Still covid positive at end of cruise to disembark in Italy. Experience staying onboard for next cruise?

[boblin]

According to Celebrity's European sailing rules this year, if you are still testing positive for covid at the end of your cruise disembarking in Italy, you have the option of staying onboard for the next cruise. For me, in the event of such a scenario, I would prefer to stay on the ship rather than be quarantined in an Italian quarantine hotel or make my own arrangements. Could anyone comment on whether X would allow you to stay on the ship until the end of the subsequent sailing or would they disembark you somewhere as soon as you test negative? 

[Majkman]

Oooooo.......following.

And if you are staying onboard, at what cost?

 

Keep the Seas calm, and the Sun out

 

 

Andy

[Susanb10567]

About to PIF for September Edge sailing out of Rome…have been going back and forth about what to do..but we finally decided to go for it. Glad it is still covered under Cruise with Confidence so if anything drastic changes we are covered…from what I understand you stay onboard through the next sailing..but protocols seem to be constantly changing…I was really hoping by now the test to fly back to the US would be gone.

[JFontaine]

There's a very long thread by @bananavan who tested positive on the transatlantic a few days after her husband. They stayed on for the next cruise for free, but not in the suite they originally booked. I would characterize their experience as frustrating,  uneven and unpleasant, despite having met some kind crew and officers.  She tested positive for a  long time and was isolated in the small cabin the entire time.  I'd look for her thread, but this is constantly evolving.  

[boblin]

For more information on the staying onboard for next cruise issue, read Celebrity Cruises Refund and Cancellation Policy for Covid -19, especially the section "For all Celebrity cruises scheduled to sail from the EU or the U.K. between May 1, 2022, and Nov.30, 2022 inclusive, if you test positive for Covid-19 during the voyage:

Celebrity will cover the cost of necessary covid-19 related medical treatment onboard the ship;

You and members of your travelling party may stay onboard the ship to complete any required quarantine period, without needing to  pay additional cruise fare, stateroom gratuities or taxes/fees to Celebrity for the same and

Celebrity will assist with coordinating travel arrangements to get you and members of your travelling party back home, but will not be responsible for any associated costs."

 

I do not need to test before flying home to Canada after disembarkation, but I will carry test kits with me and test myself last day before disembarkation because if I were to test positive then I would notify X, ask for a PCR test and remain their responsibility, thus being eligible to remain on the ship (i think!)  There are threads asking why X does not let people use tests they buy from X before disembarking the ship. You don't even get the test until you're on land and no longer X's responsibility.

 

Check your insurance trip interruption coverage. Many will not cover hotels, food or flight change expenses due to a positive covid diagnosis. i will have covid specific trip interruption coverage, over and above my regular insurance coverage, just to be on the safe side.

[boblin]

I followed banana van's experiences and they were truly heartrending. That's why I am sensitive to this issue. i am trying to prepare myself for any eventuality, but realize it's not really possible with things changing constantly, from 1 ship to another, from 1 country to another, etc. Italy is due to come out with some changes re: covid in June. I am watching for information that they will no longer quarantine positive pax in substandard quarantine hotels. I believe X has been required to turn over positive pax to authorities, if the pax do wish to disembark but not make their own isolation arrangements in Italy. The Italian period of quarantine can be up to 21 days, apparently. There are other threads here relating experiences of U.S. travellers who tested positive at FCO and were quarantined.

 

Pretty sure that's why X has come up with its plan to allow positive pax to stay onboard if they wish. It wouldn't work for all, but it would work for me.

[boblin]

I just see a new thread reported by klfhngr that as of today Reflection arriving in port in Civi. on Fr., Jun 3  is offering pax who want it a pre-debarkation test onboard for $65 p.p. It's only for those flying out on the 3rd. That will make a lot of Americans happy, I suppose, but might result in a few pax testing positive and then having decisions to make. klfhngr is on the ship and didn't know whether or not this applied only to Italian sailings or is  cruise line wide or even if it's permanent or not. Something X knows about Italian rules about to change soon?  Could be!

[Majkman]

boblin,

 

   Thanks for the constant updates. We are sailing on the Reflection on July 4th, and obviously we are following procedures and protocols closely....really....at this time, it's my only true concern is getting dumped back in Italy and forced to quarantine in a less than desirable location.

 

  If staying on the ship is an alternative, like you, I could make that work.

 

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out!!

 

Andy

[12cruise2]

My experience last week, in the U.S.--my DH tested positive, they require 10 days of isolation, and our second cruise did not have enough days to cover the isolation, so we had to disembark.  And, FYI, I tested positive 3 days later, while we are isolating at a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, so that's another problem--if your roommate tests positive 2-3 days after original person, do you have enough days on that second cruise to cover that person as well?  And fyi, even if roommate tests negative when you test positive, because roommate is considered a close contact, they make the close contact isolate with positive person!  So, it's only a matter of time that that person gets it and tests positive as well. . .

Edited June 1, 2022 by 12cruise2

[hrhdhd]

20 minutes ago, 12cruise2 said:

My experience last week, in the U.S.--my DH tested positive, they require 10 days of isolation, and our second cruise did not have enough days to cover the isolation, so we had to disembark.  And, FYI, I tested positive 3 days later, while we are isolating at a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, so that's another problem--if your roommate tests positive 2-3 days after original person, do you have enough days on that second cruise to cover that person as well?  And fyi, even if roommate tests negative when you test positive, because roommate is considered a close contact, they make the close contact isolate with positive person!  So, it's only a matter of time that that person gets it and tests positive as well. . .

I'm not understanding your reference to a 10-day isolation. The CDC now recommends only 5 days, with isolation ending after 5 days if fever-free and with improving symptoms. Who is "they"?

 

Edit: I assume that's Celebrity's protocol, but if your DH is improving, you should be able to rent a car and drive home in a couple of days.

Edited June 1, 2022 by hrhdhd

[12cruise2]

2 minutes ago, hrhdhd said:

I'm not understanding your reference to a 10-day isolation. The CDC now recommends only 5 days, with isolation ending after 5 days if fever-free and with improving symptoms. Who is "they"?

10 days is required for a congregate living facility, and a cruise is a congregate living facility.  The Covid Director on board told me by phone 10 days.  It's five days if you are not in a congregate living facility.

Edited June 1, 2022 by 12cruise2

[boblin]

I appreciate the input re: the U.S. based cruise, but I prefer to keep this thread based on protocols re: sailings coming and going from Italy this summer. For example , Majkman and I are both on the July 4 Reflection sailing out of Civitavecchia. This is the homeport for Reflection for the whole summer, I believe.  I realize there have only been a couple sailings in Europe by Reflection at this time, post the Transatlantic, so information is hard to come by , although there may be other X ships sailing out of Italy as well.

Thank you for the comments too re: roommates. I do understand that and it sure can get complicated. My roommate is my granddaughter, but I won't even elaborate on that!!!!!!  Yes, her parents are on the ship too.

[C-Dragons]

3 hours ago, boblin said:

I just see a new thread reported by klfhngr that as of today Reflection arriving in port in Civi. on Fr., Jun 3  is offering pax who want it a pre-debarkation test onboard for $65 p.p. It's only for those flying out on the 3rd. That will make a lot of Americans happy, I suppose, but might result in a few pax testing positive and then having decisions to make. klfhngr is on the ship and didn't know whether or not this applied only to Italian sailings or is  cruise line wide or even if it's permanent or not. Something X knows about Italian rules about to change soon?  Could be!

This is the change just announced by Italy:
 

Italy lifts all Covid entry restrictions

Wednesday, Jun 01, 2022 0

Italy has eliminated all remaining Covid entry curbs for international travellers. From June 1 unvaccinated tourists no longer need to take a test before arrival.

Travellers are no longer required to fill in a Passenger Locator Form, even if unvaccinated.

However, masks are still required in certain settings until at least 15 June, including on flights to and from Italy and on all public transport. Masks are still ‘strongly recommended’ in all indoor public places.

[boblin]

This all sounds good, I guess. I will watch for more details and maybe they will also drop the dreaded quarantine hotels  by later in June. People would still have to deal with policies specific to the airline they're travelling on, of course, but it's always good not to have government authorities telling us what to do. Gee, I'm beginning to sound like an American, aren't I?   lol.. I know Air Canada still does health checks prior to flights and , of course, I will abide by all of their protocols re covid. Random covid testing still being done for incoming passengers Canada too.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Celebrity Protocol 

 

cel-covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy as of May 13 '22.pdf

[BEAV]

5 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

 

This is the change just announced by Italy:l
 

Italy lifts all Covid entry restrictions

Wednesday, Jun 01, 2022 0

Italy has eliminated all remaining Covid entry curbs for international travellers. From June 1 unvaccinated tourists no longer need to take a test before arrival.

Travellers are no longer required to fill in a Passenger Locator Form, even if unvaccinated.

However, masks are still required in certain settings until at least 15 June, including on flights to and from Italy and on all public transport. Masks are still ‘strongly recommended’ in all indoor public places.

 

I wonder if they’re relaxing quarantine rules/restrictions, too? 🤔

[rachiem]

We've just got back from the Edge in Rome this Saturday...

I read every thread beforehand and was a bit reluctant to go.

From what we heard, 14 people had tested positive on the cruise before and had elected to stay onboard (free of charge) I think all were "released" during our week.

For our sailing they only reported 2 passenger cases and 1 crew. We were extremely lucky as we had 922 passengers  so I'm sure that kept numbers down, along with lovely weather.

We were in Rome after and there was talk that they are hoping to go with the UK rules from the 15th June (re isolation) but we will see.

Seeing such low numbers was quite sad (for X) 

We had such a fantastic cruise

[Fly and Sail]

People must be crazy to have themselves tested onboard a cruise that involves Italy as main port. Not in a million years!

[boblin]

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread, especially Rachiem who just reported on his personal experience on Edge out of Civi.  Interesting and reassuring to hear  that covid cases were few in number and that a few were allowed to say on until testing neg. Under 1000 pax. Wow! i did an informal  projected count of  pax for our July 4 sailing of Reflection and came up with a number just over 2000. I guess we'll find out soon enough what the real count is.

[Majkman]

So, all we are waiting on, and boblin, correct if I am wrong, is for Celebrity to clear that hurdle as well and drop that requirement.

 

Of course, we'll still need a negative test prior to flying back to the US, but like I said before, if I have to stay a bit longer, so be it.

 

All I have wanted to do was get on that amazing ship in a beautiful country and have a truly remarkable vacation......if I can finally let my entire part (of 10) know that no one will be left in port......break open the champagne!!!

 

Doing my best to keeping the Seas calm and the Sun out,

 

Andy

[Jim_Iain]

16 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

People must be crazy to have themselves tested onboard a cruise that involves Italy as main port. Not in a million years!

Just curious what you would do if you knew you had Covid on a cruise?    Many were tested for the B2B requirements but I certainly would self report if I had symptoms.. Hope you would be responsible and not infect others. 

 

Other question is what happens to you when you test positive in Italy when you test to fly back to Japan and find you tossed into a quarantine hotel. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[boblin]

Promise this will be my last post. Starting to breathe a little easier now, what with the relaxing of  Italian covid testing to enter the country and also a change (or at least a clarification ) of X's refund and cancellation policy for covid-19 regarding the covering of costs for changing flights purchased through FBC if a passenger tests positive for covid-19 while onboard.  X will now cover change fees and any difference in airfare cost plus make all the necessary arrangements re: flights home. I had felt that their policy earlier was confusing at best.   The cost of changes for pax who did not book their flights through FBC will not be picked up by X (no change there).So I think at least for my individual situation, X has become a little more generous in its coverage and I feel we won't have to worry about the Italian government's policy re: covid anymore either.

U.S. residents are probably a little happier about being able to test before disembarkation.

Talk about things changing quickly!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Majkman]

boblin!!!! That CANNOT be your last post!!!! You are my news source and a calming factor!! 🙂

 

I can't seem to find, has Celebrity officially stated that no pre-cruise test prior to embarkation has now been implemented? Or has all of that been eliminated from the contract?

 

I am assuming that if it hasn't yet, it will be soon.

 

Thank you for your continued updates.....hard to believe I will be on a jet 4 weeks from today heading to Rome!!!!

 

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

 

Andy

[paulh84]

3 minutes ago, Majkman said:

boblin!!!! That CANNOT be your last post!!!! You are my news source and a calming factor!! 🙂

 

I can't seem to find, has Celebrity officially stated that no pre-cruise test prior to embarkation has now been implemented? Or has all of that been eliminated from the contract?

 

I am assuming that if it hasn't yet, it will be soon.

 

Thank you for your continued updates.....hard to believe I will be on a jet 4 weeks from today heading to Rome!!!!

 

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

 

Andy

 

You still have to test before getting on the ship. No sign that is going away any time soon. At least not through summer. 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 hour ago, boblin said:

Promise this will be my last post. Starting to breathe a little easier now, what with the relaxing of  Italian covid testing to enter the country and also a change (or at least a clarification ) of X's refund and cancellation policy for covid-19 regarding the covering of costs for changing flights purchased through FBC if a passenger tests positive for covid-19 while onboard.  X will now cover change fees and any difference in airfare cost plus make all the necessary arrangements re: flights home. I had felt that their policy earlier was confusing at best.   The cost of changes for pax who did not book their flights through FBC will not be picked up by X (no change there).So I think at least for my individual situation, X has become a little more generous in its coverage and I feel we won't have to worry about the Italian government's policy re: covid anymore either.

U.S. residents are probably a little happier about being able to test before disembarkation.

Talk about things changing quickly!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you share where it is posted that US residents will be able to test before they get off the ship?