jansplan

May I suggest that you join the FB group Grandeur of the Seas (insert which ever date you're on). I joined Jan 2 and Jan 9 group. Really helpful.

I lucked out as Royal Caribbean provided it on board. I believe as of Jan 6, the tests were going to be available at the terminal but at the customer's expense. This would make it difficult if one is planning on getting on a plane to Canada immediately.

Well I hope you aren't too noisy because I am right next door! LOL. It will be fine. The 7th floor is apparently the best!

In British Columbia Life Labs. It wasn't the deep nasal, but a mouth swab followed by a mid nasal cavity swab. As I said earlier, if they don't accept what you have they will give you one in Barbados. Tourism is their industry.... they want your money and will hope that you are healthy and can spend it there. Good luck!

Arrived today and after joining FB group Grandeur of the Seas, December 26 I found out about FAST TRACK Barbados. We signed up and wow! what a breeze. Someone met us when we got to the terminal and we bi-passed all the lines. Well worth it. Don't wait too long to book though.

Where are you getting this information? I don't understand either.

I just found out from Face Book group Grandeur of the Seas, December 26 that we will not have to show the PCR when embarking even if your 3 day window has expired because of arriving in barbados earlier! Yay!

Here's the latest that I've read. Sounds like RCCL are still on top of things! Yay! https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/12/26/covid-19-outbreak-on-cruise-ship-docked-in-barbados-poses-no-threat-cummins/

I am sailing on the Grandeur Sunday (Jan 2) and plan to keep posts on the experience. I'm sure it will be an adventure. We've been hit with major snow....Vancouver Island, BC... and won't be making it home (we're 4 hours away) until the day before we fly out on Thursday...we've been advised not to travel the roads. Just in time to throw stuff in a suitcase and do the paperwork everyone requires. Going into this with a good frame of mind no matter what happens along the way!

Aww. Don't say that! I just got my link from RC for my pre-embarkation antigen test. Barbados officials won't be denying international travel anytime soon. I trust that they have things under control.

In particular, I am impressed with this link and has given me confidence in cruising. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/medical-center

48 passengers test positive for COVID-19 on Royal Caribbean cruise ship By Staff Reuters Posted December 20, 2021 9:17 am Updated December 20, 2021 9:20 am 48 passengers test positive for COVID-19 on Royal Caribbean cruise ship By Staff Reuters Royal Caribbean Group said on Monday 48 people on its Symphony of the Seas cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19, fueling concerns that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus could put a damper on a recovery in the cruise industry. The cruise operator said it had 6,091 guests and crew members on board the ship, which ended a week-long cruise in Miami on Saturday after setting sail on Dec. 11. The passengers who tested positive were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, Royal Caribbean said in a statement, adding that six guests were disembarked earlier in the cruise and transported home. Symphony's future itineraries are not impacted, it added. (This story corrects headline to say COVID-19, not Omicron variant)

YaY! Now, I just have to decide if this trip is essential or not as we Canadians have been advised to avoid non-essential travel. At least their wording allows us to interpret what non-essential means. I really wouldn't want to get stuck in Barbados for an undetermined amount of time if Canada decides to cancel all international flights coming into Canada. Two weeks to go before I have to commit.

I would say that you have a within 72 hours of your cruise a current PCR test.

Come on.....people go skiing there when it is Canada's summer!

https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/covid-19-update-for-tuesday-december-14/ I found the above link useful. Canada doesn't want us going to Barbados; it doesn't look too bad to me. Keep a strong immune system, social distance as much as possible and wash your hands! I really want to go!

I will. We are supposed to leave on Grandeur of the Seas, January 2. We have booked a PCR test the day before we embark as we will not be within the 72 hour window. We have connecting flights AND are arriving early as you never know what the weather brings. I'm from Canada. To enter Canada you need to have a negative PCR; an antigen test does not cut it. A new advisory came out today......Avoid all non- essential travel. What that means is up to the individual. I need sunshine and warmth! Did I fail to tell you that I am from Canada? Keep well.

I agree. What I like is that "avoiding non essential travel" is a personal interpretation. Still doesn't sit right with me today's update. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Thank you very much for this information. I am still waiting for a response from RC.

Yes, everyone will get a free antigen test before embarking. It is still my understanding that you still need a PCR test before getting on the ship...the antigen is not accepted.

Antigen tests are not acceptable to get back into Canada. Still waiting to hear whether Grandeur of the Seas (out of Barbados) will be administering PCR testing for us Canadians. Any insight would be appreciated.

Sorry, but I think you are mistaken. I am also going to arrive in Barbados early, but my Covid test will have expired before I embark. The blurb says, "If timed properly, the same PCR test result provided for entry into Barbados can satisfy this requirement." I've got appointments set up at the Crane Resort. I'm more concerned with the testing before I get back to Canada. The antigen test on board is not acceptable for Canada.....at this point in time. I am still waiting to hear back from RC.