Canadian Cruise ban updates???

[mullysisters]

So, leaving the cruise ship in Vancouver, coming from San Diego, is entering into Canada? Right? Once disembarked you have to go through customs in the docking area/port. I assume that after disembarking and being cleared through customs into Canada, we Canadians are free to fly, drive or bus it to Toronto hassle free? This is my first cruise, I dont know where customs is after a cruise. Where would the negative test be required?

 

[bcwife76]

So, leaving the cruise ship in Vancouver, coming from San Diego, is entering into Canada? Right? Once disembarked you have to go through customs in the docking area/port. I assume that after disembarking and being cleared through customs into Canada, we Canadians are free to fly, drive or bus it to Toronto hassle free? This is my first cruise, I dont know where customs is after a cruise. Where would the negative test be required?

It really is too early to answer any of these questions re: testing because no cruises have embarked or debarked in Canada since Covid. So no one can answer that for you. We are answering based on what is happening today, but chances are it will be different (at least for cruises) come Spring 2022.

 

[Starwind]

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

PCR can be done on board cruise ships. Here is a page from NCL talking about doing it for some of their passengers: https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-fa...ents-guests-flying-back-countries-require-neg On MSC's website they state "For all sailings in the upcoming months, to ensure the highest standards of health and safety and allow a safe return home to our Guests in compliance with national regulations, MSC Cruises has organized the possibility for its guests to purchase and perform a molecular test (i.e. RT-PCR) or an antigen test during their cruise."

Here is an article about a Viking ship and its PCR lab at sea: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michel...covid-19-testing-has-arrived/?sh=57d24bcd2bde

Also, I can't confirm because I haven't checked, but I would suspect the CDC's CSO would require a PCR capability because a rapid antigen test that is positive needs to be followed up with confirmatory PCR testing. One would therefore expect a PCR capablility would be a requirement. RT-PCR may be allowable.

 

[Starwind]

So, leaving the cruise ship in Vancouver, coming from San Diego, is entering into Canada? Right? Once disembarked you have to go through customs in the docking area/port. I assume that after disembarking and being cleared through customs into Canada, we Canadians are free to fly, drive or bus it to Toronto hassle free? This is my first cruise, I dont know where customs is after a cruise. Where would the negative test be required?

When you exit the cruise in Vancouver you will clear Canada Customs, inside the port.

It is not possible to say what the rules will be next year.

Using the current rules: Assuming Canada treats entering Canada off of a cruise the same as entering at a land or air port of entry, then once you clear customs [having successfully met the vaccination and covid-19 test requirements], then you would be free to travel on within Canada. Note that for air and passenger rail travel *within* Canada under current rules you have to produce proof of full vaccination, but there is no test requirement.

Here is information about current testing requirements for entering Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...ovid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

Here is information about current rules for boarding air and rail transportation in Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/domestic-travel

Here is information about current rules for traveling between provinces within Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/provinces

Presumably those links will be updated as the rules change over time.

As far as I am aware the government has not yet published specific rules for cruise ships beyond the statement that they also have the 'must be fully vaccinated' rule like with air and rail travel. Presumably that is because there aren;t any actual cruise ships scheduled to be in Canadian waters until the 2022 season.

 

[KMack]

Actually, not only do you have to have a video chat with a telehealth professional, you have to courier your tests samples to get the results. It works for us because we are going to be spending extra time in Miami after we disembark but it definitely won’t work for everyone.

 

[Starwind]

Actually, not only do you have to have a video chat with a telehealth professional, you have to courier your tests samples to get the results. It works for us because we are going to be spending extra time in Miami after we disembark but it definitely won’t work for everyone.

According to its instruction manual, the Switch RT-LAMP test does not require couriering the test sample anywhere. See https://files.switchhealth.ca/Switch-Health_COVID-19_RT-LAMP_Instruction-Manual_English.pdf

Switch's RT-PCR kit does require sending the sample to their lab.

SW

 

[alli817]

They'll probably complete the testing on board to get into Canada - if testing is still around at that point.

Keep in mind you'll need to be fully vaccinated to cruise in or out of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-...-transportation-employees-and-travellers.html
Vaccine requirements for travellers
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.
Effective October 30, travellers will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board. Specifically, the vaccination requirement will apply to all travellers 12 years of age and older who are:

• Air passengers flying on domestic, transborder or international flights departing from airports in Canada
• Rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains

For travellers who are in the process of being vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel. By November 30, all travellers must be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated.
In addition, this vaccination mandate will include specific accommodation to recognize the unique needs of travellers from small, remote communities (some of which are not accessible by road) to ensure they will be able to travel to obtain essential services in support of their medical, health, or social well-being, and return safely to their homes. This accommodation will be informed by engagement with Indigenous organizations and provinces and territories in the coming days.