A Canadian’s recent quarantine experience on Royal Caribbean

[nlcruiser01]

As a frequent “lurker” but occasional “contributor” on this forum, I appreciate the respectful and helpful advice it provides.   As such, I thought it helpful to share my husband and my recent quarantine experience on Radiance of the Seas.  I apologize in advance for the lengthy post.  

 

After several cancelled cruises, we booked a 6 night sailing on Radiance of the Seas from Los Angeles to Vancouver on April 23 2022.  We are both fully vaccinated and boosted, in our early 50’s and in excellent health.  We were very cautious in the weeks leading up to the cruise and tested negative for COVID-19 (at home and in-clinic) in the days leading up to our departure from Canada.

 

I’ll not go into details with respect to embarkation and onboard service other than to say that embarkation was seamless and quicker than our previous cruises but onboard service was “fair”.  This was the vessel’s first sailing since March 2020 and it showed.  This was my 7^th cruise; my husband’s 5^th.

 

Prior to the cruise, we had decided that we would wear N95 or KN95 masks inside the ship.  We did not use the elevators or attend bars, shows, etc., and wore our masks religiously.  We did not eat in the Windjammer, which was “self-serve”.   We felt reassured that our decision to cruise on the Radiance (instead of the Anthem, our initial booking) was a prudent one when the captain announced that there were less than 900 passengers on board, out of a maximum capacity of approximately 2500 plus crew.

 

My husband began to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 on Monday, April 25 which he attributed to wearing masks for extended periods and the onboard air quality.  By Tuesday, his symptoms were becoming worse.   I had a scratchy throat that day and being overly cautious, I completed a Rapid Antigen test the afternoon of Tuesday, April 26 and was immediately negative.  My husband then completed a Rapid test and was positive within 3 minutes.  He immediately contacted the Medical Centre.

 

What follows is a series of events that is difficult for me to recount.  Within 30 minutes, a nurse arrived and we both received PCR tests.  I tested negative; my husband, positive.  Within 3 hours he was transferred to an Oceanview Stateroom on Deck 4.  I was advised that I could remain in our Balcony Stateroom on Deck 9 but after expressing my concern regarding remaining in that room given my husband’s diagnosis, Guest Services allowed me to move to a balcony stateroom two doors down.  I quickly packed up our belongings (my husband had left with only his carry on and camera bag) and moved myself to the “clean” room.   By this time, my husband had been contacted by the Security Team and questioned regarding his whereabouts while onboard; within an hour l was contacted by the same individual and questioned in order to corroborate the details provided by my husband. 

 

On Tuesday night we were provided with a direct line to Guest Services and for the most part, we dealt with the same two managers for the duration of the cruise.  They were very professional, courteous and answered my multitude of questions to the best of their ability.  My husband received complimentary internet and room service for the duration of the cruise.  I was required to eat my meals in my stateroom (room service was also complimentary) but otherwise was permitted to move about the ship as long as I tested negative.   However, given my level of anxiety and worry about testing positive, I remained in my stateroom with the exception of two visits to Guest Services.

 

My husband received very good medical care from the Medical Team (at Royal Caribbean’s expense), was tested daily and received medications as required.  I was also tested daily.   There was some initial confusion with respect to the date his symptoms began (likely due to a language barrier) but by Wednesday morning, I was assured by a physician that this had been rectified.  We’ve now received all of our test results and medical records and all is in order.

 

Prior to booking this cruise, I reviewed and was confident that RCI’s “Refund and Cancellation Policy for COVID-19”dated 4/1/2022 would protect us should either of us test positive while onboard.  The fact that we were disembarking in Canada also factored in our decision to choose this sailing.   However, when I advised the Guest Services Managers on April 27 that this policy required RCI to “coordinate and cover” my husband’s hotel stay in Vancouver (where he remained until Friday, May 6 given the federal government’s 10 day quarantine requirement), his meals and return flight home, I was met with considerable resistance. Guest Services advised that the Shore Office in Vancouver was indicating that we would be required to pay these costs up front and submit invoices to RCI for review and reimbursement.   This was quite upsetting, as not only was I worried about my husband’s health, worried that I might test positive or exhibit symptoms (and then be placed in quarantine and/or unable to fly home as planned) but was now arguing about a policy that was designed to protect us from incurring such costs.  Having cancelled several cruises in the last two years, I was fully aware of the aggravation and delay that doing so would entail.   After numerous conversations with Guest Services with respect to the above-noted policy and a request for contact information for the individual(s) at the Shore Office responsible for this decision, RCI relented and all of my husband’s quarantine-related costs were “coordinated and covered” by RCI.   My husband was contacted by an employee of the Public Health Agency of Canada on May 1 and asked whether RCI was doing so, as per Government of Canada requirements.

 

I tested negative on April 27 and 28 but continued to fear that I would test positive on Friday, April 29, just hours before my scheduled flight home from Vancouver.  Of note, we live in Newfoundland & Labrador so driving home was not an option.    After docking in Victoria on April 28 and receiving my negative test result, I contacted Guest Services and asked if I would be permitted to disembark there instead of in Vancouver.   After checking with Canada Customs, I was given 30 minutes to pack our belongings and disembark.  I settled our onboard account, handed my husband’s suitcase over to Guest Services and was escorted off the ship and through Customs by a RCI employee (without seeing a Border Services Agent/Customs Officer) and left the terminal just before noon on April 28.  I travelled to the ferry terminal in Swartz Bay via taxi and took the ferry and then a taxi to a hotel near Vancouver International Airport.   I flew home on Friday, April 29 as I had no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and a recent negative Rapid Antigen Test.

 

As I had continued to test negative while onboard, RCI would not agree to cover my hotel and meal costs to remain in Vancouver with my husband, and obviously it would not have been prudent for me to share a hotel room with him given his symptomatology.   Thankfully he was able to work remotely and flew home on Friday, May 6.

 

RCI will be refunding us the 3 days’ cruise fare while my husband was quarantined as well as our unused specialty dining reservations.   RCI rebooked his flight home, although this was not without lengthy hold times and some confusion on RCIs part.  On a humorous note, when my husband arrived at the quarantine hotel in Vancouver, the hotel staff advised him that RCI’s credit card had been declined and they asked for his.  Needless to say, he did not provide this!

 

I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.  Although we have no idea as to whether my husband contracted COVID-19 while onboard Radiance of the Seas, we have since cancelled an upcoming Celebrity cruise and it will be quite some time before we cruise again.   

[canadianbear]

Thank you for posting.  This is my fear-we have a 50 day cruise coming up in the Fall on HAL.  I’m not sure if I ended up in quarantine how I would handle being in an ocean view as I’m claustrophobic.  I’m also not sure I’d like to be separated if myself or my husband got covid.  
 

I have read other reports from cruises who were so careful but still ended up quarantined.  I still wonder why they’re doing the 10 day instead of the 5 day quarantine for fully vaccinated people.

 

Did you take test kits with you?  I think we will and just try to be careful as well.  It’s our dream cruise to the South Pacific from our home city and ending in San Diego which will require a flight home.  

Do you think he caught it from the airport or flying?  
 

Thank you again for sharing what you and your husband experienced.  

 

[broberts]

Thanks so much for posting details of your experience.

[Senga]

nlcruiser01; thanks for sharing.  Sounds like, with a little push and persistence, you were treated well.  We were feeling quite confident about our upcoming Alaska cruise, planning on taking all the precautions you did.  Guess all you can do is follow all the guidelines and hope for the best!

[Buckeye10640]

Could I ask what hotel your husband ended up at and if he felt it was ok? I am looking for a couple options, just in case.  Glad to hear he is better and you avoided being positive.

[nlcruiser01]

On 5/8/2022 at 2:57 PM, canadianbear said:

Thank you for posting.  This is my fear-we have a 50 day cruise coming up in the Fall on HAL.  I’m not sure if I ended up in quarantine how I would handle being in an ocean view as I’m claustrophobic.  I’m also not sure I’d like to be separated if myself or my husband got covid.  
 

I have read other reports from cruises who were so careful but still ended up quarantined.  I still wonder why they’re doing the 10 day instead of the 5 day quarantine for fully vaccinated people.

 

Did you take test kits with you?  I think we will and just try to be careful as well.  It’s our dream cruise to the South Pacific from our home city and ending in San Diego which will require a flight home.  

Do you think he caught it from the airport or flying?  
 

Thank you again for sharing what you and your husband experienced.  

 

 

On 5/8/2022 at 2:57 PM, canadianbear said:

Thank you for posting.  This is my fear-we have a 50 day cruise coming up in the Fall on HAL.  I’m not sure if I ended up in quarantine how I would handle being in an ocean view as I’m claustrophobic.  I’m also not sure I’d like to be separated if myself or my husband got covid.  
 

I have read other reports from cruises who were so careful but still ended up quarantined.  I still wonder why they’re doing the 10 day instead of the 5 day quarantine for fully vaccinated people.

 

Did you take test kits with you?  I think we will and just try to be careful as well.  It’s our dream cruise to the South Pacific from our home city and ending in San Diego which will require a flight home.  

Do you think he caught it from the airport or flying?  
 

Thank you again for sharing what you and your husband experienced.  

 

Hi, yes we took a 5 pack of tests with us as a precaution.   Although we’ll never know, my husband thinks he contracted the virus in an airport or on one of our flights between St. John’s and Los Angeles.   Good luck with your upcoming cruise...sounds lovely.

[nlcruiser01]

3 hours ago, Senga said:

nlcruiser01; thanks for sharing.  Sounds like, with a little push and persistence, you were treated well.  We were feeling quite confident about our upcoming Alaska cruise, planning on taking all the precautions you did.  Guess all you can do is follow all the guidelines and hope for the best!

Yes, overall things went pretty well and we certainly have no complaints with the Guest Services staff.  I’m just glad that I reviewed and saved their COVID-19 policy before all of this happened.  Good luck with your Alaskan cruise.

[nlcruiser01]

1 hour ago, Buckeye10640 said:

Could I ask what hotel your husband ended up at and if he felt it was ok? I am looking for a couple options, just in case.  Glad to hear he is better and you avoided being positive.

Sure, it was the Vancouver Sheraton Airport Hotel.  He was very pleased with the service and the food; however, the geese who served as his wake up call every morning were rather annoying!!   At check out he met a Canadian gentleman from a HAL cruise who was also quarantined there.  

[Ciren219]

We disembarked the Serenade of the Seas yesterday. 3 out of 4 of us got Covid on our Alaska cruise. I tested positive on day 4, my husband on day 5, and my daughter's boyfriend day 6. Royal Caribbean took very good care of us onboard. There were about 16-18 positive cases on our cruise, with one needing a hospital stay in Vancouver.

 

When we left the ship, two groups were put into shuttles to drop people off at their hotels to complete their isolation. Luckily, we are local, so we get to complete our isolation at home. 

[ehogan]

Sorry for your troubles, well wishes to all of you.  One question…since you are local, how did they get you to your home or were you allowed to go on your own?

[Ciren219]

9 hours ago, ehogan said:

Sorry for your troubles, well wishes to all of you.  One question…since you are local, how did they get you to your home or were you allowed to go on your own?

If we drove to the port, we could drive home. Since we took an Uber to the port, we needed a ride. Royal Caribbean (and all other lines) have a standing contract with a limousine company in Vancouver. Pre-pandemic, this company would pick up the ships officers and take them on a tour of the city.

 

Now, they use large shuttles to collect the COVID passengers after every cruise. 10 of us boarded a shuttle and the driver dropped guests at hotels. Afterwards, we took us home. Since we were the last dropped off, we had quite a long talk with the driver. We said every ship has COVID passengers, some much worse than others. The Discovery Princess arrived in Vancouver last week with over 100 sick guests.

[BearsAhoy]

Thank you for sharing your story. Fellow Newfoundlander here, but I live in Vancouver. I boarded Radiance on April 29. I was travelling with my parents (I had my own cabin) and left my husband and kids at home. We have all been diligent about masking and following best practices, and even with kids in two different schools, we’ve dodged Covid for 2 years.

 

I felt fine until the day we returned to Vancouver. Friday morning, I woke up feeling wheezy and with a really croaky voice. My husband had a meeting and couldn’t wait to meet the ship so he parked our car at Canada Place so I could drive my parents home rather than put them in a taxi. After dropping them off, I came straight home. I had a positive rapid test before lunch time.

 

So after a week away from my family, I’ve been quarantined in our basement. If testing day is Day Zero, then today is Day Five and I’ll test this evening to see if I can surface.

 

Of our party of three, two of us have Covid, which we obviously picked up either on the ship or in port. We were stringent about best practices, but so few people were masked in crowded spaces. (While still well under capacity, our sailing had about 1600 passengers.)

 

This is not the souvenir any of us wanted, and I’m frustrated that, after keeping my family safe for two years, I brought this virus into my home.

[sunviking90]

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s nice to hear that RCI took good care of you and your husband and good for you sticking to your guns on having them pay for hubby’s quarantine up front. I wonder how many are not informed like you and paying up front and waiting for reimbursement.

We have been on 4 cruises (Princess) since January, and luckily haven’t had Covid yet. Like you we wear kn95 masks and don’t do elevators. 
Our last 2 cruises were mask optional and few people wore them. I really feel that especially with no masking anymore on flights in the US, a lot of a

American passengers being exposed on their travel day and bringing it on board. 

[Ciren219]

5 hours ago, BearsAhoy said:

Thank you for sharing your story. Fellow Newfoundlander here, but I live in Vancouver. I boarded Radiance on April 29. I was travelling with my parents (I had my own cabin) and left my husband and kids at home. We have all been diligent about masking and following best practices, and even with kids in two different schools, we’ve dodged Covid for 2 years.

 

I felt fine until the day we returned to Vancouver. Friday morning, I woke up feeling wheezy and with a really croaky voice. My husband had a meeting and couldn’t wait to meet the ship so he parked our car at Canada Place so I could drive my parents home rather than put them in a taxi. After dropping them off, I came straight home. I had a positive rapid test before lunch time.

 

So after a week away from my family, I’ve been quarantined in our basement. If testing day is Day Zero, then today is Day Five and I’ll test this evening to see if I can surface.

 

Of our party of three, two of us have Covid, which we obviously picked up either on the ship or in port. We were stringent about best practices, but so few people were masked in crowded spaces. (While still well under capacity, our sailing had about 1600 passengers.)

 

This is not the souvenir any of us wanted, and I’m frustrated that, after keeping my family safe for two years, I brought this virus into my home.

Like you, we're been strict about mask wearing and not eating out in two years. I felt I caught COVID in Sitka and missed half my cruise. At least you got you see all your ports.

 

The majority of COVID cases on my cruise tested positive the night before disembarkation. I have to wonder how many leave the ship and test positive at the airport before trying to fly home.

 

Even though I'm still recovering from COVID, I'm not afraid to cruise again. In fact, we're booked on another Alaska cruise in July.

[tottenhamfc]

If this continues I could see Canada going back to PCR. I to was on the same cruise and I would suggest that there is a very reckless element on board. The double vax is the main criteria and the antigen was the additional measure for CDC and Canadian authorities. We masked and we attempted to social distance as best we could. Most on board thought that they were protected because of the requirements laid out by the powers to be. There was no inconvenience attached to our own measures of protection. We did not get the virus on either the first or the back to back so we are either very lucky or the additional measures help.

[daisy-mae]

13 hours ago, Ciren219 said:

 

 

Even though I'm still recovering from COVID, I'm not afraid to cruise again. In fact, we're booked on another Alaska cruise in July.

I suppose it helps to be located in the same city as the port, with the option to quarantine at home, should the need arise.

 

[BearsAhoy]

15 hours ago, tottenhamfc said:

If this continues I could see Canada going back to PCR. I to was on the same cruise and I would suggest that there is a very reckless element on board. The double vax is the main criteria and the antigen was the additional measure for CDC and Canadian authorities. We masked and we attempted to social distance as best we could. Most on board thought that they were protected because of the requirements laid out by the powers to be. There was no inconvenience attached to our own measures of protection. We did not get the virus on either the first or the back to back so we are either very lucky or the additional measures help.

We three masked in all public spaces, except when eating or drinking, and are now 3/3 positive.

 

3 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

I suppose it helps to be located in the same city as the port, with the option to quarantine at home, should the need arise.

 

Definitely. I was home and had a positive test before lunchtime. Fortunately, we have a guest suite in our basement so I’ve been able to completely keep apart from my husband and kids and cat while isolating and they’ve stayed healthy.

[Ciren219]

4 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

I suppose it helps to be located in the same city as the port, with the option to quarantine at home, should the need arise.

 

We chose Alaska for this reason. No flight, no hotel, and if we got COVID, we could isolate at home. We won't be booking another cruise for a while. We waiting to see how cruising and COVID progresses. 

[Fouremco]

4 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

I suppose it helps to be located in the same city as the port, with the option to quarantine at home, should the need arise.

 

Or a location reasonably close to the port. This is one of the reasons we are looking at a Boston-Montreal cruise. We'd drive from Ottawa, leave our car at the terminal, grab a taxi to the airport and fly to Boston. In the off chance one of us tested positive at some point, we could drive home after disembarking for our period of isolation.

[iancal]

This is exactly why we have two land based Europe trips planned for this year and no cruises.  Not even shopping for a cruise at this point in time.

[FM]

Really appreciate hearing a first-hand account of what occurred with you and your husband during your recent cruise @nlcruiser01

 

It was quite fortuitous that you had the forethought to acquaint yourself with RCL's policy re: “Refund and Cancellation Policy for COVID-19” ... one would think that the emphasis would be more towards working with passengers who have taken the opportunity to cruise with them instead of staying at home!

 

You mentioned that your husband 'received medications as required' - were the medications of the anti-viral kind approved for COVID 19 treatment such as Remdesivir?

[FM]

On 5/11/2022 at 7:29 PM, Ciren219 said:

Like you, we're been strict about mask wearing and not eating out in two years. I felt I caught COVID in Sitka and missed half my cruise. At least you got you see all your ports.

 

The majority of COVID cases on my cruise tested positive the night before disembarkation. I have to wonder how many leave the ship and test positive at the airport before trying to fly home.

 

Even though I'm still recovering from COVID, I'm not afraid to cruise again. In fact, we're booked on another Alaska cruise in July.

 

Sorry that everyone tested positive. Hoping for a speedy recovery for all.  Which cruise line are you booked with in July if you don't mind me asking. 

 

For those who have reported testing positive, the question is how mild or severe were the symptoms? It seems that most people report being healthy ... the concern is for those who are approaching their senior years 60's+ or have some other underlying health conditions and whether they should reconsider going on a cruise at this point in time. 

[Veinless]

Anyone know the Celebrity Cruises COVID Refund and Cancellation policy for Canada? I’ve only found theirs for US and Europe. 
 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/cel-covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy.pdf

[Enzma]

  This from  Canada in site https://www.celebritycruises.com scroll down to travel insurance for canadaians

Edited May 15, 2022 by Enzma

[cruisingisforme]

Thank you so much for letting us know what happened to you. We have a European cruise booked this August and after hearing what you went thru I am sorry to say we won't be going. My husband was not comfortable about going and I was ever the optimistic. I had concerns for the flight, the 3 night precruise stay and then 12 night cruise on the Jewel but thought how many are still travelling and it is ok. Just happens to a few. Different when you hear first hand what it is really like. Don't want to spend all my time in a cabin if we got sick. We are fully vaccinated and I get my 2nd booster this week but look all that you did to protect yourself and your husband still got it. I tried to convince myself we will be ok however after hearing how you had to convince RCL of their own Covid policy, sealed it for me not to go. Europe is a long way off. I do hope you both are doing well.