Gransnet forums

Chat

Cruise and Covid

(87 Posts)
Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 19:53:58

We are booked on a flight to Barcelona this weekend prior to a Med cruise. Today we have both tested positive to Covid. We contacted the cruise line for advice and they told us that we don't need to test and can board as planned. I am surprised to say the least. What do you think? Would you go?

LOUISA1523 Wed 17-Aug-22 20:06:10

I would go regardless of whether I needed to test or not ( I've had covid twice now).....I wouldn't go if I had covid..... 2 different things....I wouldn't judge you one way or the other tho

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 17-Aug-22 20:08:03

No.

Casdon Wed 17-Aug-22 20:10:17

You can’t fly to Spain without a negative Covid test proof can you?

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 20:12:54

As far as we understand we don't need to test at all.

moggiek Wed 17-Aug-22 20:19:34

Can I ask which cruise company you’re travelling with?

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 17-Aug-22 20:19:36

I have no idea of the current requirements for a flight to Spain but I certainly wouldn’t want to be on a plane or a cruise with you. Please think of others for whom covid could be very serious. I’m horrified that the cruise line think it’s ok - they would be in breach of their duty of care to other passengers if they allowed you on board knowing you have covid.

Fleurpepper Wed 17-Aug-22 20:21:59

I am very sorry to hear. But honestly, I would report the Cruise Company. If you have tested positive, you will be contagious.

This is so irresponsible of them. Sorry to say, but of you too, if you decide to go.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 20:34:52

Let me say clearly that I have no intention of going. I am however, horrified that because there is no testing required, someone who is positive can board. We were told that if we report any symptoms once on board and we are then tested and positive, we will be confined to our cabin for the remainder of the cruise.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 17-Aug-22 20:36:27

We went on a cruise 4 weeks ago and had to have a negative PCR test. The cruise company gave us a list of private facilities they would accept.

Sorry there is no way I would go on a cruise with that attitude to Covid.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 17-Aug-22 20:39:34

Lynker

Let me say clearly that I have no intention of going. I am however, horrified that because there is no testing required, someone who is positive can board. We were told that if we report any symptoms once on board and we are then tested and positive, we will be confined to our cabin for the remainder of the cruise.

I doubt if you will be confined to the cabin you have booked if you/anyone were to test positive once you have set sail.

The company we cruised with had Covid Cabins on a lower deck all together so that they could ensure those testing positive remained in their cabins, and could be monitored.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 21:00:43

To make matters worse, to get a refund, I need to provide a certified positive test result, taken by a third party. I have contacted my GP, my local pharmacy, a national pharmacy chain and 119....all without success. Does anyone know where I can get such a test, when I'm supposed to be isolating? Both insurance company and cruise line require this.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 17-Aug-22 21:04:18

Lynker

To make matters worse, to get a refund, I need to provide a certified positive test result, taken by a third party. I have contacted my GP, my local pharmacy, a national pharmacy chain and 119....all without success. Does anyone know where I can get such a test, when I'm supposed to be isolating? Both insurance company and cruise line require this.

We had to go to a private pop-up clinic, try Googling private test centres in your area.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 21:17:51

Thank you GrannyGravy13, I found a pop up test centre near me....but you can't go if you've got Covid.

Fleurpepper Wed 17-Aug-22 21:23:37

How did you test originally. Home self test?

I am relieved to hear you have no intention of going. A) because you could become sicker on board and B) because you are likely to be close to people who are particularly vulnerable.

You really need to speak to the Health Authorities for advice on where to test- and to name and shame the Company so they can be stopped.

Fleurpepper Wed 17-Aug-22 21:29:39

You should be able to order a PCR test on line.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 21:41:15

I have contacted my GP, who suggested a national pharmacy chain. They couldn't help, then I rang our local pharmacy. They suggested that I registed my positive test on the Covid 19 app...which I did. I then got an email from NHS to say I am positive. But I knew that anyway. I then managed to find someone in a larger pharmacy ( her phone went flat just after she'd said they couldn't help). She did suggest I ring 119....which I did. After lots of unsuitable suggestions, the last one was go to a testing centre, but then she said they've all closed down. She did apologise.
I have found a pop up site near me, but it's not for people with symptoms or Covid.
I have just wondered if a failed 'fit to fly' test might suffice?....but I don't suppose they will test you if you are positive.....and I'm supposed to be staying in!

NotSpaghetti Wed 17-Aug-22 21:42:31

You can get a test which is monitored online but not sure how quickly the results come.
You may be able to do a drive-through somewhere.

I would look at who is offering fast services at airports too.

Fleurpepper Wed 17-Aug-22 21:43:55

Order test by post.

But I am seriously concerned that there are people about to go on that cruise, who have no idea that the Company is telling people who have tested for Covid to just come along.

This is serious and needs to be exposed.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 21:46:20

Fleurpepper...do you think that would be considered as a third party test and appropriate for the insurance,/cruise? If so, that would be great..thank you.

maddyone Wed 17-Aug-22 21:47:58

Two of my friends have recently been on cruises and both had to provide a negative test before boarding, and it couldn’t be a self test done at home. Those companies were Holland America and Princess. Just so posters can be aware of which companies are behaving responsibly. OP I feel you should name the company you were going to travel with, they should be named and shamed.
At the moment we’re avoiding cruises, but we have flown, and in a week we’ll travel by ferry to France to join our son and family in a house he’s booked in Brittany. We’ll certainly test at home before we go, and we won’t travel if positive. The same will apply when we fly to Greece later in September and when we fly to New Zealand in November. If an official test is required for the NZ flight we’ll obviously do that as well.

Fleurpepper Wed 17-Aug-22 21:48:29

I think so- but check with them. In the meantime, can you video yourselves with date, taking a home test, and then the result. Make sure you have something with date on it, phone or computer, next to the test, and show the room too.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 21:57:28

I really don't want to name the cruise line, but if you ask about testing requirements prior to booking and boarding and you are told that there are none........we had no idea about this...we do need Covid passes, but in this situation they are irrelevant.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 17-Aug-22 22:04:59

You really should name the cruise line. They are endangering the lives of vulnerable passengers. A lot of frail and elderly people go on cruises - please consider that.

Lynker Wed 17-Aug-22 22:05:51

Just wanted to add that on Sunday we flew into UK from Portugal....we were the only 2 people in the airport with masks on...same on the plane ( including staff)..and we got Covid.