December 12-22, Part I, Testing Procedures

We apologize for no blog updates, it’s something we enjoy doing and reflect back on in later years. Unbelievably, there has been almost no time. This cruise onboard Oceania’s Marina is just so different than any of our previous 30+ cruises. We are the 1^st cruise ship in 2 years to visit this part (South America) of the world. Everyone, including guests, cruise lines, countries, tour operators and medical testing staff (to name a few) are trying to learn what the ‘new normal’ might be. And then the next question is for how long.

We feel safer onboard and on excursions than we would in Denver eating at home, or going out for dinner or to the grocery store. Every country we’ve visited requires facemasks & social distancing. There are short lines outside many businesses as shops and restaurants are capacity controlled. And as you might expect, sadly a few of the folks on excursions don’t think they need to comply. The tour guides are as happy to see us as us them.

Suzy & I wear masks onboard almost all the time; most guests do. Staff is required to wear masks 100% of the time, and do. Our COVID testing began with voluntary (reassuring) PCR tests late November before we flew to Miami and again at the Miami airport. There was some suggestion that we needed a negative test 48 hours before boarding. That didn’t seem to be the case. Oceania administered an antigen test just before boarding.

To say the testing requirements of different countries is dynamic is an understatement. We are almost daily receiving new requirements to enter a country and sometimes the same country. This typically involves accessing a website of that country, and hoping your browser translate feature works. Best have handy electronic copies of; travel insurance, recent PCR test, passport, COVID vaccinations. Oh, let’s not forget trying to do this from sea with very slow internet connections and if seas are roily, add intermittent. Be prepared to attempt several times, then go to Reception for their expert guidance as instructions from the host country leave a lot to be desired.

Ah to testing. Oceania has contracted with the clinical firm Eurofins to administer all onboard COVID testing. I’d guess they have a staff of 10 +/- onboard, staying I believe in inside cabins. Testing has been PCR or antigen tests depending on the requirements of the port, and extremely well organized. Our 1^st of 2 tests (PCR) was conducted in our large forward Horizons lounge. Reults had to be processed ashore, so results took a little longer--both emailed and delivered to the stateroom. An antigen test was held in one of our specialty restaurants. Results emailed with an hour the second time, and a printed copy delivered to the stateroom,

And Suzy just advised me Argentina has a new requirement, now for exit from Argentina. I did the last one so it’s her turn today and besides I’m going ashore in Puerto Chacabuco, Chile on a tour of a Patagonian Nature Preserve. She’s staying onboard.

Yesterday, as we went ashore for a tour, we each had the seven required documents with us, and no one checked a single one, except the ship’s crew making sure we were passengers before we boarded the tender back to the ship. At the two other stops, tents were set up on the dock with people checking most or some of what we were told to carry. Yet this testing site shown at left (temperature only, with hand sanitizer required) was set up before patrons could visit a street fair of crafts one block long in the charming town of Puerto Varas!

We’ll try to do better on the Blog, but we seem to be at the mercy of factors outside our control. We yet to invite guests in for dinner or share a table with entertainers.