schiff1997

2 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

Upon reflection, I was  a wee bit too insensitive with my sarcasm yesterday. My apologies to all the Nickelback fans out there. 

 

 

Well Nickelback I could handle, but the Biebs, well that is a whole other level! 

11 hours ago, Fouremco said:

SD Biosensor makes a number of different test kits, including one given an EUA by the US FDA. This is the kit referred to in the letter you have shown in your post. However, this is not the same test kit as the one sold by Switch Health and approved by Health Canada. While enjoying the Canadian EUA, the latter kit does not hold an FDA EUA.

 

On the other hand, although Celebrity and other cruiselines state that telehealth home tests must have an FDA EUA to meet their requirements, there are many posts by CC members, both on this board and others, indicating that they have used Switch Health test results with no difficulty. Moreover, I've personally not read a single post on CC by a member stating that their Switch Health test results were not accepted at check in. The focus appears limited to the date of the test and the NEGATIVE result.

 

Consequently, while not meeting the published FDA EUA requirement, the Switch Health test kit seems to be quite acceptable for all practical purposes. In the unlikely event that a passenger's result is rejected, I would think that arrangements would be made for testing at the terminal. 

Thank you for your positive response .  I do have those tests so I may go ahead and try them  So much red tape .  Looking forward to the day when we can go back to  planning our vacation without so many hoops to jump through .  This time next week hopefully heading to the port 🍻

On 3/18/2022 at 9:57 PM, Fouremco said:

Proctored tests are definitely allowed, if they have FDA authorization. The Switch Health proctored tests do not.

Fouremco, can you help out with this , I continue to read about the switch Health proctored test not being FDA approved but Celebrity site says telehealth self tests Must Have Emergency use authorization from the USFDA.  I have attached references for you to look at, I do value your opinion on these boards 

4 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

How dare they!! Those greedy U.S. taxpayers are no longer going pay for my Covid test so my Canadian backside can lounge on a cruise ship sailing from the U.S. but flagged in Panama!

 

What's next, will they actually make the cruise lines pay U.S. income taxes so that my cruise fare will increase!  😠 

 

OK, I can afford to pay for my own Covid tests and and higher cruise fares would be manageable but Man, if the Yanks ever made us take back Nickleback, I'd really lose it! 🤬

 

 

Yep and there it is that typical sarcastic answer on here that no one really cares about.  

5 hours ago, xcell said:

If you are just needing an antigen test, why not get one of those switch health test (you will need internet though so that you can do a video link with them, I think). 

 

 

I do have those as I purchased prior to the  changes on April 1 . 

4 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Perhaps it's not a great idea to "Assume" someone else will pick up the tab for your travel requirements. We booked our tests here at home knowing and expecting that the cost was part of our vacation expenses. Do I agree with the whole testing money grab? No. Unfortunately it is an expense we need to pay to take this vacation.

We fly in on the 1st so our paid test here in ontario will not cover the cruise just our flight.    I have no problem paying in Florida for an antigen test as long as I know the cost beforehand . I don't now want to be caught in a situation where we are suddenly having a surprise bill of a  few hundred dollars without warning.  

For us we need it to board the cruise ship We have tests scheduled April 2 at a CVS for our April 4 cruise under the assumption they were to be free for uninsured like us

Not sure if this was posted apologize in advance if it has been

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/free-covid-19-tests-ending-uninsured-americans/story?id=83649812Z

https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2022/03/22/uninsured-must-now-pay-out-of-pocket-for-covid--19-testing-and-treatment?fbclid=IwAR3FUiUe1cMmIBt4dVub8oA0tWub8EhNSW8HzJGAVVqJCnmWoToeaYNgxSQ

I don't have Rogers but I have been able to use Telus Roam from the ship while in Port.  With Telus it will say Welcome to ...... so I know I am then good to go

Woohoo, also doing the Happy Dance 🙂

3 hours ago, RickT said:

A TA I know has advised her clients that the Government may remove the Covid test requirement on April 1st.  I won’t believe it until I hear it from the Government but this same TA mentioned the change to a Rapid Antigen test from a PCR test about 2 weeks before the Government announced it.  
 

I’m scheduled to return to Canada on April 1st and am planning on needing a test until I hear otherwise.  

That would be great news !

1 hour ago, toronto guys said:

we were on the Apex Feb 26th cruise and they wanted to see hard copies of our vaccines and antigen test results.

Keep this in mind for travelling back to Canada you require an antigen test prior to boarding plane. Celebrity no longer does this onboard but it is done at the terminal building after disembarking. Testing was efficient. They said proceed to the airport which we did and the test results will be emailed to you. Ours never arrived so we had to pay to have the test done at the airport. Luckily we made our flight back to Toronto. Lesson learned stay at the testing site until you receive the test result. The phone number they ask you to contact was out of service.

Sorry for the stress,  was this a rapid antigen or PCR test when at the port?

10 minutes ago, Froufie said:

Looks like you are listed on the port schedule for San Juan - but our March 21s cruise which is supposed to stop there on the 24th is not listed - but instead listed on St. Thomas port schedule LOL - don't really care but would be nice to know in advance?

Yes we are really just going with the flow.   It will be wonderful to just board a cruise ship and have a vacation again !

10 minutes ago, Froufie said:

So are you saying that Celebrity has 'canceled' your SJ tour?  But is the port still showing on your April 4th cruise itinerary?  What day are you supposed to dock in SJ?  I think none of us are stopping in SJ, but looks like no 'official' word before cruising which is not nice!

 

There are still other tours showing for San Juan, so not sure why it was cancelled.  We are suppose to dock there April 7 

2 hours ago, doodlefan said:

 

Well hopefully we see you onboard or an excursion or something.  What do you have planned for the ports?  We just booked last week so I'm trying to finalize things now.

Did you join our Roll call?   We did have a your booked in San Juan but Celebrity canceled it already.   We have already been to most of these ports.  Really looking forward to getting away again. We arrive in  Lauderdale on the 1st 

4 hours ago, doodlefan said:

 Thanks Froufie

 

I already uploaded the pics of the 3 dose paper, and I put in the booster as the last dose date.  Just to be safe, I will bring a print out of the 3 dose paper, and the little papers we were given for dose 1 and 2.   Hopefully our uploads will be verified and be okay.  We were going to be on the mar 21 sailing of the Millennium but moved to April 4th so hopefully enough time to get the "green light" on the upload.

 

We are on the same cruise 😊

1 hour ago, doodlefan said:

When you input the vaccination info and it asks for final dose, did you put the date of your booster or 2nd dose.  Not sure which they want.  Thanks

Took pic of vaccine proof from Ontario.ca showing 2 doses and booster, submitted that one noting Moderna as vaccine and the booster date as last vaccine date, all was accepted within 24 hours 

On 3/4/2022 at 2:36 PM, Keata said:

@cruiseamm Thanks so much for this.  I have booked my husband and I for April 2nd in advance of our flight to LA.  As I have the very 1st appointment of the day, if anything goes wrong I still can get a test done in plenty of time.

I message this company and this is their reply... 

You can use your BTNX test in conjunction with our virtual test option for entry into the US and back into Canada (A separate test is needed). Depending one which cruise line you're sailing with they have different requirements which the BTNX tests do not meet unfortunately. Appointments are highly recommended to ensure you have the time that best suits your needs and can be made at www.lifecenters.ca/book-online

1 hour ago, *Miss G* said:

 

 

 

Check whether Celebrity will be changing their rules come March 1st.  (Unless, of course, you’re leaving this month.) It sounds like Princess & HAL will be moving to 3-day antigen test so you may not need to do two.  I have appointments booked at SDM the day before we fly out, just in case the rules change.  Would take a lot of stress off with the timing.

Fingers crossed that would be great !  We don't fly out till a Friday evening so we could test Friday morning 

7 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

Are test results to fly not also acceptable the next day for boarding?

Not for us as we fly on a Friday but dont board till Monday

1 hour ago, cruiseamm said:

Does anyone have experience with this provider?

I'm formulating a plan A, B, C scenario.

 

https://www.medionerx.com/virtualcare/?fbclid=IwAR24Pu6p1B-eR2tAJIkmdwIPlt4MndtGgEZ7Az6ScUfH6YSPgH-uA1GO8KA

 

Their Rapid Antigen test at locations range from $21.99 - $40.

Their prices in person and virtual seem reasonable.

 

 

Thanks for this it is very interesting I am going to check them out.   We need a test to board the plane and then a test the next day to board Celebrity cruises.   I have the switch health ones to come home

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

I went to our local SDM to pick up one of the free tests and was informed that the shipment had been delayed. This is quite a common occurrence during the pandemic for most enterprises, including pharmacies. If you have an appointment booked but the test kits aren't delivered on schedule, you'll not be getting your test. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the statement of fact from the Walmart pharmacist as a singular event not worthy of concern.  

I wonder if you brought an unopened free test kit with you if they would use that if non were available 

No problem with ours, took a pic of the ones that we printed off the government website, had approval next day.  We will still bring hard copy though

15 minutes ago, FawnRiver said:

Glad I ordered the RT Lamp tests from Switch health to use before we disembark from the Feb 8 sailing of the Enchanted Princess. They’re already packed in my carry on before our flight down to FLL on Sunday.

These tests can be carried in your carry on then?   Our flight leaves at 11:45 am on disembarkation day so right now these test kits are my plan

56 minutes ago, JessyCruises said:

We were able to fly home today.  I cannot wait to sleep a night in my own bed! 

 

We had no issues at all today, thankfully!

That's fantastic welcome back to your own bed, thank you so much for all your valuable information, patience and incredible positive attitude you shared with us all, we don't cruise till April B2B, hoping rules will be somewhat less stressful then.