netpj

Slightly off topic - is there a way to find the specific nightly dress code for a booking? I can't seem to find it for our upcoming Dawn cruises. Thank you.

Thanks for posting, we are looking forward to reading the rest of your impressions. We will be on Dawn for 26 days starting late January. The menu you posted looked intriguing. We recently returned from a cruise on Oceania, a line we have cruised many times. We were very disappointed with both the selection and quality of the food, especially in the main dining room. Not nearly as much variety as in the past, repetitive and many hot items served cold by the time it reached us. We're hoping our experience on Dawn will be better.

We are in our senior years and were looking forward to resuming some leisure travel. We had two family emergencies in the UK in 2021 and one earlier this year. Masking on planes and testing was required. Although, especially this year, many in the UK were not masked, we were and despite the circumstances of the trips, at least we didn't catch Covid. We have done 3 cruises, 2 of which required masks and testing at the time, and we were fine. We just returned from a 10 day "use the FCC or lose it" cruise, in Canada/New England. No testing or masks required. We tested ourselves before boarding and were fine. We stayed masked as much as possible but had to use the elevators from time to time. We are vaccinated with primary and 2 boosters but the bivalent booster was not available here before we left so have not had that one. Felt like we had a cold the day we returned, tested, and after all this time and other trips, it has finally caught up with us. Fortunately, very mild symptoms very difficult to distinguish from cold/flu when mild. All anyone can do is take whatever level of precaution they are comfortable with and hope for the best. Perhaps land based travel is "safer" than cruising but I'm sure many would disagree.

We will be sailing her in the Caribbean in February. We enjoy dining outside when we can, especially in the Caribbean and are wondering if outside dining is available in the evening at La Terrazza or just during the day? Thanks!

We wonder if other premium lines are faring any better? We are longtime cruisers on Oceania and having just returned from a 10 day voyage experienced many similar issues to the comments about Silversea which we have also sailed in the past and will be sailing in February. Just like Silversea being rolled into RC, Oceania is rolled into Norwegian and Cunard into Carnival so it seems like these larger corporations are not premium line friendly. It would be nice to think that these lines will be able to return to previous standards in the future.

We received this from Oceania by email; however, it does not refer to your sailing on Oct. 31. EMBARKATION REQUIREMENTS – VACCINATION & SAFETY Dear Valued Guests and Travel Advisors, We have an important update to the travel requirements for voyages embarking to oWer from Canada. Effective October 1, 2022, guests will no longer need to: Submit travel plans via ArriveCAN Provide proof of vaccination Provide a negative Covid-19 test result or undergo embarkation day testing These requirements affect Insignia’s October 1, October 11, and October 21 voyages.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/arrivecan-border-covid-end-1.6595710

Thanks Fouremco: That was very comprehensive and helpful.

We will be staying about 3 months, primarily in Barabados but could be visiting some other islands. I was thinking I'll try to get a local SIM card in Barbados from Digicel or Flow but happy to receive any other suggestions.

Today's news that lifting of pandemic border measures will be signed-off next week, does not indicate anything about the requirement for pre-embarkation testing if embarking in Canada. I seem to remember that cruise ships were covered under a separate Order as "Broberts" indicated above. Hopefully, this will be addressed.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a SIM card to use for an extended stay in the Caribbean? Thanks!

Thanks for the comments. It's not the first US port but given it is a Friday, we have booked an afternoon flight (1:30). If there are issues at LGA, weather issues or traffic is a probem etc. etc. there are later flights that day but not until 5:00 pm. but at least there are options!

I have a question for anyone who has disembarked in NYC. Is it realistic to book a noon (domestic flight) departure from LGA?. We are not sure how bad the traffic is heading to LGA from Manhatten cruise terminal in the morning. Thanks!

I was under the impression that for Canadian citizens and Canadian passports, it is not necessary for the passport to be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Canada. Have I missed something? My passport (10 years) expires next July but I'm hoping to be away over the winter and will have less than 6 months remaining on my passport when I return. If that is likely to be a problem, I'll apply early have been avoiding doing that due to all the passport wait time issues etc.

We are wondering if anyone has stayed on Deck 8, particularly starboard under the patio bar. We were just wondering if there was any "noise" from above i.e. moving furniture or anything similar? Thanks in advance.

Lois, it sounds like you have created your ArriveCan account. Have you uploaded your vaccination proof? If so, that is all you can do now. The remainder will need to wait until at least 72 hrs. prior to arrival in Canada. Having used the App several times, it is really not a problem. If you want, you can do a trial run using the dates that the App provides now, and you will be able to see the rest of the screens, just don't hit the "submit" button at the end. You can trash the trial run and it will not affect your account. It is strange that there is no place to indicate "in-transit". Others have used the terminal address I believe. Actually Silversea should have experience with this so should be able to advise. I think you will be on Silver Dawn in Jan. or Feb? We will be on from Jan. 23 so hope to meet you! - Naomi

We are presently on QE. In the onboard information booklet passengers are asked to wear masks indoors except in the bars and when eating in restaurants. Although many are complying, there is still a good proportion who either did not read the information or who have chosen to ignore it. In one of her announcements the Captain referred to the written information almost in passing. No information about current cases onboard.

From the thread for Queen Elizabeth embarking today, July 11 in Vancouver. "Bit of a nightmare for many of us arriving in Vancouver yesterday. BA managed to leave behind 170+ bags and will not be able to get them here until after the ship as sailed! They say they will deliver the bags either to Sitka or Juneau but I am not sure I have faith! Some people have no bags at all. The gala evenings will be a bit different!" As an aside, we flew on Westjet from Terminal 3 at Pearson on Saturday, late morning. No problems at all and we arrived in Vancouver on time and with our luggage.

When you complete ArriveCan prior to embarkation (if still required in September) you indicate Victoria as port of entry into Canada. We are presently waiting to board our flight to Vancouver to board Queen Elizabeth on Monday and completed and received ArriveCan receipt with Victoria as port of entry.

Hopefully, anyone flying into Canada for embarkation on Monday is already here or were able to complete ArriveCan successfully. As of this morning, as mentioned in an earlier post, there is a massive internet/cell signal outage across the country on one of the networks of the only 2 major providers in Canada. All kinds of things are affected as per this story. We have been using a global mobile hotspot so were able to complete most of the technological paperwork required for embarkation. The Canada Border Services Agency said the outage is impacting travel at the border, with many unable to complete their ArriveCan submissions to enter into the country. "For the duration of the outage, impacted travellers are required to submit their information using the Traveller Contact Information Form, to be completed prior to arrival at the border if unable to submit via ArriveCan," the agency said in a tweet. Paper copies of proof of vaccination will also be required, said the CBSA. The form can be found online here.

I think you will be able to do for both yourself and husband but not completely sure as we haven't used the Advance Declaration yet. We completed the ArriveCan submission for embarkation but it didn't ask for a CBSA Declaration as we are staying on the ship until Fort Lauderdale hence not terminating cruise in Canada. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/border-tech-frontiere/declare-before-avant-eng.html

The CBSA declaration is a new addition to ArriveCan. It permits the user to complete a customs declaration in advance. I haven't used it yet as I haven't been out of the country since this electronic Declaration was introduced; however, if Vancouver airport is the same as Toronto airport, (I think it is) there will be kiosks in the arrivals hall where you scan your passport and complete the customs Declaration. I guess doing the Declaration in advance will cut-down the amount of time at the kiosk, you will still have to see a live agent after that. More information here: https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/navigate-yvr/customs-and-immigration/canada-border-services-agency/canada-border-clearance Hope you are flying direct to Vancouver without having to change planes in Toronto. The airport here has been an absolute nightmare over the last month or so with long lines, lost baggage etc. However, I have read that Vancouver is not experiencing the same problems. Will find out tomorrow. Hopefully this will get posted, there is a major internet/mobile meltdown today across the country involving a major service provider (I use).

I am using an “alternative” means to connect as I am trying to complete ArriveCan. Speaking of which, for anyone with internet service, if first port in Canada is Victoria, is it Ogden Point or Victoria operations?

Victoria is our first entry port for ArriveCan purposes. The app gives two choices, Ogden Point, piers A and B or Victoria operations. Any advice on which one to select or does it matter? Thanks in advance.

Just tried again, and saved profiles are showing we're glad to say.