Here is an update on what I've learned about what happens after you get COVID.
My wife and I are now 10 days past the time when we first manifested symptoms, and we are obviously recovering. I have almost no symptoms, and she has minor ones. However, we tested positive on a PCR test yesterday. Worse yet, we learned that we may continue to test positive (especially on sensitive PCR tests) for weeks or months afterwards, even though we will be considered recovered from COVID. That's a problem, because all the cruise lines require negative tests two days before boarding. We have scheduled (and paid for) a trip from Rome to Tampa, FL, on the Celebrity Constellation. It starts on October 21st, but we feared flying to Rome, failing the COVID test, and being denied boarding.
Here is what the CDC says: After 5 days, you can cease isolation if you don't have a fever and have only mild symptoms. After 10 days, you are no longer considered contagious and no longer have to wear a mask in public. You are officially "recovered" from COVID and can go back to work or travel. This is true even if you still have some mild symptoms. You are considered to have natural antibodies that will strongly protect against reinfection for roughly 90 days. During that period, they won't retest you for COVID, nor do they want you to get a vaccine booster. However, to officially qualify to travel, go back to work, school, etc., you need to get a certificate of recovery from a qualified health care provider. The COVID Certification plus a valid copy of a positive COVID test in the past 11-180 days will be accepted by most countries in the world, airlines, cruise companies, etc., as sufficient proof that you are COVID-free in lieu of having to get a negative COVID test. The only exception we know of is Bermuda, which still requires negative tests, regardless of past recovery.
So we are now free to board our cruise without the negative test that everyone else is required to produce. We verified this information with Celebrity Cruises. That's the one good thing for us that comes out of this illness.