TransOceanCruiser

I just booked our first O cruise.  Booked the sailing through the O website and now want to transfer it to a TA that offers pre paid gratuities and some OBC.  Is the process easy?  Have done these types of transfers with other cruise lines, wasn’t sure if O had any quarks.

4 hours ago, f1jon said:

Does HAL have their own buses or do they use Quick Coach/Quick Shuttle? I'd like to pay through HAL and use cabin credits but they may be sold out by the time I'm on board. Any thoughts?

We used the transfer to Seattle last month in May and the cruise line used their own bus.  We only had 17 people onboard.  Made the trip in under 4 hours with traffic and a restroom break.

3 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

Apologies in advance for this question, which I'm  sure has been answered somewhere. I searched other threads but couldn't find it. 

Does anyone know the approximate departure time of HAL's bus transfer from the Vancouver cruise ship terminal to SEATAC ? 

And is the trip about 4 1/2 hours ?    Thanks.

 

We were on the Zuiderdam sailing that returned on May 25th.  The bus departed just before 9am and reached the border at 10am.  We were a sealed bus, meaning no one was allowed off the bus in Canada, so the driver just had to pass our passports through the window.  No one had to leave the bus with their luggage.  In just under 20 minutes that officer came back after running the passports through the system and we were off.  There was a stop at the first rest area in Washington and we were in traffic due to an accident just north of Seattle.  We arrived at SEATAC just before 1pm. Use this as a guide as there were only 710 passengers on our sailing and just 17 passengers on the transfer to SEATAC.  I hope this helps.

8 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

Can't wait to board her on Wednesday!

Enjoy.  One of the best cruises we’ve been on in awhile.  Crew was amazing.  I hope you enjoy as much as we did.

42 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

I was thinking of sailing on this cruise.  So, slightly jealous.  🙂

 

I hope you're having an outstanding time!

 

---Matthew

Was an amazing trip.  Weather was excellent and the crew was amazing.

GrayLady, When Holland America changed their testing situation, we changed our return travel plans. We purchased the transfer from HAL to Seattle.  It was the same cost per person as a rapid test at the Vancouver airport.  When you cross the border by land no test is required.  

Just returned from Zuiderdam round trip Vancouver. We filled out ArriveCAN twice. Once for our pre night hotel stay at the Fairmont Harbor Front.  Used the hotels address.  Second time for the cruise itself using the ships name.  There were ground staff checking to make sure that the ArriveCAN was filled out for the cruise prior to boarding.

Spending a great day in Skagway today. The weather is in the mid 60’s and hit 68 in Juneau yesterday when we were there. 
710 passengers on this sailing and  714 on the 5/25 departure. The staff has been Amazing!!

Just a couple thoughts on embarkment. Fill out VeriFLY & ArriveCAN before you get to the pier. Makes things go so smooth. It’s worth the time and hassle at home to complete the steps on these 2 apps. 
 

Onward testing has been a topic since HAL changed their policy earlier this month. The Navigator app has free links to scheduling an appointment at the airport testing location. There is also a QR code at the pursers desk for more testing info. 
 

Finally, this is the first cruise where I have used the Navigator app to option information. I’m hooked.  It has so much information at your finger tips and  the ability to book shore excursions and dinner reservations at alternative restaurants.  Don’t want to dig you room card out, the bar code used to scan you  on &off the ship is on the app.  Haven’t  had any problems with it. 

Hope  this info helps a few cruisers.  Onto Glacier Bay tomorrow. 

I think it is crazy that Holland America has changed their policy so early on in the Alaska season.  Or was it all just a marketing ploy to get people to book Alaskan cruises out of Vancouver and to satisfy the Canadian Authorities on paper?

No matter their motive, I am not going to let it ruin my first vacation in 2 years.  We are just going to take the transfer to the Seattle airport and fly out of there.  Long coach ride but no test needed going through a land border crossing.  The cost of the covid test at the airport is the cost of the transfer.  

Sometimes you just have to sway like a palm tree.

On the Zuiderdam May 18th.  Just received a email from HAL that they will NOT be conducting departure covid tests on our sailing. Check your emails if you are sailing back into Vancouver this summer and plan accordingly.  

Thanks for all the info everyone. If someone is in Ketchikan over the next couple weeks and finds out any other information, please feel free to update the thread. 

When trying to book this excursion, through Alaska Shore Excursions, it says no space is available for any date I try throughout the summer.  Has anyone had any luck booking this excursion for this upcoming Alaska season?  Does anyone know if the Hovercraft operator is still in business?  

Thank you in advance for any information that is supplied.

Thank you for this great information.  We will be on the Zuiderdam in mid May and are looking forward to  being on our first cruise post covid.  Enjoy those nachos!!

Was booked on the Star Breeze, Lisbon - San Juan on 11/30. Received my refund on my credit card less than 2 weeks after I received the FCC certificates via email. Fast processing I'd say. 

Sorry to hear that people are having a poor experience with San Diego. I've sailed from there several times, the last this past October on the Noordam, and haven't had any trouble. I did however check in after 1 pm on all occasions and disembarked with my bags. I made early flights every time.

In Ft Lauderdale today, and was able to watch the Zuiderdam and other two ships sail away from the rocks in front of the high rise condos for the first time. It's amazing watching them sail by up close.

I just came off the Noordam last month in Sydney. I had 105 days before the cruise began. I was told that there were over 100 passengers receiving their copper medallion that voyage. When I received the invitation for the luncheon and no invite for the pre medallion ceremony I thought I might get it in my cabin that night during the turn down. When that didn't happen I went to the front desk and inquired about it. I was told I would receive a call and a copy of my voyage history, I had a photo on my iPad from the website so I knew I had the proof. I disembarked the next day with no medallion or phone call. Disappointed!!!

I just got off the Ryndam this morning. Captain Mark Rowden stated yesterday during a coffee chat that he was expecting the CDC, Coast Guard and Border Protection on today. US passengers weren't cleared until 9:00 due to non US passengers failing to show up for clearance with immigration onboard. Made for a mad dash for the airport. Great Ship, Great Captain, Great Cruise.

According to posts on this site, 2014 with be the last year for the Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage. Posters have stated that it is being replaced with a 50 day South Pacific cruise. With HAL taking their time in getting the 15/16 calender out, can anyone with knowledge shed some light on this itinerary?

Thanks

Ty