administered by an accredited laboratory of the guest's choice and taken no more than three days prior to sailing. We will require documentation of a negative test result prior to embarkation, either printed or presented on your phone. All costs for this test are the guest's responsibility. This requirement applies even to fully vaccinated guests, there is no exemption.  At the Terminal: Guests 2 years and older are required to take a PCR 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: Guests 2 years and older will be required to undergo antigen testing before disembarking at the end of the 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.  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. 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.  The total charge from the third-party testing vendor for guests 12 and older is $136 USD per guest on sailings 5 nights or less, or $178 USD per guest for sailings of 6 nights or more. This amount will be applied to the guest's onboard expense account. Royal Caribbean will pay the testing vendor(s) on the guest's behalf and will not retain any part of the testing costs.  Testing conducted by Royal Caribbean's vendor is complimentary for guests ages 2 – 11. No testing is required for guests younger than 2.  Additional Information  Insurance Requirement  As a condition of boarding, each guest 12 and older departing from a Florida homeport on a Royal Caribbean International cruise must provide proof of a valid insurance policy that has a minimum of (a) $25,000 per person in medical expense coverage and (b) $50,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation and no COVID-19 exclusions.   The insurance policy must name the guest as the policy holder or beneficiary and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest's choosing or through the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program which fulfills these requirements and provides other benefits for travel protection. Insurance is required for sailings from August 1 through December 31, 2021 (except for bookings made between March 19, 2021 and June 28, 2021).  Guests who provide documentation of full vaccination will be exempt from this requirement. Going Ashore At ports of call, fully vaccinated guests who have chosen to show proof of vaccination may visit the port freely or enjoy one of our many shore excursions.  Travel parties with guests who are not fully vaccinated, or have chosen not to provide proof of vaccination, including parents traveling with unvaccinated children, must book a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean International if they wish to go ashore. We have worked with independent local tour operators to ensure they follow health and safety guidance that aligns with our Healthy Sail Panel recommendations.  Parents who have chosen to provide proof of vaccination and wish to go ashore freely, can visit our youth facilities once onboard to learn about drop off program hours and availability and reserve time for their child on the day they wish to go in port.  All guests may go ashore freely at our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, without reserving a tour, regardless of vaccination status.  Shore excursions may be purchased in advance on Cruise Planner or once onboard at the shore excursion desk or using the Royal Caribbean app. This policy is subject to change as we continue to evaluate circumstances around the globe. All guests are also subject to restrictions and requirements as defined by local authorities in the ports we visit.  What To Bring  Travel Documentation Checklist   Passport books (not cards) are preferred, but not required for all guests sailing. Birth certificates and driver's licenses are accepted when passports are not available. Passports must have a validity of at least six months after the sailing's return date.  A COVID-19 vaccination record card:  Valid proof of vaccination issued by the country where your vaccination was administered (such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) that shows you received the final dose at least 14 days before sailing, should you choose to show proof of vaccination.   A negative COVID-19 test result: All guests age 2 and up, on all sailings, must show a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen) to board the ship, regardless of vaccination status.   Proof of Travel Insurance: Those guests 12 and older who choose not to provide proof of vaccination will be required to present proof of travel insurance that meets coverage requirements.  If you have questions about these protocols or have any concerns about sailing as a result of them, please contact us at 954-628-9290 or 1 (800) 256-6649. We will gladly answer your questions and work with you to reschedule or refund your cruise. Please note that health protocols are expected to change over time and we'll continue to share our updated protocols.  © 2021 Royal Caribbean International. Use of our various websites, mobile application(s), kiosks, and other digital platforms are subject to our Terms of Use. Royal Caribbean Intl. 1050 Caribbean Way Miami, FL 33132 www.royalcaribbean.com

 

The problem is this recent e-mail doesn't state that if you show your vaccination card, you are exempt from the testing at port and prior to disembarkation.  There are 3 tests and nowhere on the email does it state that vaccinated passengers are exempt from the 2 additional tests.  So do you believe the email, the website, or the rep? 

[Ocean Boy]

Now maybe folks have a little understanding about how the people in Seattle were possibly confused resulting in their being denied boarding for their cruise?

[kjacruiser]

11 hours ago, HicksRA said:

This is getting ridiculous.  

spoken like a true free person.....wonder how many others feel this way....

[livingonthebeach]

26 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Now maybe folks have a little understanding about how the people in Seattle were possibly confused resulting in their being denied boarding for their cruise?

 

Yes and no -- if you are traveling, it goes without saying and just plain common sense to get vaccinated (unless of course there is an underlying medical condition).  I can understand the confusion over testing but to travel with a big group, get on an airplane and then a cruise ship, regardless of what the cruise lines require, it behooves anyone in this situation to be vaccinated.