stevenr597

I would avoid huge crowds when possible, especially in rooms or areas that you feel there is not sufficient air circulation. When in areas with large number of people, try to wear a mask. When you wear a mask make sure it fits properly. Avoid sitting near individuals who appear ill or who are coughing. Frequent hand washing of course. If you have the option of sitting indoors our outdoors, take outdoors. This will help, but the current variants of Covid while less virulent, are a good deal more contagious.

I would suggest, and this is my opinion, taking both Paxlovid with you. Paxlovid is hard to come by, but it can be found. Pfizer has a web site which can help you find pharmacies that stock this medications.

Thanks for the information on Churchill. I do smoke rarely, but one of my joys is to have a good cigar while at sea.

I do hope that they keep it voluntary. I do notice that many who wear a mask, including some of the crew, do not wear them properly, usually anchoring them below the nose, and in certain instances below the chin.

Some thoughts on this topic.... I am a physician, age 70+ years and decided to keep my practice open. Took all precautions, was up to date in respect to Covid Vaccinations, in fact I was one of the first to receive all four of them. We weathered the worst of it. Until last month when I contracted Covid, but fortunately it was no more severe then a mild head cold. Took Paxlovid and symptoms cleared within one day. Covid is out there, and extremely contagious. But the good news is that the virus has decreased in its severity. We do know how and can treat it. Let's not forget that while paying attention with Covid, Influenza is way up as well as both Norovirus and Rotavirus. All of these three can be much more severe then Covid. Will be traveling to Alaska, plan to take reasonable and I stress reasonable precautions.

I have heard "rumors" that Princess is beginning to require wearing of masks on select ships in select areas of the ship. It appears that with the recent high number of Covid + individuals on ships such as Island Princess, that the cruise line is seriously considering requiring wearing of masks. Anybody else hear these "rumors."

I believe that if you are fully vaccinated with required boosters, you are required to have the test within two days prior to boarding, not counting the embarkation day as a required day. This includes both Molecular and Antigen testing,.

The NAAT test is defined as a "Molecular Test" similar to the PCR.

Molecular Test

I have noticed that there is a gap in respect to advertised sailings of the Discovery Princess from June 5, 2022 to September 18, 2022. We are currently booked on Club Class Inside Passage from Seattle on July 10th. Is the ship completely booked, or will it be taken out of service?

Unless the symptoms are really significant, it is estimated that up to 50% of those individuals who have and can transmit Covid will test negative when using the simple antigen test.

A friend of mine, who has booked a RCCL Inside Passage tour of Alaska has found that the small Explorer Boat Tour of the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier has been completely booked, and there is no "waiting list." Does anybody know of any private companies that offer the same tour. In addition, does anybody have any information of private companies doing helicopter tours of the Mendenhall Glacier out of June. Thanks for the help.

Yes, I meant Discovery Princess. Sailing Sky Princess early next year.

Thanks, I am sailing Discovery Princess. Booked another trip on Sky Princess early next year.

You can purchase a small air purifier for your room. Available on Amazon.

We are on the Sky Princess....Seattle to Seattle on July 10th. (Inside Passage Alaska)

Princess is still rather confusing as to when one needs to obtain a negative test for Covid. On the princess website, it clearly says that if you are fully vaccinated and have received a booster, you need to obtain either an Antigen or "Molecular Test" such as the PCR or NAAT with 3 days prior to sailing. However on the Medallion Class App, when one fills out the health information, it states that one needs to obtain a negative test such as an Antigen or PCR taken within 48 hours (not days) of one's journey. I do wish that Princess would clear this up. In addition I uploaded proof of vaccine several days ago and it still says, "Document Pending Approval"

One problem I have noticed is that on the Medallion Site, when they ask for a picture of your vaccine card, in many cases, the third or booster vaccine was printed on the back of the card, yet, unlike ArriveCAN, there the Medallion Application will one take one photograph.

If you sail and disembark from the United States you are required to have either an antigen or Molecular Test 3 days, not 72 hours, prior to your sailing, with the day of sailing not counted as a day.

In my area, Orlando, Florida, Walgreen's is only offering in select locations the PCR or the NAAT test. The latter has results back within several hours.

I think that Princess has discontinued the Bus/Train visit that enters into Canada. I believe that you can still find a private tour group that will travel into Canada by bus in Skagway.

To be blunt, Princess is not exactly sure what they want, or think that they need with.

The only critique that I have with "testing" is that such testing should be done either by Princess, or by a group of medical professionals hired by princess at the day of boarding. At least we would have truly uniform results. Currently one can be tested either 2 day, or 3 days, or is it hours, before boarding, depending on in which country Testing can be done either by yourself (if proctored over a computer) or by some type of testing agency. Testing can be either an antigen or a Molecular test such as NAAT, or PCR. All three types of test have different levels of accuracy. Yes it would be complicated, and yes, individuals might be turned away at the last moment, but as Sigourney Weaver said in the movie, "Aliens" "It is the only way to be sure.

Indicated for "High Risk Patients" It is not, as of yet, indicated for healthy middle aged patients with no medical conditions.

I have had two vaccines and two boosters. Recently developed Covid. Took Paxlovid. I had symptoms for approixmately two days. Low grade fever, some muscle ache and mild cough. Yes indeed, Covid is still out there. But thankfully, vaccinations and Paxlovid, have made a big big difference in respect to severity of the disease.