shuyak

First time HAL cruisers here. Boarding time has been changed 4 times already in a month, yet there is still near 2 weeks to go. Although the assigned time appears to be a reference point only, the fluidity make it impossible to schedule a 72 hr pcr test the day we fly out. Not sure if this constant changing of boarding time is padamic related practice or not since it appears to be the norm with HAL? Perhaps senior mariners can advise. We have never encountered any change with 3 other lines we have cruised - except once moved up by one day due to Hurricane Sandy. The frustration of Navigator is still not showing one of our 2nd booking after 5 calls (~1 hr wait each)+ 2 live chats (~30 min wait each)+ an email (near a week ago) to the Navigator.support is another story. Sorry for the vent.

@MOLAcruiser, our trip will be in near future - plan to use this service though. We assume the testing for Vancouver embarkation should comply with Canada's requirements, and testing for flying back to US should comply with US (CDC) requirements. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/medical-devices/testing/antigen-devices.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#anchor_1635127081

@muffin, thank you for the confirmation. We plan to use it for our upcoming testing requirements. I feel the availability for multiple people booking together in one appointment would be (much) convenient, and saving both time and money. The bigger the group, the more the savings - one 30 min appt for 8 people is only @ 70.00 Canadian dollars. Hope this info is useful for some fellow cruisers.

Add one more option:

If you have self test kits, this post is an option.

@cdn_tbird and @gnome12, thank you both! We have T-Mobile North America plan that covers talk and data in Canada and Mexico. It's coverage map shows strong signal in Vancouver, just hope to confirm it.

@Ex-Airbalancer , got it. Thank you. Should be a question to US based cruiser.

@Fouremco, thank you! I was not sure if the "pacific daylight" is the "pacific" listed in the Life Centers' scheduling page. Can someone advise if there is reliable T-Mobile services around Canada Place? Perhaps we can do proctored tests prior to debarking. Flying back to US the following day - assuming it will not be easy to find a quite place until we can check into hotel in the afternoon. Thank you!

That is great! Thank you!

So Pacific Time it is. Thank you!

What about tips? Heard cash in Canadian (vs USD) is preferred. Thanks.

May I ask what time zone should be used for Vancouver? Pacific? Did not find "pacific daylight". Thanks.

@SightCRR, thank you! I truly hope HAL will guide us.

@martincath, thank you very much for the specific responses. I too hope to see some cruisetour reports as the season gearing up.

This is a re-post from the Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal) ports of call board. Hope locals/experienced/cruisers on same boat can help with a sanity check (accuracy and completeness) of our understanding below: We will be on a 19 day HAL Vancouver roundtrip cruisetour (3 day NB cruise + 9 day land including Yukon + 7 day SB cruise) + (3 nights before + 1 night after) stay in Vancouver. The chronological requirements are: ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs arriving YVR ArriveCAN w/ Covid test : within 72 hrs embarking NB cruise (PCR within 72 hrs or rapid test in 2 days) ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs of Skagway bus into Yukon (assume HAL will assist/remind) Covid test : within 1 day rapid test flying from Dawson City to Fairbank (assume HAL will assist) ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs arriving Vancouver on SB cruise (assume HAL will assist/remind) Covid test : within 1 day rapid test flying back to US Thanks!

@martincath, thank you for the quick reply. Hope you/locals/experienced can help with a sanity check of our understanding below: We are on a 19 day HAL Vancouver roundtrip cruisetour (3 day NB cruise + 9 day land including Yukon + 7 day SB cruise) + 3 nights before + 1 night after in Vancouver. The chronological requirements are: ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs arriving YVR ArriveCAN w/ covid test : within 72 hrs embarking NB cruise (PCR within 72 hrs or rapid test in 2 days) ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs of Skagway bus into Yukon (assume HAL will assist/remind) Covid test : within 1 day rapid test flying from Dawson City to Fairbank (assume HAL will assist) ArriveCAN : within 72 hrs arriving Vancouver on SB cruise (assume HAL will assist/remind) Covid test : within 1 day rapid test flying back to US Thanks!

@martincath, can you share the source for 96 hours as pre-trip threshold for cruises? I can only find 72 hours per link below: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise We will fly from US east coast to Vancouver Sunday night for Wednesday embarkation. (Time zone difference+flying time. 1 or 2 arrivecan...) Thank you!