WannaCruise

On 1/31/2022 at 2:10 PM, MacTac said:

We are currently booked at shoppers drug mart to get our pre covid rapid test to board the ship. I just called Quest which is the name of the company that Royal has listed that would be doing the post travel tests on the pier.  She said they only do PCR tests for Canadians and results are 1-2 days.  is the CVS rapid test approved to re-enter Canada?  Looking for quick test results as we are planning to drive straight home 6hr drive after disembarkation.

 

Are you sure the PCR tests done at the pier take 1-2 days?  I thought these would return much quicker (within a few hours) as that timeframe is useless if travelling home.

Edit...according to Royal's page, it states that results will be emailed to you within an hour of testing

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-to-take-a-test-if-traveling-to-us-from-another-country

Amazing review so far.  NY is an amazing city so great seeing your time there.  Great too you could fit in a show beforehand.

Sorry about the experience with your son and the band.  Glad at least that guest services was great.

Wow...looks like a great room, and that balcony!

Looking forward to hearing more.

13 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I'd happily trade booster for eliminating the headache of pre-cruise testing though.

It's a pain in the neck and stressful as it can put a halt to your cruise, but the pre-test is what makes me feel safe about cruising.  The fact that everyone on the ship is on there with recently testing negative is a big comfort (and would be great if they could test everyone at the port but I know it isn't feasible).  There is no other vacation (that I know of) where you can say that.

Am ok if they add boosters but only for 18+ as it's not available for kids yet where I am.

2 hours ago, Rose City Cruiser said:

I called them.  They said if the facility is will to give a note/letter advising to quarantine, call their emergency assistance number on the policy documents.  They can direct you to an urgent care centre where a physician can write a note.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Rose City Cruiser said:

Medical professional is any person licensed or certified to provide healthcare.  So a physician, nurse, pharmacist, etc. can advise you to quarantine/self-isolate.  I assume the insurance provider will require proof.

Thanks.  So you mean wherever we get the PCR test done, they should provide a letter stating why quarantine is required? I wonder which places would do so?  e.g. the cruise port?  CVS?  airport?

On 1/24/2022 at 8:33 AM, Rose City Cruiser said:

I spoke with a Manulife rep.  They told me their standard All-Inclusive plan will not cover COVID-related quarantine expenses while there is an official travel advisory issued by the Canadian Government states, "Avoid non-essential travel/ avoid all travel", prior to departure.  That's why we went with the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan.  We also have a credit card that will cover Trip Cancellation & Interruption for other reasons.

 

Question about the Manulife Covid 19 Pandemic Plan .  My husband started looking into this and he has a concern that it won't cover quarantine just from a positive PCR test (and Canadians not allowed to reutrn to Canada due to potential fine).  The policy states it covers if "you have been advised by a medical professional to self isolate or quarantine".  Does anyone know?  Do we need a doctor's note (from our current destination which won't be possible) in order to be covered for quarantine expenses?  Or is a positive PCR test plus the fact that we need to return to Canada enough?  In our case we are driving so we can in theory cross the border but with a very large fine.

Excited to follow along.  Hoping to get on Anthem in March. 

Sounds like it's been a bit of an adventure to get there. Have an amazing cruise. Anthem looks fantastic!

10 hours ago, tlk said:

Same here.  Anthem of the Seas for March break 2022.  We are doing the shoppers test and driving, staying the night before.  On the way back testing at CVS and staying an extra night.  Been at home for 2 years, following all the rules.  I'll continue to be careful, but this isn't going away in a month or a year.  We are going to be dealing with this for a while.  Everyone is vaccinated, not missing another year!  All paid up and ready for a vacation!

Same cruise.  So you are driving straight on the way there?  Our plan is to break up the drive with an extra hotel stay.  That would be good if you can get CVS booking for post cruise.  

Yes exactly...covid isn't going away.  And who knows if a new variant will pop up again making it worse and if things will be better...or worse...11 months from now.  Exact same...stayed at home and did everything they ask.  Still it's nerve racking....hoping none of us get covid rigth before, or near someone who had it....and then keeping negative during the cruise.  It's the Canadian border rule that makes us hesitate, not covid itself.

3 hours ago, cruiserccl said:

I'm so glad you're planning on more cruises. I remembered how disappointed you were that you had to cancel. And I really appreciated all the help you and the others provided. This was only our second RCCL so it was a little overwhelming with all the pandemic preparations.

As far as the ship's protocols. I do feel that most people were following the restrictions. It did feel a little strange since there is always this "cloud" (for lack of a better word) around us which made people a little more on edge. But I think most, eventually, became relaxed and learned to live with the rules. 

There were only a few times that I thought the crew could have done better and that's ensuring that those areas for vaccinated are only for vaccinated. The issue was usually at the music hall which really had no one checking the vaccinated deck. So, it was very important that we kept our masks between drinking.

I felt the staterooms were very clean and I was confident our stateroom host was alway sanitizing. 

The theatres had every other row saved for social distancing and generally people were trying not to sit right beside each other. The floor seats (section closest to the stage) weren't separated by rows. So we chose not to sit there. We had two issues sitting at the theatre. One was an older woman who sat beside my son and coughed towards him for a long time until the show started...we were thinking she was seriously ill, but when the show started, not one cough. And the other issue was a mother and daughter waited until the lights were off and sat in the saved for social distancing seats and left before the lights went back on. 

The elevators were generally keeping to a comfortable number of people except for when disembarking. We waited several elevators before we entered. Some people were very patient while others were not, which is very typical. 

I found the customs very quick and smooth. I wish they would do that in all ports. 

The PCR testing for return to home country went very smoothly. However, getting the correct protocol from any crew member was a challenge. We asked 9 crew and they gave us 9 different answers. In the end, we chose to follow the one that made the most sense.

Otherwise, it was nice to be able to relax in the Solarium and CocoCay. Everyone had a great time...but there were rumours between the teens that there were at least 100 people who had to quarantine...but I don't know if that's true. We didn't hear any announcements or warning or anything.

Thanks for the feedback.  Will definitely keep our eyes and ears open and know our surroundings.  Can imagine it feeling strange all of a sudden being around many others.  I know even at the drugstore, I'll only go down an isle if no one else is there or it is easy to pass someone.  Such a strange world.

That's very scary with the lady coughing at the theatre...and annoying with the mom and child coming in last minute and sitting where they shouldn't.  Frustrating when others don't follow things or think they can skip the rules. 

Have heard various stories about the PCR test and no one seems to know about them on Royal, which is strange.

Yeah, I did hear of some cases or others being quarantined. Guess with the timing it was right when the variant was picking up.

Glad you all had a great , and hopefully you'll get on some cruises at a later time.

Totally agree with the comments....really need a vacation!

We are also ones who have pretty much quarantined for the past two years (so yeah, another Canadian!).  We've followed all the rules, but just want to get back to something!  DH and I talked and will probably at least pay it off (cruise fare is covered by FCC). We had planned on taking laptops anyways...and hopefully things will continue to get better.  I watch numbers daily and they are going in the right direction (track for Ontario, New Jersey, New York and Florida).

1 hour ago, cruiserccl said:

So sorry you had to cancel your Christmas cruise. I hope you can go ahead with your March break cruise. I really do believe the cruise ships are much safer with regards to protocols/sanitation than a grocery store or restaurant. If there was a cruise from Canada right now, we'd go without hesitation. Three of us have our boosters and just waiting for the age to lower for under 18 for my other child.

As for what we did for our March break cruise, we cancelled it. Two main reasons, first is that it was in Florida - DCL Fantasy cruise. We're not comfortable with the Florida protocols at this point. 

And second, which became more important is the fine that may be charged if entering with a positive case. On our Christmas cruise, luckily, our PCR test on the Anthem was all negative. However, if someone was positive, our plan was driving directly home and quarantining knowing that the border would allow us in and be told to take 2 tests and quarantine, which we were all ready to do. 

At this point, we are not prepared to pay the fine or stay in the US for 11 days. 

We do have more cruises this year, so I'm hopeful the Canadian government will eventually remove the testing and threats of fines and we can go on with our vacations.

Our next cruise is in July, so I'm very hopeful.

I think it's important to evaluate what you're willing to accept. I think we were willing to take the risk in Dec when it seemed we had our contingency plans in place. 

Good Luck!

 

Hello.  I remember you from our Anthem December roll call.  Happy to hear you ended up going and all was great....and especially you got in a Royal cruise prior to this border change.  Good too you didn't have to deal with getting your own PCR test taken post cruise.  Sorry that it's impacting your next cruise, but as per the dilemma, completely understand you cancelling.  Hopefully by the summer things will be better again!

From a direct experience on Anthem, you were happy with the ship's protocols?

1 hour ago, recogneyes said:

We are concerned about much of the same things you are!  The kids have missed out on two March Break cruises, covid is still an issue and no way of knowing what restrictions will be in place down the road.  We cruised earlier this month on Oasis and felt safer on the ship than we did in the hotel the night before!  RCCL did an amazing job of ensuring protocols were enforced and we had a wonderful time.  I don't think there is any risk in paying for your cruise in full and then you have until 48 hours before to fully commit.  You would receive an FCC and then could apply that to your December cruise.  With regards to the $5000 fine, I know the politicians are urging the Canadian government to do away with because this not only impedes people from vacationing but also from visiting family on either side of the border.  It isn't really accomplishing anything anyway.  If we are turned away and forced to stay in a hotel for 11 nights, how is that safer than heading straight home in our vehicle and quarantining in our own home?  It's just ridiculous.  With March Break in sight, the government/public health will either decide to do away with this to avoid the amount of potential headache it is going to cause, or they will enforce and make some examples of in order to truly deter us from travelling.  Barring any positive tests before we head to the US, we are planning to take our cruise as planned.

Exactly....we truly feel that a cruise is safer than any other vacation.  Where else do you need a negative test prior?  And from reading, they do a great job at trying to do what they can to keep it under control.  We also would keep as low risk by avoiding large gatherings and sit at the side at shows, etc (and usually I'm a front row kind of gal).  I know too that the cruise won't have all activities running but that's ok.

We also know that we could plan to go and then have to cancel within a few days beforehand as what happened in December.

Agree 100% in regards to it being safer for everyone to just drive home and quarantine there.

Thank you to all...it helps to hear from other Canadians and their thoughts of proceeding.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

You know what I am going to say.  I say YOLO and go.  Life is too short, time with the kids is limited.  My girls are around the same age as yours and it saddens me that I will only have 3 more March breaks left with my 15 year old.  I am not cancelling unless we get covid.  That is what we have decided.  The rest (quarantine, potential fine, etc.) we will deal with if it happens).  

A wise person once told me that regret is the worst feeling.  Everything else I can live with and deal with.  I don't want to be sitting at home over March break regretting the fact that I did not do everything I could have done to get us there.

I love your positive attitude and outlook!  I am showing your response to DH.  I agree....March breaks are limited and I cherish the family time spent together with these kind of memories.  I assume you are flying out of Detroit and crossing there (vs flying direct)?

42 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

It’s a tough call but what helped us make the call to go ahead with our January cruise is that despite all the numbers you hear thrown around on the news and online forums the odds of catching covid during your vacation are still very very slim. If you are able to be adaptable and are at a place in your life where having to spend some extra money on hotels or what not will not put you in dire straits I would roll the dice.

Another thing of note is even if you take the fine (crossing border while positive), I’m not sure the fine will stand down the road. How is it constitutional to fine Canadians for returning to our country? Especially if driving, one could argue that your vehicle is a quarantine zone.

Yeah, I think with insurance, it would cover a good deal of quarantine costs.  (Haven't bought yet, but we would if we go).

I know...it makes us so livid....to have to pay to return to our own country.  And it seems better to let us drive home in our own car, rather than staying in a public hotel.  Am hoping that we hear that people are not actually getting fined.  Haven't really heard much on the news, or of people complaining either (outside of these boards).

1 hour ago, YellowBrickRoad said:

I feel you. We have our March / Anthem Cruise as well. We will pay our final payment and go from there. Things are changing all the time and March may be different for land crossing by then, but if not, we are preparing for what to do. 
We will do our tests from Shoppers, we have a hotel booked for the night before cruise. We will use the Shoppers test to board cruise as it will still be valid. 

Coming back, we are still figuring out what to do. We may test around Bayonne or at port. We are aware of the different rules now crossing border. We crossed border in November when these new rules did not exist and everything went great. Had our PCR test done at Walgreens for the three of us, used the ArriveCan App with no issues. 
We are getting travel insurance that will be valid for a year as we have another Cruise in July…

I am Canadian/American so I do have family in the states, which definitely helps. We are preparing for hotel stay in case results come back different by any chance. This is what makes things hard because of my son having his March break only, and not wanting him to miss more school. Plus our work schedule would be affected. 

This is not easy and we are prepared to cancel if we have to. We have CWC as well.  As of now, we are crossing our fingers that the border rule will change by March.  
 

Yes, if we proceed, we would buy the Manulife insurance that covers quarantine costs.  I think the biggest thing is our kids.  Our younger one can join her class via online with her homeroom teacher (not sure about things like French, music, etc).  Our older one, can join the online version of the class, but he does prefer to be in person (and doesn't quite work with his band class).  I guess though today, it's a normal thing to be at home if anyone has cold like symptoms and can't come to school due to covid screening.  And thankfully, DH and work from home during the pandemic so could still work if we had to stay in a hotel (but will get noisy when we are both in meetings, etc)

That's good that you have family as well in the States as an option.

Yeah, would love the rules to be relaxed by March but tbh, not counting on it.

I think we still have pre covid tests booked as we had to cancel our Dec cruise prior to getting it done (we booked at a private lab but had to pre-pay).  

Let's hope it works out for both of us.

For any fellow Canadians, I know you will understand the dilemma.  As some background....we are a family with two kids (gr 11 and 7).  We lost our Anthem cruise March 2020 and have been trying to go on her ever since.  We almost made it in December but had to cancel 3 days before due to a kid having covid in our son's class.  (We would have been fine in every way - negative, out of quarantine, etc...but Royal's questionnaire needs no contact for 14 days and it would have been 11 on the day of the cruise).

Ok...so next Anthem booking is March break with final payment in two weeks.

We have also booked xmas on Anthem as a backup.

We would drive from our place to New Jersey breaking up the drive over 2 days...but as little contact as possible (e.g. take in for food).  Kids vaccinated and DH and I have boosters.

The issue?  The Canadian government has added a clause to the border crossing that if you have a positive PCR test, we should wait until 11th day to avoid being fined $5000 per person.

I have a big pro/con list of whether to say "screw it" and still go in March, or versus to wait for Dec.  Pros for March....it's half the price of Dec (but not with an additional 20k!), more likely smaller crowds, still under CWC, double points, DH and I still work from home.  Negatives for March....potential border crossing fine if positive, we have an important trip in the summer and if this goes bad, that may kill that one if same rules are in place.  If we wait for Dec, we have an additional week post cruise where kids wouldn't miss school if need to quarantine.  And of course unknowns in Dec...another variant?, border could be closed completely....or on the good side...the fine and/or PCR test could be lifted (but I feel they'll be around for awhile).

I know this is not something anyone can answer for us, but just wondering what others would do?  Logic says we should wait, but like others, am so sick of this covid thing....esp if we are to catch covid, it'll most likely be similar to a cold.  If we postpone, it'll be the third March Break we will have lost and we only have one left with our son.  If we cancel March, we may find something in Canada instead but it would be no where as good as a cruise (and sad to say, but all I can think of is "boring").

Not even sure whether to pay it off for now and then wait it out for an additional month as this cruise is still under CWC, or just to cancel it now and not bother with FCC and waiting for re-issuing, etc.

Sorry for the long post.  It just helps getting other's perspective and what others are doing.

4 hours ago, dancernl said:

Thank you! There have been so many disappointments about plans (today included, I just had to cancel ticket to New York City Ballet next weekend and I'm devastated), I really need this one to go off without a hitch. I'm honestly feeling really tapped out with being flexible and then having to pretend to be ok with it. 

I think at most we'd ever book would be a Jr suite (or the cheapest sky class suite if we ever hit it big), just for the double points if we ever want to get out of lowly Gold status. But really, a balcony and a beverage package is all I need to be happy! On Oasis and Quantum class ships I can't imagine I'd spend much time in the room so all the bells and whistles that come with a suite are lost on us right now. I'm not the sleep-in type at the moment, I want to get out and explore. Maybe when we are looking for a different kind of cruise experience or want a more exclusive "ship within a ship" type of vacation we will consider a Loft or something like that. We are also the Value resort at Disney kind of people so I feel like we're on brand with our regular people vacation style

We also liked being in the MDR for the consistency in wait staff! On our Mediterranean cruise the staff were fantastic and always had our favorite drinks on the table when we arrived, after night 2 didn't even ask us for refills and after dinner coffees they just magically appeared. I felt like they knew what we wanted to eat better than we did some times. I think in the future we may dabble with a 3 night dining package as a treat. 

Totally understand.  It's sooo disappointing when you are looking forward to something and you have to cancel (sorry about the ballet).  And the cruises lost. Your step kids are similar ages to our kids and I feel like there aren't many trips left with special family time.

Same with the staterooms.  DH and I did stay in a JS once as we got a great deal on Adventure.  The extra space was really nice, but also spend more time out and about, so we feel the same.  The beverage package is a nice treat. DH and I have purchased it for our next two Anthem options as a gift for all the cruise we've missed.

Yes, it's nice how the waiters learn what you like and always try to please.  

Looking forward to your review on Anthem.  This is the one ship we keep trying to get on.  Had it booked March 2020 but of course didn't make it.  Almost got on her in Dec but had to cancel a few days before.  And have a couple bookings this year, next one in March but most likely not going to make it due to being Canadian and border rules.  Like you have been to Disney World and Disneyland once...cruises and Disney are our other favorite holidays and have plans to return to WDW this summer.

Also like you, we stick with non-suite rooms.  Will get 2 balcony rooms if we can but sometimes all four of us in one, or 2 interiors.  I love hearing of others experiences in those fancy suites but don't think that'll ever be us.  We actually enjoy the MDR, and it's nice to have the same waiter.

In March 2020 we had Kennedy Space Center booked. Have heard it's great.  Too bad about your hours as not enough time (same thing on our upcoming March cruise).

You must be counting down now.  Stay healthy, and look forward to following along.  Anthem looks amazing.

Same dilemma....and from Toronto cruising out of New Jersey.  We had Anthem booked in December (didn't make it) and have it booked in March (deciding whether to go or cancel).  We decided to drive for a few reasons:

1. Fewer contacts along the way to limit chances of getting covid beforehand (e.g. avoid busy airport)
2. Avoid having to uber to/from the port and to/from airport as we have our own car (again, limit contact)
3. Easier to cancel last minute if needed and/or flexible to change when we leave.
4. Not in much of a time crunch to get the PCR test done post cruise (since not catching a flight)
5. Back in December, we were able to drive home and quarantine there if one of us tested positive. 

*Unfortunately #5 isn't still true right now since they have added the possible hefty fine if we do so.  And on the flip side, now...if one of us tests positive, we would need to decide what to do....do we split up and the ones negative return home (purchase a flight?) while others quarantine?  Or do we all quarantine.  It's so complicatd.

As for Royal covering costs of quarantine, they only do so if you test positive while on the ship.  But the PCR test isn't done now for returning home and we must arrange it ourselves (or pay for it at the port but quarantine would be at our cost if positive since we are off the ship).  i.e. Royal would only do the test if deemed close contact or not feeling well.

If we proceed with March, we will drive (and so don't need to worry about purchasing flights)

I've been following various Anthem threads and viewing the sailings on the app.  Aside from We Will Rock You and Spectra Cabaret's Cabaret which are regular shows on Anthem, I've noticed that they have the same "Beatles" as well as "Frankie and the Dreamers" headliner shows also with each sailing now.  Usually the latter are headliners that come and go, but guessing they are keeping some shows to lesson entertainment getting on and off (i.e. due to the pandemic)

P.S. - I hope they keep WWRY for 10 years   Have yet to get on Anthem (keep trying), but have seen it on land a few times.  It's a fun one.

Thanks for this thread.  We had purchased Blue Cross for our last planned cruise as Royal covered quarantine costs and PCR test was done onboard, but will look into the Manulife Pandemic Plan if we decide to go in March.  So good to know as don't remember seeing plans that covered quarantine in the past.  Not sure if this is new.

32 minutes ago, YellowBrickRoad said:

YES! ANTHEM! 
We will pay it off and see as well. If we test positive going back by any chance, we will have to have a plan B…….making sure we have insurance. 

When we drove to see my family in November, we didn’t have the new restrictions, and thankfully we were all negative, so that went smooth. 

Yeah, very different back in November.  Here's hoping for negatives and then not a worry.

2 hours ago, YellowBrickRoad said:

March 13 is our Cruise. We are thinking of doing the same type testing schedule. 
I’m American/Canadian which helps if anything happens on either side for lodging/testing/etc. 
Thanks for info!

Anthem?  If so, we're booked on that one too.  (Not sure though if we are going to go with the new border restrictions.  May pay it off and see.)

We didn't make our cruise out of New Jersey due to close contact beforehand, but our plan was:

1. Wed morning - take our scheduled antigen test
2. Wed morning - If tests were negative, leave for New Jersey (driving)
3. Fri - board ship 

33 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I barely drink any alcohol and we still almost always get the DBP.  I realize it's not a prudent plan from a budget standpoint.  I do it for the convenience of knowing that I can have whatever I want whenever I want it without any concern about a final bill.  It is a convenience thing for me, not a money issue.  I want to drink fresh squeezed orange juice with my breakfast, have a mimosa from time-to-time, get my specialty coffee without having to run up to the suites lounge, drink a glass of champagne while watching a show and get a bottle of whatever whenever the mood (or need) strikes.  I'm too lazy to do the math.  I just get what I want and don't worry about it.

Same with respect to convenience and no concern for the bill.  Royal definitely makes money off of me, but it's the convenience.  One big plus for me, is reading what's in a specific mixed drink or a new wine and being able to give it a try without worrying if I'll like it or not.  If we pay per drink, then I will just stick to drinks that I know I like.