Princess Fi

We had a 6:15 am on American Airlines on November 5. We arrived early but hit a bottleneck as Security didn’t open until 4:45 am. We were in a huge line just waiting for security to open. After security the rest was smooth.  

Being Canadian we fly in day prior to cruise. Currently we have January 8 Apex booked. We will test Thursday for our flight Toronto to Fort Lauderdale on Friday. If we now have to test again when we arrive in Fort Lauderdale that can be an issue as we don’t plan to rent a car. Celebrity won’t mail test kits to a Canadian address so our only option is have them sent to the hotel but not sure comfortable doing that. We will for more info to come. 

We have flown Swoop direct Toronto to Abbotsford and no issues. We have a 10 night Celebrity Pacific Coastal in May. We booked AC direct to San Diego with Flights by Celebrity. We booked Flair Abbotsford to Toronto as we will stay with our son and fiancé for few days. Amazing price as get got flights, Flex changes, carry on and checked bags for two for under $300. If we are delayed we will stay with our son.

We were on Celebrity Reflection first sailing November 6. We had to register for PCR appointment. These are done by third party vendor Eorofins and were  done in the Arcade on deck 15. We had our tests at 12:45 pm last day and results at our cabin around 8 pm. There were many being tested that day but all smooth and quick.  

1 hour 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.

 

We have a cruise November 6. I don’t think he had to show paperwork for this but he had it available. He also suffers from severe asthma so had he prescription meds in hand as proof also. Sounds like the rules are shifting somewhat. 

Just now, archer_310 said:

 

I'm happy it worked out for him!

 

 

I think Quebecers can schedule appointments as they did ask me if I had one, but it is labelled as a walk-in clinic.  Everyone goes thru the same spots as they check in, so you don't have to go to any special location.

He did go to the clinic at the Convention Centre and did not have an appointment.  He did have to go through 3 spots before getting vaccine but there was no issues. He arrived about 10:45 am and was finished at 11:30 am. No issues at all. 

On 10/4/2021 at 10:43 AM, archer_310 said:

Let us know how he makes out!

Well my sister just gave me an update. He got his third dose in Montreal. No problems at all. He had all his paperwork and conveyed all went well. I have no other details at this point. He is thrilled that he will be able to cruise now. Thanks for all the info and help getting this to happen. 

6 hours ago, archer_310 said:

 

They had both Pfizer and Moderna.  It was a while, but not that long - everything just took time.  They have 2 parking garages around the convention centre that have 2 hours of free parking for vaccinations.  From parking to getting back to my vehicle, it was probably  1 1/2 hours.

Thanks for all the info. My brother-in-law is going to Montreal on Wednesday to see if he can get a third shot. He is the only one out of the 4 of us that is deemed “unvaccinated”. He really wants to go on the November 6 Reflection cruise. 

9 hours ago, archer_310 said:

OK, I just got back from Montreal this evening and have to report that I have my 3rd dose and am ready to sail at the end of the month.  For those that are interested in doing the same, I can't take credit for this as acquaintances put me onto this and I decided to try it as well.  I went to the clinic at the Montreal Convention Centre.  My advice:  be straight up and don't try to lie.  I told them that I was from Ontario and I was there to get a 3rd dose for traveling.  It did take longer to get to the final point of getting the shot, but most of the time was for the first attendant to enter my Ontario vaccine shots into their database - so bring copies of your Ontario shots.  You will also need photo ID.  I had to be cleared by at least 3 different people before I got the person that gave me the shot.  When I told him why I was there, he just nodded his head and said he understood why.  Obviously I can't guarantee that this will work for everyone, but I am now the 4th person that I know that has gone to this clinic (can't speak for any of the others obviously), and has got their 3rd dose.  It was definitely worth it - about a 7 hr drive, overnight stay and Hwy 407 fees so as to not get stuck in traffic thru Toronto.  Much cheaper than flying to New Brunswick or even to Buffalo.  Ironically I live about 1/2 an hour from the border and it would cost me a fortune between flights and covid tests to go and get a shot there.  If anyone has any questions, I will do my best to answer, but there's not much else I can tell you.  I should add that yes, it still does indicate Moderna on the receipt that I got.

Thank you for posting. I assume the clinic has both Moderna and Pfizer? 

20 hours ago, archer_310 said:

Heading to Montreal later today to try and get a 3rd dose.  Friends have done this, so I'm going to try.  My only concern is does anyone know if the receipt you get for Moderna still says "Moderna", or have they changed it to the new name of Spikevax?  I'm hoping Moderna is still on the receipt as I don't think the cruise line would accept it without it saying Moderna.  Anyone from Quebec who has recently been vaccinated know the answer?

Please let us know how this goes. My sisters husband is going to try calling some pharmacies in Quebec to plead a case to get a third shot. We have have a cruise booked November 6 and waiting for the US to release what will be deemed acceptable with mixed vaccines is getting hard. We only have a short window if he is to get a third shot.  His first cruise was February 2020 and he loved it. He kids he killed the industry when he just discovered he loved cursing. 

2 minutes ago, tert333 said:

I agree with many aspects of the discussion.  Canada has done a great job of getting vaccines into the country, dealing in a situation where they are fighting for limited resources against countries much larger than us and having all of the manufacturing capability.   The procurement group looked at all options including borrowing vaccines from the US and getting vaccines from India before they locked down.

 

I do have an issue with the decision around AZ and recommending those people who had a first dose to go to an mRNA vaccine.  This was not thought out.   At the time they recommended to people to get a dose of mRNA, there was still plenty of AZ available.  My wife and I went in the same day and we were offered either vaccine.  I went with Pfizer as it was what NACI was recommending.  

 

However, looking back, there were limited studies on mixing vaccines.  Even the World Health Organization did not(and continues) recommend mixing AZ and mRNA.   While some countries were offering mixed vaccines, others such as the UK were not(and still don't).

 

It can be argued that I was given the choice and it was my decision, which is true.   However, I do not profess to be an expert in the medical field and rely on the experts, which I still believe was the wrong decision for two reasons; 1/ The limited studies performed on mixing and 2/  the impact of mixing vaccines on acceptance into other countries.   If there was no AZ available as a second dose, then it would have been a different issue.

 

I know there is an argument of the side effects of clotting.  However, it is rare.

 

 

I am fully vaccinated with AZ. I was on the hunt for my second dose to be AZ as I anticipated this would be an issue for travel due to the limited studies. My first dose was given at SDM in the burbs of the GTA. They did not get doses of AZ for people to get a second dose. I had to search locations where the initial pilot was taking place. Found a clinic in Toronto for my second dose. I don’t doubt AZ mixed with mRNA has a robust immune response but Canada was an outlier in this. It is now up to Canada to convince other countries this is a valid vaccine. People that stepped up and got vaccinated to help all of Canada know they did the right thing but can’t help but feel second class to those that had the benefit of getting two doses of the same vaccine. This will be sorted in time but for some it feels to be taking a long time. 

1 hour ago, bookbabe said:

He should fly to Buffalo for a weekend, go into any Walmart or drug store and get a booster Pfizer.  Get an antigen at Shoppers pre-flight to get into the US and a Rapid ID Now at Walgreens to get back into Canada.  A bit of a pain, but less painful than cancelling the cruise when he’s the only one of the travel party with issues.

Had investigated flying to Alberta to get a third dose as cheap flights on Swoop or Flair and direct flights but Alberta is a disaster right now. I believe a PCR test is required to enter Canada and that cost is more than flights return to Alberta. Still holding out and will see. 

We have the November 6 2021 Reflection booked. 2 cabins. My husband and I are fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca so good. My sister and her husband are second cabin. She is fully vaccinated AstraZeneca but her husband is AZ/Pfizer. Was hoping for travel this would be sorted or Ontario would allow a third dose. Still hoping but that hope is fading. There was so much attention earlier that people doing the right thing would not be hindered with travel.  Still waiting to hear if CDC will alter their stance with allowing vaccinated international travel early November. 

I recently spent close to two hours with a Celebrity rep who checked with a supervisor on process. To have the FCC transfer done an email with specific details of the FCC and who it is being transferred to needs to be sent to celebrityrrs@celebrity.com (Celebrity resolutions). Hope that helps.  

Drinks & more work for 7 and shorter cruises. Mini bar is limited. One small wine of red and white. Decent wine. The 2 bottles per person delivered to the room was low end. Wine tasting was so so. My husband enjoyed the replenished Pringles 😃. Enjoyed the large bottle of Evian and the $50 casino credit per person was fun. Both people in the cabin have  to have the Drinks and More package to have it replenished daily. 

9 hours ago, cangelmd said:

I had read on this board that people were getting second shots, I remember a few months ago, there was talk that it would be August before second shots were given, so good to hear our northern neighbors will be free soon.

We had a very slow rollout. The pace has improved and demand still outweighs supply. Canadians (mostly) are eager to get vaccinated. I fell into the group get the first vaccine available which was AstraZeneca. I now will be due for my second shot is 3 weeks and am sure the remaining supply will be depleted. Will probably be Pfizer for my second shot but would have preferred to be offered the same. I really want to be on our November cruise and want to be fully vaccinated! I  hope Celebrity sticks with the vaccine requirement so we can enjoy as close to normal cruise experience.  

We currently have a 15 night Eastbound Panama Canal booked for November 13 2020.  They have two 15 night Panama Canal itineraries for 2021: October 12 and October 27. The issue is we have a 7 night on Reflection booked (with others) for November 6 2021. They do have a 15 night Panama Canal April 2022 but they will not let me move to that date. I know they have a policy of 4 weeks to the year but in essence they are forcing me to cancel one or the other. We will keep our November 6 2021. 

There was a new travel alert posted on the Celebrity site today and new protocols to be put in place soon. Should be released later this week. I think some of these new protocols would address concern of quarantine and repatriation.   I have asked my insurer very specifically if  I covered and the answer is yes. Cruise is viewed as mode of transportation and not a country or region. 

We have 5 cabins booked for March 23 sailing. I think some of want to go and others not. I am hoping we can balance cabins and possible names changes to accommodate if only one person in a cabin wants to cancel. 

17 hours ago, barb-ottawa said:

Yes, I have been on hold for 40 minutes now with my insurer. My concern is that because the government has issued an advisory against cruising, that insurers will not cover emergency medical expenses if one cruises anyway and gets sick.

 

UPDATE:  Insurer says that travel advisories related to coverage apply only to countries or regions, not by mode of transportation (so far) so that emergency medical coverage would apply even if we decide to cruise (should be boarding two weeks from today). Will still probably cancel to be on the safe side.

Thanks for this as very helpful. I was going to call my insurer to clarify this morning. We are 10 girlfriends that are due to be on March 28 5 night Infinity. This have been in plans for close to 2 years. Our worry is not getting the virus but quarantine. We are waiting until the weekend to decide go or no go. 

We had the “Drinks and More Package” on our October Summit sailing. We had a few hiccups too. Room steward didn’t seem to know we had the package so wouldn’t restock. We had to go to GR and speak to them. At that point they also reprinted our sea pass to indicate PALL PLUS. We are 10 girl friends on the March 23 Infinity in 5 Concierge cabins. I am at least more knowledgeable of how now to address having the package and issues. When they run out of items when they know how many have purchased the packages and fail to offer alternatives that just doesn’t feel right. 

I am sailing on the March 23 2020 Infinity. Looks like we are sailing this time but it was chartered 3 times previously.  We were offered price protection on alternate sailings and $100 OBC each time. 

23 minutes ago, megfla said:

It is still Cellar Masters and still a nice quiet location.

Thanks so much! Look forward to it!

We have just booked Reflection for November 2021. Is it still Cellar Masters bar on this ship or Craft Social as on Equinox? TIA

We have a cabin like this booked on the Revolutionized Summit November 2020. I am trying to determine where they put the new larger flat screen tv. We were on the Summit in October in a Concierge regular layout balcony cabin. I understand this cabin will not have the oversized chair but still stumped on imagining some of the layout.