Eggbert

Wild horses will not keep my wife and I off of the Allure on Dec. 30th. Omicron is NOTHING - 60,000 cases in Great Britain with 10 hospitalizations. Enough of petty autocrats controlling every aspect of our lives. They have stolen our freedoms and robbed us of even the simplest of pleasures that make life enjoyable for nearly two years. Time for "health officers," virologists, and epidemiologists to go back to their labs and offices and let people live their lives without their interference.

Makes it sound like they are doing more, typical bureaucratic activity.

Because it is the government and governments generally are not very efficient and as they have demonstrated for the past 2 years they are not really interested in the inconveniences of COVID for businesses or citizens.

We also received the email, but it didn't apply to us because we were not "randomly selected." The earlier post from Jax points to the government's intention to test everyone rather than randomly select some. Once more, this is ridiculous. All indications are that Omicron is more contagious but far less serious - that is a GOOD thing and scientifically it would be good to have as many Omicron infections as possible to increase individual and group immunity through a less dangerous strain of Covid.

I am doubled vaccinated and have natural immunity, yet I need to take a test 24 hours before entering the U.S., the day before getting off the ship, upon entering the Dominion of Canada AND I am quarantined? And now Dr. Fraudchi is hinting that only those who are "boostered" are actually vaccinated? When do we Canadians and Americans tell our governments ENOUGH?

What is the answer to failed policies - double down on them. What a bunch of garbage. This won't make any difference in the "war against Covid," just more harrassment, more red tape, and more cost from governments that are clueless.

I live in Canada but am a U.S. citizen. Three times I have crossed the border into New York and each time I have gotten a free COVID test from CVS that is needed to return to Canada. I do not have insurance in the U.S. and have marked "travel" as the reason for my testing each time.

The standard is what is required by the guest to return to his/her home country. PCR is required to return to Canada and is provided free to guests returning to Canada. As I mentioned, several threads describe this process in detail.

Yes, do a search and you will find several threads which explain the process.

Not going to happen.

I am certain that you are right - no way it isn't accepted. For some reason, panic is preferred.

Day 4 doesn't even exist now on my cruise planner - no day 4 and no mention of St. Thomas.

Sorry to hear that. It is the wrong decision. I don't believe they will turn you away at the pier with a certificate from Ontario. I hope that you are able to get on board very soon. Everyone needs to get away right now.

I repeat, relax. Things are going to work out fine. You will have the right papers, RCL will let you on the ship, you will have a great time, you will get a PCR test to get on the plane and go home, and Canada will let you back in. Don't ruin your next few weeks worrying about this stuff. Put your ducks in order and then make plans for fun things like excursions and special meals, etc.

Not sure when you are sailing but for the moment and probably at least through March Royal offers complimentary tests (PCR included) for guests returning to countries requiring them. The process seems to be that they will contact you towards the end of your cruise to schedule a test on the last full day of your sailing. The results will be in your stateroom that evening to allow you to debark and have the necessary document for your flight the next day.

Relax...everything is going to work out fine. You are going on a cruise in a few weeks so don't worry. This is the moment that we have been waiting for for a long time. Dot all the i's, cross all the t's and prepare to have a nice, warm time!

We are on this cruise and share your frustration. Just a note, though, St. Maarten never changed - it was always Jan. 5th (Day 7).

There is no need to be nervous about the Shopper's end - I have talked to two different Shopper's pharmacists who have both crossed into the U.S. with Shopper's tests.

We changed from Barbados and Antigua to St. Thomas, San Juan, and Coco Cay. We mostly do 3rd party tours, I just wanted to see what Royal was offering before I booked something else. Not much choice on Coco Cay so I was hoping to get a "sale price." We shall see.

That is our plan - cheap and a Shopper's right across the street from us. Soooooo looking forward to getting on a cruise ship!

Best Caribbean tour we have done is Captain Bob - a speedboat snorkeling tour around the whole island. Doing it again in January. Souliga Destinations. I have never been close to missing the boat on a non-Royal excursion. As Teddy mentioned, they know the price of the bad press so they won't risk it.

The sales this week are such a bust for those of us who had had big itinerary changes last week. I have three new ports and zero excursions listed yet because of the changes.

I am pretty disappointed that it is limited to U.S. residents.

I agree the gardens are a bit of a distance from the port. They are certainly beautiful but with that amount of time I would just bum around downtown - lots of great stuff to see. Tons of walk around stuff - inner harbor, B.C. Assembly House, Beacon Hill Park. Some good foodie tours too.

I understand that - I hate that feeling you get sometimes coming up to the border when you just aren't sure if everything is okay............ I wouldn't spend the extra money because: a. To me, Mexico is a different ball game than flying from Florida. b. The ship you are sailing on is homeported in the U.S. c. As Canadians, they have to let you in so you don't have to worry as much about making a fuss. d. I went down to Buffalo two weeks ago and the ArriveCan process and border crossing was light years better than my first trip down in July. e. Ultimately it is up to you but I think you are safe with the shipboard test.