mikil321

3 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

As a Canadian flying from a Canadian city to Vancouver, I still cannot figure out what to select in the arrivecan App.  If anyone else knows, please share!!

Im trying to figure that one out myself? arrivecan is ONLY for Canadians entering back into Canada from another country?  We are ALREADY here in Canada boarding a ship bound to Alaska???? This option doesnt exist in the app! Just make sure your vaccinated WITH proof and have had a PCR or ANTIGEN TEST within 48 hours (two days) of the embarking and have PROOF and you should be all set Im sure!

3 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

As a Canadian flying from a Canadian city to Vancouver, I still cannot figure out what to select in the arrivecan App.  If anyone else knows, please share!!

The arrivecan app is ONLY for entering Canada from Air, Land and Sea and NOTHING else? I also am confused to WHY they want to see this when we are in Canada ALREADY and boarding a ship to USA waters? The ArriveCan app only holds your passport info ? 

PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE Listen up! This is to clarify the confusion in this forum about testing ! First off safety protocols can change at any time or date but chances are this close to the ship leaving it more than likely will NOT! To board the ship The safety protocol as of this date (April 29th/2022 and subject to change but more than likely will NOT because of the proximity of sailing)

It "is" RCCL that requires that the  pcr/antigen testing be performed two days prior to sailing !  It is  NOT the Canadian government requesting a test but the cruiseline to board the ship ! Remember to get it done by a trained proffesional such as a pharmacist etc... Do NOT perform it yourself unless you have one of those kits you have to videochat or facetime back to a trained professional to verify and prove you did it in front of them.It HAS to be done by a trained professional and documented electronically or in writing! DONT make the mistake of going out and buying a kit yourself and performing it yourself or you WILL be denied to board? I am 100% sure of this because I have made numerous phone calls and got the same answer Thanks for reading and see everyone on board Safe journey 

We live in Edmonton an we are going on Ovation of the Seas in May for a Alaska cruise. Getting to the ship and on the ship with all the necessary vaccines and tests is NOT a problem BUT.... when we arrive and disembark in Seattle Washington will be tricky? Any Canadian that gets off the ship and intends on going back to Canada will need testing (not antigen tests) PCR testing etc... So the problem will be time? If a couple of thousand Canadians disembark and intend on going back to Canada that day everyone will be scrambling to get one of these tests. 

1 minute ago, stefndoug said:

Yup...but at least there are options.

Yes and thanks again for your valuable input Much appreciated Mike and Family

Ok People I thin we are going OFF TOPIC here. I would like to thanks everyone for their attempts to answer my questions There has been AMAZING answers given to this topic.We are STILL going onto the cruise and now have alot more insight into WHAT to do and how to do it. I would like to thank everyone once again Thanks and EVERYONE stay safe have a fun time cruising!

On 1/2/2022 at 7:47 PM, stefndoug said:

drives me nuts that the news always says PCR and never mentions the others...which you can easily find for free in most US states...just means a little research.  So far haven't had to pay for any of our rapid tests to get back home to Canada.

Yeh only problem is a couple of thousands Canadians are coming off the cruise ship in Seattle and EVERYONE will be scrambling for a test??? Good Luck All

12 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

It doesn’t hurt so much if you say it real fast.  😂

 

OP, if it were me, I would be finding out whether your daughter purchased a non-refundable cruise.  Chances are you can cancel and apply the funds to another itinerary which doesn’t include disembarkation in the US.  It is far too cumbersome, and costly, to reliably obtain a fast PCR test prior to re-entering Canada.

 

Having said that, however, you could Look Here to see what’s available.  But a word of caution on the “free” testing:  More times than not they do not do, or will cancel, travel testing appointments.  You need a solid, paid, backup plan.  Check for disembarkation testing at the port.

Will do and much thanks for your help

9 hours ago, broberts said:

 

The one certainty is that citizens and permanent residents will be allowed entry.

Yes Hopefully the end of the pendemic will begin to happen and the world can get on with life Thanks again Cheers

On 12/31/2021 at 1:36 PM, stefndoug said:

We have the 4 night Vancouver to SEattle cruise on Princess in May...if Canada hasn't changed the rules for coming back across the land border for testing...I don't think we will pay our final payment.  I don't want to have to get off the ship and then find a testing place before we drive home....and I would assume we need to test to get on the ship, which isn't cheap here in Vancouver.   

Yes  RCCL said you must be fully vaccinated , have a antigen test to get embark onto the ship (Not a PCR test Antigen is cheaper)and to proceed into a US port like Alaska. Now the trickey part, When you disembark the ship in Seattle Washington you WILL have to find somewhere in Seattle that does a PCR test (Not Antigen) . According to Canadian Border Services and the Canadian Government websites as of "right now" (always subject to change) a PCR test will be needed to enter into Canada "regardless" of how you get back Air, Sea or Land! You will also need to fill out the ArriveCan receipt paper or electronic also prior to starting your trip. I know its a pain in the ass but we are staying overnight in Seattle anyway so hopefully we will have enough time to get a PCR test done? Good Luck

On 12/31/2021 at 2:51 PM, Fouremco said:

A couple of quick comments.

 

First of all, the antigen test that you require for boarding in Vancouver shouldn't cost you anywhere near the $280 you are quoting. You should be able to find a test site in Edmonton for under $50 per person, or you could look for a site in Vancouver. In Edmonton, MediCentres offer an a Rapid Antigen Test for only $40. https://www.medicentres.com/covidtesting/ 

 

You could also order a kit from Switch Health and pay only $79 for a 2-person test kit. Even if you order 2 kits, just in case something goes wrong, it will still be almost half the cost you are quoting. https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/#collectionKits

 

For your return trip, you do need a PCR test. If you order the Switch Health PCR test kits, at only $149 CAD, that will set you back a total of $298 CAD, nowhere near the $650 you are projecting. But many Canadians have been able to get free PCR testing at Walgreens, and even if you need to take an Uber or rent a car, as most of the Walgreens only have drive-through test facilities, that's a very small price to pay.  https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing

 

Between the high-end cost for a rapid PCR test at the airport and the zero cost of a Walgreens, you'll find a variety of testing facilities with varying prices.  Spend a bit of time with Google and you should be able to reduce you test costs significantly.

 

Good luck, and Happy New Year!

Thank you Thank you Thank you WOW We much appreciate your knowledgable answers they are very much appreciated. If I could buy you a beer I would ha ha! Yes you are correct about the antigen tests. I looked that one up and I was wrong about costs of antigen tests. I guess you do NOT need a PCR test to get onto the cruiseship according to RCCL representative just a antigen test which is cheaper!  BUT the PCR testing in Seattle is a bit more pricey. I have not contacted CVS pharmacy or Walgreens to see what we can do. It is a little to pre mature seeing the cruise is 5 months away but I will investigate it one month prior to cruising. I am certaing there will be more people in our boat (dont mind the pun) asking the same questions. I am actually shocked RCCL does not have a page on their site explaining "what" is needed at this time to bord their vessels in Vancouver etc.... Anyway Thanks once again very much appreciated Mike and Family Cheers and Happy New Year to you also

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions much appreciated

Like everyone is saying here its too far away to know 100% whats happening with covid testing by then. After doing some research though and calling Royal Carribean I do know this, to embark on the ship you need proof of being fully vaccinated, and must have a antigen or PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding ship. This is needed to enter the US (alaska for example seeing its an Alaska cruise) As of getting off the ship, you dont need anything because you have already gone into the USA(Alaska) and proved your ok! so disembarking into Seattle is not the problem. Now the problem arrises when we are in Seattle and we NEED to get back to Canada via, airlines,train, car etc.... (as of right now with Canada Border Services) A PCR test needs to be done before crossing the border. These tests are avaliable at an average of $200 to $250 per person US dollars which is like a million Canadian dollars ha ha! You also NEED a arriveCan receipt, paper or electronic upon entry to Canada. Also may I say that even with all the correct documentation you "Can" be randomly selectedly by Canadian Border Services to take place in a quarantine program???

In closing , this trip was a present from our daughter and son in law so yes we will still go on the cruise BUT if we had our way we would have done a Vancouver to Vancouver trip like all said avbove. We just dont want to upset our daughter by cancelling! The cost of all the testing is crazy 2 tests in Canada at about $140 each =$280 Can and two tests in Seattle Washington at $250 each =$500US= about $650 Canadian thats almost $930 for just testing WOW!!!! And on top of that we are staying in seattle over night before flying back to Edmonton. The cost of the hotel about $250 US

All in all the cost of the hotels, Vancouver, Seattle and all the covid testing costs MORE than the cruise itself WOW! You wonder why people are putting off travel

Thanks everyone for your help much appreciated

Hello, Its been a while since we last cruised. At least 10 years! Our daughter purchased myself and wife a Alaska Cruise (Ovation of the Seas) with Royal Carribean for Xmas.  We are both fully vaccinated and just recently got the booster (highly recommend) We understand rules can change by the time we cruise but would like to seek answers right now!  Here is our question and appreciate any help/input here! We embark onto the ship in Vancouver for a 8 day  Alaska cruise and the disembark in Seattle Washington. What testing will we need to embark in Canada (Vancouver) and disembark (in Seattle) in the USA ? After disembarking we are planning to come back immediately to Vancouver via bus,train or ferry (havent decided yet?) What will we also need to get home to Canada? Thanks in advance for anyones help here Mike and Ava