lij1972

1 minute ago, redbanshee said:

Experiences seem varied as it took us 1hour 20 minutes to board. So far en enjoyable cruise ; especially appreciated how Captain and crew handled our adventure at sea yesterday….that was some weather we experienced 

Yesterday was definitely an adventure. I had drawers opening and nightstands going for walks in my room. My parents had black water come out of their bathroom, drain and had the balcony partition gotten loose and banging against the balcony door. My phone was reading a constant list of 8° peeking at 10° from when I had my phone on.

15 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

After 4 hours of standing in lines, I would say this was our worst embarkation ever!  We've sailed from Vancouver 4 times previously, twice on Nieuw Amsterdam.  I know that there were 3 ships embarking yesterday, and the start of the season, but they've really created a confusing and inconsistent mess.  We talked to crew that were given wish-washy information and were in the same boat.

 

Once onboard, we're so far happy with the cruise.  We've already made friends with one of the bar tenders, who assured us there was plenty of malbec wine stocked for this sailing.  Our cabin condition is well maintained and clean.  The food in the MDR was good.  I see more pasta options, but was easy to avoid.  I honestly don't remember how the food compares to 2019, but it was certainly better than our last cruises on Carnival, Royal, or Celebrity. 

 

The ship was quiet after 11PM, but we like the relaxing ambiance, and found crew and passengers to chat with.  I'm a night owl, but have a major purchase to make from a new supplier for my business.  I have no time to get bored this cruise.

 

 

On the same cruise too.  About 3.5 hrs to get in.  

On 3/18/2023 at 1:05 PM, Stad said:

We are in 5074 in about 3 weeks

 

Let me know your thoughts when you're back.  I'm in that cabin in May.  Thanks!

On 10/20/2018 at 10:12 AM, Essiesmom said:

Any of the cabins on Main deck, they are far larger than any other inside cabins and most OV cabins.  Avoid the cabin on deck 5.  Personally I have spent 24 days in K1116 on Nieuw Amsterdam, and 14 days in the same cabin on Westerdam (which is why I chose the cabin on Nieuw Amsterdam).  I see Ruth C has replied, probably saying the same thing...EM

Why would you avoid the cabin on deck 5?  I currently have that cabin booked.

Thanks!

7 minutes ago, CDP Cruiser said:

Unfortunately, no. At least none that I saw. You would need to take the shuttle bus to terminal 1 and there will be plenty of taxis at that terminal. We live in Montreal so we had family come and pick us up directly at terminal 3. They said they had a hard time passing security to get into the terminal from the street but other than that, they picked us up right outside the terminal doors.

Thankfully when I disembarked yesterday, there were plenty of taxis. I guess they sorted the security issue up.  

On 5/18/2019 at 9:33 PM, CDP Cruiser said:

Just off the Zaandam. We made it to Montreal but we had to dock at terminal 3 instead of Terminal 1. HAL provided shuttle busses to bring people to terminal 1 to meet up for shore excursions and the shuttles to the airport.  Captain Smit was amazing in manoeuvring the ship to pass under the bridge at Trois-Rivieres. The Captain needed 5 feet to clear the ship and it passed under the bridge with exactly 5 feet of clearance.  We received a letter on Wednesday letting us know of the terminal change and HAL provided passengers with free wifi for 24 hours for anyone who booked « independent disembarkation » to allow people the opportunity to adjust their travel arrangements. Terminal 3 is about 2 miles from terminal 1.

Were there taxis at the pier?

Miss G,

I'm on that deck as well.  I didn't notice a musty smell but I agree that the decore needs updating as it is tired.  My room was comfortable (about 72F) when I got in.  All the cabin were ready before they started embarkation which was a first for me.  I had one issue with the room which was fixed (a very loose grab bar which left rust in the tub).  They only had done half the job as I had to clean the tub before showering but I told my Steward. I didn't have issues with the light switches in bed.

Other than that it was good.  I did feel/hear the thrusters this morning but that didn't wake me up.  (I sleep with earplugs).  

Lij

1 hour ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Yea!!  It is Embarkation day!!

I've got my cabin card and I'm waiting to board!

On 5/23/2019 at 7:50 PM, cruisingxpert said:

 

8 minutes ago, cruisingxpert said:

Which date?  Mine is for the June 1st cruise the one that starts when Miss G gets off.

Its for the upcoming cruise on Saturday.  I was notified yesterday by my TA and today by HAL.  I don't know when the upsell offer came in.

Apparently with my upgrade, my TA was originally offered an upsell but decide to hold off.  I was the upgraded from an Interior J category to an outside D category at no cost.

I'm on this cruise too!  I just got notification from my TA that the cabin I booked, an inside cabin (not a guarantee) has been upgraded to an oceanview.  It's not on a deck that I would have chosen (on the Dolphon deck) but I'll see how I like it.  

3 more sleeps!

Lisa

1 minute ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Yippeee!!!

It gives me hope that when I'm on this cruise next week that it will make it to Montreal and I won't have to worry about getting on a bus.  

5 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Port of Quebec still has Zaandam departing at 3:15!

 

 

The Zaandam is just sailing away!

I got a good idea of what to expect if my cruise didn't make it to Montreal from various current threads here on Cruise Critic.  From that I was comfortable booking my trip home

My email to HAL took about a week and a half for them to respond and they didn't answer my question, just stateed that my cruise is still scheduled to disembark in Montreal.  Not helpful at all.

Lake Ontario at my end is high too, at least 2 feet above normal but not as bad as 2017 yet.  The waterfront trail is close in places due to flooding and erosion.  I hope the weather dries up soon.  

Lisa

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

Link to the cruise schedule for the Port of Montreal:

 

https://www.port-montreal.com/en/cruise-vessels-schedule.html

Berth change for the 18th.  Now disembarking at T-3.  There will be coach service between T-1 and T-3.

I'd keep an eye on the port of Montreal cruise schedule.  They seem to update it when there's a change.

1 minute ago, Winters in NZ said:

 

We had the same experience 5 years ago, and agree with pascal030.

 

Once arriving at the Montreal Cruise Ship Terminal, the distance to the VIA train station, located beneath the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, is quite short. 

 

We have taken pleasant walks previously through the historic Old Montreal in 25 minutes, rolling our luggage,  Cruise Terminal to the VIA train station, if like us, you hate queuing for the taxis.

 

Or alternatively, take a 3 minute subway ride . 

 

It took our bus 3 hours travel time, Quebec Cruise Terminal to Montreal. And since it is a weekend, no rush-hour traffic to contend with

I feel better now booking an 11am train. 

If it's nice out and I can manage my luggage, I don't mind walking.  I'll take the preferred routes and bus options with me and set aside the bus fare.  Now if only they accepted the Presto card!

I will be taking this cruise and am worried about this happening on my cruise.  If this were to happen, would I be able to make an 11am train in Montreal?

Thanks,

Lisa

Can you let us know when you expect to reach Montreal and where you'll be dropped off.  I'll be doing that cruise and I want to be proactive in my travels home in case this happens on my cruise.

Thanks!

I was hoping to take a lazy train ride back home but I think I'll just book a flight back in the afternoon. 

I saw that the Zaandam won't be disembarking in Montreal this Saturday.  Anyone know how likely this will happen in a months time?  I'm trying to arrange my transportation home.  

Thanks!

Lisa

I am eager to hear reviews on these glasses that is not tied to their website.  A non medical solution would be great but I'm leery.

I've suffered from motion sickness ever since I was a child.  Over the years I've tried numerous solutions to remedy it but the only thing that works for me is medication. 

If I was to limit my travels to modes of transportation that doesn't set off my motion sickness, my travels would be limited.  Thankfully I know my triggers and how to prevent it from flairing up.  When it comes to cruising, after my 1st cruise, I started using the patch.  I may only have one minor episode per cruise which is acceptable to me and the only side effect I have is dry mouth which is easily corrected.   

I'm trying to figure out what my declaration limits will be and I need to know what time should I use to determine when I enter Canada; when we dock for the first time in Canada and the ship is cleared, when it first enters Canadian waters, or some other factor. 

Also, how should ship purchases be treated after it enters Canada, Canadian purchases or U.S. purchases? 

I will be on a northbound cruise starting in Boston and ending in Montreal.  

Thanks,

Lisa

I'm trying to decide whether we should cruise on the Koningsdam right before her dry dock. On other Holland American ships, has the been much disruption/unusable areas? What has been your experience?

Thanks!

Lisa

Sent from my SM-G960W using Forums mobile app

I had booked early and was getting bonus points so I was expecting to be Gold after my latest cruise. Much to my dismay they changed the program and would be short 2 points. I was expecting to send a complaint post cruise about it but when I logged in this week after the cruise it was showing that I was Gold despite the point count. I'm glad they​ gave me my new status but I documented it just in case.