lostinparadise999

On 6/21/2023 at 9:13 AM, Heidi13 said:

 

As the previous reply noted, driving without issues is 1.5 hrs, but could take up to 3 hrs depending on traffic, construction, accidents, etc.

 

Not aware of any public transit available between the port and Abbotsford Airport. You could cut down the cost by taking Skytrain out to Surrey, which bypasses the worst of the traffic and then Uber from Surrey to Abbotsford.

 

Having driven these roads for too many years, I would never consider using Abbotsford Airport, if disembarking a cruise. Abbotsford also has way fewer flights than YVR, so if your flight is cancelled, no other options might be available.

The freeway in Vancouver is only 2 lanes to Abbotsford. There is currently widening the freeway so there are areas with lower speed limits and stoppages. I tried Uber and they cancelled me when they were 5 min from arriving...had a flight to catch...wasn''t very happy, but called a cab and will never use Uber. Found out drivers can cancel the trip if the tip is too small (I usually tip after, not before). They can also cancel to raise the fare price so, the quoted amount may not be the true amount. Also in Vancouver, many of the cheap airlines cancel at last moment. 

Go to YVR and avoid the stress. 

My DW was sent a renewal notice last week saying current Nexus expires in 7 months. We sent in the renewal application right away and within 3 days the Nexus renewal was processed and renewed. We were amazed at how efficient and easy it was. 

10 hours ago, njkate said:

I have to agree!! Within the last few months they have upped the DSC, they have eliminated free room svc for continental breakfast, they have reduced cabin servicing from twice a day to once a day and now cutting back on entertainment add to that currently very high pricing, what I used to pay for two in a balcony barely gets me an inside on some itineraries.

 

Yes I get inflation but imo cruise fare has really jumped.

 

I have a cruise in March on Dawn, then have an April 2024 trans Atlantic booked that I got at a reasonable fare that can be cancelled if Del Rio comes up with anymore cuts to service

 

Was looking at Europe cruises for summer but I’m not paying $1500 pp or more depending on cruise, won’t touch Prima at those prices, for an inside, so booked Paris/Normandy land vacation 

 

We stopped doing NCL when the food variety was cut and extra charges for lamb chops, lobster etc. Also gratuity on other  lines are $16 US and NCL is $20 hmm two gratuity price increases in the same year.

NCL is telling their client there is no deals and it's going to cost you period and the think you will pay because they are NCL.

Just how much does NCL think the cruise passengers will put up with before jumping ship?

Gee the only one that doesn't get salary cut....Del Rio. He will get a bigger bonus. 

If you stay at some hotels, they offer free parking for the duration of your cruise. Check their website or call the hotel before you book.  

US to open the borders to Canadians on Nov 8. CDC accepted only American passports or green card holders in US prior to this announcement.  ...too late, so sad as Holland cancelled our TA cruise that would dock in Ft Lauderdale in mid Nov. We were to be on a flight this morning to Venice. 

2 hours ago, AZQC-Cruiser said:

What about non-US crew ???

On the cruise that Holland cancelled on Oct 18, the international crew is deemed essential workers as they are bringing US citizens home.Everyone on the cruise is fully vaccinated and the Transatlantic is 14 days long without any ports, everyone would be cleared at customs.That is what HAL told us. 

On 9/17/2021 at 11:39 AM, bob&france said:

Although HAL has started informing  it’s non US clients about this issue, and advising them that due to the proclamation they are unable to take the cruise ( the various TA’s they have sailing back to the US within 14 days of being in a Schengen country ) Royal still has said nothing despite our calls advising them of the problem. 
We cancelled for a full refund.

We were on a TA disembarking on Nov 14 in Florida. HAL had cancelled the cruise on us. CDC and the US Federal government still has a ban on cruise ship travel for international travellers. Which means only US passports and those identified eligible are allowed into US. All international travellers...including Canadians are not allowed in the US. The crew which is international is allowed in as the are deem essential (they have to sail the ship and take care of the US passengers). 

Interesting enough many of the EU countries lumped Canadians with the restrictions they gave the US, even when our infection rate was 30 times lower and lower than many EU countries. Some of the requirements were PCR or antigen test 48 hour before arrival and taking ship's shore excursions. 

All the cruise lines heading to US from other countries will be facing the same process. 

HAL gave us a choice of other itinerary next year or refund. The next cruise did not work for us as we already had a cruise scheduled as well has HAL did not honour the view and verandah promo which we paid for.  

2 hours ago, cnd crsr said:

That is "the pot calling the kettle black!"

The mirror is broken

For Canadians and international cruisers. 

I was on HAL FAQ. HAL has changed their position on what is fully vaccinated::

For cruises departing outside of the United States, you may be regarded as fully vaccinated if you have received your first dose of AstraZeneca followed by a single dose of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to complete the 2-dose series.

On 7/27/2021 at 4:29 PM, Clarabella_Baby said:

Sorry I wasn't clear.

 

I know I will not be able to cruise on Holland America and was wondering if anyone knew of a different cruise line or itinerary in perhaps Europe that would allow my mix of vaccines.

For Canadians and international cruisers. 

I was on HAL FAQ. HAL has changed their position on what is fully vaccinated::

For cruises departing outside of the United States, you may be regarded as fully vaccinated if you have received your first dose of AstraZeneca followed by a single dose of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to complete the 2-dose series.

For Canadians and international cruisers. 

I was on HAL FAQ. HAL has changed their position on what is fully vaccinated:

For cruises departing outside of the United States, you may be regarded as fully vaccinated if you have received your first dose of AstraZeneca followed by a single dose of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to complete the 2-dose series.

19 minutes ago, Clarabella_Baby said:

 Soooooo.....I'm getting incredibly nervous that I will not be able to take my booked cruises this fall as I am "unvaccinated" having gotten the AstraZeneca/Pfizer mix.

 

I'm not comfortable sneaking somewhere to get a third vaccine.  And I am quickly losing my optimism that this might be sorted out by the time I cruise this fall.

 

 

I've heard that the European cruises are allowing our 'mix' of vaccines.

 

Does anyone have a cruise line or specific cruise that might be good for me to look into?  I'm considering cancelling my north american cruises and booking something in Europe.

 

Some deets.....I usually cruise solo on Holland America.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight or advice.

 

Right now Holland America is requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated. Unfortunately 2 doses and 14 days after last dose and mixing AZ with any other ones is not recognized as vaccinated. We are booked on a Oct TA from Venice to Ft Lauderdale. There is requirements to have proof of vaccination and use of QR code and/or documentation at each port.

On this cruise there seems to be a lot of singles wanting to cruise.

Pricing on cruises don't seem to be dropping at all. I guess it depends on the capacity HAL is allowing. Rumours is 60%.  

The mix they are suggesting is the two Mondera and Pzitfer. AZ is not recognized by Carnival Corp as it is not approved by FDA for use in US. Other countries widely use AZ. 

On 7/21/2021 at 7:11 AM, mexico8 said:

If only your crystal ball was working!!!   

Looking at our flights for our Oct cruise the prices is going up and up. When I first book the flights with HAL it was $500 cheaper than the flights 2 months ago...would have kept the flight but HAL changed the itineary and cancelled the flights so had to rebook. Now when I check the flights it has increased a further $200. 

I guess the crystal ball is working as the closer to the cruise the higher the cost of the flights. 

7 hours ago, Sue from Canada said:

I wish they'd come out with a wallet sized card like our OHIP one.

In BC we have a wallet size card. We tried taking a picture of it on our smart phone for our records but what happened was that when the camera on the phone focus on the card, a website showed up on the screen of the phone. The smartphone picked up the QR code and directed it to the BC Health site. So we have 2 ways of accessing our vaccination records...one on BC Health app and the other on the wallet size card that directs you to the site. 

Happy Canada Day

No matter how bad it seems we all stand together to make Canada better!!

Proud to be Canadian eh?

🇨🇦🇨🇦

10 hours ago, Debra_Murdock said:

We are having trouble finding an insurance company who will cover us for cruising. Has anyone had any success in getting medical and trip cancellation? We are booked for a cruise in mid September but may have to cancel if we can’t purchase travel insurance. We are both retired and travelling with my Mom and her friend, both in their 80’s. 
 

Thanks

 

 

There is a forum called "insurance" which discuss travel and medical insurance. 

Check the postings.

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

This is rather interesting, we have booked an East Coast Canada cruise for late August early September next year. We have never sailed on Princess and this whole medallion thing has got me concerned. Talk on the Princess threads about what a mess the system is, should I be concerned? I'm not opposed to the concept but surely they should have made sure it worked.

Also chatter about making dinner appointments? We are booked for anytime dining, does that mean make reservations on Princess? I'm confused.

I was on one of the first ships with the Medallion. The process is fairly simple.

I don't think you have to be concerned. Princess is trying to make the Medallion the go to tool for everything but with all the info it kind of confuses things.

Anytime dining is exactly that...you can go anytime but if there is a lineup then you probably will sign in with your Medallion app and they will let you know its your turn. They will use the Medallion to find you. 

If you want one of the speciality dining you can make dinner reservations with the Medallion app.

If you don't have a cell phone you can use your tv or one of the screens by the elevators.

The Medallion sends data to the computer server where they track everything about you...what your drink, whether you left your stateroom to go to breakfast so cabin steward can clean your cabin, whether you left the ship and when you came back (unlike the old card which sometimes missed people and they had to hunt for you before the ship departs). 

The Medallion opens your cabin door when you get 10 feet of the entrance.

It does make the cabin crew more efficient and more work for servers as passengers expect their drink by time they sit down. Also for those not drinking the severs will know and can provide suggestions.This goes for the dining room servers as well, they know your pre dinner dinner and your diet requirements.

bottom line...big brother is watching you...just kidding...enjoy!

It would be interesting when the computer system crashes and everything is back to pre technology. 

2 hours ago, broberts said:

News this morning is that Ottawa will announce new travel restrictions later this morning.

 

Speculation is that restrictions will ease for fully vaccinated but land border will stay closed for another month.

 

I can't imagine the land border staying closed to fully vaccinated much longer. The pressure to open is going to be enormous.

This is the news article this morning: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-lifting-restrictions-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers-starting-july-5-1.5478703

14 minutes ago, karebare22 said:

Yes, this dessert loving family will definitely treat ourselves! Not sure yet which ferry we’ll be taking, but will be sure to book in advance.

This is the website for BC Ferries: https://www.bcferries.com

On 6/15/2021 at 8:20 PM, karebare22 said:

Hi Everyone, great to find this forum! I have never monitored the cruise news as much as I have these past 15 months. I’m finally feeling more hope that it won’t be too much longer before sailing again.  
 

Our family of 4 typically cruises 1 week each year during the winter to escape the cold, mainly with Royal Caribbean. We are actually booked on an Alaska cruise departing Aug 20  but we know it may/may not happen - depends on a lot of things (getting our 2nd vaccine in time, easing of border restrictions on non-essential travel,  end of the mandatory hotel quarantine, etc). This cruise has been tacked onto a 2 week vacation where we already plan to visit BC/Alberta, a part of this beautiful country we haven’t yet explored (road trip Vancouver-Tofino-Victoria-Kelowna-Banff-Jasper). If we can’t cruise, we still have a great vacation to look forward to. Any tips/must sees are welcome!   

If you plan to go to Vancouver Island by ferry, make sure you book ahead as the ferry is very busy. If you want to taste the real Nanaimo bar visit Nanaimo...ferry from Horseshoe bay goes to Nanaimo. Drive the Island hwy to Victoria and have high tea at Empress hotel (rich and famous hang out) and view the inner harbour.  

Hot off the press...News article 

As the travel industry pushes the government to ease travel restrictions, the federal government plans to roll out next month the first phase of its vaccine certification program for travellers entering the country, CBC News has confirmed.

Starting in early July, a new feature on the ArriveCan app will go live, according to a federal government source with direct knowledge.

The app will allow travellers to take a photo or upload a snapshot of their vaccine documentation into the app before going through customs, the source said. CBC is not identifying the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter

The information stays in the app and isn't transferred elsewhere — an effort to address privacy concerns.

The update to the app paves the way for the government to start easing restrictions on international travel in stages. Earlier this month, the federal government saidfully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents crossing the border into Canada will soon no longer be required to stay at a hotel for part of their quarantine period.

The prime minister met with premiers from across the country Thursday evening. Most of the discussion focused on the next steps to re-open the border, according to a senior government source. The talk was constructive and all the premiers agreed that being fully vaccinated was the key, the source said.

In the spring, Health Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters that the topic of vaccine certification had come up in a meeting between G7 health ministers. Since then, discussions with allies have continued on the idea of a passport or certification that would allow citizens of one country to prove to border officials in another country that they are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for the virus.

Buy-in from provinces needed

Several government departments are also working on the second phase of proof-of-vaccination documentation, the source said. That digital project will employ the same technology used for Canada's e-passports, the source said.

5 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

Thanks burnabyjean.  I don't have a cell phone.

You can also do it on a iPad or other tablets.

The latest survey on CTV News says that 1 in 5  vaccine-hesitant Canadians would lie about jab to travel.

This is the website: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/survey-reveals-one-in-five-vaccine-hesitant-canadians-would-lie-about-jab-to-travel-1.5472179

It's a very short ride from Ft Lauderdale airport to cruise ship terminal.

Taxis are pretty reasonable and they have vans. Probably need two taxi for passengers and luggage. Cost is about $15 per trip not person. 

I found that I usually pay the price that is quoted when I first booked.