Canada Drops Travel Requirements

Updated: September 29, 2022

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released an official press release today, Monday, September 26, 2022, relaxing vaccination, and testing protocols for travel to Canada effective October 1, 2022.

 Statement

Today the Government of Canada announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada. Effective October 1, 2022, all travelers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:

 

• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
• provide proof of vaccination;
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
• carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
• monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.

Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travelers will no longer be required to:

• undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
• wear masks on planes and trains.

Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travelers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.

Norwegian Cruise Line has updated its health & safety requirements.

 

Statement

Effective for sailings beginning September 30, 2022, all COVID-19 travel requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation protocols will no longer be required for travelers entering Canada by land, air or sea.

---

Norwegian Cruise Line 

Although Canada has lifted its COVID-19 travel requirements, including those specific to cruise passengers, all guests must still meet the following NCL embarkation requirements to board their upcoming cruise.

What You Need to Know

 Embarkation Requirements:

• All guests ages 12 years and older, must provide proof of ONE of the following:
• Proof of completed series of one-dose or two-dose vaccination regimen.
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or NAAT test (i.e., PCR) taken within three days of the embarkation date.
• Guests 6 months to 11 years are welcome aboard with no restrictions.

Important Note: While Norwegian welcomes unvaccinated guests, it is the responsibility of the guest to be aware of any local protocols and/or travel restrictions in place at the visiting destinations at the time of sailing.

 

Resources

• Sail Safe
• Cruise Travel Requirements by Country

Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn has released statements saying that they are ready to welcome all guests with Canada’s removal of all COVID-19 Requirements.

 Seabourn Statement

Seabourn is ready to welcome all guests on board its voyages that visit Canada with the news from Transport Canada, which announced it will end all COVID-19 entry and testing requirements for visitors traveling to Canada. The new guidance will make it easier for guests to plan and travel on Seabourn’s Alaska and Canada and New England voyages during the summer and fall seasons.

Seabourn is updating its health protocols to align with Transport Canada’s revised guidelines for select voyages departing on and after October 1, 2022.

“We welcome the decision by Transport Canada that will make it easier for travelers to sail on our Alaska and Canada and New England voyages,” said Josh Leibowitz, Seabourn’s president. “These spectacular destinations have so much to offer and are highly coveted areas to visit. We look forward to welcoming our guests on board our ultra-luxury ships and delivering special ‘Seabourn Moments’ when they sail with us.”

Celebrity Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruise Lines has updated its health & safety requirements for sailings visiting Canada.

 

Statement

Effective for sailings beginning October 1, 2022, we are welcoming all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, back onboard our sailings that visit Canada as long as they meet testing requirements to board.

 

What You Need to Know

 

Embarkation Requirements - Vaccinated Guests:

• For all sailings 9 nights or shorter, no pre-boarding testing is required.
• For all sailings 10 nights or longer, vaccinated guests ages 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken within 3 days prior to boarding.
• Test results from any commercially available Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), including self-tests, will be accepted.
• Tests do not have to be supervised or proctored.
• Test results may be presented as a printout, screenshot, or photo of the test result or the actual test.
• Antibody tests are not accepted.

 

Embarkation Requirements - Unvaccinated Guests:

• For all sailings guests ages 5 years and older, must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken within 3 days prior to boarding.
• Test results from any commercially available Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), including self-tests, will be accepted.
• Tests do not have to be supervised or proctored.
• Test results may be presented as a printout, screenshot, or photo of the test result or the actual test.
• Antibody tests are not accepted.

Important Note: While Celebrity welcomes unvaccinated guests, it is the responsibility of the guest to be aware of any local protocols and/or travel restrictions in place at the visiting destinations at the time of sailing.

 

Resources

• Celebrity Healthy At Sea

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Royal Caribbean Protocol Updates

Updated August 30, 2022

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have announced that they are welcoming all guest, regardless of vaccination status, beginning with sailings departing on September 5, 2022, from any U.S. homeport (excluding sailings visiting Bermuda or Canada).  Please make note of not only the changes to vaccination status for U.S. departures, but also testing requirements for some of our European itineraries. 

What You Need To Know

All U.S. Departures beginning September 5^th (excluding Canada, Bermuda, and Transpacific sailings)

Vaccination:

• If eligible, we recommend that guests be fully vaccinated against COVID‐19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask that guests disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.
• Grand Cayman will now allow unvaccinated guests to disembark in port

Pre-Cruise Testing:

• Sailings 9 nights or less:
  • Unvaccinated guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than 3 days prior to sailing.
  • Fully vaccinated guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are FDA‐approved PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of the self-test result, or the actual self-test in hand.
• Sailings 10 nights or more:
  • All guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than 3 days prior to sailing.
  • Accepted tests are FDA‐approved PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of the self-test result, or the actual self-test in hand.

U.S. Departures visiting Bermuda beginning September 5^th

• While requirements for sailing have changed for some destinations, most of Bermuda’s local regulations and requirements are still in place.
• This means vaccination and pre-cruise testing requirements remain unchanged.
• We’ve removed the boarding day test requirement.

Sailings beginning September 5^th that begin, end, or stop in Canada

• While requirements for sailing have changed for some destinations, Canada’s local regulations and requirements are still in place.
• The vaccination requirement and the pre-cruise & embarkation testing requirement (2 days prior for vaccinated guests | 3 days prior for unvaccinated + boarding day test) remain in place.

All European & UK Departures beginning September 5^th (excluding Transatlantic sailings)

Vaccination:

• All European and UK Itineraries (excluding Transatlantic sailings)
  • We recommend that guests be fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 and up to-date, when eligible.
  • While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.

Pre-cruise Testing (check departure port for info):

Sailings departing from Amsterdam, Barcelona, and the U.K.

• Sailings 9 nights or less:
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
    • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Up-to-date guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.
• Sailings 10 nights or more:
  • All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Up-to-date guests must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 3 days prior to boarding day.
  • Unvaccinated or not up-to date guests must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
    • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.

Sailings departing from Athens, Greece

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Telehealth and unsupervised self-testing are not accepted for sailings departing from Greece

Sailings departing from Tarragona, Spain

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Haifa, Israel

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Italy visiting Greece

• If the sailing departs from any Italian port and makes at least one (1) stop in Greece, the following testing is required.
  • All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
    • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
    • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Italy not visiting Greece

Vaccination:

• Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
  • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Up-to-date guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.

Onboard Testing:

• Any sailing visiting Greece
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date will require additional testing to be completed onboard at their own expense, in order to go ashore.
• Any sailing ending in Spain
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date will require additional testing to be completed prior to debarking in Spain at their own expense.

Resources

• Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Center
• Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Center FAQs
• Celebrity Healthy at Sea
• Celebrity Country Travel Requirements

 

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Disney Joins Cruise Lines Adjusting Protocols

Disney Cruise Line

Updated September 27, 2022

Disney Cruise Line has updated its health & safety requirements.

 Statement

Beginning Oct. 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings and Nov. 7, 2022 for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing.

---

Today, August 15, Disney Cruise Line announced an update to our Health and Safety Protocols regarding vaccination requirements.

What You Need To Know

• Beginning September 2, 2022, for sailings departing US and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line will require Guests ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the CDC. (previously 5 and older)
• Testing Requirements – Fully Vaccinated Guests
  • Departing US and Canadian ports:
    • Must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken one to 2 days before setting sail to be exempt from embarkation testing at the terminal.
    • A NAAT, PCR, and Antigen tests accepted.
      • Antigen tests must be completed using a proctored in-person or telehealth service and come with digital results that can be uploaded to the Safe Passage website. 
    • Proof of Vaccination and pre-trip test results must be uploaded into the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day.
      • Fully vaccinated Guests who upload their pre-trip test results to the Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day will be exempt from embarkation testing.
      • Fully vaccinated Guests who do not upload test results by midnight prior to embarkation day must be tested at the terminal on embarkation day before boarding the ship and will be charged for the cost of the test.
      • A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on behalf of minors.
    • Guests with positive COVID-19 test results are required to complete a second confirmatory test.
      • Guests with confirmed positive test results—as well as those sharing the same stateroom and other close contacts—will be denied boarding.
• Testing Requirements – Not Fully Vaccinated Guests
  • Must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken one to 3 days before the sail date.
    • The test should be a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), a rapid PCR test or a lab-based PCR test. 
    • Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. 
    • Two tests will be required for Guests not fully vaccinated. The second test will be conducted at the terminal on embarkation day (paid for by Disney Cruise Line).
      • Guests with positive COVID-19 test results are required to undergo a second confirmatory test.
      • Guests with confirmed positive test results—as well as those sharing the same stateroom and other close contacts—will be denied boarding.
    • Must upload their negative COVID-19 test results on the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. 
      • A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on behalf of minors.
• Testing Costs
  • The cost of embarkation tests for fully vaccinated Guests will be $74.00 (USD) plus tax for the initial antigen test,
    • If a confirmatory PCR test is needed the cost will be $125.00 (USD) plus tax.
  • For Canada sailings, the cost of embarkation tests for fully vaccinated Guests will be $95.00 (CAD) plus GST for the initial antigen test
    • If a confirmatory PCR test is needed the cost will be$160.00 (CAD) plus GST.
• Back-to-Back Sailings: All Guests on consecutive, back-to-back sailings, regardless of age and vaccination status, will be required to complete a COVID-19 test between sailings, paid for by Disney Cruise Line.
• Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19: In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.”
  • With the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval, Guests considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing during the Pre-Sail, Embarkation or Debarkation phases of their voyage.

Resource

• Know Before You Sail
• Learn more about sailings arriving to and departing from Europe.
• Learn more about sailings arriving to and departing from Canada.

 

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

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Solemn Canada Day 2021

The 154th anniversary of Canada, July 1st, will be quite different than other celebrations. In addition to the concerns about containing the spread of COVID-19 via public celebrations, a recent discovery of hundreds of children’s remains discovered at former boarding schools for Indigenous children has led to calls to cancel celebrations. 

For the second year in a row many public celebrations will be replaced by virtual ones.  Some public celebrations are still scheduled at this time - please visit the official websites for any specific venue.  See websites below for some of the virtual activities taking place from coast to coast.

Canada Day, frequently referred to as "Canada's birthday", commemorates the joining of the British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867.

Canada Day is very similar to the  July 4th holiday in the United States.  Most communities across the country normally host organized celebrations for Canada Day, usually outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts.

Canada Day Websites

• Official Website for Canada Day
• Canada Day at Home Calgary
• Canada Day City of Charlottetown
• Canada Day in Halifax Region
• Canada Day in Downtown Kingston
• Canada Day Celebration | Niagara Falls
• Canada Day | Ottawa Tourism
• Canada Day City of Pelham
• Canada Day Quebec
• Canada Day Vaughan
• Canada Day Victoria
• Canada Day Whiterock

Canada's ports and borders remain closed preventing Alaska cruises from calling at their shores.  Our hope is that the country soon is able to reopen so that the world can visit this marvelous country again.

We have had the pleasure of visiting several Canadian cities during our cruise vacations.  These included ports of call on multiple Alaskan cruises,  Canada and New England cruises, and even Transatlantic cruises.  One of the highlights was when we extended our Alaskan cruise with a pre-cruise exploration of the Canadian Rockies.

Have you ever ridden on a glacier?  You can while visiting the Columbia Icefield Glacier in the Canadian Rockies. Specially designed vehicles, Massive Brewster Ice Explorers, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier.

Have you smelled flowers or gotten up close to thousands of unique flowers in bloom?  You can at one of Canada's botanical gardens such as the fifty acre Butchart Gardens located near Victoria, British Columbia. You'll see stunning floral show gardens and a National Historic Site of Canada.

British Columbia is known for floral gardens.  Minter Gardens, which has since closed, thrilled us with thousands of flowers and gardens.

Would you like to visit a fishing village, have some fresh lobster, or visit a lighthouse?  Nova Scotia has much to offer including the Bay of Fundy and many beaches where you can build sandcastles, fly kites, take a surf lesson, or just walk barefoot in the sand.

For the maritime lover, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, where you can visit the Titanic ~ The Unsinkable Ship and Halifax, Nova Scotia exhibit and learn about the role the people of Halifax played that fateful day.

Would you like to walk where birds fly and squirrels hang out?  You can in Vancouver, Canada, at Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure.  I'm afraid of bridges, but I had a great time crossing a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor.

Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver, British Columbia's most popular tourist attractions.  Odds are that unless you extended your cruise vacation in Vancouver, you probably didn't visit this attraction during your cruise vacation.

There is so much to see and do in Canada, I hope that you'll plan a visit in the near future and get to know more about this North American country.   We have only scratched the surface in this article.   There are other Canadian destinations featured in past blog posts and also on our Facebook Fan Page.

To help you plan your day, we are posting this early.  

To all our Canadian friends .... Happy Canada Day 2021.

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