joyandjerry

Wish I could do the same, but our 30 September cruise to Bermuda is the only destination. Unbelievable stress over testing, TA, (had to do it in May), and then my next on the B2B includes Canada. So I have to do more testing on the ship - really a buzzkill.

Yes - great news!

Approximate fees? Do the machines take cards, bills, coins? Many years ago I vaguely remember using a credit card. Jerry is over 65.

You absolutely must get it. RCCL site has about testing. I can't remember if they emailed me about the Travel Authorization. Check Bermuda government site. You cannot board ship without it.

@marlenecook, approximately how long would it take from the Black Falcon port to the Harvard/Cambridge area? I want to make sure I allow enough time to get back to the ship!

Posted here in error and cannot delete post. Sorry!

@marlenecookJust what I needed! Thanks so much.

Earlier posts this season have mentioned some problems with Boston public trans. Jerry and I are going on a B2B, and will be there in mid October. (That is, if we don't test positive on the ship!) I was just going to get a cab to the MFA, but the museums are closed on Tuesdays (bummer!). Plan B is either the Aquarium and Quincy Market or Harvard (Cambridge). We have done the Freedom Trail and the HOHO on prior visits. Anyone have any experience with these destinations recently? I saw that the Aquarium is near South Station on the Silver line. Walking no problem for us.

I feel your pain, stress and confusion. Even if a cruise line says 3 days prior to embarking, if the country you are visiting has stricter requirements, like 2 days, the more stringent rules apply. The reverse also applies, if the cruise line's rules are more strict. From what I've read, one must be tested prior to the cruise, even if the arrival to Canada is several days later, crazy as it is. I don't believe you have to be tested again. With Bermuda, if the ship takes more than 4 days to stop there, one must be tested again. Since Bermuda is my first cruise, Jerry and I will have to test again on the ship to take the cruise to Canada/NE, as it is a separate cruise from the first. The link to RCCL testing requirements are here. I noted that if you click on "US Home ports" for Canada and Bermuda it is 2 days prior. For "Southhampton" and Transatlantic 3 days prior. It does not mention Canada specifically under your departure port, if I read that correctly. Here is a link to Canada's web site where they discuss cruise ship pax here. Scrolling down the page about testing, 72 hours prior to embarking is mentioned. But apparently RCCL is requiring 2 days prior if you embark in the US, adding to the confusion. Not that it is productive, but I am losing sleep and beyond stressed about how these countries are treating tourists and their own citizens that rely on tourist trade.

Please Google "Canada cruise ship COVID testing" or similar. Cruise pax have to be tested. Other modes of travel do not. You need a test prior to the cruise. Those on B2B cruises need a test onboard if Canada is second cruise.

I always have said the best thing about cruising is the people! They are such a friendly, helpful bunch. You are a shining example of how one person can make a positive difference in the quality of life for many. I allow myself to get way too stressed over things, am trying not to be "glass half empty" over the testing for both Bermuda, then Canada. Celebrity and NCL have dropped Bermuda for Oct/Nov. Many are peeved at Canada for the ArriveCAN, which is causing long queues at auto crossings and hurting tourism. Sad they are singling out cruise pax for continued testing. Ah, the good 'ole days, when one just packed and got on the ship!

Charles, you are an example of how one person can make a difference and help so many!

I pray Canada will drop the testing requirement, but not likely. I don't want to be paranoid the whole first leg that Jerry or I will test positive, despite precautions.

I am like that old TV detective, Colombo, with "just one more question"! When you leave your first room then you have to take all of the items in your safe (wallet, passport) on your person b/c you won't have the safe to use yet in the "new" room?

For the Bermuda TA, you have to upload a photo of your vax card when you submit the application. Like most computer tasks, it sounds more difficult than it is. Take a photo of your card and put it on your computer, or use your phone/laptop/tablet camera to take a pic. On a desktop/laptop you can more the picture to your home screen. When the application asks for the photo of the card, click on upload. The computer's menu will give you a list what is on your home screen/desktop. Just choose the photo you want to upload. Instructions can be slightly different depending on your device. Just about anyone could help you with that; it is a very common thing to do on devices. Someone at your local library could show you if you don't know anyone to ask.

Also check private labs that do blood work. We are in a small city and there are some that do antigen tests same day, for $45 pp. Urgent care centers may do so, also, but are costly. We have some home tests, but ordered eMed tests to do supervised online, as we have done it twice with them and it worked well. Insurance reimbursed most of the cost. If there is a problem with the home testing, like invalid result, we will use the local lab as Plan B.

Have done it twice. Must do separate applications for you and hubby, but each can use same email addy.

Oh, sorry about the silly question! Of course I checked in for both in advance. Thanks again!

Thanks for the explanation. Something new always seems complicated. You said, " if you have already checked in for your next cruise". How and where is that done?

When we went in May, uploading the results was necessary to get the TA. They kept telling us we could not board without it. It changed the day before our cruise, and it was still a mess on the ship trying to get them. But I sure felt badly for those impacted by the hurricane. Our tour driver required masking, but did not wear his. On the ferries, pax just put them on for show when they entered, then removed them. In the caves, guide said they were required, and he winked and removed his.

@cruisegirl 1, I didn't have time last evening to thank you for the detailed response. You are a shining example of how one person can make a posiitve difference in the lives of many! I am printing it and taking it with us. Having never done this, I am rather stressing myself about it. My main concern is the COVID testing, but all we can do is take precautions for the first leg of the cruise. At least everyone will need a COVID test for Bermuda, although there are false negatives. We will just have to mask up everywhere, even the gym. The ships are at capacity now and pax are serving themselves in the WJ. When we went in March, it was 65% capacity and staff served. On Carnival in May, we were at 80% (?) and I got some symptoms on the way home. I don't sleep well at the best of times, and the Bermuda TA thing was really screwed up at the time and I was really run down. DId not test positive till four days later, and Jerry in six, so he caught it from me at home. Concerned b/c I am seeing on other sites (Shipmate app) pax saying they took precautions and got it anyway. I really don't want to be paranoid the whole first leg. Amazing the grocery workers, etc. here and just about all do not wear masks and are in contact with hundreds of peeps daily. Of course, if they are not being tested, they may be positive. It just seems like such rotten luck we are going the two places that require testing! The protocols change so much that one cannot not know that when they book. E.g., I booked the Canada/NE one well over a year ago. When RCCL dropped testing for B2B cruisers (a while back), I didn't realize Canada was singling out cruise ship passengers, as I read that they had dropped testing to enter. Also didn't realize ArriveCAN applied to us originally. At least is easy to create an account and save your info for later.

Even if you stay on board, you are still in their waters. Also one may need medical care onshore. The TA is a real pain, and has upset many. It even applies to their own citizens leaving and returning back to Bermuda.

Great, detailed information! Really helps. But I will not have the internet on the ship.

Thanks for the info! When were you tested, and how soon did you get the results? How did you vacate your room before the other one was ready? Jerry and I could just carry our stuff on hangers down a few doors, as it seems like a waste to repack like you're disembarking.

Following, as RCCL offers this, too. I wish RCCL would let pax rate excursions as CCL does.