ljtinney

5 hours ago, gold1953 said:

Mine was in the waiting stage since Oct 2020. When I tried using it in Dec I was told that it was expired and I explained that I paid and not my issue.

 

oh that's too bad? Where? 

I used mine a few times in December. Both in person and the kiosks accepted it. Also added it to my AC flight from the states to get TSA precheck. 

On 1/9/2023 at 7:40 PM, Russ Lomas said:

Our Nexus cards (which we have had for about 4 1/2 years) are set to expire in about 6 months.  You are permitted to renew them up to one year prior to them expiring.  We submitted our renewal applications and have been waiting about 2 1/2 months, and have not yet received any emails or communication in regard to the status of our renewals.  I reached out to the US government for an update.  Below is the info I just received.  This will be very important to those of you who are submitting for renewals.

 

We are currently experiencing high demand and processing volumes.  Processing times vary by applicant, but on average you can expect your application to be processed as follows:
•       GE: up to 9 months
•       NEXUS: 18-20 months
•       SENTRI: 16-18 months
These are average times. Unfortunately, we cannot anticipate a date of completion for your specific application at this time.

All applicants should check the Trusted Traveler Program website (https://ttp.dhs.gov/) periodically for updates or status of their application.

Additionally, if you submitted your NEXUS renewal before your membership expired, then you may continue using your benefits until the renewal is finalized (up to 60 months/5 years after your expiration date). We recommend that you print out a copy of your pending renewal to show the Customs and Border Protection Officer, if requested.

I have been waiting 20 months now for mine to be approved! LOL  I check it every now and then and it still says Pending Review. I forget about it until I see one of these posts. haha 

Some are lucky and get it fast and some (like me) not so much

My card has long expired and I have used it quite a few times since with no issues. 

On 10/10/2022 at 9:44 PM, hancogran said:

Just thought I'd pass this on for anybody who is still waiting for their Nexus renewal to be approved.  I applied for my renewal last November 2021, so that's almost a year now.  Somebody told me if you use your expired Nexus card at the border, it would speed up the approval process. (I know there was a two year extension on renewals if you'd applied prior to the expiration date--mine expired this past May.)  

 

Yesterday we took a day trip across the border at Niagara Falls.  Low and behold, I just now received an email from TTP stating there was a change to my Trusted Traveler account.  After logging in, it states I have been approved ... no interview necessary.  I'm just relieved to finally get the approval and know I don't have to worry about an interview.  That tip worked well for me!

I have used mine a few times at YYZ recently. It has long expired......

I applied for my renewal April of 2021 and still waiting. 

6 hours ago, NukeTim said:

Any recommendations on best way / value for getting bottled water for our cabin?  We have the signature beverage package; so can we just ask for small bottles from a bar to take back? Seems like a hassle and a waste of one or two of our 15 daily beverages.  Is it better to just take it out of the room minibar?  Precruise purchased water packages seem expensive.  I saw than you cannot bring any water in a plastic container on board at any port. P.S. my wife will not drink the water out of the tap.  Suggestions?

We never used our 15 daily beverages on our recent cruise. I don't care for the water out of the tap either so using the package worked for us.   Each night we each got a couple of cans of water from the bar to take to our room. I probably had a couple waters during the day also. 

On 6/20/2022 at 7:09 PM, turnin50 said:

So after reading here how many people have used Azova with the green box BTNX kits with no issues I've switched our pre-cruise appts to Azova, esp since I haven't seen anyone whos used BTNX to proctor their tests.

We will use Azova again when we need it. So easy. Once I put the required information into Verifly and it was approved quite quickly. We were pleasantly surprised how quick and smoothly the boarding process went

1 hour ago, shirley valentine said:

Did Azova telephone testing using yes BTNX green box kits . Sailed from Vancouver Cruise Port to Alaska in April 2022 on Holland America Zuiderdam . Absolutely no problem. I believe it cost $20. US per person. 
Stayed at the cruise port Pan Pacific hotel , did test in our room day before departure . 

Thanks. I was happy with how quick and easy the testing was. Boarding the Zuiderdam tomorrow! 🙂

5 hours ago, turnin50 said:

We have a pre-cruise appt booked with the BTNX website using their tests for Sept, they do their own proctored testing but I'm hoping I hear about others that have also used them, I'm always leery of these things, I might book a back up appt with Azova just in case.

We did our tests yesterday with Azova. It was so quick and easy. I had the pdf files within 15 minutes. I uploaded them to Verifly and they were approved so it looks good. Boarding the Zuiderdam tomorrow 

Has anyone used Azova for testing using the BTNX antigen ( the green box kits) to board Holland America? 

On 5/27/2022 at 7:27 PM, Mopree said:

I should add that 3 days before your cruise you will need to fill out a Holland America Health Questionnaire.  One of the questions was something to the effect of "Have you been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for covid in the last 14 days" I had to answer yes as our positive PCR test results were within that time frame. Answering yes meant I could not continue with the questionnaire. You cannot go back and change your answer! That is when I called Holland America and they put a note on our file. As we did not have a negative test result we could not use Verifly either. So many details and so many things to stress about. Everything worked out and we had a great time!

Thank you for posting this..... good to know. 

Did they have many questions when you arrived? 

13 minutes ago, Cruiser24 said:

I was one of those people who got covid on the Jewell TA.  I tested positive on Day 9 and spent the last five days in quarantine.  Since you aren't supposed to fly home until 10 days after the positive test, we spent 5 additional days in a hotel in Amsterdam.  On Day 8 of our 10 day stay, I emailed the address I was given from Royal to get a Certificate of Recovery.  I went through MobiDoc which cost 114 euros.  The process was very easy.  I spoke to the doctor online, gave her the needed information, then she sent me the certificate.  As it turned out, I also tested negative that day using a home test and the next day using an emed proctored test.  We flew home on Day 10.  Royal gave us $250 per day toward the hotel and $100 pp per day for food.   Our travel insurance picked up the additional cost of the hotel.  Luckily we were on American using miles and they switched our flights with no problem.   

My advice to anyone cruising from another country is to take extra medicine in case this happens to you.  Everything else can be bought or washed.  

I would also take extra home and emed covid tests.  We carried a small backpack with extra tests and they came in very handy.

This information is from Amsterdam.  I'm not sure what will happen in other countries.  

Covid will not prevent us from traveling.  We knew that it could happen and were prepared in case it did. We are cruising again from Amsterdam in two weeks.  Can't wait!

I have a friend on the Jewel right now that is in Quarantine and is not getting any answers. She is by herself. 

Where did you stay in Amsterdam after your cruise?  And can you give me the email address so I can pass on to her to get a Certificate of Recovery?  

thanks 🙂

On 6/1/2022 at 1:27 PM, Alberta Quilter said:

I renewed Jan 14/22 (expiry was in May/22) and just checked the status.  I'm still waiting for conditional approval...  Fortunately, I have time to wait as we have no plans to leave Canada this year.  

On 6/1/2022 at 6:04 PM, hancogran said:

My own Nexus expired May 2022 and I applied to renew it on November 15, 2021 but nothing for me either.  I figured DH would definitely have had his by now since it's approaching a year.  We also have no plans to travel outside Canada this year so we'll just sit back and wait it out.  It's just comforting to know it's not just

us ! lol

I renewed April of 2021 and mine expired the next day. I am still waiting for approval. 

I was able to use my nexus card when returning from Costa Rica a couple months ago. 

Waiting..... 

On 5/29/2022 at 12:15 AM, muffin said:

If you are travelling on HAL this rule was relaxed May 19,2022. If you tested positive  in a proctored or witnessed test at least  10 days before your cruise, but no more than 90 days before, you only need the original test results to show at boarding.  This is on HAL on their TravellWell  page of information. NO  letter of recovery is needed.

 NOTE WELL!!!!!!!!!!   This information is for HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES FROM Canada to/ from Alaska  only.

Where exactly does it state this. I have been looking for it 

On 5/3/2022 at 11:36 AM, Andi Land said:

Good morning!

 

Just wanted to share that when I logged into my online account to check in for my June Alaska cruise, I was given the offer to upgrade to the Have it All package at $50 per person per day even though I'm booked on a casino rate. 

 

I reached out to my PCC and she got it added to both of my casino rate cruises.  Just an FYI for anyone else who might find benefit to this package. 

 

I saw the banner a few days ago and inquired about it and was told no. 

Then I saw your post last night so I called this morning and was able to have it added to my booking. 

The agent did state that it is not available for all casino bookings. 

Thank you for posting this. It is a great package deal!

4 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Unfortunate, but very understandable. Our decision has to be made by Thursday.

It was a pretty easy decision to make. Seeing that almost three quarters of the ships are now in yellow status also made us think twice about going. 

I will sit here and watch the webcam as the Rotterdam sails out of FLL on Sunday and dream. 

Good luck with your decision. When is your cruise? 

3 hours ago, jean163 said:

I have always believed 'cancel for any reason' insurance wasn't offered in Canada.  Is everyone that's mentioned it here talking about cruise line insurance policies or is there an outside company that provides it?  Oceania (which is part of NCL) doesn't sell their own insurance to other than their US passengers so I had looked far and wide and couldn't find any company offering it at any price.

Both HAL and Princess insurance has a "cancel for any reason" along with other benefits and is available for Canadians, except for residents of Quebec. It is a good investment especially now. 

When I booked and paid for our HAL cruise a couple months ago, we felt pretty confident that we would be cruising the first week of January. But, just in case I took their insurance.  This craziness with Omicron hit and we cancelled as we just don't feel comfortable in travelling.... yet. We are taking the refund

1 minute ago, Prismanet said:

Same here as this was the first time we purchased insurance from the cruise line + the COVID-19 medical insurance as we were going on a cruise where none of our existing insurance would apply.

Yes, I had also purchased the Covid19 Medical insurance with Manulife. 

I am not disappointed at all. So I guess it was the right decision to cancel

We have made the decision last yesterday to cancel our HAL cruise for this coming weekend. I had purchased platinum cruise line insurance and was able to get the 90% refund. I did discuss an FCC with them and it was offered but decided to take the refund and put the $ somewhere else. In all our years of cruising this was the first time we took the cruise line insurance and glad we did. 

AC flight cancelled with a future credit which I am quite happy with as we will most certainly use it at some point.

We will see how the travel situation is in a few weeks and for now I am looking at a land based vacation for us instead. 

16 hours ago, DHLuCruise said:

This is where we are too. We are going to go unless some crazy stuff goes down.

 

We are driving to the port so we don't have to deal with airports and can get back even if one of us tests positive. So we are doing this as safe as possible.

 

Out of curiosity where are you getting your RT LAMP kits from ?

I ordered them from the Air Canada website. Should have them before the end of the week. 

I ordered a box of 5 Antigen tests from The Canadian Shield. I hope to have them next week. I should have waited and just got them from the grandkids since they are giving them out at school. 

Getting back on track here.....

In this past week I cannot count the number of times that I changed my mind about going. It's been a roller coaster reading some of these threads/comments. It can really get your mind going! There really is alot to think about. Yesterday after reading some posts, I was about ready to cancel our upcoming cruise.  So this morning I sat and did the pros and cons. Lots of pros but only one con.... and it's a big one.

I ordered a couple RT Lamp kits and some antigen kits this morning to take along only to be used if absolutely necessary. 

We are going, unless there is some crazy change that will prevent us from returning to Canada. 

2 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

It’s ridiculous really.  Hal, right hand meet left hand.  I’m so glad I crawled out the window and had my November cruise because I’d be hating life if I was going now, speaking as a Canadian. It was enough of a hassle then.  I hope by spring things will look much better but I’m not terribly hopeful.

We are supposed to fly out in 3 weeks. Every day I change my mind, multiple times a day as to whether we are going. 

I think it is quite tacky of them to do the testing in the terminal. It is disappointing. They know ahead of time how many of us will be on board and how many of us are flying out. 

We would normally try and fly out as early as we can after a cruise, but this time I have a little leeway just in case ridiculous changes like this should occur. 

4 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Maybe it's different on the USA website but I've attached the PDF that says testing is after disembarkation.

Hal US-Cruise-Protocols-1201.pdf 535.16 kB · 17 downloads

Yes, I can see it on the pdf.  

The part I posted is in the FAQ on the Hal site.... On Sunday when I first read this thread I looked and this is what it said and coincided with what the OP mentioned regarding their experience.... 

Yes, if a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) after your cruise at the terminal.  You will be assigned a time for your testing administration on board. Guests should disembark the ship prior to that time, collect their luggage, clear customs and exit the terminal for testing. COVID-19 tests will be administered just outside the terminal. Test results will be available in approximately 60 minutes; please plan your post-cruise travel arrangements within the timeframe required prior to travel and prior to the end of the voyage.

Last night I looked at it and posted what I saw....

Yes, if a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test administered onboard the ship within the timeframe required prior to travel and prior to the end of the voyage.  Guests will receive a copy of the test result.  Guests are encouraged to review their home country's health authority and travel websites to understand the latest guidance on required testing and timing for return t
ravel.

So they updated this sometime in the past few days. 

4 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I just looked on the hal website still says it’s being done in the terminal.  Where did you see it?

 

Disembarkation Test
Complimentary COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR) administered in the morning at the terminal after disembarkation if it is required for re-entry into your home country.

in the FAQ under covid testing.... 

Yes, if a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test administered onboard the ship within the timeframe required prior to travel and prior to the end of the voyage.  Guests will receive a copy of the test result.  Guests are encouraged to review their home country's health authority and travel websites to understand the latest guidance on required testing and timing for return travel.

The FAQs have changed once again since this was posted on Sunday. It now states that tests will be administered onboard the ship and that guests will receive a copy of the test result. 

Hoping to hear some updates of anyone travelling in these next few weeks.

11 hours ago, Kris75 said:

Our original flight, through Flightease, was around 11:30, and honestly it would have been tight - moreso I think because ArriveCan was being a pain to fill out. We tried filling it out for 2 of us in one submission but it would not save so we did mine at the airport. Plus Air Canada had 2 flights leaving within 5 minutes of each other so our new flight time at 1:30 gave us the much needed breathing room. I forgot to add in my original post that if your flight was before 10:00 am supposedly they were testing on board.

Thank you so much for posting this.

Not happy with this,  but it is what it is. Unfortunate that HAL has not notified upcoming passengers of this change. 

I am glad we have a 1:25pm flight home on AC in January.

We are sailing on HAL, Jan 2nd and at this point still intend on going. Anything can happen in the next 4 weeks but we are very hopeful. 🤞 We have no problem if we have to quarantine for a few days upon returning. 

I took the cruise line insurance (for the first time) so we can cancel the day before if we feel the need to. I also booked refundable flights on Air Canada. And the ridiculously expensive hotel in FLL for Jan 1st is also refundable. So no worries.