JetJock_YHZ

I've purchased a 3-meal Specialty Dining Package for use on Celebrity Apex's transatlantic cruise, November 5th, 2023. I realize you have to wait until you are onboard to book and everything I've read indicates you have to book directly in person or by phone. 

My question is, can you use the app to book a pre-purchased dining reservation once on board?

I disembarked Equinox last Sunday, October 8th. I had Premium Internet and was able to check my home cameras without issue, including sound and live streaming. 

I’ve done two TA’s. Once eastbound in 2013 on Regent Seven Seas Mariner and the other in 2022 westbound on Celebrity Edge. I prefer westbounds. Had an amazing TA last year and met many LGBTQ+ travellers. I look forward to meeting you on board!

Hey there! I'm Carl from Halifax, Nova Scotia and I'll be sailing solo on this transatlantic cruise. Looking forward to meeting other 2SLGBTQI+ people here or at one of the onboard get-togethers. Please say hello!

Hey there! I'm Carl from Halifax, Nova Scotia and will be sailing solo on this cruise. Looking forward to meeting new friends on board. There is an LGBTQ Get Together scheduled at Martini Bar, Deck 4, Midship on sail away day. Hope to see you there! 

That is correct. The first Toblerone bar, nuts and Pringles are complimentary. Refills are thereafter charged.

Hello folks. I just thought I’d post a quick report on my Yacht Club boarding experience today on MSC Seashore in Miami.

I checked in at the white tent at 13:20 for my 13:30 scheduled boarding time. The area was cluttered with baggage and the shore staff were very inattentive, enjoying a group chat. When I finally interrupted their banter, the guy sitting behind the table checked my vaccination certificate and COVID test form. It was unclear to me what I was supposed to do next with my suitcase and myself. I had to ask several times what the process was. I finally approached a stevedore myself who took care of my bag. I gave him $5. There were about five of us waiting to be escorted into the terminal and after about 10 minutes, were finally lead past the long line by another shore employee to the security screening area. The shore guy then led us up the escalator and we went directly to the checkin agent, again bypassing another long line. The check-in itself was quick and efficient. As an FYI for any Canadians reading this, at no point was I asked to provide any proof of the insurance that I purchased for the cruise, as per the MSC website. There was no COVID test or temperature test administered at the terminal.

The next person I met was one of the YC butlers who intercepted me and asked that I wait in a small side lounge until another butler from the ship came to escort me on board. This didn’t take long and I was offered my choice of a non-chilled water, juice or soda. 

After a few more YC passengers had assembled, we were escorted on board and directly to the Yacht Club. I got to my cabin at 13:45. From getting out of the Uber to my cabin took about 25 minutes. That is quite amazing - well done MSC. I will write the really poor first impression at the white tent off as an anomaly, as all my previous experiences there were good ones.

MSC Seashore is a beautiful ship! My cabin in the Yacht Club was spotless and my suitcase was bought into my room by my friendly butler about 30 minutes after I got there.

The Venchi gelato on MSC Seashore is no longer free for YC guests. Oh well, the pizza still is!

I disembarked Caribbean Princess Sunday morning. After clearing Customs and exiting the Terminal 2, DocGo was set up for departing passengers only. No sign of any testing area for people returning home. Effective Monday, the 28th, an antigen test one day prior, or a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Canada is OK for Canadians heading home. Save yourself some stress and get a couple of Switch-Health test kits. I’m glad I got mine. Safe travels!

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/02/government-of-canada-lightens-border-measures-as-part-of-transition-of-the-pandemic-response.html

Makes sense. Thanks folks! 😎

I’m sailing on MSC Divina on Sunday, February 27th. I got a COVID test today (26FEB). 
 

I just re-read my ticket and it says that I must have (another) nose swab and test at the port prior to boarding. 
 

1. Is this true, or does MSC accept only do this if you are unable to provide test results within 2 days of sailing?

2. If a second test is done at the port anyways, why, and what is the point of the 2-day prior one?

Thanks in advance for your help! 😎

Waynetor, my apologies if I might have inadvertently hijacked the spirit of your original thread. Your updates were most useful to me prior to my cruise and your remarks have jived with my onboard experience so far. Thank you!

I purchased Princess’ Platinum Insurance for my cruise, so I’d be covered for remote quarantine, but without insurance, my best guess is that you’d be on your own. Note that this message from Princess was only concerning PCR tests. Antigen tests are supposedly still available. I’m travelling home on the 28th, so an Antigen test within one day should suffice, provided its negatIve, according to the new regulations which come into effect on that date. I’ll post an update on Sunday after I arrive back in Port Everglades.Otherwises, I had a great cruise! Ship was at 40% occupancy. 😷

Received in my cabin this evening:

“We hope you have enjoyed your voyage on board Caribbean Princess. It has been our pleasure to host you on this cruise.
Our records indicate that your onward travel plans may require a COVID-19 PCR test, which we had arranged to have administered at the cruise terminal immediately following your disembarkation
tomorrow. We have just been informed by our testing vendor that due to the global shortage of RT PCR tests, they will not have any tests available.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. We attempted to find an alternate solution, but regretfully the global supply chain issues have affected all the vendors in the area.
PCR testing is offered at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) through Nomi Health. Rapid PC test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and they accept credit and debit cards for payment. The testing service is in Terminal 3 near Door 314, in the lower level near baggage claim (pre-security). Follow the directional signage at the airport to the testing site.
To book a test in advance, visit https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/34/onsiteor scan the QR code below with the camera app on your mobile phone or other smart device. Rapid PCR test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and credit and debit cards are accepted
for payment. For questions about COVID-19 testing, screening results, or online appointment support, please call 305-280-0441 or 833-483-1319.
We understand that this may cause you to incur unexpected expenses. If you must pay for a test that is not covered by your health insurance, we will reimburse you. Should you incur un-reimbursable testing fees, a reimbursement form is available at princess.com/refund-request.
Again, we regret this disruption to the end of your cruise vacation and appreciate your understanding that it is beyond our control. If you would like to adjust your disembarkation time to allow additional time before your flight, please visit Guest Services for assistance.
Thank you for sailing with us, and we wish you safe onward travels.”

PS: I was advised by Guest Services that complimentary Antigen tests ARE still available. Fine if you’re travelling back to Canada on or after February 28th. Bring a backup test kit with you! This apparently affects ALL cruise line arrivals in Port Everglades. 

Update… received in my cabin this evening:

“We hope you have enjoyed your voyage on board Caribbean Princess. It has been our pleasure to host you on this cruise.
Our records indicate that your onward travel plans may require a COVID-19 PCR test, which we had arranged to have administered at the cruise terminal immediately following your disembarkation
tomorrow. We have just been informed by our testing vendor that due to the global shortage of RT PCR tests, they will not have any tests available.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. We attempted to find an alternate solution, but regretfully the global supply chain issues have affected all the vendors in the area.
PCR testing is offered at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) through Nomi Health. Rapid PC test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and they accept credit and debit cards for payment. The testing service is in Terminal 3 near Door 314, in the lower level near baggage claim (pre-security). Follow the directional signage at the airport to the testing site.
To book a test in advance, visit https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/34/onsiteor scan the QR code below with the camera app on your mobile phone or other smart device. Rapid PCR test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and credit and debit cards are accepted
for payment. For questions about COVID-19 testing, screening results, or online appointment support, please call 305-280-0441 or 833-483-1319.
We understand that this may cause you to incur unexpected expenses. If you must pay for a test that is not covered by your health insurance, we will reimburse you. Should you incur un-reimbursable testing fees, a reimbursement form is available at princess.com/refund-request.
Again, we regret this disruption to the end of your cruise vacation and appreciate your understanding that it is beyond our control. If you would like to adjust your disembarkation time to allow additional time before your flight, please visit Guest Services for assistance.
Thank you for sailing with us, and we wish you safe onward travels.”

PS: I was advised by Guest Services that complimentary Antigen test ARE still available. Fine if you’re travelling back to Canada on or after February 28th. Bring a backup test kit with you!

Update… received in my cabin this evening:

“We hope you have enjoyed your voyage on board Caribbean Princess. It has been our pleasure to host you on this cruise.
Our records indicate that your onward travel plans may require a COVID-19 PCR test, which we had arranged to have administered at the cruise terminal immediately following your disembarkation
tomorrow. We have just been informed by our testing vendor that due to the global shortage of RT PCR tests, they will not have any tests available.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. We attempted to find an alternate solution, but regretfully the global supply chain issues have affected all the vendors in the area.
PCR testing is offered at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) through Nomi Health. Rapid PC test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and they accept credit and debit cards for payment. The testing service is in Terminal 3 near Door 314, in the lower level near baggage claim (pre-security). Follow the directional signage at the airport to the testing site.
To book a test in advance, visit https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/34/onsite or scan the QR code below with the camera app on your mobile phone or other smart device. Rapid PCR test results are available up to 45 minutes after testing at a cost of $159 USD, and credit and debit cards are accepted
for payment. For questions about COVID-19 testing, screening results, or online appointment support, please call 305-280-0441 or 833-483-1319.
We understand that this may cause you to incur unexpected expenses. If you must pay for a test that is not covered by your health insurance, we will reimburse you. Should you incur un-reimbursable testing fees, a reimbursement form is available at princess.com/refund-request.
Again, we regret this disruption to the end of your cruise vacation and appreciate your understanding that it is beyond our control. If you would like to adjust your disembarkation time to allow additional time before your flight, please visit Guest Services for assistance.
Thank you for sailing with us, and we wish you safe onward travels.”

PS: I was advised by Guest Services that complimentary Antigen test ARE still available. Fine if you’re travelling back to Canada on or after February 28th. Bring a backup test kit with you!

I just posted about this on another thread. On Caribbean Princess now, disembarking on Sunday, flying home to Canada on Monday, the 28th (day of rule change). 
 

15 hours ago, HSBC said:

JetJock_YHZ,

After your trip, please post  when and where you got your antigen test for Canadians (return to Canada).

Thanks again!  

Will do!

Follow-up… I spoke with the Manager of Guest Services this afternoon. Post-cruise testing, for all cruise lines, has been contracted out to LifeLine Ambulance Inc. This is not the same company which provides pre-cruise testing (DocsGo). LifeLine has run out of PCR tests due to supply issues, so cruise lines are referring passengers to the airport and offering a refund process for any costs incurred. Princess will not conduct a COVID test on board, other than for testing a sick passenger and those doing B2B’s. As fortune would have it, we will be arriving in Port Everglades on the 27th, and I am flying home to Canada on the 28th. This coincides perfectly with the rule change, in my particular case. Complimentary Antigen tests will be available upon arrival, so I should be OK. Princess should update their FAQ on this issue. Good for Canadians, but may still adversely affect other nationalities. Hope this helps.

I’m on Caribbean Princess now as well (2022-02-24). I’m Canadian and was planning on getting my PCR test to fly home upon disembarkation, as stated on Princess’ website:

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

I decided to check with Guest Services today to see if I needed to book a testing time, or if it was walk-in. I was advised that Princess no longer provides COVID testing for Canadians (and most likely other non-US nationalities). The only solution provided was to “check at the airport”. I was told that this change in policy only occurred a few days ago - something about running out of test kits?

Fortunately, I purchased a few proctored PCR and Antigen tests before I left home, so I should be OK.

This is just a heads-up for the consideration of those following me who may be affected by this unpublished change to Princess’ policy.

Also, I would be glad to help answer any questions you might have about this ship and this sailing.

Thanks very much everyone. I’m going to book a test linked from Princess’s website with DocGo for day of cruise. $100, but that’s the price of peace of mind in these uncertain times. 

Is someone able to confirm that the Switch Health kits sold through AeroPlan in Canada are accepted by cruise lines departing Florida? I am booked to sail on Caribbean Princess on February 20th, 2022. Princess's website says that the PCR or Antigen test must have FDA approval. Do Switch Health kits have FDA approval? I am unable to find a definitive answer. Thanks in advance for your help!
🙂

Thanks very much for this! I'm on CB 20FEB22 and seeing a sample Patter in advance really helps me with daily onboard planning. 🙏🏻

Hoping to meet some new cruise buddies. Will we see you on board?