Anchorage to Vancouver

[alanasgpa]

I read that at the airport they have testing site !!!

[generichandle]

18 hours ago, alanasgpa said:

I read that at the airport they have testing site !!!

Yes they do; rated 2.6/5 on the website, with many complaints about many hours delays. If you have a flight that day, consider carefully. 

 

We had intended to fly from Vancouver, but now we are exploring options for bussing to Seattle, and changing out flight plans. 

[Babr]

On 4/13/2022 at 1:16 PM, PhotoGal07 said:

We are doing this same trip, and it's already proving to be a nightmare.  Our airline has changed our flight times to head back home from Vancouver to be an hour and a half earlier, so we're now going to be scrambling to get to the airport, get through customs/immigration, AND get covid tests for everyone.  Because of the tight timing, we are utilizing airport VIP service to manage everything.  When I asked them about setting up covid test appointments they advised me to wait until May, as they have been hearing that the testing requirement will be lifted then.  Obviously this is just hearsay and rumor, BUT I'm hopeful it's accurate, and that there will be one less hoop to jump through.  

Can’t help wondering why a car service in Canada would have information about testing requirements determined by US government. Did they say what made them think that?

[Babr]

On 4/13/2022 at 1:16 PM, PhotoGal07 said:

 

Edited April 15, 2022 by Babr
Just noticed double post. Sorry, folks.

[Babr]

The other question is what happens if any of these last minute test are positive? Will the cruise line still help arrange quarantine since you just disembarked?

[d9704011]

3 minutes ago, Babr said:

Can’t help wondering why a car service in Canada would have information about testing requirements determined by US government. Did they say what made them think that?

The drivers have the same 'Cleared to Rumour' clearance as the average taxi driver.

[PhotoGal07]

39 minutes ago, Babr said:

Can’t help wondering why a car service in Canada would have information about testing requirements determined by US government. Did they say what made them think that?

It's an airport VIP service that also can include car service.  They'll escort you through, customs and immigration, security, help you with your bags, and escort you to your gate, and now they also include covid testing.  The services help get you through all the hoops quicker.  They can also provide security and get you through the airport through less public spaces if you need extra privacy, but clearly we are not that fancy or famous.  😉

People sometimes use them to get make tight connections (us), or to help relatives who might get overwhelmed or need extra help traveling, or unaccompanied minors, things like that.  

Edited April 15, 2022 by PhotoGal07

[Babr]

4 minutes ago, PhotoGal07 said:

It's an airport VIP service that also can include car service.  They'll escort you through, customs and immigration, security, help you bags, and escort you to your gate, and now they also include covid testing.  The services help get you through all the hoops quicker.  They can also provide security and get you through the airport through less public spaces if you need extra privacy, but clearly we are not that fancy or famous.  😉

Thanks. I was not aware of the range of services they provide. Perhaps they do have some insight. We can only hope they are right.

[Buckeye10640]

2 hours ago, Babr said:

The other question is what happens if any of these last minute test are positive? Will the cruise line still help arrange quarantine since you just disembarked?

Personally I will be testing the last night on the ship with home test and/or  proctored tests I bring or at disembarkation wherever Princess sends me. Under cruise with confidence Princess is responsible for my quarantine process and expenses. I do not want to go the airport and find out I test positive there. 

I do not wish Covid on ANYONE but it will be interesting to see what happens once ships start disembarking in Vancouver. It is inevitable someone is going to test positive and I hope they post their experience, good or not so good, to give us a feel for how it is being handled. 

Edited April 16, 2022 by Buckeye10640

[Babr]

13 minutes ago, Buckeye10640 said:

Personally I will be testing the last night on the ship with home test and/or  proctored tests I bring or at disembarkation wherever Princess sends me. Under cruise with confidence Princess is responsible for my quarantine process and expenses. I do not want to go the airport and find out I test positive there. 

I do not wish Covid on ANYONE but it will be interesting to see what happens once ships start disembarking in Vancouver. It is inevitable someone is going to test positive and I hope they post their experience, good or not so good, to give us a feel for how it is being handled. 

I have settled on that plan as well.  All cruise lines are required to arrange and pay for quarantine according to Canadian regulations. I want to avoid a surprise at the airport that leaves me to figure out the details by myself even though I have insurance. Which hotel accepts COVID positive guests? How long do I have to stay? What if I continue to test positive even if I am fully vaccinated and boosted? How do I get home without a negative test?

 

Yes, it will be interesting to see how things go when passengers begin disembarking in Canada.
 

[d9704011]

8 hours ago, Babr said:

I have settled on that plan as well.  All cruise lines are required to arrange and pay for quarantine according to Canadian regulations. I want to avoid a surprise at the airport that leaves me to figure out the details by myself even though I have insurance. Which hotel accepts COVID positive guests? How long do I have to stay? What if I continue to test positive even if I am fully vaccinated and boosted? How do I get home without a negative test?

 

Yes, it will be interesting to see how things go when passengers begin disembarking in Canada.
 

Won't we be seeing a similar situation playing out with trans-Atlantic cruises in the near future?  The original scenario had to do with disembarking the ship then testing before flying to the United States.  Testing before disembarkation and 'turning yourself in' if positive is one way to try to shift the quarantine/isolation problem around but may not work so well in real practice.

[Buckeye10640]

46 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Won't we be seeing a similar situation playing out with trans-Atlantic cruises in the near future?  The original scenario had to do with disembarking the ship then testing before flying to the United States.  Testing before disembarkation and 'turning yourself in' if positive is one way to try to shift the quarantine/isolation problem around but may not work so well in real practice.

As I am still trying to think thru all possible scenarios and formulate my just-in -case plan, I am curious in what circumstances you are thinking it would be better to test after disembarking, either at the pier or at the airport? My thought process for testing before disembarking is that the Canada regulations seem to be rather strict (i tried reading them!) and it places the quarantine responsibity for positive passengers directly on the Cruise Lines. Princess also accepts responsibility under Cruise with Confidence.  I could be overly optimistic but have to assume cruise lines sailing in and out of Vancouver have arrangements with local  hotels for quarantine. Anyone here from Vancouver know where those might be? You all might be the first to hear about any passengers being quarantined if your local news picks it up. 

[Babr]

56 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Won't we be seeing a similar situation playing out with trans-Atlantic cruises in the near future?  The original scenario had to do with disembarking the ship then testing before flying to the United States.  Testing before disembarkation and 'turning yourself in' if positive is one way to try to shift the quarantine/isolation problem around but may not work so well in real practice.

International travel anywhere presents a number of hurdles.
 

I’m not sure what you mean by “shifting the problem around.” It is likely that a number of people will be caught off-guard by a positive test at the airport without clear directions about what to do next. 

 

The cruise lines may very well refuse to confirm a last-minute self-test because they would be providing the documentation necessary to make them responsible, especially for those smaller cruise lines that are not providing any assistance.

 

 

[Colorado Coasty]

12 hours ago, PhotoGal07 said:

It's an airport VIP service that also can include car service.  They'll escort you through, customs and immigration, security, help you with your bags, and escort you to your gate, and now they also include covid testing.  The services help get you through all the hoops quicker.  They can also provide security and get you through the airport through less public spaces if you need extra privacy, but clearly we are not that fancy or famous.  😉

People sometimes use them to get make tight connections (us), or to help relatives who might get overwhelmed or need extra help traveling, or unaccompanied minors, things like that.  

Can you give a hint as to which VIP service you contacted?

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, Buckeye10640 said:

As I am still trying to think thru all possible scenarios and formulate my just-in -case plan, I am curious in what circumstances you are thinking it would be better to test after disembarking, either at the pier or at the airport? My thought process for testing before disembarking is that the Canada regulations seem to be rather strict (i tried reading them!) and it places the quarantine responsibity for positive passengers directly on the Cruise Lines. Princess also accepts responsibility under Cruise with Confidence.  I could be overly optimistic but have to assume cruise lines sailing in and out of Vancouver have arrangements with local  hotels for quarantine. Anyone here from Vancouver know where those might be? You all might be the first to hear about any passengers being quarantined if your local news picks it up. 

I never said anything about when somebody should choose to test themselves, I simply repeated a couple of scenarios other people suggested to add a little context to what may happen to people on TA cruises and what may be learned from those experiences.

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, Babr said:

International travel anywhere presents a number of hurdles.
 

I’m not sure what you mean by “shifting the problem around.” It is likely that a number of people will be caught off-guard by a positive test at the airport without clear directions about what to do next. 

 

The cruise lines may very well refuse to confirm a last-minute self-test because they would be providing the documentation necessary to make them responsible, especially for those smaller cruise lines that are not providing any assistance.

 

 

Shifting the problem around is testing before disembarking and, in the event of a positive result, hope the cruise line takes care of you rather than disembarking (without having to test in advance if that is permissible) then testing locally the next day before boarding a flight to the US.

[Babr]

4 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Shifting the problem around is testing before disembarking and, in the event of a positive result, hope the cruise line takes care of you rather than disembarking (without having to test in advance if that is permissible) then testing locally the next day before boarding a flight to the US.

I have insurance and am prepared to take care of myself. I just need some clear direction other than pick a hotel and sit there indefinitely.

[d9704011]

1 minute ago, Babr said:

I have insurance and am prepared to take care of myself. I just need some clear direction other than pick a hotel and sit there indefinitely.

Good.  If you disembark on Sunday and test on Monday for a flight to the US on Tuesday, who is supposed to provide you with the clear directions on what happens?  I'd say it's your insurer.

[Babr]

6 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Good.  If you disembark on Sunday and test on Monday for a flight to the US on Tuesday, who is supposed to provide you with the clear directions on what happens?  I'd say it's your insurer.

Suppose he has a list of hotels that will accept COVID positives? Will any hotel do? Can I use public transportation? How long am I required to stay? I don’t think those are questions for my insurer rather the local authorities.

 

If the idea is to limit the spread of the virus, I’d expect some guidelines for how to accomplish that.

[Buckeye10640]

55 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Shifting the problem around is testing before disembarking and, in the event of a positive result, hope the cruise line takes care of you rather than disembarking (without having to test in advance if that is permissible) then testing locally the next day before boarding a flight to the US.

Perhaps my situation is a little different flavor....I disembark in the morning and will be on a flight to the US by 5pm same day. I must test the day before on the ship or on disembarkation day.  I also have private travel insurance, but do not want to be standing on the pier (or at the airport) wondering what does my group of 4 do next if any of us test positive. It is my expectation Princess has a plan for this. By knowing of a positive test before we disembark, one would hope the process might go smoother. In reality time will tell....

[Babr]

10 minutes ago, Buckeye10640 said:

Perhaps my situation is a little different flavor....I disembark in the morning and will be on a flight to the US by 5pm same day. I must test the day before on the ship or on disembarkation day.  I also have private travel insurance, but do not want to be standing on the pier (or at the airport) wondering what does my group of 4 do next if any of us test positive. It is my expectation Princess has a plan for this. By knowing of a positive test before we disembark, one would hope the process might go smoother. In reality time will tell....

I am cruising on a different line. They will offer testing the night before, but that does not fit my time line because I will be flying out early the day after disembarkation. I need a test on the day of disembarkation, but the cruise line customer service people will not commit to its availability. 
 

Like you, I don’t want to be standing at the airport with a positive result in hand wondering what comes next. 

[erber]

1 hour ago, Buckeye10640 said:

Perhaps my situation is a little different flavor....I disembark in the morning and will be on a flight to the US by 5pm same day. I must test the day before on the ship or on disembarkation day.  I also have private travel insurance, but do not want to be standing on the pier (or at the airport) wondering what does my group of 4 do next if any of us test positive. It is my expectation Princess has a plan for this. By knowing of a positive test before we disembark, one would hope the process might go smoother. In reality time will tell....

Buckeye10640,

 

My situation is the same as yours . I fly out if Vancouver at 1:30 p.m. the day we disembark. I am thinking of ordering the Optum test and testing the night before,(praying internet is stable enough to do the proctored test) because if  I were to test positive, there would be no ambiguity about  Princess's  responsibility for arranging and taking care of quarantine expenses etc. This is such a mess. Princess should guarantee they can test us at the pier and not make us stress about all this. 

I 

[Glaciers]

18 minutes ago, erber said:

Princess should guarantee they can test us at the pier and not make us stress about all this.

Princess is providing covid tests for those returning to the US by air. After collecting your luggage you can get tested just outside the terminal.  On this site:

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/?fbclid=IwAR0sIps-Y7u210NQSlJ9cwBAfqOSlmywf4e1yG8LI_GcCH97Jm9kEry_eHA

[PhotoGal07]

4 hours ago, Colorado Coasty said:

Can you give a hint as to which VIP service you contacted?

Sure.  We booked through Airport Butler, which despite the over the top name, had the services we needed.  We also looked at Royal Airport Concierge, and I think Global Airport Concierge.  I honestly wouldn't have bothered if our departure wasn't so tight, but the airline changed the flight time on us, and it was either that or a red-eye/wait till the next day, and we needed to be home.    

[erber]

Unfortunately Princess clearly states in the link:   Subject to availability, COVID-19 tests will be administered within or just outside the terminal.

 

The phrase "subject to availability" is the problem.