T8NCruise

1 hour ago, PROCRUISE said:

We already figured that our August 2021

Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver would be a no go. Things could change but, Canada is also falling far short with vaccinations compared to most other large countries.

And some small countries (Israel, England, etc!)  Yes, I believe we are in about 22nd place in vaccination rollout.  Most of my UK relatives have already had their first shot, and some had 2nd.  I may get mine late summer.

1 minute ago, zelker said:

So now the question becomes what will HAL and all the other lines that had planned to have ships doing the Alaska and New England runs this summer do with all those ships? 

 

Food for thought................

I'm sure they were expecting it and have a contingency plan.  Or not.  I would be very surprised if any cruises from/to anywhere go ahead this year.  I hope I'm wrong.

2 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

Yes, but Omar just ruined another bunch of businesses..

No, the pandemic did that.

13 minutes ago, JoeN said:

Could it be payback for Canadian jobs being lost due to the cancellation of the pipeline?

Seriously?  Have you any idea of the losses we suffer with cancellation of the season?  I live in Vancouver, and believe me, it has hurt.  So your comment is way off-base.
And is anyone really surprised?  As much as I miss cruising, this is a sensible decision, and as the Minister day, can be revisited if there is a big improvement in the pandemic situation,.

2 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

What I posted was fact, not sentiment. I see Canadians as mostly no different than anyone else, including Americans.  I do, however, have a problem with hypocrites.  Don't bash the spread of COVID in the US and cheer the border closure, but then give a free pass to those who are flying here right now on extended vacations and taking advantage of our vaccine availability.

Is there a link to media report (I'm there must have been some) of the riot created by Canadians demanding vaccines in the US?

15 hours ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

So it’s “anti-Canadian” to point out the fact that closed Canadian ports is a barrier to Alaska cruising?  Huh?  I know there are some sensitive types on these boards, but that’s ridiculous. 

No.  The content of his following posts showed clear anti-Canadian sentiment.  

15 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

Well, congratulations.  You successfully changed the context of this thread and of my post just to get a couple of your countrymen to hit "like" on your post.  No one said it's not common sense.  The point is that it is still an obstacle to whether or not the Alaska cruise season exists this year.....you know, the actual topic of this thread.  🙄

 

 

Dear oh dear, touched a nerve?  The context of the thread was not changed except by your anti-Canadian post, as evidenced further on.  Nor do I care who "likes" a post of mine or not.  Do you actually take the time to see who does that?  

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

 

I hear what you're saying but what was true last spring isn't necessarily true today.  Alaska is making preparations for a 2021 cruise season and births are already reserved for individual ships in most ports.  At this point in time, I think it is very fair to say that Canada is a significant obstacle.  I certainly would not say Canada is the least of obstacles.  

Too bad we're considered an obstacle.  I prefer to think of it as common sense especially with the US expected to hit 500K deaths soon.  It's a pandemic requiring many precautions.

On 1/19/2021 at 8:07 AM, KirkNC said:

I believe Canada will remain closed to cruise ships until 2022, no facts to support it, just an opinion.

As a Vancouverite, I believe you are right.  There is no desire to open the border to US visitors now or in the near future.  The virus has to be absolutely contained and all vaccinated first - and Canada is very slow with the vaccinations.  

Having cruised with friends for many years, we have always taken the necessary steps to link our bookings for dining.  Most of us are 4 or 5*.  Never once has HAL gotten it right, and one cruise at check-in, one couple was on early dining (we always do main), and all at different tables.  It is now part of the first day routine to spend time sorting the dining bookings.  Always check your table allocation on your key card at the time of checking in, don't wait till dinner time!

Because "your money" isn't the most important thing in life. 

3 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

Just wondering in 20024 I was 66  yrs old &  both I & my wife had no problems in getting our Flu shots ,at our doctor 's offices locally .So it seemed strange when you posted bus loads of American's  show up in Vancouver to get flu shots . Glad that your country could help us out .After all we are neighbors   & we spend considerable money in Canada . We have been to  Both BC & Alberta  & New Brunswick  many times   for our cruises  . We even spent weeks in all the areas on our trips because we really enjoyed seeing different scenery & ding different things . I played golf at Banff Springs Golf Course  with your fellow Canadians  . Gorgeous area of Canada ,the Canadian Rockies .  We have done 5  Alaska tours  & always stayed in Vancouver or Vancouver island  .Those 2 english tudor homes we bought in Vancouver island turned out to be a gold mine  both in rentals & ultimately sales .

 

 Cliff

Thank you so much for keeping us going on Canada.   Couldn't do it without you.

Come to think of it, we have spent a ton of money in the US too, especially on our many pre- and pre-cruise stays, so happily it is reciprocal.

11 hours ago, OzCanuck said:

It was due to a shortage in 2004.

 

https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/oct/22/20041022-093812-9315r/

Thank you.  Likely it will be ignored by those who doubted me.

13 hours ago, Roz said:

 

That doesn't make sense to me either.  We have lots of options (most low or no cost or included with insurance) for getting a flu shot.  

Oh believe me, it happened.  I don't lie and it was well publicised at the time.  Can't remember if it was because the us had a shortage, or the expense.

On 12/9/2020 at 6:22 PM, kazu said:

 

I totally agree with you even though I am in Canada.

 

I am not going to tie up an appointment with my physician for a flu shot.  I go to my pharmacy.  It’s well arranged.  

My physician appreciates it as her time is valuable and there are many more people that need her than I do to get a shot.

I see her when needed but resources are short especially in these times and for a simple vaccine, my pharmacist is trained and very good.

 

Pharmacists are a godsend as they take some of the burden from the physicians and make it easier to administer so many vaccines to many more people.  JMO.

Your post reminded me of a few years ago, when I worked in downtown Vancouver, we couldn't even get into the local pharmacies because coachloads of US citizens were coming in every day to get flu shots at the pharmacy.  When you only had lunch time to get your errands - and maybe a flu shot - done, it was really annoying.  We have options - shots at at GP office, pharmacy, nurse practioner.  Glad I don't have to go to another country for it.

6 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Wow...the drama left me breathless! All the caps!.

Never mind, your smelling salts will take care of that!

On 11/28/2020 at 8:45 AM, Alberta Quilter said:

I don't think this is anything new.  I was on a full PC cruise in 2009 and we didn't stop at HMC.  We sailed west to east and the last port was Aruba.

I've done the full transit quite a few times since then, and HMC has always been on the itinerary.  In the earlier cruises, so was Curacao and Aruba.  In the past few years these have been missed, which is too bad as they are popular ports.  As HMC is so "iffy" and dependent on weather and calm seas for tenders, I believe HAL was planning a dock for the island.

This is the second year that I tried to get the higher dose flu shot, and it is in short supply here, so no luck and I got the regular shot.  Right now in BC it is available to anyone in long term care, whereas other seniors have to pay for it..  If you can get it.  But I have had the regular flu shot every year for as long as I can remember and it has been effective.  The real flu will knock you off your feet completely for at least a week, don't want to repeat that.  It annoys me when someone who is walking, working or sniffling, says they have the flu.  Nope, you do not.
I am hoping a vaccine for Covid will be safe and effective, but think I will wait awhile when it does come out.  In the meantime, we mask, stay home as much as possible and follow all the other common-sense rules.

17 hours ago, sail7seas said:

How about an abbreviated version of Mainers magazine sent  as  e-mail?  Let some of their formerly 'most loyal'  guests know  that  HAL still exists?   ..  in one form or another

 

 I Never even think to go to what was once their website.

Does   that still exist?

 

I'm sure there are thousands of "most loyal" guests and, as one of them, - no, not had a single item either by email or snail mail since Covid hit.  But I don't really care, I'm quite happy not getting inundated with "stuff".  I can go online and get any info I want or need.

On 10/4/2020 at 5:53 PM, Hlitner said:

I think the ban on American travelers is one time that Canada got it right.  For us it meant canceling an annual winery trip to Ontario and keeping our dollars home. Unfortunately, our favorite Canadian B&B was forced to sell out because she lost all of her American business.   As to the decent Ontario wines we purchase on those trips we easily replaced them with West Coast USA wines.

 

Hank

I finally got to get away from home for a couple of days, and stayed at a favourite American tourist destination here in BC, Canada - Harrison Hotsprings.  While at a store there I commented to the owner that it must have been a tough year for them with the lack of business from the US.  Oh no, she said - we've had our busiest year yet with Canadians taking "staycations", first with BC residents, and then later with Canadians from across the country.  So yes, we did get it right.  

My last cruise was on the Zaandam, which had the "old" Crows Nest, and we loved it!  However, I think she has since been in dry dock, so it was changed, though as she is to be the new World Cruise ship, I can't imagine the regular world cruisers would like the new concept.

14 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Welcome to the daily.  This is her profile:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/158251-wizard-of-roz/

 

Roy

Thank you, Roy.  Different person.  Relieved but sad at the same time.

I'm a lurker on this thread but have to post - can someone please verify that this isn't our regular Roz that posts frequently on CC?  Someone mentioned a slightly different name.  I have met Roz several times, much younger than me, and such a nice person.

12 hours ago, Cruisin Kay D said:

I am sure I will get alot of negative comments about my statement below, but I am saying it anyway:

Honestly I don't understand what the issue is now with Canadians not wanting Americans in their city/country.  The covid # are getting lower & lower.  Schools in many areas have been open.  Things are opened up.  It's CNN & major media that are hyping covid, which was the worst in the larger cities.    So did the covid virus not show up in Canada?     (FYI: I am 79 yrs old, and educated.)

You just need to do a little (very little) research to see and understand the reasoning.  We will be very happy to see our US neighbours and cruise ship again when you have more control in your own country.

On 9/17/2020 at 12:49 PM, dogs4fun said:

I have wondered about this very issue. We have a friend who is extremely sensitive to fragrances - she carries an EpiPen for acute allergy attacks. I witnessed one of her acute attacks caused by cologne worn by a person seated near us at a concert - it was very frightening. Thank goodness she had her EpiPen! 

The usual diversion - every time smoking was mentioned on CC, fragrances was mentioned.  The worst offenders were usually those who smoke and douse themselves in perfume to cover the smell (it didn't work).