ALD18

Have upcoming cruise to South America and have seen multiple warnings about limited English speaking staff in several areas.  We have zero Spanish speaking skills.  I messed around yesterday with Google Translate with a Spanish restaurant menu and was a little disappointed in how it worked, especially entering Spanish phrases and converting to English.  They did not have an English menu posted.  Obviously did not know if translation from English to Spanish worked.  Some of the "translates" seemed to be wrong.  Do you use and have confidence in any other types of translator apps, other than Google translate, on your phone or other devices?    Thanks.

Think it's past time on dropping all the testing and such, but we have always been a couple of months behind the rest of the world by following our program.  Personally I'm glad the Arrivecan is still around and is optional.  I liked it during our trips, eliminated all the fumbling paperwork and in person questions. I'm still going to carry all my paper testing records and such as well as on my phone just in case.  You still need to keep in mind on destination requirements and cover your bases there.  Slow by steady progress I guess.  

Have to be cautious with esim cards.  Convenient, but not all phones will/can use them.  Check out the esim card provider and it will likely show you how to check to see if your phone is esim compatible.  I have a relatively new Android phone and it is not. 

We sprung for a set of Sony over ear noise cancelling head phones and they worked great.  Gave ourselves an hour or two to settle into flight, popped them on, and had a good nap each way.  Recharged us enough to get off the plane and try do things in relation to local time and go about your normal activities.  Have found this works out great with an early to bed first night at destination.  Our body clocks synced up great after that.  Good luck.

1 minute ago, LHT28 said:

many countries you should not were camo  anything 

so be careful what you pack

 

Indeed, have been warned of that.  Some cruise lines have it in their cruise contracts that camo is not allowed anywhere.  Thanks for the reminder. 

I usually wear a pair of all leather lace up shoes pretty much all the time.  For normal wet weather the all leather takes quite a long time to soak through so usually good there.  I give them a spray with waterproofing every so often to help out.  Like to wear quick dry pants, although when they get wet they can be kind of sticky.  Coat is where I struggle.  I like the fully waterproof stuff with a built in hood.  I find the lesser cost shells (even the good ones) have a tendency to be noisy as they sort of crackle when you move.  As well cheaper ones I've had get clammy inside and are hot even with moderate walking.  The Torrentshell sort of fits into that category, but with the pit zips that could be a great ventilation bonus, but still noisy.  I am also semi looking at upgrading and eating the extra cost for a packable GoreTex shell instead.  Quiet, waterproof, and I have other camouflage pieces at home so  I can use Goretex revitalization wash in stuff to keep it going.  Decision, decisions😀   

With space at a premium when cruising what does everyone use for rain gear?  Light shell?  Fully waterproof jacket?  Poncho?  Umbrella by itself?  Looking hard at a Patagonia Torrent Shell and layering underneath, but have historically found shells to be clammy feeling even if breathable.  Heavier jackets may be too hot for some cruises.  Poncho seems like it would be cooler but wouldn't wear during normal weather.  Or just use an umbrella.  Any makes and models you recommend on any of the above would be interesting.  Thanks.

Thanks for the input everyone.  Decided on a different itinerary and will be hitting Coco Cay this time.  MSC island looks very interesting so will make a big push to hit it in future.  Appreciate everyone's input.

Looking at possible MSC cruise with 2 day stop over at Ocean Cay.  Compared to other cruise line private islands looks rather desolate in regards to activities.  Wondering what there is to do other than sit and watch the ocean.  Appears as if you can rent Sea-Doo's and kayaks ($$$$), can you rent bikes or walk to "tour" the island and is it worth it?  Anything else to do?  Guess it would be similar to a on land sea day:)  Thanks.

We went ahead and booked with him as well, but as you stated he didn't sound to optimistic.  Although, did seem to leave the door open a little bit.  I liked he refused payment prior to arrival to simplify things financially for all involved.  Here's hoping it opens  up as the King penguins at Volunteer point is the premier attraction of the trip for me.  

There was a major Toronto testing site for departures at one of the big parking lots just outside the airport.  IF they are still doing them it would be a logical place to do it.  They would have the staff, equipment, and administration services available.  May be a headache for those using transit, limo service, or alternate transportation methods to leave the airport though.  But do the Feds care about that.................. 

8 hours ago, tony s said:

We are going December 23 and we’re paying day of.

Kind of simplifies things across the board in regards to money changing hands and port does not open.  Thanks for the input, will be looking into booking with them asap.  Appreciate everyone's responses. 

11 hours ago, Shella73 said:

Patrick Watts is taking bookings for Volunteer Point only at this. However, we do not know for sure if we will get to go. I am on the same sailing and have booked an excursion with him.

Yes, we were looking at using them as well.  Did he give you any direction in regards if he was actually open running the excursions?  Some time ago he posted on one of these forums that he was taking bookings but the ports were still not open for business.  You could book with him on the assumption they would be reopening in due time, but you could get out of the booking easily if they were still closed.  Did you have to pay for the excursion up front or was book and pay later?  Thanks!!!!!

Yes, that is who we were going to look up and use.  Heard a lot of good things about their services.  Thank you for clarification😀

Was wondering whether the Falklands were fully open to the big cruise ships again or just the smaller ones still?  They were being overly cautious on opening up post COVID.  We're heading there in January 2023 on the Norwegian Star and wondering about investigating the shore excursions there.  Particularly looking at 3rd party excursion to see the Emperor penguins.  Understand there was/is confusion of what size and who's ships were stopping there now.  Thanks.

Usually the testing is based on the day the test is done and time has no factor.  So if you tested on Thursday morning you would/could be fine until Saturday at midnight.  That could have changed, but the only tests historically I've heard timing was an issue was the PCR tests.  Pretty much everything now is antigen and works on the calendar day.  Another option would be if you have access to a home test do it for yourself the day you fly.  The test kits we have here in Canada are the same as the proctored pharmacist used for our official test.  You have the comfort of knowing you are negative, mask up on the plane, and have the test done in England.  We flew out of Gatwick (on way home) and there was a testing clinic right in the airport.  Cost 35 pounds per test and had result in about 20 minutes.  Then all you have to do is take train, car, bus, whatever to Southampton terminal.  Not sure if they had testing right at the dock, but if they do suspect it may be more $'s.  Best of luck.

21 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Is there a testing centre in Gatwick airport , we have a couple hour layover there , so it could a good time to get the test before flying to Copenhagen to get on the Voyager 

Hoping by the end of August RCL will cancel pre booking Covid testing 

There is an Express Test testing centre on floor 1 in the north terminal.  You can pre book test time online and cost is about 35 Euros I think.  Google COVID testing Gatwick and it should show up. 

Agree with Miss G.  NCL requires negative antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation.  Test on 22nd covers 24 hour entry to US and 2 day NCL embarkation negative test. 

Sounds good.  My only advise will to be fully prepared for a PITA at Pearson customs.  We came through there last weekend and it was horrific.  They were only letting 50 people at a time off of the plane, customs kiosks were packed, they were not sanitized in any fashion, there was no hand sanitizer anywhere to be seen.  Once you finished kiosk you lined up to exit.  The kiosk wait line and exit line got all intermingled, lots of angry people, staff shouting.  Exit line was nose to tail, side by side all the way through.  Some people took masks off because it was so hot, some had them partially on, some fully masked.  I would recommend you have hand sanitizer and wear a N95 or NK95 mask for that part.  Took us 90 minutes to get through and by the sounds of it we were lucky to get that.  It was a PERFECT environment for a super spreader event.  Best of luck and enjoy rest of your trip though😀  

The good part of current testing is it is based on "days", not 24 hours from test time.  So you test any time on the 21st you are good for the US flight until 11:59PM on the 22nd and good for cruise until 11:59PM on the 23rd.  Way less stressful than counting hours.

I've seen similar requests on other forums and the usual answer was no you cannot.  Not sure how they could control you if you inadvertently "missed" the ship, but suspect they may have a rather stern follow up call with you afterwards. Getting all your stuff packed and off the ship may be a clue to challenge you as well. 

A lot of it has to do with media relations as well.  The cruise lines are/were constantly being hammered by the media for every type of outbreak.  I think they are being overly cautious, and I agree with them, and doing everything they can do to keep ANY type of infection under stringent control right now.  People wanting to restart cruising are not seeing the negative cruise press because of an outbreak and start re-booking.  I think the cruise lines are playing it super safe and if some passengers don't like it they accept that for the better good of all passengers down the road.   

Food for thought.  For those who are taking a Chromebook, laptop, or tablet you can get into ArrivCan web page via wifi instead of fiddling with phones and the app.  I tested it with my Chromebook, that I travel with, and it worked exactly the same.  Nice to have the keyboard and larger screen for sure.  Suppose if needed and you are staying over could use a hotel business centre pc to fill it out.  With 72 hours to complete I'll more than likely use my Chromebook for my tired old eyes.

Just used update feature in Android Play Store.  Was sitting there for download, did so, and installed automatically for me. 

Koxler, so you would get caught by the US mandate of needing a negative COVID test because you would be arriving home by air?  Even though you are a US citizen?