Jim_Iain - Summit Live Post B3B Greenland / Iceland / Canada Aug 7, 19 and 31, 2022

[Jim_Iain]

Finished test and both Negative. I think I like OnPoint better than eMed.   It is nice seeing the tester and perfect English. 
 

Total test was quick.  I had results before we hung up

[Jim_Iain]

Next up is checking Uber and Lyft. Yea n our area doesn’t matter as most drivers are member of both

 

 

Since we had plenty of time so selected the within 15 Minutes.   He arrived in 3 minutes and I had to scramble. 
 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Quick 35 minute ride and traffic was heavy but the driver was able to use the HOV-3 lanes.  
 

looks like noonish is quiet at SFO. They have a Priority luggage drop off so maybe 2 minutes. TSA was low staffed and took about 5 minutes to go through. 

 

Learned that United gives free Lounge use to Business class on the SFO to New York airports. Was planning on using some of my free passes so was surprised. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Gate is really crowded and looks like we will me late.  We’re suppose to start boarding at 11:10 but didn’t start until 11:45.   Excuse was the crew were aboard preparing the air craft

 

 

We are aboard and settling in. 
 

 

[Lena11033]

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

Gate is really crowded and looks like we will me late.  We’re suppose to start boarding at 11:10 but didn’t start until 11:45.   Excuse was the crew were aboard preparing the air craft

 

 

We are aboard and settling in. 
 

 

I think late is now 'on time' my on time flight this morning left 20 mins late as they needed to get the carry on wheely bags into the hold with the checked luggage and when I got to Toronto they didn't have ground grew to get us off the plane for 20 mins.

 

It's ok I gave a lot of time today between flights so just working in the lounge with free food and drinks

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, 5:00_Somewhere said:

 

 

OMG, that is FANTASTIC! I'd love to know where you found them. I tried Amazon and found something similar on Etsy, but not as eye-catching.

 

Congrat's on your neg tests, and fingers crossed for your flights. 🤞

 

Safe travels.

 

I thought I got them on Amazon but discovered it was EBay

 

 

[Covepointcruiser]

How many ports are you hitting in Greenland?    We have a two week cruise from m I eland scheduled for 9/4.    We can only go ashore in zodiacs or kayaks so we will hit the small villages.   We are concerned with the eruption of the volcano in Iceland, this could throw a monkey wrench into all of our plans.

 

[Jim_Iain]

Yikes.  Yea f you think internet is slow on Celebrity, you should try United at 30,000 feet 

 

pictures are loading ok.   I’m sure this is boring being a Pilot love to look k out the window and normally only watch the map

 

 

 

 

Beautiful day with a bit of the marine layer hanging around.      Took off over South San Francisco and ounce out over the coast made a climb out over San Francisco. 
 

 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[maggie.1008]

Fabulous pictures Jim. What type of aircraft are you on ?

[r2h2]

He said earlier in the chat that he is on a 777-300ER in business class with lay flat seats!

[SSAtlantic]

Jim, I guess I missed it earlier but what type of test kits did you use and where did you get them?

Thanks

[Redking]

6 hours ago, lexmiller said:

 

Thanks for the info.  We have done only one B2B since the restart, on the Equinox, and testing was done in Quasar by appointment.  This was before this contagious strain was prominent so out of 130 back to backers, there were zero cases so that was great.  You guys have a COR, so if I’m correct, even if you were to test positive on one of the back to back tests, you would still be allowed to continue, not have to go into quarantine, right?  We don’t have a back to back until the spring of 2023 (a B5B actually) so I won’t fret at this time, but now with these super transmissible yet super mild strains, testing positive on the B2B test is a strong possibility.  Also in our case, New Zealand features prominently in the itinerary - NZ has only just opened up to cruises, 5 days ago.  NZ has a history of implementing super strict covid travel restrictions, basically aiming to achieve a zero-covid policy - so pure speculation of course, but it would be no surprise if NZ closes her doors once again, or for instance, if testing positive on a B2B test, if NZ was involved, who knows what sorts of rules might be imposed - thinking here of Italy and Canada regarding their strict quarantine regs.  If B2B testing is still going on then, (I know, speculation! but this is our “BIG” trip, the one that covid crushed in 2020, that we have tried to reschedule several times, but alas!) we would prefer to use the same Binax emed tests that are acceptable to board the ship, to test ourselves and submit the results for the B2B testing - but sounds like that would not be allowed, which it should be, as the test is accepted to board but does sound like a "nope"……anywho, I appreciate the information! Safe journey and see you on board for your final leg!

@lexmillerwhat a fabulous cruise. I truly hope NZ sticks to its move away from an elimination policy. It served us well in the early days of the pandemic. I shouldn't speak for all, but many of us in NZ feel that its time to move forwards. I'm not quite sure what the reaction would be if we moved in to another lock down situation 🤔 There's an election next year so that adds another dimension.

Looks like your well across the situation but here's a link to the latest info for cruise ship passengers:

https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand-by-sea/advice-for-cruise-ship-passengers/

 

Seems there's a few gaps in there regarding what the cruise lines will require and only they can fill that gap. I think first ships are due in October. Eclipse is scheduled end of October and we sail on her in January.

 

I have everything crossed for you that all will be well.

 

Anyway, hijack of the thread over and back to Jim.

[bjahil47]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Finished test and both Negative. I think I like OnPoint better than eMed.   It is nice seeing the tester and perfect English. 
 

Total test was quick.  I had results before we hung up

Can you use the tests the USPS sent?  They are 5 tests in one box!  Thanks!

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

How many ports are you hitting in Greenland?    We have a two week cruise from m I eland scheduled for 9/4.    We can only go ashore in zodiacs or kayaks so we will hit the small villages.   We are concerned with the eruption of the volcano in Iceland, this could throw a monkey wrench into all of our plans.

 

Just one and one day cruising near the point. 

[Jim_Iain]

10 minutes ago, bjahil47 said:

Can you use the tests the USPS sent?  They are 5 tests in one box!  Thanks!

That is what I used.  They say any test. 
 

All of my tests from p.o. were iHealth in the orange and white box.  

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, SSAtlantic said:

Jim, I guess I missed it earlier but what type of test kits did you use and where did you get them?

Thanks

IHealth that I got from Government 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, maggie.1008 said:

Fabulous pictures Jim. What type of aircraft are you on ?

B777-200 LOng Range.   3-class with lay flat pods 1-2-1 in Business Class.  Very comfy. 

[Jim_Iain]

Lunch was toasted chicken breast, Polenta and Broccoli.    Surprised it was juicy and tender.  Cheesecake for desert. 
 

[bjahil47]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

That is what I used.  They say any test. 
 

All of my tests from p.o. were iHealth in the orange and white box.  

Our last batch of tests came 5 tests in one box.  According to the test site the box has to be unopened.  So I guess you can only use their service for one out of the 5 tests in the box.🤷‍♀️

[Jim_Iain]

34 minutes ago, Redking said:

@lexmillerwhat a fabulous cruise. I truly hope NZ sticks to its move away from an elimination policy. It served us well in the early days of the pandemic. I shouldn't speak for all, but many of us in NZ feel that its time to move forwards. I'm not quite sure what the reaction would be if we moved in to another lock down situation 🤔 There's an election next year so that adds another dimension.

Looks like your well across the situation but here's a link to the latest info for cruise ship passengers:

https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand-by-sea/advice-for-cruise-ship-passengers/

 

Seems there's a few gaps in there regarding what the cruise lines will require and only they can fill that gap. I think first ships are due in October. Eclipse is scheduled end of October and we sail on her in January.

 

I have everything crossed for you that all will be well.

 

Anyway, hijack of the thread over and back to Jim.

wonderful to hear from you.   I’m getting to believe the world is learning to live with COVID the way we do with the Flu.  Right or wrong the NZ quarantine rules worked to protected an island but long term I feel they have to join the rest and f the world.   At least now there is plenty of vaccines available. 
 

Really looking forward to visiting NZ in.2023.  Only been there on fuel stops and never out of the airport. 

[Jim_Iain]

6 minutes ago, bjahil47 said:

Our last batch of tests came 5 tests in one box.  According to the test site the box has to be unopened.  So I guess you can only use their service for one out of the 5 tests in the box.🤷‍♀️

To be honest the didn’t even ask but wanted to make sure each test pouch was sealed.  
 

I was surprised they didn’t wait a full 15 minutes but read them at 10 minutes.     They were solid negatives and they take a photo to read. 

[Jim_Iain]

We are going way north to avoid the thunderstorms but shouldn’t affect arrival times much.

[Redking]

8 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

wonderful to hear from you.   I’m getting to believe the world is learning to live with COVID the way we do with the Flu.  Right or wrong the NZ quarantine rules worked to protected an island but long term I feel they have to join the rest and f the world.   At least now there is plenty of vaccines available. 
 

Really looking forward to visiting NZ in.2023.  Only been there on fuel stops and never out of the airport. 

So true Jim. I'm biased, but you'll love NZ. Are you booked on the Edge?

[hcat]

Off to a great start..love the pictures already, esp from the aircraft..

[misha1]

Jim_lain, you have reassured me alot as we re-enter the cruising world from our Covid cocoon.  Safe travels to you both!

Edited August 6, 2022 by misha1