K_e_short

20 minutes ago, broberts said:

I don't think my heart could tolerate your travel down experience. At the very least I'd be a complete wreck.

A few years ago I would have had a meltdown but Covid has taught me to take a breath, think, and then think of options.

Inside I was still crying and screaming, but on the outside I was like "o.k so we fly to Orlando. We get a car. Oo we can go to Key West. Oo we can go to Miami. Ooo maybe go to Disney."

Well I am home and wanted to share with everyone my experience with going on the Carnival Mardi Gras during Covid.

It was my 14 year old son and I, flying Ottawa to Orlando, Dec 26th - Jan 2nd (please note the holidays in there as that affected some of the things that happened)

I am a very organized traveller and had a binder with all the documents I needed. This was the list of documents that I printed out:

vaccination documents, both the Canadian one with the QR code and the individual ones with the Ontario logo, antigen tests, boarding documents, car insurance information, printed out info from the government website, parking information, car rental info, and list of emergency contacts.

I booked our antigen test at Shoppers 3 weeks before hand as that is when the appointments showed up. We went in and although had to wait because there were people getting antigen tests, pcr tests for actual covid, booster shots, and flu shots (it was sa bit of a zoo), the test and results took less then 5 minutes.

The next day we got on our flight. Now that was an experience I never want to experience EVER EVER EVER again. We were supposed to leave at 8:15am and get into Orlando at 11:35am. Our flight was delayed because of weather. There was no bad weather. I am convinced that there was no staff to take us at Orlando. We finally left and landed at 1:25pm.

I will note that the final boarding time was 3pm for our ship. We decided to board the plane and if we missed the ship we'd have a week in Florida. This was very important because this is what you need to do when travelling - you need a Plan B, C, etc.

We did make our ship. Luggage arrived at 2:15pm and we got to the port at 3:05pm.

Now the cruise was awesome. Did everyone wear a mask? No. Did everyone social distance? No. But most people were good and I felt safe as I knew that everyone was vaccinated and had gotten a negative antigen test. My 14 year old was even more relaxed about the situation and said that at school they are just as close, eating in a classroom for lunch, and not everyone there is vaccinated.

I am not making excuses for those that were not following the rules, but explaining that being on the ship was like being in Ottawa. (I get out of my car at Bayshore, put on a mask as I enter the mall. I walk around trying to social distance but people are oblivious. I go eat at the food court and take my mask off, hopefully surronded by vaccinated people as those are the rules).

Our flight home was much better. We arrived at the Orlando airport and made our way to the testing facility.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!!!!! The line up for those without appointments was about 400 people long. No that is not a typo. It went all the way from the clinic down the hall and turned down another hall. 

The appointments open up 13 days ahead of time and I stayed up until midnight to log in and book an appointment.

The line up for appointments was about 40 people long and someone came out and gave us forms based on our appointment times. We filled out the forms, went in and paid, went back out to wait for the test, went back in and got tested.

She said the results would take 1 hour and 10 minutes. We got tested at 10:15am (our appointments were at 9:30 and 9:50am) and needed to check our bags by 11:50am.

Our results showed up at 10:50am. We tested negative.

Now I will say that there were 3 other Canadian families on this cruise and two of them had one positive test. One has already been mentioned as the one that was told she had to go to a CDC hotel for 14 days. That was not the case. She was just sent off the ship to do whatever. The other person is at a hotel in Orlando trying to figure out a way home to B.C.

The first family was tested on the ship (unvaccinated child) and said there were over 200 positive cases. The ship had 5200 passengers and 1700 staff. News reports said there was an outbreak. She was angry and upset about all the positive cases. I'm not sure what to say other then I had a plan in place if I tested positive (drive home with a car rental).

We then had to check in for ou flight as they would not give us luggage tags and confirm our boarding passes until that time.

I filled out the ArriveCan app beforehand and submitted it before boarding the plane.

We landed and we were told we'd be getting an arrival PCR test.  They said that over 75% of the passengers would be tested and of course I was on a cruise and in two different countries so I knew I'd be tested. I was hoping not but yeah.

I had already made an account online with Switch Health, the company doing the testing, and had added my son to the account. The line up was long but we were given our testing kit and got the test right at the Ottawa Airport. The forms they gave us did not say we had to self isolate until our test results but we were verbally told we had to stay home. Results will come in 16 - 48 hours, emailed to me.

After the pcr test (5th test in a week if I'm counting - we did a test on the 24th to make sure we didn't have Covid, 25th travel antigen test, Jan 1st antigen test in cabin to make sure we hadn't caught Covid, Jan 2nd morning PCR test, and then evening PCR test in Ottawa.)

Would I do it again? Yes! I would not fly in the day of though. That will never happen again.

My son had a great time. He met friends. They hung out. He got to do normal 14 year old things that he has not been able to do for 2 years. They all wore masks when inside. They took their masks off outside but at least I knew all his friends were vaccinated.

I had a lovely time. I sat at the pool every day. I didn't have to wear a mask outside. I put on a mask inside just like at home.

Oh and the best part of the cruise was that I won at the casino. $12500!!!! That meant I had to go through secondary on the way home because I had to fill out a form to say I was bringing in more then $10000 CAD. My son and I joked we should be on the Border Security show.

I am more then happy to answer any questions, or describe things in more detail.

12 hours ago, broberts said:

 

I'd be surprised if the government was footing the bill. Much more likely the cruise line.

 

 

My sympathies. Hopefully your symptoms don't get any worse.

 

There is not much you can do about previous contacts other than notifications. Going forward you can use the GOC COVID Alert app on your phone if you have to go out.

In regards to the cost. The cruise said she'd have to pay out of pocket. 

She has made plans to isolate at her sisters in Florida and fly home after 14 days.

It wasn't until she was on the ship and booked the test that Carnival told her the procedures if you test positive on the ship.

5 hours ago, Halo19 said:

Facebook isn't reliable, but it was a first had account from a mother currently on a carnival ship and the cruise ends tomorrow.

 

She just updated saying the child did test positive.  Will be interesting to see what she says happens tomorrow.

She's on my cruise.

Been chatting with her on Facebook.

She's part of the same Facebook cruise roll call as me.

She and I posted about the number of positive cases and our posts were deleted.

I guess Americans don't want to know. 

I was told if you test positive on the ship you are sent to a 14 day hotel. This was from someone from the Carnival section and I got  little snippy when he found out I'd be driving home and omg infecting others at hotels etc.

I tried to explain that many ppl walk around with covid.

I'm testing at the airport and will update when I can.

She was told the 14 day hotel thing straight from Carnival.

I will update if I hear new info from her.

Good afternoon from the Carnival Mardi Gras.

My answer might change tomorrow if I test positive.

This trip has been amazing.

The most stressful part was me being stupid flying in the day of.

Thats not covid related. That could happen any time.

Our flight was delayed 3 hours plus waiting for luggage.

815am when our flight was supposed to leave until 305pm when we arrived at the port terminal were insanely stressful.

The while wearing masks,c crowded areas, people not wearing masks etc.  I deal with that at home.

Just saying travel is always stressful and having  a plan b to z is good.

I left on the Mardi Gras Sunday.

I knew there would be so many ships.

I also heard that the covid testing was backed up.

A family didnt get on until 4pm, an hour after final boarding.

It did seem very busy when we arrived at 3pm.

4 minutes ago, mac21902 said:

I just heard that RC is cancelling all cruises for the next 30 days. Will Carnival do the same?

I thought they were just suspending new bookings for a month.

As in cruises are going but with reduced capacity.

Don't quite me thoigh. I've been offline a while.

You have to pay to get results in time to fly.

The free pcr tests there are like the ones our health unit do (or used to do since I heard only front line workers csn get tested now.)

Where I work the health unit was taking a week for results.

You didn't mention what city in Florida.

Miami Orlando and Fort Launderdale airports have pcr testing. Tampa might. Not sure.

18 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Upsells...they aren't giving free upgrades

Yes. Correct.

Upsells of $100 to $1000 per cabin.

Most of the upsells were full priced cabins. Some had a lot of OBC but their actual cabin cost was regular rate.

At least thats what I'm telling myself as to why I didn't get an upgrade/upsell 🙂

Im cruising tomorrow and many people on my roll call got upgrades all last week.

Right now there are A LOT of cabins avalaible but no one has mentioned getting an upgrade.

But yeah guest services when you board would be a good idea. Can't hurt to ask.

1 minute ago, *Miss G* said:

 

In all my trips into Canada, during Covid, this is the first time I have received this email.  Previous to this, quarantine was not required while awaiting test results.

I read the website a lot to make sure I was following all the rules.

It says:

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#entry-vaccinated

You must be prepared to quarantine when entering Canada as you could:

• be selected for an arrival test that requires that you quarantine until you get a negative test result;

So that email you received says the same thing.

Perhaps they are trying to be stricter, trying to remind people the rules prior to the rush of people coming home from Christmas vacations??

That is not new.

Everything written there has already been on the Government website.

The only difference is that what you posted is way easier to read, follow, and understand, so thank you for sharing.

As I read it if you come back from a country other then Canada or the U.S., AND (this word is important), AND are randomly selected to do a PCR test you are not allowed to leave your house until the test comes back.

And here goes @Fouremco responding at the same time as me again 🙂 Lets see if we say the same thing again 🙂

2 hours ago, retiring soon said:

Hi again!

 

Fouremco ~ thanks so much. I'll have to decide when to order it for my Feb 3 flight, Feb 6 cruise & Feb 20 return.

Is this the same test given out at the LCBO & certain drugstores?

Nope. The ones that are being handed out are self administered, with no one supervising you.

The ones referenced are monitored by a health professional and are the only at home ones allowed for travel.

26 minutes ago, Babr said:

I don’t know what your research revealed, but quarantine has always been required for those who test positive because they are prohibited from using public transportation. Renting a car for a cross country multi-day trip was never an option under the CSO.

 

 

What does the CSO have to do with what I do after I get off a cruise ship?

Once I'm off the ship I will follow all the proper rules and regulations.

Current rules allow me to rent a car without showing a negative test. Current rules allow me to board a flight or train or public transportation with out a negative test.

I can book a hotel room without a negative test.

Another point that you haven't mentioned is the number of people getting off the ship who are positive but don't know because they don't have to test.

How safe are domestic flights with a pile of cruisers?

33 minutes ago, Babr said:

So you are just changing the location of your quarantine from the port city to Canada?  Why go to all the trouble and spread virus along the way just to trade one location of quarantine for another?

I had asked my initial question as your info was different  then what I had found out with my research.

We are all making choices about our health and safety when cruising.

I am very mindful of keeping others around me safe, hence my plan.

I'm from Ontario where we wear masks in public, stay 6 feet away, and are suggested to wear KN 95 masks.

I can't imagine anyone walking around with Covid without a mask, without a proper mask, and without social distancing. I guess that happens based on your concern.

@Djsmrs

Did you have any issues checking in online with your kids?

I have to see an agent tomorrow as I can't check my 14 year old online.

I called and they said it was a glitch but still worrying.

17 hours ago, Babr said:

But aren’t you still exposing people at the car rental place and your stops along the way on a three-day drive?
 

How do you get into Canada with a positive test?

You can enter Canada as a Canadian citizen with a positive test but have to quarantine for 14 days and will probabaly be checked by the government to make sure you are following the rules.

2 hours ago, Babr said:

 

I’m not sure about that. You are not required to test for domestic flights;  but if you test positive at the airport, I doubt they would let you board a plane.

 

As for local quarantine, you are transported to the hotel because positive people are prohibited from using public transportation; and you are assigned a room set aside for quarantine.
 

Could you leave? I don’t know, but your test results have been reported to the CDC as well as local health authorities. The hotel will know that you have left. There may be repercussions for violating quarantine. A border crossing could complicate things since you are dealing with federal as well as local authorities.

 

And, as I said, you will void any insurance claim to reimburse travel expenses so I guess it depends on how badly you want to get home.

The testing centre at the airport is not connected to any airline.

So how would any airline know that I have tested positive before I board a domestic flight?

I'm saying domestic because other countries require proof of a negative Covid test to enter the country.

The reason I am asking is because I am Canadian and am testing at the airport before flying home.

If I test positive I have a car rental and will drive home (22 hours, doable in 3 days).

Carnival does not test Canadians on board, but some have gotten a test by asking politely, or catching a guest services person who didn't know the rules (not sure).

Based on your information I do not want Carnival to test me on board because then I'd be forced to go to a quarantine hotel.

I will get tested at the airport.

Of course the real issue is how many people are getting off the ship, going on public transportation. getting on a plane, etc. and are positive but because they don't need to test they don't know they are positive.

My plan B for getting home after my cruise still works. I would not take public transportation or try to board a flight if I knew I was positive. My morals and ethics are too high, even though I know others aren't. 🙂

3 minutes ago, Babr said:

Arrangements just means they will make the phone calls and handle the logistics. Sorry if my statement was misleading. You are correct that any associated costs are your responsibility. That policy applies to anyone who tests positive on a cruise.

 

From recent accounts, positive passengers are escorted off the ship after everyone else has disembarked. They are transported to a quarantine hotel unless they have their own car at the port. Otherwise, you don’t really have a choice of the other options you listed. Carnival will help you find a quarantine hotel. That’s it.

 

If you plan to seek reimbursement through travel insurance, you have to present documentation of a positive test and a doctor’s orders not to travel. If you try to fly or rent a car, you can’t expect insurance to pay if you travel against doctor’s orders.

 

 

 

Thank you for your response.

I asked because I am a planner and like to have different options.

Just thinking aloud here and what is strange is if I tested on board you are saying I'd be forced to go to a hotel, but if I test positive at the airport I'm allowed to fly to the nearest Canadian border airport, rent a car, and drive across the border.

What stops me from not checking in to that hotel and getting a car rental? (Not looking for a response, just once again thinking aloud)

And what is the difference between me testing positive on the ship versus getting off the ship and testing positive at the airport?

On 12/22/2021 at 12:56 PM, Babr said:

The Carnival policy states that you will be tested free of charge between cruises. If you are denied embarkation because of a positive test, Carnival will help you make arrangements for quarantine if you are not in your home port with a car. You will get FCC for unused days of the cruise.

 

Any expenses related to quarantine shoreside are the responsibility of the quest.

Can you reference where the Carnival website says that they will help make arrangements and that you have to quarantine if you don't have a car at the home port?

Is that only for B2B or anyone who tests positive on the cruise?

I thought Carnival would give you FCC but everything else was your responsibility, including how you choose to get home (your car, car rental, fly home).

2 hours ago, Girlincube said:

 

Has anyone successfully tried to cancel a casino rate?!?! My travel agent is saying he can't cancel my room until Monday.... 

You just have to call the casino line, not the main Carnival number.

The Casino Number is 1-866-299-5859. According to the website they are open Monday to Sunday 8:00am - midnight.

There might be holiday hours though.

Is your TA calling the casino number of the regular travel agent number?

3 hours ago, ehc said:

Which website I can check how many passages will be on the ship I will be on?

Thanks!

Go onto the Carnival website and do a mock booking.

Click through all the different options and count how many rooms are available. Remember if it says 10 rooms on one deck there might be more but they will only list 10 (I think).

Then you will have a good idea of how many rooms they want to fill.

That won't count how many they are keeping empty for quarantine or to keep the capacity under 100%.

Well to update I decided to stop worrying about prices. I left the $195 per seat bid and this morning got an email that it was accepted.

That was exactly 48 hours before my flight.

I will say that I am super excited to fly business class. I have never flown business class before. My husband had, he used to fly with his Dad all the time. My mom and on flew home from Orlando one year in business when Delta made a mistake and were able to upgrade 2/4 of us.

On 12/22/2021 at 10:49 PM, BlerkOne said:

I read Mardi Gras is actually over 100% (double occupancy) this week.

 

 

I'm on the Mardi Gras on the 26th so been following the capacity closely.

It sounds like they are around 100% capacity based on double occupancy, but no where near full capacity (5200 versus 6500).

I also know that many people are cancelling as the cruise was full and now there are a lot of cabins.

Hopefully this means less people on my ship 🙂

10 hours ago, syesmar said:

See this information from an email sent by Carnival: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2820227-new-email-from-carnival-change-of-ports-masks-full-refunds/

 

Going to be snarky for a moment and say "this is what happens when you whine, complain, and be ungrateful."

I read some of the comments from the cruisers on the Freedom. Talk about entitlement!

It's kind of sad that Carnival has to remind people about the rules and regulations regarding ports.

Now I know the email also explains refunds, which is awesome.