If we test positive on the ship...

[HelenaCruiser2012]

... I'm assuming we wouldn't be allowed to fly home as planned, but would we be allowed to rent a car and drive home?  We never thought we'd still be dealing with COVID issues at this point but after reading the Symphony thread today - and we're going on Symphony on Sept 3rd - our heads are spinning.  Thanks for your help.

[klfrodo]

In all honest, they just want you off the ship so you are no longer their problem.

 

Having said that, there are a couple of issues you need to think of. Could come back to bite you.

 

Number 1. When checking in online pre-cruise, they usually ask about flights. Myself, I leave that blank.

Number 2. If thinking you can rent the car and then file for reimbursement from travel insurance. That is not always a successful endeavor.

[HelenaCruiser2012]

Thanks klfrodo, appreciate the input.  I didn't realize check-in asks about flights.  Also I wasn't even thinking about reimbursement for a rental car (although that would be good), my husband and I were wondering if we would be allowed to rent one and drive back to NJ or if we would have to quarantine in FL until we tested negative - does the cruise line contact govt officials onshore with a list of pax who are positive, and they're there at the dock to meet us coming off the ship?  Just trying to figure out the logisitcs I guess like everyone else.  We've booked and re-booked a few cruises (and other vacations) since March 2020 and neither one of us wants to think about canceling this one, I don't even know that we could without losing a lot of $$ this close to the cruise date.

[Tlbecker1]

2 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Thanks klfrodo, appreciate the input.  I didn't realize check-in asks about flights.  Also I wasn't even thinking about reimbursement for a rental car (although that would be good), my husband and I were wondering if we would be allowed to rent one and drive back to NJ or if we would have to quarantine in FL until we tested negative - does the cruise line contact govt officials onshore with a list of pax who are positive, and they're there at the dock to meet us coming off the ship?  Just trying to figure out the logisitcs I guess like everyone else.  We've booked and re-booked a few cruises (and other vacations) since March 2020 and neither one of us wants to think about canceling this one, I don't even know that we could without losing a lot of $$ this close to the cruise date.

You can rent a car and drive yourselves without any issues.  Also, they don’t ask for you flight information anymore when you check in for cruises.

[HelenaCruiser2012]

3 minutes ago, Tlbecker1 said:

You can rent a car and drive yourselves without any issues.  Also, they don’t ask for you flight information anymore when you check in for cruises.

Thanks Tlbecker1, so if positive on the ship can we disembark with everyone else and go about our lives then??  Not that we would but we could even get on a plane?

[Tlbecker1]

3 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Thanks Tlbecker1, so if positive on the ship can we disembark with everyone else and go about our lives then??  Not that we would but we could even get on a plane?

Hopefully, someone that has been in this situation can comment.  We have cruised several times, but we have stayed healthy.  People have posted about disembarking early and renting a car to get home.  Others have quarantined in hotels before taking their flights home.

[firefly333]

18 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Thanks Tlbecker1, so if positive on the ship can we disembark with everyone else and go about our lives then??  Not that we would but we could even get on a plane?

If you tested positive on the ship you will be quarantined. If you want to know bring some of those free tests you can order and test yourself. Then decide what you feel like doing. Rcl doesnt follow up on you so really they wouldnt know what you did after you got off. They cant force you to quarantine. 

 

If you test positive on the ship you will disembark separate from the others.

Edited July 11, 2022 by firefly333

[HelenaCruiser2012]

OK thank you so much for the info!  I never thought a vacation could be so stressful. 

[Tatka]

18 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

OK thank you so much for the info!  I never thought a vacation could be so stressful. 

 

Trust me, there is nothing stressful about cruising now. Maybe this test to get on cruise. Have a great cruise. Don't think about Covid. Just keep reasonable precautions.

[katiel53]

1 hour ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

... I'm assuming we wouldn't be allowed to fly home as planned, but would we be allowed to rent a car and drive home?  We never thought we'd still be dealing with COVID issues at this point but after reading the Symphony thread today - and we're going on Symphony on Sept 3rd - our heads are spinning.  Thanks for your help.

Which Symphony thread?

[Jimbo]

16 minutes ago, katiel53 said:

Which Symphony thread?

The one where you mention the word Covid and then it either gets locked or deleted.

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

I'm assuming we wouldn't be allowed to fly home as planned

There's no testing requirement to get on a plane domestically.

[Quirky Cruiser]

We traveled on the Harmony last month and my youngest son tested positive on the re-entry test for unvaccinated children on our last sea day. He was completely asymptomatic. If you test positive on the ship, as of today's policies (I will say this because I think they are very fluid at this point) you would be quarantined in a different location on the ship. You do not disembark with the regular passengers. You are escorted off the ship with the rest of your party onto the dock along with the rest of the isolated passengers and family members. Immigration is on the dock and they do have a list of people, but they don't ask anything (or at least in our case) about how you are traveling home. Royal will provide you with a letter that explains what they will cover as far as lodging, transportation, meals, etc and how you will be reimbursed. We lived within driving distance, so we were escorted to the parking garage, but nobody really follows you once you are off the ship. At that point, it is up to you to figure out what you will do and when you will travel. I guess it would be the honor system. Also, we have cruised many times in the past and while we used to have to put our information as to how we were traveling to and from the port, we didn't have to on this last cruise. Try to take a deep breath and realize that Covid is everywhere now and not just on cruise ships. You have just as good of a chance catching it at the supermarket. It's just a risk you have to assume, but don't let it ruin your cruise thinking about it. September is two months away and honestly, lots can happen in that timeframe...

[cruiseboy89130]

Just don't do a test on the ship and there is no way to be positive! Why risk being positive on the ship - skip all testing once you are on!

 

[reallyitsmema]

3 hours ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

... I'm assuming we wouldn't be allowed to fly home as planned, but would we be allowed to rent a car and drive home?  We never thought we'd still be dealing with COVID issues at this point but after reading the Symphony thread today - and we're going on Symphony on Sept 3rd - our heads are spinning.  Thanks for your help.

 

Yes, renting a car and driving home is one of the options.  They currently will reimburse $100/day for the car, I think, I will look for my letter.  Currently, CDC says you need to isolate for 5 day and then if you are symptom free, wear a mask for 5 days.  Royal Caribbean will reimburse you $250/day for hotel and $100/day for food if you have to isolate after you disembark the ship.  They will arrange transportation from the ship to the hotel you have to book on your own.  If this happens, make sure you call the hotel directly to confirm they have started room service again.  I had to isolate in Seattle and not all hotels are doing room service yet.  They will also issue a refund for the period of your quarantine on the ship.

 

All of this is the current process.  Not sure what will happen for a September sailing.

[taglovestocruise]

11 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Just don't do a test on the ship and there is no way to be positive! Why risk being positive on the ship - skip all testing once you are on!

 

Exactly, they only test if you run off to medical and turn yourself in.  Covid is now so mild very few even care anymore.

[Tatka]

33 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Just don't do a test on the ship and there is no way to be positive! Why risk being positive on the ship - skip all testing once you are on!

 

 

Which are none unless you request.

[Biker19]

34 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Why risk being positive on the ship -

Someone may want to quarantine and get a pro rated refund. 

[denamo]

Got to feeling awful overnight before disembarkation.  Called medical about 6 AM and went to get tested.  I knew there was no way I was in any condition to fly home.  Test came back positive.  Received a letter stating Royal would reimburse for hotel, meals, and flight change fees. You are responsible for making hotel arrangements.  

 

Our biggest headache was getting luggage since we had put it out the night before. Royal had a driver to take us to a hotel, but we had to wait about an hour plus before customs would release luggage to us. Since they had escorted us off the ship via back passages, we had no access to get our luggage, and once out of the terminal, they would not allow my husband to go back in to get our luggage. He stood outside, and they eventually brought it to him.

 

In the days that followed, no one ever checked to see if we were in quarantine. Didn't really matter, since no way did I feel like getting on an airplane. I did send all of our receipts, a copy of the positive results I had received from medical,  plus a copy of the letter from Royal once we were back home.  I had used a credit card for all of it, and my card was credited for the full amount.  I find that very generous on Royal's part. 

[little britain]

19 hours ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Thanks Tlbecker1, so if positive on the ship can we disembark with everyone else and go about our lives then??  Not that we would but we could even get on a plane?

You’re on holiday. Stop sticking earbuds up your nose and enjoy yourselves 🤷‍♀️

[Sunshine3601]

20 hours ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

... I'm assuming we wouldn't be allowed to fly home as planned, but would we be allowed to rent a car and drive home?  We never thought we'd still be dealing with COVID issues at this point but after reading the Symphony thread today - and we're going on Symphony on Sept 3rd - our heads are spinning.  Thanks for your help.

No need for head to spin.  The % of passengers is low.  Some find out after they get home since it can take 5 days before symptoms start, if any.

We have been on 4 cruises this year and my DH is immuno suppressant and we were both fine.   Just take whatever precautions you want to feel comfortable.  I.e.We hate full elevators, pre covid and now, so avoided them when possible.   We sat in the rear of the theater, we always do anyway.   

 

[ace2542]

19 hours ago, firefly333 said:

If you tested positive on the ship you will be quarantined. If you want to know bring some of those free tests you can order and test yourself. Then decide what you feel like doing. Rcl doesnt follow up on you so really they wouldnt know what you did after you got off. They cant force you to quarantine. 

 

If you test positive on the ship you will disembark separate from the others.

If you want to leave I doubt they could keep you? Might give you a life ban for refusing the quarantine but you would be off the ship?

[Mum2Mercury]

20 hours ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

We never thought we'd still be dealing with COVID issues at this point

Yeah, I remember the last day we were "at school" pre-Covid -- it was Friday the 13th.  Teachers and students were all told we'd be out for a week, then we'd be online for a week -- teachers stayed late picking out what they should take home /made multiple trips to their cars.  Students were thrilled.  

 

Another teacher and I were scheduled to keep After School Detention in the cafeteria.  He and I agreed this Covid thing might last two, three weeks.  He and I have laughed at our past-selves multiple times since then -- but that day it seemed realistic.  

17 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Covid is now so mild very few even care anymore.

Disagree.  If you're vaxxed, the virus itself may be mild and short, but the ongoing symptoms can last up to 12 weeks.  For me, that was much worse than the 3-4 days in which I was actually positive.  

21 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

If you want to leave I doubt they could keep you?

I was going to say the same thing.  Yes, they can quarantine you on the ship, and I think we all agree that -- if you're positive -- that's best for everyone else.  But they cannot keep you prisoner, and I don't think they want to do so.    

18 hours ago, Quirky Cruiser said:

You have just as good of a chance catching it at the supermarket. It's just a risk you have to assume, but don't let it ruin your cruise thinking about it.

Eh, disagree.  You're at the supermarket for a short time, and you're not sitting down /lingering near people.  On a cruise you're more contained, and you're more likely to stay near people for 15 minutes +.  That's why Covid went through the schools -- students sit in small classrooms for 90 minutes at a time; it's a recipe for catching the virus.  

 

But I agree that you shouldn't let fear ruin your cruise.  Just use common sense and reasonable precautions.  

 

In conclusion, we've already set aside a 4-pack of tests to take with us -- but, if we feel we need testing, we're going to do it in the privacy of our own cabin.  If we're positive, we'll 'fess up and take the ship's services -- but, if it's just a cough or a matter of allergies, we won't be on anyone's radar. 

Edited July 12, 2022 by Mum2Mercury

[ace2542]

19 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I was going to say the same thing.  Yes, they can quarantine you on the ship, and I think we all agree that -- if you're positive -- that's best for everyone else.  But they cannot keep you prisoner, and I don't think they want to do so

Could they refuse to allow you to leave at a port that did not require a negative test to enter or a port? You can't get off the ship without the keycard being swiped and I think if you forced the issue a life ban and possible criminal charges and or deportation from the country of docking might follow?

[tmoore4075]

I can guarantee you there were plenty of people on my Quantum sailing the week of June 20th who had covid (judging by the coughing) and weren't reporting it. A lot of it is on the honor system. We didn't test positive until the night we got home, which means we were probably passing it around the ship without knowing it. I tested negative a couple days before when I had a scratchy throat. There is no clear answer for you. People who say #'s on ships are low, no...reported #'s are low. Again, I was negative on day 5 and then flew home and tested on which was day 7 and was positive. So I had it on the ship but am not included in their numbers and neither are any people who ignored their symptoms. Cases everywhere seem to be going up everywhere. So enjoy the trip and try to relax and take the precautions you feel comfortable with. I agree with taking some at-home tests with you and then make your decision. Had I tested positive on the ship at the time, I probably would have said something but looking back now and hearing some of the horror stories of people dealing with quarantine and getting off the ship, I'm not sure. To be fair, some people had great experiences too but I always expect the worst. All these rules that cruise lines put in, won't do much if everyone isn't following them. So if you get it and feel like following the rules, just remember there will be plenty of people who won't be.