Clodia

There didn't appear to be any piers ide testing in Edinburgh yesterday. I had to leave home on Wednesday instead of Thursday because of the train strike, so instead of doing my 3rd party verified antigen test at home with fast internet, I was reliant on a very indifferent wifi at a hotel. Thank goodness I had a backup test. The one I'd booked on zoom failed as the connection dropped out and the observer terminated the meeting. The other was much simpler as I had already registered on the app scanned in my passport etc. All I had to do was input the test order number, do it and upload a snapshot, wait for the 15 minute timer to end and scan the result. I got a message saying please wait 2 to 3 hours for your results, but my phone pinged after 10 minutes with a negative result and attached fit to travel certificate. I downloaded this in case of no signal at the terminal. Everything else I had printed out. The whole thing took 5 minutes, temperature check, receipt of medical questionnaire, and endorsement by staff of proof of vaccination and sight of verified negative test and certificate.

I got mine for the 24th only by pestering my SS travel Advisor; they arrived hours later after that. I downloaded them all to my phone; they are printed as well but I'm sure that showing them on a phone will be fine. The hotel concierge would probably print them if you're staying the night before.

I wouldn't have time to get one now; travelling next Wednesday and getting anything from my GP takes weeks. I'll just do the antigen test.

I've been on both smaller and large ships to the fjords; it doesn't make a lot of difference because the ship always turns at the port or just offshore and goes out, so you see the other side of the fjord going out from the one you saw going in. Generally you're quite close to the sides for the last 30 minutes or so sailing in, and the first 30 going out, before the fjord widens. Nothing like a glass of something on the veranda then!

I've cancelled my PCR test because I had a very mild dose of covid 7 weeks ago, and the nurse told me it might come up positive within 90 days of infection! I've ordered a supervised antigen the day before boarding; if that doesn't work I'll fall on the mercy of the SS pre cruise hotel concierge! Antigens are coming up negative for sure because I've recently had minor surgery and had to do a lot of them before appointments.

I have, but really I don't think they want to know. Protocols rule, even if they drive away seasoned, experienced cruisers who were prepared to spend a lot of money with SS.

Useful information as I've booked a few walking tours in Iceland on my Whisper cruise starting 24th, as I'm not a fan of buses and cannot wear a mask. I like to walk and hope we get good guides.

I receive about 8 emails a day, some sounding increasingly desperate, begging me to book a cruise. I sail on Whisper on the 24th, but until ALL restrictions are toast, that will be the very last time. After over 30 cruises in 25 years, I just cannot feel the excitement any more. Just severe anxiety.

I've been to Norway several times on medium sized and large ships, and it's always struck me how much nicer it would be on a small ship which can get into smaller ports easily, and give more of a sense of closeness to the fjords. Alcohol is eye wateringly expensive in Norway so Silversea would appear to have the advantage over a line where it isn't included. I'm quite fancying sailing there again on Whisper, perhaps, but will wait until the restrictions, testing etc are completely gone. The build up to my Iceland sailing on Whisper later this month is being spoiled by stress over testing etc.

Got my email re testing yesterday; sailing on 24th. For up to date vaccinated guests ( 2 doses plus booster) it said antigen OR PCR within 72 hours. Got a PCR booked for 2 days before sailing so only keeping the antigen proctored one as a back up now. PCR more straightforward as the Pharmacy are doing it, whereas the proctored one would have to be done online and in a hotel, as I'm now going to have to travel to Edinburgh a day earlier because of the train strikes. I suppose ticket information will follow?

Thanks, I too need to get through before sailing and am having problems; they just put you in a queue then hang up. However, my Mc Afee system will not accept the download saying it's too risky.

Not acceptable. I relied on the Kids Clubs and I would have cancelled.