Grandmaanne7

I totally understand how you feel.  Preparing for our December 9th Explorer adventure was nerve wracking to say the least.  My family can attest to my insanity during the preparation.  However, while on the cruise, it was a true escape from reality!  Yes, we wore our masks when walking around the ship and, yes, there were tests and many reminders of the true situation in the real world (including a total of 11 positive infections onboard), however, the cruise itself was a heavenly break!   We enjoyed each moment, each drink, each meal, each show and each (socially distant or masked) conversation.  I hope that you can relax enough onboard to make all the necessary prep work worthwhile.  I certainly don't regret going.

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I have to add my thanks and praise for this wonderful report.  I have followed along with you and enjoyed every moment and photo.  I am drooling with expectation and anticipation.  We will board in 24 days and I'm sure we'll feel more at home and settled as soon as we step foot on the ship because of your efforts.  I hope  to meet you onboard one day.  Thanks again!

Although I refer to the Voyage Health Requirements daily leading up to our December 9th cruise, I must wonder as to the validity of the information there since the December 1 Explorer voyage has been listed as "Embarking in Miami" for 2 days and it obviously does not (I believe it embarks in Barbados although I am not certain at the moment).  I certainly hope that the information that we need prior to our cruise is vetted more thoroughly.

13 minutes ago, PSU said:

I got mine before my first Regent cruise.

Me too.  It was applied to the cost of the cruise we will take in December.

So looking forward to vicariously enjoying your adventures, especially since we will board Explorer for our first Regent experience just a few weeks after you. Safe, wonderful travels!

Thank you for posting this.  I find it helpful and reassuring.

We received notification of our flights exactly 75 days in advance of our December cruise. Flight time has already changed once. 

3 hours ago, schiff1997 said:

Did she by any chance tell them she lived in Ontario when she called.  All was good for a 3rd dose  until I mentioned that!

She was very honest and upfront with all her information.  The last thing she wanted to do is take time off work and drive 8 hours (return trip) and not get what she came for.  I assume that too many people have been taking advantage of the opportunity and the door has shut.  If that is true, it's a shame and Ontario should use some of the doses on hand to correct this situation.

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

 

Does she live in Quebec?

 

Did she have to show proof of travel soon? How soon?

Did she have to show proof of why she needs a 3rd dose?

 

I don't understand why it's so inconsistent and that certain people get to cruise and others don't. 

 

Seriously getting pissed at the "we're all in this together".

 

 

No, she lives in Ontario.

Yes, she showed proof of travel in December. (Appt. was Oct. 1)

Yes, she was required to show proof of AZ/Pfizer shots.

I don't understand either why it is so inconsistent.  Someone did tell her while she was there that there are political agreements in place.  I'm not sure what that means but only certain people can change the rules.

1 hour ago, schiff1997 said:

I tried 3 times and was told NO each time 

Sorry to hear that.

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

As there seems to be a good number of CC members in the Ottawa area needing a 3rd shot, including @K_e_short, can you share the name of the Gatineau location?

Address is 50 Maissoneuve Blvd.  She called first (1-877-644-4545) and got verbal approval to come get the shot.  She had to almost beg once she arrived for them to give her the shot.  She needed to provide proof of December travel and of prior AZ/Pfizer shots.  If you try this method to get your 3rd shot, take the name of the person who gives you verbal approval to go.  Good luck!

14 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

I don't know.

 

I was told since I'm not travelling for a while rhey won't give it to me.

 

Yes, my daughter had to provide proof of upcoming travel to receive her 3rd shot in Gatineau last week.  Good luck to everyone trying to get this done.

On 9/15/2021 at 7:26 PM, cecil89 said:

Congratulations, hope u have a great time,  please post a review with your experience.   I am still trying to get a third dose…….but not hopeful.  I fear we will have to cancel our January/February cruise.

We cruise in December so my daughter, who was in your situation, called infocovid (1-877-644-4545) and was able to get permission to get her 3rd shot in Gatineau, Quebec.  Get the name of the person you speak with because she still had to do some persuading once we got to the vaccine clinic.  Good luck.

52 minutes ago, pingpong1 said:

WCSD...Can you tell me if the mask wearing is something that Regent is requiring (on their own) or is it being done due to local country (territorial waters) requirements where the ship is located?  Perhaps Regent is also just being "super cautious" at the moment for these first sailings until they see how "things go" and then might relax a bit themselves as time goes on? I can't imagine that with 100% vaccination onboard that there would be any sort of "ship-wide contagion breaking out, and at worst, perhaps a couple rather mild "sniffles & sneezes".  What's your on-the-scene impression? Regards

I can imagine that Regent is aware that there will always be someone who will have a forged vaccination document. It only takes one to ruin it for everyone. As much as I am not looking forward to having to wear a mask while roaming around, I will do so and enjoy our December cruise as much as humanly possible. 

On 9/24/2021 at 12:53 PM, mrlevin said:

We celebrated our 25th anniversary in P7 on Voyager, Ray arranged for Nature's Rhythm to serenade us in the restaurant.  We have celebrated a number of previous anniversaries in Signatures (the old Cordon Bleu restaurant).  We had a very memorable birthday celebration for my wife in Compass Rose on Voyager, we invited Captain Hansen and he attended.  On Explorer, whether you go to P7 or Pacific Rim, try not to get a booth; hard to give you exquisite service when you are in a booth versus a table.  Also, in P7 (or Chartreuse) ask in advance for a table that looks out on the water.

 

Enjoy!

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses and suggestions.  I have decided to go with Prime 7.  We are definitely looking forward to everything amazing that Regent has to offer.  Stay safe all!!

1 hour ago, TurkB said:

Really giving this a long look. I'm in Toronto, have the Astra/Pfizer dose combo. I don't honestly believe the mixed dose scenario will play out as acceptable in the USA. Just can't see it happening.

I don't see Ontario going to a third dose anytime in the near future for those under 65.

The dilemma is do I fly away for a weekend in the US and if so where? Also how easy will it be to get a dose of pfizer?  Anyone do this already from the Toronto area?

 

 

 

We're looking at a quick trip to Quebec to get the third dose.  A little complicated but possible.

Thank you for those responses.  I had already narrowed it down to Pacific Rim or Prime 7.  We do intend to try all the dining options but was having difficulty deciding between the two.  I'm sure we'll enjoy it no matter where we end up.

Hello Regent experts.  We are booked on Explorer for our first Regent experience this December.  I will be celebrating my birthday onboard.  We are traveling with our daughter and son in law.  We can book our specialty restaurants in 2 days and I am undecided where I should book dinner for my special evening.  Any suggestions?

3 hours ago, labonnevie said:

Any vaccine approved by the WHO will be acceptable when the US loosens its restrictions in early November, exact date tbd.

My sources say that is not a sure bet.  It's very frustrating.  We're coming up to 60 days prior to embarkation which means no refunds if they deny us boarding due to this technicality.  It's too much money to risk and not making the anticipation fun and exciting at all.

4 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Exactly, the US FDA has not approved AstraZeneca in any way so CDC cannot list it as approved therefore not acceptable for sailing using US Ports.

However, the WHO and EMA have both approved it and the attestation states that the vaccine must be approved by the WHO, FDA OR EMA.  It doesn't mention the CDC at all.  That only comes into play in the Sail Safe portion of the website.  Still pretty muddy to me.  Final payment is Tuesday so must figure out a solution before then.

7 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Not Canadian but, many have been given mixed vaccinations which may not match the applicable criteria.

Exactly!  Many were given a first dose of AstraZeneca and a second of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).  The AstraZeneca/Pfizer combination is actually proving to be most effective, however, still not approved by the CDC.  My beef is that it is considered safe and effective on Regent if sailing out of Europe but not if sailing out of the US.  Is it safe or isn't it?  I highly doubt that the vaccine or the virus care where in the world you are sailing or located.

25 minutes ago, DaveFr said:

Here is what the FAQ from the SAILSAFE section of the website says:

 

What vaccines will be accepted to cruise? 
For ships embarking or disembarking at US ports, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized single brand vaccination protocol will be accepted, with the final dose having been received 14 days or more prior to embarkation. Vaccines include J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford (also known as Covishield and Vaxzervria), Sinopharm BIBP and Sinovac. These vaccines are listed as examples. Refer to FDA or WHO websites for full approved current list. Mixed vaccination protocol will only be accepted for Pfizer BioNTech + Moderna (mRNA vaccines) with a minimum interval of 28 days between doses, and with the final dose having been received 14 days or more prior to embarkation. Individuals receiving a J&J Janssen vaccine before or after another vaccine are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receipt of the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

All Other Vessels departing from or returning to a non US port will accept any U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized single brand vaccination protocol will be accepted, with the final dose having been received 14 days or more prior to embarkation. Vaccines include J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford (also known as Covishield and Vaxzervria), Sinopharm BIBP and Sinovac. These vaccines are listed as examples. Refer to FDA or WHO websites for full approved current list. Mixed vaccination protocol will only be accepted for AstraZeneca/Oxford + Pfizer BioNTech + Moderna (mRNA vaccines) combinations with a minimum interval of 28 days between doses, and with the final dose having been received 14 days or more prior to embarkation. Individuals receiving a J&J Janssen vaccine before or after another vaccine are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receipt of the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

I underlined they language dealing with mixed vaccinations. Hope this helps.

 

Dave

Yup, just called Regent and that is what they directed me to as well.  Therefore, hundreds of thousands of Canadians are ineligible to cruise with Regent out of the US.

This document seems to be still in flux, as is everything else in the cruise/travel industry these days.  As I read it today (it will not allow me to cut and paste), I must agree to provide proof of full vaccination from those vaccines that have been authorized for use by WHO, FDA or EMA.  It does not state anything to do with the CDC, who have not yet approved mixed vaccines as millions in Canada have received.  Is anyone familiar with recent Regent allowances for such?

Just another thank you to @Mike Moore for his help in resolving my issue.  It was indeed NOT an issue with Regent but with my browser.  Another example of the fine customer service that I have experienced which is increasing my excitement to experience our first Regent cruise.