P&O Australia have now release their health requirements

[Kiwi_cruiser]

P&O Australia have now release their health requirements for boarding there ships, which you can read here:

 

https://www.pocruises.com.au/plan/know-before-you-go/healthy-cruising

 

 

[Aus Traveller]

Similar to Princess - self-administered RAT test less than 24 hours prior to the cruise is OK.

[rkmw]

37 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Similar to Princess - self-administered RAT test less than 24 hours prior to the cruise is OK.

Does that mean you can do it yourself at home and do they take your word if it’s negative 

[MMDown Under]

2 minutes ago, rkmw said:

Does that mean you can do it yourself at home and do they take your word if it’s negative 

I hope not!

[Aus Traveller]

5 minutes ago, rkmw said:

Does that mean you can do it yourself at home and do they take your word if it’s negative 

Yes. Both P&O and Princess will accept your word (presumably on a signed health document) that you have returned a negative RAT test without 24 hours or a negative PCR within 72 hours.

 

If you want more detail on the Princess protocols re COVID, you might like to read my post today on the thread 'Information on Princess re COVID'.

 

PS. I think we will do what someone else suggested. After taking the tests the previous evening, place our two negative RATs side by side and photograph them. The camera would record when the photo was taken, giving us proof we were negative at that time.

Edited April 26, 2022 by Aus Traveller

[Aus Traveller]

Just now, MMDown Under said:

I hope not!

The current tests being used won't pick up COVID in the first two days when the person has no symptoms, but can still pass it on. In addition, if the person has a low viral load, a RAT test can show negative. Maybe though, there isn't much risk that the person would pass the virus on.

[Balsam12]

Realistically, other than the bit about self testing, this doesn't tell us anything new, or clarify other questions....

 

Exactly what are the mask requirements onboard? "Where physical distancing is not possible" could mean anything from the theatre to the casino to all bars.

The shore excursion bit is still very wish washy and does not clarify if it will only be ship based tours.

 

 

[MMDown Under]

1 minute ago, Aus Traveller said:

The current tests being used won't pick up COVID in the first two days when the person has no symptoms, but can still pass it on. In addition, if the person has a low viral load, a RAT test can show negative. Maybe though, there isn't much risk that the person would pass the virus on.

The cruise lines can’t be serious.

 

 Coral Expeditions Sail Safe Plan -

Double vaccinated

PCR Test 72 hours before sailing

RAT test by nurse on embarkation

Temperature taken by nurse at breakfast daily

spotless ship

no high risk ports of call 

And passengers still caught virus on current

cruise (no positive cases on my cruise

with them)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aus Traveller]

4 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

The cruise lines can’t be serious.

 

 Coral Expeditions Sail Safe Plan -

Double vaccinated

PCR Test 72 hours before sailing

RAT test by nurse on embarkation

Temperature taken by nurse at breakfast daily

spotless ship

no high risk ports of call 

And passengers still caught virus on current

cruise (no positive cases on my cruise

with them)

 

 

If there is someone with the virus on board, it will be passed on to some others. The RCR test 72 hours before sailing isn't foolproof. Someone could contract the virus between taking the test and boarding the ship.

[ekka49]

19 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Yes. Both P&O and Princess will accept your word (presumably on a signed health document) that you have returned a negative RAT test without 24 hours or a negative PCR within 72 hours.

 

If you want more detail on the Princess protocols re COVID, you might like to read my post today on the thread 'Information on Princess re COVID'.

 

PS. I think we will do what someone else suggested. After taking the tests the previous evening, place our two negative RATs side by side and photograph them. The camera would record when the photo was taken, giving us proof we were negative at that time.

Photographs of the tests is a good idea.

Thank you

[By The Bay]

It must be still a work in progress. "The Click here for more details" doesn't work for me.

Confirm Negative COVID test

Guests are required to take a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hrs of boarding or a PCR test within 72 hours of boarding. Click here for more details.

[Aus Traveller]

2 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

It must be still a work in progress. "The Click here for more details" doesn't work for me.

Confirm Negative COVID test

Guests are required to take a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hrs of boarding or a PCR test within 72 hours of boarding. Click here for more details.

I also can't get any more details on the P&O site. It may be the same as the Princess one, but time will tell.

[losfp]

53 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

If there is someone with the virus on board, it will be passed on to some others. The RCR test 72 hours before sailing isn't foolproof. Someone could contract the virus between taking the test and boarding the ship.

Not only that, sometimes even the PCRs aren't accurate.

 

I caught COVID a few weeks ago and in between two positive RATs (different types and brands), I returned a negative PCR.

 

The cruise lines would have had all the options lined up and pointed at a spot and said Here. Here is the point where the benefits are worth the risk we are willing to accept.

 

The only way they can GUARANTEE covid won't come on board is to have passengers isolate for x number of days, and then transport them in some sort of bubble to the ship, and then keep all passengers on board until the cruise is completed - no ports, no resupplying and no pilots etc.  That is obviously a non-starter, so we have what we have now.

[BRANDEE]

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

I hope not!

Looks like Princess will accept your word that your covid test was negative.  Not here in the US.  We have to have a proctored home test or a clinically administered test..  Good Luck with that!

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, Aus Traveller said:

Yes. Both P&O and Princess will accept your word (presumably on a signed health document) that you have returned a negative RAT test without 24 hours or a negative PCR within 72 hours.

 

If you want more detail on the Princess protocols re COVID, you might like to read my post today on the thread 'Information on Princess re COVID'.

 

PS. I think we will do what someone else suggested. After taking the tests the previous evening, place our two negative RATs side by side and photograph them. The camera would record when the photo was taken, giving us proof we were negative at that time.

That depends on whether the verifly app that P&O is using supports uploading pictures, or whether it is just an online declaration.

 

P&O Cruises has partnered with VeriFLY to simplify the pre-travel process of completing COVID-19 requirements and documentation. You will need to use the VeriFLY app to complete the health declaration, as well as to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status and declare that you have received a negative COVID-19 test result. Once complete and all details & documents have been verified, you will receive a green tick on the app, which you will need to present at the cruise terminal, along with your P&O Cruises digital boarding pass (eTicket).

[Chiliburn]

Says nothing about tetanus shots 

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

The cruise lines can’t be serious.

 

 Coral Expeditions Sail Safe Plan -

Double vaccinated

PCR Test 72 hours before sailing

RAT test by nurse on embarkation

Temperature taken by nurse at breakfast daily

spotless ship

no high risk ports of call 

And passengers still caught virus on current

cruise (no positive cases on my cruise

with them)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess I would say that if you are concerned about being vulnerable to severe covid illness, a cruise ship is currently a place to avoid, along with any other high risk venue.

 

Yes, all of that couldn't prevent infection on Coral Discoverer. Given that is supposed to be best practice, it also wont work on P&O or any other cruise line for that matter.

 

So the onus is on the ship mitigating spread, and everyone taking responsibility for their own health - vaxx (mandatory), washy washy, mask wearing where you cant physically distance yourself etc . The crew are required to wear masks, which will reduce the risk of spread from cruise to cruise. Yes, I guess someone can lie on a RAT result or not take one at all and say they did, but I am sure they will be on the lookout for anyone displaying symptoms or doing a non-contact temperature check during embarkation. The price of a supervised RAT that takes up 10 minutes time for the supervisor is just a dead-set junket.

 

In general, we no longer need to test unless we have symptoms, are a close contact of someone infected, or you work in a high risk setting, so why should a cruise ship be held to the same standard as a nursing home? 

[arxcards]

Just now, Chiliburn said:

Says nothing about tetanus shots 

Nor distemper or rabies which can be contracted from those who are not rusted-on 🤣

[NSWP]

What is this avid P&O Cruiseling going to do, will he wear a mask is he triple vaccinated? lol

Edited April 26, 2022 by NSWP

[Aus Traveller]

Pax only have to be double vaccinated. Boosters are recommended.

[aussielozzie18]

7 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

Yes. Both P&O and Princess will accept your word (presumably on a signed health document) that you have returned a negative RAT test without 24 hours or a negative PCR within 72 hours.

 

If you want more detail on the Princess protocols re COVID, you might like to read my post today on the thread 'Information on Princess re COVID'.

 

PS. I think we will do what someone else suggested. After taking the tests the previous evening, place our two negative RATs side by side and photograph them. The camera would record when the photo was taken, giving us proof we were negative at that time.

I recently had day surgery at a private day surgery hospital and the requirement was similar albeit the RATS test was done 24hrs before. a photo of the negative RATS test on your mobile was acceptable.

[arxcards]

45 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

I recently had day surgery at a private day surgery hospital and the requirement was similar albeit the RATS test was done 24hrs before. a photo of the negative RATS test on your mobile was acceptable.

The app P&O is using just requires a declaration, and doesn't support the uploading of a photo.

 

I don't how they are going to handle people without smartphones, and I get the feeling May 31st will be like trying to herd cats.

[vegemeter]

My feeling is that the testing requirements will probably ease up in the run up to wave season.  While it’s unfortunate people have Covid on ships I don’t see much data on Covid elsewhere and it really is everywhere. I get very cross with these media articles replaying the Ruby, it’s rubbish and makes me cross when I am more likely to catch it at Coles 

Edited April 27, 2022 by vegemeter

[arxcards]

On 4/26/2022 at 7:54 PM, NSWP said:

What is this avid P&O Cruiseling going to do, will he wear a mask is he triple vaccinated? lol

Reading back over over the timeline of the "cruiseling" pitch, it is a different beast to a bogan. They were using cruiselings in a way to refresh their image and get rid of the bogan cruiser.

 

Back in our day, ithey would be akin to self-entitled yuppies or dinkies. The bogans were easy going though, and now you have to watch out for the odd Karen.

[NSWP]

47 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Reading back over over the timeline of the "cruiseling" pitch, it is a different beast to a bogan. They were using cruiselings in a way to refresh their image and get rid of the bogan cruiser.

 

Back in our day, ithey would be akin to self-entitled yuppies or dinkies. The bogans were easy going though, and now you have to watch out for the odd Karen.

But Geoff with respect young fella, one could be a cruiseling and a bogan, you know, a cross breed, 😁 A 'Cruiseogan' perhaps? 

Edited April 27, 2022 by NSWP