Questions related to all things Covid testing relating to Princess Cruises

[Ombud]

On 11/29/2022 at 6:21 AM, Arizona Wildcat said:

proof of full vaccination or negative test required for entry. 

So if I had 3 shots (initial + 2 boosters) I don't need to have a witnessed or RAT test for Cartegena? Just trying to figure out if I need to pack antigen tests

 

[sabreline]

2 hours ago, Ombud said:

So if I had 3 shots (initial + 2 boosters) I don't need to have a witnessed or RAT test for Cartegena? Just trying to figure out if I need to pack antigen tests

 

We were in Cartagena the week before Thanksgiving and showed NOTHING! No vaccination card, no test, nothing.

 

[Ombud]

Thank you @sabreline. I will test but before I catch my flight. No sense flying cross country if sick

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 12/3/2022 at 5:11 PM, sabreline said:

We were in Cartagena the week before Thanksgiving and showed NOTHING! No vaccination card, no test, nothing.

 

We had to show nothing to board a TA last summer that ported in Canada.  Nobody asked to see anything.  Canada required vaccinations AND testing at that time.

The reality is the rule in Colombia is fully vaccinated or negative test.  In most cases cruise lines are having passengers upload covid vax info so nothing needed at the port.

The problem is - are you willing to risk being refused entry into Colombia if you are not vaccinated or have no copies of your covid cards?

Just reporting what Colombia Health and US Embassy are reporting.

[sabreline]

5 hours ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

We had to show nothing to board a TA last summer that ported in Canada.  Nobody asked to see anything.  Canada required vaccinations AND testing at that time.

The reality is the rule in Colombia is fully vaccinated or negative test.  In most cases cruise lines are having passengers upload covid vax info so nothing needed at the port.

The problem is - are you willing to risk being refused entry into Colombia if you are not vaccinated or have no copies of your covid cards?

Just reporting what Colombia Health and US Embassy are reporting.

Oh, we had our cards with 4 shots. But nobody wanted to see it.

[Doug R.]

2 hours ago, sabreline said:

Oh, we had our cards with 4 shots. But nobody wanted to see it.

On our 10/29 Canada/NE cruise on the Enchanted we were only asked for the medallion and our passport. My conclusion is that they didn't ask for our Covid vaccination cards was that they had been uploaded to the Medallion app.

[Happiest when cruising]

5 hours ago, sabreline said:

Oh, we had our cards with 4 shots. But nobody wanted to see it.

Yes, they were sent through electronically. Along with the ArriveCAN information that was completed. 

[Doug R.]

12 hours ago, Happiest when cruising said:

Yes, they were sent through electronically. Along with the ArriveCAN information that was completed. 

Arrive Canada was discontinued before our cruise. We think that the images uploaded to the Medallion app was sufficient to satisfy Canadian Covid requirements.

[sabreline]

On 12/5/2022 at 11:06 PM, Happiest when cruising said:

Yes, they were sent through electronically. Along with the ArriveCAN information that was completed. 

But I don't think the ground people in Cartagena have any access to the Princess electronic info.....at least I HOPE not!!!!!

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, sabreline said:

But I don't think the ground people in Cartagena have any access to the Princess electronic info.....at least I HOPE not!!!!!

They won't have any "inside" access, but we recently completed six weeks in Europe and I found that at several ports, ship security setup portable Medallion reader stations in port buildings and such and they were often manned by either port authority/security or immigration/customs.  I thought it was cool as it made the return-to-ship process smoother.  This was the first time I had ever seen non-Princess personnel using the readers (other than check-in staff at a port terminal). 

[Aggie83]

On 11/2/2022 at 2:40 PM, Muffinz said:

thanks for that - I tried that and got the following message, so I'll have to do it closer to the time

 

 

Here is a useful link.  It lists all cruises that have specific Health Protocols.  

 

https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced

Edited December 10, 2022 by Aggie83
Added link

[Aggie83]

Princess really needs to review all of the information they have on their website as it relates to testing requirements.  It appears that the cruises that fall under the Enhanced protocols (https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced) now allow self-administered antigen test results, even though the first bullet under Testing Requirements seems to contradict the last bullet.  Prior to this 12/2 update, the requirement was for medically observed COVID test and there was no reference to self-administered home antigen tests.  I think this is a case of sloppy editing/proofreading and it should probably be the same wording as the Japan protocols.  I called Princess to get verification that I could do a self-administered home antigen test.  Although the response was 'yes', I still don't have that warm fuzzy feeling that the rep was doing anything other than regurgitating the last bullet to me.  I would love to avoid the hassle of doing a 'medically observed' COVID test in a foreign country (Chile).  My back up plan is to use Azova and the home tests I will be taking with me. 

 

[coo359a2]

14 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

They won't have any "inside" access, but we recently completed six weeks in Europe and I found that at several ports, ship security setup portable Medallion reader stations in port buildings and such and they were often manned by either port authority/security or immigration/customs.  I thought it was cool as it made the return-to-ship process smoother.  This was the first time I had ever seen non-Princess personnel using the readers (other than check-in staff at a port terminal). 

Saw the same thing in our Genoa port.  Did ask Princess what information could be seen when scanning your Medallion in the terminal.  They said it only shows that you belong on the ship.

[PacnGoNow]

42 minutes ago, Aggie83 said:

Princess really needs to review all of the information they have on their website as it relates to testing requirements.  It appears that the cruises that fall under the Enhanced protocols (https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced) now allow self-administered antigen test results, even though the first bullet under Testing Requirements seems to contradict the last bullet.  Prior to this 12/2 update, the requirement was for medically observed COVID test and there was no reference to self-administered home antigen tests.  I think this is a case of sloppy editing/proofreading and it should probably be the same wording as the Japan protocols.  I called Princess to get verification that I could do a self-administered home antigen test.  Although the response was 'yes', I still don't have that warm fuzzy feeling that the rep was doing anything other than regurgitating the last bullet to me.  I would love to avoid the hassle of doing a 'medically observed' COVID test in a foreign country (Chile).  My back up plan is to use Azova and the home tests I will be taking with me. 

 

I wouldn’t go by what a phone rep says.

I’d recheck the protocol by using your health tool on the website and watching for changes on the travel summary and the website for enhanced voyages.

In our recent enhanced voyage over 200 guests were almost denied boarding because they didn’t have the right test at checkin.  Luckily, they were tested at the port by the medical team and allowed OB

after some very stressful time.

Partially, due to a PCL rep and of course it is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure they have the right documents and tests required.

[Aggie83]

8 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

I wouldn’t go by what a phone rep says.

I’d recheck the protocol by using your health tool on the website and watching for changes on the travel summary and the website for enhanced voyages.

In our recent enhanced voyage over 200 guests were almost denied boarding because they didn’t have the right test at checkin.  Luckily, they were tested at the port by the medical team and allowed OB

after some very stressful time.

Partially, due to a PCL rep and of course it is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure they have the right documents and tests required.

 

I posted the current Health Protocol above for Enhanced guideline cruises.  The first bullet and the third bullet under Testing Requirements aren't in alignment.  You can also use the link I included to see all the protocols.

[PacnGoNow]

18 hours ago, Aggie83 said:

Princess really needs to review all of the information they have on their website as it relates to testing requirements.  It appears that the cruises that fall under the Enhanced protocols (https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced) now allow self-administered antigen test results, even though the first bullet under Testing Requirements seems to contradict the last bullet.  Prior to this 12/2 update, the requirement was for medically observed COVID test and there was no reference to self-administered home antigen tests.  I think this is a case of sloppy editing/proofreading and it should probably be the same wording as the Japan protocols.  I called Princess to get verification that I could do a self-administered home antigen test.  Although the response was 'yes', I still don't have that warm fuzzy feeling that the rep was doing anything other than regurgitating the last bullet to me.  I would love to avoid the hassle of doing a 'medically observed' COVID test in a foreign country (Chile).  My back up plan is to use Azova and the home tests I will be taking with me. 

 

I see what your saying.  I believe this is just a general reference for enhanced voyages.  You have to check your particular cruise, because it varies.

Some enhanced voyages do allow self administered tests, while others are medically observed.  
I think the best tool now is using the health tool for your specific cruise.

 

 

[Aggie83]

5 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

I see what your saying.  I believe this is just a general reference for enhanced voyages.  You have to check your particular cruise, because it varies.

Some enhanced voyages do allow self administered tests, while others are medically observed.  
I think the best tool now is using the health tool for your specific cruise.

 

 

 

Using the tool, the protocol my cruise is classified with is the 'Enhanced' protocol and the screen shot above is that protocol.  All cruises listed with that protocol will see that document.  The other protocols a cruise may fall under are:  Japan, Colombia, Australia, Enhanced Australia.  There are separate documents for those protocols.

 

https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

28 minutes ago, Aggie83 said:

 

Using the tool, the protocol my cruise is classified with is the 'Enhanced' protocol and the screen shot above is that protocol.  All cruises listed with that protocol will see that document.  The other protocols a cruise may fall under are:  Japan, Colombia, Australia, Enhanced Australia.  There are separate documents for those protocols.

 

https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced

 

 

Yes, I see that on my next enhanced voyage health tool also.  
I read the bold bullet as my requirement 

to use medically observed test.

 

I read the 2nd and 3rd bullets as general guidance if you are using a PCR, Self administered (for some voyages) and medically observed tests, giving you the 3 day requirement.

 

They could clean it up, but I believe it is general guidance. Our from the US, should just be bullet no 1 and add: taken within 3 days before embarkation.

 

They are all within 3 days of embarkation, so just get rid of bullets 2 & 3.  I agree.

 

They may be doing another update soon, who knows?

 

Testing Requirements

• All guests ages 5 and older are required to take a medically observed COVID-19 Test. 
  • Medically observed PCR test taken within 3 days before embarkation.
  • Medically observed or self-administered antigen home test must be taken within 3 days before embarkation.

[Aggie83]

2 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

 

 

Testing Requirements

• All guests ages 5 and older are required to take a medically observed COVID-19 Test. 
  • Medically observed PCR test taken within 3 days before embarkation.
  • Medically observed or self-administered antigen home test must be taken within 3 days before embarkation.

 

Maybe it is supposed to read like the Japan protocol:

Testing Requirements

• All guests ages 5 and older are required to take a COVID-19 Test.
• PCR or antigen (either medically observed or self-administered) COVID-19 test must be taken within 3 days before embarkation.

 

The Enhanced protocol has been edited so many times, and this version is the first one with reference to 'self-administered'.

 

[Justsayin]

I can't get a straight answer from Princess why enhanced protocols requiring a supervised test within 72 hours of sailing apply on sailings between Buenos Aires Argentina and Santiago Chile   https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced  

 

The US Embassies in Chile and Argentina say protocols are lifted for the vaxed. https://cl.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/  https://ar.usembassy.gov/covid-19/

 

And the official Chilean travel site indicates they recently dropped testing requirements.  https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/  and Argentina dropped theirs much earlier in the year.

 

 

[Steelers36]

6 hours ago, Justsayin said:

I can't get a straight answer from Princess why enhanced protocols requiring a supervised test within 72 hours of sailing apply on sailings between Buenos Aires Argentina and Santiago Chile   https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced  

 

The US Embassies in Chile and Argentina say protocols are lifted for the vaxed. https://cl.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/  https://ar.usembassy.gov/covid-19/

 

And the official Chilean travel site indicates they recently dropped testing requirements.  https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/  and Argentina dropped theirs much earlier in the year.

 

 

Sounds like the Greece fiasco all over again.

[Aggie83]

22 hours ago, Justsayin said:

I can't get a straight answer from Princess why enhanced protocols requiring a supervised test within 72 hours of sailing apply on sailings between Buenos Aires Argentina and Santiago Chile   https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced  

 

The US Embassies in Chile and Argentina say protocols are lifted for the vaxed. https://cl.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/  https://ar.usembassy.gov/covid-19/

 

And the official Chilean travel site indicates they recently dropped testing requirements.  https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/  and Argentina dropped theirs much earlier in the year.

 

 

 

It has to be a Princess thing.  I don't understand why the February cruises in South America aren't included.  The March cruises are. And now it says 3 days not 72 hours.  Is that 3 days the way the airlines previously defined it or 72 hours?  If I embark on a Monday, can I do a test anytime on the previous Friday?

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, Aggie83 said:

 

It has to be a Princess thing.  I don't understand why the February cruises in South America aren't included.  The March cruises are. And now it says 3 days not 72 hours.  Is that 3 days the way the airlines previously defined it or 72 hours?  If I embark on a Monday, can I do a test anytime on the previous Friday?

Yes, within 3 days of embarking would be anytime on Friday…if you sail on Monday.

 

Just did a test on Sunday and sailed on Wednesday. Enhanced voyage. 
 

 

[NownZen]

On 12/11/2022 at 11:45 AM, Justsayin said:

I can't get a straight answer from Princess why enhanced protocols requiring a supervised test within 72 hours of sailing apply on sailings between Buenos Aires Argentina and Santiago Chile   https://www.princess.com/protocol/?voyage=enhanced  

 

The US Embassies in Chile and Argentina say protocols are lifted for the vaxed. https://cl.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/  https://ar.usembassy.gov/covid-19/

 

And the official Chilean travel site indicates they recently dropped testing requirements.  https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/  and Argentina dropped theirs much earlier in the year.

 

 

The straight answer is that Princess requires it. It does not matter what anyone else says. The test is cheap and easy. Why not just do it?

[PacnGoNow]

9 minutes ago, NownZen said:

The straight answer is that Princess requires it. It does not matter what anyone else says. The test is cheap and easy. Why not just do it?

Well said!

I understand on the longer voyages why they require it. Too difficult to get medical care in some areas and/or too far for medivac to rescue a guest on the ship.

The winter is the season for flu/RSV/covid issues. 
 

We just returned from an enhanced voyage.  Left 1 guest at a hospital in Kauai, 1 guest in a hospital In Moorea and US Coast guard medivac out at sea last night of the cruise.  Luckily, this last guest was within flying distance for the helicopter.  

 

So, definitely understand.  We just do the test.  Not a big issue.