Royal Caribbean Singapore ditches PCR Test for Antigen Rapid Tests from November 2021
UPDATE (FEBRUARY 2023): With the lowering of Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) to GREEN LEVEL as of February 2023, the preventive measures and/or testing requirements mentioned within this article are no longer in effect. Guests are advised to enquire with the respective cruise lines for updated Testing, Vaccination Requirements and Preventive Measures.
The Quantum of the Seas moored at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Royal Caribbean has decided to remove the requirement of having guests sailing on Quantum of the Seas Ocean Getaway voyages from having a mandatory designated PCR test 2-3 days before embarkation day. In an email to guests early this morning, the cruise line shared the following:
Guests sailing between November 8, 2021 through the end of November will also have their testing requirements updated. Royal Caribbean have also removed the PCR test requirement and will now only require a negative Antigen Rapid Test (ART) result conducted at the pier on boarding day during your selected arrival window. This test continues to be included in the cruise fare. Royal Caribbean will share more information in another dedicated email with the testing registrations and scheduling instructions closer to the departure date.
Royal Caribbean guests sailing from December 2nd through April 2022 now will no longer have to complete a PCR test two days before boarding. Guests were informed in an email earlier today that the cruise line will be removing the PCR test requirement, in lieu of a Antigen Rapid Test (ART) on embarkation day.
Guests will have to proceed to the testing site at Raffles City Convention Centre on boarding day to complete their mandatory pre-embarkation Antigen Rapid Test. This test continues to be included in the cruise fare. Royal Caribbean will share more information in another dedicated email with the testing registrations and scheduling instructions closer to the departure date.
However, this will mean that guests will have to bring their luggage from home to the convention center for the ART, before heading to the pier themselves. There were originally discussions of whether a shuttle bus would be provided, but that does not seem to be the case now. The fastest way from the convention center to the pier is via the public commuter train (MRT), which will take about 3 stops from City Hall station to Marina South Pier.
Guests previously had to complete a PCR test 2 to 3 days before the embarkation date, along with the additional embarkation day ART at the pier before check-in. This process was known to be bugged with long queues and process without air conditioning in the tropical heat, hence by moving the process to a larger venue might be the quick fix both the cruise line and guests are looking for, albeit a quick 6 minutes train ride away from the terminal.
Royal Caribbean also revised their COVID-19 Denial of Boarding Policy
Guests who have contracted COVID-19 within 180 days before departure date would be denied boarding in the policy, but Royal Caribbean made another welcoming change by revising this policy today. The cruise line has now revised the duration from 180 days to 3 weeks before the sail date, a much more reasonable duration considering the high vaccination rates and an increasing number of cases here in Singapore. Royal Caribbean will provide a 100% refund for guests who contracts COVID-19 within three weeks before departure and are unable to cruise.
Singapore Cruise Society will share more information as they are updated. Do check back for more updates.
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