Canadian Cruise ban updates???

[mousefan73]

i’ve been googling trying to get more information But the last I checked the Canadian government was gonna open up cruising starting November 1 again? I’ve been online trying to find the latest news and I really haven’t found a clear update? I know a lot is speculation but any Canadians out there that can give some insight on how spring of 2022 might look from Vancouver?

 

[bcwife76]

This article was published by PaxNews today, while it's mostly about being vaccinated in order to board a plane or train in Canada, the cruise industry and resumption is mentioned near the end of the article. As far as we are all aware up here, Alaska cruises out of Vancouver in 2022 are going to happen! Just be prepared to be vaccinated, I don't see that going away anytime soon.

https://news.paxeditions.com/news/airline/ottawa-unveils-more-details-new-vaccination-requirements

 

[mousefan73]

This article was published by PaxNews today, while it's mostly about being vaccinated in order to board a plane or train in Canada, the cruise industry and resumption is mentioned near the end of the article. As far as we are all aware up here, Alaska cruises out of Vancouver in 2022 are going to happen! Just be prepared to be vaccinated, I don't see that going away anytime soon.

https://news.paxeditions.com/news/airline/ottawa-unveils-more-details-new-vaccination-requirements

Thanks! Good read for Candian travel. We are Vaxxed and will boosted and masked and will Do basically whatever it takes to ensure we are on the the Wonder when she sails out of Vancouver in April.

 

[mullysisters]

We are Canadian and sailing from SD to Van. 2022. We are not sure how we will satisfy testing requirements in order to fly back to Toronto from Van. We are wanting to fly home the day the cruise ship docks. We really dont want to spend an extra 3 days in BC. We have my 90 year old Mom in respite care and many different "sitters" watching many different members of our family.

 

[yowcruiser]

We are Canadian and sailing from SD to Van. 2022. We are not sure how we will satisfy testing requirements in order to fly back to Toronto from Van. We are wanting to fly home the day the cruise ship docks. We really dont want to spend an extra 3 days in BC. We have my 90 year old Mom in respite care and many different "sitters" watching many different members of our family.

There is no testing requirement to fly back to Toronto from Vancouver. If Canada still has testing requirements for entry into the country, it will have to be carried on board by DCL as this will affect every single individual on the ship... Worse case, Air Canada now has those take with you test that you could probably use while in Victoria the day before (with no need to mail back)

 

[yowcruiser]

i’ve been googling trying to get more information But the last I checked the Canadian government was gonna open up cruising starting November 1 again? I’ve been online trying to find the latest news and I really haven’t found a clear update? I know a lot is speculation but any Canadians out there that can give some insight on how spring of 2022 might look from Vancouver?

Technically, cruising resumes tomorrow - but of course there are no "major" cruises at this time of the year... and the current requirement is for anyone boarding a "large passenger vessel" for a period of more than 24 hours to be fully vaccinated.

 

[KMack]

We are Canadian and sailing from SD to Van. 2022. We are not sure how we will satisfy testing requirements in order to fly back to Toronto from Van. We are wanting to fly home the day the cruise ship docks. We really dont want to spend an extra 3 days in BC. We have my 90 year old Mom in respite care and many different "sitters" watching many different members of our family.

We have purchased RT-LAMP tests from SWITCH Health to satisfy the federal testing requirements to return to Canada. They are approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada. (I work there). The test is self-administered during a telehealth appointment and results are received in an hour or so (or so I understand)

Earlier this week, Air Canada announced that they were extending an offer to people currently booked on international AC flights to buy the kits at reduced costs. https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coron...le-covid-19-test-kits-to-travellers-1.5638802

They are currently sold out but there is an email wait list.

I hope this helps.

 

[KMack]

There is no testing requirement to fly back to Toronto from Vancouver. If Canada still has testing requirements for entry into the country, it will have to be carried on board by DCL as this will affect every single individual on the ship... Worse case, Air Canada now has those take with you test that you could probably use while in Victoria the day before (with no need to mail back)

This is not entirely accurate. While there is no requirement to test for domestic travel, Canadians require a negative PCR test to return to Canada. Disney does not provide these tests on the ship. Most people are having to stay in the city of disembarkation for at least an extra day in order to get test results back in time for their flight.

As you said, Air Canada has recently made available to its booked international passengers the opportunity to purchase RT-LAMP tests from SWiTCH Health. They are currently sold out but there is an email wait list. These tests are accepted by the Public Health Agency of Canada for border crossing. (DIsclaimer: I work at PHAC)

Airlines require passengers to demonstrate they are admissible to Canada BEFORE they get on the flight. To be admissible to Canada, you have to have a negative COVID test, amongst other things. (Technically, Canadians can’t be denied entry to Canada but good luck finding an airline that will transport you if you haven’t met the admissibility requirements, no matter your citizenship.). You would have to complete the test in San Diego, not Victoria as previously suggested, to return to Canada. Then you will be free to travel wherever you want within Canada

 

[Starwind]

haven’t met the admissibility requirements, no matter your citizenship.). You would have to complete the test in San Diego, not Victoria as previously suggested, to return to Canada. Then you will be free to travel wherever you want within Canada

In the given scenario, a cruise sailing from San Diego to Vancouver, a test taken prior to departure in SD would not meet Canada's current test requirement of no longer than 72 hours prior to entry into Canada, as the cruise length is too long for that. DCL would have to have a way to test everyone on board within the 72 hour timeframe prior to arrive at Vancouver.

This assumes that the testing-to-enter-Canada requirement is still in place by the time the cruise comes along. Also, it is entirely possible that the Government of Canada will develop a protocol that applies specifically to cruises that are arriving, departing, or porting in Canadian ports by the time the 2022 season starts. Although cruises have been allowed to resume in Canadian waters since 1 November, there actually aren't any scheduled until into 2022 - the only ships now are ones that are small and below the passenger threshold to be caught in the rules.

For the poster on the cruise, Air Canada has a nice little website where you can plug in your travel cities and vaccination status and it tells you the travel requirements [i just used the default dates as a test]: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco...updates/2020/covid-19.html#/entryRequirements

The current rule is "Effective October 30, air passengers departing from Canadian airports, travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, and travellers on non-essential passenger vessels on voyages of 24 hours or more, such as cruise ships, will need to be vaccinated. These requirements apply to all travellers 12 years of age and older." (there is a brief transition period in effect but it will be over 30 November).

Therefore, under the current rule, no need for tests to fly from Vancouver to Toronto.

SW

 

[mousefan73]

I forgot about the current PCR test enter Canada. We are booke in the Hawaii sailing that also goes back to Vancouver. Seems still so many issues. You can open things up but in essence keep them closed by testing mandates that are not feasible.

 

[KMack]

In the given scenario, a cruise sailing from San Diego to Vancouver, a test taken prior to departure in SD would not meet Canada's current test requirement of no longer than 72 hours prior to entry into Canada, as the cruise length is too long for that. DCL would have to have a way to test everyone on board within the 72 hour timeframe prior to arrive at Vancouver.

This assumes that the testing-to-enter-Canada requirement is still in place by the time the cruise comes along. Also, it is entirely possible that the Government of Canada will develop a protocol that applies specifically to cruises that are arriving, departing, or porting in Canadian ports by the time the 2022 season starts. Although cruises have been allowed to resume in Canadian waters since 1 November, there actually aren't any scheduled until into 2022 - the only ships now are ones that are small and below the passenger threshold to be caught in the rules.

For the poster on the cruise, Air Canada has a nice little website where you can plug in your travel cities and vaccination status and it tells you the travel requirements [i just used the default dates as a test]: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco...updates/2020/covid-19.html#/entryRequirements

The current rule is "Effective October 30, air passengers departing from Canadian airports, travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, and travellers on non-essential passenger vessels on voyages of 24 hours or more, such as cruise ships, will need to be vaccinated. These requirements apply to all travellers 12 years of age and older." (there is a brief transition period in effect but it will be over 30 November).

Therefore, under the current rule, no need for tests to fly from Vancouver to Toronto.

SW

You are right… I was harkening back to my experience of having to fly from San Diego to Vancouver after a WBPC cruise.

 

[KMack]

I forgot about the current PCR test enter Canada. We are booke in the Hawaii sailing that also goes back to Vancouver. Seems still so many issues. You can open things up but in essence keep them closed by testing mandates that are not feasible.

Check out the RT-LAMp home test kits. They are approved by PHAC and they can be packed with you and used when required.

 

[Starwind]

I forgot about the current PCR test enter Canada. We are booke in the Hawaii sailing that also goes back to Vancouver. Seems still so many issues. You can open things up but in essence keep them closed by testing mandates that are not feasible.

If the testing requirement is still in place, the cruise lines and Government will have to come up with a feasible solution to meet the requirement since all passengers on board will have to meet it. It is not reasonable for the passengers to fend for themselves in that circumstance.

There are a small number of cruises right now that are having to meet test requirements for a port or for the end of the cruise, and they are testing everyone on board ship -- so it CAN be done [i.e. is feasible] when prepared for. Consider that there has to be an onboard test facility already to be able to deal with an outbreak - which could be sizable. So it is a matter of the requirement and capacity being planned for by the cruise line, and the tests being acceptable by the government in question [test, timing, etc - eg one recent sailing through the Panama Canal, the crew was tested on one day but the government changed the requirement basically at the same time and the test of crew had to be redone because it no longer met the requirement... the ship's transit through the canal got delayed; but in the end issue resolved ].

But this is also many months from now.

 

[happycamper47]

Things may change dramatically by next year since there is a Bill in Congress to let ships by-pass Canada permanently going to Alaska, which is now temporary.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Things may change dramatically by next year since there is a Bill in Congress to let ships by-pass Canada permanently going to Alaska, which is now temporary.

It's unlikely that DCL would be shifting their whole season to not use Vancouver, both from a berthing perspective and also if the major lines are back up, in terms of ports. Many lines use Vancouver not just because of PVSA but because of distances and because of capacities at Seattle.

It also wouldn't apply to their Hawaii sailings, or Atlantic Coast sailings that include Canada.

 

[yowcruiser]

So in summary... and who knows what the rules will be next April

• DCL would have to provide a test to all cruisers that would satisfy entry requirements into Canada. Once entry has been granted (as fully vaccinated, quarantine-exempt travelers), there are no restrictions on what one does next (fly back home domestically, back to the US if entry requirements are met...)
• Failing to do that... foreign nationals would be denied entry, and Canadians could be subject to a fine, and/or sent to a quarantine facility if symptomatic... I don't think DCL will go for that one

 

[bcwife76]

Check out the RT-LAMp home test kits. They are approved by PHAC and they can be packed with you and used when required.

Aren't those for Canadians only, since you need to order with Aeroplan or something? Plus, the wait-list is long enough without telling non Canadians about it

 

[bcwife76]

Things may change dramatically by next year since there is a Bill in Congress to let ships by-pass Canada permanently going to Alaska, which is now temporary.

Seattle doesn't have the room to support every single cruise ship going to Alaska so cruises will still leave from Vancouver. All that bill will do (if it's passed) would eliminate the port stop in Victoria BC.

 

[lorenni]

We have purchased RT-LAMP tests from SWITCH Health to satisfy the federal testing requirements to return to Canada. They are approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada. (I work there). The test is self-administered during a telehealth appointment and results are received in an hour or so (or so I understand)

Earlier this week, Air Canada announced that they were extending an offer to people currently booked on international AC flights to buy the kits at reduced costs. https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coron...le-covid-19-test-kits-to-travellers-1.5638802

They are currently sold out but there is an email wait list.

I hope this helps.

While these are a great option you need to have cell service/be able to get online and be virtually face to face with someone for at least 30 minutes, right? That's going to be hard and/or incredibly expensive even in port, let alone out at sea.

 

[mousefan73]

I’m just concerned if the requirement is PCR. You need a certified lab for this. Not sure how the cruise lines are willing to invest in this. rapid antigen tests I am sure they can come up with an onboard solution. Heck they already do at port