How are positive cases handled at the end of the cruise?

[livingonthebeach]

Now that the CV19 infected ships are returning to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego, etc. etc., I wonder how the cruise lines are handling the positive cases when back on shore.  It seems that the cases are much higher than what's being reported due to lack of testing all passengers and off loading crew to other ships.  Will those disembarking be released to the port cities and allowed to roam around until returning home or are the known cases required to quarantine?  It seems the concern of infecting those on land is completely absent.  Is this variant so mild, no one cares anymore? 

[erinsmom03]

I keep checking for news of covid cases on the ships, and I only see information that is limited. Definitely finding out more about the cases on more ships/higher numbers than are bing reported right here on the boards, but not on the news yet.I'm betting we won't find out about the cases after they get off the ship... 

[Biker19]

12 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

Will those disembarking be released to the port cities and allowed to roam around until returning home or are the known cases required to quarantine? 

That seems to vary by ship, port, where the passenger is from and how they got to port.

[livingonthebeach]

5 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That seems to vary by ship, port, where the passenger is from and how they got to port.

 

Yes I'm sure it does vary but it just seems like the concern by both by the CDC and cruise lines isn't there anymore as we've seen with under reporting, off loading crew, not testing on board anymore for international travelers, not testing exposed passengers unless they request to be tested, increasing capacity to dangerous levels,  not boosting crew nor enforcing protocols. I hope these are signs the new variant is on its way out. 

[ticketsunlimited]

28 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

Now that the CV19 infected ships are returning to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego, etc. etc., I wonder how the cruise lines are handling the positive cases when back on shore.  It seems that the cases are much higher than what's being reported due to lack of testing all passengers and off loading crew to other ships.  Will those disembarking be released to the port cities and allowed to roam around until returning home or are the known cases required to quarantine?  It seems the concern of infecting those on land is completely absent.  Is this variant so mild, no one cares anymore? 

Why would it be any different than somebody going to a concert, having a scratchy throat the next day, getting tested and coming back positive.  The police are not there overlooking their test results and making sure they quarantine, correct.  The positive cases coming off the ship have the responsibility to do the right thing and quarantine themselves.  If the clowns are stupid enough to get on a plane and expose others, shame on them.

i.e.  If I fly out to Vegas to see the Foo fighters on Saturday, stay at Caesars palace Sunday and Monday, test positive on Tuesday, who is responsible for me to do the right thing before flying back to Maine on Wednesday?  ME

[CruisingWalter]

12 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

Yes I'm sure it does vary but it just seems like the concern by both by the CDC and cruise lines isn't there anymore as we've seen with under reporting, off loading crew, not testing on board anymore for international travelers, not testing exposed passengers unless they request to be tested, increasing capacity to dangerous levels,  not boosting crew nor enforcing protocols. I hope these are signs the new variant is on its way out. 

 

It does seem that the majority of the cases are within the crew, which makes sense since so many live 2-4 per cabin. In the case of the crew, they would most likely remain onboard in quarantine since they are all vaccinated. They are most likely just going through very mild symptoms and can recover onboard. As for the passengers, I'm not sure what they're doing for those people. Obviously they can't get on a plane, but what Royal is doing to help them, I'm not honestly sure. I did see that Royal has now stopped selling fares for many January sailings to reduce capacity again. 

[Mapleleafforever]

Shhhhhh, there are no positive cases at the end of the cruise. 

[livingonthebeach]

12 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Why would it be any different than somebody going to a concert, having a scratchy throat the next day, getting tested and coming back positive.  The police are not there overlooking their test results and making sure they quarantine, correct.  The positive cases coming off the ship have the responsibility to do the right thing and quarantine themselves.  If the clowns are stupid enough to get on a plane and expose others, shame on them.

i.e.  If I fly out to Vegas to see the Foo fighters on Saturday, stay at Caesars palace Sunday and Monday, test positive on Tuesday, who is responsible for me to do the right thing before flying back to Maine on Wednesday?  ME

 

The main difference is you are one person, in RCI's case, they are knowingly letting a large number of  exposed people off of ships which presumably could have CV19.  It's understood that the cruise lines are businesses and need to make a profit and caring about passengers or protecting the port cities is not conducive to making money.   

[BND]

13 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

The main difference is you are one person, in RCI's case, they are knowingly letting a large number of  exposed people off of ships which presumably could have CV19.  It's understood that the cruise lines are businesses and need to make a profit and caring about passengers or protecting the port cities is not conducive to making money.   

You are exposed everywhere you go.  Cruise  ships are no more responsible for the cases than your local church, theater, restaurants are.  Airlines, trains, buses, subways, hotels all "unknowingly" let people out into the world.

[Starry Eyes]

Royal has been helping those guests who test positive on board get home (for example: private/charter planes if they flew or escort to vehicle if they drove).  Of course, thereafter the cruiseline is not enforcing quarantine restrictions.  There are loads of cases circulating on land in South Florida who are also responsible for their own quarantine behavior (for week ending 12/23 per state weekly report: in Miami Dade County 1.8% of the population testing as new positives in a single week [new cases 1796 per 100,000 residents] in a county with a 92% vaccination rate for  ages5+…and of course there are more infected that week who did not get tested). If one got infected while vacationing in South Beach, I highly doubt the resort would pay for a private plane.  It is not just a Florida issue as are very rates of transmission in other places in US now, for example lower Manhattan 

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, BND said:

You are exposed everywhere you go.  Cruise  ships are no more responsible for the cases than your local church, theater, restaurants are.  Airlines, trains, buses, subways, hotels all "unknowingly" let people out into the world.

 

True, it is everywhere but no one is on an airline, train, public transportation etc for days and contact tracing nearly impossible.  Hotels don't have that many common areas where people congregate for lengthy periods of time.  The cruise lines know there are positive cases onboard and are not testing passengers for fear of negative publicity, cancellations, and being denied port entry, i.e. all point to a decreased bottom line. 

[topnole]

26 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

The main difference is you are one person, in RCI's case, they are knowingly letting a large number of  exposed people off of ships which presumably could have CV19.  It's understood that the cruise lines are businesses and need to make a profit and caring about passengers or protecting the port cities is not conducive to making money.   

Well over 100K cases in Fl last week.  From a public health perspective, I don’t think they are worried about 50-100 folks getting off the ship with Covid.  The issue is so much bigger than that.  

Edited December 27, 2021 by topnole

[topnole]

2 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

True, it is everywhere but no one is on an airline, train, public transportation etc for days and contact tracing nearly impossible.  Hotels don't have that many common areas where people congregate for lengthy periods of time.  The cruise lines know there are positive cases onboard and are not testing passengers for fear of negative publicity, cancellations, and being denied port entry, i.e. all point to a decreased bottom line. 

People are on trains for days.  Hotels have restaurants, bars, conference rooms and ball rooms, etc.   

[MommaBear55]

45 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Why would it be any different than somebody going to a concert, having a scratchy throat the next day, getting tested and coming back positive.  The police are not there overlooking their test results and making sure they quarantine, correct.  The positive cases coming off the ship have the responsibility to do the right thing and quarantine themselves.  If the clowns are stupid enough to get on a plane and expose others, shame on them.

i.e.  If I fly out to Vegas to see the Foo fighters on Saturday, stay at Caesars palace Sunday and Monday, test positive on Tuesday, who is responsible for me to do the right thing before flying back to Maine on Wednesday?  ME

Obviously our case counts in Maine prove that others don't take personal responsibility.

[livingonthebeach]

2 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Royal has been helping those guests who test positive on board get home (for example: private/charter planes if they flew or escort to vehicle if they drove).  Of course, thereafter the cruiseline is not enforcing quarantine restrictions.  There are loads of cases circulating on land in South Florida who are also responsible for their own quarantine behavior (for week ending 12/23 per state weekly report: in Miami Dade County 1.8% of the population testing as new positives in a single week [new cases 1796 per 100,000 residents] in a county with a 92% vaccination rate for  ages5+…and of course there are more infected that week who did not get tested). If one got infected while vacationing in South Beach, I highly doubt the resort would pay for a private plane.  It is not just a Florida issue as are very rates of transmission in other places in US now, for example lower Manhattan 

 

I get it -- hotels don't test and won't be testing.  The risk is on the person staying at a hotel.  In contrast, the requirement to be vaccinated and tested before embarking on a cruise ship sends the message that all should be safe when in fact it is not.  If the crews aren't boosted and have only the J & J vaccine and ships are near full capacity, we know that's a recipe for disaster.  

[syesmar]

19 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Royal has been helping those guests who test positive on board get home (for example: private/charter planes if they flew or escort to vehicle if they drove)….

@livingonthebeach

If a passenger is concerned they could be positive upon disembarkation, it would be prudent to bring a self-test on board to take before leaving (in case they can’t get tested on board, there were recent reports of this). If the test is positive before leaving the ship, then by informing staff, currently RCCL would take care of medical care, quarantine and travel home. If it’s positive after leaving, the passenger is responsible for those costs.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-test-positive-for-sars-cov-2-what-is-your-refund-policy-and-costs-covered

Edited December 27, 2021 by syesmar

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, syesmar said:

If a passenger is concerned they could be positive upon disembarkation, it would be prudent to bring a self-test on board to take before leaving (in case they can’t get tested on board, there were recent reports of this). If the test is positive before leaving the ship, then by informing staff, currently RCCL would take care of medical care, quarantine and travel home. If it’s positive after leaving, the passenger is responsible for those costs.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-test-positive-for-sars-cov-2-what-is-your-refund-policy-and-costs-covered

 

Thanks -- that's good to know.  

[barbeyg]

1 hour ago, livingonthebeach said:

It seems the concern of infecting those on land is completely absent.  Is this variant so mild, no one cares anymore? 

I frankly think it is.  Very mild, yet very contagious. The CDC has said that clinicians (medical providers) may return to work, in a staffing shortage crisis, WHILE INFECTED, no matter what the symptoms, if they are able to work. They expect staffing shortages because of the number who could be infected, yet not be ill from it.

 

Asymptomatic medical providers have no restrictions in staffing shortages, at all. Think about that. Obviously, the CDC sees this as having large numbers, but at the same time, has truly loosened restrictions for clinicians, partly because of the numbers they are hyping as possible, but partly because it is so mild.  I work in the administrative side of healthcare, and received notification of this over the weekend.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html

Edited December 27, 2021 by barbeyg

[whitshel]

Being on the Odyssey right now other than the safety precautions (masks, some tables closed) you would never know COVID is going on. From these boards it sounds like everyone is down, walking on eggshells having a hum drum time. Just the opposite man, the ship is having a blast, smiles, laughing, partying, family's having time together.  I'm sure there are some of those but for the most part people are vacationing having fun. The majority of the ship is vaccinated and safe. 

 

I don't mean to be rude, but these boards are like the news, everyone is hyping up the bad hype, all I can say is it feels like a normal cruise for me.  And I know you're just. "stating facts" but people you need to chill. If cruising during COVID isn't for you, then don't go. Don't make it as if the sky is falling for the rest of us.  And will St Thomas, and San Juan go??  Don't know, don't really care.and if people aren't following the safety protocols, that's on them, don't blame Rccl, these are grown ass adults.  Shame on them. I guess I'm used to wearing a mask living in San Diego where Cali has a mask mandate. Being in Florida, saying to myself why is no one wearing a mask. Then it dawned on me, haha we're not in Cali anymore, Toto!!

 

Now it's somewhere in paradise.

 

Let the flames begin

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, barbeyg said:

I frankly think it is.  Very mild, yet very contagious. The CDC has said that clinicians (medical providers) may return to work, in a staffing shortage crisis, WHILE INFECTED, no matter what the symptoms, if they are able to work.

 

Asymptomatic have no restrictions in staffing shortages, at all. Think about that. Obviously, the CDC sees this as having large numbers, but at the same time, has truly loosened restrictions for clinicians, partly because of the numbers they are hyping, but partly because it is so mild.  I work in the administrative side of healthcare, and received notification of this over the weekend.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html

 

Wow then that might explain why some have reported positive crew members on ships still working and not quarantining.  

[barbeyg]

1 minute ago, whitshel said:

Being on the Odyssey right now other than the safety precautions (masks, some tables closed) you would never know COVID is going on. From these boards it sounds like everyone is down, walking on eggshells having a hum drum time. Just the opposite man, the ship is having a blast, smiles, laughing, partying, family's having time together.  I'm sure there are some of those but for the most part people are vacationing having fun. The majority of the ship is vaccinated and safe. 

 

I don't mean to be rude, but these boards are like the news, everyone is hyping up the bad hype, all I can say is it feels like a normal cruise for me.  And I know you're just. "stating facts" but people you need to chill. If cruising during COVID isn't for you, then don't go. Don't make it as if the sky is falling for the rest of us.  And will St Thomas, and San Juan go??  Don't know, don't really care.and if people aren't following the safety protocols, that's on them, don't blame Rccl, these are grown ass adults.  Shame on them. I guess I'm used to wearing a mask living in San Diego where Cali has a mask mandate. Being in Florida, saying to myself why is no one wearing a mask. Then it dawned on me, haha we're not in Cali anymore, Toto!!

 

Now it's somewhere in paradise.

 

Let the flames begin

Not from me! 😁 Have a great cruise! 

[barbeyg]

Just now, livingonthebeach said:

 

Wow then that might explain why some have reported positive crew members on ships still working and not quarantining.  

Could be. I was shocked to see that, from the CDC.  Our management keeps all of us updated, and I’m thankful for that.  The CDC also lowered the quarantine time, to 7 days with a negative result.

[Starry Eyes]

12 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

I get it -- hotels don't test and won't be testing.  The risk is on the person staying at a hotel.  In contrast, the requirement to be vaccinated and tested before embarking on a cruise ship sends the message that all should be safe when in fact it is not.  If the crews aren't boosted and have only the J & J vaccine and ships are near full capacity, we know that's a recipe for disaster.  

Hmm, perhaps you interpreted the vaccination and pre-cruise testing requirements as a message that all would be safe; I most certainly did not see it that way.  Omicron infects regardless of full vaccination status (and data suggest even booster wans against Omicron in just 10 weeks).  Vaccination helps more against delta, but still infects and is spread by the vaccinated.  So, I certainly did not feel that vaccination requirement would keep me from testing positive on the ship (I did feel my own vaccination status would likely make my own disease milder should I catch it).

I think the pre-cruise testing requirement is pretty weak protection.  After all, an antigen test (a low sensitivity test) done 60 hours before boarding will suffice (just after midnight two days prior). And faint lines could be missed by biased amateurs reading test at home with a proctor watching (the Procter recently did not specifically ask to see himself the lines on the test kit…he asked what lines subject saw at home).  So that testing requirement did not make me feel safe from covid.  Of course, I do not assume my local venues are safe either; life is full of risks..I limit them when I can…the cruiseline limits them as they can.

[bouhunter]

1 hour ago, livingonthebeach said:

Will those disembarking be released to the port cities and allowed to roam around until returning home or are the known cases required to quarantine?  It seems the concern of infecting those on land is completely absent.  Is this variant so mild, no one cares anymore? 

Seriously?  There were 189,000 positive cases in the US, YESTERDAY.  I don't think anyone is worried about a few cruise passengers "roaming around" when the entire country is already infested with covid.....

[Starry Eyes]

3 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

Wow then that might explain why some have reported positive crew members on ships still working and not quarantining.  

How would a passenger possibly know a working crew member was actually positive?