Covid Testing Post Cruise for Canadians - Updated

Awhile ago, September, I wrote about covid testing requirements for Canadians travelling on a cruise.  You can find a link to that blog here.

I wanted to add more information now that I have completed my cruises on Celebrity and am almost finished my first leg on Majestic Princess.

On Celebrity we were contacted to say we required a PCR test to fly home to Canada.  We got off early, one of the first groups, and we were tested right at the pier after we picked up our bags and cleared customs.  

We then drove to the airport and an hour later we had our results in our inbox.

We are now on the Majestic Princess on our 2nd to last day of this voyage.

A few days ago we received a letter saying since we are on a back to back we need to have a rapid Antigen test taken on last day.  We are to meet in the Vista lounge at a set time where the tests are administered free of charge.

Then yesterday we received a call saying since we are flying home to Canada we need at rapid PCR test that will be administered at the pier after we get our bags and clear customs.  Results will be sent to our phones within a short period, probably before we arrive at LAX.

Now we told him we were on a back to back and he said to ignore then.  But the test applies to us when we do get off in a few weeks.

These protocols are also good for any other non US citizens it is just I can not speak specifically about any other country entry requirements except my own.

But one thing is for sure.  Travelling on a cruise ship is wayyyyyy easier than any of the time we have spent on land prior to cruise or the time in between the cruises.  And we have felt much much safer.  No hotel or resort on land requires everyone to be vaccinated who is staying there.  Nor do they require you to have a negative test to stay there.  

Update!

We have now returned home after five weeks on the Majestic.  The night before we disembarked we received word that we would get off the ship, collect our bags, go thru customs then reenter the terminal to get our Covid test for our flight.

We did just that.  We got off at 9 am and collected our bags, breezed thru customs and then dragged the bags to the check in tent.  There were people already there reading to check in - which is crazy I think.

We were directed to a seating area where they took our name, cabin number.  We sat and waited for about a half hour when we were called.  We had to wheel our bags behind a partition and gave our names, email, address, phone etc.  Note make sure they spell everything correctly.  They entered our email wrong and I noticed and she said she would correct.  She corrected my email, but Bernie's email which is the same she did not.  Needless to say this caused some issues if you had to access your results online as you had to verity with that email. j

The test was administered quickly and we were directed to a new area where we sat and waiting for results.  About a half hour.  Some people got their results but they had to be redone because of an issue.  However ours were completed in about a half hour.  We were handed paper copies of our negative results.  Thankfully we got the paper version as we had no way to access Bernie's because of the wrong email.

We were then free to go.  The entire process took 1.5 hours.  So please make sure you plan accordingly.  Do not book a flight that is too early!

Currently the costs of the test is complimentary with Princess; however other companies are now charging for these test needed post cruise for travel home.  

Disneyland

We are staying at Courtyard by Marriott.  It is about a km away from the park and close to many things.  We are here for 6 nights and booked two days at Disney.  We wanted something midlevel price range (remember we are pensioners now).

Check in was a breeze and our only requirement was a quiet location.  We are quite happy.  Large room facing the courtyard, not the street.  Biggest pain with Covid rules is no daily housekeeping.  No place we have stayed at has had housekeeping.  Which for a day or two is no issue but 6 nights is a bit long without it. 

Although a simple front desk request and they deliver to our room.  Yesterday we requested new towels and it was here when we came back.  Garbage gets left outside door and picked up later.  Well at least we can tip ourselves what we would normally tip housekeeping.

Monday was spent getting use to the time change.  3 hours from Florida plus another hour because of daylight savings, so 4 hours in total.  We went to Target to stock up on supplies.  Laundry soap, water, wrinkle release, toothpaste, soap (we prefer the big bars of soap for use on the ship), shampoo/conditioner, air freshener for cabin, juice, and fruit.

When we got back we unloaded our bags of all the dirty clothes.  Celebrity does not have self serve laundries like Princess, something we desperately missed.  Thankfully we had a balcony cabin so did do some hand washing and drying.  Also the closet are closed closets and shoes are at the bottom and I find the clothes start to smell stale.  So everything is getting a wash.  5 loads!  

Then we both napped!  We feel beat.  But wake refreshed and ready to head out for the evening.

We head to downtown Disney and enjoy a rather crowded experience.  Normally Disney is quiet at this time of year.  The shoulder season between Halloween and Thanksgiving, but not this year.  Disney is back baby!  

We tried to get into Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar but it was full and the virtual queue was always full.  This proved to be an ongoing issue throughout our stay with the park.  But we learned to just go with the flow and enjoy.

A lovely dinner, a great stroll and it feels nice to be on land.  Although both of us are suffering with Mal de debarkment.  Something we use to get when we first started sailing but rarely had in the last decade.  I guess the 1.5 year break brought it right back.  

It is the feeling like the land is still moving once you get off the ship.  Has no correlation to sea sickness.  You don't feel nauseous at all, you just keep feeling like the land is moving.  It can be quite annoying.  Our doctor said it is from a swelling in your brain from the movement and to take anti inflammatory meds so we are dropping Advil every 4 hours.  After 3 days it is gone, thank goodness.

We enjoyed one day at each park.  Rode tons of rides, enjoyed the characters, soaked up the ambiance, and just had fun.  

But man are we tired at the end of the day,  we look at the families with the kids breaking down in sobs and we know how those kids feel,  it is hard.  But then I look at the parents and I send positive vibes because I am sure they are even more tired but they have to push thru for the kids.

One thing to make a note of is the park is busy.  According to their site you either have to be fully vaccinated or show a negative covid test to enter.  Neither time we entered where we asked to show either of these.  We asked and they said they are not enforcing.  The park does require face masks on indoor rides and spaces.  Sanitizing stations are throughout the park although we encounter many that were empty so we used our own every time we got off a ride.

Today we get our covid tests that is required to board the ship on Saturday.  We are heading to a community testing site in Anaheim not far away,  Fingers crossed!  

Travelling with Covid

We disembarked the Celebrity Equijox on Sunday.  I will do up a blog once I arrive home on the ship.  Need time to write, gather pictures, and reliable wifi to do it justice.

But suffice to say we really liked Celebrity and think their product is very good.  But our hearts are still with Princess.  

We flew non stop from Florida to LAX.  Now this made me nervous.  You have to remember where we live in Nova Scotia, and really in Canada, covid have always been low, compared to the rest of the world.  We had and still have very strict rules.

In Nova Scotia, for instance as of now, we must wear masks indoors.  No exceptions.  To dine, attend a gym, theater, concert, pretty much anything that is not groceries or pharmacy, you must show proof of vaccine. 

When we flew to the US everyone was vaccinated and everyone had a negative covid test.  But flying to LA this was not the case.  Neither were required.

The airport was packed, like it use to be, many didn't wear masks, nor was socially distancing adhered to.

On the plane everyone seemed to wear masks.  I did, actually wear two, mainly because I need to board a ship in a few days and can't risk it.  

Once in LA we jumped in an Uber to Anaheim, which was the cheapest option.  Under $70, note a Sunday night with lighter traffic helped.

We are staying at a hotel near Disneyland, which I will cover in another post.

This post is here to provide information on what I experienced so others can gain knowledge before they travel.