Sprocket

Check out Alaska Air's saver fares as low as $89 depending on day and time.  Plus only about a 45 minute flight.

We are driving across the border 2 days before our cruise on April 30th.  Spending one night in Washington state before flying to LAX on the 29th.  We won't have a car and testing will be closed by the time we get down there and flying out too early the next morning so considering the antigen test at LAX.  Will Princess accept the test has anyone used it for cruising/

If I am understanding Canada's testing rules we could get a PCR test here on the 27th that gives us 72 hours before boarding the ship so if we book an appointment around 4PM  we should have our results back by midnight at the latest on the 28th before our flight.  I know the Switch tests are an option but hubby is really hard of hearing even with 2 hearing aids and I freely admit following direction is not our strong suit lol.

I am leaning toward getting the PCR locally just worried my math skills are lacking....

Received the email this morning hubby has been waiting to rebook since original appointment was cancelled.  No appointments at Blaine and it was supposed to open for booking April 5th website says they are still closed.

IF you need a test to return to Canada Princess has been providing them free when you disembark.

1 hour ago, dchan865 said:

All these rules are making my head spins.

 

Princess site(FAQ last updated 3/31/22) still show PCR test requirement for that includes Canada is 3 days instead of 72hr.    So I don't know which we should follow Princess or Canadian rule.  But I don't think its a show stopper for us. We'll just do the PCR test later on a Thurs afternoon. We should still get the result back by Saturday evening(fingers crossed). If we don't get result back in time by Sunday morning, we'll just do the dang monitored covid antigen test at hotel. And in case if there is a problem, we'll just pay for the dang test at the Seattle cruise terminal if its available or a nearby clinic. 

 

Any one that cruised Alaska in 2021 know if Princess has a testing station  in terminal or a contracted rapid test vendor near the terminal?

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

 

I missed those days when we could just pack up and cruise without jumping through so many hoops.

 We cruised out of Seattle last August and at that time they did the testing on board.  But I think they all have testing at the pier for those that need a test to fly home.  Not sure if you have to make an appointment but I think I saw on the Princess site they start booking 10 days out.

In December I had to shut off my phone and restart it before I was able to call for an Uber.  Once I did that the car was there in minutes.

Disembarked from the Enchanted on March 20th we were given information during the cruise as to which ports required either a ship or port authorized tour.  Things are evolving so your dates may be different but this is what I have.  Also this is assuming there are no Covid cases on your ship.

St Thomas      No restriction

St Kitts            No restriction

Dominica        No independent tours   Princess or Port Authorized

St Lucia           No independent tours   Princess or Port Authorized

Grenada         Princess and Independent tours allowed

Barbados      No independent tours   Princess or Port Authorized 

 Aruba            We did not stop there

Bonaire         Princess and Independent tours allowed 

In short the only 3 ports for us that did not allow independent excursions were:

Dominica

St Lucia

Barbados

And only one port (sorry can't remember which one) required everyone to show their vaccine cards.

On 2/16/2022 at 6:07 PM, Kamloops50 said:

The Free Test done by CVS and Walgreens aren't really free . You have to supply a US Medical Carrier Number to get it free.

I didn't have to do that in December and it was completely free.

Once you've redeemed the cards with Princess make sure you hold onto them, no personal experience but I've read where if a refund is necessary it goes back on the card.  I'm sure someone will be along shortly to confirm or deny lol.

Have a great cruise the Sky is beautiful and coincidentally our first Princess ship as well.

Have you thought about insurance that only covers Covid?  Covers accommodation and meals and some other related expenses. Very reasonable and also covers those travelling with you.  Lots of options out there.

1 hour ago, echoshipmate said:

We had the same thing happen to us, our casino rate cruise was cancelled 5 times over 5 months, all got reinstated, but what we learned through sooooo many hours on hold and in conversations with the casino dept reps is, anytime a financial change is made to the booking, adding ez air, adding transfers, insurance, on our end or theirs, results in the dreaded 12:01 am cancellation email. Make sure you get the booking protected, it might help but not always. We were assured our cancelled bookings were protected but still cancelled anyway. Princess is aware of this situation, but it seems crazy they can't write code to fix this. Luckily, all our casino bookings were put back in place, but it sure is annoying. BTW, we had a blast, so much so that we immediately booked another B2B in April!

Doug

I was told that any changes by me and not the casino department would result in my booking being cancelled.  Including EZ Air and insurance, so I call whenever I need to add something.

3 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Thank you.  I don’t see that anywhere so I guess I’m not that special, ha ha.  I’m curious, what are the VIP in-stateroom amenities?

No idea since I didn't get them but I think she said something about pralines that day.  Forgot they gave me a bottle of champagne which I gave to my cabin steward.  He was pretty happy.  I have another VIP one in August but maybe someone else knows.

VIP priority check-in • VIP-only Welcome Aboard Event
A dedicated VIP host • Special VIP in-stateroom amenities
• Commemorative VIP cruise gift

Only available on certain dates and in your original cruise summary it would say VIP, I didn't even realize it was missing on mine and because I wasn't on "the list" but had copies with me stating it was a VIP booking it didn't matter.  Glad it worked out for you I stay on top of my bookings now, and make sure final payment is made.

When mine was cancelled for non payment by the casino I put my cabin on hold until they could fix it.  All my bookings now are protected I was not happy to see my cabin back in inventory.  Thankfully I caught it early in the day and was able to get  most of it back BUT if this is a VIP cruise booking make sure they reinstate that didn't happen on mine and I was SOL on board but they did give me a little swag bag.

When I got my booster the pharmacy tech was on the phone when I left.  I just waved good bye and literally didn't even think about not having a hard copy.  I did call them and ask if they could mail it to me about 2 or 3 weeks ago still waiting.

Its on my Vaccine passport and the Federal vaccine document with QR code, so far not required but if it doesn't come this week I'll see about picking up a hard copy. I have screen shots and paper copies and the hard copy from the first two just not the booster.  Hoping it won't be an issue for my upcoming cruises.

There is also a 1 800 your wife has to call every day to check in until she gets her results, hope she did that the information was in a pouch on the outside of the test kit I was given.   I've been tested 3 times on Princess to come back into Canada and they are very organized, the first was done on board but that was last August, second one was also on board during  a back to back and the third was done inside the terminal on the second floor in a private area with seating, washrooms and water. And all were free.

I would NOT have been happy to be put through what you were not acceptable IMO.  

I was also given a home test and I had my negative result in about 24 hours.

Hoping this testing will be dropped soon but not holding my breath and  hope you both have a more pleasant organized departure on your next cruise.

On 1/25/2022 at 6:47 AM, jmlh said:

We will be leaving for a cruise February 6th & I want to be sure that I have all my documentation in order. I believe I need:

Departure from Pearson

Covid test done @ Shoppers

Printout of vaccines

Passport

 

Return from Florida

Arrive Can app completed

Documentation with negative Covid test result

Passport

 

Is there anything else?  Thanks for any assistance.  It has  been so long since we have travelled that I am starting to second guess myself!!

 

Check your airlines website to see f they require any additional information. 

I don't recall ever seeing this but things are constantly evolving.  My search provided nothing useful but you may want to reach out to Princess here:

Questions?

For more questions about our Privacy Notice, please feel free to email us at privacyPCL@princesscruises.com.

I have seen quite a few posts about this issue recently.  Go back in try and purchase it and take a screen shot when it doesn't go through so that  when you get on board you can show them you did attempt to buy it in advance.  I love Siri she's like a personal assistant on my phone .

7 minutes ago, wayuphigh said:

I have 22 cruises with Princess and like the rest of you folks I am discussed with the medallion APP, I can fill out the forms for my cruise coming up on 2/26/22. I did reach out to Princess on 1/20 and was able to get through but that gave me little satisfaction, they gave me a ticket number for my trouble and have never called me back. My problem is I use the quick link for the cruise where you put in the booking number and then your name and birth date. The cruise comes up in the App but when I try to fill out my personal information it sends me to a screen that says I need to link a cruise, when I select that it takes me back to the quick form from before so I put in the cruise number again and it tells me that cruise booking is already taken which then takes you right back to the link a cruise screen, it is a loop I can't get out. The girl on the help line tried to set it up on her own phone and it did the same thing to her and that is when I got the trouble ticket number. She said many folks are having the same problem and I should keep trying as the App works better as it gets closer to cruise date. I am getting ready to write a detailed letter Princess expressing my heartfelt opinion of their App.

 

I had a similar experience with the App in November 2021 on a cruise, I spent hours trying the App and then suddenly it worked so perhaps that is the answer. She did tell me they are working and a computer program that will allow you to fill out your information because the App is such a disaster. I would just like to get my medallion before I leave, hope it works by then.

 

FYI the onboard experience on the ship is fantastic, no lines anyplace with only about 50% or less passengers  on board. You don't need the App on the ship, it is mostly useless. If you have an older Android phone it will not run on the ship, if you have Apple you need IOS 13 or higher for the App to run.

 

 

Anyone outside of the US including us have to pick up their Medallion at the pier, literally takes seconds.  I'm sure it must be nice to have them mailed but I am pretttttty sure I'd forget it at home lol.

1 hour ago, loge23 said:

Just had a little tift with CS at Princess also, but as others have said here - the onboard experience seems to be fine.

All the reviews I've read have been very good and my neighbors just returned from a Regal Princess cruise and also had a wonderful time onboard. 

The times we live in...

Just want to say I love your avatar!

Since you've probably already deleted, reinstalled and turned off your device then restarted it, have you tried using your Booking Number to log in.  Works for some people.  And your App and phone have all the current updates?

Still not working?  Just ignore it as I said, it may just show up soon.

First of all just walk away from the app for a while,  Go back in a week or so and try again.  I just got off a B2B and my first leg disappeared and I had zero access to it.  I tried calling the help desk......once.  They couldn't fix it so I did the above, and about 2 weeks out there it was!  All my dining reservations were there I got early boarding we had less than 500 passengers.  There is literally nothing on that app that is so essential that it will stop you from boarding, at worst it will delay you a few minutes.  Let them take care of you at the pier its what they're doing for a lot of people right now who are having issues.  

Just go old school and take paper copies of everything I have a zippered pouch from the dollar store and take them with me for back up.

I hope you have a great cruise!

Just wanted to add that here in BC right now a lot of businesses are struggling with staffing issues and are closed temporarily or have reduced hours due to Omicron, its having an impact for sure.   

1 hour ago, potsie1969 said:

If flying from Barcelona to Toronto do you need to have a PCR test to board plane or can you wait till arrival in Toronto.thanks for ant help

Test within 72 hours of your arrival and the ArriveCan app must be completed or you may (likely) receive a $5000 fine for non-compliance.  And you're fully vaccinated?

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html

Youtube has videos on how to complete the App.

1 minute ago, JessyCruises said:

They did not tell me I had to and there was no paperwork provided to me.  I was only told I would get the results within 5 days.

Weird when I flew I was given instructions from CBSA (no test given)  and when I drove they were on the testing kit.  You can find the information on the ArriveCan app I believe, but I had to quarantine until I had a negative result thankfully it was emailed the next day.  Pretty sure you also have to call them  and check in every day until you get your results.

How the heck do they do expect people to follow all these new rules if they don't provide us the information???