peacefrogdog

@LHT28 We ended up booking SAS transport.  Arranged 9 AM pickup.  We had to wait maybe 10 min to board the vehicle after getting through customs (and the only reason it took that long was because the driver had to circle around because the airport staff wouldn't let him park. Ended up at FLL by 945. 

On 12/12/2022 at 7:15 PM, gmbhardy said:

If you’re staying over in FLL, you can reserve a ride with a host of shared ride shuttle companies. We use MJS Transport, $15/person each way. Super dependable.

Just looking at MJS transport to take us from Port of Miami to FLL.  We have a 1230 pm flight (to Canada).  They said that the earliest shuttle departing from the port 'usually' leaves by 830.  When you used them, was there a wait (for example for the shuttle to fill up) before the shuttle left?

We have a 1230 pm flight departing FLL to Canada on Dec 30th (party  of 5).  Looking at a prebooked transportation option for which we were told the earliest transport 'usually' leaves at 830 AM getting us there at 930 AM at the earliest.  We are just doing carry on and not checking in luggage.  Is check in and security bad at FLL such that getting there 930-10 would be cutting it close?

5 minutes ago, Lois R said:

What is the next flight to Toronto (after that 11am)?

445 pm for a direct. Assuming the earliest they will let us check our bags and go through security is 4 hours before flight time, we would have to wait in the FLL airport for ~ 3 hours. Not the worst problem to have I guess.

There is also one departing at 1240 pm but it connects in Ottawa, Canada for for 3 hours. So waiting in FLL or in Ottawa if the 11AM flight is too risky.

I think I already know the answer, but to confirm with others - how risky would it be to book an 11:00 AM flight on Dec 30th out of FLL (to Toronto, Canada) after disembarking our Freedom of the Seas cruise at the Port of Miami? We would plan to carry our own luggage off the ship as soon as we are allowed, and I realize we can't control unforeseen delays with the ship docking. 

There look to be 7 ships docking in Miami that morning: Freedom is scheduled to dock at 6 AM together with Valiant Lady, and the remaining 5 after.  There will be four ships docking at Port Everglades that morning (Odyssey and Liberty of the seas at 6 Am, ms nieuw Amsterdam and Celebrity Apex docking at 7 AM). 

We arrive Christmas day for a Dec 26th departure on Freedom of the Seas. We are a party of 5 so will need a suite-style room.   I have some Bonvoy points to use up so looking at either a Residence inn near the airport, or one near South beach.  Doing a mock booking using my uber app, it seems to be fairly expensive to Uber from MIA to the the one close to the airport (need an Uber XL) - $33 USD.  

Are Uber and Lyft likely to be charging surge pricing on Christmas Day for an airport pickup to take us to our hotel for the night? 

Trying to decide on different options for an Amalfi Tour.  As mentioned above and in other posts, Sorrento seems to be a stop that people say can be missed (at least when compared to other stops : Amalfi, Positano, Ravello). What's the reason(s), other than allowing more time in the other stops.

14 minutes ago, karebare22 said:

The Switch Health Rapid PCR tests are $149 CDN.

On the Switch webpage it says rapid PCR tests are $159, and these are the ones that you apparently have to send in the swabs. Are you referring to the RT-LAMP tests? And if so, do those fit the current criteria for entry within Canada?

20 hours ago, macfam5 said:

So any Canadian going on a cruise will have to isolate after if flying into Canada? Well this may change our plans. I didn’t realize the ArriveCAN app specifically asked which countries were visited in the past 14 days 

What is written is very non-specific regarding:

1. Who will be selected to be tested : all arriving passengers who have been in another country beyond US, or random ones? Especially when airports have publicly said they can not handle all this testing.

2. If testing, how long to isolate? What they say for people selected for random is to isolate at home until whatever test you do returns which can be "up to 2-3 days".  

3. What testing passengers will be subjected to.  I'm hard pressed to believe airports have the ability to do PCR testing on people, and would not be surprised if they hand out rapid tests.

Still lots of specifics, and process issues that need to be sorted out it seems.  

Based on airports saying they don't have capacity, I'm hoping they 'choose their battles' re: who they say get tested. I.e. focus on people at highest risk based on where they travel from, vaccination status. With that, I'm hoping they see cruisers (who should have a negative PCR test done within potentially 24-48 hours, are fully vaxxed, have not set  foot in a high risk country) as low risk overall.

9 hours ago, vana said:

Hello, 

 

we got back on Nov 27th from FLL, by air. Azamara tested us on the ship prior to disembarkation. 
 

our certificate (eurofins) says:

stateroom #

name of ship

but gives an adress in MA, USA.

 

we had no trouble at the airport with air Canada nor at our arrival in Montreal.
 

Did you indicate in the ArriveCAN app that you had visited countries other than the US?

And if so, did they ask you to do any testing either at the airport or do an at-home test?

Thanks.

3 hours ago, Graycruise said:

We just returned last week from a cruise where we flew in and out of DTW.  We got the cruise ship provided test and used that upon crossing at the bridge.  There was no issue at all.  The test result sheet clearly shows the cruiseline name.  As far as the Arrive Can thing goes, the border agent didn't want to see the receipt or the QR code as he said he could see all of this information was attached to our passport when he scanned it.

The ArriveCAN app asks to indicate what country you received the PCR test. As you got the test on the ship, what did you list as the country? 

31 minutes ago, 14husky said:

Can you please tell me why I can’t store my information on ArriveCAN app. I did two days ago and checked now it’s blanc. My NCL cruise is on January 05. 

Also had issues tonight trying to enter in my daughter's vaccine info. Did not have issues with it earlier this week.  Also having issues logging into the website version, so I assume it's a technical glitch.

On 12/5/2021 at 9:45 AM, Chickadees said:

Cruise on Royal was excellent. All had a great time and the hassle with air travel was worth it because we had all documentation ready to go.

 

YUL-FLL (Air Canada) - Downloaded all documents to their website but we still had to wait about 20 minutes in the Air Canada lineup. They want to see copies/scans of all records/tests etc. Stamped with Docs OK on boarding pass. Immigration hall was full (about 30 minutes) but we used Nexus line so through in less than 10 minutes. 

 

FLL-YUL (Air Canada) So arrived at YUL from FLL last night. At FLL, from check-in to getting through the secure side took about 1 hour. New policies are not in place so my experience may be different. It must be difficult for airlines to keep up.

 

Before checking bags with Air Canada, they had a document line where you had to show passport, vaccine proof, Covid test results. Your passport was given a sticker with “V” on it. This process took a long time because people were not prepared with all their documentation. Make sure you get a paper copy of your results. Royal gave us copies as well as email results. Royal was organized. I saw a group from Princess who missed or didn’t get on flights because Princess did not send results. Also saw two UK citizens who were transiting through Montreal who were denied boarding because their PCR test would not be valid to go to LHR.

 

We had TSA pre-check with Nexus through security so no wait.

 

Landing at YUL - Process from getting off the plane to arrivals area took about an hour. Immigration hall at 8 pm was packed.

 

Make sure your ArriveCan App is up and ready to show. Before we were allowed in the departure hall, we had to show that we had completed information the ArriveCan App. This created a back up as there was a separate line (no signage) for those without completing ArriveCan. 

 

Through Immigration Hall in about 20-30 minutes. For those who have Nexus, don’t recommend it unless there is no line up. Going through regular line with many kiosks and agents was faster. Got bags and out the door. 

 

They (government) random test passengers on arrival. The guy sitting beside me on the plane and a note on his boarding pass to test on arrival. If you have this, it would have added another 30 minutes to the immigration process. The arrivals area has been transformed into a Covid testing centre. 

Thanks for sharing.  A few questions based on your experiences on Royal.

1.  On the ArriveCAN app, it asks to specify in what country  you received your negative molecular COVID-19 test from (i.e. PCR).  If you got yours on the ship, what did you put down ? USA? Bahamas?

2.  If your cruise stopped at CoCoCay - did you list that as part of the Bahamas?

3. Did you have one ArriveCan app for every member of the travelling party? or did each person in your travel party have to have it completed separately on their phones?

2 hours ago, MamatoJack said:

 

Since the antigen test needs to be done by the pharmacist, you may want to confirm they can do it on Christmas day. You might have more luck getting an early appointment on the 26th, since your flight doesn't leave until 7 pm you have some time (the test only take 15 minutes or so to get results). Some airports also have them, which might be a back up plan on that part.

 

The rest looks good 🙂

Thanks.  My friend is the SDM store owner who confirmed they received our online booking for testing. So probably as much of a assurance as I can get 🙂

Contacted RC who said that they can do PCR testing "definitely in time for your flight to Canada" and to book via guest services once on board.

Flying from YYZ to MCO December 26th, boarding Independence of the seas for a Dec 27-31st cruise, and then flying back from MCO Dec 31st at 130 pm. Travel party is all over age 12 and fully vaccinated with 2 shots of Pfizer (3 for some)

From what I understand:

- to fly into USA, we need a negative COVID test done no more than 3 days prior to flight departure (they don't specify 72 hours) that can be an antigen test as per the CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html) . Flight leaves Dec 26th at 7 pm.

- Royal Caribbean requires proof of a negative test no more than 2 days (not 48 hours) before boarding day (dec 27th) that can also be a antigen test (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise) 

- to reenter Canada, we need to show proof of a negative test that can't be an antigen test, so would need to be a PCR test, within 72 hours of our flight (which is Dec 31st at 130 pm).

Let me know if this plan seems to make sense and fits within the stipulations of the US Border, Royal Caribbean, and Government of Canada:

1. December 25th: booked antigen testing at Shopper's Drug mart to be done at 2 pm. These should fit the criteria for both entry into USA (as would be within 3 days prior to our travel Dec 26th) and for Royal Caribbean (as would be within 2 days of boarding Dec 27th). 

2. Sometime after 130 pm on Dec 28th, we arrange for PCR testing on board Royal Caribbean ship (which I understand is at no cost to us) that will allow us to re-enter Canada.  From what I've been reading, results seem to come back within 24 hours.

Am I missing something or am I off with my calculations? 

Thanks in advance. This is our first trip in 3 years so making sure of all the little details.

Apologize if answers to this are somewhere in the 232 prior pages, I honesty did not scroll through all.

Currently have two cabins booked on Indy - one is the coveted aft balcony 7408, and the other a spacious ocean view right next to it 7402.   Currently I am booked in 7408 with my two sons, and my wife in 7402 with my daughter so that one adult is in each cabin.  RC will not allow us to combine adults in one room and the kids in the other.

Today received an email for each cabin offering Royal Up.  We will not bother trying to upgrade 7408 because of its huge balcony, but debating bidding up for 7402 to a panaromic ocean view suite (VP).

Questions:

1.  Interestingly, one of the options that came up for the upgrade was the exact same class that we booked (4M).  Also when I tried to do a dummy booking to get a sense of how much to bid up, I noticed that my originally booked cabin (7402) was there as an option to book.  However in my RC account online, 7402 is still shown as my booked cabin. Probably just a IT glitch?

2.  If my wife was to be upgraded to a suite, but I was not,  could I board the same time as her? Also could I go to the Suite lounge with her? Or does each person have to have a gold, suite seapass card? 

Thanks in advance.

I'm really glad I checked. I assumed it would be ok. Still have a couple of months before we set sail!

We are travelling on a cruise departing from Port Canaveral this December 27th, that stops in the Bahamas (CocoCay and Nassau).

My kids passports expire Apr 25, 2022.  I know that the US says that as a general rule that passports should expire 6 months or later from the date of entry.  However they list countries from whom they extend passport validity for an additional six months beyond expiry, that includes Canada:

https://fam.state.gov/searchapps/viewer?format=html&query=d&links=D&url=/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040309.html

Am I interpreting correctly that, based on this, we should be ok with our current passports in order to enter both the US and the Bahamas?

8 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Royal doesn't ship you anything - they redirect you to a providers' web site. 

 

Optum Store | Optum Store

On the Canadian board someone just mentioned that Optum told them this won't work for Canadians.

Shoppers Drug Mart offers the Abbott Panbio rapid antigen test that I hoping to arrange within the 2 days prior to my Royal Caribbean cruise sailing on Dec 27th (yes it means I would have to go Dec 25th). 

The Royal Caribbean website mentions they accept the results of : 

• Any Abbott brand test administered on site by a pharmacy technician or other health professional is accepted. This includes the common Abbot ID NOW test administered by many pharmacies. The test provider must provide you with a proper results document (no handwritten notes).

I realize it makes sense to assume that, because it is an Abbott test, and it will be administered by at the pharmacy, it is a no-brainer it will be accepted by Royal. However my nightmare is to fly down there while making this assumption only to have a small technicality render that specific test to be ineligible in the eyes of Royal.  Have sent many messages to RC without receiving a reply.

For anyone who has done a pharmacy-administered rapid antigen test at Shoppers or other pharmacies that administer the Abbot Panbio rapid antigen test : did RC accept it to let you on board? 

Thanks in advance

9 hours ago, Liverpoolfan181 said:

 

Hi @peacefrogdogI invite you to join us and check out the Canadian forum called "Canadian Cruisers under Topics/Categories" on the boards main page. There are several threads with great info for this exact question. Link below 🙂

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

Thanks I took a look. Lots of great info there about what will allow us Canadians to get into the US, and some information about the Abbott BiaxNOw test that Royal definitely accepts (but can't be used by Canadians). However I posted on this RC board here to because I wanted to see if any fellow RC passengers got the Abbott PanBIO (not BiaxNOW) antigen tests and whether RC accepted it. 

Sorry if I completely missed it on the Canadian Board.

I know Royal Caribbean looks to be offering the Abbott Binax Now test to do at home with an online supervised professional. However they don't indicate that they will ship these to Canada, where I live, nor offer clarification of whether it is only specific to American cruisers.

The RC website says they will accept :

• Any Abbott brand test administered on site by a pharmacy technician or other health professional is accepted. This includes the common Abbot ID NOW test administered by many pharmacies. The test provider must provide you with a proper results document (no handwritten notes).

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go[/URL]

My local (big chain) pharmacy (Shopper's Drug Mart for my fellow Canadians) is offering the Abbott Panbio rapid antigen test that I hoping to arrange within the 2 days prior to cruise sailing. I realize it makes sense to assume that, because it is an Abbott test, and it will be administered by at the pharmacy, it is a no-brainer it will be accepted by RC. However my nightmare is to make this assumption only to have a small technicality render that specific test to be ineligible in the eyes of RC.  Have sent many messages to RC without receiving a reply.

For anyone who has done a pharmacy-administered rapid antigen test (and perhaps those in Canada who may have received from Shopper's Drug Mart) that was accepted by RC, do you recall which particular antigen test it was?  Has anyone been tested with the Panbio test and was it ok in RC's eyes?

Thanks in advance

On 9/10/2021 at 9:12 PM, Jack1 said:

I called manulife yesterday and was told the same..will cover cruises but not for covid while on the cruise.

We don't travel till late Feb 2022 so hopefully things  change and they cover covid..

Either way we will buy what we can get.

Based on your discussion with Manulife, can you clarify how they distinguishes  "cover cruises" vs "Covid while on the cruise".

Specifically, if I was to get sick due to COVID caught while on board the cruise ship, and needed hospitalization/care whether it be on the boat or upon docking - would Manulife cover that?

With the Feds continuing to not recommend cruising, is it even possible to get insurance for COVID illness related expenses?

My family of 5 is all double vaxxed , and do not have any preexisting health issues. However with the level 4 travel advisory , in the off chance something happens to one of us on the ship , I still want to get some form of insurance if possible .

Anticipating my 4-night Navigator sailing will be cancelled this June.

Looking at identical itineraries for Freedom and Independence as Lift and Shift options for the same time next year.  Both sail 4-night itineraries to Nassau, CocoCay and Grand Bahamas.
 

Freedom sails out of MIA, had Royal Amplifications early 2020, and has Perfect Storm, Lime & Coconut, Giovanni's, El Loco Fresh, Playmakers, & Laser Tag.
Indy sails at out MCO, and had Royal Amplification in 2018 I believe, has the same features as Freedom but also has the Sky Pad and Fish & Ships.

But for the same dates and same stateroom (using VP suite as a comparator for a party of 4), Indy sailings seem to be $1000 Cdn more. Not much difference for an inside stateroom however.

Any idea why Indy would be priced that much more for the suite, for seems to be pretty much identical ships and the same itinerary.  Can't imagine it would be the Sky Pad and Fish 7 Ships. Is it related to sailing out of MCO/Port Canaveral vs MIA?