NEW YORK, June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Rapid Reliable Testing (RRT), a business line of Ambulnz, Inc. d/b/aDocGo, a leading provider of last-mile telehealth and integrated medical mobility services that has entered into an agreement to merge with Motion Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: MOTN), today announced it is working with Carnival Corporation on COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccines for crew members as it prepares for the restart of cruising in the U.S., with plans to also test guests once cruises resume. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. The U.S. State Department website is updated regularly, including information on specific countries. There are also public drive-through sites offering testing in South Florida, but they dont guarantee results in time for your travel. Carnival Cruise Line Refund and Cancellation Policy for COVID-19. On cruises 5 nights or less, vaccinated passengers do not need to present a pre-cruise COVID-19 test result of any kind. Esto es lo que necesitas saber y hacer]. If youve recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days: Youre required to show proof of a recent positive result and a letter from a health care provider saying youve been cleared to travel. PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. - Carnival Cruise Line has updated its safety protocols for guests wishing to sail on its ships. (Photo credit: RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images). Dont travel if your test result is positive. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Test cruise: No. Changes include no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. The move is the latest to loosen the reins on pandemic-era testing and . Cruise ships have access to guidanceand tools to manage their own COVID-19 mitigation programs. Guests of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn can now book an appointment for required pre-cruise testing at more than 1,500 Quest Diagnostics patient service centers and retail pharmacy testing locations throughout the U.S. Details about requirements are available on the Carnival Corporation cruise line brand websites. CDC has worked closely with the cruise industry, state, territorial, and local health authorities, and federal and seaport partners to provide a safer and healthier environment for cruise passengers and crew. This is an encrypted digital pass with a QR code, similar to an airline boarding pass. Unvaccinated passengers, however, must still show a negative test result to be permitted to sail, even on shorter sailings. This had caused some confusion in recent days, as other cruise lines have not required testing on shorter cruises with Bahamian ports of call, but Carnival still mandated tests for all passengers, regardless of vaccination status or cruise length, if visiting The Bahamas. Details about enhanced protocols, including the latest information and requirements for each Carnival Corporation cruise line brand, are available on their websites. FILE - The Carnival Cruise Ship "Carnival Vista" heads out to sea in the Miami harbor entrance known as Government Cut in Miami, Florida, on June 2, 2018. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. If traveling by air before or after cruise travel, check if your airline or. The U.S. now welcomes international travelers, but they must be vaccinated with a few exceptions. If the virus is spreading on board a cruise ship, passengers and crew are at risk for infection. We started this program across our U.S. homeports in November, spokeswoman AnneMarie Mathews said. Carnival Cruise Line has new pre-cruise COVID testing protocols that make it easier for guests to enjoy their cruise vacation. They are a leading provider of COVID vaccines in New York, Colorado, California, and Washington, having administered over 500,000 vaccine doses to date. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Currently, all guests, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken no more than three days before embarkation. Carnival Corporation has announced another new initiative to make pre-cruise COVID-19 testing more convenient and accessible to guests. Irrespective of vaccination status, travel insurance is required for all guests visiting Fiji. Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge out of Port Everglades was the first ship to sail from the United States with passengers after a 15-month national hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Quest spokeswoman said the turnaround time is currently within one day for most PCR tests, and labs will remain open throughout the coming winter holidays. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Starting September 12, 2021, the cruise line will require pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for vaccinated guests to be taken within two days prior to the sailing date. More information is available, Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. Video shows Florida motorcyclist get hit by truck after flipping off deputy during chase, Broadway in Orlando: Dr. Phillips Center announces lineup for next season, FHP: US-192 shut down after 3 killed in crash in Osceola County, Matanzas High teen accused of beating teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch pleads not guilty, These dogs and cats are up for adoption in Central Florida. We are pleased to share that our COVID protocols continue to evolve, Duffy said. The company said effective Sept. 13., vaccinated guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 within two days prior to the sailing date. If the trip is longer than four days, theyre tested again. Testing sites: There are numerous testing sites in South Florida that will provide you with the paperwork you need to travel. Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com. The pre-board molecular or antigen test mandatory regardless of a guests vaccination status is an added measure recently implemented by Carnival Corporation brands. Cruise News Today January 23, 2022 [VIDEO], Cruise News Today January 24, 2022 [VIDEO], indoor masks, pre-cruise testing, and vaccinated voyages, Carnival Cruise Ship Resumes Service Following Dry Dock, Another Cruise Line Adds Starlink Satellite Internet to Its Global Fleet, Cruise News Today February 13, 2023 [VIDEO], Guests sailing from Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach, and New Orleans can reserve the, Those sailing from Miami and Port Canaveral can. In addition to lab administered tests, self-testing is accepted for unvaccinated guests on cruises 15 nights and shorter. Holy Cross Urgent Care, which has sites throughout the region, says there is no cost for the test if you have insurance; however, the centers require an appointment with a doctor, which can cost up to $262. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting peopleespecially those who are up to datefrom getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. Unvaccinated guests must still present a negative test at the cruise terminal plus, theyre tested before they step on board. [RELATED: Families scramble for at-home COVID tests], Sandy and Robert Silver from Davie were the first in line to board their cruise on Saturday June 26, 2021. Results are typically available within 48 hours via email or mobile application*. If You Develop Symptoms or Use a Self-Test on Board with a Positive Result. When do cruise lines still require COVID-19 testing? Certain destinations do not accept unsupervised pre-cruise self-testing, including Bermuda, Canada, Greece, and Spain. Links to the two at home testing companies: Carnival currently requires all guests 12 years and older to be vaccinated unless medically exempted and pre-approved by the line. The terminal testing is available at the ports in Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach, New Orleans, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Tampa, all ports that Carnival cruise ships operate from. [RELATED: Here's where you can get tested for COVID-19 in South Florida]. AnyLabTestNow! Carnival said guests are strongly encouraged to review their vaccination records and ensure they meet company standards as well as have proof of their negative COVID-19 test result prior to traveling to the cruise terminal to prevent a situation where they may not be able to cruise or be eligible for a refund. At the time of publication, there is no date rolled out for the $10 testing. All guests age 2 and older regardless of vaccination status must present a negative test result for any Carnival cruise, to The Bahamas or any other destination, if the sailing is 6 nights or longer. Officials with AdventhHealth say theyre cautiously optimistic after current COVID-19 conditions prompted the companys recent transition from black status to red status.. The effort will facilitate access to pre-cruise COVID-19 viral testing for guests of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn at more than 1,500 convenient Quest . For example, if the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken any time from Wednesday through Friday, but not on the morning of embarkation. Details on guidelines for submitting proof of testing and other COVID-related protocols are available on Carnivals Have Fun. LIMITED-TIME OFFER Earn a $200 statement credit after first purchase, plus enjoy 5,000 FunPoints after spending $500 with the Carnival Mastercard .Terms Apply. Several cruise lines also have leased Bahamian islands for their own private resorts, including Royal Caribbean Internationals Perfect Day at CocoCay, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Cay, and Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay. On Friday, the operator updated the Return to Service FAQ on its website saying, We are also working to expand our testing capabilities at the terminal for vaccinated guests, specifically for our short itineraries (3- and 4-day voyages)., It went on to say, Vaccinated guests will be able to meet the pre-cruise testing requirement as part of the embarkation process for a cost of US$10 per test.. Before working at News 6 he worked for stations in Miami and Fort Myers. Check the rules for the country youre about to enter. The company said until further notice, all of its operations will meet this standard. Visit: www.cunard.com, Holland America Line's premium fleet of spacious, elegant mid-sized ships feature sophisticated five-star dining, extensive entertainment and activities, innovative culinary enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries. (Lynne Sladky/AP). We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. The $100 fee is billed directly to you from the provider at the cruise pier, accepting debit or credit cards. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Dont panic: Airlines and cruise lines are helping travelers get to their destinations. Heald also brought up that Carnival has recently spoken about the possibility of mobile testing units being set up at embarkation points. America's trusted voice on cruise vacations. Yesterday, Carnival Cruise Line announced that it will now allow guests to use two brands of at-home COVID-19 testing kits to cover the pre-cruise requirement. Sign up to receive email alerts whenever Carnival Corporation & plc posts new information to the site. P&O Cruises (UK) is Britains favorite cruise line with a fleet of ships combining genuine service and a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. The Bahamas is a very popular Caribbean destination for shorter cruises from multiple Florida homeports, with ports of call in Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini. Their Rapid Reliable Testing division has already provided over 1.2 million COVID tests and administered over 500,000 COVID vaccines, greatly expanding access to these vital services. I dont want to leave it to chance.. Access to testing continues to play an important role in the restart of our guest operations, and working with Quest simplifies the process for our guests by making it easier to access convenient testing options from a trusted national laboratory provider, said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. Guests sailing from Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach, and New Orleans can reserve the testing spot from this website. Walt Disney World Imagineers announced on Thursday that the new Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT will officially open this month. Those leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Miami international airports can get a rapid test at select terminals. You're in luck as Carnival has now officially expanded the pre-cruise testing option for vaccinated guests through December 31, 2021. Once a negative result is verified, guests will receive a digital certificate with a QR code, similar to an airline boarding pass. Some want her to make an appointment, some are booked for the next few weeks, some wont guarantee results quickly enough. We realize some of our guests are having a challenge getting a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially with the new two-day window established by the CDC that goes into effect on September 13, 2021. Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean are limited to a very small number of children under 12, and teens and adults with a medical condition who can provide written confirmation from their medical provider that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Lufthansa flight crew members carry American flags after arriving from Munich, Germany at Miami International Airport, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Miami. Here are the rules about testing for COVID-19: If youre vaccinated: You have to show a negative test result taken within three days of boarding your return flight to the United States. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. On paper the policy looks easy, however, the recent omicron surge has made it nearly impossible to get a test online or a testing appointment that aligns with the two-day embarkation requirement. Carnival Cruise Line will only require pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers on trips 16 nights or more, or where local rules mandate it, starting Sept. 6, according to a press. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. I felt very safe knowing everyone was vaccinated and tested negative, he said. For Carnival Corporation media inquiries and editorial photo requests, please contact: Jody Venturoni, Chief Communications Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc. Its such a huge task. As a result of the roadblocks, he added that he didnt want you to think that this is going to be your rescue.. Carnival Corporation announced a new initiative today making it easier for guests to get pre-cruise testing. Visit: www.aida.de, Carnival Cruise Line, also known as Americas Cruise Line, is a leader in contemporary cruising and operates a fleet of ships designed to provide fun and memorable vacation experiences at a great value.