Alaska Cruise - Covid Testing Question

[DisneyBelle_x]

We did an at home PCR which was monitored via a Zoom meeting and that was acceptable to Disney for the 90 Day Covid recovered exemption. Husband's came back positive, mine came back negative but I used his results that were emailed to us to submit to Safe Passage for the exemption.

I was referring to Canadas need for a test not DCL, we’re flying from the UK to Vancouver via Seattle so do not want to be getting anything wrong with our pre flight test, thankfully been Confirmed a lateral flow done at home via video call works for entry to both countries

 

[jujubiee4]

So no taking the train from Vancouver to Seattle?

 

[LiZaArd]

We were on the 7:45 am on July 10th and it is showing canceled on our reservation. I'm currently on hold with Amtrak.

 

[KdKyA]

They aren’t showing trains, they are showing thruway services which are busses.

 

[LiZaArd]

I

They aren’t showing trains, they are showing thruway services which are busses.

I mistakenly deleted most of my comment above as I was trying to edit it.. it must be Friday night .

So when I was checking trains I didn't realize it was Vancouver WASHINGTON and not Vancouver BC that I was looking at.. Yes Amtrak is currently only showing buses. As I mentioned in a prior post, Amtrak is "testing" routes to Vancouver and they believe their regular schedules will be up and running by June. I spoke with an agent just now and we're going to leave our res as is for the time being and see what happens down the road. She did not know why they canceled them and wasn't sure if they would reschedule them. Everything is a waiting game!

 

[KdKyA]

I

I mistakenly deleted most of my comment above as I was trying to edit it.. it must be Friday night .

So when I was checking trains I didn't realize it was Vancouver WASHINGTON and not Vancouver BC that I was looking at.. Yes Amtrak is currently only showing buses. As I mentioned in a prior post, Amtrak is "testing" routes to Vancouver and they believe their regular schedules will be up and running by June. I spoke with an agent just now and we're going to leave our res as is for the time being and see what happens down the road. She did not know why they canceled them and wasn't sure if they would reschedule them. Everything is a waiting game!

I’m on hold now, I was going to talk to a representative and was just barely describing the issue when he cut me off and said he was transferring me to customer relations. Wouldn’t even listen to me. Sheesh! Now on hold for the escalated customer service.

 

[beckicnm]

I

I mistakenly deleted most of my comment above as I was trying to edit it.. it must be Friday night .

So when I was checking trains I didn't realize it was Vancouver WASHINGTON and not Vancouver BC that I was looking at.. Yes Amtrak is currently only showing buses. As I mentioned in a prior post, Amtrak is "testing" routes to Vancouver and they believe their regular schedules will be up and running by June. I spoke with an agent just now and we're going to leave our res as is for the time being and see what happens down the road. She did not know why they canceled them and wasn't sure if they would reschedule them. Everything is a waiting game!

My in-laws live in Vancouver WA.
They've spent the last 20 years telling people they don't live in Canada.
It has a cute little Amtrak station. We've used it.

 

[LiZaArd]

My in-laws live in Vancouver WA.
They've spent the last 20 years telling people they don't live in Canada.
It has a cute little Amtrak station. We've used it.

Sometimes I think my name should of been Dopey . Would your in-laws be up to driving us to Vancouver BC?? Maybe all of us have to make a new plan!!

 

[LiZaArd]

I’m on hold now, I was going to talk to a representative and was just barely describing the issue when he cut me off and said he was transferring me to customer relations. Wouldn’t even listen to me. Sheesh! Now on hold for the escalated customer service.

Customer service- have to love it!

 

[beckicnm]

Sometimes I think my name should of been Dopey . Would your in-laws be up to driving us to Vancouver BC?? Maybe all of us have to make a new plan!!

They actually only own a BMW 2 seat convertible (for real), so no.

 

[mmouse37]

I was referring to Canadas need for a test not DCL, we’re flying from the UK to Vancouver via Seattle so do not want to be getting anything wrong with our pre flight test, thankfully been Confirmed a lateral flow done at home via video call works for entry to both countries

Don't blame you!!! We are taking the 10 day Honolulu to Vancouver cruise and no word yet from DCL or Canada as to what kind of testing we will need to actually arrive in Vancouver via ship. Right now we need a test to fly back to the US but that I am not worried about that. I want to know what and where to test in Vancouver....will there be testing onboard, testing at the port, in the terminal, will that test count toward our US entry test, etc.

MJ

 

[lovingeire]

Just checked in the Amtrak app and our July reservation for the train from Seattle to Vancouver, BC now says "Service has been canceled" on it. Haven't heard anything from Amtrak directly about it yet.

Oh no, not the news I was hoping to hear!

We were on the 7:45 am on July 10th and it is showing canceled on our reservation. I'm currently on hold with Amtrak.

Again, not the news i was hoping for!

I

I mistakenly deleted most of my comment above as I was trying to edit it.. it must be Friday night .

So when I was checking trains I didn't realize it was Vancouver WASHINGTON and not Vancouver BC that I was looking at.. Yes Amtrak is currently only showing buses. As I mentioned in a prior post, Amtrak is "testing" routes to Vancouver and they believe their regular schedules will be up and running by June. I spoke with an agent just now and we're going to leave our res as is for the time being and see what happens down the road. She did not know why they canceled them and wasn't sure if they would reschedule them. Everything is a waiting game!

I tried the chat feature with Amtrak and got nowhere. We talked about renting a car, which would afford me the opportunity of seeing my cousin and her family in Bellingham.

I think the bottom line for me, as I look at trying to buy flights...I don't know whether to give up and buy round trip to and from Vancouver or buy the one way each way in hopes that the train will operate from Vancouver to Seattle. We've talked about possibly renting a car from Vancouver to Seattle too, but then should we do that round trip...

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Oh no, not the news I was hoping to hear!



Again, not the news i was hoping for!



I tried the chat feature with Amtrak and got nowhere. We talked about renting a car, which would afford me the opportunity of seeing my cousin and her family in Bellingham.

I think the bottom line for me, as I look at trying to buy flights...I don't know whether to give up and buy round trip to and from Vancouver or buy the one way each way in hopes that the train will operate from Vancouver to Seattle. We've talked about possibly renting a car from Vancouver to Seattle too, but then should we do that round trip...

I feel your pain round trip from the east coast to Vancouver is ridiculous! I’m looking at purchasing one way tickets. So on the way there flying into Vancouver then get off the cruise fly 1 way from Vancouver to Seattle (surprisingly pretty cheap not as cheap a train or car rental) spend the night in Seattle then fly home the next day. This scenario works out to be 1k cheaper and does not require 2 connections on the way home which it would be if we fly out of Vancouver.

 

[Calantha]

I feel your pain round trip from the east coast to Vancouver is ridiculous

yes, the only reason I didn’t mind is we had tickets from South Africa that we purchased to go in March 2020 and I canceled right before they changed the policy so I had $3000 sitting in my United account for two years now and it is going to expire before the end of the year, so I want to use them on Vancouver. I would have been unhappy to have to buy them new!

 

[jujubiee4]

Oh no, not the news I was hoping to hear!



Again, not the news i was hoping for!



I tried the chat feature with Amtrak and got nowhere. We talked about renting a car, which would afford me the opportunity of seeing my cousin and her family in Bellingham.

I think the bottom line for me, as I look at trying to buy flights...I don't know whether to give up and buy round trip to and from Vancouver or buy the one way each way in hopes that the train will operate from Vancouver to Seattle. We've talked about possibly renting a car from Vancouver to Seattle too, but then should we do that round trip...

Same here. I originally canceled the Alaska cruise but will rebook once I have some clarification
on testing and trains.

 

[lovingeire]

All of the uncertainties about the border are definitely causing me to stress over transportation. I liked the idea of a half-ish day in Seattle...see the Space Needle, etc for the kids, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the trouble! Flights from Vancouver to Seattle are actually cheaper than the train so there is that...

 

[Starwind]

this is something about the changes that’s confusing me, it states an at home test is not sufficient but in the last part mentions telehealth service is which is a test performed at home but via video call with the company to witness, only aware of this as its what we Brits are currently needing to use for travel to the USA

The traveler testing requirements for entry to Canada have been updated on the Government of Canada website https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...ovid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada There is additional info than just the below, but this addresses the issue you raised:

Options for providing proof of a valid pre-entry test

All travellers 5 years of age or older must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:

1. Proof of a valid negative molecular testtaken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your entry to Canada by land or water
   • for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
2. Previous positive molecular test result:you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada. Counting starts the day after your test.
   • for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
   • if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
   • a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a flight or entry to Canada and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection
3. Starting February 28: proof of a professionally administered or observed antigen testtaken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before to your scheduled flight or entry to Canada by land or water
   • the one day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time of your flight or entry
   • for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave or you enter by land any time on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Thursday, or on Friday
   • it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service
   • the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
   • the test must be performed outside of Canada

 

[Starwind]

Just wondering what happens if you test positive after the cruise and can't fly home. Would Disney help with accommodations and how long would you have to quarantine for? I know it's all speculation at this time, but still something I'm concerned about.

Canada has released a draft for consultation "Standards for the Development of a Ship-to-Shore Checklist Respecting Procedures at Ports" at https://tc.canada.ca/en/initiatives...p-shore-checklist-respecting-procedures-ports

Under "Suspected/confirmed cases of COVID-19" one of the points states "Authorized Representatives and Port Authorities have coordinated to harmonize shore-side procedures with the ship-side Outbreak Management Plan (found within the COVID-19 Management Plan) to manage the disembarkation, transportation, and isolation/eventual repatriation of COVID-19 positive individuals. This includes the identification of non-medical resources, such as hotels for isolation and non-ambulance, private transportation. COVID-19 positive individuals must have access to the necessities of life, including water, food, medication and heat without leaving their place of isolation."

So it doesn't appear they will be allowed to just leave you on your own to figure things out if it is the end of cruise test. Spending some days in Vancouver after the cruise and then testing positive before departing Canada would be a separate issue.

What this actually looks like in practice isn't known yet (eg who pays for what). Also, it is a draft and a short version not a detailed spelled out requirement. Having appropriate Travel insurance would likely be beneficial.

 

[DisneyBelle_x]

The traveler testing requirements for entry to Canada have been updated on the Government of Canada website https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...ovid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada There is additional info than just the below, but this addresses the issue you raised:

Options for providing proof of a valid pre-entry test

All travellers 5 years of age or older must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:

1. Proof of a valid negative molecular testtaken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your entry to Canada by land or water
   • for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
2. Previous positive molecular test result:you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada. Counting starts the day after your test.
   • for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
   • if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
   • a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a flight or entry to Canada and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection
3. Starting February 28: proof of a professionally administered or observed antigen testtaken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before to your scheduled flight or entry to Canada by land or water
   • the one day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time of your flight or entry
   • for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave or you enter by land any time on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Thursday, or on Friday
   • it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service
   • the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
   • the test must be performed outside of Canada

thank you, I saw the updated version too and glad to see it’s all a lot clearer now, also glad the pre flight test is the day before and not within 24 hours as that would have thrown another spanner in the works due to our indirect flights

 

[LiZaArd]

Canadian cruise requirements have been released this morning, partial info below. Full info can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-...qQ6vyTfst9iweSiXEjqlDuyeoX6vg8sVOrRgcVQCp1XFs

Passenger obligations

• Pre-boarding a cruise ship
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure.
  • Before their cruise departs, a traveller will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
  • Passengers seeking a medical contraindication or religious belief exemption will need to contact their cruise line to see if these are permitted. These exemptions are very limited.
• During a voyage
  • Passengers are required to self-monitor for symptoms and report them to cruise line officials, who will then take appropriate action (testing, isolation, and contact tracing).
• Disembarking a cruise ship in Canada
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before arriving in Canada or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled arrival. All on board, including crew and passengers, must monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival in Canada as per the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order.