3bouysandmom

For flight home from Florida we are going to get rapid PCR test done at MIA.  They have walk-in with 20 - 30 minute results.   I might look into booking an appointment so I don't get delayed with a large crowd. 

On 10/27/2021 at 7:31 PM, GeriatricNurse said:

Thank you for the tip about Costco!  I knew that it can be done at WalMart for $19.95, with no tax, but I did not know that Costco Pharmacy also offered the 'Rapid Antigen Test' for (only) $16.99!  I'll check at my local Costco Pharmacy tomorrow on October 28th.!

On 10/27/2021 at 7:31 PM, GeriatricNurse said:

Thank you for the tip about Costco!  I knew that it can be done at WalMart for $19.95, with no tax, but I did not know that Costco Pharmacy also offered the 'Rapid Antigen Test' for (only) $16.99!  I'll check at my local Costco Pharmacy tomorrow on October 28th.!

Costco Pharmacy in Peterborough does not do the COVID testing for travel.  I am going to Shoppers.  You can also get test done at Toronto Airport but cost is $60 -$65.

4 hours ago, Ginnyfyr said:

Manulife 100% will not cover Covid or quarantine for cruises as long as the level 4 advisory is in place. 

Just to clarify....I spoke to Manulife several times and they will not cover any issues on board a cruise and if you are staying in the US after your cruise you will not be covered for any COVID related issues.  Wish the Govt of Canada would remove the Avoid "ALL" cruise ship travel so it would no longer be a level 4 travel advisory. 

On 10/26/2021 at 8:31 AM, lx200gps said:

Very valid concerns. The possibility of testing positive post-cruise and not being able to fly back home is a huge issue for us as well. We've bought the Blue Cross coverage because it specifically does have COVID medical coverage for cruises, but they would not fly us home if we tested positive and were asymptomatic, which would almost certainly be the case as we are fully vaccinated. If we did come down with serious enough symptoms, then they would consider medevac-ing us home but presumably they would only do that if it were cheaper to charter a plane than pay the outrageous US medical costs.  We are sailing Princess out of Fort Lauderdale in late November and they do cover quarantine. They pay for the post-cruise test, and if either of us tests +, they will pay for the hotel and per diem for our stay, but they won't fly us home.  AFAIK, only Celebrity will fly anyone home who tests +, regardless of their medical status.

 

If you do test +, no Canadian airline will let you board so you would have few options. Sit out the quarantine in the US, drive all the way home, or take the dubious decision to fly inside the US to a border town nearest your home, then drive across. The CBSA would not prevent you from coming into Canada if you arrived at a land crossing, though I expect you would have to quarantine after you arrived. You would have to show the results of a PCR test, not Antigen, but I haven't heard any reports of what they do if you show up at the border with a positive result. I sure hope it doesn't happen to anyone.

I have been going around in circles on this issue also.  Blue Cross is the only insurer I could find that would cover me for COVID-19 and all other medical issues both on a cruise and in the US.  They will NOT cover any trip interruption or delay due to COVID if you test positive and have to quarantine in the US.  Had to come up with a plan for to quarantine on my own that I will have to  pay for if this happens.  I think I have this sorted out...I spoke to the Health department in Florida and you are not monitored during quarantine period and they don't care if you leave the state.  I also spoke to Canadian Border Security and Health Canada.  They will not let you back into Canada until day 14 after a positive test.  If you try to enter Canada each person in your party is likely to get a fine and it is up to $5000 per person.   Better just to get a hotel room and wait out the 14 days or not travel.  I have 2 cruises booked and paid so I am going to take my chances, but this is a personal choice.  Good luck to everyone on this issue!

49 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Get your COVID-related medical insurance through Blue Cross or one of the other companies offering coverage and book your cruise with Celebrity, RCI or one of the other lines that will cover your quarantine and related expenses, including flying you home if necessary.

trying to find a Canadian insurer that will cover quarantine in Florida if we test positive before flight.  The only company that will cover us after a cruise is Desjardins.  But they do not cover you while on the cruise so would have to get have to get additional coverage during cruise.   If you are okay with self insuring for quarantine then there are more options available.  Will figure this out before I go!

On 10/18/2021 at 1:18 PM, Ginnyfyr said:

I specifically said to the lady, "So if I test positive for Covid on day 2 of the cruise and they tell me they're putting me off at the next port for medical treatment, I'm covered by my policy?" and she said yes. 

I asked Blue Cross the exact same question and they said NO.  All hinges on the level 4 travel advisory. 

8 hours ago, CRUISINGCANUCKS99 said:

So who is flying out of Canada to go cruising?

What are those of you who are cruising, doing for insurance?

We have a full payment due on Oct. 31 for our cruise on Princess in January. We know our testing protocols but the entire trip hinges on booking the proper insurance.

Any guidance out there would be appreciated.

 

Gord

Spoke to ManuLife, BlueCross, TD insurance, Desjardins.  None will cover cruises as Canadian Government still has level 4 travel advisory issued.  You Are covered on a cruise for non-covid related medical issues(heat attack, broken bones, etc)  I found a company that will cover canadian travelers for covid while on a cruise.  Insubuy.com and it is the safe travels international coverage.  Doesn't cover me in the USA but my TD Credit card travel insurance covers me for that. Hope you find coverage that works for you.

I spoke with several travel insurance companies this week (Desjardins, TD insurance, Manulife, TUGO and Blue Cross)  all confirmed that coverage for COVID-19 related illnesses or quarantine if testing positive are not covered as long as the Canadian Government has AVOID ALL CRUISE TRAVEL (level 4) as a travel advisory on the Government of Canada website.  

We have coverage on our TD Infinite Credit card for all other medical related illness or injury, just not COVID.  After much searching I spoke with an agent at Insubuy (insubuy.com) and the Safe Travels International plan will cover Canadians while on a cruise and it would cover trip interruption up to $2000 (150/day) if I have to quarantine.  It does cover US travel, but my TD credit card insurance will cover COVID-19 related illness on US soil as that advisory is only a level 3.  

If you don't have sufficient credit card coverage, Desjardins also said they would cover COVID related illness in the US and they would cover costs of trip interruption quarantine if we received a negative test the day after our cruise was over.  Word of caution, Manulife mentioned that if I was on a cruise at all during my vacation they would not cover any COVID related illness or quarantine.  

The good news is that all of the plans appear to cover non-COVID related illness while cruising.  For the majority of us vaccinated Canadians I feel we are not likely to get so so sick, but I will get this extra coverage for peace of mind. 

Just wondering if anyone has had similar conversations or should I get further clarification.

shoppers drug mart offers the Rapid Antigen test for $40.  This will get you through US customs and is an accepted test for Carnival.  The only clincher is that the cruise line has changed the test time to 48 hrs which puts a long of pressure to get to the port.  But we have figured out a way for this to work.  

Coming home to Canada is far more costly.  The rapid PCR tests are available but in the $225 - $250 range.  They are done at the airports, MCO, MIA, BUF ( These I know for certain.)  

We are hoping to drive to Orlando Dec.31st for our Jan 2cruise.  If we have the test done on Friday, it will be acceptable for the Sunday check in.  

Let's just hope the land border opens up. 

I see that you can get a rapid PCR test at the Orlando or Miami Airport for $175.  Results in less than 1 hour. 

This looks like the best option even if you are driving.  The testing facility is before the security  check in and you don't have to show proof of travel to have the test. 

Hoping by the time my cruise is over January 8th this testing will not be required for fully vaccinated travellers.