Testing positive on 2nd leg of B2B

[vacruisin]

Hello all,

 

DW and I are 18 days away from boarding the Magic for a B2B.  Like most of you, we have endured countless cancelled cruises the last couple of years so we decided to reward our restart with a B2B on one of our favorite ships.

 

We've ordered home tests for the first leg of the trip that sails on Sunday, 1/9 so we'll take our test on Friday, 1/7.  Per Carnival's policy, they will test us before the 2nd leg.

 

Our question is:  Since the restart, has anyone tested positive before the 2nd leg of a B2B?  If so, how did Carnival handle that situation?  Inquiring minds wanna know.

[Babr]

The Carnival policy states that you will be tested free of charge between cruises. If you are denied embarkation because of a positive test, Carnival will help you make arrangements for quarantine if you are not in your home port with a car. You will get FCC for unused days of the cruise.

 

Any expenses related to quarantine shoreside are the responsibility of the quest.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Babr

[vacruisin]

23 minutes ago, Babr said:

The Carnival policy states that you will be tested free of charge between cruises. If you are denied embarkation because of a positive test, Carnival will help you make arrangements for quarantine if you are not in your home port with a car. You will get FCC for unused days of the cruise.

 

Any expenses related to quarantine shoreside are the responsibility of the quest.

Thanks Babr,

 

Makes sense.  Of course we are not anticipating a positive test.  The first leg will be more of a 6-day relaxation cruise with just the 2 of us before friends join us for the 8-day 2nd leg.  We are contemplating just staying on the ship the entire first leg just to be extra cautious.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by vacruisin

[Hockeydad1972]

5 hours ago, vacruisin said:

Thanks Babr,

 

Makes sense.  Of course we are not anticipating a positive test.  The first leg will be more of a 6-day relaxation cruise with just the 2 of us before friends join us for the 8-day 2nd leg.  We are contemplating just staying on the ship the entire first leg just to be extra cautious.

 

 

We will be joining you in leg 2.. Can’t wait.. Little longer wait then you guys but close enough …

[vacruisin]

On 12/22/2021 at 6:58 PM, Hockeydad1972 said:

We will be joining you in leg 2.. Can’t wait.. Little longer wait then you guys but close enough …

We’ll see you guys onboard.  We were just about to check in and select our boarding time for the first leg.  It’s that close!!  
 

Have you joined the group on the book of many faces?  

[K_e_short]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:56 PM, Babr said:

The Carnival policy states that you will be tested free of charge between cruises. If you are denied embarkation because of a positive test, Carnival will help you make arrangements for quarantine if you are not in your home port with a car. You will get FCC for unused days of the cruise.

 

Any expenses related to quarantine shoreside are the responsibility of the quest.

 

Can you reference where the Carnival website says that they will help make arrangements and that you have to quarantine if you don't have a car at the home port?

 

Is that only for B2B or anyone who tests positive on the cruise?

 

I thought Carnival would give you FCC but everything else was your responsibility, including how you choose to get home (your car, car rental, fly home).

 

 

[Hockeydad1972]

3 hours ago, vacruisin said:

We’ll see you guys onboard.  We were just about to check in and select our boarding time for the first leg.  It’s that close!!  
 

Have you joined the group on the book of many faces?  

We have, my wife actually!! Maybe see you at the meet and greet.. 

[Babr]

18 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

 

Can you reference where the Carnival website says that they will help make arrangements and that you have to quarantine if you don't have a car at the home port?

 

Is that only for B2B or anyone who tests positive on the cruise?

 

I thought Carnival would give you FCC but everything else was your responsibility, including how you choose to get home (your car, car rental, fly home).

 

 

Arrangements just means they will make the phone calls and handle the logistics. Sorry if my statement was misleading. You are correct that any associated costs are your responsibility. That policy applies to anyone who tests positive on a cruise.

 

From recent accounts, positive passengers are escorted off the ship after everyone else has disembarked. They are transported to a quarantine hotel unless they have their own car at the port. Otherwise, you don’t really have a choice of the other options you listed. Carnival will help you find a quarantine hotel. That’s it.

 

If you are already in the terminal to test before reboarding for your B2B, you may  be directed  to a quarantine hotel by port authorities or a representative of the local health department.

 

If you plan to seek reimbursement through travel insurance, you have to present documentation of a positive test and a doctor’s orders not to travel. If you try to fly or rent a car, you can’t expect insurance to pay if you travel against doctor’s orders.

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by Babr

[K_e_short]

3 minutes ago, Babr said:

Arrangements just means they will make the phone calls and handle the logistics. Sorry if my statement was misleading. You are correct that any associated costs are your responsibility. That policy applies to anyone who tests positive on a cruise.

 

From recent accounts, positive passengers are escorted off the ship after everyone else has disembarked. They are transported to a quarantine hotel unless they have their own car at the port. Otherwise, you don’t really have a choice of the other options you listed. Carnival will help you find a quarantine hotel. That’s it.

 

If you plan to seek reimbursement through travel insurance, you have to present documentation of a positive test and a doctor’s orders not to travel. If you try to fly or rent a car, you can’t expect insurance to pay if you travel against doctor’s orders.

 

 

 

Thank you for your response.

 

I asked because I am a planner and like to have different options.

 

Just thinking aloud here and what is strange is if I tested on board you are saying I'd be forced to go to a hotel, but if I test positive at the airport I'm allowed to fly to the nearest Canadian border airport, rent a car, and drive across the border.

 

What stops me from not checking in to that hotel and getting a car rental? (Not looking for a response, just once again thinking aloud)

 

And what is the difference between me testing positive on the ship versus getting off the ship and testing positive at the airport?

 

[Elaine5715]

2 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

Thank you for your response.

 

I asked because I am a planner and like to have different options.

 

Just thinking aloud here and what is strange is if I tested on board you are saying I'd be forced to go to a hotel, but if I test positive at the airport I'm allowed to fly to the nearest Canadian border airport, rent a car, and drive across the border.

 

What stops me from not checking in to that hotel and getting a car rental? (Not looking for a response, just once again thinking aloud)

 

And what is the difference between me testing positive on the ship versus getting off the ship and testing positive at the airport?

 

Difference is CDC can beat up on the cruise lines but is powerless against the airports

[Elaine5715]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:23 PM, vacruisin said:

Hello all,

 

DW and I are 18 days away from boarding the Magic for a B2B.  Like most of you, we have endured countless cancelled cruises the last couple of years so we decided to reward our restart with a B2B on one of our favorite ships.

 

We've ordered home tests for the first leg of the trip that sails on Sunday, 1/9 so we'll take our test on Friday, 1/7.  Per Carnival's policy, they will test us before the 2nd leg.

 

Our question is:  Since the restart, has anyone tested positive before the 2nd leg of a B2B?  If so, how did Carnival handle that situation?  Inquiring minds wanna know.

The only way to know if someone tested positive on a B2B would be the person to post here

[Babr]

2 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

Thank you for your response.

 

I asked because I am a planner and like to have different options.

 

Just thinking aloud here and what is strange is if I tested on board you are saying I'd be forced to go to a hotel, but if I test positive at the airport I'm allowed to fly to the nearest Canadian border airport, rent a car, and drive across the border.

 

What stops me from not checking in to that hotel and getting a car rental? (Not looking for a response, just once again thinking aloud)

 

And what is the difference between me testing positive on the ship versus getting off the ship and testing positive at the airport?

 

 

I’m not sure about that. You are not required to test for domestic flights;  but if you test positive at the airport, I doubt they would let you board a plane.

 

As for local quarantine, you are transported to the hotel because positive people are prohibited from using public transportation; and you are assigned a room set aside for quarantine.
 

Could you leave? I don’t know, but your test results have been reported to the CDC as well as local health authorities. The hotel will know that you have left. There may be repercussions for violating quarantine. A border crossing could complicate things since you are dealing with federal as well as local authorities.

 

And, as I said, you will void any insurance claim to reimburse travel expenses so I guess it depends on how badly you want to get home.

[K_e_short]

2 hours ago, Babr said:

 

I’m not sure about that. You are not required to test for domestic flights;  but if you test positive at the airport, I doubt they would let you board a plane.

 

As for local quarantine, you are transported to the hotel because positive people are prohibited from using public transportation; and you are assigned a room set aside for quarantine.
 

Could you leave? I don’t know, but your test results have been reported to the CDC as well as local health authorities. The hotel will know that you have left. There may be repercussions for violating quarantine. A border crossing could complicate things since you are dealing with federal as well as local authorities.

 

And, as I said, you will void any insurance claim to reimburse travel expenses so I guess it depends on how badly you want to get home.

 

The testing centre at the airport is not connected to any airline.

So how would any airline know that I have tested positive before I board a domestic flight?

I'm saying domestic because other countries require proof of a negative Covid test to enter the country.

 

The reason I am asking is because I am Canadian and am testing at the airport before flying home.

If I test positive I have a car rental and will drive home (22 hours, doable in 3 days).

 

Carnival does not test Canadians on board, but some have gotten a test by asking politely, or catching a guest services person who didn't know the rules (not sure).

 

Based on your information I do not want Carnival to test me on board because then I'd be forced to go to a quarantine hotel.

I will get tested at the airport.

 

Of course the real issue is how many people are getting off the ship, going on public transportation. getting on a plane, etc. and are positive but because they don't need to test they don't know they are positive.

 

My plan B for getting home after my cruise still works. I would not take public transportation or try to board a flight if I knew I was positive. My morals and ethics are too high, even though I know others aren't. 🙂

[Babr]

20 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

 

The testing centre at the airport is not connected to any airline.

So how would any airline know that I have tested positive before I board a domestic flight?

I'm saying domestic because other countries require proof of a negative Covid test to enter the country.

 

The reason I am asking is because I am Canadian and am testing at the airport before flying home.

If I test positive I have a car rental and will drive home (22 hours, doable in 3 days).

 

Carnival does not test Canadians on board, but some have gotten a test by asking politely, or catching a guest services person who didn't know the rules (not sure).

 

Based on your information I do not want Carnival to test me on board because then I'd be forced to go to a quarantine hotel.

I will get tested at the airport.

 

Of course the real issue is how many people are getting off the ship, going on public transportation. getting on a plane, etc. and are positive but because they don't need to test they don't know they are positive.

 

My plan B for getting home after my cruise still works. I would not take public transportation or try to board a flight if I knew I was positive. My morals and ethics are too high, even though I know others aren't. 🙂

But aren’t you still exposing people at the car rental place and your stops along the way on a three-day drive?
 

How do you get into Canada with a positive test?

Edited December 25, 2021 by Babr

[jstrutton]

We were wondering a similar situation. We are a B2B2B in Europe next year. We got the carnival insurance and I called them for clarification if one of us came up positive between the second and third cruise.  They told me we would be covered under the medical piece as long as we provided doctor test results and any medical orders.  So we would eventually get reimbursed for a hotel bill in London up to 10k (I think that was the limit but would have to double check).  But at least we had a piece of mind that we would be covered with something.  
 

Hope it never happens to us or anyone else

[firefly333]

15 hours ago, Babr said:

Arrangements just means they will make the phone calls and handle the logistics. Sorry if my statement was misleading. You are correct that any associated costs are your responsibility. That policy applies to anyone who tests positive on a cruise.

 

From recent accounts, positive passengers are escorted off the ship after everyone else has disembarked. They are transported to a quarantine hotel unless they have their own car at the port. Otherwise, you don’t really have a choice of the other options you listed. Carnival will help you find a quarantine hotel. That’s it.

 

If you are already in the terminal to test before reboarding for your B2B, you may  be directed  to a quarantine hotel by port authorities or a representative of the local health department.

 

If you plan to seek reimbursement through travel insurance, you have to present documentation of a positive test and a doctor’s orders not to travel. If you try to fly or rent a car, you can’t expect insurance to pay if you travel against doctor’s orders.

 

 

 

In the past they have just handed a list of hotels to positive pax and said call the hotels yourself. Maybe now they are calling? New and good if they are helping more. 

 

Would be even better to have a hotel list with prices to choose from. .. hotels in Galveston cost a arm and a leg.

 

Tbh I'm starting to worry about testing positive for the 2nd leg of my next b2b when I read of outbreaks onboard and how easy to get. Worrisome. I think there are a lot more positives we never hear of from pax who take it home with them. .. hence my worry about picking it up on the first leg and not being allowed to do 2nd leg. I'm driving so that part doesnt bother me, just that I'll lose my cruise. 

[silversneakers]

This new variant is very, very contagious, even if you have been vaccinated. I've even had people that have taken the booster get the new variant.  So don't fall into a false sense of security because you have been vaccinated or tested.  It's out there and it doesn't discriminate.

[K_e_short]

17 hours ago, Babr said:

But aren’t you still exposing people at the car rental place and your stops along the way on a three-day drive?
 

How do you get into Canada with a positive test?

 

You can enter Canada as a Canadian citizen with a positive test but have to quarantine for 14 days and will probabaly be checked by the government to make sure you are following the rules.

 

[Babr]

13 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

 

You can enter Canada as a Canadian citizen with a positive test but have to quarantine for 14 days and will probabaly be checked by the government to make sure you are following the rules.

 

So you are just changing the location of your quarantine from the port city to Canada?  Why go to all the trouble and spread virus along the way just to trade one location of quarantine for another?

[K_e_short]

33 minutes ago, Babr said:

So you are just changing the location of your quarantine from the port city to Canada?  Why go to all the trouble and spread virus along the way just to trade one location of quarantine for another?

 

I had asked my initial question as your info was different  then what I had found out with my research.

 

We are all making choices about our health and safety when cruising.

 

I am very mindful of keeping others around me safe, hence my plan.

 

I'm from Ontario where we wear masks in public, stay 6 feet away, and are suggested to wear KN 95 masks.

 

I can't imagine anyone walking around with Covid without a mask, without a proper mask, and without social distancing. I guess that happens based on your concern.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by K_e_short

[vacruisin]

7 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

Tbh I'm starting to worry about testing positive for the 2nd leg of my next b2b when I read of outbreaks onboard and how easy to get. Worrisome. I think there are a lot more positives we never hear of from pax who take it home with them. .. hence my worry about picking it up on the first leg and not being allowed to do 2nd leg. I'm driving so that part doesnt bother me, just that I'll lose my cruise. 

Same here.  Yesterday we canceled our flights and we are just going to drive now.  Because this new variant is so contagious we want to have our car with us just in case we test positive before the 2nd leg.

 

Cruising during COVID requires a lot of flexibility.   

[Babr]

I don’t know what your research revealed, but quarantine has always been required for those who test positive because they are prohibited from using public transportation. Renting a car for a cross country multi-day trip was never an option under the CSO.

 

 

[K_e_short]

26 minutes ago, Babr said:

I don’t know what your research revealed, but quarantine has always been required for those who test positive because they are prohibited from using public transportation. Renting a car for a cross country multi-day trip was never an option under the CSO.

 

 

 

What does the CSO have to do with what I do after I get off a cruise ship?

 

Once I'm off the ship I will follow all the proper rules and regulations.

 

 

Current rules allow me to rent a car without showing a negative test. Current rules allow me to board a flight or train or public transportation with out a negative test.

I can book a hotel room without a negative test.

 

Another point that you haven't mentioned is the number of people getting off the ship who are positive but don't know because they don't have to test.

How safe are domestic flights with a pile of cruisers?

 

[Babr]

I thought we were talking about testing positive on the second leg of a B2B. If that is the case, you have no choice because you will be dealt with under the guidelines of the CSO by port authorities and local health officials.

If you are talking about getting off the ship at the end of the cruise without a test, then you are no different than anyone else until you have to test to board an international flight or to enter Canada.

 

However, if you test positive at the airport, there may be a health questionnaire to board the domestic flight you mentioned. You’ll have to decide for yourself how you answer that.