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Most major UK airports have COVID testing centres which are open all hours, are bookable in advance (online), payable (online), and reasonably priced. They are open to the public including all travellers, not just airline passengers. So, if you're going to be anywhere near a major UK airport (e.g. Heathrow [LHR] or Gatwick [LGW]) during the two days after your arrival, why not book an appointment? Some centres are drive-in, as well as walk-in. Just google 'COVID testing UK', and you'll eventually find the right websites. What you'll need is a "Mandatory Day 2 PCR Test" to be taken before the end of Day 2 in England (your arrival day is Day 0). As regards Southampton, there's at least one convenient testing centre waiting for you: try this URL: https://www.dam-health.com/southampton/ Good luck! See you on Anthem! I'll be interested to hear how things worked out. (Though all the protocols will probably have changed by then!). Cheers, Adrian

Anthem TA 2 May 2022 now offering 12 or 24 Dasani. I've ordered 24, hoping for Evian. We'll see what is actually delivered to the cabin.

I know it's Quantum not Oasis, but I'll be in a Deck 3 midships Oceanview on Anthem TA Bayonne-Southampton sailing May 2022. Immediately below one of the Deck 4 retail shops, so probably not too noisy. I'm more concerned about noise from the nearby Casino entrance on Deck 3. Can their music be heard outside the Casino, I wonder? Just how noisy does a Casino get?

Scenario 2 then. So, I buy a bottle, have it opened, and drink a glass from it in Vintages. Can I then take the uncorked bottle back to my cabin?

It's amazing what a little bit of sleuthing can reveal. It turns out, there are two clinics at YVR that handle rapid antigen tests for travellers with instant results and waay cheaper than Shoppers. Ultima (https://yvrmedical.com) and CVM (https://covid-medical.ca). Ideal solution. And, in my case, only one certificate needed for US entry and RC embarkation. But watch out for their restricted opening hours, especially on the weekend. Dodged another bullet. Phew!

So, here's my final calculation for a BC-based traveller, flying in to Newark from Vancouver via Montreal. Two approved antigen tests required, as follows: (1) for airline/US entry requirements (within 3 days of departure); (2) for RC embarkation requirements (within 2 days). Total cost over CA$ 400 (incl tax)! You can do it all through Shoppers in conjunction with Life Labs, but only at certain SDM locations in BC. Why two tests? Because, if you try to get just one test done within 2 days of RC embarkation, you won't get your results in time to use it for your Vancouver-Montreal-Newark flight. If you're on a shoestring budget (like me), all you can do is keep your fingers x'd that the protocols may have changed by next spring! And keep up that YOLO attitude!

You must be in Ontario or Alberta. We don't have SDM rapid antigen tests for $40 in BC.

We're talking 11-day TA, so the two carry-on bottles will be long gone by mid-voyage. So, I think Scenarios 3 or 4 will do nicely. Problem solved. Thanks, guys!

Rookie question. Scenario 1: So, I go to Vintages for a nightcap, 5oz glass of red vino, and I can take it back to my cabin, right? Scenario 2: To economize with my nightcaps, I go to Vintages and buy a bottle of red vino instead of a glass, and I can take the bottle back to my cabin. Right? Or wrong?

Newbie question. Scenario 1: So, I go to Vintages for a nightcap, 5oz glass of red vino, and I can take it back to my cabin, right? Scenario 2: To economize with my nightcaps, I go to Vintages and buy a bottle of red vino instead of a glass, and I can take the bottle back to my cabin. Right? Or wrong?

Wow! It seems like I've really opened up a BIG can of worms with this topic! It really is too bad that RC isn't taking better care of their Canadian guests, at least by upping their communications game. So far, I haven't heard a peep out of them on this critical matter. Where is their public-relations team? Fortunately, I'm not sailing until Anthem's TA to Southampton next spring. Things may have improved by then. But, for those fellow Canucks sailing sooner, it's a real dog's breakfast. I can only suggest that now is not the time to be all nicey-nicey polite about things ... shake the trees, guys! Something good might fall out!

Canadian and international travelers residing outside the U.S. will need to complete testing requirements for COVID-19 at more standard venues, as these test-at-home kits are only approved for those residing in the United States. (From CruiseCritic website).

Ships via expedited service within the U.S. only.

... NOT for Canucks!! We can't do it that way. And most of us Westerners have a longer journey than 2 days to the port of departure. It really is a problem for us. Any suggestions?

From a Canadian, eh: Easiest way to imagine safe distance? Imagine the length of a bicycle between you and the next person.