recogneyes

We actually had our test at the SH Pearson airport site....which is 5 mins away from the airport but results were super quick. We then used the SH telehealth tests to come back home (took them in our cabin on last night of cruise). We flew Air Canada and had no trouble boarding flight or at customs. However, when I look at BOTH test results, they read exactly the same way. The address is the same (Mississauga) and the Test Type reads SD Biosensor COVID-19 Ag Test (BAS). I truly do not see how Royal could differentiate between where/how they were administered. To @Versachi's point, there is no reference to this being a telehealth administered test on my results.

Yes, unfortunately that is true. We were on Oasis in January and casino was smoke free. On our Navigator sailing in February casino and pool deck were back to allowing smoking and it was awful. At least on the pool deck you can walk on the other side to try to avoid but when the solarium doors opened on that side it seeped through. The casino was packed and full of smoke any time we went to play. Would much prefer a smoke free environment!

We just sailed on Navigator last week and had a tremendous time at dinner with our amazing dining staff Maria and and Omkar. They just really made our evenings even more wonderful!!

We would have done the same had the rules been clearer...which only made sense...but didn't want to take the chance. With the new guidelines then taking them the morning you are leaving the ship means you don't have to interrupt your last night to take them. Have a great time!

We paid for the rush shipping ($10 extra) and hade them 48 hours later.

We just completed the SH Antigen tests on Navigator on Sunday evening. You need surf and stream to be able to do the video call. Reception did cut out twice but we were able to get back in the que. Overall it was a pretty easy set up and it was nice to be able to complete while in our cabin and not having to try to find somewhere to test when we left the ship. You have to take a picture of your negative result and upload to your account and then results were within 30 minutes. Look exactly the same as the results you receive via email if you test at a SH facility. We will be using these again to disembark future cruises. We loaded results to Air Canada's check in website without issue. While I can't speak to them being accepted to board, based on what was looked for this cruise and our one in January, I feel pretty confident they would be accepted. Agents are really looking for date and the word negative.

Exactly how I feel!

Your choice of Oasis as your first ever cruise is a great one. Prepare to be amazed! You've likely seen it posted here on the blog, but just in case, either use the app as soon as you have access to book your shows. If you prefer, there are people with ipads at guest services who can book for you. Have a great time!

OH.....I thought you were going to give it a whirl - Same price - just not worth thinking about it. Shoppers provides all the paperwork needed for flight and cruise - good plan.

Thank you - yes, SH, Aeroplan and now the Canada travel website all give clarity that these tests can be used for travel to the US which is great. While SH tests are manufactured by SD Biosensor which is stated on the back of the box, I called and emailed SH back in January for our last cruise and was told they do not have any record of their tests having FDA emergency use approval. This was after checking with a few people. I emailed them and referenced the approval that is listed in the FDA link you provided and never heard back. The pier agents have a lot to deal with and now we are asking them to refer to product manufacturing websites to try determine which international home tests are approved. I agree, we shouldn't have to over think this - but it needs to be clearer so that families do not pay $40 per test thinking they are good and then having to pay at the pier should they not be accepted. Just trying to save us all from that headache and expense. Logically, it all makes sense that these tests should be accepted.

More than likely you will be fine - at least you know there is testing at the pier if they give you any pushback. Good luck!!

It's all just exhausting isn't it! While I've ordered a bunch of the SH tests, we are going to err on the side of caution and test at Pearson and YVR (flying in from different cities) and just not have the stress of wondering if the SH tests will be accepted. I will ask at the piers (this time Navigator / San Pedro) and in March Anthem / NJ) if they have any knowledge of these tests. There will be a lot of Canadians using them I'm sure! One thought I did have was if a bunch of us email Royal with the same request - will they accept SH / Health Canada approved proctored via telehealth antigen tests and if so if they could post that on their website for clarity then that would help us all in the many months ahead where I can't see testing going away.

What I'm saying is yes, they are good enough for customs and the airline - gov't of canada website has announced that they are approved. It's RCCL that is saying they are not approved to board their ships. I called twice and was told no both times. More than likely, the agents wouldn't even realize it was a home test but just a bit nerve racking to be told no at the pier and then have to leave to get tested. Thanks for all your info!

I'm so glad you didn't have any issues with using the SH antigen ones. Nowhere on the packaging does it say they have US FDA approval and they are not listed on the FDA's website as approved tests. They are approved to fly into the US but no mention of cruise line acceptance. Royal's website states that any international home test kits must be FDA approved hence the concern - one agent may say ok go, and another may not. These would be ordered in abundance for CDN cruisers if we could get an absolute from RCCL.

I remember you sharing this! When I called Royal I was told unless the SH test is US FDA approved they will not accept it. They are made by a company called Lucira and their PCR proctored test has the approval but not this one. Can you recall if the boarding agent made any notice of these being home proctored tests? We were hoping to use them for Navigator next week but I'm now leaning towards just testing at the airport to ensure we have the required tests. Thanks!

We have a few cruises booked over the coming months and under Royal Gifts in the cruise planner none of them reference the alcohol gift packages. Is there somewhere else that I'm supposed to be looking?

There has been lots of discussion about the Switch Health Antigen tests - now that the Cdn govt has stated that telehealth administered antigen tests will be accepted to return to Canada at least we have that cleared up. Some members have posted that Royal does accept these same tests to board the ship. Anyone able to verify that recently?

Anthem certainly has some terrific spots for being indoors but I can see where your wife is coming from. Allure, Oasis, Harmony and Symphony all have good itineraries for next week so perhaps determine where you can get the best flight deals to and go from there. If you can get to FLL fairly cheap my recommendation would still be Allure - good itinerary and the price for 8 nights is fantastic. It has not been amplified like Oasis has but will offer so much to do. Symphony out of Miami has a great itinerary. I hope you find something you both will enjoy!

Excatly .... like Canadians aren't confused and frusterated enough with the travel restrictions - let's complicate it all some more.

The parking garage is right beside the cruise terminal. Yes it's $25/day. You can drop family off with luggage to the porters. Drive into garage. Park and take elevator down to ground level and then meet up and walk into terminal. It is incredibly easy. There can be a line up to get into the port but driving or taxi would be same issues. Just leave time to make your check in time. There have been questions/discussions about other cruise lines so I don't think anyone would have an issue with that.

It's just worded poorly (not surprising)....it should say antigen test taken within one day of flight or arrival at land border.

Yes, gov't website clearly references telehealth otherwise I would not touch them. We ordered too just in case demand ramps up. Plus, Air Canada sells them on their website as a solution to travel so I can't see them denying boarding with them. I would take my chances arguing that at the airport for sure. May be a little troublesome at the land border but can always reference the canadian govt travel site.

So hard to know - if you make any short trips across the border then at least they would be handy to have for future. I know they offer 1-3 day shipping for an extra $10 so even if you wait you should still be able to get them in lots of time. They are going to have a lot of people buying these I would imagine!

Thanks and yikes - that's expensive. Hopefully Walgreen's or CVS can do them cheaper and do the paperwork required to travel back to canada. I've heard from others that antigen testing at the border is $65 so that's an option as are the Switch Health antigen tests that you purchase before you leave Canada

Absolutely! I just went on the switch website again and they specifically say "observed via a telehealth experience". I just ordered a few more of the kits you referenced above. These are authorized by health canada so I can't image there being issues (other than border agents who have no idea about them of course). If they could just word the timelines clearer I think we are all set.