Covid now a non issue?

[luvtravel]

I know  this isn’t a popular topic - with me either, but we’re booked on a May cruise with Celebrity and really looking forward to it. I’ve noticed that there is never a mention of covid anymore on ships.   Hoping this means it hardly happens anymore on cruises .. or is it people just don’t talk about it.  Know the ships just don’t want to know in case it costs them $.  We just want to be prepared.  Thanks for any input!

[39august]

I just read a post by someone currently in quarantine on an X ship who tested posiitve. Don't remember which one. Also read a post earlier today of someone who went to medical to get pepto tablets who was also quarantined. 

[prmssk]

Covid is still everywhere.  It isn't magically staying off cruise ships.  My parents just got off a cruise (on a different line) and both tested positive for COVID when they got home.  I expect the same is happening on every ship across all cruise lines.

 

What is different is that unless ports are requiring it, cruise lines aren't testing (unless necessary), tracing, and really just don't want to know about it.

[C4HCG]

Don’t think the ships are treating Covid any different to anyone else, where I work it’s rarely mentioned, where I shop it’s not mentioned, where I socialise etc etc.  Not sure what you can do to prepare for it different to the way you always prepare for your cruises.

[mom says]

Covid is still around. 3 in my family have it at present. Covid still exists on the ships. It just isnt publicized. On our last cruise, people would suddenly disappear for 5 days, and then reappear. It's up to you to take whatever precautions you deem necessary.

[twincheryl]

Just returned from Apex and no mention of Covid and rarely saw anyone masked.  Large groups everywhere, no social distancing, etc.  Would think Covid never existed.
 

A nice “thanks for washing your hands” at OVC, but nobody saying washy-washy.  Most just walked right by the sinks.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

7 minutes ago, Tierun said:

But I see people coughing all over the ships these days.

 

You do realize that people cough for other reasons, right??

 

And I'm not saying it's a non-issue. I'm just saying there are other reasons for coughing and you shouldn't automatically assume someone coughing is positive.

 

BUT if you're super nervous about it, cruising is probably not the vacation for you at this time.

[mahdnc]

From a cruise planning standpoint for us Covid is still around.  We are hoping to do a Singapore to Hong Kong cruise in December.  Currently there are testing requirements for getting into Singapore as well as people entering the USA from China.

[jmfdr]

8 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

From a cruise planning standpoint for us Covid is still around.  We are hoping to do a Singapore to Hong Kong cruise in December.  Currently there are testing requirements for getting into Singapore as well as people entering the USA from China.

Really,  I thought i read that testing was not required to enter Singapore with proof of vaccination?  We will be there on a cruise in October

[Jim_Iain]

While it isn't spoken of much under https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety

 

You still see that test is still being required for Galapagos, Australia/New Zealand, Transatlantic / Transpacific Crossings and Caribbean itineraries (visiting Turks and Caicos)

 

Vaccines

In order to sail on a Transatlantic or Transpacific crossing with us, we will require all guests ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated. 

 

[judla]

Does X still require a proctored covid test 2 days prior to sailing?  We are scheduled for a TA in April and want to know if I need to order the kits or not.

[mahdnc]

23 minutes ago, jmfdr said:

Really,  I thought i read that testing was not required to enter Singapore with proof of vaccination?  We will be there on a cruise in October

 

I apologize.  You are right.  It is proof of a negative test or proof of vaccination.  Thanks for point this out and again, sorry for the wrong information.  Here is what is attached in my app for my United flight to Singapore.

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by mahdnc

[hrhdhd]

Just now, judla said:

Does X still require a proctored covid test 2 days prior to sailing?  We are scheduled for a TA in April and want to know if I need to order the kits or not.

Probably. See the TA requirements here: https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/transatlantic-travel-requirements

[Jim_Iain]

5 minutes ago, judla said:

Does X still require a proctored covid test 2 days prior to sailing?  We are scheduled for a TA in April and want to know if I need to order the kits or not.

Yes -  read the link I posted above.   You can do the self test and take a picture.   We will be on a B2B and being advised we will have to do a free B2B test aboard administered by Celebrity

 

If you have any of your fee tests from the governments you can use these instead of purchasing new ones.   Instructions say you can take a picture or bring the negative test with you

 

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Arizona Wildcat]

12 minutes ago, judla said:

Does X still require a proctored covid test 2 days prior to sailing?  We are scheduled for a TA in April and want to know if I need to order the kits or not.

You clearly AS OF TODAY need to test for your TA.  Does the test need to be proctored or simply a picture of a self test?  We do not know as of today.  Unclear.

FWIW we can pick up free tests at local libraries.

[cruisinfly]

1 hour ago, luvtravel said:

I know  this isn’t a popular topic - with me either, but we’re booked on a May cruise with Celebrity and really looking forward to it. I’ve noticed that there is never a mention of covid anymore on ships.   Hoping this means it hardly happens anymore on cruises .. or is it people just don’t talk about it.  Know the ships just don’t want to know in case it costs them $.  We just want to be prepared.  Thanks for any input!

People have learned to live with the risk of getting COVID. If you are vaccinated, you have a decent level of protection.

 

Our cruise last June required a negative COVID test. Nobody that I know of got COVID. For my December cruise, no test or vaccine was needed so people did board the ship with COVID and passed it on. Four out of five of my family members on our cruise in December came down with COVID on the last day or after the cruise. We're all vaccinated so didn't really get sick. The worst of us had symptoms almost like a mild cold. If you go to the onboard med-center with cold symptoms, they will likely quarantine you.

 

Yes, COVID is being passed on cruises (and on land). We live with it now thanks to vaccinations.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

31 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Yes -  read the link I posted above.   You can do the self test and take a picture.   We will be on a B2B and being advised we will have to do a free B2B test aboard administered by Celebrity

 

If you have any of your fee tests from the governments you can use these instead of purchasing new ones.   Instructions say you can take a picture or bring the negative test with you

 

 

Being a self will make it a easier , 

The online we used in August has shut down

I just pick up some test kits from Walmart in Ontario 

[Jim_Iain]

31 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

You clearly AS OF TODAY need to test for your TA.  Does the test need to be proctored or simply a picture of a self test?  We do not know as of today.  Unclear.

FWIW we can pick up free tests at local libraries.

Last updated February 6 for the TransAtlantic -  (definitely not as of today but close enough).    It clearly states you can do either -   I would assume most will just take a picture.   I've been told by those in Australia the agent checks the meta data of the picture to verify the date and time.     

 

As you indicated this can and maychange the closer we get to sailing.    It might be a good idea to pick up the tests quickly as all indication are once Biden declares the Covid Emergency is over free distribution will stop.    All indications are medicare recipients will still be able to obtained   free if doctor recommends a test.

[NutsAboutGolf]

I've sailed many times from July 2021-present, there's always been very little enforcement of anything.  For the Covid test results and vax card, 9 out of 10 times it was a second long glance.  Remember when they wanted masks in the theater?  While they posted a crew member at the entrance to hand out masks, they didn't check to see if anyone even put them on.  Casino, while the pitbosses did enforce masks at the tables, no one enforced them at slot machines.  In the beginning of the restart there were Capt announcements over the PA system if someone tested positive.  This seemingly got replaced by the capt showing up unannounced to a show to make their covid announcement; guessing this satisfied announcement requirement from corporate

[PKB]

I have four proctored tests if anyone is in the market......

[Lena11033]

I accept the risk when traveling, I'm more concerned with the fact my work knowing I was on vacation Feb 28/Mar 1 moved an event to the day after I get back from vacation 🤣

 

It's going to be interesting that's for sure, thankfully not flying out the same day the cruise ends but they are very optimistic of no flight delays and me having to drive 4-5 hours to make it into the office 😅

 

[Desert Diamond]

I’d say COVID is still very much happening. I’m the one who posted today about my husband being quarantined on the Millenium. There have been several other “star code” announcements onboard, which indicate COVID cases coming up from the medical center. Most guests probably just decide they’ve got a cold and don’t  do a self-test. We cruised a year and a half ago when masks/vaccines were still required and we felt safer. This is the world now though, at home and on cruise ships. I’m not the one with COVID but my husband has said he’s done with cruising, at least for awhile. He’s sick,  he’s locked in a room and for the money we spent, this isn’t fun. We’ll switch back to land vacations which give us more autonomy. That’s just us, your mileage may vary. 

[mpdog42]

20 minutes ago, Desert Diamond said:

I’d say COVID is still very much happening. I’m the one who posted today about my husband being quarantined on the Millenium. There have been several other “star code” announcements onboard, which indicate COVID cases coming up from the medical center. Most guests probably just decide they’ve got a cold and don’t  do a self-test. We cruised a year and a half ago when masks/vaccines were still required and we felt safer. This is the world now though, at home and on cruise ships. I’m not the one with COVID but my husband has said he’s done with cruising, at least for awhile. He’s sick,  he’s locked in a room and for the money we spent, this isn’t fun. We’ll switch back to land vacations which give us more autonomy. That’s just us, your mileage may vary. 

I wish you and you husband all the best!!

[coffeebean]

Just off the January 29 Beyond sailing. When we got home, hubby was positive for Covid with mild cold like symptoms. I tested negative. Our last cruise was just the opposite results.......after the cruise, I tested positive (with a dry cough for 2 days) and hubby remained negative.

 

Covid is endemic now which means we must live with it. Thank goodness for vaccines as neither one of us became ill with Covid. We are old too so those vaccines worked really well for us!

Edited February 8, 2023 by coffeebean

[D. B.]

3 hours ago, mom says said:

Covid is still around. 3 in my family have it at present. Covid still exists on the ships. It just isnt publicized. On our last cruise, people would suddenly disappear for 5 days, and then reappear. It's up to you to take whatever precautions you deem necessary.

Last December on Eclipse wearing a Mask was Suggested but only about 10% of us did.

 At that time those with Covid were quarantined to their Cabin for (?) days and served meals there.

 You could Tell who that was by the accumulation of room service leftovers 3 times a day.