Easing of Canadian entry requirement expected by the end of September.

[Jersey42]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Looks like Princess wins the race to update their policy. It took them less than an hour to make official announcement that they are no longer requiring vaccination, arrivacam, or testing for cruises visiting Canada.

 

Here is the Princess link.

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2022/09/princess-cruises-ready-to-welcome-all-guests-with-transport-canadas-removal-of-all-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-to-enter-country.html

 

I suspect HAL will be making the same changes shortly based on this quote from Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28337-holland-america-president-sees-win-with-canadian-restrictions-lifted.html

[BermudaBound2014]

4 minutes ago, Jersey42 said:

Here is the Princess link.

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2022/09/princess-cruises-ready-to-welcome-all-guests-with-transport-canadas-removal-of-all-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-to-enter-country.html

 

I suspect HAL will be making the same changes shortly based on this quote from Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28337-holland-america-president-sees-win-with-canadian-restrictions-lifted.html

 

I think all cruise lines will amend their policies by the end of the day today. Especially those cruise lines who still have Canada on their itineraries for the remainder of 2022. Those booking are really suffering and I suspect cruise lines may want to capture some of the last minute shoppers. NCL has October's 7 day trip through New England/Canada for $449 (in a balcony). I haven't checked HAL's prices recently, but I would be shocked if deals weren't available.

 

Bermuda's next 😉 

[Jersey42]

3 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I haven't checked HAL's prices recently, but I would be shocked if deals weren't available.

14 days from Quebec City to Ft Lauderdale shows $454 pp base fare on my TA's site.  Plus $100 pp onboard credits. That works out to just over $25 per person per day for the base fare. About as cheap of a non casino fare one can usually find, if you are willing to take an inside 🙂

[HUNKY]

We depart Vancouver on Saturday, October 1st.  I'm still planning on scheduling my medically observed testing, but will cancel if HAL pulls the requirement.

 

Might just use a free government test to bring peace of mind.

[BermudaBound2014]

2 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

.......They may then be referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment as COVID-19 remains one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act."

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-to-remove-covid-19-border-and-travel-measures-effective-october-1.html

 

 

Wow... with this very loose language, it sounds like Canadian Government is totally over Covid. Or at least they are lumping Covid in as 'one of many' communicable diseases with no specific protocols.

 

Also notice, you 'won't' be referred to a quarantine officer, you "maybe' referred to a quarantine officer (who then gets to decide if anything happens).

 

The world is pretty much wide open.

 

Did I mention Bermuda is next 😉 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2022 by BermudaBound2014

[Mary229]

8 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Did I mention Bermuda is next 😉

Of course, the lines are about to publish the 2024 schedules and everyone wants a spot.   I think the lines decided that you are either in or out now.  They have all had stellar demand, some even exceeding 2019 levels by removing the barriers to travel.  If you are in the under 60 you have to be tired of protecting grandma.  My grandma was a pretty smart cookie and I am pretty sure she could take care of herself 

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, Mary229 said:

  They have all had stellar demand, some even exceeding 2019 levels by removing the barriers to travel. 

 

I know the lines keep selling this spin, but I'm not buying. Smoke and mirrors.

 

Cruise lines are stating that 'bookings' are exceeding 2019 levels. However; there is more inventory today (September of 2022) than there was in September of 2019. So, of course there can be more bookings because in September of 2019 there was much less inventory to book.

 

Actual occupancy levels are a better indicator and what I am fairly certain of is that Occupancy levels are significantly down for the fall of 2022 (I haven't tracked into 2023 yet). 

 

CCL releases their quarterly on 9/30. There will be much rah rah about booking numbers but I won't be convinced until I see occupancy numbers. 

 

I do agree that demand has went WAY up since protocols were lifted. However; it looks to me (my best guess by tracking a few different ship occupancy levels) is that lifting of the protocols raised occupancy from a dismal 20% to a little less dismal 55-60%. Of course, we won't know if I'm correct until all the lines release Q4. 

 

Arnold Donald said he expected the carnival brand in the fleet to reach 110% occupancy in Q3. We don't know what the occupancy rate will be for the entire CCL umbrella but I suspect this will be a miss on the earnings call this week. 

 

 

[Mary229]

11 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

protocols raised occupancy from a dismal 20% to a little less dismal 55-60%.

I am not sure what line or time period you are quoting but it is out of line with my experience.  I took 5 cruise, 1TA, 1Med, 1Euro River cruise, 1Canada and 1 Alaska.  Occupancy was: 60%, 70%, 100%, 95%, 95%.  These are drawn from pax numbers give onboard versus brochure capacity 

[BermudaBound2014]

Just now, Mary229 said:

I am not sure what line or time period you are quoting but it is out of line with my experience.  I took 5 cruise, 1TA, 1Med, 1Euro River cruise, 1Canada and 1 Alaska.  Occupancy was: 60%, 70%, 100%, 95%, 95%.  These are drawn from pax numbers give onboard versus brochure capacity 

 

June-August sailings were up across the board (summer vacation and a lot of FCC's which were expiring plus pent up demand). However; Sept, october, and November are really low based on my counts. 

[Mary229]

Just now, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

June-August sailings were up across the board (summer vacation and a lot of FCC's which were expiring plus pent up demand). However; Sept, october, and November are really low based on my counts. 

Mine were April, May, May, July, September 

[BermudaBound2014]

Just now, Mary229 said:

Mine were April, May, May, July, September 

 

We will know for sure on Friday morning what CCL occupancy levels are released for Q3. Arnold Donald said 110% for Carnival. I predict a miss. Of course, reserve the right to be wrong too ;-D 

[Mary229]

2 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

We will know for sure on Friday morning what CCL occupancy levels are released for Q3. Arnold Donald said 110% for Carnival. I predict a miss. Of course, reserve the right to be wrong too ;-D 

I think with the late season hurricanes there will be a slowdown but as the holidays approach that may change.  Occupancy is not really the gold standard.  More importantly how much did the pax pay?

[HUNKY]

How much did I pay for a seven day Alaska?  Port charges/taxes/fees only $205.00 per person.

 

The verandah cabin was free, this was offered in a June 2022 email.  Currently selling for $999.00 per person.

 

I've booked two shorex through HAL, one transfer, and we will eat a few times in the specialty restaurants.  Only I drink alcohol, and not much.  We DO hit the Gelato place many times!  IF there are video poker or blackjack machines I'll contribute $40 or so.

 

No more, no less onboard spending than usual.

[BermudaBound2014]

7 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

More importantly how much did the pax pay?

 

True on both parts.

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I am ready for the masks to come off the crew - need to see smiles again!  

[BermudaBound2014]

19 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

I am ready for the masks to come off the crew - need to see smiles again!  

Oh wow- I didn’t realize masks were still on Holland America crew. I believe they are gong on most others. 

[*Miss G*]

Oct 2nd J261 Canada/New England is reflecting the new rules:

 

[Jersey42]

HAL seems to be moving quickly to adopt Canada's new requirements. Voyage J264 on Oct 8th now also has the new rules.  Here is the link to check other voyages.  You need your booking number or your voyage number.   https://book2.hollandamerica.com/protocols/

Edited September 26, 2022 by Jersey42

[Mary229]

Am I slow or is it new that HAL has established clear guidelines on what is fully vaccinated.  There is now a chart.  Pfizer and Moderna - 2 shots for all.

[HappyInVan]

Just a heads up. Princess has updated their protocols September 26 for Canada and Greece. Seems that they are maintaining Enhanced protocols for the long ocean voyages...

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/vaccine-testing-requirements/

 

In any case, un-vax pax require tests. No free pass for them!

 

We should soon hear from HAL. I do not expect their protocols to be drastically different from Princess. Happy cruising!

Edited September 27, 2022 by HappyInVan

[HUNKY]

My Alaska cruise October 1st out of Vancouver dropped testing as of 7PM Eastern!

Edited September 27, 2022 by HUNKY

[Roz]

This was in my inbox this morning:

 

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION We are pleased to share that Transport Canada has amended its COVID-19 protocols for cruise ship guests effective October 1, 2022. As a result, the pre-cruise testing and vaccination requirements for this voyage have changed. Guests ages 5 and above who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 do not require pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for this voyage. To be considered fully vaccinated a guest must have completed their final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation. Guests ages 5 and above who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to take a viral COVID-19 test within three days of embarkation and attest to a negative result. A self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is accepted. Guests are no longer required to complete ArriveCAN in advance of travel.

[BermudaBound2014]

3 minutes ago, Roz said:

This was in my inbox this morning:

 

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION We are pleased to share that Transport Canada has amended its COVID-19 protocols for cruise ship guests effective October 1, 2022. As a result, the pre-cruise testing and vaccination requirements for this voyage have changed. Guests ages 5 and above who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 do not require pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for this voyage. To be considered fully vaccinated a guest must have completed their final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation. Guests ages 5 and above who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to take a viral COVID-19 test within three days of embarkation and attest to a negative result. A self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is accepted. Guests are no longer required to complete ArriveCAN in advance of travel.

 

Thanks for sharing! This is very interesting to me considering the CDC has stated that the vaccinated and unvaccinated are no different.

 

In addition, a self-administered (unmonitored) antigen test does very minimal to ensure negative covid. I mean seriously, who doesn't have negative tests laying around to snap a photo of lol. But I guess the honor system is better than nothing.

 

These self administered tests (if non proctored) seems utterly silly  to me. It's as if the cruise lines are saying, 'we really don't care' just jump thru this hoop to make others feel better. Makes me wonder if there is a financial incentive somewhere in the chain to keep on testing ;-). 

 

Anyway, Bravo to Canada!!

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

5 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

In any case, un-vax pax require tests. No free pass for them!

 

A non-proctored self-administered antigen test is likely considered a "free pass" to many.

 

In any case, dropping the vaccine mandate is the biggie. I would suggest that HAL dropping the vaccine mandate is a massive change in protocol. 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2022 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

4 hours ago, HUNKY said:

My Alaska cruise October 1st out of Vancouver dropped testing as of 7PM Eastern!

 

Are you sailing on HAL or Princess? Can you share the notification that testing has been dropped please?