Mixed vaccines could keep British Columbians from cruise travel
Chilliwack retirees Della and Rob Jansen have been on 23 cruises, and number 24 is scheduled for November.
“This is what we do, we cruise. And we cruise because this is a way for us to relax, it takes away our anxieties,” said Della.
But the couple may have to cancel the 13-day Royal Caribbean cruise out of Florida, because Rob had two different mRNA vaccines. The cruise line only allows for that if the doses are between 28 and 42 days apart, but Canada’s interval is longer than that.
“Mine was done within seven weeks so that’s 49 days. So I’m just out of that time frame, which means I would be considered not fully vaccinated,” said Rob.
The 59-year-old could still sail, but large parts of the ship would be off limits.
“You can’t enjoy yourself or relax. You always wonder, 'What is my protocol based on me being unvaccinated?' Which really, he is vaccinated,” said Della.
The couple wants the federal government to advocate for Canadians who had mixed vaccines.
“It’s our health professionals that told us it was OK to do something different than what the CDC put on their website. I think the onus is on them to rectify this,” said Della.
Sanjay Goel, the president of Vancouver-based Cruise Connections, believes discussions are already happening, pointing out the prime minister had two different vaccines.
Currently rules about sailing with mixed vaccines vary depending on the cruise company and the destination of the cruise.
“There is no question the uncertainty creates confusion, and that creates anxiety and so forth for guests,” said Goel. “It has rapidly changed a few times back and forth -- flips-flops so to speak --over the last 10 days or so, which hasn’t helped.”
Goel does think the industry will become more consistent as cruises resume around the world.
“I’m pretty confident much of this will iron itself out, but it’s going to take some time,” Goel said.
The Jansens are hoping the rules will change before their November cruise, or they will once again be stuck on dry land this winter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.