stefndoug

1 hour ago, Dismomx5 said:

Thanks for the information about a calendar in the works. Where did you find the cost of $130/test? Yes, considering it is $40 at Shoppers in Ontario, that is expensive. It is more in line with the cost of PCR tests here in Ontario ($150)

BC does not have cheap covid testing for travel.  Shoppers, Walmart or Costco do not do testing like they do in Ontario or Alberta.

7 hours ago, bjay3 said:

Has anyone crossed the border from U.S. at a land border? Do they have to see your ArriveCan on your device or just look at passport and ask if Arrivecan completed

I specifically asked at the land border about the receipt and why he wasn't asking for it...they told me that it is linked to my Nexus card (my ID that I use for the land border).  I have crossed a number of times...have never been asked for the receipt, but obviously, I have it on my phone ready to go (I get it emailed to me).  

1 hour ago, broberts said:

 

I don't know where you are getting this information. The Princess health FAQ does not have a section for "Sail from Canada". Following sections for sailings from the US, the UK, and Europe it does however have this text:

 

Looking for another destination?
We’re working with government authorities on protocols and will share final details before you sail – stay tuned!

 

The ONLY reasonable interpretation is that Princess is still developing its rules for Canadian departures.

Lets go with that and hope for the best 🙂

15 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

I booked an appt. yesterday for April 22nd. They clearly said that they send the results to the email you provided and do not give paper copies.  So this is new.

That is new.  We have used them 2 times and we had to stay and wait for a paper copy.  Email is much nicer and then you don't have to wait for them.  I like that much better.

It's nuts here in BC for covid travel testing.  So far my plans are to use the Airport location for our Princess cruise in May.  It's the only one open in the evenings and about the least expensive.  I have the Rapid Response home tests and could use a telehealth service, but the test kits are not FDA approved, so I can't use them for Princess.  

9 hours ago, 3JCruiser said:

 

Did you have to provide proof of boarding a flight ? or can they be used for boarding a ship in Vancouver ?  Also do they provide a printed copy or certificate for boarding or just an email. ?

 

Thanks 

Nope no proof and you sit there and wait until they give you the paperwork.  No email

look up geocaching...it's free and you get out and explore a little 🙂

3 minutes ago, Cruisingrampy said:

How long did tesults take

30 minutes

Couple of options...Walgreens does free Rapid ID Now tests, but you have to book 7 days in advance and those are free.  There is a place I found in Bellingham that will do the RAT for $75 and for a paid option, that is the best price I have found.  One option I am looking at is our province has given out free tests (Rapid Response in a green box) and you can use them with a telehealth service in the US (about $30) and use that test to cross back into Canada. I have only used the Walgreens options in the last 3 weeks, but next month I might try the self test option and see how that goes

13 hours ago, Cruisingrampy said:

Since i wont be using my switch health kits to get on the ship.anymore haha has anyone used this place

 

 

 

yup, used them in September and my parents used them in November.  I will be using them in May if we still have to have a test to get on a ship as they are the least expensive place here for an Antigen test.

3 hours ago, cmich068 said:

 

You will see either V, I, or A in ArriveCan. 

 

V = Self reported as vaccinated. App has either not yet processed or was unable to process uploaded proof of vaccination. 

I = Immunized, proof of vaccination was recognized by app via optical character recognition

A = Authenticated, proof of vaccination had a SMART QR Code that has been recognized by the app 

 

Usually it will show as chit submit on the app, if you check a minute or two later it'll switch to I or A 

I don't upload my vaccination status each time.  I have been across a number of times...it is always changing.  It's kinda funny.  The border guard said they don't even look at that.  We had a fun chat over it the other day.

5 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Neal,

 

You can do a dry run with a fictitious flight two days ahead. The app will ask you to upload your vax record and ask a lot of questions. Upload carefully while following instructions. Your confirmation must include the "I" symbol; you are fully inoculated.

 

Without the right symbol, the stupid database will record you as not vax. Sending you a barrage of notices and threats about quarantining for 14 days.

 

Just cancel the confirmation once  you are satisfied. Please let us know if the cruise option is available. The first cruise out of Vancouver is April 8.

Or V...and I asked why there is a V or I because I have gotten both and the border guard said they have no clue either lol

33 minutes ago, nslatin said:

I also have an ArrivCan question.  I have not had an opportunity to use the app yet, but we have an upcoming cruise from San Diego to Vancouver.  Assuming we are tested onboard by Celebrity prior to arriving in Victoria, how do the test results get into the app?  Our Internet access will be limited while at sea.

 

Thanks,

Neal

 

 

Results don't go into the app, it just asks you if you are positive or negative (I use the app a lot for cross border shopping).  I just show the customs officer my negative test (either paper or on the phone)

every 7 day vancouver round trip means a test to get on board (which you  need anyway), but you would also need one to get off since you go through Canada Customs at the port at the end of the cruise.  That is a huge amount of testing required by the cruiselines (and entering your info into the ArriveCan app twice per 7 day cruise).  We Canadians are used to this since it is a requirement for any travel outside our country (I have done it many times since September when I started travelling again)...but will others be so accommodating...we will see what the cruiselines do.   

it's worth less than US, and everything on board is in US dollars.  I would say it would be a pain in the butt to get converted. 

1 hour ago, Darfun said:

Did you use CVM or did you use a different option in YVR?

CVM

2 hours ago, d9704011 said:

It's early March.  I think your approach is most sensible.... plenty of time for things to change before the cruise season in/out of Canada begins in earnest.

They have 1 month until the first ship comes into port in Victoria.  I sure hope they come up with a good plan 🙂 

19 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

Why (and how) would these Canadian regulations particularly affect RT Vancouver cruises?  Is it because the cruise lines might have to cancel these cruises or is it because the regulations would be tougher on the passengers? 

When you sail round trip out of Vancouver port...you have to go through Canada customs when you come back...which means another input of information to the ArriveCan app for everyone AND an antigen test...before even getting off back into Vancouver...so for a 7 night round trip cruise, you would would need 2 tests (one before and one after) and if you are coming from any other country other than Canada...2 times using the arrivecan app.  Not saying it isn't possible, but I can see a lot of people complaining about that...and it would just be easier to sail out of Seattle round trip instead of Vancouver if one has to do that much fuss for 1 cruise.  

17 hours ago, Darfun said:

I have a cruise booked in April out of Vancouver. Wondering if people have used the YVR testing locations for there pre cruise Covid testing. Since there are so many different options to choose from I figure many people have done it. I’m planning on booking an appointment with CVM Medical in the airport. Then if the rules don’t change at least I have an appointment booked with them already. 

We have a cruise in May out of Vancouver...we will be using the YVR location to do the antigen test.  We used it in September for our flight to California.  

2 hours ago, REDSTRIPETYPE said:

We are flying from Calgary to San Francisco departing at 1100 on a Monday and will get antigen test at Shoppers on Sun evening to meet US entry requirements. an

 

Staying overnight in San Fran to catch United Air flight to Tahiti at 1300 Tuesday. Tahiti requires antigen test within 24 hours of departure NOT one day. United website states we must have our test no earlier than noon on Tuesday.

 

There are three locations in San Fran airport and all three charge $225 -$250 each US.

 

We are booked for one Monday afternoon after we fly in....yikes another $650 cost to our trip!

 

 

I used this company in Long Beach, CA and it was free (they refunded me the initial $20/person fee)

https://covidtesting.cityhealthuc.com/locations/san-francisco

1 minute ago, Luv2Cruze4 said:

We would literally have to book the day we board the ship.

nothing like planning your trip home the day you start your trip LOL

1 minute ago, Luv2Cruze4 said:

I like it!!!  Going to give it a GO and make a reservation for after we disembark. We have the back up Switch tests we will take if it doesn't work in FL.

book as soon as you are able to make a booking for that day.  Appointments go quickly.  I think Walgreens is 7 days in advance now.

12 minutes ago, Luv2Cruze4 said:

If they don't ask for ID....how do they put your name on the results email?  We are looking at walgreens for when we get off our cruise ship but we need to make an appt ahead of time. I CALLED them and they told me Canadians are $130...but free is much better!!

 

When you make the appointment you put your name, address and birthdate on it.  It has all the information required for crossing.

just made another booking for Walgreens for next wednesday.  Every other day before that is all booked up (Rapid ID Now).  Gotta do some shopping and get gas.

I just used Walgreens last week for the rapid ID Now test to cross back into Canada for some day shopping.  They don't offer the Antigen test for travel right now in Washington State.  I got my results in 3 hours, so it was perfect to get a bunch of stuff done.  If Canada doesn't remove the testing requirements for short trips, I will do this again soon.  It is easy to make an appointment, you just have to do it in advance (7 days currently).  I used a friends US address and they didn't even check my ID when I went up to the drive thru window.