recogneyes

YES!!!!!!

Yes....that's how they explained it during the news coverage but what is posted on the Canadian government travel website says taken the day prior....perhaps they meant to word it taken "within" a day prior?

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. It's not very clear as to why an antigen test must be taken the day prior to flight or arrival and land border. This makes it seem as if we can't get off ship, test and then fly or drive??

That is how I'm reading it - only thing that I think isn't clear is why does the antigen test need to be taken THE day prior to flight or arrival at border. Why can't it be same day?

One thing to consider is that if you plan to leave the ship, some ports require you to have ID and your Seapass card. If they do not match, you could have issues.

I'm taking that to mean Alaska cruising season ...... at least I hope that's what it means!!

I hear you - I was so hoping that fully vaxxed could drive back across border without negative test. No mention of potential fine with positive test being removed. Reference was made to telehealth tests being allowed to enter Canada so I assume the switch health antigen tests should at least be allowed.

I would suggest Anthem of the Seas out of NJ if you are preferring to drive. Lots of activities on the ship for your 11 year old - google a tour of the ship and you will see. First few days will be a bit chilly but then will warm up. Ship is designed to offer lots indoors. Parking is right beside the terminal - super easy and accessible. If you are open to driving to Florida, pricing is good on the Oasis class ships that week - particularly Allure of the Seas which is sailing an 8 night Feb 19-27th. That would be my recommendation since pricing on Anthem that week is quite high - if you can get decent fares on flights that would be the best option. Tons to do for everyone and weather will be much better. Just a take a taxi to the port. Have fun whatever you decide to do!

We travelled from Miami back to Toronto in January. Received our PCR tests at 9:30AM at the pier and everyone on our flight had to then line up at Pearson and take another PCR test. With the lack of testing and resources for people who are actually sick we could not believe that the government was wasting so much time and resources to test us all again. Obviously there were lots of people on our flight who had not taken a cruise - they were just testing everyone.

The reference to testing on Walmart's website is a bit misleading but I read it to mean that in order to be tested the eligibility includes no travel outside of Canada within the last 14 days - not that you can't use the test to travel outside of Canada. If anyone has booked, received and used a Walmart antigen test for travel and could confirm, that would be great.

Exactly - I think this is the best we can hope for!

Oh I'm so hoping that the antigen tests aren't even required. If they will allow the Abbott tests then the Switch Health antigen tests should be allowed as well. We could order those before we leave Canada. Both proctored so should be no difference - plus the SH ones are Health Canada approved. It is $65 to receive an antigen test near the border but those are 15 minute results. Obviously if Walgreens or CVS can guarantee rapid results free then that's a great option too.

This is terrific news in time for March Break. Did you happen to notice if the Port Terminal in Bayonne is offering antigen tests and if so the price and turnaround time? If they are not offering, then there is testing at most of the bridges. Just trying to plan in advance. Thanks!

UGH is right - maybe the airports will be our best bet? I guess we start looking once formal announcement is made.

Would never just use the casino to cross through. We so enjoyed being able to sit at a table game or play slots for extended periods of time without being in a haze. On our last cruise we spoke to lots of young people who are perhaps the future of the cruise lines who indicated they only played because there was no smoke. Also, in thinking about the casino crew, it would be a much healthier environment for them to be in.

I agree that it's hard to beat the joining balcony cabins. The convenience of accessing both rooms, having two bathrooms and opening up the balcony dividers to create a larger balcony is the set up we prefer. The option to put one adult/teenager in each room and not be committed to purchasing 2 DBP is also a nice option to have.

We had this experience last month while on Oasis. It was our first time trying to apply the credit and it was a ridiculous waste of time. We emailed 3 times - phoned 4 times (you can't actually ever speak to anyone in that dept) and just kept being told it would be applied. I emailed again from the ship - received a response it would be applied. Never was. I contacted the resolutions department when we returned home and they asked me to send my chain of emails. They are refunding $100 to my visa for each of our cabins (we had a shareholder in each cabin). This is appreciated but for the amount of hours I spent on it, not worth the $200. I would recommend just waiting until you get home and emailing [email protected]. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

I totally agree - my thought is that if they were ever going to fully ban smoking then this would have been the perfective opportunity to do so. I wonder if RCCL has ever actually polled their current customers to ask if smoking in the casino is a deal breaker for them? Another option would be to ask guests to complete a survey while cruising. It may be a case that below a certain cut-off age smoking is just not that important as less people seem to be starting when young. Maybe we will get there, just wish it had been now!

Unfortunate about the smoking in the casino returning. It was so nice being in there and being able to breathe IMO.

Wow, thank you for that information. I see the Stoney Creek location has them so that's a great option!

That's what I thought at first too....but then I played with some mock bookings to try to figure it out. If you price a balcony without your C&A number all the way through to when you pick your cabin jot that total down then go back in and put your C&A number in and take it all the way through and you should see a lower price. From what I can gather, they system seems to price it with a combination of discounts. Sometimes I see the price difference as $200 less with my discount and sometimes it's less. Either way, it always is less with my C&A number applied once I take the booking through to selecting cabin. Hope that works for you!

That sounds like the safest option - when I called Switch Health they told me they aren't aware of any issues but if you do a search on any issues, there's a few that made the news. That and CBSA and Public Health both saying they aren't valid when you call make them just too much of a risk cost wise and peace of mind wise. I still think it might come down to which border agent you get. Still a chance Canada could change it's stance on requiring PCR / LAMP / NAAT tests before March Break...fingers crossed!

Thank you for posting the recent cost at the Bayonne terminal - I've been trying to find cheaper rapid PCR testing but cannot find anywhere who will guarantee same day results so we may be stuck paying that unfortunately!

Totally agree! Royal clearly states what the protocols are in advance and provides options to cancel if we are not comfortable with them. Buzz kill is the perfect way to sum the testing up - plans are made, exciting is building, packing has started and then that testing cloud hovers all around until we take the darn tests.

That's what both CBSA and Public Health told me - they said must be process in a lab. However, one could argue that it does not say that anywhere on the Government of Canada website. It just lists the type of tests and the particulars of which. Such a mess!