FlaMariner

Good to know..... Do you recall how Carnival knew they wanted a table for two when assigning tables? Our TA put us down for early sitting but table type (for two) was not listed.

Agree. If you travel with computer and other "devices" you need it...We made the mistake of buying pocket wifi and our Verizon phone would have served us totally. Live and learn.

Thank You....Can do. Not excited about the 6" spread but will tolerate. (The table for two, first sitting is the way we roll on Holland America Line (and not 6" apart) but we had a "one and done" cruise on Princess where we had to beg and plead every evening for the same table for two w/the same waitstaff....glad to know Carnival will allow!)

I confirm this..... Friday evening.....I was going to the USA (in the "arrive from international and proceed to connections to USA" sterile area at Montreal airport....I was required to take off my shoes. No such "known traveler" line in Montreal Friday evening for folks going to the USA (in the "arrive from international and proceed to connections to USA" sterile area at Montreal airport). I was able to use Global Entry after the security check to get in front of around 12 folks in the USA passport check line. And there were only two security lines open......my entire 2.5 hour Montreal airport experience (after a 12 hour trans-Pacific flight) consisted of standing in a slow moving line and then after clearance, running to my already boarding flight (with one quick trip to the one seater bathroom while Her Majesty held my place in the snails pace line).

Our experience flying Air Canada Tokyo to Montreal last week..... We booked a window and aisle in the back of the plane. As the plane filled, we could see on the seat map that the front of the plane kept getting full but we remained safe with our open middle seat near the last row. Our strategy worked but we were ready to give up the aisle if it was booked.......We felt like we had "beat the system" with the "free" extra room.... The plane was full but not sold out....thus the least favorable seats.....center row, back of the bus, were not chosen. We were victorious. (Another silly game we play with Delta is to lug our carry on bag to the gate and then get it checked for free because they almost always ask for "volunteers" to check their baggage to alleviate no room overhead...again, our game to "beat the system". LOL)

never touched, saw or had possession of my luggage in Montreal.

Never left the secure area.... Went from debarking an International flight (Tokyo to Montreal) to the area for "connecting passengers to USA".....never an exit area. Steps: 1) debarked flight from Tokyo 2) followed signs and direction of employees herding us USA cats to "connecting to USA"...all in same area, sterile world with limited bathrooms, walls, escalators and peeps with ID badges around their necks. 3) waited 1 hour and 50 minutes in slow moving line 4) pulled out of line to front because our fight was coming up 5) went thru security (shoes off, liquids confiscated, the usual hassles) 6) next was face recognition kiosk for folks with global entry 7) to USA border/passport check agent 8). to flight boarding for USA

And the package #1 on this list above was the exact same list we had on our 10/1/23 Westerdam cruise. And for the first time in a long time, all the wines we ordered were available.

The price was the same (pre-book or onboard) when we were onboard the Westerdam 10/1/23 cruise. $299 per person 13 nights.

Again, relating to our recent Westerdam cruise..... The World Stage was busy every night..... an instrumentalist (2 different shows) a comedian (2 different shows) a vocalist (2 different shows) a men's quartet (2 different shows) step one (3 different shows) The schedule was busy during the day.... daily presentation on Japan from a professor almost daily EXC talks on a variety of interesting topics (dog sledding in Alaska, etc.) future cruise presentations afternoon movies port talks trivia (many, many times and very, very popular, so it seemed) wine tastings tea towel folding, etc. coffee chats City on the Sea presentation about the inner workings of the ship and many more And the other venues were jumping in the evening Billboard Onboard (our favorite, the female singer was from the maiden Rotterdam 7 cruise) Rolling Stones (always a crowd) Ocean Bar band...seemed to be popular w/many folks as we passed going to/from dinner also, Orange Party also, Westerdam Ball featuring the captain and the officers dancing with the passengers and every now and then an officer had a party gift (bottle of champagne, gift cards) for the dancing partner. We love the Holland America Line entertainment.....and the library!

Just off the Westerdam (dis-embarked 10/15) and the step one dancers were alive and well on the ship....With three different shows. (We did not go as we are not interested...but they were there!)

FWIW We had no problems getting passport photos onboard with the photo staff while onboard the Westerdam this month. We were charged $49 for two of us (misc charge as there is no standard pricing for that). Expensive perhaps but worth it to us since we had the time, the need and the OBC! Thanks to @VMax1700 for previously asking onboard for us if this was possible.

You are not dealing with the teamsters at Port Everglades. We just returned from Japan. Do not tip them. Protection payments/tips are not required and yes, are an insult. We've never felt safer and more confident in folks doing their job correctly (and with pride and care) as we experienced in Japan.

FWIW We just arrived/departed Japan and there was no issue with our scripts nor were they analyzed by anyone. I had two script bottles but the lady did not seem to care about them nor look at them. She did search our luggage at the port exit but I think she was looking for stuff other than our scripts.

We just did this.... We took a trans-pacific (HAL) cruise and arrived at Yokohama 10/15 then spent 5 nights at the Yokohama Sheraton. Fantastic first time visit to Asia. Our itinerary: Sunday arrived and took Yokohama Metro (blue line) 3 blocks from the ship to Yokohama station. Hotel is accessible underground from the Yokohama train station. Activated Japan rail pass and got seat reservations. Train to Tokyo and evening dinner cruise in Tokyo. Back to Yokohama late night Monday....train to Tokyo Tuesday...bullet train to Kyoto....from Yokohama took regular JR train to Shin-Yokohoma station to catch bullet train. Passed by Mt Fuji on bullet train....that was enough of Mt Fuji for us. Tea with the gisha and good food and sights. Wednesday....back to Tokyo via train ...... then afternoon in Yokohama China town and harbor. Thursday....bullet train to Kanazawa. Took regular JR train to Tokyo (28 minutes) and then bullet train to Kanazawa...fun day of gardens, castles and sempora...sp? Friday.....final shopping in Yokohama (dept store above train station) and then Narita Express train to the airport. Trains were easy, frequent, clean, fast and ON TIME! We had a "green car" JR pass and that was a nice extra. glad we did that. Ask me anything.

FWIW Arrived back from Japan Friday.....We bought the pocket wifi but would not do it again. Why? The pocket wifi worked fine but Her Majesty ditched it and just used her Verizon phone and internet was fast and always available and only costs ten bucks a day. For us, the pocket wifi was a unnecessary expense and hassle. Verizon worked fine (and fast all day) for us.

just recently.... booked a shore excursion for Kushiro.....paid them. Then a few days later, said other folks had backed out and price would be higher or no go.....Chose no go and a refund. Took longer than I would have liked to respond and longer than I would have liked to refund the money. I was made whole but did not enjoy the experience.

FWIW We are USA citizens. We flew Tokyo to Montreal to Orlando Friday (10/21/23) and this is our real life experience doing the Montreal connection (International arrival to USA connecting) Our flight from Tokyo to Montreal was great (on time departure, early arrival). At Montreal, we followed the signs (and the folks directing us) to "connections to USA". We waited in a slow moving line for 1 hour and 50 minutes. As time would tick, Air Canada officials would shout out a soon to depart flight and would pull folks out of the line. We were pulled out of the snail's pace line after 1 hour and 50 minutes. We then were brought to the front of a security checkpoint line (one of two security checkpoint lines open). After that, we then proceeded to USA entry. We have global entry. Before entering the USA border control line, we were able to visit a face recognition kiosk that looked at our face and scanned our passport. We were then given a green light to enter the Global Entry line and we were done (we do not have global entry ID cards and did not need them). We then ran at breakneck speed to arrive at our connecting flight that was boarding. This was not a pleasant experience....but....the fare was low....($480 one way Tokyo to Orlando) the flights were fine....I think Air Canada is trying to fill their flights with enticing fares to USA folks and it is working.....but agonizing. Would I book this flight again? Absolutely....if the price is right. Question for the air wise: If I arrived from an international flight (having completed security screening in Tokyo) and did not leave the "secure area", why did I have to go thru security screening again before boarding the connecting (to USA) flight?

What should I expect on Carnival if I want a table for two every evening, first sitting, same waiters (my reservation is listed as first sitting)? Is that a challenge or the way they still roll?

...there you go...keep selling it but rarely go there.....genius.....LOL

If I were a cruise line, I'd promote a cruise stop in Key West all the way up until a month before sailing and then I'd cancel it and add Bimini or Freeport and tell them "operational reasons". It's a good way to help fill up the ship. Happened to us twice since the unpleansantness (Covid). You've gotta' wonder.......

Smart move by HAL....only takes a few folks (say 5-10% or less? of the folks) to say yes to make it a worthy direct mail offer. Some folks will bite. Some folks buy water on the ship. Some do not. Different strokes for different folks.

So true! We are departing tomorrow for 23 days and just taking what you take.....a carry on w/a backpack......and "rinse and repeat" with the clothes...and this is our first time as 4 *'s so we've made it to the pinnacle of all benefits.....FREE LAUNDRY.....LOL. not sure it gets any better.

If you are into history and if it is still offered, you should look for "origin story" on the first evening. Very informative presentation at the main stage about the long and storied history of Holland America Line. Again, you should go if you are into history and want to learn more about HAL. (Disclaimer: not saying you must but merely a suggestion. I get in trouble on here if I come across as though I am requiring someone to do something. LOL)

Yep. Usually at 3pm on sea days in the Main Dining Room (MDR). We always go when Mother is onboard. They pour the tea and plop a 3 tiered plate of delicious goodies (sandwiches and sweets) on your table. You should go. (Disclaimer: not saying you must but merely a suggestion. I get in trouble on here if I come across as though I am requiring someone to do something. LOL)