KJ Knowles

I'm very glad to hear that the Captain is taking great care with you and the Encore. We are looking forward to hopping onboard after you disembark Sunday for our first Haven adventure. It wouldn't do to have the ship get "dented" and have our upcoming voyage cancelled. (How's that for selfish? 😉) I hope you have much enjoyment during the remainder of your cruise time. Also, thank you for all of the info you have taken the time to provide here! It is invaluable to those like me who will be first-timers on Encore. 👍

Unexpected results can occur on upgrade bids. We were notified of an upgrade acceptance yesterday...one of 7 that I placed for the Encore 4/16-5/1 sailing. I did not expect to be awarded any of them as my bids were only 60ish percent of maximum. Less in a couple of cases. It was for a Forward Facing Penthouse, upgrading from a Club Balcony. I don't really get it, but I am certainly delighted (although not nearly as much so as my wife. 🙂)

I think that was my favorite Holland America perk. Last October the price was $60 for the cabin (10 day cruise). Sent out laundry every day and came home after with nearly no clothes to wash. It was very easy to get spoiled. Still, we're back to NCL for our upcoming one. Certainly both lines have their appeal.

I'm glad this topic came up to remind me that I need to contact NCL about my status. While I was making reservations for our pending cruise, my efficient and affable PCC noticed multiple accounts for both my wife and myself. He said he could get them merged to assure no confusion or mix-ups would occur. My reservation now has me as listed as "First Timer", although her status is correct. My first NCL cruise was 1980 and there have been a few in between...not exactly a First Timer. 😀 Time to shoot off an email to NCL. I have 3 weeks before sailing on this one. It should be enough time to get the issue sorted...maybe. 😉

Wow. We left Zaandam that morning following the previous cruise. Many onboard were continuing on the Grand Africa voyage. Wishing the best for the passenger(s) involved.

I got lucky with VeriFLY. I checked it this morning and it no longer was asking for test results. Showing green and ready to go for flights and cruise after I entered the ArriveCAN Travel Authorization code.

Port Charlottetown, P.E.I. is scheduled to reopen to cruise ships on 10/1 (Technically end of day, 9/30). I haven't heard any info on other affected ports. Port Charlottetown update

Timing is everything. We board Zaandam in Montreal on October 1. 🙂 I'm still going to complete ArriveCan and Verifly. Proctored tests are already scheduled and paid for and the early transition period of the change may suffer "right hand/left hand" communication issues.

And of course we fjy into Montreal on September 30. 😄 Cruising on Zaandam October 1-10.

There has been discussion of Mah Jongg on the roll call so you should definitely do as @StLouisCruisers suggests. See you in Montreal!

I'm interested in learning about this also, as I am on the October 1 Montreal to Fort Lauderdale sailing that is just before the Grand Africa voyage. Not that it is critically important to me, just curious. 🙂

I received boarding time this morning for our October 1 departure, similar to the 14 day time previously mentioned.

I suppose they will be installing/replacing them while the ship is in service. I see no pause in the Zaandam's scheduled itinerary. If the cabling was previously fitted (as I have read here on CC) and the data infrastructure/support equipment is in place and tested it shouldn't be too daunting a project. It will be interesting to read about how it is done. We will be boarding her on October 1 for the 9 Day from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale prior to Grand Africa. Looking forward to my first cruise in ages (five cancellations prior to this since 25 September, 2020).

I requested the shareholder benefit via email on August 1 and received confirmation yesterday, August 4. That was considerably faster than I expected after reading the experiences of others. I am posting it as a data point for those interested in the benefit.

This is a good site with monthly updates on the factors affecting Japan reopening: When will Japan reopen to Tourist travel? We booked three Japan cruises beginning with August, 2020 that were cancelled. 😔 We are in wait-and-see mode, now.