So I tested positive for covid on Symphony

[PC168]

9 minutes ago, CKCruising said:

The only issue, as I mentioned, is that you are subject to a fine or warning. 

He has to isolate for 10 days (with a test on day 1) and we have to quarantine for 14 days (with tests on day 1 and day 8 - if we both test positive on day 8, we start the 10 day counter - if one tests positive, that one starts the 10 day counter and the other starts the 14 days again).  It took about 30 minutes extra as we needed to talk to the government rep to get the testing procedures and rules.

I feel so terrible for you, as I booked the Jan. 2 cruise and we have to prepare the worst, we can't take additional time off. That was a very long drive for you to drive from MIA to BUF, then YYZ.

[Dr. Pam]

3 hours ago, PC168 said:

I feel so terrible for you, as I booked the Jan. 2 cruise and we have to prepare the worst, we can't take additional time off. That was a very long drive for you to drive from MIA to BUF, then YYZ.

I am sorry.....?  So why are you still choosing to cruise, knowing that you may have to take additional time off?

[ReneeFLL]

3 hours ago, PC168 said:

I feel so terrible for you, as I booked the Jan. 2 cruise and we have to prepare the worst, we can't take additional time off. That was a very long drive for you to drive from MIA to BUF, then YYZ.

Why would you be cruising now if you can’t take additional time off? Would you lose your job or something? Maybe it’s not worth the cruise? 

[erinsmom03]

My family is pretty much set that we need to cancel our Jan 3rd cruise. Actually looking to postpone it for one in May. The biggest fear for all of us is our daughter having to quarantine and miss her first week of a new semester of classes in college. She is quite the type A student, with very high expectations for herself, and missing the first week of classes would put her over the edge. So, if we postpone for May, she will be done with her freshman year and back home again, so not so much to worry about.

 

It doesn't help that there were record high number of cases of Covid in Florida either...

 

[OACAggie]

We just got off Anthem yesterday and my wife tested positive at the pre-departure test. My 2 boys and myself were negative. I can say that our experience was identical to @cruisebot21until getting off the ship. We drove, so we were just shuttled to our vehicle in the parking garage…we didn’t get the fancy plane ride! We did not even speak with a US customs officer when we got off the ship. We had 2 balcony rooms. I stayed quarantined in our original cabins with the boys when my wife went to the “Red Zone”. Crossing border was not a problem, just took sometime for Health officer to visit us and give us the tests to take home. 
We still completed ArriveCAN, which was never looked at. 
It kinda puts a damper on the cruise the way it ended, but we still enjoyed it up until that part. 
My wife said she was told 15 tested positive THAT day. I can agree that Royal is stopping the international testing to keep positive tests results low. I am sure there are many US citizens that are walking off ships that are positive and not reported because they are not tested. We are all double vaxxed, weren’t able to get booster before going. My wife is crazy careful and a germaphobe, so it’s crazy she got it. We wore masked at all times indoors even in vaccinated areas except when seated to eat. I was a little disappointed that there was no enforcement of mask wearing in vaccinated areas after the letter came out saying masks in all indoor areas. It was nice with only 2700 on the ship though. 

[ReneeFLL]

1 hour ago, erinsmom03 said:

…It doesn't help that there were record high number of cases of Covid in Florida either...

 

Cases are continuing to increase daily especially in South Florida. 😥

[CKCruising]

13 hours ago, edrussell said:

Thanks so much for answering the questions.  Which crossing did you come through?  One last question, did you still fill out the ArriveCAN app?  Assuming you entered a positive result for your son via the ArriveCAN system.  Thanks again.

 

We came through Fort Erie.  ALWAYS fill out the ArriveCAN app.  I don't think there was anywhere we could say positive, we just didn't check the box for a negative.  The ArriveCAN reference number is also needed for the Switch at home tests.

[CKCruising]

13 hours ago, PC168 said:

I feel so terrible for you, as I booked the Jan. 2 cruise and we have to prepare the worst, we can't take additional time off. That was a very long drive for you to drive from MIA to BUF, then YYZ.

No need to feel bad.  It's a risk we took and I am glad we had researched the options on getting home.  I'm a little disappointed in Royals "guarantee" to get me home safely, but to be fair to them, they are probably expecting 1 or 2, not 10 or 20, so it would take much longer to co-ordinate.  Hence the reason they are not testing international travelers on the ship after Jan 5.

[erinsmom03]

8 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Cases are continuing to increase daily especially in South Florida. 😥

 

We are supposed to stay the night before in Hollywood Beach, something I've really been looking forward to as well, but South Florida is looking more an more like a place I don't think we should visit right now 😪

 

[cruisebot21]

9 hours ago, OACAggie said:

We just got off Anthem yesterday and my wife tested positive at the pre-departure test. My 2 boys and myself were negative. I can say that our experience was identical to @cruisebot21until getting off the ship. We drove, so we were just shuttled to our vehicle in the parking garage…we didn’t get the fancy plane ride! We did not even speak with a US customs officer when we got off the ship. We had 2 balcony rooms. I stayed quarantined in our original cabins with the boys when my wife went to the “Red Zone”. Crossing border was not a problem, just took sometime for Health officer to visit us and give us the tests to take home. 
We still completed ArriveCAN, which was never looked at. 
It kinda puts a damper on the cruise the way it ended, but we still enjoyed it up until that part. 
My wife said she was told 15 tested positive THAT day. I can agree that Royal is stopping the international testing to keep positive tests results low. I am sure there are many US citizens that are walking off ships that are positive and not reported because they are not tested. We are all double vaxxed, weren’t able to get booster before going. My wife is crazy careful and a germaphobe, so it’s crazy she got it. We wore masked at all times indoors even in vaccinated areas except when seated to eat. I was a little disappointed that there was no enforcement of mask wearing in vaccinated areas after the letter came out saying masks in all indoor areas. It was nice with only 2700 on the ship though. 

Glad to hear you got back safely and can quarantine at home as well.

We were super careful as well and followed the same protocols you did.  Still surprised we got it (wife has the same mild symptoms since late 24th and tested positive with a rapid antigen test yesterday night)

[ericdetwiler]

Sounds like a perfect vacation to me 

[kandj05]

On 12/24/2021 at 11:15 PM, D4 said:

I'm sorry you tested positive during your cruise.  Many of us would like to know more details about your experience after testing positive.

What would you like to know?  I am happy to answer questions

 

[seapad]

11 minutes ago, kandj05 said:

What would you like to know?  I am happy to answer questions

 

Just wondering for those who are tested positive, and live in the US, but need to fly home. Wonder how the quarantine party and then fly home is being scheduled or what's the whole process like

[kandj05]

5 hours ago, seapad said:

Just wondering for those who are tested positive, and live in the US, but need to fly home. Wonder how the quarantine party and then fly home is being scheduled or what's the whole process like

Sorry, I live in Florida so I am unable to answer your question

[KJHorton]

Thanks for the thorough and positive report.  I hope you are back to 100% soon

 

[jerseygirl3]

On 12/26/2021 at 2:25 PM, seapad said:

Just wondering for those who are tested positive, and live in the US, but need to fly home. Wonder how the quarantine party and then fly home is being scheduled or what's the whole process like

The problem is, unless they go to the medical center to report symptoms, US citizens arent tested before  they get off the ship. Who knows how many are boarding commercial flights and are Covid positive. 

[Bfsroyal]

On 12/26/2021 at 3:01 AM, OACAggie said:

I can agree that Royal is stopping the international testing to keep positive tests results low

I tested positive on Saturday on the Explorer of the Seas after doing a self test. We have been bringing them with us to test since cruising resumed usually every 2-3 days on cruise.

 

My official test done 2 days out from cruise, one done prior to boarding and one on day 3 were all negative. Saturday was day 6 of the cruise.

 

When calling the medical centre the response was a bit odd and confrontational “Why are you testing yourself? For fun?”

 

Whether or not it was as such, the general impression I got from this was that is was causing problems.

 

I also got questioned on why I was self testing during one of the security calls to do contract tracing when being asked why I called the medical centre.

 

This was the only two occasions where this impression was given to me that this is an issue causing them problems.

 

Also which is odd compared to others is that myself tested positive and my partner tested negative but we were not separated or moved. I see others were moved on the last day of the cruise. We were allowed to remain in the room together. Although it was probably safer to remain. But perhaps there was more cases than quarantine cabins available.

 

We were in a grand suite on deck 10 and my partner did most of the door management and noticed there was other rooms on our corridor that must have contained positive guests as well that weren’t moved.

 

A blood test was taken from me by a nurse in my room. She was carrying about 10 samples in bags. Considering the quarantine cabins are located near to the medical centre this suggested that there was quite a few generally located in cabins and she stated she was moving on to her next call.

 

Whilst me and my partner had a PCR test done without asking in response to my call. A family we met at the quarantine hotel (as we waited outside) had a different experience in that one had tested positive on Christmas Day and the rest wanted to be tested but this wasn’t provided.

 

On the whole it was very well managed on board by RCCL staff were clearly organised at dealing with the issue. It was clear some staff were understandably petrified having to collect documents / deliver items from / to our room.
 

Once off ship and at the quarantine hotel we haven’t received much information regarding the process over the next few days, other than we will be tested on day 5.

 

Based on the experience of the poster calling the care line we might call early to say hello and try to confirm the process of what will be happening.

[Mapleleafforever]

4 minutes ago, Bfsroyal said:

I tested positive on Saturday on the Explorer of the Seas after doing a self test. We have been bringing them with us to test since cruising resumed usually every 2-3 days on cruise.

 

My official test done 2 days out from cruise, one done prior to boarding and one on day 3 were all negative. Saturday was day 6 of the cruise.

 

When calling the medical centre the response was a bit odd and confrontational “Why are you testing yourself? For fun?”

 

Whether or not it was as such, the general impression I got from this was that is was causing problems.

 

I also got questioned on why I was self testing during one of the security calls to do contract tracing when being asked why I called the medical centre.

 

This was the only two occasions where this impression was given to me that this is an issue causing them problems.

 

Also which is odd compared to others is that myself tested positive and my partner tested negative but we were not separated or moved. I see others were moved on the last day of the cruise. We were allowed to remain in the room together. Although it was probably safer to remain. But perhaps there was more cases than quarantine cabins available.

 

We were in a grand suite on deck 10 and my partner did most of the door management and noticed there was other rooms on our corridor that must have contained positive guests as well that weren’t moved.

 

A blood test was taken from me by a nurse in my room. She was carrying about 10 samples in bags. Considering the quarantine cabins are located near to the medical centre this suggested that there was quite a few generally located in cabins and she stated she was moving on to her next call.

 

Whilst me and my partner had a PCR test done without asking in response to my call. A family we met at the quarantine hotel (as we waited outside) had a different experience in that one had tested positive on Christmas Day and the rest wanted to be tested but this wasn’t provided.

 

On the whole it was very well managed on board by RCCL staff were clearly organised at dealing with the issue. It was clear some staff were understandably petrified having to collect documents / deliver items from / to our room.
 

Once off ship and at the quarantine hotel we haven’t received much information regarding the process over the next few days, other than we will be tested on day 5.

 

Based on the experience of the poster calling the care line we might call early to say hello and try to confirm the process of what will be happening.

Health units all around the world are handing out rapid tests but Royal doesn't want you to use one on board........they can't control self rapid tests. How long until they're banned from being able to be brought on board?

[colesc15]

1 hour ago, Bfsroyal said:

I tested positive on Saturday on the Explorer of the Seas after doing a self test. We have been bringing them with us to test since cruising resumed usually every 2-3 days on cruise.

 

My official test done 2 days out from cruise, one done prior to boarding and one on day 3 were all negative. Saturday was day 6 of the cruise.

 

When calling the medical centre the response was a bit odd and confrontational “Why are you testing yourself? For fun?”

 

Whether or not it was as such, the general impression I got from this was that is was causing problems.

 

I also got questioned on why I was self testing during one of the security calls to do contract tracing when being asked why I called the medical centre.

 

This was the only two occasions where this impression was given to me that this is an issue causing them problems.

 

Also which is odd compared to others is that myself tested positive and my partner tested negative but we were not separated or moved. I see others were moved on the last day of the cruise. We were allowed to remain in the room together. Although it was probably safer to remain. But perhaps there was more cases than quarantine cabins available.

 

We were in a grand suite on deck 10 and my partner did most of the door management and noticed there was other rooms on our corridor that must have contained positive guests as well that weren’t moved.

 

A blood test was taken from me by a nurse in my room. She was carrying about 10 samples in bags. Considering the quarantine cabins are located near to the medical centre this suggested that there was quite a few generally located in cabins and she stated she was moving on to her next call.

 

Whilst me and my partner had a PCR test done without asking in response to my call. A family we met at the quarantine hotel (as we waited outside) had a different experience in that one had tested positive on Christmas Day and the rest wanted to be tested but this wasn’t provided.

 

On the whole it was very well managed on board by RCCL staff were clearly organised at dealing with the issue. It was clear some staff were understandably petrified having to collect documents / deliver items from / to our room.
 

Once off ship and at the quarantine hotel we haven’t received much information regarding the process over the next few days, other than we will be tested on day 5.

 

Based on the experience of the poster calling the care line we might call early to say hello and try to confirm the process of what will be happening.

My guess is the quarantine hotel was due to not living in the US? 

[Bfsroyal]

12 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

My guess is the quarantine hotel was due to not living in the US? 

That would be correct. Although the family who arrived at the quarantine hotel at the same time as us would be from the USA.
 

There does seem to be quite a few in quarantine as I was asked to sign a sheet for dinner on the first night which had 20+ lines of rooms on RCCL header. I didn’t really look.

 

It denoted $50 for dinner with $100 daily total - although not sure if that is a maximum. The menu we have found online for the hotel restaurant has our food at $30 for two people.

[D4]

1 hour ago, colesc15 said:

My guess is the quarantine hotel was due to not living in the US? 

Someone posted a few days ago about testing positive and they were flown home to Canada in a private plane. They even posted pictures of the plane.

 

They’re clearly not handling positive cases consistently.  That could be partly due to the big spike in positive cases.  The department that handles this was probably understaffed for this high case count.

[TOCruisers]

On 12/24/2021 at 4:15 PM, cruisebot21 said:

Getting there:

 

So on departure day, I was scheduled to be met at 9:15 or so.  At about 8, I got a call from room service offering up a few options - she was concerned I hadn’t called and wanted to make sure I had something.
Got an omelette , a fruit plate, and a few waters and had it delivered within 10 minutes with well wishes from both her and the crew dropping off.

 

I ate as I viewed the action from my window.  Tyvek suited crew escorted one group at a time off the gangway, a customs agent looked at passports from a distance and then groups were taken away by hired cars to the quarantine hotel (I assume)

 

Most people seemed ok with the process, but a few passengers were waving around wildly and yelling - I felt terrible for the staff as they continued to perform flawlessly 

 

There seemed to be more cases as I wasn't fetched until closer to 10:30 - well after the Captains last call to get off the boat!  I did get to hear him call one last family by name to please leave 🙂

 

when I was my turn - everything went as previously laid out and in. On time my family was in a luxury sprinter limo on the way to the private airport between Miami and Fort Lauderdale 

 

We passed through the gates at the airport and went out on to the tarmac jumped on board and were away.

 

After a short refuelling stop and break, we arrived home and were met at the plane by CBSA officers and given 2 home test kits for each of us.  Street side, RCCL even had a pair of minivans waiting to drive us home from the airport

 

I’m now safely at home with the family and living like a bachelor in the basement while wifey hold down the fort with the kids upstairs.

 

I’ll post some final thoughts later, but in the end, we are home, safe, and eternally thankful for everything Royal Caribbean did for us.

 

As for the cruise? It’s always what you make of it - we got to see a great version of Hiro while the ship was still docked and got to see iskate 2.0 which is something we missed last time on Symphony - although somewhat curtailed for me, we had a great time overall and look forward to our next adventures!

 

Hi Cruisebot21,

We are back to Canada safely, all negatives from Anthem cruise and therefore this question is just for my curiosity.  

 

How did customs/immigration were handled?  At your Canadian destination airport upon arrival?

[nocl]

13 hours ago, Bfsroyal said:

I tested positive on Saturday on the Explorer of the Seas after doing a self test. We have been bringing them with us to test since cruising resumed usually every 2-3 days on cruise.

 

My official test done 2 days out from cruise, one done prior to boarding and one on day 3 were all negative. Saturday was day 6 of the cruise.

 

When calling the medical centre the response was a bit odd and confrontational “Why are you testing yourself? For fun?”

 

Whether or not it was as such, the general impression I got from this was that is was causing problems.

 

I also got questioned on why I was self testing during one of the security calls to do contract tracing when being asked why I called the medical centre.

 

This was the only two occasions where this impression was given to me that this is an issue causing them problems.

 

Also which is odd compared to others is that myself tested positive and my partner tested negative but we were not separated or moved. I see others were moved on the last day of the cruise. We were allowed to remain in the room together. Although it was probably safer to remain. But perhaps there was more cases than quarantine cabins available.

 

We were in a grand suite on deck 10 and my partner did most of the door management and noticed there was other rooms on our corridor that must have contained positive guests as well that weren’t moved.

 

A blood test was taken from me by a nurse in my room. She was carrying about 10 samples in bags. Considering the quarantine cabins are located near to the medical centre this suggested that there was quite a few generally located in cabins and she stated she was moving on to her next call.

 

Whilst me and my partner had a PCR test done without asking in response to my call. A family we met at the quarantine hotel (as we waited outside) had a different experience in that one had tested positive on Christmas Day and the rest wanted to be tested but this wasn’t provided.

 

On the whole it was very well managed on board by RCCL staff were clearly organised at dealing with the issue. It was clear some staff were understandably petrified having to collect documents / deliver items from / to our room.
 

Once off ship and at the quarantine hotel we haven’t received much information regarding the process over the next few days, other than we will be tested on day 5.

 

Based on the experience of the poster calling the care line we might call early to say hello and try to confirm the process of what will be happening.

That certainly implies that the cruise lines would prefer to not to identify any more cases than they absolutely have to.  A bit disappointing but not surprising. 

[seapad]

On 12/28/2021 at 6:55 AM, Bfsroyal said:

I tested positive on Saturday on the Explorer of the Seas after doing a self test. We have been bringing them with us to test since cruising resumed usually every 2-3 days on cruise.

 

My official test done 2 days out from cruise, one done prior to boarding and one on day 3 were all negative. Saturday was day 6 of the cruise.

 

When calling the medical centre the response was a bit odd and confrontational “Why are you testing yourself? For fun?”

 

Whether or not it was as such, the general impression I got from this was that is was causing problems.

 

I also got questioned on why I was self testing during one of the security calls to do contract tracing when being asked why I called the medical centre.

 

This was the only two occasions where this impression was given to me that this is an issue causing them problems.

 

Also which is odd compared to others is that myself tested positive and my partner tested negative but we were not separated or moved. I see others were moved on the last day of the cruise. We were allowed to remain in the room together. Although it was probably safer to remain. But perhaps there was more cases than quarantine cabins available.

 

We were in a grand suite on deck 10 and my partner did most of the door management and noticed there was other rooms on our corridor that must have contained positive guests as well that weren’t moved.

 

A blood test was taken from me by a nurse in my room. She was carrying about 10 samples in bags. Considering the quarantine cabins are located near to the medical centre this suggested that there was quite a few generally located in cabins and she stated she was moving on to her next call.

 

Whilst me and my partner had a PCR test done without asking in response to my call. A family we met at the quarantine hotel (as we waited outside) had a different experience in that one had tested positive on Christmas Day and the rest wanted to be tested but this wasn’t provided.

 

On the whole it was very well managed on board by RCCL staff were clearly organised at dealing with the issue. It was clear some staff were understandably petrified having to collect documents / deliver items from / to our room.
 

Once off ship and at the quarantine hotel we haven’t received much information regarding the process over the next few days, other than we will be tested on day 5.

 

Based on the experience of the poster calling the care line we might call early to say hello and try to confirm the process of what will be happening.

Just wondering, and I'm not sure if you're allowed to say what quarantine hotel that might ne? Would like to know just in case.....and we would know where to call/book. 

[rich_cathybrock]

On 12/24/2021 at 12:56 PM, D4 said:

Thanks for posting this.  You are very fortunate that your cruise wasn’t a few weeks later.

 

Starting January 5, 2022, RCL will no longer do testing on board for people that need proof to fly internationally.  
 

I live in the USA, but I think this is a terrible policy change.  RCL clearly doesn’t want to know about those infections.  They expect people to scramble to get tested before their flights.  And then if they find out they are positive, they’re already off the ship so RCL is no longer responsible for helping them.  I think RCL should continue doing that testing for people that booked their cruise under the current policy.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-to-take-a-test-if-traveling-to-us-from-another-country

That's going to work wonders [NOT!] for US pax traveling internationally who need to be tested 24 hrs. prior to boarding a return flight to the States.  I am cautiously optimistic they will figure out this is not a prudent move, however I cannot believe how ill thought out this decision is.  Thanks for the update!