sunviking90

So, I did end up getting boosted last Monday-they booked me in the same day when I called and said I had travel coming up. As it happened though, DH came home from work that day with symptoms, and tested positive on Wednesday. I tested positive on Friday even after avoiding him all week. 2 1/2 years we have been Covid free, and now it finally got us. This BA5 variant is SO contagious. Fingers crossed that we will be negative in time for our upcoming cruise.

Thanks for coming back to update how it all went! It’s always nice to hear the result. My own experience has been that SEA to YVR flights are frequently delayed. Not sure why.

We usually fly in the afternoon before and stay at an LAX hotel (Marriott or Sheraton). We Uber to the port the next morning. Uber is quite a bit cheaper from the hotels than it is from LAX. There isn’t a lot around San Pedro, so not worth it for us to stay down there. We have stayed in Long Beach in the past which is very nice, but lately I’ve found the hotels very pricey as lots of conventions in the area.

Looking forward to following along, and wishing you a happy anniversary! The Zaandam repo in October 2019 Montreal to Fll was our last cruise before Covid, and truly one of our best! We didn’t get to Boston (on the bucket list) but loved the eastern Canadian ports. Having lived out west all our lives we had never seen this part of the country (shameful, I know). Can’t wait to go back.

I hope mods will lock this thread. Nothing productive going on here, and lots of nastiness. Not what I come to these forums for.

Thank you for your review. The pictures are lovely,

Years ago, when the airlines first started charging for bags, we were on a full flight 737 from Orlando to Seattle. We got on the plane to find ALL overhead bins full and the FA actually instructed me to put my carry on CASE (average size 20” long with wheels, not a tote bag) under the seat in front of me. I spent the flight with my feet propped on top of it. Luckily I’m a small woman. I was pretty mad as I could see the bins stuffed with backpacks, purses, etc which should have been under seats.. I don’t think they had started gate checking bags back then, and we’re just overwhelmed. It wouldn’t happen today, I’m sure. I certainly wouldn’t let it happen now, lol.

I’m going to be much more positive for you with much respect to the previous poster. As you say you’re all paid up and there’s no going back, so don’t worry and look in the bright side. We have done Coastal cruises almost every year for the last 20 years, spring and fall and the smoothest one we did was actually late October. The Sea was like glass. You just never know. Regarding Alaska, October is not ideal, with the shorter days, but a sad effect of climate change seems to be the nicer weather for longer. As far as testing, without a crystal ball, I don’t see it being dropped as it was part of the conditions for ships to sail out of Canada this season. Im sure you’ll wonderful trip!

Shoppers Drug Marts (and Walmart) in parts of Canada do the tests, but here in BC they do not. That’s probably why the website won’t take you further. It would be nice if that info was on the website though. If you Google Covid antigen testing in BC you’ll get to a page that lists the various place that do it.

I recently picked up some more free (BC) Covid tests, but they have a blue box and the brand in them is Artron Labs. Looks like a local BC company. Has anyone used these? I still have 2 left in my last green box, but just in case.

Yes, I’ve done that too!

I received a text from the govt yesterday saying 2nd boosters were coming for all over 12 in the fall and to wait for an invite, but it also says if over 18 and have “unique needs” you can get it sooner. I would think travel would qualify. We have an Alaska cruise in August, but I hope we’ll be fine as is. We cruised during the January surge and again in April and we were fine. I want to wait until the fall and get the new booster that is supposed to work for Omicron as we have a trip to Europe and 2 week transatlantic. I definitely want to be freshly boosted for that!

This is a really good question and something those of us cruising should be looking into. The current operating scenario for these lines is not sustainable. I was told by someone in the industry whose knowledge I trust that they are losing more money running the ships than they were when they were shut down. The market for cruising has shrunk and it’ll be interesting to see which cruise lines survive.

I splurged on the silver tone bracelet that Princess sells. I really liked not having something around my neck. Do advise to size up if getting though. My wrists are tiny and the small size wasn’t comfortable. Medium, even though it’s a bit loose like a bangle felt better.

I find I can actually book 360 days out (on the website, not the app), so don’t wait until 330. I don’t have any special status, just an Aeroplan CC. Not sure where in Europe you’re flying to but flexibility is your friend. Be open to Premium Economy too. It is very nice on AC. I haven’t seen any 60K business seats to Europe in a long time. I booked our business seats 360 days out for our cruise in the fall, and got them for 60k each, but haven’t seen them for anything nears since.

All the cruises we used the switch health proctored tests on were indeed Princess cruises (Jan, April and May). “He” is a she by the way😊

Looks like you found your answer, but we use the decorative cushions from the bed to block the lights under the nightables, and your cabin steward will tape over the sensor light by the closet if you ask.

Thank you for taking the time to do this report. We enjoyed your reports from the Majestic in January before we boarded and really enjoying this one too. Glad you saw the best side of Vancouver.

We needed PCRs to fly home in Feb after our B2B, and were pulled aside on arrival for govt PCRs, took home antigens on day 1 and day 3 after arriving home for the other cruises. Negative all.

Four cruises since January 2022, wore N95s whenever outside our cabin except when dining. Never take elevators (Covid carriages, DH calls them). Masks when flying, airports, etc. -flying to/from Canada others required to be masked/vaxxed in flight too. Havent caught Covid yet. What is also often not considered is that we all have varying levels of immunity based in many factors. Our PHO here has said the vaccines effectiveness wanes faster in elderly people. Also some immune suppressing medications can affect people’s vaccine protection.

When we purchased them they cost $100 Cad, which is the currency we pay for our cruises in. (Even though as you say the currency onboard is USD)The onboard credit that comes with them is in USD though. I imagine it would be the same for you.

You no longer need a negative Covid test to enter Canada.