When Will the CDC Drop Testing Requirement for Cruises?

[p18750]

9 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

This is actually a big deal for us flying to the US from the UK, we know we no longer need to test to fly thank goodness but still have the stress of arranging a test on arrival at Fort Lauderdale then it being negative to get on the ship. We are back in late August and know the requirement will still be in place then, but are hoping summer next year it will be lifted.

My wife and I talked about this many times and the requirement to test before returning was a much bigger deal than the Celebrity pre-board test. Our rationale was that if we get to Italy and test positive we will just get a VRBO and see a new part of Italy. The cost of the VRBO would be partly offset by the credit for the cruise. Also we can isolate ourselves at home for a few days before we take our Covid pre-board test (now that the requirement is two days instead of one) and increase the likelihood of a negative test. The return test was much more invasive since there is little change to isolate yourself (what is the purpose of a cruise if you self quarantine in your cabin the last 5 days so you can hopefully test negative for your flight). So while we would prefer both tests went away it is easier for us to live with the pre-board test. 

[Ipeeinthepools]

20 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

The cruise lines definitely would not want to post really any data regarding covid because it could also be negative as all cases diagnosed on board would be "blamed" on cruising.

People that cancel do so for many reasons which I agree are mostly covid related.  Remember you do not need to give a reason for canceling. 

British Columbia had a comment in the Victoria Colonist newspaper saying that they think covid cases are underreported by over 80%.

 

Ok, if it's the 5% range don't publish it but keep the testing requirement.  If it drops below 1% for an extended period of time, publish that number and start lobbying to remove the requirement.  But if it's at 5% it's in everyone's best interest to keep the pre-boarding test requirement in place.

[Bigdrinks]

10 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Ok, if it's the 5% range don't publish it but keep the testing requirement.  If it drops below 1% for an extended period of time, publish that number and start lobbying to remove the requirement.  But if it's at 5% it's in everyone's best interest to keep the pre-boarding test requirement in place.

For a lot of us, its not the pre-boarding test that’s an issue. It’s that it currently must be supervised/proctored. Remove that stipulation and it makes testing alot cheaper and easier!  

[Algebralovr]

I’m just fine with the cruise line continuing to require a negative test to board.  It isn’t that expensive, and at least it means that people who are definitely positive can’t board.  If people were truthful about how they feel, it would also help.  If you’ve had symptoms of something for the last day or two, why the heck are you boarding a cruise ship?  

The issue is that if people don’t lie about their health, they lose a LOT of $$$$.  Cruise ships (and airlines) should be more forthcoming about FCCs if someone cancels the day before or day of IF they have proof of illness from a medical provider.  

[C4HCG]

49 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Depending on the time of your flight you can still test at LHR (and probably other airports ) before you fly, unless you fly in earlier than two days before the cruise

Express testing starts at 6am

We’re spending 4 days in Fort Lauderdale before we cruise but thanks for the advice anyway.

[Cowboy296]

54 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make as we are discussing COVID testing to embark on a cruise, not for flying into the US.

Sorry Fouremco, didn't mean to upset you!. The title of the post was When Will the CDC Drop Testing Requirement for Cruises?

[Cowboy296]

6 minutes ago, Cowboy296 said:

Sorry Fouremco, didn't mean to upset you!. The title of the post was When Will the CDC Drop Testing Requirement for Cruises?

Sorry I see what you're saying now!!! I was just so excited about them dropping the requirement!!!

[C4HCG]

57 minutes ago, p18750 said:

My wife and I talked about this many times and the requirement to test before returning was a much bigger deal than the Celebrity pre-board test. Our rationale was that if we get to Italy and test positive we will just get a VRBO and see a new part of Italy. The cost of the VRBO would be partly offset by the credit for the cruise. Also we can isolate ourselves at home for a few days before we take our Covid pre-board test (now that the requirement is two days instead of one) and increase the likelihood of a negative test. The return test was much more invasive since there is little change to isolate yourself (what is the purpose of a cruise if you self quarantine in your cabin the last 5 days so you can hopefully test negative for your flight). So while we would prefer both tests went away it is easier for us to live with the pre-board test. 

Our insurance covers us for emergency accommodation and flights home so unless we foot the bill ourselves, the holiday would basically be over and all we would have is a future cruise credit. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen.

[jwlane]

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

 

Bear in mind that in some countries

Granted, but the thread title and focus specifies the CDC.

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, p18750 said:

From the posts it appears there are still a significant number of people who would not cruise without the testing this may still take a while. 

I would venture the opposite, there are just as many or more who will not cruise while the testing is a requirement. CC is never a good indication of overall cruising attitudes. I have a large circle of friends who are very experienced cruisers and more of them are not booking cruises because of the stress of showing up to board with a negative test. BTW none of our friends are members of CC.  Some very close friends and past cruise mates with us will not cruise while the testing is required. They have 15 Oceania cruises mostly in expensive suites in the past and they are no longer going to cruise.

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, Bigdrinks said:

For a lot of us, its not the pre-boarding test that’s an issue. It’s that it currently must be supervised/proctored. Remove that stipulation and it makes testing a lot cheaper and easier!  

So do you really believe that anyone who takes the home test unmonitored will be 100% honest about the results when they board? Why even have a test if this was the case.? Taking the test in your home or hotel monitored online the night before your cruise is a 15 minute ordeal and several monitoring online companies charge under $20 per test. I have 12 tests here at home that our US government sent to us for free, so all the online test will cost us $20pp.

[Ipeeinthepools]

33 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I would venture the opposite, there are just as many or more who will not cruise while the testing is a requirement. CC is never a good indication of overall cruising attitudes. I have a large circle of friends who are very experienced cruisers and more of them are not booking cruises because of the stress of showing up to board with a negative test. BTW none of our friends are members of CC.  Some very close friends and past cruise mates with us will not cruise while the testing is required. They have 15 Oceania cruises mostly in expensive suites in the past and they are no longer going to cruise.

 

Sorry we won't meet your friends for the indefinite future,  but testing to keep 5% of infected passengers off the ship is still a very good idea.

[RTShaker]

Here's the rub. Even if the CDC drops the requirements, that is no guarantee that the cruise lines will stop mandatory testing. They visit many foreign ports that may still have them. The CDC removing the requirement will be a moot point for the cruise industry.

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, Bigdrinks said:

For a lot of us, its not the pre-boarding test that’s an issue. It’s that it currently must be supervised/proctored. Remove that stipulation and it makes testing alot cheaper and easier!  

Here you go, Mr. Celebrity Check-in Person. Here's my negative test with the swab that I waved around a few inches from my nose. Only one pink line!

Edited June 11, 2022 by RichYak

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Here you go, Mr. Celebrity Check-in Person. Here's my negative test with the swab that I waved around a few inches from my nose. Only one pink line!

 

Or maybe it means you're not pregnant 

[terrydtx]

27 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Sorry we won't meet your friends for the indefinite future,  but testing to keep 5% of infected passengers off the ship is still a very good idea.

We are cruising now with my sisters and BIL's who do not like the testing but like us, if we have to, we will, because  we are all tired of wasting our few remaining prime travels years at home. My position on pre-board testing is 50/50 pro and con, we will do what is required.

Edited June 11, 2022 by terrydtx

[terrydtx]

4 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Or maybe it means you're not pregnant 

Only if the "Birthing person" is of birthing age, LOL

[dgoz]

4 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Vaccinations are a must. Testing is a good thing. At least you have some reassurance that most people are negative at the start of your cruise. However, since Celebrity doesn’t test or scan temperatures after that, it’s likely that Covid has made it on to the ship during the cruise.  Also, people on the cruise are less likely to keep distance or be Covid cautious. Crowded elevators, shared tables, pushing in lines, etc. happens.  Celebrity has its protocols which are good. Sadly, not being followed by many passengers.  Sailing now and will test after I disembark.  Just hope that I haven’t picked up Covid.  

Why would it matter if you had covid if you had to test in order to know it? Wouldn't that mean you felt fine? Not trying to be snarky. Just wondering when this starts to be treated like a cold that one gets but keeps going on with life as usual. For the record, I'm not saying go hang out in a nursing home or anything.

[wrk2cruise]

32 minutes ago, dgoz said:

Why would it matter if you had covid if you had to test in order to know it? Wouldn't that mean you felt fine?

 

If it were all about you yes all would be great.  The issue is you are carrying a highly contagious virus and are boarding a vessel with 3000-4000 other people.

 

While I understand some of the statements about severity like a cold  but I still get  pretty pissed off when someone I've come in contact with gives me a cold and I feel like crap for a few days.  People stay away if you know you are sick!   It's not "all about you"

[C4HCG]

3 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

If it were all about you yes all would be great.  The issue is you are carrying a highly contagious virus and are boarding a vessel with 3000-4000 other people.

 

While I understand some of the statements about severity like a cold  but I still get  pretty pissed off when someone I've come in contact with gives me a cold and I feel like crap for a few days.  People stay away if you know you are sick!   It's not "all about you"

So you stay at home when you catch cold?  
 

[wrk2cruise]

24 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

So you stay at home when you catch cold?  
 

 

For the most part yes.  If I catch one on a ship I stay away from other people.

 

To be completely honest would I cancel a cruise if I had a cold, probably not.  But I'd certainly take precautions to not spread, like no MDR, Bars, Theater, Casino, Excursions while I was not feeling well.

Edited June 11, 2022 by wrk2cruise

[C4HCG]

1 minute ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

For the most part yes.  If I catch one on a ship I stay away from other people.

If everyone followed your lead the world and it’s economy would grind to a halt.

[wrk2cruise]

Ignoring you now. 

[C4HCG]

2 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Ignoring you now. 

I was ignoring you before you was ignoring me 😁. Surely we can agree to disagree like adults? Maybe not.

[prmssk]

2 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Sorry we won't meet your friends for the indefinite future,  but testing to keep 5% of infected passengers off the ship is still a very good idea.

Where is this 5% coming from?  A second-hand report regarding no shows (with no information as to why they were no shows) from one ship almost a year ago?  

 

And keep in mind even if they were all related to a positive test, 1 positive test likely results in multiple no shows as travel companions (who may or may not have been exposed) also cancel/no show.