travelbuds

We decided to take covid testing out of the picture so we booked a shuttle from ship to SEA. SEA was the start of our second leg home anyway, and we were able to keep our original flight and seats leaving SEA. Will see a little bit of the country that we haven't seen before, will avoid any potential pit falls with testing and still get home at the original time. Canceling the Princess transfer from ship to YVR covered almost half of the shuttle cost.

Thank you for your response. I guess I can leave the tux and suit at home. Have always taken a tux as it is the only time I really get dressed up. The tie can stay also. Now it is between taking a sport jacket or a sweatshirt. Thanks again.

We have signed up for it. Kind of pricy, but we liked the convenience. Will see how it goes. We're on the DB4 tour also.

Thank you for your trip review. Will be on the Royal in 2-3 weeks. Trying to cut down on the amount of luggage I am taking. Curious to know what most guys were wearing on formal nights. Thank you.

We have an early morning whale watching trip with Harv and Marv. When we get off the boat at Auke Bay, we'll take a taxi to Mendenhall Glacier. Save 1 hour by not going back to the ship with the other whale watchers. Leave Mendenhall by 2 or so there and take the bus back to the ship, and stop by the fudge shop before getting back on ship by 3:30pm. At least that's the plan. We'll see how long it takes to get the taxi.

I talked to someone at the "Blue Bus " office. She told me that if you want a one way ticket back to the cruise dock to call her directly and she'll get you a ticket for half price. Said the bus drivers are no longer able to collect money on the bus. 907-500-5186

We booked with Quick Shuttle also to get us to SEA. Fortunately SEA was part of our original itinerary so we were able to cancel our Delta flight from YVR to SEA and kept the rest of our trip intact. When using the CBP MPC app, what did you use as mode and port of entry? I only saw airplane and cruise ship. No mention of shuttle/land entry. Thanks.

Thank you for your live commentary. Enjoyed it. Being from Vancouver Island, do you know where good Wi-Fi can be had around the Ogden Point ship dock in Victoria (day before disembarkation in Vancouver)? We have to have Covid test done before we can fly back to USA, and from what I have been reading on cruisecritic, the ship's Wi-Fi is not real dependable. Wouldn't want it to go down before test completed and results returned. Thank you.

Yes

I got on Princess website and filed for a reimbursement for the COVID test needed to fly back into USA. Written response from Princess said it would take 4-6 weeks to process it.

Does this mean reimbursement only if positive while you are still a passenger on disembarkation day, because once you step off the ship you are no longer a passenger. Why do test at airport because you, no longer a passenger, would be on your own if you tested positive? The above excerpt says test while onboard, but its first recommendation is to be tested at the airport. To me, it looks like they want you off the ship so if you test positive, you are no longer Princess' problem. We tried to make appointment at airport as Plan B (in case ship's Wi-Fi was down) but no times were available to give us enough time to get through security and customs to make our flight.

Thank you. That is what we have done in the past without the Medallion.

We are 3.5 weeks from our cruise and have nothing on JourneyView yet.

We tried to schedule at airport, but no times available to give us time to get through customs and security to catch our flight.

That doesn't sound promising.

Here's hoping that the ship's internet will be working as well as Princess advertises.

Curious where in Victoria you will find the Wi-Fi. My wife is looking into what Verizon offers so she can do it on her cell phone. She has seen YouTube videos making it look pretty easy.

How much time between the COVID test and flight do you think you need so you can get through customs and security?