NCL's Abysmal Communication

[shof515]

Covid testing for travel is not free and usually not covered by any insurance. If you have covid symptoms or might have covid then the testing might be free depending on insurance and other things.

 

Most testing sites have switched to the antigen testing and stopped doing PCR testing

 

 

I am booked for the last Bermuda sailing which might be a good thing since by then all of the links would of been worked out

[njhorseman]

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I am booked on the first sailing from NYC to Bermuda on the Breakaway on September 26 (less than three weeks away). We have received ZERO communication about what the specific protocols for our sailing will be

I understand your frustration, but why is it NCL's fault when Bermuda's government is not allowing any cruise passengers departing after Sept. 12 to start the process of obtaining the required travel authorization ?  That applies to Crystal's passengers as well as NCL's so it's pretty clear that Bermuda has some work to do before NCL can tell you what the requirements will be.

[Ms02]

I had a similar experience with bad information from NCL before booking a cruise in the Mediterranean regarding the bubble tour rules in Italy. My cruise has 4/5 stops in Italy and nowhere in the booking process did it say anything about these restrictions. Even om the sail safe page it clearly states no limits on shore excursions, without any indication that this is not true everywhere. Almost all the way down, after an asterisk there is the info about Italy, but who looks that far when it clearly states something about it at the top? 

I've filed an official complaint regarding this, so we'll see what happens. My cruise is next week so I'm not gonna cancel anyway, but it'll be a different experience than planned when booking as we can't really afford a lot of shore excursions.

[MsTabbyKats]

1 hour ago, The P said:

Tony, I live in Manhattan. Please tell me where I can get a PCR test with results back in less than 2 days so they can be downloaded to Bermuda on time. That's PCR, not the antigen test. And what's the cost? Thanks!

Madison Rapid....it's on 92 and Madison.  My friend got her results before she got home.  And yes, it was the pcr.  They said it takes 4 days....but it didn't.

[mking8288]

For those looking to obtain CDC/airline approved PCR test results in NYC - here's a link to one of the "private" labs offering the services with a fairly quick turnaround time - it is NOT free, "might" possibly be covered by your individual insurance (after any co-pay & out-of-pocket expenses) ... somewhere between $125, $225 to $400, per person/per test depending on your turnaround time requirement.

https://carecube.clinic/covid-19-test-for-travel/

 

Disclaimers are plentiful and whether guarantees whether your insurance will pay for any, some or all of it - beware and you need to check & speak your insurance's CSR about it, et. al.  DW had a medically necessity O/P procedure done recently and the specialist/facility did both tests and that was covered by our insurance carrier, subject to co-pays & deductibles, if any ...  

" Since travel is not encouraged during a global pandemic, testing for travel is not considered medical necessity and largely not covered by insurance. " 

 

There are 2 locations in downtown Manhattan, the "Village" and "Tribeca" area - with other locations in the outer boroughs (counties) including Queens & Brooklyn, fairly accessible via mass transit.  A word of caution - Uber/Lyft fares are lately "wild" and sometimes, during unexpected peak demand periods, ultra - crazy - skyhigh, go by MTA subways or buses, etc. if you must or use a licensed yellow taxi with a metered fare instead (green taxis for the outer boroughs, usually at major transit hubs & transfer [commuter train/bus/subway] points only.)  

 

Lookup "CityMD" - another chain for neighborhood urgent care in NYC and call the ones that you can get to, and ask about PCR testing availability, costs and turnaround time - not "free" either.  Their turnaround time for employers-based Covid testing is 5 to 7 days for back to work clearing, so ... 

https://www.citymd.com/occupational-medicine/covid-19-testing

 

Last but not least - Health Need Medical Urgent Care in downtown Flushing, Queens - homebase for some of the long-haul international airline crews - does Covid-19 testing as well ... however, they do not and stated that PCR results will not be available within 24 hours ... Open 7 days a week, 9 am to 6 pm daily and no appointments needed - however, do not show up at 5:30 pm expecting ... and their prevailing charges quoted as:

Rapid Antigen ($150): 20 mins

Rapid NAAT ($200): 20 mins

PCR ($100): 1-4 days

Antibody igg and igm ($100): 1-4 days

https://www.healthneeduc.com/service/covid

 

Good luck on bravely getting all the required testing done for leisure travel & cruising in NY and/or  wherever.

 

IMHO, as much as we missed dearly cruising for nearly 2 years soon - staycations and land-based regional trips by driving inside the US borders have been great since late Spring this year ... all that extra expenses, time & costs for the testing regiments would've paid another night or two at the deluxe 1 bedroom suite at Marriott branded properties ... minus the butler and concierge (both, not needed).  And, paying for lots, lots of fresh lobsters, seafood combo platter & oyster-clam bakes, surf & turf, hibachi & teppanyaki, and shabu shabu.  

 

Ida is long gone but Bermuda bound - let's hope that "Larry" isn't going to leave its trail and footprint for a recovery.  Anyway, to each her/his own - time is strategic - happy, safe & healthy travel.  

Edited September 7, 2021 by mking8288

[david_sobe]

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I had thousands of dollars in unused FCC with NCL. So after the Joy was canceled, we scheduled to sail on the Sun out of Miami. That got switched to the Gem. And then we canceled that and switched ourselves to the Breakaway to Bermuda, because my parents would be able to go on that one with us (they refuse to fly while masks are required on planes) and use up the rest of their FCCs as well. Out of pocket, to do a B2B on the Breakaway, it cost us $56. I will use my $100/week of shareholder benefit  OBC and not spend a thin dime of my actual money onboard. And then we will be free of NCL. Hope we can transfer our one unused CruiseFirst to someone, but if not, I won't cry over letting it expire.

Oh ok.  Hope it goes well.  Looking forward to the review.

[NJGeorge]

7 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@NYcruzzerI was thinking Bahamas too, but the Bahamas now has a visa requirement, so that's out.

@JamieLogical Taking your parents into consideration, is it worth the stress?

 

I have "computer illiterate" friends who cruise.  They aren't book for anything right now...but if they were, I picture them arriving at the dock....completely dumbfounded.  There are going to be lots of people like that.  Not everybody is on cruise critic, not everybody checks in with NCL multiple times a day.  They book a cruise...and they show up.

 

You'd think as time goes by, things would be ironed out; instead, they become more complex.

 

That's why I am on a wait and see what happens. Spending my disposable income on land trips. Flying is enough adventure as is driving!  No tests, no vac card just pay and proceed. 

Inspite of the glowing reviews of Alaska cruises look at what these cruisers had to go through just to get on the ship. 

Outer Banks here we come.

 

The rest can wait until it's business as usual. 

[The P]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Madison Rapid....it's on 92 and Madison.  My friend got her results before she got home.  And yes, it was the pcr.  They said it takes 4 days....but it didn't.

Thanks for the info.

[worktocruise610]

6 minutes ago, The P said:

Thanks for the info.

CVS and Walgreens also does PCR testing, says 1-2 days but my husband got it less than 24 hours. You need to go on their website and make an appointment, they usually put them on about a week before.

 

 

 

 

[worktocruise610]

CityMD takes 3-5 days as of today (changes almost daily depending on lab) they don’t guarantee results in 72 hrs for travel. Goes thru your insurance, if they don’t cover it you will get a bill

[The P]

15 minutes ago, worktocruise610 said:

CVS and Walgreens also does PCR testing, says 1-2 days but my husband got it less than 24 hours. You need to go on their website and make an appointment, they usually put them on about a week before.

 

 

 

 

There is no CVS Minute Clinic in NYC that does PCR testing; I just looked it up. Ditto Walgreens. Where did your husband go?

[ChiefMateJRK]

40 minutes ago, NJGeorge said:

Inspite of the glowing reviews of Alaska cruises look at what these cruisers had to go through just to get on the ship. 

I've read only reports of an extra 15 - 30 minutes to get a rapid test?  What else did they have to go through?

[njhorseman]

16 minutes ago, The P said:

There is no CVS Minute Clinic in NYC that does PCR testing; I just looked it up. Ditto Walgreens. Where did your husband go?

Don't restrict your search to CVS Minute Clinics. Their pharmacies do testing. Go to the CVS website and you can search for the locations.

Edited September 8, 2021 by njhorseman

[shof515]

25 minutes ago, The P said:

There is no CVS Minute Clinic in NYC that does PCR testing; I just looked it up. Ditto Walgreens. Where did your husband go?

from what i noticed, the only CVS places that do PCR is the ones with a drive thru that require a car. they do not accept walk in

[The P]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

Don't restrict your search to CVS Minute Clinics. Their pharmacies do testing. Go to the CVS website and you can search for the locations.

There is no CVS in Manhattan that does PCR testing; I checked the site and called my local CVS to be sure. There are no drive thrus here. The Madison Rapid rapid PCR test costs $250. CityMD is indeed 3-5 days; I checked at one today. I just want to get this info out for all my Big Apple neighbors who are cruising. My thanks to all who gave me tips.

Edited September 8, 2021 by The P

[njhorseman]

18 minutes ago, The P said:

There is no CVS in Manhattan that does PCR testing; I checked the site and called my local CVS to be sure. There are no drive thrus here. The Madison Rapid rapid PCR test costs $250. CityMD is indeed 3-5 days; I checked at one today. I just want to get this info out for all my Big Apple neighbors who are cruising. My thanks to all who gave me tips.

You said NYC...New York City...which is more than just Manhattan . I've found three CVS pharmacies in NYC that do PCR testing...Ridgewood, Queens, Bay Parkway in Brooklyn and Bay St. in  Staten Island. There's also one just across the river in Edgewater, NJ, which isn't far from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

[The P]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

You said NYC...New York City...which is more than just Manhattan . I've found three CVS pharmacies in NYC that do PCR testing...Ridgewood, Queens, Bay Parkway in Brooklyn and Bay St. in  Staten Island. There's also one just across the river in Edgewater, NJ, which isn't far from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Very helpful for people in those areas. Thanks for more info. I should have been more specific but that happens when your mail is addressed to NY, NY..........!!

[SwimmingDragon]

Just my miserable two cents.

So, Bermuda requires 4 days out and you must pay for a PCR test, get all your information uploaded and sent to them. Well, what if NCL is holding off telling everyone they need to do this because Bermuda might change course and cancel? Or, as has been discussed before on another thread, they are unable to comply with getting everyone onboard tested in time for the Excursions? You would have spent time and money on something that may just fall through. I wonder if they will give the information to you at the 15 day mark? People would need time to schedule an appointment to get the PCR test in time and that would give people around a 2 week window. It also gives people a chance to cancel last minute (the very last day to cancel). I have already been looking at what there is to do and planning on if/when we go to the Bahamas at their private island, (which I could see them docking there for 2 days so people can enjoy the beaches and support the local economy without heading into Nassau). This is after all a “new” cruise heading out to another country (EU already made the Cruise ships change their mask requirements and I think their excursion requirements while in certain waters over there) and it’s not just NCL who makes the calls on this one. Look at the Bahama Government, they have changed requirements for Cruise ships as well and they Cruise industry sailing from the US has made huge changes since Bermudas mandates came out. 

 Mind you I am probably very very wrong about all of it. But it’s just another point of view. I am concerned for all the people who are going on a cruise and not doing their homework before hand. But honestly, if people haven’t learned from all of last year and this year that they need to be a good bit more diligent and not keep their blinds on, well then they really can only blame themselves or their TA (who should be on top of what is going on and letting their clients know their concerns prior to them even signing up with a cruise right now). We are not living like we were before 2020. We are literally traveling/vacationing during a pandemic. Sometimes we don’t see the things until hindsight.

I hope you choose to go, but understand if you canceled because of your parents. Mind you, you could have your parents cancel and then you two just go. It would be safer and more of a peace of mind. You could all travel together at a future date. Have you sat down and talked with them about all of this and your concerns? Have you discussed their concerns? I had to have the big talk with my family tonight about the fact that we might have to quarantine in NYC if one of us tests positive and we would miss the cruise. We discussed it and agreed that we were okay with that. But we did have that talk. I think that should go for everyone traveling with family and friends. Everyone should be on the same page for the plan they choose to go ahead with, even if it is separate. Either way, I hope it all works out sooner than later so you really can have a peace of mind (well as much as any of us can get right now jumping through the hoops). 
 

 

[shof515]

It might seem strange but i wonder if Bermuda is having different covid protocols based on where the ships embarks. The Crystal Symphony last Boston to Bermuda cruise is on September 12 which is the only sail day listed on that travel authorization page. Then on September 24 the Symphony reposition to NYC to do the NYC to Bermuda runs similar to what the Breakaway will be doing on September 26

 

I dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing, all of the Norwegian Breakaway sailing is listed on the Bermuda cruise ship schedule located at: https://www.marineandports.bm/shipping_button_link.aspx

 

 

[njhorseman]

18 minutes ago, shof515 said:

It might seem strange but i wonder if Bermuda is having different covid protocols based on where the ships embarks. The Crystal Symphony last Boston to Bermuda cruise is on September 12 which is the only sail day listed on that travel authorization page. Then on September 24 the Symphony reposition to NYC to do the NYC to Bermuda runs similar to what the Breakaway will be doing on September 26

 

I dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing, all of the Norwegian Breakaway sailing is listed on the Bermuda cruise ship schedule located at: https://www.marineandports.bm/shipping_button_link.aspx

 

 

I doubt that's the case.

Bermuda's protocols for air arrivals don't differ based on where the flight originates. It doesn't matter whether you fly in from NY, Boston, Miami, London or anywhere else in the world. The protocol for cruise passengers is essentially identical to that for air passengers, so why would it matter where your cruise originates but not where your flight originates?

I think there are two issues possibly at work. First, Bermuda has a growing COVID outbreak right now and may be rethinking whether to tighten up their protocols even further, or second they may be struggling with how they can process the COVID testing when several thousand cruise ship passengers arrive at once. Until now they've only had to deal with testing a couple of hundred cruise or air passengers arriving on a single day. I doubt they have the capacity to process the tests for the number of passengers that would be arriving on the Breakaway.

[bluesea777]

^^^^ true

 

Breakaway is now docked in Gibraltar and being bunkered.

 

 

[JamieLogical]

9 hours ago, SwimmingDragon said:

Just my miserable two cents.

So, Bermuda requires 4 days out and you must pay for a PCR test, get all your information uploaded and sent to them. Well, what if NCL is holding off telling everyone they need to do this because Bermuda might change course and cancel? Or, as has been discussed before on another thread, they are unable to comply with getting everyone onboard tested in time for the Excursions? You would have spent time and money on something that may just fall through. I wonder if they will give the information to you at the 15 day mark? People would need time to schedule an appointment to get the PCR test in time and that would give people around a 2 week window. It also gives people a chance to cancel last minute (the very last day to cancel). I have already been looking at what there is to do and planning on if/when we go to the Bahamas at their private island, (which I could see them docking there for 2 days so people can enjoy the beaches and support the local economy without heading into Nassau). This is after all a “new” cruise heading out to another country (EU already made the Cruise ships change their mask requirements and I think their excursion requirements while in certain waters over there) and it’s not just NCL who makes the calls on this one. Look at the Bahama Government, they have changed requirements for Cruise ships as well and they Cruise industry sailing from the US has made huge changes since Bermudas mandates came out. 

 Mind you I am probably very very wrong about all of it. But it’s just another point of view. I am concerned for all the people who are going on a cruise and not doing their homework before hand. But honestly, if people haven’t learned from all of last year and this year that they need to be a good bit more diligent and not keep their blinds on, well then they really can only blame themselves or their TA (who should be on top of what is going on and letting their clients know their concerns prior to them even signing up with a cruise right now). We are not living like we were before 2020. We are literally traveling/vacationing during a pandemic. Sometimes we don’t see the things until hindsight.

I hope you choose to go, but understand if you canceled because of your parents. Mind you, you could have your parents cancel and then you two just go. It would be safer and more of a peace of mind. You could all travel together at a future date. Have you sat down and talked with them about all of this and your concerns? Have you discussed their concerns? I had to have the big talk with my family tonight about the fact that we might have to quarantine in NYC if one of us tests positive and we would miss the cruise. We discussed it and agreed that we were okay with that. But we did have that talk. I think that should go for everyone traveling with family and friends. Everyone should be on the same page for the plan they choose to go ahead with, even if it is separate. Either way, I hope it all works out sooner than later so you really can have a peace of mind (well as much as any of us can get right now jumping through the hoops). 
 

 

 

We have discussed most of this extensively with my parents. The only thing I have left out is the possibility of a second pre-cruise test to satisfy NCL's 72 hour requirement. I am pretty confident my parents will opt to skip that test, since it is only "recommended". They will believe that getting tested 4 days out is sufficient to assure them they won't test positive at the pier. Plus, since we are all driving to NYC, travel and quarantine costs aren't really an issue. For me, the worst case scenario is that my parents cancel and we don't. They still have unused FCC as well and we would then feel obligated to pay real money to NCL to go on a cruise again with them in the future so they can use up that FCC. When I talked to them on Monday, they were adamant that they are not going to cancel and will let the chips fall where they may. For my dad, a switch to Florida and the Bahamas would be a good thing, because he feels wearing a mask is pure, unadulterated torture. In Bermuda, he would have to wear a mask if he went inside anywhere on the island (he probably won't bother and will just stay on the ship). But masks aren't required in Florida or on GSC. So he would be happy with that. Meanwhile, I wouldn't get off the ship in Florida right now if you paid me money!

[SwimmingDragon]

8 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

We have discussed most of this extensively with my parents. The only thing I have left out is the possibility of a second pre-cruise test to satisfy NCL's 72 hour requirement. I am pretty confident my parents will opt to skip that test, since it is only "recommended". They will believe that getting tested 4 days out is sufficient to assure them they won't test positive at the pier. Plus, since we are all driving to NYC, travel and quarantine costs aren't really an issue. For me, the worst case scenario is that my parents cancel and we don't. They still have unused FCC as well and we would then feel obligated to pay real money to NCL to go on a cruise again with them in the future so they can use up that FCC. When I talked to them on Monday, they were adamant that they are not going to cancel and will let the chips fall where they may. For my dad, a switch to Florida and the Bahamas would be a good thing, because he feels wearing a mask is pure, unadulterated torture. In Bermuda, he would have to wear a mask if he went inside anywhere on the island (he probably won't bother and will just stay on the ship). But masks aren't required in Florida or on GSC. So he would be happy with that. Meanwhile, I wouldn't get off the ship in Florida right now if you paid me money!

We are also driving into NYC. It's the safest way to travel at this point. From my understanding, if you test positive, you must quarantine at the hotel that they have set up (in this case Manhattan) and cannot just drive home. But that is only from what I am gathering from all the different things I have seen. I mentioned this to my DH and he was a bit surprised but understood it. Do you know if this is the case? 

[oteixeira]

Just now, SwimmingDragon said:

We are also driving into NYC. It's the safest way to travel at this point. From my understanding, if you test positive, you must quarantine at the hotel that they have set up (in this case Manhattan) and cannot just drive home. But that is only from what I am gathering from all the different things I have seen. I mentioned this to my DH and he was a bit surprised but understood it. Do you know if this is the case? 

From the youtube people I watch, if you drive you are allowed to drive home as long as you vouch that you are going straight to your home to quarantine.  You have to go to the hotel if you fly, because of course no one would want a positive person to get on an airplane to fly home.

I am flying to Florida in December and if either of us test positive I would rent a car and drive the 12 or so hours home before I stay in a hotel for a week (if I can get them to allow it).

[JamieLogical]

3 minutes ago, SwimmingDragon said:

We are also driving into NYC. It's the safest way to travel at this point. From my understanding, if you test positive, you must quarantine at the hotel that they have set up (in this case Manhattan) and cannot just drive home. But that is only from what I am gathering from all the different things I have seen. I mentioned this to my DH and he was a bit surprised but understood it. Do you know if this is the case? 

 

A couple that I follow on YouTube tested positive on their Carnival cruise and were allowed to drive home to quarantine in their house some 7 hours away, rather than in Port Canaveral.