Predict the Date HAL will drop pre-cruise Testing for all cruises...

[albingirl]

There appears to be no end to covid.  The so-called "experts" have no idea when it will end, either. So, eliminating the requirement is risky.  To predict a date is pure speculation. 

[Sir PMP]

August 2027.

[d9704011]

2 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

August 2027.

Seems a little optimistic....

[NavyCruiser]

BOOM!!!

And it begins with NCL on Sept 3, 2022.

 

https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe

 

Age	Vaccinated	Unvaccinated
< 11 years	No testing requirement.	No testing requirement.
≥ 12 years	No testing requirement.	Proof of a medically supervised negative PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation is required.

[LMaxwell]

October 1, 2022 

[BermudaBound2014]

18 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

Here's the inside scope. Safety protocols will disappear once the experts declare that the pandemic is over. So, when is the pandemic ending? Do you really really know?
 

 

.. this comment didn't age well did it? 😉 

[bj24]

Regent has also dropped testing for vaccinated starting in Sept.  Unvacinnated will still have to test.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

2 hours ago, bj24 said:

Regent has also dropped testing for vaccinated starting in Sept.  Unvacinnated will still have to test.

 

 

NCL owns Regent and Oceana. All three are following the same protocols. 

[NavyCruiser]

Carnival, HAL's parent company, is now September 6, 2022

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carnival-cruise-line-removes-pre-cruise-testing-vaccinated

 

[julia]

8 hours ago, NavyCruiser said:

Carnival, HAL's parent company, is now September 6, 2022

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carnival-cruise-line-removes-pre-cruise-testing-vaccinated

 

Time for HAL to follow suit!!

[Wakepatrol]

On 8/4/2022 at 10:50 AM, FlaMariner said:

November 1, 2022...........

 

(Just need the testing foolishness/dance/hoops/craziness to end before we board with the family for our Thanksgiving cruise!)

I’ll let corporate know.

[NavyCruiser]

So I was 3 days off.

it's Sept 6 now...

Good news, precruise Covid testing off HAL website "News & Advisories"

 

 

Holland America Line Simplifies COVID-19 Procedures

Streamlined protocols meet public health goals while giving greater access for guests who are excited to cruise  

Seattle, Wash., Aug. 15, 2022 — Holland America Line is updating its “Travel Well” COVID-19 protocols and procedures, including requirements for vaccinations and pre-cruise testing that meet public health goals while recognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022.

Under the simplified procedures, for most voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated guests will no longer have to test before cruising and unvaccinated guests will be welcomed with a self-test within three days of sailing. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia and Greece. 

“Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “The new, simplified protocols recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19 while still ensuring we protect the health of our guests, team members and the communities we visit.”

Key changes for cruises up to 15 nights (Ages 5 and older, not including full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages):

• Vaccinated guests must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required. 
• Unvaccinated guests are welcomed aboard and must provide results of a negative medically supervised or self-test taken within three days of embarkation. 

Protocols for cruises 16 nights or longer (plus full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages, ages 5 and older):

• All guests will be required to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test with written negative result. The test must be taken within three days of embarkation.
• Guests must be vaccinated or request an exemption.  
   

Guests on longer voyages will be provided additional information about protocols based on ports visited. Guests can continue to submit documents electronically ahead of embarkation for a simple and faster check-in process. Holland America Line recommends that guests visit the TravelWell section of the company’s website for updates prior to cruise departure, as well as instructions on how to provide results of a negative test. 

[Homala]

You were very close!  This is good news, although I’ll still have to test for my cruise to Canada on Sept. 17th. I hope Canada changes their requirement soon, but I’m not holding my breath. Interesting that they changed the test requirement to three days instead of two. I wonder if that applies to sailings to Canada, too?  

[iceman93]

But the title of the thread says for ALL cruises.  So no one's prediction can be deemed the winner just yet!

[Mosaic]

So does this mean that cruises that start in the USA and go to Canada do NOT have testing requirements after Sept. 6 ????

[sunviking90]

2 hours ago, Mosaic said:

So does this mean that cruises that start in the USA and go to Canada do NOT have testing requirements after Sept. 6 ????

No, they will still have testing requirements. 

[BermudaBound2014]

This is an excellent start.

 

Currently the unvaccinated still need to test. However; some of the lines are relying on the honor system for the pre-test. Kind of how we used to do it with the health questioner. Seems a bit silly since getting a negative test result from an un-proctored test at home is incredibly easy for anyone wanting to do so. 

 

My original date of October holds. I believe pre-testing for everyone (including the unvaccinated) will be gone then.