Positive for Covid at check-in

[graphicguy]

43 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

I did ask about getting home if you test positive (or miss the ship due to late arrival) they said that you still have your original air flight home (this is from Rome) so I'm assuming I can get a hotel in Rome until my flight 10 days later

So, that means NCL will cover transport, hotel and meals for you to stay in Rome for 10 days?

[victory2020]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

So, that means NCL will cover transport, hotel and meals for you to stay in Rome for 10 days?

That's a good question! Since they give you full credit for the cruise I wouldn't think so

[Candy Apple 12]

On 9/20/2021 at 3:46 PM, graphicguy said:

The point I have issue with, too.

 

Jamie....due respect, but you've dealt with NCL in the past.  You know how they've "finagled" us who booked with them after the start up, at their urging, and then screwed us over.

 

@SeaShark...you point out exactly the "wiggle room" NCL has left themselves.  Who decides what the applicable expenses are?  What are the "travel arrangements" they'll allegedly cover?  Will they fly the positive COVID passenger home if that's the way they arrived?  Will they What if NCL says that our insurance wasn't valid or didn't cover enough of the expenses in order for them to pick up the rest.  Insurance isn't even mandatory to be denied embarkation due to COVID.  What happens to those who have NO insurance?

 

According to the CDC, if you have the qualified COVID vaccines, there is no requirement to quarantine.  But, according to NCL, if you test positive, even when vaccinated, they'll only assist if you need to quarantine.  In other words, you can test positive, even after providing a negative test within 72 hours and being fully vaccinated, and they'll deny you embarkation.  But, you do not need to quarantine, so they won't provide anything to you because there was no mandatory quarantine required.

 

If you think about it, this is true of everyone who books with them.  NCL requires 100% COVID vaccination.  So, if positive, it's not mandatory to quarantine.  You test positive and are denied embarkation, they can say they owe you nothing.  The more I look under the covers on this, the less their policies have any real benefit to us.

I think the confusion here is quarantine vs. isolation. If you test positive, regardless of whether you are vaccinated, you must isolate yourself away from other people to prevent spreading the virus. If you are vaccinated and a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus you do not need to quarantine. Current CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals states “Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until they receive a negative test result.” 
 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html#anchor_1619526549276

 

So, technically, NCL’s wording of “If you are denied boarding due to a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation, the cruise line will coordinate and cover costs for travel arrangements for you, and those traveling in the same stateroom, if they are also denied boarding. Norwegian Cruise Line will assist with applicable expenses related to any mandatory quarantine…” is incorrect with regards to the person who tested positive, but correct in regards to a traveling companion in the same stateroom.

[reeinaz]

On 9/19/2021 at 9:59 PM, graphicguy said:

Why not come right out and say that…..”NCL will cover all expenses and fees related to any fully vaccinated guest if they have a positive COVID result at embarkation”?  Instead, they are being nebulous like stating they’ll “assist”.  Assisting with expenses is not the same as paying for the related expenses.  Thus, they are giving themselves wiggle room.

I see it as no, they won't pay for your nightly surf and turf and champagne  room service but sure, they will pay say $30/day towards meals while in quarantine. 

[vpearlkc]

On 9/18/2021 at 7:50 PM, realtorgranny said:

For those of you that wonder, what happens if we test positive at checkin? Well, I’ll tell you from first hand experience. My husband and I left San Antonio yesterday for our Alaska cruise on the Encore today Sept 18. My daughter and SIL were with us. As recommended we all got tested for Covid prior to our travels. We all tested NEGATIVE.  Hooray, we were on our way. This morning we all went to get the mandatory pre-cruise test required by NCL.  Imagine our shock when both my daughter and SIL tested positive. They were both fully vaccinated months ago.

Immediately they were whisked into a private room with security and an NCL REP posted outside. There they were given another Covid test and again both tested positive. The staff asked where their bags were and they contacted the Marriott hotel next door. Security and the NCL Cruise Director went to the hotel and retrieved their bags. ( I had already taken ours out as we knew they would be going there shortly) 

They we’re then driven to a local resort that NCL has contracted with to house passengers that test positive. Since then I have been talked to my daughter numerous times and she said she is amazed at how well NCL has been treating them. They are both asymptomatic  and had no idea this was about to happen. They have been told they will stay at the resort until they both test negative. They are authorized to order room service and with be reimbursed up to $100 per day per person.

I am thankful they did everything right and followed all of NCL’s recommendations. They did have insurance with NCL and are ever so thankful for that.

My husband and I spoke with a member of the medical staff when we checked in, and after much discussion with the Dr on board we were allowed to board.

I am heartbroken leaving them behind,  although my daughter insisted. They have been in touch with their daughter and SIL that are station in Olympia WA. And all have promised me they will keep us updated everyday.

So my best advice is get tested before you leave home, have insurance, and keep a good attitude if life hands you lemons.

STAY SAFE and get VACCINATED.

 

 

 

 

[Cruiser021421]

34 minutes ago, reeinaz said:

I see it as no, they won't pay for your nightly surf and turf and champagne  room service but sure, they will pay say $30/day towards meals while in quarantine. 

OP says $100 per day per person.

[realtorgranny]

Update to my original post: COVID POSITIVE AT PIER

I posted on 9/18 that my daughter and SIL tested positive at the port, we were scheduled to leave Seattle for an Alaska Cruise. They are vaccinated and had negative Covid tests results prior to departing our home in San Antonio Friday.

After they tested positive they were provided a hotel room for quarantine. NCL said they would cover the costs after their insurance. They were allowed to walk around the grounds but were told they must stay away from other guests. They ordered Uber Eats which was delivered to the reception area and then the front desk left it outside their room.

Everyday they received a phone call from an NCL Rep, their insurance provider and (I think the name was ) Medco, to check on them and ask if they were ok. Aside from too much togetherness, they felt they received excellent treatment. My daughter did loose her taste and smell on Sunday but by Thurs it was back. Other than that they were both asymptomatic thru the entire time.

My daughter tried to purchase Covid tests for them to take the test prior to the ship’s return but none were available either locally or thru Amazon. I had the foresight to bring one with me but it was on the ship in my luggage. When we returned we met my daughter and SIL in the parking lot and they used my test. A BLESSING, they both tested negative. She called NCL and told them that they felt comfortable leaving. All along NCL told them they were free to leave at anytime but once they left the coverage ended. They were concerned that until they tested negative things could go South real quick so they stayed until we returned.

We promised each other we will plan a new Alaska Cruise for next year so they get to see beautiful Alaska and we get a “do over”.

Thank you NCL for taking excellent care of our family.

 

[JamieLogical]

So happy to hear they are both feeling well and only had minor symptoms!

[hawkeyetlse]

Not sure I really want to know, but how did the two of them test negative using your one test…?

[phillygwm]

On 9/19/2021 at 8:51 AM, Old & Retired said:

There is no lawful authority to lock you up in a quarantine location.  At least not in the USA.  Certainly you can go home.

If you're driving, you could go home.  If you're flying, you couldn't.  And even if you decided to disregard the rules and got away with it (not sure if NCL or the local authorities notify airlines etc.) changing your flight arrangements wouldn't be inexpensive.  

 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

If you're flying, you couldn't. 

Does somebody at the airport ask about Covid?  I haven't flown since 2019, so I really don't know.

[phillygwm]

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Does somebody at the airport ask about Covid?  I haven't flown since 2019, so I really don't know.

It's asked at check-in, just as you have to certify you're not carrying firearms, nuclear weapons, etc.  I just flew last week and it's something to the effect of whether you have various symptoms or have tested positive.  TBH, I don't recall the precise wording.

Edited October 1, 2021 by phillygwm

[Cruiser021421]

23 minutes ago, hawkeyetlse said:

Not sure I really want to know, but how did the two of them test negative using your one test…?

There are two tests per box.

[NW Pacific]

Have question, understand you need to test negative  prior to getting to Pier for NCL to "supposedly" helping you out .  Before they added this on, I truly believe I read months ago, that if you tested positive at the pier your cruise fare would be refunded, obviously fully vaccinated. No extras just cruise refund.  Tried to get confirmation of this tonight, on-line chat, answer NO refund if not tested negative 72 hrs. before cruise.  For those of you in "the know" has this been a change?  I'm only talking about getting cruise fare for a fully vaccinated person, who may get a positive at the Pier.  Are we  just shi  out of luck with getting an NCL refund?  obviously would not go without travel insurance, but not even sure yet about COVID coverage at the Pier for a positive test.  If possible would test before cruise, but that could be a big maybe getting the right test at right time in a small community.

[julig22]

13 minutes ago, NW Pacific said:

Have question, understand you need to test negative  prior to getting to Pier for NCL to "supposedly" helping you out .  Before they added this on, I truly believe I read months ago, that if you tested positive at the pier your cruise fare would be refunded, obviously fully vaccinated. No extras just cruise refund.  Tried to get confirmation of this tonight, on-line chat, answer NO refund if not tested negative 72 hrs. before cruise.  For those of you in "the know" has this been a change?  I'm only talking about getting cruise fare for a fully vaccinated person, who may get a positive at the Pier.  Are we  just shi  out of luck with getting an NCL refund?  obviously would not go without travel insurance, but not even sure yet about COVID coverage at the Pier for a positive test.  If possible would test before cruise, but that could be a big maybe getting the right test at right time in a small community.

Online chat isn't very reliable.  Refunds (or fcc) are still given, per actual posted refund policy, as long as you followed all NCL policies.

[aubreyc1988]

On 9/29/2021 at 9:15 PM, realtorgranny said:

Update to my original post: COVID POSITIVE AT PIER

I posted on 9/18 that my daughter and SIL tested positive at the port, we were scheduled to leave Seattle for an Alaska Cruise. They are vaccinated and had negative Covid tests results prior to departing our home in San Antonio Friday.

After they tested positive they were provided a hotel room for quarantine. NCL said they would cover the costs after their insurance. They were allowed to walk around the grounds but were told they must stay away from other guests. They ordered Uber Eats which was delivered to the reception area and then the front desk left it outside their room.

Everyday they received a phone call from an NCL Rep, their insurance provider and (I think the name was ) Medco, to check on them and ask if they were ok. Aside from too much togetherness, they felt they received excellent treatment. My daughter did loose her taste and smell on Sunday but by Thurs it was back. Other than that they were both asymptomatic thru the entire time.

My daughter tried to purchase Covid tests for them to take the test prior to the ship’s return but none were available either locally or thru Amazon. I had the foresight to bring one with me but it was on the ship in my luggage. When we returned we met my daughter and SIL in the parking lot and they used my test. A BLESSING, they both tested negative. She called NCL and told them that they felt comfortable leaving. All along NCL told them they were free to leave at anytime but once they left the coverage ended. They were concerned that until they tested negative things could go South real quick so they stayed until we returned.

We promised each other we will plan a new Alaska Cruise for next year so they get to see beautiful Alaska and we get a “do over”.

Thank you NCL for taking excellent care of our family.

 

What insurance did your family get? 

[caitlynambrai]

8 hours ago, NW Pacific said:

Have question, understand you need to test negative  prior to getting to Pier for NCL to "supposedly" helping you out .  Before they added this on, I truly believe I read months ago, that if you tested positive at the pier your cruise fare would be refunded, obviously fully vaccinated. No extras just cruise refund.  Tried to get confirmation of this tonight, on-line chat, answer NO refund if not tested negative 72 hrs. before cruise.  For those of you in "the know" has this been a change?  I'm only talking about getting cruise fare for a fully vaccinated person, who may get a positive at the Pier.  Are we  just shi  out of luck with getting an NCL refund?  obviously would not go without travel insurance, but not even sure yet about COVID coverage at the Pier for a positive test.  If possible would test before cruise, but that could be a big maybe getting the right test at right time in a small community.

There are home tests that you use while a proctor is watching you from your computer or phone. It’s called BinaxNow RX (don’t get the BinaxNow OTC) and you can order them online in packs of 2

https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/

Or packs of 6

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en
 

It a good idea to have more than 1 per person, in case you mess up the first test. 
 

You can find videos of how to use it on YouTube. There are several cruisers who made videos about these tests.

[BirdTravels]

14 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Does somebody at the airport ask about Covid?  I haven't flown since 2019, so I really don't know.

Absolutely. We travel several times a month. When you check in for a commercial flight, you must certify that you are free of COVID, not tested positive, and free of COVID symptoms. When you check in for Amatrak, you must certify that you are free of COVID, not tested positive, and free of COVID symptoms. My car rental agency asks the same questions before they rent a car. 

[BirdTravels]

On 9/21/2021 at 10:35 PM, Candy Apple 12 said:

So, technically, NCL’s wording of “If you are denied boarding due to a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation, the cruise line will coordinate and cover costs for travel arrangements for you, and those traveling in the same stateroom, if they are also denied boarding. Norwegian Cruise Line will assist with applicable expenses related to any mandatory quarantine…” is incorrect with regards to the person who tested positive, but correct in regards to a traveling companion in the same stateroom.

It is totally dependent upon where you test positive. NCL has provided quarantine facilities for those testing positive at home ports. NCL has also paid for private air charters for those disembarked mid-cruise without suitable quarantine locations. So, the language could be correct. 

[zerooveride]

On 9/19/2021 at 8:51 AM, Old & Retired said:

There is no lawful authority to lock you up in a quarantine location.  At least not in the USA.  Certainly you can go home.

 

Not quite true. Back last September or October, my wife was quarantined because she was a close contact to someone who tested positive. She was actually served (including others from her classroom where the exposure took place) with a Court order that stated she could not leave the house for 14 days. She also had to check in daily with someone to verify that she had not left the residence. 

[lixogab]

16 hours ago, caitlynambrai said:

There are home tests that you use while a proctor is watching you from your computer or phone. It’s called BinaxNow RX (don’t get the BinaxNow OTC) and you can order them online in packs of 2

https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/

Or packs of 6

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en
 

It a good idea to have more than 1 per person, in case you mess up the first test. 
 

You can find videos of how to use it on YouTube. There are several cruisers who made videos about these tests.

Well, those tests are not free.

We both are working from home, plan to self quarantine 12 days before the cruise:  our cruise is on Sunday, we leave home Friday night and plan to stay home starting Monday of previous week.

So no chance we test positive before we leave.

However there is a tiny chance we could get infected in on our way (Hotels, restaurants, etc). Not sure if this can be even detected in less than 36 hours. 
So for me is important to know if NCL requires to get the 72 hours test to refund if the pier test is positive.

The cancellation policy at https://www.ncl.com/refund-and-cancellation-policy-covid-19

mentions that there is no refund if we fail to comply with their Covid policies and procedures with a link to the Peace of Mind FAQ. But Peace of Mind expired on Oct 1st.

Also there is mention of the Cruise ticket contract.

Where can I find that?

 

Edited October 3, 2021 by lixogab

[julig22]

1 hour ago, lixogab said:

Peace of Mind expired on Oct 1st

Expires Oct 31, 2021.  

[ggTexasGal]

4 hours ago, lixogab said:

Also there is mention of the Cruise ticket contract.

Where can I find that?

 

When completing your cruise check-in, look for a link (in blue) that looks like: Guest Ticket Contract

OR, you can find it at:

https://www.ncl.com/about/additional-terms-and-conditions

[Norway97]

We are just back from the 9/26 Breakaway from NY and husband had a false positive on the antigen test at the pier. As he had not left the house for over a week other than taking the Bermuda required 96 hour negative PCR test, we were not stressed and assumed throughout the retesting process that we would be cleared with a negative rapid PCR test. NCL staff at the pier who notified us and literally walked us through the retesting process couldn’t have been more supportive and kind. As we waited for test results which took about 40 minutes (conducted by CVS in a private large room) someone checked in with us at least every 5 minutes. We were asked for detailed bag descriptions and our bags which had been checked in about 3 hours before, were found and pulled. They assured us that if the PCR was in fact positive, we would be allowed to drive the 2 hours home vs NYC quarantine.  Once the negative PCR result came in, we were assured that our bags were headed back on the ship and we were personally escorted from Pier 90 to checkin at Pier 88. A nice touch of extra support that wasn’t needed but appreciated. There was one other couple impacted and cleared in the same room when we arrived, not sure if others.

[eileeshb]

I guess we all now have a new reason to take pictures of our luggage… make it easier to pull if the test comes back positive.