K_e_short

John Heald also mentioned on his Facebook page that the % that are mentioned by Carnival staff are based on double occupancy, so in fact the ship isn't as crowded as you think, since they really should use the max capacity in their calculations.

You can also look in the California departures forum, that way you have all the cruise line passengers helping you out.

4 hours ago, schiff1997 said:

Cancelling NO, our final payments on our cruises are due in the next 3 weeks I will make them.   If we cannot go it would be because Celebrity cancels.  We have direct flights in the evening going down so I expect the flight won’t be full.   We are in a small town but our numbers are at the highest mainly due to young school kids transmission.  Feel terrible as they cannot protect themselves .   My niece has COVID right now she goes to Queens university in Kingston. She is fully vaccinated.    I spoke to her yesterday she has the OMNICRON variant and she has zero symptoms, she decided to get tested as her friend that she has a lot of labs with in school tested positive.  Now 1 out of 3 of her roommates also has COVID the other 2 negative so had to move to a hotel.   My niece also told me that a lot of symptomatic students are not getting tested as they don’t want to mess up their exams this week and next week.  So positive cases probably in Ontario I believe are much much higher.     

I feel like you probably live in the town I work in 🙂

Someone I work with has friends that work with the Health unit and she said that almost all the cases are those under 11, or family members who are asymtomatic and chose to get tested with their kids.

All the school outbreaks are elementary schools.

5 hours ago, broberts said:

 

I'm leaning in this direction, especially since there is a browser interface to ArriveCan available. Perhaps the couple had disabled roaming data so the app nor browser were able to work.

I did find out today that the online website ArriveCan is not linked up to the app.

I put in info to go to the states today online but then cancelled cause of weather.

It wasn't showing up on my app so I didn't think anything of it.

I kept getting emails saying I hadn't complete my travel plans.

When I logged into the website it still showed the trip I had inputted.

On 12/3/2021 at 10:52 AM, Magicat said:

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search

 

For those that might be thinking about "forgetting" they went on a cruise, in the above website, you can search or entry and exit out of the US.  For cruises it will show an exit and enter only in the US.  I don't know what they see on their screen when they scan your passport, but if this information is freely available on line, they must be able to tell.

I played around this site this morning and noticed two things

1 - my son who is 14 doesn't show up on the system, is it possible it's only for those 18 and over?

2 - I've been on one cruise to the Caribbean and my records show:

The Unavailable is us bording the Carnival Sunshine for our cruise to the Bahamas.

So do they have a record of us going to the Bahamas or is this just a glitch?

Based on what happened I will print out both versions, and maybe add in the one with the QR code 🙂

At the beginning of the cruising restart I know many people, probably many on this forum, mentioned how much of a disaster it would be checking vaccine proof when every state and province, and now add in other countries, recorded their vaccine proof.

Sorry that happened to you but I'm glad you were prepared.

I was discussing this exact topic this morning with my husband.

I think we need to ignore case numbers completely. I think it hit 1600 cases today in Ontario?

We need to look at ICU admissions, compared to number of ICU beds.

I am not suggesting that getting Covid is fine. I'm saying that we need to change what numbers we are looking at.

I think I mentioned this before, I'm cruising in two weeks and will feel safer on a cruise ship with 4000 vaccinated adults and kids, then I do going to the mall, grocery store, or even my place of work. The latter list is not 100% vaccinated. Yes I can look at the stats for my city, but it's not guaranteed.

17 minutes ago, trtog7 said:

Do you mean you book an appointment with them for a test and when you get there they do not honour it?

 

I booked a test at the Rexall near my house for Christmas Day.

A bunch of Rexall's were showing no appointments for CHristmas but this one did.

So I booked online.

Then I went in to check and the pharmicist was like "um we are not open that day."

So I said well you need to fix your online system because it's showing as you are open and can do antigen tests for travel.

He then said "oh wow there are a lot of appointments booked."

I'm saying the online system is not to be trusted.

If you are flying into Orlando airport you can book an antigen test there.

I am a little confused by your post.

You mention antigen tests but also PCR tests. Which do you need to board RCCL?

Antigen tests are very quick and you can get them for free.

Are you going to be near the Orlando Airport? They do antigen and PCR testing for a fee.

30 minutes ago, flyingandcruising said:

Just wondering if anyone had issues with rexall tests, we’re using them for our kids PCR and the cost is $80, which is a lot cheaper than most places. Thanks. 

I would call ahead. They were showing bookings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but when I went in to check they told me the online booking was an error.

Can't help you with the actual but wanted to share.

I assume your kids need PCR tests because they are unvaccinated and you've gotten an exemption?

8 hours ago, DMParisHoneymoon said:

Hey k_e_short - we're in the same area as I live in the same community you leave/return from to go to Akwesasne, and have been to the casino myself many times ! 

 

I can confirm, we just returned from Anthem and drove home from NJ. At the hotel before leaving on wifi I uploaded all of the docs on the ArriveCan app. It then saves everything for you, as we then shopped at WalMart in Plattsburgh, and I picked up where I last left from while on Wifi, entered the approx time I'd be crossing and finished entering the rest of the details needed. I was then was given the QR code and number needed at the border. You also receive an email with the same info, so you can either take a screenshot of the email or just open the app and show the QR code at the border with no wifi/data needed. The border agent then just takes the code and it will pull up all the info that you had previously submitted. 

 

Hope this helps ! 

Oh thank you for that information.

I have one question though - the time you are crossing? How strict is that? Like I will probably come back around 10pm. Does it have to be the exact time?

4 hours ago, sunonfire said:

The Carnival app says my online check in will be December 16, 2021. When I log in to my cruise planner it says January 16, 2022. My cruise is January 30, 2022. So based on what I have read here, I guess the January 16th date is the correct date. I think I will still try on December 16 just in case!

My app was also off by a month.

I'm sure someone can confirm that prior to Covid you could check in that early.

I also remember at the cruise restart certain parts of check in were not available and people getting angry, or things were showing up then dissapeering.

11 minutes ago, DHLuCruise said:

This is not going to be pleasant if we are stuck at home for up to 6 days waiting for this unnecessary 'for show' test. However, at this point I guess we don't have much choice if we want to cruise.

 

 

I have extra vacation days that I can use and my son can do school online.

I am making this work as I want to go on vacation.

30 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

If you’re counting that was:

• 3 days from entry to testing to courier pickup
• 6 days from entry to receipt of results

My best advice would be to not re-enter Canada on a weekend.  Good luck.

6 days!!! Oh dear....

I am flying home on Sunday January 2nd... 

22 minutes ago, MsDolly said:

Someone in the Government needs to shake their heads.  How do they expect this can happen and why do they want to spend the money testing fully vaccinated and previously PCR test residents coming home.  I can live with a random sample but 100%, crazy!

If I want to rant and try to figure out the rationale I would say that currently the rules say within 72 hours.

So I guess their thought process is that what if someone gets their pcr test at exactly 72 hours.. and they have been out of the country for weeks or months... and right after their pcr test they have covid.

That situation would make sense.

The issue is that most of us are out of the country less then 10 days, and our PCR tests are being done the day we travel or the day before.

I'm also wondering what the science says about an antigen test within 24 hours, which is the US rules. I would like to think that makes it the most likely if someone has Covid to test positive, right?

So yes it's optics and the test on arrival should really be based on how long you've been gone and when you got your original pcr test.

Great question. Thank you for asking.

I am also wondering that as well.

I was thinking that the bigger airports (Toronto. Vancouver) that always had international flights would have a faster turn around time then the airports just recently offereing international flights (Ottawa)

@Fouremco I'm flying in and out of Ottawa so will keep your positiv vibes that my test will come back faster 🙂

In regards to where you need to isolate while waiting for your test to return - the government website says:

Before travelling to Canada, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, must make suitable plans for quarantine, within their own means.

Within your own means sounds like at home.

I filled out my ArriveCan app for a possible day trip on Saturday and the wording emphasizes having a place to be, away from others, with food and water, etc.

Thanks for posting that. I was just reading the website last night and it has changed, again.

So shall we make bets on whether they will ramp up to 100% by January 2nd?

24 minutes ago, nickiford said:

I understand that you are deemed to have visited that country if the ship ports there but really in terms of the point of the test and the Covid risk if you don’t get off the ship you haven’t been “in” that country.  I will list the countries and do whatever is required but I hope that everyone that is driving across and back for a cruise sooner than me has some clarity of what will be required before they go,  I have until mid Feb to get a game plan sorted.

I'm flying home on January 2nd.

Is anyone flying home earlier and can report back?

Obviously those that have already come home don't count as the changes are still in the process of being finalized.

John Heald has been asked this ALOT and he keeps saying "they are looking into it."

Yes other cruise lines do the testing.

I have said numerous times that I would rather pay less for a cruise and pay for my own PCR test, then pay way more for a cruise with a 'free" test.

Many cruise lines offer different services and now that Covid has arrived, testing is part of the offerings.

Some cruiselines offer free wifi. Some offer free drinks. Some offer free excursions.

I consider Carnival to be the cheap cruiseline and you pay for the minimum and then can pay extra for what you want.

I am having to get tested at the Orlando airport prior to boarding my flight home the day I get off the cruise.

I agree it is an annoying step but I'm willing to do it.

There is a Canadian forum on this site that may give you more information about Canadian specific issues.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2510-canadian-cruisers/

9 minutes ago, #55worktoplay said:

I have been reading and reading and biting my tongue because I figured someone will have answered prior to me getting to the bottom. 
 

YES, this is the correct answer, 100% correct. Ding ding ding. 
 

I have been re reading this forum, Air Canada's website, ArriveCan app, and the Government website.

Yep. We will all have issues travelling back after a cruise.

I take back what I said before.

One section says "flying from a country other then Canada and the U.S." and another section says "Coming soon: Fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air or land, who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada, will all be subject to arrival testing and enhanced public health measures. 

I was even thinking "what if I don't get off the cruise ship?"

2 minutes ago, crickette said:

So why would K_e_short say s/he can't do that?  Some cruise lines may charge for wifi, and that is your discretion, but once in port (sea or air) there are lots of opportunities for free wifi.  Cafes at the 49th too.  I don't understand the "can't".

When I cross over into the U.S. by land or by airplane I turn my data off (airplane mode on) so that I am not charged $10 per 24 hours to access my data.

I go to the Awkasasne Casino alot (well before Covid) and  would turn off my data then access the wifi at the casino. Between the drive to the casino until I cross back into Canada I would have no data, no wifi, so I would assume that I would not have a working Arrive Can app to successfully enter Canada.

9 minutes ago, Reenie75 said:

MSC is requesting a RT PCR to get onto the ship. Wishing it wasn't so but it is 😕😕$160x3 (7nights)

Then to get onto Carnival (I'm on hold right now with Carnival right now) I think they will say they want RT PCR test $120x3 bc we are coming from another ship.

Then to go home the Canadian government is requesting a RT PCR test $120x 3

Total $1200 Canadian.

We knew to come home there was a chance to be tested.

I hope I am wrong but that's what its looking like.

 

Ah o.k thank you for that added info.

You are still confused with some of that info.

1 - Carnival requires an antigen test. They never require a PCR test if you are vaccinated. They do not care what you did prior to boarding. So you need an antigen test and if you are in the U.S. you can get one for free. Cost - FREE

2 - You do need  PCR test to return to Canada. You typed in "a chance to get tested". You HAVE to get a PCR test within 72 hours of returning to Canada. It is not a chance.

If you are talking about the test when you land - that is free.

If MSC is requiring a PCR test to board then your issue is with MSC, not Carnival.

Personally I find that unfair and from what I've heard online, MSC is not friendly to non Americans. Remember they weren't even allowing Canadians to cruise until November 1st.

I agree that is an added cost and perhaps if they made that requirement AFTER you booked you would be able to get your money back.

1 minute ago, crickette said:

I would appreciate hearing more about your comment "can't do that" with respect to airplane mode.  We have just returned from a Bermuda cruise, roaming was off, but received all our PCR test results (7 in 14 days!) and uploaded to the ArrCanApp and received the receipt QR code.  Obviously I'm missing something, and I sure would like to know better before we are off travelling again.

Doesn't the app require data or wifi to be able to work?

Maybe I'm wrong but when I keep hearing about the app not working properly i figure it's a data or wifi issue.

Did you have access to wifi when uploading your info?

What happens if you are in a place without wifi? That was what I was getting at. At an airport you could use the airport wifi. but the issues with people driving across wouldn't have wifi at the border.

The situation you are discussing is not in regards to travel, but a situation occuring before you travel.

As mentioned before most cruiselines will give you FCC if you test positive prior to cruising.

Air Canada had an offer that I locked into that allows me to reschedule up to 2 hours before my flight. I don't get my money back but I do get a travel credit.

My shuttle to and from the port is not refundable but I would get a travel credit to be used whenever I wanted.