6 hours ago, Darfun said:

Thanks for the information. How long did it take to get the antigen tests delivered to your house? Being in Kelowna and really only having the airport do the tests really causes the price to skyrocket. 

I'm in Westbank and mine took a little longer , about a week to arrive, because it was when the highways between here and Vancouver were closed in the winter . 

I just got off a Carnival ship, and used the SwitchHealth antigen test with no problem at all. The test is easy to do and results are fast. I've used the PCR as well for the flight home to Canada with success too. I highly recommend these, especially for anyone in BC where we can only test in person at a few places and the cost for the antigen test is $126 (Kelowna airport) 

When I did my first SwitchHealth antigen test, there were 78 people ahead of me, and it took an hour to get a telehealth person. The results came almost 2 hours after that. Yesterday I did the PCR test for my flight home, and got on within 10 minutes. The results after that test, came in only 15 minutes. 

I've heard of Canadians putting in their hotel address to bypass it.

Yes, John Heald confirmed today, that any proctored test is acceptable so the SwitchHealth antigen test is fine.

What a gong show! Thankfully I will be flying and should not have a problem using the kit. 🤞

31 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Same reply as on the other two threads: the FDA's EUA was issued for SD Biosensor's non-proctored test kit, not the proctored version sold by Switch Health.

It was confirmed by Carnival this morning that the SwitchHealth proctored antigen test is accepted. My mind is at ease. 😁

John Heald confirmed on his book of faces page that the SwitchHealth is accepted because it's proctored. 
I'll accept his word as gospel 😁

The SwitchHealth tests are not FDA approved, I've just learned.

Here's the reply I received from SwitchHealth to confirm the test is not FDA approved:

Thanks for all the feedback. I was concerned and confused too since the SwitchHealth antigen box doesn't mention the FDA approval. I fly in 3 days before my cruise so I'll use one test to fly and the other in the box, to get on the ship. 

1 minute ago, JessyCruises said:

I used it to get in RCL but sorry I cannot comment if Carnival accepts it

Thanks anyway . I have a few weeks to sort this out. 😊

Is there any way to get confirmation that the SwitchHealth proctored antigen test is acceptable by Carnival Cruiseline? There's no indication on the box to show it has the EUA , that they require. I'd hate to use it and then get turned away at the cruise terminal. 

I'm flying into Orlando on a Friday and cruise on Sunday. I'll need an antigen test to fly into the states snd another to board the ship. The Switch Health kit has 2 tests in it. I've read conflicting information about using one of these to board Carnival. I can't find any EUA approval by FDA on the box, and it's a requirement according to the Carnival website. 
Has anyone used the Switch Health antigen to board a Carnival ship?

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

 

If you do the test at the airport can you report back on how it went, location, any tips or tricks, etc?

 

I sure can, but my cruise isn't till the new year.

I'm cruising out of Port Canaveral and will be getting my pre cruise and post cruise covid tests at MCO. I'm fly in 2 days before the cruise, and staying 2 days after. Walgreens is cheaper but only does drive through appointments, and I won't have a car. I wonder if I could go through via taxi? 

6 hours ago, paf225 said:

I was just searching for alternatives in Kelowna yesterday and found LifeLabs which seems to have recently started offering a number of testing options in B.C.  It appears to operate mainly out of Shoppers Drug Mart locations including one on Kane Road in Kelowna.  They charge $60.00 + tax for a rapid antigen test which is half the cost of what the outfit at YLW charges.  Regards,  Paul

 

Predeparture – LifeLabs 

Thank you! I'm definitely going to look into this. One SDM website shows $199 +tax, and another shows it's $150 + tax. I'd much rather pay $60 plus tax, and it's closer to my home than the airport. 
I appreciate your help, thanks again. 

Right now, you just need the antigen test to fly into the states, but keep checking because things continue to change. What's required now may be different from what's required in January. 

5 hours ago, xcell said:

Yeah I noticed that as well. I guess they are trying to make up for loss revenue. Sucks you pay $300 USD just to sleep one night.

I've noticed a jump in price for flights and hotel both. Add on the testing and my budget has really changed since my last cruise on Leap Day 2019. 

3 hours ago, bubbadogmom said:

My head is starting to spin with all the testing requirements. We are going on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale (test to board must be done no earlier than 2 days prior to cruise), but our flight is 2 days before the cruise - so it looks like we need 3 tests total. One to fly to the USA (which must be within 3 days apparently), so the test to fly will not be valid to board the cruise. You have to have a negative result to board the plane - so doing it the same day as our flight is out as it takes “approximately” 48 hours for results. 
 

Then another test to be able to fly home after the cruise. 
 

I want to be able to cruise again but this is overwhelming. 

I will be getting 3 tests, too. One to fly to Orlando, one for boarding the ship and the PCR test to fly home. My flight out of Kelowna is too early to have the test done that day, and I fly out 2 days prior to cruising. Experience has shown that our airport could be closed or have  flights delayed due to weather in the winter, so flying out an extra day early is worth the cost. I've booked the pre flight test at YLW and will get the others at MCO.

On 10/15/2021 at 7:14 AM, Fouremco said:

As things currently stand, you need an antigen test to board your Carnival ship. Assuming that you aren't going to spend a few days in Florida pre cruise, you can take your antigen test in Canada and provide the results to Carnival at check in. The tests are readily available in Ontario at Shoppers Drug Mart for $40.

 

Assuming there are no changes in the requirements between now and the time of your cruise, to return to Canada you will need a PCR test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled return flight. Some cruise lines will provide that free of charge to passengers requiring the test, but Carnival does not. In which case, you would need to be tested in Miami. There are two locations within the Miami airport providing rapid PCR tests, as well as others throughout the city.
 

 

Do the Shoppers Drugmart tests have a telehealth service so a proctor watches you do the test? I was told they don't, here in West Kelowna. 

From the Carnival website:

"Fully vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:

• The test must be a COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• 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 acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test."

21 hours ago, paf225 said:

 

Much better then the prices here in B.C.  In Kelowna at least it includes free parking at YLW!  There doesn't appear to be any option for testing at SDM, Costco or Walmart here in B.C.  I find Pandemic price gouging to be deplorable.  Regards,  Paul

 

Healthy travel at YLW | Kelowna International Airport

COVID-19 testing

Whitecap RSCopen_in_new now provides on-site, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing at YLW for departing passengers who require a negative test prior to international travel. This testing is by appointment only.

Cost: The PCR test is offered at $240 with results available within 24 and 48 hours.  Rapid antigen test is offered at $120 with test results available within 30 minutes.

Location: The facility is located at the south end of the Air Terminal Building. Parking is available at the location free of charge while testing occurs.

Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I've already booked my antigen test at YLW ready for my Feb cruise on carnival Magic. What a huge difference in price between us and the US! 

In the news today

avellers immunized with vaccines approved by WHO, FDA, says CDC

U.S. to accept AZ vaccine

Photo: The Canadian Press

Canadians immunized against COVID-19 with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine can visit the United States when new travel regulations come into play next month, but it's not yet clear whether those with mixed doses will make the cut.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday travellers who have received shots of vaccines approved or recognized for emergency use by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will meet the criteria for travel to the U.S. It did not say whether that included people who had received a mixed-dose regimen of approved vaccines.

"CDC will release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized," said an emailed statement from spokesperson Jasmine Reed. Reed said the CDC began informing airlines of its decision last week.

Last month, White House officials said international travellers would be allowed to visit beginning in November as long as they were fully vaccinated. They did not say which vaccines would meet that criteria.

The FDA has approved three COVID-19 vaccines, and the AstraZeneca formula is not among them. It is, however, approved by the WHO.

The FDA also does not allow for mixing doses of Pfizer and Moderna.

15 hours ago, K_e_short said:

Hasn't this already been said over and over again.

 

The CDC recognizes Pfizer/Moderna mix as being fully vaccinated.

 

Cruiselines recognize Pifzer/Moderna mix as being fully vaccinated.

 

When the rules come out for traveling to the U.S. Pfizer/Moderna mix will be recognized as being fully vaccinated.

 

The CDC has confirmed that. Cruiselines have confirmed that.

I hope you're right. A neighbour of mine had a travel agent tell her that she will not be allowed to travel to Denver to see her daughter, with the Pfizer/Moderna mix, if the US mandates a full vaccination requirement. It seems no one knows for sure right now, and lots of conflicting information and misinterpretation is happening. I don't travel till February so there is a lot of time for policies to change..... a few times 😉

6 minutes ago, scottbee said:

 

Not sure what line you're on, but this is Royal/Celebrity's wording, which is pretty clear on a mixed Pfizer/Moderna being OK:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clarified their position regarding mixed vaccinations and provided Celebrity Cruises with updated guidance. For sailings departing from the US, the CDC will now recognize a mixed combination of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/Moderna) as fully vaccinated.

• If a guest has already received two mRNA vaccines in mixed series at a minimum interval of 28 days, the CDC will consider that individual to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/faqs

I'm cruising on Carnival, and they also accept the mix. My concern is that I may not be allowed to fly into the states from Canada,  if the US mandates that only fully vaccinated travellers may fly into the states. There's speculation of an announcement about this coming later this month. Right now, they don't recognize the mix of mRNA vaccines as being fully vaccinated. This was confirmed in an email on Thursday from the US CDC.