Blackduck59

I'm not sure this is true. The rules are different for different situations. I think the question comes from an Alaska resident, I assume an American. So if he's flying within the US no passport is required. Also not all destinations have the 6 month requirement. Being Canadian I'm not sure of the "rules" for Americans on "closed loop" cruises. One thing is certain the renewal won't be "expedited" by next week and a valid passport with a short expiry is better than no passport at all. I would suggest that @akcruiser21 should get in touch with the appropriate agencies to get something more than our opinions from CC.

Thanks Leigh, I remembered you still had family there. It was just interesting to meet someone from your old home town while on a cruise on the east coast of Canada.

@possum52 Hi Leigh, I was reminded in another thread that you are from Warnambool. While we were on our east coast adventure we met a very nice lady from there. We have of course added a stop there in our road trip plan; we were going to be in the general area anyway. Her name is Robyn Logan and wouldn't it be a "small world" moment if you happened to know her. It is nice to see from that other thread that an American actually took the time to research a long land trip and was able to enjoy so many parts of OZ. I'm afraid that we won't be able to see as much as they did but I'm really starting to dislike flying so we will be covering what we can on the ground and I'm not sure Lynn would want to be away from home for 8 weeks.

I think I got the clue Linda but it's 2300 hrs. here on the wet coast (it's been raining heavily all day) and I don't want to hold up the game. It is Lynn's mom's 91st birthday tomorrow so we will be visiting her in the morning.

Safe travels Mic & Rosie

Happy to see your wonderful report. We planned our down under trip twice and Covid got in the way both times. We will have booked our cruise portion for March of 2025. That is mostly New Zealand, we plan on extensive road trip while we are in OZ. We won't see much in reality but there are quite a few CC friends to meet up with and that will be the highlight of the trip.

I think @OlsSalt has a point, that being said most that have reached the lofty 4* status and free laundry really don't look at what that cost them. It is a free bonus on money they would spend anyway, it's all about the cruising; if they want to give away laundry service...cool. I think there are some though who feel the need to mention their "status" to point out how special they are.

So for how we got 2* status with one 11 day cruise, @kazu has it about right. It was an 11 day cruise, we were in a vista suite (I know it's a veranda cabin but they call it a suite, we'll take the points thanks). We got 11 days credit for on board spending, that was a mystery to me until @crystalspin gave an explanation as to how they calculate the on board spending credits with regard to the HIA perks.

The $400.00 OBC had nothing to do with "Mariner status" that was probably part of another promotion. I think every cabin has the canvas bag, ours did.

I really don't know the ins and outs of the whole "Mariner" thing works. After we finished our first 11 day cruise with HAL we were suddenly "2* Mariners". We really don't care about "status" we will appreciate any perks that it brings but other than that, who cares? We came aboard as new guests so I guess if we get anything for being a 2* it will be on our next cruise. If it works out the same as last cruise we will actually have 3* "status" when we complete that cruise.

That works for you because of your 5* "status". The OP asked about HIA and how it worked with the mini bar, the simple answer is it doesn't. Like others have posted use the HIA drink package to get included beverages at the bar and bring them to you cabin, putting them in the fridge that you asked the steward to clear for you.

There seems to be a common thread here. We like the HIA package and understand the limitations of the beverage portion of that package. Like others have said get the steward to empty the "mini bar" set up. Keep track of your beverage count and at the end of the day grab some water, pop, beer or cider and stock you personal HIA mini bar.

I just logged on to our cruise 14 day unlimited is $119.00 on our Westerdam cruise in Australia/New Zealand. This is per cabin not per person.

are we in Alaska?

We found that a lot of tge 2 tops are right at a serving station. Wait staff sorting trays of food, lids on lids off. We have had good luck sharing a few times, others not so much.

@bundtkate I'm with you on the wine thing. My only thought is "does it taste good to ME", that should be the only criteria.

Thanks Mic. I don't really follow football, it was more about Christine leaving team Canada. I believe she will play one more year with the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Super League. Hopefully team Canada will continue to play at a high level even without her leadership on the pitch. It was a poignant moment when she left the pitch and passed the Captain's arm band to another player. While football is becoming more popular here I dare say the only reason these games sold out in short order was because Christine was retiring. Actual attendance last night was more than 48,000. Hopefully these matches were beneficial to both sides as they prepare for the Olympics.

Under no circumstances should you use a "cab" in Boston (I know you are asking about Montreal) but wanted to put it out there that cabs in Boston are terrible. Go with Uber or Lyft.

As a note to international sport between our nations. Team Canada came away with victories in both matches of a friendly series played here in British Columbia. The first match was played in front of a sold out crowd about 4 km. from my house; it was the penultimate game in international play for Christine Sinclair. Canada won by a score of 5, nil. In the other match played tonight in BC Place Stadium (re-named Christine Sinclair Place for this event) to a sold out crowd of 45,000, Canada won again with a score of 1, nil. Christine has been a legendary competitor for team Canada. Her career spanned 24 years with 331 matches played and a world record (men and women) of 190 goals scored. She will be missed as she retires from international play.

Well I think this is all going to take time to play out. Like others, I'm not sure there is a need for 2 Asian themed extra cost restaurants. If they are going to move on from Rudi's then whatever they put there should have a wide appeal, people will pay extra for unique tastes beautifully presented. Everything on the menu should be included in the cover charge, no upcharge items. I mean really, they are charging extra for lobster or steak or anything else on top of a $55.00 cover charge? You can get a lobster in the MDR for $25.00? a "Pinnacle" steak for $20.00. Our only HAL cruise didn't have Rudi's or Tamarind and if Pinnacle wasn't part of our HIA package I would have been totally underwhelmed at what we received if we had paid the normal cover charge. If you are charging $50.00 or more per person (above and beyond the meal in the MDR included in the fare) for a specialty dinner you better be able to cough up an outstanding meal with impeccable service. What exactly are you getting for the cover charge? Do they pay the staff more? Do they use better ingredients? (wouldn't those be covered in the cover charge?). There comes a point in time when the meal served should reflect the upcharge, if it doesn't you end up with empty restaurants.

That is a very appetizing presentation (hold the cilantro for me). This is the type of presentation we should expect in what is supposed to be a "fine dining" restaurant. People shouldn't have to pay extra for a specialty restaurant to get memorable food. Of course if they raise the bar in the MDR then they will have to up the game in the specialty restaurants. Dare we hope that HAL is listening and starting to realize that if they don't up their game people will shift to a different line with a better product.

It looks like they are shifting Rudi over to Princess which may be a good thing. Maybe there will be something new and exciting (one can live in hope?). There are a lot of HAL regulars who seem to be getting bored with the current state of the food service on HAL. We have only been on HAL once and the food was good but certainly not outstanding. Perhaps a new vision will bring something new for the regulars and something memorable for people new to HAL who may become regulars if HAL can re-establish the thing that made all the others regulars.

Just so you know when you quote someone they are informed they were quoted. Many of us will respond when quoted, especially when they feel the quote wasn't used in a way that furthers the discussion. At this point in time this old thread was long dead and you chose to take an old quote and accuse someone of being against people with disabilities. I think people are against lame people claiming their pet is a "support animal" which makes it hard for people with properly trained animals to go about their lives without getting the side eye. Everyone leave your pets at home. Those who have challenges that a trained assist animal can help with, you should be made welcome and your animal should be a positive reflection on your partnership.

@Mary229 I was rather surprised that @sweetp0618 chose to drag a 4 year old quote forward. I think this subject deserves discussion but they should start a new thread. I read part of that old thread and the general tone was that actual service animals were amazing and helpful. The problem was when the entitled few who need to bring their ill behaved and untrained pet on the cruise, claiming they are a service animal. By the way my personal feeling is seeing eye dog yes, emotional support ferret, or ostrich or snake or whatever, not so much.

That's a bit of bad news Mic, do take care while you wait for the surgery. It would really suck if something happened while you are away from home. Be safe and take care. Cheers, Lyle & Lynn