So...what exactly *are* the Covid protocols in Aus?

[adelaidefc]

I'm sure this has been addressed in comment threads and elsewhere, and perhaps even on cruise line sites. But I can't seem to find clear answers to certain scenarios, and is it different on each line?

 

I have a 4-night Carnival cruise in December. I get there'll be a vaccination declaration and masks in certain areas. But I'm still not clear on the pre-testing requirements. Are they the same as listed on the Carnival site here? i.e. a PCR within 3 days of cruise that includes full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken? A lot of places don't includes those details. 

 

It seems that if myself or my travel companion test positive prior to boarding, we can receive FCC. Test +ve onboard and you can also get some. That's fine.

 

But what's the policy on disembarkation? Are the positive cases on the Coral Princess at the moment stuck on board until the 7 day isolation is done? Or do they have to find a hotel at their expense? If I live in Canberra and have a car parked a short taxi away can I drive home if I don't stop anywhere? It seems like there's a very strong disincentive to test onboard if the outcome is significant cost, and that's not ideal from a public health perspective. 

 

I'm sure I've missed a link somewhere that explains everything.     

 

 

[Aus Traveller]

I don't have details of Carnival's COVID protocols. With Princess, passengers have to have either a PCR test within 72 hours or a RAT test within 24 hours and up-load proof of same. With the RAT test, up-load a photo of the test strip and also attest that the test was negative.

 

On the Coral, passengers who test positive are isolation. They are credited (FCC) with the pro rata amount they paid for the days of their cruise that they are in iso. While in iso, they can order meals from the MDR menu. Princess announced that if they haven't completed seven days in iso, they will be transported (free of charge) to their home if it is within two hours' drive from the terminal. If it is further, they will be accommodated in a quarantine hotel as Princess' cost to complete their seven days iso. With the Coral, people who tested positive and who had a car parked at the terminal, were escorted to their car so they could drive home to complete their iso.

 

P.S. I don't know if Carnival Cruises has announced their COVID policy yet, and that's why I mentioned the details from Princess. As both cruise lines are owned by Carnival Corp, Carnival Cruises' policy could be similar to Princess'.

Edited July 15, 2022 by Aus Traveller

[MicCanberra]

It is a ever moving policy, by December, who knows if a pre test is even required.

[arxcards]

Carnival has yet to announce their Australian policies, as lots could change between now and when they begin sailings. 

 

So far, P&O and Princess have resumed cruising, and their protocols are based on the Eastern Seaboard Cruise Protocols (NSW, QLD, VIC). 

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/Eastern-Seaboard-Cruise-Protocols.pdf

 

If Carnival were cruising here tomorrow, they would have the same requirements as Princess and P&O, so that is more accurate than the US based rules for Carnival. One distinct difference is that you don't need to pay for a supervised (travellers) covid test. Check out these FAQs, and that will offer a guide:

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

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/au-cruises/

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, adelaidefc said:

But what's the policy on disembarkation? Are the positive cases on the Coral Princess at the moment stuck on board until the 7 day isolation is done? Or do they have to find a hotel at their expense? If I live in Canberra and have a car parked a short taxi away can I drive home if I don't stop anywhere? It seems like there's a very strong disincentive to test onboard if the outcome is significant cost, and that's not ideal from a public health perspective. 

 

I'm sure I've missed a link somewhere that explains everything.     

 

 

This could differ slightly state by state. In your scenario, you would be allowed to drive home directly, although I am not sure of the taxi ride. They should have a way of getting you to your car.

 

PS: That would be if you are feeling well enough to do so.

Edited July 15, 2022 by arxcards

[adelaidefc]

This board is absolutely fantastic. Appreciate the helpful responses and advice. 

It's definitely a moving feast right now so whatever the protocols are this month, may be different later. 

13 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Carnival has yet to announce their Australian policies, as lots could change between now and when they begin sailings. 

 

So far, P&O and Princess have resumed cruising, and their protocols are based on the Eastern Seaboard Cruise Protocols (NSW, QLD, VIC). 

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/Eastern-Seaboard-Cruise-Protocols.pdf

 

This seems to directly answer my biggest question regarding disembarking and driving home if positive. Section 14.1:

"Cases and their close contacts will be able to drive home if they have their private transport at the port and are well enough to travel. Private transport does not include taxi, rideshare or public transport."

[Elorac123]

34 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

It is a ever moving policy, by December, who knows if a pre test is even required.

Or on the dark flip side if we’ll be cruising. We won’t if the media has anything to do with it.

Cheers Carole

[MicCanberra]

9 minutes ago, Elorac123 said:

Or on the dark flip side if we’ll be cruising. We won’t if the media has anything to do with it.

Cheers Carole

Media are only looking for the next pay day, cruise lines will pay to sweeten their stance again.

[Pobman]

Carnival have published their version, though the details of refunds are still blank at the moment. Just have to wait and see what they finalise on, plus no doubt going to be changes by December anyway as its all so fluid:
 

https://www.carnival.com.au/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_040122

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by Pobman

[Pobman]

Seems they have blanked the whole protocols thing now... it was all there 20 minutes ago.

[adelaidefc]

18 hours ago, Pobman said:

Seems they have blanked the whole protocols thing now... it was all there 20 minutes ago.

 

Seems to be mostly back now, and they also just sent me an email with similar details. It's like they were watching.... ☺️

 

That said, there's nowhere near as much detail at this stage as there is on the Princess site or the NSW Health pdf linked above. 

 

I was impressed that Princess stated they had PCR testing capability onboard. And both Princess and Carnival have said that initial medical centre consults and treatment for Covid related issues will not be charged. 

[OzKiwiJJ]

38 minutes ago, adelaidefc said:

I was impressed that Princess stated they had PCR testing capability onboard. And both Princess and Carnival have said that initial medical centre consults and treatment for Covid related issues will not be charged. 

Someone elsewhere who contracted Covid and was isolated onboard posted that Princess told him that they would charge him for anything more than panadol to treat Covid symptoms. He didn't specify what other treatment he was expecting though.

 

As far as I know standard painkillers are the only recommended treatment to relieve symptoms though. I did read an article in the early days of Covid that stated alternating paracetemol (ie Panadol) with ibuprofen (ie Nurofen) was the most effective. 

 

I wonder if Princess has anti-virals onboard?

[MMDown Under]

34 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Someone elsewhere who contracted Covid and was isolated onboard posted that Princess told him that they would charge him for anything more than panadol to treat Covid symptoms. He didn't specify what other treatment he was expecting though.

 

As far as I know standard painkillers are the only recommended treatment to relieve symptoms though. I did read an article in the early days of Covid that stated alternating paracetemol (ie Panadol) with ibuprofen (ie Nurofen) was the most effective. 

 

I wonder if Princess has anti-virals onboard?

My friend who has covid is isolated on her own at home.  She was given anti virals.  She was told by Telehealth nurse to up her puffer dosage to three times a day.  The nurse told her she would be in hospital if she wasn't up to date with her boosters.  

[MicCanberra]

It affects people differently, one will be ill, another won't. You won't know until it happens 

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

My friend who has covid is isolated on her own at home.  She was given anti virals.  She was told by Telehealth nurse to up her puffer dosage to three times a day.  The nurse told her she would be in hospital if she wasn't up to date with her boosters.  

From what I read the other day that anti-virals are only available to certain groups of people ie immune-compromised, older folk 70+, etc. They are very expensive normally and are still in relatively short supply, I think. 

 

But apart from those, and in your friend's case increasing usage of her puffer, there isn't much else that can help battle Covid except over the counter painkillers, and perhaps throat lozenges to soothe a sore throat. 

 

That's why I couldn't understand why the person who was whinging elsewhere was complaining about. What "treatment" did he expect to get that wasn't what Princess provide free for Covid patients?

[adelaidefc]

28 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

 

That's why I couldn't understand why the person who was whinging elsewhere was complaining about. What "treatment" did he expect to get that wasn't what Princess provide free for Covid patients?

 

Absolutely. I travel a bit and take most of my "Covid kit" with me these days. A few RATs, pulse oximeter, thermometer, hydralyte, Ventolin, Symbicort, painkillers and some throat lozenges. That's all I used when I got Covid a few months ago. Pulse oximeter and thermometer is a good idea to give you an indication if you should be concerned about your vitals and seek further treatment.

 

If you're in a high enough risk category that you should be on antivirals at first sign of infection, you probably shouldn't be on a cruise.

[arxcards]

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Someone elsewhere who contracted Covid and was isolated onboard posted that Princess told him that they would charge him for anything more than panadol to treat Covid symptoms. He didn't specify what other treatment he was expecting though.

 

As far as I know standard painkillers are the only recommended treatment to relieve symptoms though. I did read an article in the early days of Covid that stated alternating paracetemol (ie Panadol) with ibuprofen (ie Nurofen) was the most effective. 

 

I wonder if Princess has anti-virals onboard?

According to Marguerite Fitzgerald, they do, or at least quoted as covid medications. I don't know if their protocols for dispensing are based on US or Australian guidelines, but they are generally of benefit to high risk patients, or those developing a serious illness. Not of much benefit if you only have a cough and a sniffle when testing positive.

https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/carnival-cruises-boss-speaks-about-coral-princess-covid-19-cases/cl5j56c1j000n0jntojfkxzq4

 

[arxcards]

54 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

From what I read the other day that anti-virals are only available to certain groups of people ie immune-compromised, older folk 70+, etc. They are very expensive normally and are still in relatively short supply, I think. 

 

But apart from those, and in your friend's case increasing usage of her puffer, there isn't much else that can help battle Covid except over the counter painkillers, and perhaps throat lozenges to soothe a sore throat. 

 

That's why I couldn't understand why the person who was whinging elsewhere was complaining about. What "treatment" did he expect to get that wasn't what Princess provide free for Covid patients?

My first thought when I read the complaint - why would Princess be carrying a stock of ventolin puffers for their already diagnosed asthma?

[Aus Traveller]

21 minutes ago, arxcards said:

My first thought when I read the complaint - why would Princess be carrying a stock of ventolin puffers for their already diagnosed asthma?

When we had COVID in April, the Telehealth doctor I spoke to said that they prescribe Ventolin for all COVID patients, whether or not they have previously-diagnosed asthma.

[possum52]

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

From what I read the other day that anti-virals are only available to certain groups of people ie immune-compromised, older folk 70+, etc. They are very expensive normally and are still in relatively short supply, I think. 

 

But apart from those, and in your friend's case increasing usage of her puffer, there isn't much else that can help battle Covid except over the counter painkillers, and perhaps throat lozenges to soothe a sore throat. 

 

That's why I couldn't understand why the person who was whinging elsewhere was complaining about. What "treatment" did he expect to get that wasn't what Princess provide free for Covid patients?

When we had Covid in May, we were instructed to take paracetamol, take our temperature regularly and use the oximeter (provided by our local health authority) at least daily.  I also used my ventolin inhaler at night and really didn't need to use it at other times. I also used throat lozenges for the first couple of days of symptoms as I had a sore throat.

 

59 minutes ago, adelaidefc said:

 

Absolutely. I travel a bit and take most of my "Covid kit" with me these days. A few RATs, pulse oximeter, thermometer, hydralyte, Ventolin, Symbicort, painkillers and some throat lozenges. That's all I used when I got Covid a few months ago. Pulse oximeter and thermometer is a good idea to give you an indication if you should be concerned about your vitals and seek further treatment.

 

We are off to Cairns Monday week and I have put a Covid kit together too. 

[MicCanberra]

I was lucky when I had covid, a bit of sinus congestion was all it was. No headache, cough, runny nose or anything.

[OzKiwiJJ]

2 hours ago, adelaidefc said:

 

Absolutely. I travel a bit and take most of my "Covid kit" with me these days. A few RATs, pulse oximeter, thermometer, hydralyte, Ventolin, Symbicort, painkillers and some throat lozenges. That's all I used when I got Covid a few months ago. Pulse oximeter and thermometer is a good idea to give you an indication if you should be concerned about your vitals and seek further treatment.

 

If you're in a high enough risk category that you should be on antivirals at first sign of infection, you probably shouldn't be on a cruise.

Other than things like Ventolin and Symbicort our medical kit has everything else that would be needed if we caught Covid onboard. Fingers crossed we won't need that stuff though.

Edited July 16, 2022 by OzKiwiJJ

[NSWP]

On 7/16/2022 at 11:53 AM, OzKiwiJJ said:

Someone elsewhere who contracted Covid and was isolated onboard posted that Princess told him that they would charge him for anything more than panadol to treat Covid symptoms. He didn't specify what other treatment he was expecting though.

 

As far as I know standard painkillers are the only recommended treatment to relieve symptoms though. I did read an article in the early days of Covid that stated alternating paracetemol (ie Panadol) with ibuprofen (ie Nurofen) was the most effective. 

 

I wonder if Princess has anti-virals onboard?

Probably at a price.$$$$$$$$$$