What types of COVID-19 tests are accepted?
The following formats are acceptable proofs of a negative COVID-19 test: paper negative COVID-19 test results (original only), digital or emailed COVID-19 test results; or record of COVID-19 testing from a healthcare provider including original digital email notification or personal electronic health record. The negative COVID-19 test result must include:
• Where the test was administered, including information such as the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test
• Type of test (indicating it is a PCR or antigen test)
• A specimen collection date that meets the pre-embarkation testing requirements
• Guest’s name and either date of birth, age, or passport number
• A negative test result using words or phrases including:
· Negative
· Undetectable
· SARS-CoV-2 RNA not detected
· SARS-CoV-2 antigen not detected
· COVID-19 not detected
· Not reactive
Test results marked “invalid” are not accepted.
For medically observed self-tests:
The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection.
The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
For cruises not visiting Australia that allow an at-home, self-administered Antigen test, guests should take a photo of their test result with their mobile device. Their full names, date and time of test should be written on, or next to the test device result like the below:
First Name: _____________________
Last Name: ______________________
Date of Birth: ____________________
Date the self-test was taken: ____________________
Self-test type: ___Antigen ___PCR
Place self-test device below:
For cruises visiting Australia that allow an at-home, self-administered Antigen COVID-19 test (RAT), guests should take one photo with their mobile device that meets all of the criteria outlined below:
Negative RAT test next to the guest’s government issued photo ID with a clock showing the time the test was complete (a wristwatch, mobile phone screen or a wall clock, etc.).
Where can I get a viral COVID-19 test near me?
Contact your nearest health center, pharmacy, state health department, pre-cruise hotel, or transiting airports to learn more about their availability for COVID-19 testing.
We have partnered with Optum and Radeas so that U.S.-based guests can order an FDA-authorized at-home antigen test kit, shipped to your door in 3 business days or less. These at-home tests include a personal virtually video-supervised visit with an eMed Certified Guide through telehealth services. These guides will help you properly administer the test and verify the results within 15 minutes. The lab result report is delivered via email and can be printed or displayed on your mobile device during check-in. Please place your order no more than two weeks prior to boarding. Order your Optum test kit online or Radeas kit online here.
Curative provides testing via drive-throughs, kiosks, or mobile sites and receives your results digitally in 1-2 days. You will be able to find a location and schedule a service at one of their 10,000 sites by visiting Curative.
Another testing option may be available for guests who are having trouble getting a pre-cruise testing appointment on select voyages. For voyages departing from Greece through November 2022, we will be able to provide a limited number of antigen self-administered tests at a cost of $20 per person. Testing will take place on embarkation day at the cruise terminal. Test availability is subject to inventory restrictions and guests should make all attempts to secure required testing prior to arrival at the terminal.
What if I don’t receive my test results back in time?
Guests who arrive without a negative test result will risk denied boarding or delayed embarkation. The terminal team members will do their best to direct guests to a local testing facility but cannot guarantee availability or test results in time for embarkation.
For Australia, all guests must obtain a negative pre-embarkation test result to board. Rapid-Antigen Tests are readily available at major supermarkets, pharmacies & airports with results back in as little as 15 minutes. These at home, self-administered tests are the quickest way to return a result and are accepted as requirement for embarkation.
Will I still need a pre-cruise test before embarkation if I have recently recovered from COVID-19?
Guests that tested positive for COVID-19 in the 6 to 90 days prior to embarkation should be ready to show evidence of their positive COVID-19 viral test (antigen or PCR) laboratory results at embarkation, in place of any required pre-embarkation tests (if applicable). Guests that do not have laboratory evidence of their positive test will be required to show evidence of a negative test that meets the testing requirements of their voyage.
Exceptions may apply for asymptomatic guests who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of their embarkation if they are at least 5 days past their COVID-19 infection, are fully recovered with no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19 infection. Guests are required to be on day 6 on their recovery from COVID-19 in order to embark on their cruise.
Documentation of Recovery consists of the following:
· Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or
· A valid digital COVID-19 Certificate (DCC) or a document issued by a health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection.
Guests who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal, and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion.
If you test positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of embarkation, you will be denied boarding. You will be allowed to board if you have completed 5 full days of isolation and have tested negative before boarding.
What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 on board?
Anyone reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be reviewed by the shipboard medical staff and tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). COVID-19 cases will be assessed and treated either in their stateroom, or in a designated area of the Medical Center in a single occupancy ward. Positive cases that do not require admission to the ship’s medical center, or medical disembarkation, will most likely be moved to a different suite for the duration of their isolation.
If you, your family members, travelling companions or other close contact are quarantined or medically isolated during your voyage because of a positive COVID-19 test or are suspected of having COVID-19, you are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for any full day spent in isolation, including the time in quarantine.
Given the current global travel and health environment, all booked guests are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance prior to departure to protect against losses. If you have purchased a travel protection plan through us, you and your traveling companion may make a claim for a refund under the trip interruption benefit instead of receiving the FCC.