7-night Caribbean protocols

[Ash1982]

Hi friends,

 

I've tried calling HAL a few times over the last couple weeks to ask a few questions related to COVID-19 protocols and I can never get through -- hours in total waiting at this point. Which honestly is understandable and so I'm not mad -- I just want to get information. So I'm trying here (I've read a few threads but so far haven't found an exact answer, so my apologies in advance if I've missed it within one of the existing threads):

 

What, if any, during-cruise COVID testing is being done for 7-night Caribbean cruises (which might be different than Hawaii or Panama Canal or cruises I've seen threads about, based various port rules)? I'm sailing in a few weeks on Rotterdam to the Southern Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, and I'd just like to know if the pre-arrival testing is the only testing being done for these cruises or if there is also testing done on the ship.

 

Also, if they are doing mid-cruise testing and you test positive, does quarantine begin then or whenever it is you get to Florida and they send you to the quarantine hotel? 

 

And finally, does anyone know if 7-night Caribbean cruises are at reduced capacity? Is there no way to know this until boarding the ship and asking?

 

I would just like to board knowing what to expect. (I hate not KNOWING so many things right now.)

 

Thank you.

Ashley

[LocoLoco1]

HAL Website: LOGIN then go to PLAN then click on ‘TravelHealth&Safety’ Testing FAQ’s’ in the dropdown Menu.  It’s nearly all there….            (Some things appear updated after Jan 3rd. I didn’t see anywhere in the Q&A’s about mandatory testing mid-cruise, only testing if you become ill) Good Luck. 

[electricguy]

On the Rotterdam now. Last week there were just over 900 passengers, this week just under 900.

 

No testing for 7 day passengers unless they felt ill and requested  a test.  Those like us staying for another week were tested Saturday morning for the Sunday turn around.  

[julia]

There is no mid-cruise testing on a 7 night cruise.  You can request a test from medical should you display symptoms.  If you test positive, you will be escorted to a different cabin and remain there for the duration.  The ship's capacity is hard to determine prior to sailing.

[KirkNC]

I think it’s safe to say the ship will not be full.  

[Ash1982]

17 minutes ago, electricguy said:

On the Rotterdam now. Last week there were just over 900 passengers, this week just under 900.

 

No testing for 7 day passengers unless they felt ill and requested  a test.  Those like us staying for another week were tested Saturday morning for the Sunday turn around.  

Hope you have had and continue to have a great trip, @electricguy!

 

My thanks to everyone for the quick responses. Much appreciated. (@LocoLoco1 -- thank goodness they have the FAQs they do, right? I just needed a liiiiiiittle extra info.)

[Ash1982]

18 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

I think it’s safe to say the ship will not be full.  

You're probably right, @KirkNC. I'm wondering mostly because the week I'm sailing is the week of President's Day, a very common week (at least in the NE) to have off from schools. While HAL is not typically the "familiest" of the cruise lines, I'd have to expect the sailing might naturally be more populated this week (it usually trends that way in normal years). I was curious if there are capacity limits in place for COVID that would keep the sailing from being full capacity, even during this popular vacation week.

[ebseckar]

I don't think you have to worry about the ship sailing at full capacity simply because it appears they need to keep cabins empty and available to quarantine passengers testing positive during the cruise.

[Ash1982]

1 minute ago, ebseckar said:

I don't think you have to worry about the ship sailing at full capacity simply because it appears they need to keep cabins empty and available to quarantine passengers testing positive during the cruise.

Ah. Excellent point. I feel kind of dumb for not having concluded that, myself. 😂

[KirkNC]

23 minutes ago, Ash1982 said:

You're probably right, @KirkNC. I'm wondering mostly because the week I'm sailing is the week of President's Day, a very common week (at least in the NE) to have off from schools. While HAL is not typically the "familiest" of the cruise lines, I'd have to expect the sailing might naturally be more populated this week (it usually trends that way in normal years). I was curious if there are capacity limits in place for COVID that would keep the sailing from being full capacity, even during this popular vacation week.

A valid concern with a long weekend.  I believe HAL does require everyone to be vaccinated so that may minimize the impact of a holiday weekend. 

[dawei]

Ashley-- We are just off the Rotterdam's 7 night Caribbean that arrived at Port Everglades yesterday, Jan. 23rd. The ship was less than half full (under 1,000 pax). Don't know if this was due to HAL keeping it reduced capacity or due to fewer folks booking it. Possibly a combination of the two reasons. 

There was no onboard testing of all pax, nor testing back at Ft. Lauderdale. Pre-cruise check in with HAL did require showing them proof of negative tests done no more than two days prior to the cruise.

 

David

 

 

[Nickelpenny]

I’m on the Rotterdam presently and it is less than 1/2 capacity. 

[idiebabe]

My Daughter and SIL are on Rotterdam and she was told 783 passengers.  200 stayed on from previous Cruise.  She said the Terminal when boarding was like a Ghost Town and they literally walked right Onboard.   She was on with us in November when we had 1923 passengers so only 793 now is a big change.   They are having a great time and enjoying it all!  

[Ash1982]

Thank you @dawei, @Nickelpenny and @idiebabe! Having additional confirmation from all of you helps me feel more confident in the fact that I now KNOW something that I was clueless about before. 😂 I have enough anxiety over the question of whether I am being a crazy person by going on this cruise at all (but it's been 2 years since any kind of travel whatsoever and my mental health has to count for something at this point) -- I really didn't need the additional anxiety of still having important questions unanswered upon embarkation.

 

Appreciate you all. 

[nagsheadbeachbum]

I have 8 folks on the 2/13 sailing and all were offered an upgrade, so I believe they are still booking passengers but feel certain it can't be at capacity as there are quarantine rooms for both sick passengers and also crew, some of which have to quarantine since they have just joined the Rottterdam even though they have been vaccinated. As least that's the inform I've been given.

[idiebabe]

1 hour ago, Ash1982 said:

Thank you @dawei, @Nickelpenny and @idiebabe! Having additional confirmation from all of you helps me feel more confident in the fact that I now KNOW something that I was clueless about before. 😂 I have enough anxiety over the question of whether I am being a crazy person by going on this cruise at all (but it's been 2 years since any kind of travel whatsoever and my mental health has to count for something at this point) -- I really didn't need the additional anxiety of still having important questions unanswered upon embarkation.

 

Appreciate you all. 

You're welcome!  You're not Crazy at all!  We've been on three since Cruises started up on HAL at the end of July (we were on the first Cruise to go).  We're booked for 3/16 on Nieuw Statendam and 5/29 on Westerdam in Alaska (Family Cruise).  

 

Rotterdam is a beautiful, awesome Ship and you will have a GREAT time!  Crew is super friendly and the food is very good with so many food options!

 

Enjoy and happy Sailing! 

 

 

[dawei]

I'd agree with idiebabe about the Rotterdam, (our first time on a Pinnacle class). It's a beautiful ship! Plus, we found the MDR menus definitely superior to those offered on the NA last Nov. without repetitions. That, along with the Dutch Cafe as well as the several other dining venues.

The crew? As wonderful as usual on a HAL ship.

 

David