Canadian PCR Test

[Momlovestigger]

I have heard other cruise lines offer PCR tests for Canadians so you can go to airport knowing PCR test is done.Does anybody know if DCL offers this .I do know you must show proof you are going directly back to Canada when leaving ship on other cruise lines.Depends on when you booked your cruise other cruise lines will not charge or charge per person.I get very worried thinking the test isn't done till Airport
Thanks in advance thinking of taking a last minute cruise

 

[lanejudy]

DCL is only testing unvaccinated (children) and only on cruises of 5+ nights. At this time they have very specifically stated they are not testing vaccinated passengers for debarkation.

MCO offers testing onsite. I believe you can make an appointment.

 

[Momlovestigger]

DCL is only testing unvaccinated (children) and only on cruises of 5+ nights. At this time they have very specifically stated they are not testing vaccinated passengers for debarkation.

MCO offers testing onsite. I believe you can make an appointment.

Ty for your reply

 

[tvguy]

I believe only Celebrity pays for these tests for Canadians but only if you booked your cruise before this month. They will make them available for a fee for people who booked their cruise after mid-November. Celebrity had announced they would not pay for the tests a few days ago, then revised the policy to say that they would for cruises that were already booked. Since it is a requirement of the Canadian Government, I am at a loss as to why the Canadian Government isn't paying for the tests especially since Canada has Universal Healthcare that I would think would cover it.

 

[KMack]

I have heard other cruise lines offer PCR tests for Canadians so you can go to airport knowing PCR test is done.Does anybody know if DCL offers this .I do know you must show proof you are going directly back to Canada when leaving ship on other cruise lines.Depends on when you booked your cruise other cruise lines will not charge or charge per person.I get very worried thinking the test isn't done till Airport
Thanks in advance thinking of taking a last minute cruise

We have ordered RT-LAMP self test kits from SWITCH Health to take with us. We will log on to a computer the night before we disembark in Miami for a telehealth appointment to supervise the taking of the sample and then the reading of the test. These tests are approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada for returning to Canada. The results are available within 30 minutes. I can’t remember the exact cost but they were about $125… I had to order 13! Our concern was being able to book a rapid PCR test in Miami that would get the results to us in 24 hours. I had one company quote me $4800 US to test our entire party with result available in 24-36 hours. We had also heard nightmare stories of friends who booked testing and when they showed up, the testing company ‘ran out’ of PCR tests and offered them RADTs… which won’t get you on a plane to get back to Canada.

 

[Momlovestigger]

We have ordered RT-LAMP self test kits from SWITCH Health to take with us. We will log on to a computer the night before we disembark in Miami for a telehealth appointment to supervise the taking of the sample and then the reading of the test. These tests are approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada for returning to Canada. The results are available within 30 minutes. I can’t remember the exact cost but they were about $125… I had to order 13! Our concern was being able to book a rapid PCR test in Miami that would get the results to us in 24 hours. I had one company quote me $4800 US to test our entire party with result available in 24-36 hours. We had also heard nightmare stories of friends who booked testing and when they showed up, the testing company ‘ran out’ of PCR tests and offered them RADTs… which won’t get you on a plane to get back to Canada.

Wow Ty for the information

 

[yowcruiser]

We have ordered RT-LAMP self test kits from SWITCH Health to take with us. We will log on to a computer the night before we disembark in Miami for a telehealth appointment to supervise the taking of the sample and then the reading of the test. These tests are approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada for returning to Canada. The results are available within 30 minutes. I can’t remember the exact cost but they were about $125… I had to order 13! Our concern was being able to book a rapid PCR test in Miami that would get the results to us in 24 hours. I had one company quote me $4800 US to test our entire party with result available in 24-36 hours. We had also heard nightmare stories of friends who booked testing and when they showed up, the testing company ‘ran out’ of PCR tests and offered them RADTs… which won’t get you on a plane to get back to Canada.

We intend to do something similar for a cruise in January, getting the test done while "docked" in the USVI... now, these only need to be back in stock!

 

[Starwind]

I believe only Celebrity pays for these tests for Canadians but only if you booked your cruise before this month. They will make them available for a fee for people who booked their cruise after mid-November. Celebrity had announced they would not pay for the tests a few days ago, then revised the policy to say that they would for cruises that were already booked. Since it is a requirement of the Canadian Government, I am at a loss as to why the Canadian Government isn't paying for the tests especially since Canada has Universal Healthcare that I would think would cover it.

One, leisure travel is non-essential travel, therefore discretionary on the part of the traveler. The test to return home is one of the costs of such travel.

Two, provincial government-funded healthcare programs in Canada will only cover emergency medical care outside the country, and even then the $ amount they cover is extremely limited because it is based on "usual and customary" rates in the home province (so in the US is usually a fraction of the cost), which is why Canadians are strongly encouraged to ensure they have good emergency travel medical insurance with sufficient cover (usually considered $5-$10 million) if they travel outside Canada (and even outside their home province). Routine healthcare is not covered outside Canada.

A PCR test needed to return to Canada is not considered emergency medical care. Even travel medical insurance usually won't cover it. One *might* be able to get the cost covered under a private medical plan such as a plan one might have through employment.

 

[Momlovestigger]

One, leisure travel is non-essential travel, therefore discretionary on the part of the traveler. The test to return home is one of the costs of such travel.

Two, provincial government-funded healthcare programs in Canada will only cover emergency medical care outside the country, and even then the $ amount they cover is extremely limited because it is based on "usual and customary" rates in the home province (so in the US is usually a fraction of the cost), which is why Canadians are strongly encouraged to ensure they have good emergency travel medical insurance with sufficient cover (usually considered $5-$10 million) if they travel outside Canada (and even outside their home province). Routine healthcare is not covered outside Canada.

A PCR test needed to return to Canada is not considered emergency medical care. Even travel medical insurance usually won't cover it. One *might* be able to get the cost covered under a private medical plan such as a plan one might have through employment.

I don't mind paying with in reason The scary part for us is not getting the results back in time as we would be going directly to airport from ship.Yes I know tests are done at airports but you hate to have your test done in the am and your flight is 3 hours later and no result
Or have your test done flight booked for much later for fear no results and boom results back 45 minutes later .I guess you just go and hope for the best We are booked for a Alaskan sept 22 so if we don't go in abit it's Ok lol
Ty all for your replies

 

[tvguy]

One, leisure travel is non-essential travel, therefore discretionary on the part of the traveler. The test to return home is one of the costs of such travel.

Two, provincial government-funded healthcare programs in Canada will only cover emergency medical care outside the country, and even then the $ amount they cover is extremely limited because it is based on "usual and customary" rates in the home province (so in the US is usually a fraction of the cost), which is why Canadians are strongly encouraged to ensure they have good emergency travel medical insurance with sufficient cover (usually considered $5-$10 million) if they travel outside Canada (and even outside their home province). Routine healthcare is not covered outside Canada.

A PCR test needed to return to Canada is not considered emergency medical care. Even travel medical insurance usually won't cover it. One *might* be able to get the cost covered under a private medical plan such as a plan one might have through employment.

Then there is the whole mess in Vancouver where the Health Minister said no PCR test was needed for flood victims going to the U.S. for essentials like food and gasoline, and the border agents who apparently never got the word and were turning back Canadians or fining them and telling them they had to quarantine.

 

[bcwife76]

Then there is the whole mess in Vancouver where the Health Minister said no PCR test was needed for flood victims going to the U.S. for essentials like food and gasoline, and the border agents who apparently never got the word and were turning back Canadians or fining them and telling them they had to quarantine.

$5700 in fines which are now "being looked into" by the federal govt. Also note this came down from a federal level, not a provincial one. So the federal govt has to work with these people to make sure they are not on the hook for these ridiculous fines, the provincial govt has nothing to do with this

 

[tvguy]

$5700 in fines which are now "being looked into" by the federal govt. Also note this came down from a federal level, not a provincial one. So the federal govt has to work with these people to make sure they are not on the hook for these ridiculous fines, the provincial govt has nothing to do with this

Correct.