Rene Desmarais

I'm very late in the game for rewards.  I'm 53yr olds

Since I'm Canadian, RC credit Card is no go.  I've been told there's better cards out there and been looking into a Credit Card (for the best travel rewards).

Also Is it best to stick with one Hotel and Flight brand for rewards? or stick with the cheapest Hotel and flight?

Need seasoned Travel Vets' input..  lol

I have been seriously considering living in Florida for 6 months(retirement).    yes..   Snowbird (I'm aware some Floridians don't like Canadians temporarily moving on their turf)..   Lots of my family avoided the Canadian winters to enjoy amazing weather in Florida. They enjoyed it, loved the people, made lots of friends.  I do have family that live in Florida "Gulf side"  and they're encouraging me to do it.  (lol  mind you ex Trauma nurse now real estate agent)

I guess my future mediterranean & european cruises are on hold till flight prices come down..   hope..

I booked at Pinnacle  "Harbourfront" Hotel  for our Oct 2nd cruise on Quantum..

If they offer a shuttle service, awesome, if not then cab it.

Became an insider just now.     Matt, your blogs are invaluable to future and existing cruisers.

Thank you Xaa

Been doing quick research concerning covid rules/requirements.   

I can only find Australia having covid requirements at the moment.    Can I safely assume the rest of RC destinations are free of the covid requirements?

I have been on Freedom of the Seas twice and absolutely love that ship.  Great size ship, not too big.  

Now I'm ready for a bigger class for this fall "20th wedding anniversary"

hmmm  that's great news.    hmm   let me touch most of the food in front of me until I make a decision on which one I pick to eat....    ughhhh

Has anyone used the enhanced proof of vaccination(which includes a QR code) as a form of proof to gain entry into the US and satisfy Royal's requirements?

When our lovely Federal Health Dept announced revised testing requirements to come back to Canada(dropping the PCR), they did mention the federal Transport Minister was to announce the guidelines & protocols for the cruising industry in the following weeks. (March time frame)

I assume they are ready to open the Ports in Canada..

8 minutes ago, Cub said:

So we are hopefully cruising south bound out of Alaska in July ending in Vancouver. What will be required to disembark ?

Canadian Government will provide details for Cruise lines in the coming weeks

15 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

That doesn't seem right.  There's no large scale requirement of boosters anywhere in the USA and especially Florida.

Thanks for the confirmation.   It confirms that both of my nieces were allowed to fly home (Testing negative with RT-PCR tests) 

28 minutes ago, Atlantix2000 said:

That sounds like a Canada rule not a Florida rule.

It certainly not a Canadian rule.

question

Is there such a thing if you didn't get the booster shot and 6 months have past since your 2nd dose, you don't qualify as being vaccinated?

Reason why I ask is because my niece was denied to fly back home to Canada according the Florida Health dept (via CDC rules/guidelines).

10 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That would be correct!  Let's hope for the best lol

I guess you will be scheduling your appointment with Switch Health on disembarkation day or using voom service before disembarkation day?

18 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Your quote is from Global News.  The quote I used is direct from CBSA.  I think I would lean more towards the government source...

sorry

56 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I didn't even read into that part.  I just assumed within 24 hours of crossing the border.

I was more focused on the "telehealth" and the "it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased".  That to me means Switch Health Rapid Antigen (2 for $79) is ok and since Switch Health purchased and authorized in Canada, it is also ok.  Does that sound right?

My understanding is the Antigen test must be administered by a lab, health care unit. 

Quote" As of Feb. 28, a negative rapid antigen or PCR test results will be accepted to meet entry requirements. These tests will need to be administered by a laboratory or health care entity, meaning doing a test at home won’t work."  from this link https://globalnews.ca/news/8619015/new-border-rules-covid/

I  think this excludes the switch health test kits

17 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

That's concerning. Are they going to make cruise ship passengers test again to visit a port?

Honestly, no clue....  but under the travel advisory,  the Canadian Gov still said to avoid Cruise ships..  Still preaching Doom and Gloom

Travel on cruise ships outside of Canada

You should continue to avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada. If you decide to take a cruise outside of Canada despite this advisory, there are some important facts you should consider.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 or another contagious illness were to occur:

• you could be subject to quarantine procedures onboard the ship or in a foreign country
• the range of consular services available on cruise ships may be significantly restricted by local authorities, especially in situations of quarantine
• the cost of medical care could be very expensive if required, and you may need to pay for your medical bills immediately in cash

The Government of Canada won’t pay your medical bills, including COVID-related expenses or medical evacuation.

If you’re infected with COVID-19, you won’t be able to return to Canada on a public flight until 10 days have passed. You shouldn’t depend on the Government of Canada for assistance to change your travel plans.

The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8619015/new-border-rules-covid/

via this link

Quote:  When it comes to travelling on cruise ships, the government also says they will have a plan. “I can assure you that we will have more to say very soon about how testing for cruise ship travellers arriving at Canadian ports in time for cruise ship season this spring,” Alghabra said.

one step closer in the right direction !!! 

my parents were Snow birds for a couple of years in a gated retirement community(Springhill) and enjoyed it.

We have family in Springhill and Lake Placid

when I think about retirement plans,  my mind brings me in a journey of places I visited and reminders of my Parents experiences.

Had a recent chat with my wife concerning this and she had a smile on her face. She said "We could rent our current house for additional income and buy something in Florida"

hmmmm  

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Masks would be my first protocol to get rid of, but testing healthy people is just bad practice. 

Curious, So how does RCL stop healthy asymptomatic cruisers from boarding the ship so to avoid Covid spread?

8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

You may have already had it and never knew it.

agreed, but once in your system, symptoms or not, it stays in your body for months

1 hour ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Two weeks ago, one of my son came to hunt with me and stayed in my two bedroom deer camp for three days.  Claimed he had a head cold and tried to assure me he didn't have Covid...Tested positive for Covid on Monday, the day after he left camp...We didn't wear masks or social distance.  I never caught it but I did self isolate for 5 days and tested negative two times.  I am vaccinated and boosted.  They couldn't or didn't tell my son what type of Covid he had...Only he was positive.

Could be a false Positive?  Which test was used?