Current Celebrity Re-Entry Testing - Verifying 24h flight?

[wendycook22]

Hi Everyone, 

 

We sailed with Celebrity last month, and have an upcoming sailing in February.  I was curious if Canadians are experiencing Celebrity strictly enforcing the proof of travel with 24 hours of disembarkation. I received confirmation that they are actually using 1 day instead of 24 hours, but I was curious to see if they are enforcing it, and not proving testing to passengers outside of this threshold.  I will have a plan B in place for our trip and know things between now and our February 19 sailing can change.  I am curious what current and upcoming Canadian passengers are experiencing. 
 

Thanks in advance.

 

Wendy

Edited January 3, 2022 by wendycook22

[Fouremco]

When Celebrity first announced that it was going to stop these onboard tests, I switched our flight home from the day of disembarkation to the following day, as an 11:20 AM flight left us precious little time to get tested and have the results in hand prior to checking in at the airport. The only direct flight home the following day was late in the afternoon, but it saved having to fly via YYZ.

 

When they subsequently backtracked, but added the proof of travel within 24 hours requirement, I wasn't overly concerned as I could offer the email with my original flight itinerary as proof.

 

As we've subsequently cancelled the cruise, the whole issue became moot for us. However, your post got we wondering about what proof they actually require, as well as the 1 day versus 24 hour issue. I suppose that one could purchase a refundable plane ticket home for disembarkation day and then turn around and cancel it once you've received the confirmation email, if that's the level of proof they require. Hopefully, though, they'll use the 1 day approach as you suggest and eliminate the need for such silliness.

[hoklun]

I'm not sure when your cruise is, but I can report back next week during my cruise starting on the 9th. 

[wendycook22]

1 hour ago, hoklun said:

I'm not sure when your cruise is, but I can report back next week during my cruise starting on the 9th. 

That would be wonderful.  My cruise isn't until February 19, so it would be helpful to hear your experience.  It may change again by the time I cruise, but I always opt to stay current and informed over just waiting to see what happens.  Happy cruising to you! 

[Froufie]

6 hours ago, wendycook22 said:

That would be wonderful.  My cruise isn't until February 19, so it would be helpful to hear your experience.  It may change again by the time I cruise, but I always opt to stay current and informed over just waiting to see what happens.  Happy cruising to you! 

I am wondering if you could share your 'written confirmation'?  Or who to contact to obtain this?

 

I know many are struggling with this same issue - with some ships saying sure next day is fine and others ships indicating that it is actually 24 hrs and the clock starts 'ticking' at 9 am day of disembarkation.  Too bad for you if you're even past that a small bit for your flights home.

 

I agree that booking and cancelling might be the way to avoid this issue and have some 'proof' in hand.  Also wondering if you have flights booked through the cruiseline if they could access this information online if they wanted to?

[wendycook22]

4 minutes ago, Froufie said:

I am wondering if you could share your 'written confirmation'?  Or who to contact to obtain this?

 

I know many are struggling with this same issue - with some ships saying sure next day is fine and others ships indicating that it is actually 24 hrs and the clock starts 'ticking' at 9 am day of disembarkation.  Too bad for you if you're even past that a small bit for your flights home.

 

I agree that booking and cancelling might be the way to avoid this issue and have some 'proof' in hand.  Also wondering if you have flights booked through the cruiseline if they could access this information online if they wanted to?

My confirmation was not written it was verbal, and it was from my BDM contact with Celebrity. Otherwise I would be happy to share my correspondence.  Again, I am not disputing the grey areas it may cause, and that written documentation would ideal.  I am just passing on any information I have gathered.  Let's face it procedures could be written and end up changing mid stride.  Travelling and cruising is currently a very fluid situation.  

I am also questioning what itinerary details Celebrity can see.  We have our flights booked with Celebrity.  This is what is simulating my question 😉  I am curious to hear if Canadian passengers are being asked to show proof of their flight itinerary.  Perhaps we should also ask if CC members would also share if their flights were with Celebrity.

 

[Froufie]

Anecdotally I am reading that sometimes the flight info is requested and sometimes not at all!  Same for the 24 hours - on some ships it is strictly adhered to and on others it seems to be more 'flexible' e.g. day after anytime is fine....  This is obviously causing confusion and heartache for many as some have changed flights in order to meet the 'deadline'...  

 

It does seem silly to turn someone away if their flight is 26-30 hours away instead of the stipulated 24?  How ridiculous!

[hoklun]

Had to go to guest services today to fix an issue with drinks package, asked about PCR testing - said there will be more info in second last day delivered to stateroom... I'll go again on second last if I don't hear anything and report back. On the other hand, if u have a car and are staying for a day or more extra, U can go to a CVS community site for a rapid PCR test for free. Less hassle imho.

[Ginnyfyr]

On 1/7/2022 at 8:31 AM, wendycook22 said:

My confirmation was not written it was verbal, and it was from my BDM contact with Celebrity. Otherwise I would be happy to share my correspondence.  Again, I am not disputing the grey areas it may cause, and that written documentation would ideal.  I am just passing on any information I have gathered.  Let's face it procedures could be written and end up changing mid stride.  Travelling and cruising is currently a very fluid situation.  

I am also questioning what itinerary details Celebrity can see.  We have our flights booked with Celebrity.  This is what is simulating my question 😉  I am curious to hear if Canadian passengers are being asked to show proof of their flight itinerary.  Perhaps we should also ask if CC members would also share if their flights were with Celebrity.

 

Hello, fellow Hamiltonian! 

[Froufie]

Happy to report I did get a response from 1 of the email I sent to Celebrity requesting clarification on the 24 hr deadline/definition - here is the response I received - I will respond and suggest that perhaps this information should be a) clarified on their website and b) that all ships be advised of the 'definition.  I will obviously print this out and bring it with me as well:

 

 

 

Dear xxxxx,

Thank you for contacting the Celebrity Cruises CVP Executive Team.  It is a pleasure to assist you.

At this time, all fully vaccinated Celebrity Cruises guests requiring a COVID-19 test following their sailing to return to their home country will be provided the opportunity to receive testing in the cruise port during disembarkation.  While the Celebrity Cruises website states that proof of return travel scheduled within 24 hours of disembarkation will be required, proof of return travel scheduled for either the same day as disembarkation or on the following day will be permitted.  We apologize for any confusion regarding the phrasing on the website, and are happy to clarify this policy. 

Details on COVID-19 testing registration will be provided onboard.  For cruise reservations created after November 16, 2021, testing will be available for a per person fee.  The cost for onsite cruise port testing starts at $99* per person.  Prices vary by port and COVID-19 test type.  
*Test prices are set by COVID-19 testing vendors and are not controlled by Celebrity Cruises.  Payments for COVID-19 testing will be made directly to the testing vendor providing the service.  Celebrity Cruises will not collect nor retain any portion of this payment. 

We hope that this department has sufficiently responded to your inquiry.

Thank you for choosing Celebrity Cruises.  Please know that we hope to welcome you aboard in the future.


Sincerely yours,

Alyssa Brandon
CVP Executive Specialist
Celebrity Cruises
1050 Caribbean Way; Miami, FL 33132
1-800-556-8209

[muffin]

Scary part of this reply is the first three words….at this time.  No promises in that! 

[Fouremco]

17 minutes ago, Froufie said:

For cruise reservations created after November 16, 2021, testing will be available for a per person fee.

And the inconsistencies continue. The Celebrity Cruises CVP Executive Team tells you that for bookings made after November 16, 2021, there will be testing available for a fee.

 

Meantime, on the Health At Sea Overview webpage:

 

For new bookings made on or after November 16, 2021, testing will be available for a per person fee. 

 

So, which is it, "after November 16" or "on or after November 16"? C'mon, Celebrity, your lack of attention to detail just never ends. 

 

 

[Froufie]

I actually did write back again and made a couple of suggestions one of which was to perhaps update the wording on the website as the 24 hr timeline is causing lots of confusion - and I got another response that this would be directed to the Web Development Team - not holding my breath but nice to see some confirmation of their willingness to admit perhaps they were not as clear as they thought they were? 🙂
 

[hoklun]

Received a letter with a QR code after turn down last night. Self register for an appointment online  no verification needed about the 24 hour thing.

 

Testing to be completed at Pier after cruise for free via their partner bioreference labs. This works out better for us rather than the onboard second last day of the cruise. 

 

Letter also states of you test positive they will cover $150/night for a hotel to quarantine at your choosing and cover costs to reschedule flights. 

[Froufie]

1 hour ago, hoklun said:

Received a letter with a QR code after turn down last night. Self register for an appointment online  no verification needed about the 24 hour thing.

 

Testing to be completed at Pier after cruise for free via their partner bioreference labs. This works out better for us rather than the onboard second last day of the cruise. 

 

Letter also states of you test positive they will cover $150/night for a hotel to quarantine at your choosing and cover costs to reschedule flights. 

Thanks so much for the great update!  Let us know how the testing goes!

 

In regard to the 24 hr - did you perchance book with Flight by Celebrity and they were aware of your flight times?  Are your booked flights beyond the 24 hr 'deadline'?  Did you book on your own?

 

May I ask what ship you are on?

Edited January 12, 2022 by Froufie

[hoklun]

4 hours ago, Froufie said:

Thanks so much for the great update!  Let us know how the testing goes!

 

In regard to the 24 hr - did you perchance book with Flight by Celebrity and they were aware of your flight times?  Are your booked flights beyond the 24 hr 'deadline'?  Did you book on your own?

 

May I ask what ship you are on?

Currently on the Edge. I did not book with celebrity for flights, I assume it's because I have a Canadian address on the booking. I have flights leaving the night of the 18th so they are outside of the 24 hours from when we dock on the 16th. We also have backup appointments the same day (16th) a the community CVS site which is rapid PCR for free (in Cooper city FL - 33024). At least with pier testing, this way though they will cover a bit of quarantine costs compared to on my own after. 

[wendycook22]

4 hours ago, hoklun said:

Currently on the Edge. I did not book with celebrity for flights, I assume it's because I have a Canadian address on the booking. I have flights leaving the night of the 18th so they are outside of the 24 hours from when we dock on the 16th. We also have backup appointments the same day (16th) a the community CVS site which is rapid PCR for free (in Cooper city FL - 33024). At least with pier testing, this way though they will cover a bit of quarantine costs compared to on my own after. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to report back, and providing the CVS with rapid PCR testing.  

[DebbieActon]

10 hours ago, hoklun said:

Received a letter with a QR code after turn down last night. Self register for an appointment online  no verification needed about the 24 hour thing.

 

Testing to be completed at Pier after cruise for free via their partner bioreference labs. This works out better for us rather than the onboard second last day of the cruise. 

 

Letter also states of you test positive they will cover $150/night for a hotel to quarantine at your choosing and cover costs to reschedule flights. 

Small point of clarification, Celebrity will cover $150USD per night for the hotel and $100USD per day for food.  However, they will only pay for 5 days of quarantine total, as per the CDC guideline.  Canada requires 10 days before flying back (some are choosing to fly back to a border town after 5 days, then drive across and complete the quarantine at home).  They also will pay $400 USD for a new flight or change fee.  Actually, you pay all then submit receipts with the positive PCR test result from the pier for reimbursement.  

[K_e_short]

6 minutes ago, DebbieActon said:

Small point of clarification, Celebrity will cover $150USD per night for the hotel and $100USD per day for food.  However, they will only pay for 5 days of quarantine total, as per the CDC guideline.  Canada requires 10 days before flying back (some are choosing to fly back to a border town after 5 days, then drive across and complete the quarantine at home).  They also will pay $400 USD for a new flight or change fee.  Actually, you pay all then submit receipts with the positive PCR test result from the pier for reimbursement.  

 

Heads up. The government website has now changed it to you MAY be fined $5000 per person if you drive across the border with a positive PCR test (within 10 days starting Jan 15th - 14 days now).

 

[DebbieActon]

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

 

Heads up. The government website has now changed it to you MAY be fined $5000 per person if you drive across the border with a positive PCR test (within 10 days starting Jan 15th - 14 days now).

 

Thank you, I did not know this.  Thankfully, I have Covid quarantine insurance, if need be (and hopefully, need not be:).

[K_e_short]

11 hours ago, DebbieActon said:

Thank you, I did not know this.  Thankfully, I have Covid quarantine insurance, if need be (and hopefully, need not be:).

 

I would be checking with your insurance as currently in the states, and in Ontario at least you need to quarantine for 5 days, but you can't come back into the country for 10 days.