asebastian

We're planning to go there too ahead of our Baltic cruise in August. Most probably will take the train across and the bus back for a change of scenery. The train passes the small town of Zaandam, hoping to take a photo of the sign as the HAL Zaandam is one of our favorite ships!

Ah well, as it's also on our list, need to ditch the cruise and fly from Mexico or Canada direct to Cuba. The world does not revolve around American foreign policy or Trump's twitter wish.

wow, we're planning our Med cruise with HAL for mid-2021 when the schedules come out. Hopefully Venice will not be embargoed by then.

Thanks for the great response! Appreciated.

Hi Stockholm public transport experts,

We would be taking the ferry Djurgårdsfärjan 82 from Slussen in Gamla Stan to Allmänna grand; then the Tram #7 from Wasamuseet to T-Centralen Spårv.

We also intend to then walk back from the city / Drottninggatan area back to the cruise terminal in Stadsgarden thru Gamla Stan.

• Should be be purchasing a single-day SL card for the journey; or just purchasing single point-to-point tickets for the 2 journeys planned?
• Also would anyone be able to let me know how much the tickets would be (in SEK I assume) and if we can use credit card to purchase from the machines or counter ahead of the trip or purchase on board.
• Would the intended walk be doable in a space of about 3-4 hours (with a few sightseeing stops along the way)?

Thanks very much.

5 hours ago, Wombat706 said:

You cannot take non-commercially bottled water off the ship into Australia and NZ.

This is strange. My partner just got off a flight a few days ago, and had a half-filled water bottle filled from the fountain at the origin airport with her, in her hand as she came out...In Melbourne, Australia at the moment.

So glad to see a good review about TJ. For our upcoming Baltic cruise in August/September, I noticed that almost everyone in the roll call seem to have booked with Alla; however we booked with TJ due to a personal recommendation from someone who used them before. Hopefully they won't be as crowded as Alla and provide a much relaxing tour with smaller numbers.

So glad we did Antarctica with the Zaandam in Jan/Feb this year!

To those who, like me, were concerned for Island Wings, I have now got confirmation from Shona:

Thank you so much for checking in on us!  Island Wings was not involved in the incident yesterday, however we are beyond devastated as this is a very small and close knit industry and community.  Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. 

With deepest gratitude,

Michelle and Shona

1 hour ago, zelker said:

Anxiously awaiting news of who the private tour pilot was and hoping that it wasn’t Michelle from Island Wings.  I know they’re common up there but she flies a Beaver.

 

Thoughts and prayers to all who were affected by this tragic event.

First thing I checked too after hearing the news, as we flew with Michelle on the same type of aircraft, 2 years ago. None of the news items have identified the "smaller 5-seater" plane or the company. Island Wings website seems to be operating as normal, so I'm hoping for the best for her.

Wow, great photos of the NS. We're 3 months away from our first voyage with her in the Baltic cruise, and I can't wait!

On 4/19/2019 at 5:02 AM, 2cruisecats said:

We used TJ for a 2-day private tour last May.  When we booked, a deposit was not required.    Payment was on the last day.  Great service.  Great guide and driver. They have since started a deposit policy.

Interesting. We have just booked with TJ for our upcoming tour in August this year, and no deposit was required for the 2-day tour, option to pay cash on the 2nd day or pay by CC. I guess since yours was a private tour, you needed a deposit.

See here for specific info on photos, including samples:

https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/brazil/online/home/photo-specification

MySQL away on a cruise....? HHmmmm...

I use the https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/ which is the Australian mirror server, and got the same message intermittently the past few days. So whatever the problem they are having seems to have replicated itself onto other mirror servers.

Thanks everyone for your wishes. Excited to be leaving for Buenos Aires tomorrow (Jan 4th) - and arriving on the same day after almost 15 hours of flying!

Is it $20/bag for South America as well? Just about to head out to Buenos Aires for the 22-day South America and Antarctica cruise on the Zaandam.

Hi All,

As I understand, you get 1 Cruise Day per $300 of on-board spend. However, if your on-board spend is not a multiple of $300, do you forfeit the extra towards a cruise day? Does HAL round up of round down on the count? For example, if I spend $350, would I get 1 cruise day day (rounded down) or 2 cruise days (rounded up)?

Thanks

A.

Australian passport holders don't need a visa for Argentina for up to 90 days stay. The previous reciprocity fee is also no longer required.

https://argentina.embassy.gov.au/baircastellano/TAreciprocityTAreciprocity.html

For Brazilian visa, VFS remains the best and easiest way to apply (for qualifying countries):

https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/brazil/online/home/index

Your country of residency doesn't matter for visa requirements, only your citizenship and passport.

Looks like Taiwan citizens need a visa, check here https://www.visahq.com/argentina/requirements/taiwan/resident-united-states/

Or at your local Argentinian embassy. You may also need to apply the old fashioned way, at the embassy and not online according to the link I posted.

Thank you, I can see that now for 2020. Will contact my TA.

2 hours ago, crunchii said:

Canada / New England itineraries for Fall 2020 are out now. We booked ours

This is interesting, as I've been looking to book for Sep 2020, and the cruise calendar only goes up to April 2020. Care to share the itineraries or the link, please?

Last time I cruised HAL to Alaska, I noticed an Asian family with 2 teen boys having small yellow walkie talkies with them. The boys were having loads of fun with them too, over at either sides of Lido...

Thanks. Have just paid in full, so will check-in and get the boarding pass and other documents when we do that.

Hi all,

Can someone please tell me how many formal nights would occur on the 22-day South America/Antarctica cruise on Zaandam?

Thanks

FWIW, I think you might find the "day" flight from Helsinki to Hong Kong quite punishing.

Yes, I agree. Alternative flights are under consideration at the moment. Thanks.