recogneyes
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Posts posted by recogneyes
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On 3/3/2022 at 12:11 PM, Ampurp85 said:
I believe they have already allowed smoking to permit in casinos again.
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!
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6 hours ago, YellowBrickRoad said:
Thank You for the great info! We received our SH kits in the mail a couple of days ago. I have set up the accounts for the three of us so we are ready when taking test the morning of leaving our cruise since we now know we can take day of with new guidelines ……much easier to be able to do in the room!
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!
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We paid for the rush shipping ($10 extra) and hade them 48 hours later.
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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.
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1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:
I am so torn. Like @Vancity Cruiser I am so excited for a mask free cruise but that darn need for a negative return test to Canada is hanging over my head.
Exactly how I feel!
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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!
- Pattycruise and JamieNI
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35 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:
Oh no, I'm going to Shopper's Drug Mart for pre-cruise test. I will use Switch Health for the way home.
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.
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1 hour ago, SaveTheSharks said:
My friend... I think you are overthinking this.. lol
But to help you sleep better, I did a bit of research for you on a slow work day... If you go to the approved list of COVID testing devices for Health Canada AND the FDA Approved list of COVID testing devices, the switch health antigen kit are both there - if you search the right term.
SwitchHealth are simply a distributor, and the manufacturer of the Antigen kits are SD Biosensor.
Here are your sources:
Read the SwitchHealth footnote on the antigen kit:
https://www.switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/
Here is the Canada Health site with full list of approved devices:
Here is the FDA site with full list of approved devices:
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.
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On 2/16/2022 at 2:17 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:
I think we are going to give it a go for Oasis 3/13 in a few weeks. Seems to be the easiest option.
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!!
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57 minutes ago, DJsMrs said:
Totally - I hear you. I meant to say it was good enough for US customs - we needed negative tests to board our flight out of YVR to MCO, and Westjet was definitely checking test results very carefully... If I had pushback at the ship this would be my argument. How can it be good enough for CBP and not for RCCL - it's ridiculous. Worst case scenario they have testing at the port ... definitely a stressful start to the cruise though.
Will you update us here? I'm definitely using them for our April trip and hadn't even considered that it would be an issue - so I'll be interested to see if you hear/see anything different... Bon Voyage!
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.
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1 hour ago, DJsMrs said:
I would argue that if they're good enough for customs they would be good enough for the airline. We're using them again in April. Lots of people have used them and haven't had issues - but ultimately the decision is yours.
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!
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20 minutes ago, DJsMrs said:
We used antigen, not PCR for boarding for my husband and I. We did antigen tests at the airport for the kids because one wasn't fully vaxxed when we sailed (unvaxxed travellers can't use the switch tests - and this was prior to RCCL requiring PCR for unvaxxed kiddos). The Switch Health Antigen tests are approved in the US. We didn't have an issue boarding the aircraft, nor did we have an issue at the port. Honestly I think they just wanted a piece of paper that said negative and wasn't hand written.
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.
- KenCP and Lovetocruise2002
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6 hours ago, DJsMrs said:
We used the switch telehealth for our flights out of YVr - MCO and Harmony boarding in December and it was SO easy.
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!
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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?
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48 minutes ago, KenCP said:
@willowberry88 Switch Health Canada has tele-health which is recognized by the Canadian Border Services. The last time i had them it was $70 for 2 and they provide all the documents you need for travel. This is what I will use whenI return to Canada if they tests are sill required whenI return in May.
This kit is not accepted by Royal to board the ship you have to use the companies they recommend Here is there link to Their FAQ page https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/is-there-a-telemedicine-option-for-pre-cruise-covid-19-test.
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?
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8 hours ago, TBruce77 said:
Thanks, my wife said she will be too cold and doesn't want to be stuck inside for 2 days on the way and 2 days back possibly more out of 8 day cruise.
She also read about the weather in Bahamas could be chilly, even though water is nice during February. To me, I just want to kick back and relax and I enjoy all indoor places on RC ship last time, but it seems she won't go for it. I'll check some Florida cruises. Thanks again.
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!
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33 minutes ago, twangster said:
Yeah. Funny how the molecular reference still retains the 72 hours wording but antigen uses "day".
Time will tell.
Excatly .... like Canadians aren't confused and frusterated enough with the travel restrictions - let's complicate it all some more.
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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.
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1 hour ago, twangster said:
Doesn't sound like the precise hour timer will be used unless going with molecular.
- Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) or a molecular test result (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to meet pre-entry requirements. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement – it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
"taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border"
It's just worded poorly (not surprising)....it should say antigen test taken within one day of flight or arrival at land border.
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44 minutes 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...
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.
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14 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:
I am wondering if I should go ahead and order now or wait for a few days...
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!
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20 minutes ago, Eddy said:
Antigen test at the terminal is $105us. Im going to call Walgreens and make an appt in Niagara Falls NY. Should be far less than that.
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
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7 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?
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.
Air Canada / Switch Health test for boarding RCL?
in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Posted
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.