Storylady

On 6/4/2022 at 2:27 PM, happyglobetrotter said:

What my point was : blaming Vancouver for it and saying I will never use Vancouver anymore for a cruise... I will have my test before leaving Ottawa to get to Boston (within 48 hours). Easier for us to have it home before leaving. 

 

Louise, she was frustrated by having her appointment cancelled at the last minute. She probably shouldn't have blamed Vancouver. But it was frustrating when two sites in the vicinity of Canada Place closed at the last minute. By that time other places didn’t have appointments or they weren’t open on Saturday, I had recommended she get the PCR which you can get three days before flight which would work for boarding the ship. But she replied that she didn’t have the time due to other appointments. I can understand her frustration even though I am still happy that HAL still requires the test before cruising.

7 hours ago, happyglobetrotter said:

All this...I will never go back to Vancouver because you are American or flying to America. No other country needs the test, only USA.

 

And me being a Canadian, I will most likely need a test to fly to Boston, on August 2 to take my cruise. Should I say I will never go to Boston again or visit Boston again,  come on !!!! 

Louise, she needed a test to get on the cruise and wasn’t able to do it before leaving home. CMV notified her too late to make other arrangements. Luckily for her, everything worked out okay thanks to another mariner who knew the name of the clinic in the Fairmont Hotel across the street, 

Cruises are still operating. I just read that the Nieuw Amsterdam has not cancelled  any cruises, just the land plus cruise packages.

As for crew getting COVID onboard. When a crew member gets COVID, they are quarantined along with anyone they have been in contact with, Tina, the Pinnacle Grill Hostess was quarantined, but didn’t have COVID. One of the BB King Members tested positive, but 3 others were also quarantined. I am glad that HAL is being cautious. There might be a small number that actually tested positive for COVID, but lots more that tested negatuve that have to be quarantined, plus new crew members who are also quarantined. So it is hard to tell how many actually have the virus.

On 6/1/2022 at 5:44 PM, SharonN said:

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We leave too early on Fri to be able to get the test done here and have too many other apts scheduled to try and get the PCR done tomorrow. So I think our plan is to check when we get to Vancouver on Fri to see if we can get it done there before heading to the hotel assuming we can find some way to notify HAL and see how that impacts our getting to the hotel. We booked our flight and hotel with them to make things "easier" which it would have been but... If that doesn't work then we'll see if the hotel has any other ideas and if not we'll head back to the airport on Sat. One site would have let me book 1 apt but not for 2 of us. Maybe if we go early when they first open it would be better. Who knows. 

As for our return flight (we're doing a back to back) from Vancouver we have apts scheduled at Canada Place that morning since we have a late flight. Have booked the "tour" that includes luggage transfer, the HOHO (knowing we won't have time for that part) and Sky Train tickets to the airport. So will probably cancel that and take a HAL transfer to the airport. 

I guess I forgot to mention that the email indicates our apts will "automatically' be transferred to the Airport site at the same time (though it would be nice to be able to confirm it but they're not answering the phone and returning the voice or email messages) and that we'll be refunded our pre-payment and the tests will now be free so at least they aren't keeping our payments if we find another way. I'd rather have to pay and get them where/when I scheduled them but... we'll get thru this I'm sure. Thanks for letting me vent and giving me a few ideas. 

Sharon, check Post #57. Coquitlam has the name of the clinic across from the Pan Pacific Hotel. And they have lots of appointments open for this Saturday.

4 hours ago, Coquitlam Cruiser said:

Fellow cruisers, there is a testing site located within the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel adjacent to the cruise terminal in Vancouver.   It is not cheap however.  Empower is the name of the clinic.  Hours are only 8-4 daily.  

@SharonN    Coquitlam Cruiser has suggested the Fairmont Hotel across from the Pan  Pacific. They have testing available for this Saturday. Hope you see this before you go to the Airport.

Thanks Coquitlam for your suggestion. You saved us a long walk to Burrard Street. I knew there was a testing site at the Fairmont but couldn’t find the name 

On 6/1/2022 at 8:49 PM, liamur14 said:

Thank you Oakridger, do you think the view off the back is as good as the side of the ship? I was thinking of the motors for the noise. Thanks again. 

It is noises the closer you get to the aft of the ship. But I am really sensitive to noise. So we book the middle of the ship either side of the middle elevators. 

16 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Following, we are on the  Oosterdam August 21 Greek cruise from Venice for 14 days. I see above from @Storylady  that the Oosterdam was in a recent dry dock and would like to know what refurbishments, if any were done?

I truly can’t say. The Oosterdam photos that I saw were of the ship sitting on blocks. From the more detailed photos that I saw of the Noordam, they scrapped all the barnacles and sea life off the bottom is the ship. They then checked it and repainted. Ships go faster when they don’t have the sea life dragging them. The Noordam was painted everywhere on the outside. I suspect that carpets were replaced. Not sure what they may have done to the staterooms. I haven’t seen any photos from HAL fans that have been cruising on her. 

3 hours ago, TheLizardHouse said:

Surely the pre flight testing requirement for entry to the USA, is coming to an end. Canada, most of Europe, Australia and NZ (soon) are no longer requiring testing to be done. I likewise feel for the Americans, just another hassle to deal with.

The OP needs a test for boarding the ship.

23 minutes ago, SharonN said:

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We leave too early on Fri to be able to get the test done here and have too many other apts scheduled to try and get the PCR done tomorrow. So I think our plan is to check when we get to Vancouver on Fri to see if we can get it done there before heading to the hotel assuming we can find some way to notify HAL and see how that impacts our getting to the hotel. We booked our flight and hotel with them to make things "easier" which it would have been but... If that doesn't work then we'll see if the hotel has any other ideas and if not we'll head back to the airport on Sat. One site would have let me book 1 apt but not for 2 of us. Maybe if we go early when they first open it would be better. Who knows. 

As for our return flight (we're doing a back to back) from Vancouver we have apts scheduled at Canada Place that morning since we have a late flight. Have booked the "tour" that includes luggage transfer, the HOHO (knowing we won't have time for that part) and Sky Train tickets to the airport. So will probably cancel that and take a HAL transfer to the airport. 

I guess I forgot to mention that the email indicates our apts will "automatically' be transferred to the Airport site at the same time (though it would be nice to be able to confirm it but they're not answering the phone and returning the voice or email messages) and that we'll be refunded our pre-payment and the tests will now be free so at least they aren't keeping our payments if we find another way. I'd rather have to pay and get them where/when I scheduled them but... we'll get thru this I'm sure. Thanks for letting me vent and giving me a few ideas. 

If you decide not to get the test when you arrive at the Vancouver Airport on Friday. You might consider taking the SkyTrain that is near Canada Place. It has been a long time, but I remember buying an inexpensive pass to Vancouver’s transportation system which allowed the sky train, the ferry to North Vancouver and the buses for a reasonable price in those days of $8. I suspect the price has doubled. But I would take the sky train to the airport and back rather than Uber or the taxi. It is a fun scenic ride.

1 minute ago, cccole said:

Maybe it's just me thinking that HAL should be more helpful in this situation...but could HAL not recommend testing sites that would help their passengers board the ship?  I know that we all need to take responsibility for our travel requirements, but a lot of people are jumping thru a lot of hoops to take cruises and other vacations.  JMO. Cherie

Also, not everyone is comfortable with doing a proctored test with or without slow internet! The majority of the cruise lines are doing the same. I would be willing to pay for the test onboard. But that isn’t an option.

32 minutes ago, Boatdrill said:

I just emailed CVM Medical  to ask about the Convention Center closure, and the status of my confirmed appointment on July 6 after I get off the Zuiderdam.   Their reply came immediately.

 

Good Day!

 

Thank you for contacting CVM Medical.  Please know that your message has been received and we are doing our utmost to return your message in a timely fashion.

 

If you are writing regarding your rescheduled Vancouver Convention Centre appointment.  We are working through these as fast as we can.  We are working date by date.  Your appointments will be scheduled to the same date and time as your previous appointments unless other wise specified.

 

Antigen Tests will all be rescheduled to Vancouver International Airport

 

3211 Grant McConachie Way

L:evel 3 – end of US departures, counters 289 to 298

Before security

Richmond BC  V7B 0A4

 

 

PCR tests will all be rescheduled to our Richmond location

 

7311 Westminster Hwy

8th Floor – Skyview Room

Richmond BC V6X 1A3

 

We thank you for your patience during these unexpected times.

 

Hope they are adding more nurses to do the tests. You would think the Convention Center would be the perfect site. What a mess!  Really glad, we booked our flight home two days after the cruise. And anyone from US that is booking a flight, might consider changing their flights to Seattle and taking a bus.

14 minutes ago, PSR said:

 

Wouldn't an antigen test at a home location before their flight on Friday also be ok for a Sunday cruise? That works out to 2 days (if up to date on vax).

Of course it would if they have time. Someone already suggested an antigen test two days before. But if there isn’t time to do before flight and they are concerned about after flight. Then a PCR 3 days before might be worth it. 

35 minutes ago, SharonN said:

Not sure how to work that out with the HAL transfer to the hotel. doubt they'd wait a couple of hrs for us to got thru that and we don't get in till late afternoon. Just bad timing all around. 

Sharon, if you are on afternoon flight, book the appointment at the airport. They aren’t busy later in the day. Shouldn’t take you more than 10 or 20 minutes. Also, there is a site in the domestic terminal that is extremely slow from what I understand. Problem is leaving Canada for the US with an early flight. It is a real bummer that you booked your appointment, paid and then they notify you at the last minute that they are closed. So glad we didn’t book ours. Wonder if it is a strike!

The site is on the Departure level at the end of the International building from what I understand. I didn’t look for it when I was there in early May.

You could also get PCR test at home the day before your flight. It would be expensive, but maybe the hassle is worth the price. PCR tests are okay 3 days before cruise if you are up to date with your vaccinations. Check HAL website.

6 minutes ago, SharonN said:

All the Drug Store sites I saw were only open or taking apts Mon - Thu, and Sun afternoons. Guess they didnt' want to deal with the weekend cruise crowds 🙂

This site in the photo does COVID testing. It is a 10 minute walk from Pan Pacific. And they have a Saturday appointment when I last checked. There is a 1:10 appointment left.

3 minutes ago, SharonN said:

Sorry I know I'm venting and am trying to calm down (it's been a crazy week in general). I don't have a problem with having to get a test before boarding. I think it should be required so not blaming the US or HAL. The problem is that Vancouver set up a test site, took appointments and payments, and then at the last minute closes down the site with little to no alternatives. They are not answering emails or phone calls about the rescheduling. We're staying at the Pan Pacific and they aren't taking apts.  At this point my husband is insisting we just go back to the airport since they've (supposedly) reschedule us there so I guess that's what we'll do. Sure not the way I wanted to start our first trip in over 2 years but hopefully we'll get past this and the cruise itself will be good.  

This site does have appointments. As long as you aren’t doing it on the day of your cruise, you should be able to make an appointment. We are staying at the Pan Pacific and I had checked and they said they were doing it. But it looks like the Pan Pacific and Convention Center site have temporarily closed. https://www.canadiantravelclinics.ca/Clinics/Vancouver/1056-/Travel-Clinic-Vancouver-Burrard-St

I just checked this site. It should work for you. It is in downtown Vancouver within walking distance of most hotels. They do have appointments for Saturday. https://www.canadiantravelclinics.ca/Clinics/Vancouver/1056-/Travel-Clinic-Vancouver-Burrard-St
 

29 minutes ago, Storylady said:

This is the other Fast Test location:

 

Pan Pacific Vancouver

999 Canada Pl #300 Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B5

Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Tests Available

• RT-PCR/NAAT 
  • 12 & 24-hour results
• Rapid Antigen Testing
• Serving all ages

Unfortunately, I tried to book and this site is also closed temporarily. The other Fast Test site at the Downtown Fairmont is available. So sorry that I posted this before checking for an appointment.

6 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

Thanks for the info.  What is considered an early flight ?  Also, where was the wait for the taxi (cruise terminal, convention center, downtown hotel) ? 

HAL recommends flights after 1 PM if you take their shuttle. Before COVID, it wasn’t a problem getting an 11:30 AM flight. But since HAL and the other cruise lines dropped the COVID testing onboard, more time is required. You need to be first off, arrange transport, find a testing site and make the trip to the airport. Sounds stressful to me.

It appears that both Pan Pacific and Vancouver Convention Center have dropped their COVID testing temporarily. Which means you need to find a place that opens early somewhere else. . Most COVID sites don’t open early. Closest site I could find was Sinclair Center and the center doesn’t open until 10:00 AM. That means making an appointment amongst all the hassle of the Vancouver airport, unless you have a taxi take you to a testing site and wait while you get the test.

This is the other Fast Test location:

Travel Clinic Vancouver

Tel: +1 888 672 0005

Email: info@canadiantravelclinics.ca

Vancouver Canada Place, Sinclair Center

232- 757 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

5 hours ago, Petrocelli said:

Following up on the taxi question, I see HAL has a shuttle to the airport.  Is there a long wait for this?

 

No there isn’t. But it goes too late to get tested, checked in and go through security to get an 11:00 flight. Normally, there wouldn’t be a problem. But the checkin line for the the COVID test, kiosks and verification of test and the long line for security when three or more ships are in port doesn’t allow enough time. Afternoon flights should be okay. 
 

We took a taxi as we wanted a leisurely breakfast. The bus left at 8:30 AM I believe, not earlier. It is a half hour to the airport. That allows 2 hours to do everything before an 11:00 AM flight.sounds stressful to me. We had the test so we didn’t have to worry about getting it. 

On 5/30/2022 at 7:27 AM, Petrocelli said:

I have found a couple threads discussing this, but not as many as I thought given what a serious issue this is.

 

However, your post lead me to research the testing at Canada Place.  Our flight leaves at 1:40 p.m., so if we make a test reservation around 9:00 a.m., that should give us time to get the test and make the flight.  (Fingers crossed.)

 

Thanks for the information.,

You should be fine. We decided to stay the extra couple of days so as to enjoy Vancouver. When we arrive, we are just staying the night. So no time to enjoy this lovely city.

You have a late flight. All the problems, I have read about are the early flight people. People forget it takes almost a half hour or more to get to the airport. If doing a taxi, there is going to be a long line. We waited an hour for the taxi. For early flights, you need to carry luggage off the ship, arrange your transport to the airport, wait for your appointment and then wait for results. You are very smart booking the late flight. Everyone said that the commotion calms down later in the day. The more ships in port, the more the congestion and long lines.

20 hours ago, PSR said:

 

Do you know if you still have to stand in the long line at the airport if you have a pre-booked appointment?

No, I can’t answer that question as to whether they have two lines. It is much easier getting tested with an appointment just after you disembark. By the time you get to the airport, you should have your results. Just make sure to get your e-mail address correct. If you wait till you get to the airport, I suspect even if they give priority to appointments that there is still a line. And then you still have to wait for results.

According to photos and comments, the one place you don’t want to get tested for your flight is the Vancouver Airport. There is a test site in Canada Place, across the street at the Fairmont and at the Convention Center next to Canada Place. If you have an afternoon flight, you will be okay testing at airport. But for early flights, the comments on another forum mentioned 3 hours. Two waiting in line and 45 minutes for results. You need the results before checking in.