truckswain

On 8/22/2022 at 9:20 PM, tottenhamfc said:

And clear as mud as usual.

What is not clear?

I thought it was well laid out by departure port.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center?icid=hlthys_wrnssn_hlt_nbrdxp_pghdr_3467
 

Not a surprise given what the other major cruise lines have done.

On 8/14/2022 at 10:10 AM, broberts said:

 

Do you have actual data to support this statement?

No I do not and nor have I seen any data to suggest testing is mitigating the spread of Covid on cruises.

I should have been clearer and said  "In my opinion, testing to get on a cruise ship is useless"

I fully support Covid  vaccinations and boosters.  I believe the Federal Governments has for the most done a very good job of protecting Canadians.  However the protocols that continue to be in place now are nothing but Covid theatre.

Testing to get on a cruise ship is useless.  Most people are using a proctored raped antigen test to comply with the requirement.  We have been told by our governments on numerous occasions that antigen tests, especially if you test negative, are inaccurate.  So really what is the point, let alone the timing on when you need to test to board.

It is a significantly elevated risk to go on a cruise due to the possibility of catching Covid.  Anyone cruising should be well aware of this.  To expect testing or vaccinations to reduce that risk is foolish.

For those who accept the risk to cruise testing is an annoyance and added expense, nothing more.

Looking forward to my third cruise since the pandemic in September and will be very happy when RCCL removes testing for cruises longer than 7 days.

On the Anthem they were using Starbucks for their paid premium coffee selections, and in my opinion very good.  As far as the free coffee around the ship I have no idea what they using and to call what they were serving coffee is an insult to coffee.

very happy for this change as we always have the UBP.

We have a cruise in September on Symphony and the DBP is at $90 per person.  The price is much more than on any other Royal Cruise I have taken.  We just returned from the Celebrity Apex last week and I was able to see how many drinks we ordered during the cruise.  I was a little surprised by how many.  We are in no way heavy drinkers but with multiple bottles of premium water, lattes and americanos coffees during the day plus cocktails in the afternoon (sometimes before noon!) a couple glasses of wine during dinner and the odd the evening cocktail during the shows it adds up.  Prices on board for drinks ranged from $8 to $15 with water at $2.50 to $4 and coffees at $5 - $7 (all US dollars).  I also factor in the peace of mind knowing that drinks are covered with no bill at the end of the curise.

23 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Your link doesn't work, so I can't view what two questions you are speaking about. However, according to the SDM website, anyone who has tested positive within the past 90 days is not eligible to take their antigen screening:

 

 

Screening is available to anyone who meets the asymptomatic criteria. In order to be screened in the pharmacy you must:
 

• Be asymptomatic (you have no symptoms of COVID-19)
• Have not been in contact with someone known to have COVID-19 within the past 14 days
• Have not been advised to quarantine in the last 14 days per the federal quarantine requirements
• Have not been advised to get tested for COVID-19 through an exposure notification through the COVID-19 app
• Have not previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days

The question asked is Has the Patient received a COVID-19 positive PCR test in the past 90 days  

It is a very specific question as opposed to anyone who has tested positive in the past 90 days.

The second question regards testing positive on at home kit in the last 10 days.

If you have tested positive and did not get a PCR  test and have not tested positive in the last 10 days on an at home kit, you can book an antigen test at SDM.

23 hours ago, Fouremco said:

The booking with SDM and the conversation with a Walmart pharmacist are two separate events. The pharmacist was speaking about Walmart, not SDM.

 

Actually, the concern is a very real one and is a perfect example of what can go wrong and why you need to have a Plan B. And probably a Plan C as well. Raising the potential issues is one of the major benefits of CC and this board, as it allows other members to be aware of them and take the necessary steps to avoid ruining our travel plans.

I must have missed the post or comments about appointments being cancelled for lack of tests at Walmart or SDM.  Musings of one pharmacist at one Walmart does not give me concern.

Raising potential issues is important but a differing opinion on the likelihood of such an issue happening is just as important.

3 hours ago, abby1257 said:

For my travel to Florida on March 24, I have booked my test for 6:00 pm on the 23rd...at Shoppers Drug Mart...so all good....I was speaking to a Walmart Pharmacist who said some people book their tests but when they show up....they have run out of test kits....WTH....He said I should be booking 2 appointments in case this happens....Has this happened to anyone else...I mean....the window is not very big....we have to have this test within 24 hours....I would have thought they would put those test kits aside for people who have booked an appt....I'm concerned.

How does the Pharmacist at Walmart know what happens at Shopper Drug Mart?  

Seems to me to be a very unnecessary concern given everything else one must worry about when travelling these days. 

DW and I just scheduled an appointment at SDM for the antigen test for our upcoming cruise.  DW tested positive for Covid on a home rapid test in mid February.  The two questions of relevance  when booking a test at SDM are:

Since my DW tested with a home antigen test kit the answer to the first question is No.  Since her positive test was more than 10 days on the home kit the answer to the second question is also No.

So we are not lying to SDM get the test needed.

Just now, maryann2 said:

Yes breaking news!

Will need antigen test for fully vaccinated travellers and still random PCR tests at the borders, presumably to check for variants.  Announcement 10am for BC.

It is breaking news, however does nothing to change what one must do to cruise if you have to fly home from your departure port.

Time to end all testing for vaccinated travelers period.

On 2/12/2022 at 12:05 AM, mom says said:

I did not say that. Nor has the govt said anything officially about what the new entry protocols will be. People seem to be jumping to conclusions based on little actual facts right now. However, if any testing is going to be done, I would rather it be before getting on a plane, not after getting off of one, for the safety of the passengers and crew. The double testing of fully vaccinated travellers under the current protocol has never made sense to me. JMO.

One can fly domestically in Canada with no tests, and therefore I fail to see any benefit with testing for international travel.

In Canada you must be vaccinated to fly in or out of the country which makes perfect sense.  So stop with the testing nonsense.

If you are fully vaccinated no need for tests period.  

On 2/2/2022 at 1:19 PM, son3cruisers said:

Our applications were “ processed” quite quickly, which I was surprised by. It’s just the interview we will need to wait on. Curious, when did you apply to get a July interview? 
 

 

I cant recall the exact date but it was soon after Canada had dropped the requirement for a PCR test to return to Canada if the trip was less than 72 hours.  So I am thinking late summer, early fall?

I was very frustrated I had to make the appointment on the US side of the border as the CBSA continues to keep their offices closed to those needing Nexus. 

Yup no Online option for new applicants.  I have applied as well and have an appointment in July, which is crazy.

Still not clear on why they are not processing applications, makes not sense and the backlog is going to be ridiculous.  

On 1/26/2022 at 1:23 PM, CKCruising said:

Everyone says follow the science, but what is the science you refer to?

Should someone coming from the US quarantine until they get a negative test?

Should someone who went to a Raptors game (think November) be required to test and quarantine?

Should kids be home from school?

The science says that if you come into contact with the disease, you may get it.  Does the science say we should have a full lockdown?

At this point, follow the science means I will pick and choose options that suit me and call it science.

Out of interest, I would be interested in knowing what science Canada is refusing to follow?  I can come up with a bunch of examples, but am interested in hearing from other views.

There certainly is a great deal of confusion and some differing opinions.

What I believe the science is showing and is being proven out in many civilized countries is that vaccines work and being boosted is even better.  You can still catch Covid with being vaccinated but it is very unlikely you will end up in hospital (unless there are underlying health issues.)  

Reporting/knowing case counts of infections is completely useless as it does not give an accurate picture especially with Omicron, but it was very inaccurate even before.

Covid will spread regardless of testing, travel or otherwise.  That we clearly saw with Omicron.

Two years into the pandemic, lockdowns, school closures, restrictions have had little effect on "flattening the curve" or "blunting" the curve.  And what is a "circuit breaker" anyway?

 If you are feeling unwell, stay home just like we did every cold and flu season.  If business require masks or vaccine proof excellent, if not then people can assess that risk.  If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, then you absolutely should and not be judged if you do, however masks being mandatory no longer makes sense.

Our health care system will always be at capacity as that is a failure at all levels of government.  Trying to fix this by lockdown and restrictions due to Covid is pointless.

Like the UK has, it is time to move forward.

12 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

 

We flew home yesterday too and I also got flagged for a test but in Montreal.  Our circumstances are a little different.  We were on the 1/9/22-1/15/22 Odyssey sailing too and hubby tested positive on 1/13/22 onboard.  That meant quarantine onboard until the 15th and then we were in a hotel in Fort Lauderdale and not allowed to fly home until 1/24.  I tested negative onboard and I continued to test negative on rapid antigens all week at the hotel.  I got a PCR on Friday afternoon through BeeperMD and tested negative.  I assume I got flagged at the airport because they knew hubs was flying with a positive test from 11+ days ago.

 

I was feeling a little under the weather this morning and took another rapid this morning and tested positive and sure enough I got my results this afternoon from the airport test and it was positive as well.

 

The weird part is that they did not tell me to quarantine while I waited for my results. They just told me it could take up to 5 days to get my results.

This is yet another reason why testing travellers is not providing the outcomes desired. 

JessyCruises flew into Canada while most likely being contagious.  And to be clear not her fault.  Tested at the airport and no mention of isolating or quarantine until test results came back.

  Canada needs to follow the science which they refuse to do.

12 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

Boris needs to survive the "parytgate" scandal,  an insurrection in his own party, local elections in May and a possible national election later this year. Hmmmm, 🤔 could it be these changes are a bit politically motivated?

 

As for Canada, no Federal election on the horizon but in Ontario, we have a provincial election coming up in June. Come April there will be more whining coming from Ontario politicians complaining  about the Feds handling of the pandemic than there was scoring in the last two minutes of the Bills/Chiefs game the other night and that was a whole bunch of scoring! 😊

 

I have absolutely no doubt any decision by politicians is always politically motivated but in this case the decision also follows the science.

Canada needs to take note and to stop treating their citizens as criminals because they travel.

Bravo to the UK! 

22 hours ago, AlbertaCruisers said:

Just off the Constellation today. They asked us our flight details early in the cruise, but just a form we filled out and returned and no one asked for proof.  Our flight was today so I didn’t ask on the 24 hour issue. As a note, they are moving the testing off the ship. We were informed about this yesterday. They said this would be for all Celebrity ships as of Jan 5 and it is somehow related to new CDC guidelines but no one could give us details on how CDC guidelines changes how and when they test us. We were tested this morning in the parking lot by a mini van. Test was still free but process was a mess and stressful. 

As I recall this was an issue with Celebrity in the fall.  Some cruisers on a couple of Celebrity ships had their testing at the pier and not on the ship.  The Celebrity website did not reflect this change.

I don't know if Celebrity reversed their procedures and stopped the testing at the pier or it depended on the ship/port/# of tests needed, but for the majority of cruisers the tests were done on the ship.

I know the website is slow to update but until Celebrity notifies of a policy change/updates their website I believe it is premature to assume testing will now be at the pier for all sailings.

Having said that, the space/time/people/cost of testing on the ship cannot continue and I fully expect Celebrity to follow the other major lines and move their testing shoreside.

It is unfortunate our government still believes that PCR testing to arrive back into Canada has any effect on stopping the spread of Covid.   Omicron has proven that point.

I as well did not know of this board.  But since Covid it has been a wealth of information and not all Covid related.

There are regular posters to this forum that spend a great deal of time researching all kinds of things and take the time to post it here which is very much appreciated.

This forum will be added to the other forums I check regularly.

Hopefully in the not to distant future we will be reading posts about Canadians calling out chair hogs and those that wear hats in the dining room😁

Unfortunately there will be many more Variants of Concern and as someone said earlier Covid will never be gone it needs to be manageable.

 While Omicron is more transmissible there is no data yet that hospitalizations and deaths will trend upwards as well.  As far as I am concerned hospitalizations and deaths are the key metrics not infections. Time will tell.

With Omicron already the dominant strain border and travel restrictions will do little to lessen the spread.   The Government of Canada's travel advisories are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.  

I just found out both myself and DW are both off between Christmas and New Years I was actually looking at last minute cruises.  Celebrities' Safe Passage Home, Cruise with Confidence and their testing makes it very appealing to book.

We returned from the Celebrity Apex to Toronto on November 20th.  We were tested on the ship on November 19th.  Email results in 45 minutes, printed results were in our cabin on the morning of the 20th.

At that time we were not required to upload our negative test results into the ArrCan App only attest to the fact that we have received the negative test.  We had to show our test results to the agent at the Air Transat Counter at Fort Lauderdale Airport along with the generated receipt/QR code from the ArrCan App.

Landing in Toronto was simple and the process through Customs/Immigration was pretty similar to what it was pre pandemic - too many people in the customs hall, long lines that moved pretty well and unhappy, surly immigration officers with God complexes checking your papers. The only difference is you either got a green dot on your passport or a red dot.  Red dot meant a Covid test at the airport.  We got a green dot so no issue.  The immigration officer must have appreciated us referring to him as your Lordship 😀.

I would not cancel my cruise (have one booked for April).  This is how it is going to be for a long time and I am simply not willing to wait to travel until things return to "normal".  Life is too short for that.

3 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

The Buffalo-Fort Erie Enrollment Centre is on the Canadian side. You need to interview with both the CBP and CBSA officers.

Thanks.  I had assumed there was a corresponding Enrollment Centre on the US side to interview with US Border Patrol.

The office in Niagara Falls NY next earliest appointment is June 2022.  I guess I wait until they dedice to open the Canadian Enrollment Centres.  

2 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

I am also waiting.  I put off getting one years ago.  After our last trip through Toronto airport in September, I decided it was time.  I did not realize at the time that interviews were suspended.  

In reading further I believe I could interview with American Border Security.  I am about 90 minutes from Fort Erie and now that you don't need a test to return to Canada if less than 72 hours this might be my plan.

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

This pilot project was announced at the beginning of June, at a time when the land border was closed for non-essential travel and in-person interviews were suspended in both Canada and the US. With the re-opening of the US interview centres effective today, I wonder whether this pilot program for remote interviews will continue. When the CBP announced the re-opening of the interview centres, it made no mention at all of the remote interview pilot. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/us-nexusfast-enrollment-centers-re-open-november-29

 

I receive regular NEXUS updates from CBSA, and I don't recall having seen any mention of this program being made available to Canadians. As a pilot project, it's possible that the CBP is/was testing it on US members only.

Does anyone have any sense on when CBSA will resume NEXUS interviews?  I took a new position in June which requires extensive travel in Canada and the US.  I have never really needed NEXUS before but believe I will now.  Of course you don't know what you missing if have never had it 🙂

22 minutes ago, AlbertaCruisers said:

 

We are just off the Equinox and I agree, this time was just the lower nasal cavity swab, like an antigen test.  I'm wondering if it is because it is a NAAT test now and not RT-PCR.  In the summer on the Equinox they did the brain tickler kind of swab and the test was (as shown on our results) an RT-PCR.  This time they did the lower one, and the test run time was shorter (we were told 30 minutes this time and 1.5 hours in the summer), and this test said on our results that it was a NAAT utilizing PCR (or something like that).  In any event, I will take the lower nasal swab every time if possible, it is so much better!!

Very interesting.  Our test was listed as a Covid-19 POC-PCR.   The POC tests provide results in 30 minutes.