DJsMrs

Switch health ordered from Air Canada - $79 for 2 tests... we used it for our December sailing on Harmony and will again for April on Symphony.

OMG - this was AFTER a GIANT lunch and wearing as many clothes as he could get on his body. The struggle is real when you're little for your age!!!

My son wanted to do the zip line. Minimum weight is 75lbs. He weighed in at 74.2. They wouldn’t let him ride. I feel like they’re super strict on both ends of this spectrum. They were weighing people at Cococay water slides when we were doing the inner tube slides too.

Pretty much - they've even stopped handing out the antigen tests here... so I shelled out $200 yesterday for a PCR test so we at least have some paperwork for him. I'm hoping he comes back positive and we can use it for travel for the next six months while the government figures out what is happening. At some point they're going to have to look at the efficacy of the PCR if people can test positive for 90 days post infection. If I'm positive now and am asymptomatic - I could potentially test positive in six weeks when I travel and then have to quarantine when it's not even a real covid diagnosis. The virus has changed, the pandemic has changed, but the policy has not changed and it's so frustrating to feel like we're being punished when we have literally done everything right. ugh.

And to complicate everything even more... my son tested positive last week on an antigen test - twice (one proctered switch test). We couldn't get a PCR test because the province (BC - but we're not alone in this) is no longer testing. So - when we go to Mexico in March, will he test positive on a PCR test. He likely will, but maybe he won't. So now I have to shell out for a test at home now before we go to avoid needing a test when we come home (as long as he comes up positive now). Otherwise he will need a test when we come home and could still come up positive??? And if he tests positive in Mexico will they make him quarantine? Make sense? No? Shocking. This whole border PCR test is absolutely ridiculous - especially when we look at the number of people who got Omicron and the very very few who were able to obtain a PCR test. My head is exploding.

Were they avoiding Puerto Rico a couple years ago during the protests?

We used the proctored antigen tests to board Harmony in December. So unless rules have changed you should be good. Got them from air Canada.

Here's wording from my policy on the travel advisory - you would still be covered for covid-related expenses. 2. Any expenses due to an official travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada stating "Avoid all travel" regarding the country, region or city of your destination, before your departure date. To view the travel advisories, visit the Government of Canada Travel site. Exception: This exclusion does not apply for claims due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related complications that you suffer or contract while you are on a cruise or any destination included in your cruise itinerary if you have received the vaccine. Children 11 years old or younger who are not eligible to receive the vaccine, are covered when travelling with at least one parent or guardian on the same cruise booking who has received the vaccine.

They better check re-entry rules back into Canada too - I was researching this the other day for a trip we're planning. This is from the website travel.gc.ca website for those who have tested positive. You will not be able to board a public flight to come to Canada until: 15 days have passed or you present a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms are not related to COVID-19 When you are able to enter, you will need to follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep Canadians safe, particularly given the new COVID-19 variants in Canada and around the world.

1. 13 on the excursion - but bus/truck could have fit at least double that, possibly even triple 2. Harmony of the Seas (last week before Christmas) 3. 5 ships 4. They had a little tour that takes you out to the 2nd largest reef on earth (fun fact I learned on the tour). Lots to see - a bit of a swim to get out there... but absolutely worth it.

We did the Punta Sur Excursion - and really enjoyed it. 1/2 hour ride south, alligators, light house, then beach and lunch and snorkeling - was really enjoyable and not too many people. The guides were absolutely amazing - so friendly, and informative (and didn't make you feel like they were being nice just to get tipped which I sometimes feel), and they were so passionate about Cozumel. We learned a lot. We chilled out, and most importantly I had my toes in the sand. Booked through RCCL

Maybe try an unsupervised antigen test to see what happens. You may test positive with antigen for a while, but I'd be shocked if antigen came up positive if you're recovered.

I'd actually ask royal caribbean too - if they'll accept the QR code you're good too ... What a gong show - I feel for you both!

OOHHH - I'd be following up with Royal Caribbean on this one... but if you've got a provincial and federal proof of immunization I bet you're okay - but I'd be worried too. Can your doctor access your vaccine history and pull a report?

I printed my federal vaccination page and it had my vaccine dates and lot numbers on it in addition to the QR code. Maybe give that a try if you’re concerned about not having it. I’m bringing copies of everything just in case.

Have a read about the Halifax Explosion if you're going there - google it... one of the worst disasters in Canadian History (not to be morbid), but fascinating when/if you're in near the waterfront.

Remember that everyone is vaccinated on the ship - except kids who couldn’t get nuked yet (better rates than on land). Most destinations have rules more stringent than the US, so you’re probably good. Worst case scenario is you make the ship your destination and stay on board and relax for 7 days

Funny story - I called CBSA today because this will be an issue for us on an upcoming trip. The woman I spoke to said there shouldn't be an issue and there is nothing in her documents that show the test MUST be done in the states - I even quoted her the information from the government website that @Lovetocruise2002quoted above and she couldn't even find it. I pushed even harder and asked specifically about coming from Mexico (because I think coming off a ship you'll be fine due to the lab address being in the states) and she said it should still be fine. Goes to show how smart you are to think of this ahead of time - but I still think if you're not even in the states for 72 hours there needs to be some leeway. What a gong show - can you imagine having to write policy for this stuff and having to think of all the eventualities? On another note... the bit about "72 hours within the scheduled departure time"... so if I'm at 68 hours at departure out of MCO and over the 72 hours when I land in Toronto... am I good? According to this website - yes... but you can bet your right arm we'll be getting tested once we're off the ship so we're WELL within the 72 hours with lots of buffer. I wish they'd go to a 3 day testing window instead of 72 hours... grrrr

I understand the difference between flying and driving and understood the post - the mansplaining is a little excessive - maybe unintentional, but the tone of this post comes across as super patronizing. As a Canadian living within 45 minutes of the border I'm pretty fluent in the border crossing nuances and matrix of regulations - mind you, it does rival a Mensa-mind-game. I think the question I was trying to post (seemingly not very well) was what about people flying in from somewhere other than the US, landing in Seattle (or DTW), then immediately driving to BC (or Ontario). I wonder if they would accept a test taken in the Mexico (for example) if you had proof of flight arrival time in comparison with border crossing time, especially if total time in the US is so limited. Nonetheless, sounds like the lab address is in the US and this won't be an issue.

Does it though? What about travellers flying in from international locations via the US (you're technically transitioning through the US). I think it just needs to be within 72 hours and doesn't necessarily require the test to be taken in the US. My cousin flies in from the UK to Canada and his PCR test from the UK is accepted.

Which tour/port is this?

Walgreens has the NAAT test, which is accepted in Canada for entry and it's a quicker turnaround time (24 hours)- and I believe this test is done no charge. You can book on the Walgreens website about a week out - so I'm planning to book our test the day we board (12th) so we can tested after we disembark Sunday (19th) for our Tuesday (21st) flight home. Obviously this isn't a solution for those who are flying home the day of disembarkation. Unfortunately if we are tested on the 18th on the ship our PCR test may not still be valid for our 2:00pm flight on the 21st, unless the ship will test us LATE in the day (and even then, if our flight is delayed even by a couple of hours we'll be in big trouble) It's a hot mess - I wish Canada would move to a 3 day testing window rather than 72 hours... From the Walgreens site showing different testing options: Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW): The Rapid Point-of-Care (POC) - NAAT (ID NOW) test also detects genetic material of the virus. The test is performed on site with results available within 24 hours. And the travel.gc.ca website states: Types of pre-entry test Rapid antigen tests aren't accepted. Accepted types of molecular tests PCR - Polymerase chain reaction Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)

can you uber to a laundromat and chuck everything in the dryer for 15 minutes? Does the hotel have any ideas?

With ours we got some after a week , but over time more and more became available for 2-3 weeks.

In BC I can access my vaccine history through a provincial portal that now also connects to the federal vaccine page. The pdf has my name, date of vaccine, associated lot numbers, manufacturer and all other relevant info. Maybe have a look and see if you can get that. Otherwise bring you original proof of vaccine you received when you were vaccinated.