12cruise2

Great, I recall using Port Valet several times in the past. I'm glad it is still offered. Thanks for the reply.

I'm wondering if Luggage Direct from the ship to the airport to our home airport is being offered this year in Seattle on the Eurodam? It is sooooo handy. thank you.

for ArriveCAN, here's where you can go to use the computer/internet, not a smartphone/app https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html This is what we're planning to do in a few days; we don't own a smartphone, so do everything online that we can. Since you do have a smartphone, you've been able to use apps and do much of it apparently. Put her covid vaccination card into a PDF file, then that is what I'm told you upload onto the ArriveCAN web site; apparently one can manually enter her passport info, no upload needed for ArriveCAN. Yes, print out document. Someone mentioned they were asked to show that document at check-in, so one more thing to have handy at check-in. And yes, per above, print out EVERYthing on paper; because of so many paper docs needed these days, we use a neck pouch and load the several things printed out, passport, covid vaccination card, covid test result, boarding pass, ArriveCAN printout into the neck pouch; we pull out docs as needed; plus the neck pouch is VERY handy because in the middle of showing docs, you have to go through security, taking off your docs, jackets, etc., so it's important to have a "safe" place to keep your check-in stuff. At check-in, each station/person requires different documents; so again, handy to have a quick place to put all these loose things is in a neck pouch.

Anyone who has ordered and received the eMed proctored covid tests in the last week or two--what is the expiration date of the tests you received? Thank you for your help.

Re tech issues, HAL needs to get a tech expert back on board to take the load and issues off the front desk. We cruised Celebrity for two weeks in July, and their tech expert was at the front desk helping folks quickly and efficiently on boarding day and the next day. Then, after that, he was always available in what I think was an Apple Store in the shops area that seemed to be open all the time. We are long-time cruisers on HAL, but their, I believe, cost-cutting measures eliminating tech help even before the shutdown just adds another layer of frustration for many, and I'm sure for the front desk staff. Or as suggested, eliminate the app altogether and go back with something that really works.

I'm GUESSING that you will not be able to upload that info; if you are, great, but boarding is based on HAL's discretion in allowing you to board on boarding day per their rules. They may need to see the paperwork and also get the approval of a medical professional at that time. We board August 13 and will bring our paperwork to check in and go from there. They can do whatever they need for Verifly from your paperwork at check in quickly and easily in my experience.

I, too, am interested in the response to this question.

I haven't read all of the back and forth; however, we were on Celebrity late May on a B2b. My DH got covid as discovered on our tests between the two cruises. They put us off the ship rather than allow us to stay on. They reimbursed us almost immediately for the entire second cruise plus for the daily charge for the one day he/we were in isolation--not FCC. As soon as we got out of isolation and when we got home, I put together an email and copies of our isolation hotel bills and sent them in to Celebrity--as within a couple of days. They reimbursed us for our isolation hotel and meals--not FCC. Holland America is NOT refunding folks' money or being the primary payer on any isolation off the ship--we have to submit to insurance first, then submit the EOBs to HAL for possible payment of anything not paid by insurance (as I recall). One can file their travel insurance; you don't HAVE to take FCC. Also the Celebrity nurses came by our cabin three times just in the one day we were in isolation, to check on us. And we're using FCC on HAL for two weeks in a couple of weeks in Alaska, while we both have some immunity from just having had covid, so making lemonade out of lemons!

The NAAT/Rapid ID Now test is a NAAT test, the category of test that PCR test falls under. (There are two categories of covid tests--Antigen and NAAT, the antigen test is NOT offered at Walgreens in our area). You asked for a test result for a PCR test, not the Rapid ID Now test. I also have a NAAT test result from Walgreens. Just for others who might read this, you get the same info on the NAAT test result sheet except it comes on Walgreen's letterhead, not a lab letterhead. It shows the type of test as Rapid NAAT Test for the Rapid ID Now test.

Yes, ours looked like this as well.

Sorry, can't post the letter. It's a typical test result page. We've had many, many covid tests. They always post what kind of test it is--as in Antigen, NAAT or PCR in my experience.

Walgreen's offers both NAAT (the rapid ID Now test) and a PCR test. The NAAT is a category, of which PCR is one specific type of NAAT test. My Walgreen's PCR test result is displayed as from a lab, Aegis Sciences Corporation Laboratory Report, gives client as Walgreens and in the middle under "tests requested" section, indicates a number 05700 and the Description SARS-CoV-2, RT-PCR on the same line, then in the box below, the same SARS-CoV-2, RT-PCR (tested for) and under Result heading, the result is posted (as in negative or positive). I believe if the test is a PCR test, it is clearly identified as such in print on the results page, as both my husband and I had PCR tests administered by different companies and the printed results stated clearly what type of test we had.

Great, thanks for that info. Does anyone know where the other isolation area is? There is usually one area for crew and another area for passengers, so two separate areas.

Hello--last time we got on a HAL ship in April, our cabin had been changed with no notification to us, no note on our cabin door when we went looking for our stateroom keys, etc. I found out that the area we had booked was to be used for isolation. So, I'd appreciate knowing what areas of the ship are being used for passenger and crew isolation for the current Eurodam ship on the 7-day Alaska trips round-trip Seattle. So at least I might know what to expect. . . Thank you for all your help.

It's a letter on the medical office letterhead including its address, phone and current date from your doctor that says This is a Certificate of Recovery for (your name, DOB), a patient of mine. (your name) was diagnosed with covid with a PCR test on (date). A copy of this report is included with this certificate. (your name) completed his/her isolation period on (11 days or more after the test date). I have seen him in my office, he is free of symptoms and cleared to travel. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call. Sincerely, (doctor's name and title). I took the wording with me to the doctor, they examined me, typed the letter, signed it and gave me several copies. It was done during a regular doctor visit. This info above was what Celebrity cruises said they needed along with the copy of the positive test result. This would be for embarkation no more than 90 days after the positive test. Read the HAL specific rules re embarkation using a certificate of recovery--that is, for HAL, I think it's the positive test result and the rule also vaguely references a note of recovery.

Thank you, IPB4IGO--I had seen that thread awhile back but because it was in Europe. . . I had not seen the last couple of responses by folks who got on in Vancouver, so that's helpful. I have photocopied the written HAL rule that says the rules about the process. It's funny because HAL talks about recovery, yet what they want to see is the positive test result. We do have a letter of recovery from the doctor as well. The issue always is how knowledgeable the folks are at the port because they are not experts or have to deal with this much, but usually, finally, there is one person who knows how to handle the entire process. I find that HAL's written policies are poorly written in many cases when compared with Princess or Celebrity identical policies. Thank you, IPB4IGO for being so helpful. I have tried the search function several times on various things and I find it, quite frankly, totally not helpful. Thank you for pursuing and helping me. Oh, and Florida Gal, I'll remember to not be helpful to you, either, if you post a question since you "liked" Cruiser Bruce's reply to me. Not the spirit of cruise critic.

Sorry to seemingly be so much trouble for you. In a search, I am not finding anything except covid isolation, etc. Maybe you can just not respond and let's see if anyone who can answer my question will step forward. Or since you seem to know where the answer is, could you post the link--now that would be helpful. When I participate on this forum, I try to be helpful. It was no fun being on a cruise in May and having to get off before second of 2 back-to-back cruises because of a covid diagnosis. Yes, it's still out there. But we're happy to keep on cruising and give it another try.

I don't trust anything I'm told by a representative on the telephone. I go by what's in writing on Holland America's web site.

We boarded Celebrity in July with certificate of recovery letter and test; I was specifically interested in anyone who had boarded Holland America. Thank you.

We'll be boarding the Eurodam in Alaska in a couple of weeks with paperwork from recovery from covid. We have both the test result and a letter from our doctor (that was required by another cruise line earlier this month). I'd just like to hear how it all went with the boarding, secondary screening, etc. from someone with personal experience if you don't mind sharing. I understand the process; I'm just curious about how well the process went to actually board. Thank you!

Gray lady and others, But as I've posted this in other threads that are appearing, HAL's rules say you are supposed to use tests that come with medically-monitored services when you purchase the test. Here is the direct quote from HAL's web site: "Vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to a at-home test) that meets the following criteria: Only medically observed self-tests will be accepted. The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please note, antigen tests are accepted for fully vaccinated guests, but not for unvaccinated guests. The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription. The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of the acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test." The HAL site then goes on to list the various places to order tests that include the telehealth monitoring. So, in theory, these sites that are popping up around the country that offer monitoring of ANY self-test that they have no previous connection with, as in not-affiliated with, are not allowed to be used and be accepted. It may be that the folks at check-in aren't paying close attention as to what monitoring service is being used for what test, but I'm merely pointing out HAL's written rules. We all spend a lot of money to travel; we say if you are going to self-test, order the acceptable tests that include monitoring as recommended by the cruise line; is any self-test with a non-affiliated monitor really the place to try to save money?

Oakridger, Here is the direct quote from the HAL web site. Regardless of what others have said, here is the rule in writing. Whether other passengers had the non-affiliated-with-the-manufacturer test results accepted for boarding after being monitored by one of these companies popping up around the country who agree to monitor any self test, per the rules below, that monitoring method does not seem to be a guarantee of acceptance for boarding per the written rules below. "Vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to a at-home test) that meets the following criteria: Only medically observed self-tests will be accepted. The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please note, antigen tests are accepted for fully vaccinated guests, but not for unvaccinated guests. The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription. The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of the acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test."

I think where there COULD be a problem is by using the telehealth services popping up around the country that will agree to monitor any self test, including the U.S. government-issued ones. The true self-tests (not purchased through eMed or other companies recommended by the cruise line whose price does not include telehealth monitoring), or the U.S. government-issued ones are the ones that these telehealth services popping up around the country will agree to monitor. Apparently, they do watch you open the test, do it, etc., just like the ones that are purchased with telehealth services included in the purchase price. I believe you're okay IF you use ones purchased that include the telehealth monitoring in the purchase price.

And we were on a cruise on another brand in May, took our own tests with us, felt fine and decided to go ahead and test the night before we were to be required to test by the cruise line for a back-to-back--I know, maybe silly. We both tested negative that night; the next morning at 8:00 a. we were tested again by the cruise line and within an hour, DH got a call he was positive! They confirmed him again with a PCR test, positive; me, PCR test negative. We were isolated together overnight because I was considered a close contact, then put off the ship in Fort Lauderdale and not allowed to continue on the second cruise because there weren't enough cruise days to cover a 10-day isolation. So, what we are one day may not be how we test the next day! And I got it from him within a day or two in isolation, at least probably. Also, at least HAL requires that the monitor of a test be affiliated with the manufacturer of that test. So, in theory, not just any of these services that are popping up are allowed to proctor the tests we have; I don't know who might proctor the government tests. I'm not going to take the time now to find that info again on the HAL web site, but it's there; I looked it up last night and posted it on another thread.

I haven't read all replies to this thread, but I DID read the rules for the self-tests on HAL web site. It says that the monitor of the test HAS to be affiliated with the manufacturer of the test. . .so not just any service can monitor our government tests or some other tests sold out there as self-tests with no monitoring as part of the test sale. Just saying. . . . Below are the rules pulled off the site today 7/26: "Vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to a at-home test) that meets the following criteria: Only medically observed self-tests will be accepted. The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please note, antigen tests are accepted for fully vaccinated guests, but not for unvaccinated guests. The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription. The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of the acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Holland America Line has partnered with Optum and Radeas so that U.S.-based vaccinated guests can order an FDA-authorized at-home antigen test kit, shipped to home. These at-home tests include a telehealth service. Please place your order with enough time to be shipped prior to your boarding. Order your Optum test kit online here * (2-pack for $69.99 or 3-pack for $99.99). Order your Radeas single pack for $45 here. An eMed 6-pack is available here."