Covid testing thru 2/28?

[CruiserKris34]

The FAQ's say that Covid testing is required for US sailings thru 2/28/22 with an "*" (may be longer).  Does anyone know how it would be announced if that requirement was dropped for a March sailing?  The Covid numbers are falling, so just hoping this happens soon, because it is really holding me back from booking.  Thanks, Kris 

[basenji56]

I wouldn't hold my breath about the testing requirements changing in March.  

[RichYak]

2 hours ago, CruiserKris34 said:

The FAQ's say that Covid testing is required for US sailings thru 2/28/22 with an "*" (may be longer).  Does anyone know how it would be announced if that requirement was dropped for a March sailing?  The Covid numbers are falling, so just hoping this happens soon, because it is really holding me back from booking.  Thanks, Kris 

100% chance IMO that testing requirement is extended to March and beyond. 

[hrhdhd]

It's not changed on the website, but it's changed on the app. My cruise is 3/5, and testing is required.

[kevers35]

Going on the Apex in early April and fully expect testing to still be required even then.    

[Arizona Wildcat]

When it happens it could be announced using:

 

A press release

An interview with the media

An email to TAs and those booked

A call to Cruise Hive

A call to other media

 

As for March?  Lots of things will need to happen first.  Case numbers are still huge and growing in some countries.  Ask me about this summer and you get a maybe.

[Ken the cruiser]

IMHO as long as this chart continues to remain green across the US, there is hope! 😎

 

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/new-cases-50-states

[dpemd]

You would think they would update their website 2/28 isn’t that far off

[papaflamingo]

15 hours ago, CruiserKris34 said:

The FAQ's say that Covid testing is required for US sailings thru 2/28/22 with an "*" (may be longer).  Does anyone know how it would be announced if that requirement was dropped for a March sailing?  The Covid numbers are falling, so just hoping this happens soon, because it is really holding me back from booking.  Thanks, Kris 

Just curious, why is testing holding you back?  Is it you don't want to test or you don't want to go on a ship where others have not tested?  Serious question.  

 

[StephSch]

4 minutes ago, dpemd said:

You would think they would update their website 2/28 isn’t that far off

We are on a cruise starting this Friday and were not updated until the middle of last month that we had to have a test. We ordered some of the approved at home tests prior though expecting the testing requirement would hold. 

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, papaflamingo said:

Just curious, why is testing holding you back?  Is it you don't want to test or you don't want to go on a ship where others have not tested?  Serious question.  

 

 

I was wondering the same thing.

[TeeRick]

11 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

IMHO as long as this chart continues to remain green across the US, there is hope! 😎

 

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/new-cases-50-states

Yes there is hope.  But the question is really about how long will it be after Omicron recedes to: 1) drop masks on board, and 2) drop the pre-cruise testing requirement.  It is possible that booster doses of vaccines will be required by Celebrity before either of these two things happen.  I am hopeful that in a few months we can return to the situation enjoyed last summer on Celebrity ships before Delta hit.  No masks at least.  It might be quite some time until pre-cruise testing goes away.  And all of this is highly dependent on where the ship sails from and to. 

[CruiserKris34]

22 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I was wondering the same thing.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.  Just the risk of 2 days before having to cancel it all.  Probably more of an emotional thing.  I'm fine with the FCC, but not as sure about the airfare penalty.  So, it is the 2/26 Apex or Reflection cruise I"m ready to book.  The airfare says "risk free", but when you hover over it, it talks about losing $200 pp?  We looked at a week in Florida, but it is MORE expensive than the cruise, so almost ready to book the cruise.  Airfare jumps up and down a little.  Thanks, Kris

[JamieLogical]

5 minutes ago, CruiserKris34 said:

Thanks everyone for your opinions.  Just the risk of 2 days before having to cancel it all.  Probably more of an emotional thing.  I'm fine with the FCC, but not as sure about the airfare penalty.  So, it is the 2/26 Apex or Reflection cruise I"m ready to book.  The airfare says "risk free", but when you hover over it, it talks about losing $200 pp?  We looked at a week in Florida, but it is MORE expensive than the cruise, so almost ready to book the cruise.  Airfare jumps up and down a little.  Thanks, Kris

 

Do you have the opportunity to self-isolate prior to the cruise? That is what I have done for all four of my post-restart sailings and what I plan to do for my upcoming March sailing. I do have to physically go to work every day, but I wear a KN95 mask walking to/from my car and keep my office door closed all day when isolating. I isolate for the 10 days prior to the cruise.

[CruiserKris34]

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Do you have the opportunity to self-isolate prior to the cruise? That is what I have done for all four of my post-restart sailings and what I plan to do for my upcoming March sailing. I do have to physically go to work every day, but I wear a KN95 mask walking to/from my car and keep my office door closed all day when isolating. I isolate for the 10 days prior to the cruise.

That's a really good point.  I actually just got over mild covid, so hoping that helps. I work from home, but my husband has not had it and works in stores all day, but i will have him wear a mask closer to the cruise!

[Laurab23]

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I was wondering the same thing.

My cruise is not until May and already I am worrying about the testing. I don't want to do the online one because I hear stories of not being able to understand them or losing wifi connection. Living in a small town there is nowhere local to get tested. County health dept is half hour away which is doable but calling them they tell me if numbers are way down by May they may cancel testing. There is a Walgreens that is doing it a half hour away. CVS fairly near me is not offering rapid tests. So all this is my biggest worry and my cruise is over 3 months away!

 

Laura

[cruisestitch]

I’ve done the online proctored testing four times. Never had any trouble understanding the people. They give you an instruction what to do if the signal drops. Just watch a couple of videos ahead of time if you are nervous and you’ll see exactly what to do and you won’t even have to worry about understanding their instruction, you’ll know the instructions.

[papaflamingo]

On 2/9/2022 at 9:38 AM, CruiserKris34 said:

That's a really good point.  I actually just got over mild covid, so hoping that helps. I work from home, but my husband has not had it and works in stores all day, but i will have him wear a mask closer to the cruise!

A couple of comments (sorry to be jumping in so late).  First, if you test positive and can't go and book your plane fare through the Cruise line, I imagine it would also be refundable, but you can check on that.  But most airlines offer some sort of protection with the ability to change your flight or get e-credit if you have to cancel for Covid.  Also if you have some insurance, make sure it covers the airfare.  

As for just having Covid, are you aware that it's possible that you can test positive for up to 3 months after?  In that case, you can get a "Fit of Travel" letter and that, along with your valid positive Covid test that is more than 10 days prior but less than 90 days, meets the U.S. requirements for travel TO the U.S., so it might work for the cruise line as well if your test is positive.  Worth checking into. 

[FunCruiser56]

the email I got from Celebrity yesterday indicates  testing untill March 31, plus masks in theater and casino.  Our cruise is on the APEX Mar 12.  We ordered our tests from Optum so will be prepared. The tests took a week to get to us so be aware order in plenty of time

[Purplsmurf]

1 hour ago, papaflamingo said:

A couple of comments (sorry to be jumping in so late).  First, if you test positive and can't go and book your plane fare through the Cruise line, I imagine it would also be refundable, but you can check on that.  But most airlines offer some sort of protection with the ability to change your flight or get e-credit if you have to cancel for Covid.  Also if you have some insurance, make sure it covers the airfare.  

As for just having Covid, are you aware that it's possible that you can test positive for up to 3 months after?  In that case, you can get a "Fit of Travel" letter and that, along with your valid positive Covid test that is more than 10 days prior but less than 90 days, meets the U.S. requirements for travel TO the U.S., so it might work for the cruise line as well if your test is positive.  Worth checking into. 

Celebrity doesn’t allow the positive test along with the letter . Not sure why since one is obviously recovered . 

[Purplsmurf]

We fully expect to have to test before our May cruise. We will test Thursday morning and fly to Europe Thursday night to board on Sat. I usually don’t pack until we get the negative test, but being gone for 3 weeks means I will definitely have to be packed. We will likely stay home as much as possible the 10 days to 2 weeks before. We will also likely test 2 weeks before. My husband works remote, but I do work part time so am in the office and with patients one day a week. 
 

Also, who knows what the next variant of Omicron will bring. Hopefully it’s not as bad as Omicron……which isn't very bad at all. We shall see!

[basenji56]

1 hour ago, papaflamingo said:

A couple of comments (sorry to be jumping in so late).  First, if you test positive and can't go and book your plane fare through the Cruise line, I imagine it would also be refundable, but you can check on that.  But most airlines offer some sort of protection with the ability to change your flight or get e-credit if you have to cancel for Covid.  Also if you have some insurance, make sure it covers the airfare.  

As for just having Covid, are you aware that it's possible that you can test positive for up to 3 months after?  In that case, you can get a "Fit of Travel" letter and that, along with your valid positive Covid test that is more than 10 days prior but less than 90 days, meets the U.S. requirements for travel TO the U.S., so it might work for the cruise line as well if your test is positive.  Worth checking into. 

Do NOT get the PCR test unless it is absolutely required since it can show positive for an extended after you have recovered.  The PCR test is NOT the "gold standard" in these cases for this reason.  I have read that Viking will consider a travel letter but Celebrity does not.

[JamieLogical]

With the turn-around time on PCR tests being so much slower, I assume most everyone who is getting a test to cruise will do an antigen test. But yes, if you have had COVID recently and are recovered, definitely do an antigen test, not a PCR test!

[Jim_Iain]

Slight correction...suggestions  that the PCR  is a lot longer period to get results.   They do have a Rapid PCR test which I have taken that quote results in 60 minutes or less.     I've taken it and received my results before I got home from taking the test.

 

Having said that I also had some at my local health care provider for pre-surgery and it took 24- 72 hours.    I think it can be done quickly but because of the backlog in the labs they only quote 72 hours.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[JamieLogical]

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Slight correction...suggestions  that the PCR  is a lot longer period to get results.   They do have a Rapid PCR test which I have taken and get results in 60 minutes or less.     I've taken it and received my results before I got home from taking the test.

 

Yes, but those are usually quite expensive! Last time I checked around here, they cost $195, whereas I can get an antigen test or a regular PCR test for free!