MaddyandMax

1 hour ago, Princess Fi said:

We have the November 6 2021 Reflection booked. 2 cabins. My husband and I are fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca so good. My sister and her husband are second cabin. She is fully vaccinated AstraZeneca but her husband is AZ/Pfizer. Was hoping for travel this would be sorted or Ontario would allow a third dose. Still hoping but that hope is fading. There was so much attention earlier that people doing the right thing would not be hindered with travel.  Still waiting to hear if CDC will alter their stance with allowing vaccinated international travel early November. 

I've got my fingers crossed for you.  All my conversations with Royal regarding my pfizer/moderna mix made it seem like they wouldn't be changing their stance any time soon and they did.

Every day information is being released that they won't be able to ignore much longer.  Everything I have read shows that Astrazenca mixed with an mRNA produces a very good immune response.

🤞

52 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Because of the border? Unless you were planning on driving to your port of embarkation, the border shouldn't pose a problem. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the issue.

That's exactly the issue.  We weren't flying and don't want to fly.  Too expensive for our large group.  We were cruising out of Newark.

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

You can and always have been able to fly to the US.  Unless you were planning on driving from Toronto to Florida the border is not an issue.

We are/were cruising out of New Jersey so we didn't have to fly.   Too expensive for a group of 14 of us.

Driving to Florida is not a fun drive with little ones. LOL Once was enough! LOL

Yes! Unfortunately I still have to cancel my October cruise because of the border.  But I'm much more hopeful now for March!

This is such a relief for me!  BUT unfortunately I still have to cancel my October cruise because the border didn't open. 

But at least my March cruise is looking like it should be a go!

8 minutes ago, nbsjcruiser said:

We're in the same boat. Mixed vaccines and Diamond on RCI. Got the same run-around from RCI and Princess too btw. Its my theory that the lawyers got involved and now have the cruise lines all running sacred to be sued so they're putting in rules that are not science based but legally based. In the end the legal profession always makes money no matter what happens in the world.

 

Anyway, we cancelled 2 Princess cruises and one RCI cruise and instead will be taking 5 weeks this fall in Florida in a quiet condo complex that we've rented in the past. It will cost about the same as  4 day cruise - 5 weeks for the price of a 4 day cruise - think about that. We'll stay away from crowds, restaurants, bars, clubs, stores etc. We'll spend our mornings enjoying a coffee on the balcony and the afternoons on a beach where there will be nobody within 100 yards of us. Quiet, safe long break from the crappy fall in Canada. All this nonsense with cruise lines and testing forced us to look elsewhere. Right now, we're in no rush to go back on a cruise. If they can chase us away (29 cruises so far) who else will they chase away?

 

Take your hard earned vacation dollars and enjoy life elsewhere. Someday cruising may go back to something resembling normal. When it does we'll think about cruising again......maybe.

I actually work in law and I'll have to disagree.  With the CDC confirming that they consider us fully vaccinated there really would be no claim for anyone to sue.  Not that I think there would be any merit for any type of lawsuit anyways.  No passenger could ever prove beyond reasonable doubt that they got covid from a specific person on a cruise boat...  Plus the fact that it would have to have been knowingly transmitted.  But I digress.

We don't like to fly - with a big family its just too expensive.  So that puts a hamper on where we can go on vacation.  It's the reason we like to cruise.

Was just on the NCL website and we may jump ship over there.  They are more expensive but offer a lot of free perks like drink packages...

I gotta tell you...  My family (13 of us) have 3 cruises booked 2021/22 and I am INSULTED by Royal.  All my emails to them they blamed the CDC, which we knew never made sense.  Now I am finding out they are admitting to others that this was a Board decision.

I believe my family has decided that we are going to take our money (and our mixed vaccines) and book elsewhere.  My parents are diamond plus but to alienate Canadians like this.  Canadians who did the right thing...  On top of the fact that all scientific evidence clearly points to the fact that we are just as protected from covid, maybe even more protected...

47 minutes ago, xcell said:

Not sure if I should start a new topic but the RCCL website is unclear of what vaccine protocols they will accept.

 

Specifically, will they allow Pfzier and Moderna even though most of us (Canadians) had it more than 42 days between doses.

As of right now - NO.  I have cruise October 24 that I will probably have to cancel because of it.  Though when I booked they were accepted.

1 hour ago, archer_310 said:

With the news yesterday about the US recommending US travelers don't go to Canada, I'm now expecting the border to stay closed past Sept 21.  That's my last option to get to the US to get a 3rd shot before our Oct. 31 cruise.  Hopefully Ford will bend on this now that another Conservative gov't is bending.

I'm in the  same boat accept my cruise is October 24 lol

1 minute ago, Tomchick1970 said:

I had my TA confirm with Celebrity if they will accept a 3rd dose.  The response was:

 

If a guest would get a 3^rd dose, we will only be looking as if at least 2 of 3 doses meet the current requirements.

 

So get your 3rd dose and report back on how easy or difficult it was to obtain.

 

Interesting that you would told something different from someone else from Celebrity.  I would definitely print out that confirmation to take with you if it was in writing.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

My cruise isn't until the end of October so I'm hoping Ontario gives us the option by then or I can go across the border to get one.  if not we will cancel and I hope this mess gets fixed before my next cruise in March.

That said, I reached out to Royal on facebook and twitter.  One told me yes it would be accepted and one told me no.

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately I face the same dilemma as you in trying to get this information and what they say today may be diffetent tomorrow.  For these Lind of decisions we need to wait until FAQ's are posted. 

Thanks! I appreciate the response.  I did reach out to Michael Bayley on facebook on the off chance and he actually responded quite quickly.  He referred me to Royal's facebook/twitter so I responded and let him know that the responses don't seem to be consistent.

Not that I have ANY sway LOL, but may this will help get something clarified.  I guess, once again, this decision is in the hands of the CDC who never seem to decide in our favour LOL.

So Facebook Royal said no and Twitter Royal said yes. Sigh. 
 

@Ourusualbeach

I'm wondering if you could do some Canadians a favour.  It appears that people are receiving a lot of mixed information on whether a 3rd dose of a vaccine will even be considered.  Someone was told by Celebrity that they will only look at the first and second dose.  Have you heard anything?  I reached out to Royal on facebook and twitter and was basically shrugged at and told they have no policies at this time regarding 3rd vaccines.  The problem will probably lie in the fact that our documentation indicates if its a first, second or third shot.

As you can imagine what we thought may be a solution for some Canadians in provinces that allow it now looks like it may be a none solution.

On 8/17/2021 at 10:32 AM, mabt said:

I am an Ontario resident, and received a third mRNA dose in Quebec.  I did have to bend the rules a bit.  The short version, which is about all the detail I'm prepared to go into, is that I am in possession of a lease, in my name, for a property in Quebec.  For what it's worth, the lease is signed by both parties and perfectly valid - not that anyone looked very closely.

 

What I can say is this:

• On the day and location that I received my vaccine, proof of residency was definitely required.  I am completely certain that I would have been turned away without the lease.
• I was asked when (August 28) and where ("Caribbean") I was travelling, but not why.
• I don't have a QHIP number, and it wasn't an issue.  I provided my Ontario Driver's License as identification.
• My Ontario vaccine records were uploaded into the Quebec system before they would administer the additional shot.
• I received the paper vaccination record that is technically the "official" proof of immunization in Quebec.  Quebec insists that it is all that is needed for travel purposes, but obviously they can't dictate what other jurisdictions will accept.  That said, it's not really any different from the US CDC vaccination cards, so I don't see why it wouldn't be adequate.  In theory, I should also be able access my records online, but so far, whenever I try, it throws an error.  They say they are "working on it".

Which cruise line are you cruising with and have you called them?  This has been the solution myself and my family have been looking into.

BUT someone cruising Celebrity in another forum said they had to cancel their cruise even though they had 3 shots.  Celebrity said they would only consider the first 2 shots and not the 3rd...

This is super concerning.

20 minutes ago, mabt said:

 

I think we all have sympathy for your situation, as many of us are in the same quandry, and certainly we all wish you the best of luck.  But what those of us who have been following the situation for the past month or so are telling you is that the CDC position on mixed doses has not changed.  RCCL's position has changed, several times, as they interpret and re-interpret the CDC's policy.  But it's not like they don't know what the policy is, or that something about the CDC's position has changed.

 

You should follow up with Royal Caribbean.  Many of us already have.  The more, the better.  But don't assume that this will all be resolved if only someone can make RCCL see the light.

Agreed.  I wish my many communications with Royal Caribbean and the newspaper article I helped the Toronto Star write, helped them "see the light".

I honestly believe that if Royal was able to they would allow us to cruise as vaccinated.  But they don't want to be shut down by the CDC.  So until the CSO expires we are all stuck.  Which is unfortunately the day after I'm supposed to cruise 🙁.

1 minute ago, Welly9 said:

BUT no update on RCL side even though they follow the CDC recommendations..I will follow up with them.

HUGE miss if they continue to take this stance - HUGE miss by our Liberal Gov't if they dont push to allow outside of CAN and start to communicate with these outside authorities and HUGE miss by RCL not to allow.

Michael Bailey posted an update on his F*book 11 hours ago..  They said they are working on it and basically trying to get the CDC to reconsider.  At least, that's what I took from it.

1 minute ago, Welly9 said:

But CDC updated part of it on the 13th, last Friday, including Mixed Vax"s with criteria to get them, and states you are Fully Vaccinated under the strategies they list - which in Canada's case many fall under these categories! !

If you look back on this thread, or on the Canadian Cruisers forum you'll see even before August 13 the CDC said that in extreme circumstances if you need to mix vaccines it's fine and you are considered fully vaccinated.  Unfortunately their rules don't seem to extend to Canadians who had to mix under extreme circumstances....

And I feel you - I'm mRNA mixed with an October cruise booked...

16 minutes ago, Welly9 said:

I will follow up with RCL, and send or explain the updated status on the CDC website Re Mixed Vax's are considered fully vaccinated! 

 

And... How long has Carnival accepted the mixed Vax scenario? Recently or from onset? 

Royal knows.  That blurb on the CDC website has been there for months...

My understanding was we could do the cheaper test to get into the US and only need the PCR test to come back into Canada, which should be done by Royal.

But maybe I have that wrong.  I saw shoppers doing the rapid test for $40.

We were there twice in July.  We usually drive down and hit all the fruit stands and support local.  Both times we went down the main strip on the way home and it was PACKED.  Like before pandemic packed and less than half the people were wearing masks.  I was shocked.

1 minute ago, lots-of-km2 said:

 

There might be a (sub-par) solution for that: honeymoon in Niagara Falls, cruise on the Maid of the Mist.

Shudder... I'm going to pretend you didn't suggest that! LOL

To be fair this is an 11 year late honeymoon, but I live very close to Niagara.  Niagara Falls is not somewhere I enjoy traveling.  Especially lately.  Have you seen the crowds?  Like we aren't in the middle of a pandemic... Insert eye roll

Just now, lots-of-km2 said:

 

Thanks!  Hadn't seen that before. 

 

I couldn't find any timelines given for reporting out on results.  Have you found any?

Me neither and it looks like they are still accepting participants so it may not have even started yet.

My honeymoon cruise in March may be in jeopardy at this rate. 😅

Credit card dispute - no go.  This is a cruise that was originally booked and paid for at the beginning of covid that has moved 3 times now, maybe 4, I can't remember at this point LOL

9 minutes ago, lots-of-km2 said:

 

The only scientifically sound way to address the mixed dosage question is to have the results of multiple studies on their efficacy.  I hope those results would inform policy going forward, not vacation schedules.  Not trying to diss you on your vacation plans -- I'm disappointed too about the situation that a bunch of us (millions) are in with the mixed doses.  Rather, I'd just want to know that the AZ/Pfizer concoction is effective before I travel at all. 

 

Canada relied on preliminary findings of European studies (UK, Germany) when it decided to go in on mixed doses.  Has Canada done any of its own studies or monitoring since we started with the AZ/Pfizer?  Has anyone seen anything on that online?  I haven't but maybe someone on these boards has...   

 

If there's anything that the Feds should be pressured to do, it's this, I think:  studying the immune responses from the mixed doses.  

 

In the meantime, I'm glad that our surplus doses are being sent abroad to countries that are desperate. I'd rather that over booster shots right now.  The whole world needs to get well soon.  If not,  travel will continue to be limited. 

 

 

 

 

I found this:

https://www.med.ubc.ca/byline-date-only/new-canada-wide-research-to-study-mix-and-matching-covid-19-vaccines/

https://cirnetwork.ca/mosaic/

2 minutes ago, lots-of-km2 said:

 

The only scientifically sound way to address the mixed dosage question is to have the results of multiple studies on their efficacy.  I hope those results would inform policy going forward, not vacation schedules.  Not trying to diss you on your vacation plans -- I'm disappointed too about the situation that a bunch of us (millions) are in with the mixed doses.  Rather, I'd just want to know that the AZ/Pfizer concoction is effective before I travel at all. 

 

Canada relied on preliminary findings of European studies (UK, Germany) when it decided to go in on mixed doses.  Has Canada done any of its own studies or monitoring since we started with the AZ/Pfizer?  Has anyone seen anything on that online?  I haven't but maybe someone on these boards has...   

 

If there's anything that the Feds should be pressured to do, it's this, I think:  studying the immune responses from the mixed doses.  

 

In the meantime, I'm glad that our surplus doses are being sent abroad to countries that are desperate. I'd rather that over booster shots right now.  The whole world needs to get well soon.  If not,  travel will continue to be limited. 

 

 

 

 

No diss taken. We booked this cruise when mixed doses were expressly accepted by Royal and because it was the only time our group of 11 could go.  It's been moved 4 times.

I agree, I don't think until any study is concluded that the CDC will change their stance.   But in the meantime Royal refuses to refund my money until 30 days before our cruise when the covid policies are officially be released.  I cancel now I'm screwed.  So we can't even book elsewhere for the same time frame.  That at the end of the day is my biggest frustration over this mess. 

We booked when they were allowed, now they aren't and you don't know when that will change so refund my money.

Not that ANY person should be judging why someone would vote the way they do... It's no one business but my own and I don't appreciate being scalded for it.  There is a block button.  I am a grown adult who can make my own educated decisions and if I'm mad about the dilemma I am now in, that's my prerogative.  Would I change my vote solely on this? Absolutely not.  Will it factor into my decision?  ABSOLUTELY.  Especially when here in Ontario they made it seem like it was dire to go out and get the first dose of whatever you can get.  If I have waited 2-3 weeks I could have got a second dose of Pfizer and wouldn't be in this predicament.  They didn't want Moderna doses to go to waste so they did what they had to.  Do I think it was the wrong decision?  No.  Do I wish we had been given more information so I could have made a better informed decision? Yes.  I would have waited knowing about this trip and that for my own personal family reasons I probably cannot move it to a future date.  Plus the fact that there are people booked on this cruise that may not be here next October to take the trip with me.  The 2-3 weeks wouldn't have made a difference.  I have a 9 year old who is obviously not vaccinated so I am already "sheltering in place" for lack of a better word.  I haven't even grocery shopped the entire pandemic and do everything online.  My husband and I work from home right now and my kids were/are on summer break.  So my family waiting a few weeks would not have affected anything, we would have not made anyone else sick.  But that information was not given to us.  People were shamed for walking out of appointments.  We didn't want to be like them, we wanted to do the right thing and protect others.

So, if you don't like who and why I vote for someone, please move on.  We shouldn't be shaming others, especially other Canadians, for our frustrations.  You are welcome to read my other posts in other forums on here.  I have ALWAYS said the Canadian government did the right thing.  That doesn't mean I can't be frustrated and upset over the situation.

@MStarky - I will not be voting Conservative.  I'm a woman, that's reason enough to say away from that party (in my humble opinion and I would NEVER judge anyone for the way they vote).  Don't count the NDP's out.  Jagmeet has quite a following with the younger crowd on social media.  It will be an interesting election 🙂.