Florida_gal_50

4 hours ago, cbr663 said:

 

We were in Saint Thomas once and the tour guide told us that the temp dropped to 17C one day and they kept the kids home from school as it was too cold.

 

Then again, I was also at work in downtown Vancouver one day in a board meeting when all of a sudden the meeting came to an abrupt stop as there was wet snowing falling.  People at the meeting were wondering if they could leave early for a snow day.  It's all relative 😉

That’s crazy.  People should have to suffer in minus 40 like we do for at least a couple weeks per year.  I’m so happy I’ll only have to endure one more winter of working before I’m planning to retire.  I won’t miss going out in that.

As Canadians we are used to the cold.  I remember being in LA one time when it was 60f and people were wearing gloves and shivering.  We’d be wearing shorts and no coat with those temperatures.

I renewed mine in the last year or so.  Couldn’t tell you how much it was.  Even with the $120 fee that works out to $2 a month.  It’s time to stop traveling if I can’t afford that.

26 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

 

The insurance companies are going to "make you" buy the CFAR insurance at the point of booking, or usually within 10-14 days of booking because, refundable deposit or not, as you get closer to the departure day, full payment date, and penalties that may kick in after full payment, you may have found a reason that you want to use for cancellation and that is the sole reason you are now purchasing the policy.  They want your money for that 6 or 9 months or more before you take the CFAR for any reason option.

 

This insurance is such a game and gamble.

 

CFAR when coming from the Cruise Line, is a voucher for future use, and generally not a refund.

 

CFAR from an insurance company is generally a percentage payout of the full fare, if there is a cash back option and not the full fare.

 

None of us want to have a covered reason that is required by most insurance policies to cancel, because that in most cases is not a good reason.

 

We look at it this way because we often book 12-18 months out for most of our cruises, and we are not paying an insurance company that much that far out as we would likely be paying $1,200.00 for the both of us for the value of each cruise.  We can have 2 or 3 cruises booked in the future at any time.  That could mean that we are out of pocket 3-4K with money sitting with insurance companies.

 

Just as a note, we don't buy medical, and only cancellation and interruption insurance.  We have medical through work.

 

Our typical scenario:

 

* Refundable deposit - great

* Full payment due 6 months out

* First penalty 4 months or 120 days from sailing

 

This means that 121 days before sailing we can cancel and get all back but $100.00 per person with Viking Cruise lines.  This may be different with other cruise lines.

 

What we do is we make a final decision at 121 days out that other than an actual covered reason that qualifies under the insurance policy, we are going.  If there is doubt at all, then we would cancel and forfeit the $100 per person.

 

Hope this makes sense.  This is why we don't purchase CFAR.

 

Hal gives you money back, not a future credit.  Princess gives you a future cruise credit unless it’s for a covered reason.  Things crop up closer to sailing in my experience than 120 days out so CFAR works for me.  If it doesn’t work for others so be it.

47 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

If you are careful following all the rules for mailing in your passport application (so it doesn’t have to be returned) mailing in an application is barely more difficult than doing it online. 

I may decide to do that.  I'm good at following instructions.  

3 hours ago, Atlantic Girl said:

It is so convenient and efficient go to a Service Canada office to get a passport renewal. Online application may be available in the fall, but when you go in person to Service Canada you know when you leave that your passport WILL be issued. Also you know your photo has been accepted and payment verified. We live in a very small town in Nova Scotia which has a Service Canada office, and no appointment is needed. From the day we went to the office it was just shy of 3 weeks until our passports came in the mail. This was January of this year. No stress wondering if it is going to be processed. Service Canada gives you a tracking number so you can check on the progress online. 

Yes, I can imagine in a tiny town it would be. I live in a major metropolitan city.   Just for giggles I looked on line the other day.  The wait was 3.5 hours.  I still work so never mind the 3.5 hour plus the time to get there you are looking at a half of a day minimum. Just because something works for me or someone else can you assume that’s the way it is for everyone?  The only good thing for me is that I’m hoping to be retired by the time I need my next passport.

1 hour ago, broberts said:

Hasn't happened yet. In fact since extensive media coverage of the May 10, 2023 announcement nothing but crickets.

I was looking on behalf of someone else about a month ago but I didn’t look a lot.  Took a better look today.  Mine doesn’t expire until Dec of 2026 I believe so maybe the govt will have it ready by then 😛.  Thanks for the reply.

I thought renewing a Canadian passport online was supposed to start in fall of 2023.  It doesn’t look like that is happening.  Has anyone heard anything further on this? I don’t keep up with the news that much but I wasn’t able to find anything by googling.  Thanks for any help.

I was on a partial Panama cruise that started in Fort Lauderdale on November 12 and we definitely got to Cartagena after the 14th.  Didn’t hear a peep about this.

I’m not sure why anyone would wait to pick a cabin unless you don’t have to pay for it immediately.  While club orange can be difficult to get on the pinnacle ships I got it no problem on my last cruise on a non pinnacle 7 weeks before sailing.  I’m not saying that will be the case on every sailing but there is a lot less reason to get it on the non pinnacle. 

6 hours ago, kluv2cruz said:

Thanks. My TA said I’d lose perks and my cabin. I’ll try calling the CO number.

It seems when you do this they have to speak to a pricing specialist whatever that means because club orange does muddy the water with the upgrade and all.  Good luck!

12 minutes ago, Torquer said:

Is that correct?  We seldom get the beverage package, but I thought I remember last time we did, that I was billed full price for a drink that was just over the limit.  This was pre-covid, and I think the limit then was $9 per drink.  But of course, I could be totally mis-remembering it too.

Yes it is correct.  It's been the situation for about 6 months or maybe slightly more.

17 minutes ago, 3113Timmy said:

I'm considering doing the cruise from Fort Lauderdale to South America on the 40 day version debarking at BA in Oct-Nov.

 

Is it permissible to do your own overland excursion for Macchu Picchu, for example, leaving at Lima and picking up at Pisco? 

 

Do they allow you to do your own thing and come back on a later port? I am happy to pay for my own expenses in the meantime.

Do lots of research.  I know at one time transportation was not all that reliable to do it on your own.  That was probably 10 years ago so I may be better now.

21 hours ago, sseibert3 said:

Just returned on July 8th.

I did not notice an exceptional number of youngsters on this trip.

We were also fixed time early - 5PM.  Table for two on the rail. 

Scott 

That’s getting earlier and earlier all the time.  I know a lot of people post that it’s at 5:30 which I knew was wrong so thanks for providing correct information.

7 hours ago, kluv2cruz said:

Hi there. Sometimes, if I’m lucky, I can get my cruise fare reduced if the price goes down after I’ve booked but before final payment. I notice Have It All says “Low Price Guarantee” is included.

 

Does anyone have experience with how this would work with CO? 
 

I’ve deposited on an obstructed balcony and CO allowed me to chose a better balcony. That better category of balcony is now, of course, waitlisted. The obstructed balcony is now a few hundred $ cheaper and is still available. 
 

I’m imagining, HAL will say I could refare, but I’d have to drop my better balcony, risk it not being available, then rebook at lower fare, and try to re-grab the better balcony.

 

Has anyone had success with a fare reduction when CO is involved? Any possibility of a substitute perk like SBC being offered instead of risking the loss of my better balcony for a price reduction?

 

Thanks for any wisdom/experience.

Yes, I deal with a pcc and it was no problem.  I kept my room.  I do have club orange in case that’s not clear. I did lose some obc getting the new fare which was expected and she told me before we proceeded.  That low fare guarantee is a bit of a joke if you read the parameters around it.

32 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

How do you know the ship is sold out? If you are going to buy Club Orange, I would be checking the actual status of available cabins before I ask this question.

Absolutely, especially since the only benefit in my mind on a non pinnacle is the room upgrade.  If you can’t get that, it not worth the money.

12 minutes ago, Ellesor826 said:

We missed this sailing sale.  
Would have definitely booked with a $1- deposit.  
Was an email sent out - how did y’all find out about the $1 deposit 

😢🥺

There was a thread here but on the Canadian website it was blasted over the front page.  I assume it was on the USA site but I don’t see it so I’m not sure.

29 minutes ago, cmrvancouver said:

We are cruising for just 7 days. We can always hope....

My last cruise was 15 days.  No special dinners.  I’d bet my next paycheque there won’t be anything on the 7 day.  I’m assuming you are getting closer to sailing.  If it’s this year,  if there are special dinners they should be showing online under specialty dining.   There are a number of specialty restaurants on the koningsdam.  I don’t think you’ll miss it.

9 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

We found almost no drink menus in any HAL bar or lounge on our last two cruises, 39 and 14 days. So, how much is any specific drink?  You have to ask a waiter and that is  one more reason we do not buy HIA or the Signature Bev packages. 

I always ask.  I can’t remember a time I’ve paid anything extra but they are making money on me for sure.  I used to but wine packages where I have a 50 percent discount but I really find I prefer a cocktail.  It’s kinda nice to try new things.  My boss suggested a limoncello Moscow mule.  It was 🤮.  I’m glad I didn’t have to “pay” for that puppy.

3 hours ago, ldtr said:

It is a deal if you use it for a non refundable rate, instead of the more expensive refundable rate.

??????

4 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

By a strange coincidence, it worked out to a 40% discount for me. My Vista on the V'dam was far cheaper than an inside on the usual cruise.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A4G03BY3C/K449A.html

 

Look at next year's Alaska itineraries. Last week, you could get $350 pp deals for the standard 7-D cruise.

I'm not asking for the list of super deals.  I can find those easily on my own.  I was asking why the $1 deposit was a "super deal".  I understand that a normal deposit is more.  It's still not a "deal".  Pricing is the same.

7 hours ago, POA1 said:

Is the photo functionality only available close to boarding time? I can't find it in the app. (Maybe I don't know how it works....)

I think that’s likely the case.  I can’t find it but I know I’ve done it.  It’s been a waste of time for me.  I’ve uploaded a professionally taken picture so it’s not blurry and it looks like me and they ended up taking it at check in anyway like they always do. I don’t bother anymore and it’s not an issue.

3 hours ago, Kate45 said:

We won't be using the Nav App at all. I've been told it's not absolutely necessary and pics will get taken at the terminal. Hope this is indeed true.

You’ll be fine. 

16 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

You can get double meat?

Apparently it’s still not a lot.  I overheard on dude saying to the server that’s double meat?  I’m not a smoked meat fan but I do like a rueben.  I’d be happy with a couple of slices myself.

I really enjoy the 12 oz lobster tail in sel de mer and the  pizza is pretty good at New York pizza.

1 hour ago, HappyInVan said:

The problem for HAL is that regular pax  will now wait for super-deals to make a booking. So, HAL has to oblige in order to fill the bookings. Then, Celebrity takes a shortcut and offers a 40% discount for every cruise, leaving HAL with $1 in deposits and a problem as embarkation day approaches.

 

I learnt my lesson from my Alaska cruise in spring. After FP, prices collapsed. A Vista Suite was cheaper than my VF booking.

 

This time, my last minute deal was great. The Vista suite plus double insurance plus $1k of excursion was still slightly cheaper than the regular price. Hope that those who paid the regular price don't hear about this. 😬

 

 

How is it a super deal?  You still have to pay for it, sometimes its more $ than the day before.  Give me 40 percent off any day.