Howasaur

We had a Family emergency while on the Amazon Rio Cruise 2015. They called Holland America and our travel agent. We received a wake up call from the front desk that we had a phone call. Spoke to family member regarding emergency and front desk were well aware it was an emergency due to our reaction. It took two days to reach a port we could fly from and Holland America back to Calgary Canada Staff were their for us 100%. Very kind and helpful.  We had to fill out paper work afterwards to get some money back (Travel and Health Insurance is a must) Long story short we got a refund way more than  we thought we would get. Very pleased with Holland America It took a short while after being home that the situation stabilized itself.  If you go through a travel agent leave there card by your phone at home along with the ships info. or Call Holland America Head office explain situation. It depends on the emergency but phone calls % to be exact we were not charged for and they made sure we got to airport safely.

Hi One question..  I realize I'm dating myself but what happens if you do not have a Smart Phone for ArriveCAN documentation. We only have a Nokia Flip phone 1996

Thank-you VMax1700 for your reply. We don't stay up too late before midnight and we are  up early so it sound like no issues.  The smoking well if they are a distance from me that's ok and a little noise from room next door we were in a inside cabin and our wake up call was the anchor being dropped on port docking morning so looking forward to the trip in October.' I can usually be found hanging over the railing taking pictures of sea life and birds

We have sailed with Holland America many times before and since January 2020 Cancelled 4 Holland Cruises and two Family Disney Cruises. We have always had Inside Cabins but I thought it was important to do something special for my wife and get a verandah Cabin. I realize it's on deck 8 AFT I went through our travel agent and whilw on the phone with Holland they mentioned this cabin so we took it. Wondering if anyone has stayed or know something about this cabin.  We are both early risers. Thanks 

To Quartzsite Cruiser we are going to be in VF8181 which I believe was next to room 8177 October 8-24 16  day Hawaii Cruise. on all our cruises we have had inside cabins deck 3 and 4 midship. I'm hoping I made the right decision choosing this room hope to surprise my wife. Your comments regarding the chairs should really be no issue since we are early risers.  How is the motion? So looking forward to have having coffee on the verandah. then walking around the deck 9 or 10. Enjoy taking pictures of wildlife will usually be found hanging out at the rail with a camera.

Just announced by our Canadian Federal Government December 15th 

The federal government is now advising against non-essential international travel.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says now is not the time to travel with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Duclos says the government will also continue to increase testing capacity at the border, and will have more to say on that soon.

How will this affect our travel and cancellation insurance. I guess it will be up to the individual traveler to take full responsibility on what happens if rules change further here in Canada or abroad.. 

Thank-you dbancroft for your reply. Being grandparents we were so looking into the Disney Cruise in Feb.  2023  Our daughter and son-law just thought with how Covid-19 was being handled it was saver to stay home

After canceling a few cruises since March2020 with Disney and another cruise line, thought it may be ok in 2023. We Held a family meeting and it was decided not to put down a down payment on cruise in Feb.  The Covid-19 and how some states are handling it came into the decision. It appears cruising may be off our table for years to come.

Thank-you Shmoo here for the information it sure helps with the planning

Planning a 7 day trip I was wondering what is the standard cost for each of us per day in a verandah room.

Holland America Cruise line: 

To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received the full series of a US FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of authorized vaccines and have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day of embarkation.

For cruises departing the United States, the CDC require both vaccines in a 2-dose series to be of the same type. They also accept mixing mRNA vaccines only (each dose is from either Pfizer and Moderna.) No other combinations are considered fully vaccinated.

Now this can change with reduced cases or increase Covid Our Travel agent says check month by month for the cruise line you are going to cruise on. Our next cruise is April 2022 Hoping final decision  and payment date January 20 22 so we will see.

To Scottbee No matter what WHO says check cruise line on  what the requirements are saying regarding  COVID vaccines. It's their cruise line and they set the rules regarding the Vaccine requirement. We have someone in our party with Astra and second shot Pfizer and after we had called and also our travel agent check that individual isn't vaccinated so can't go no matter what WHO says.

By the way we are all Canadians and five in our party got both  Pfizer the other individual  got mixed per Canadian Government rules.   He is now trying his best to get another shot but has hit a brick wall the federal,  provincial governments are not giving third shots until all Canadians are vaccinated.;

Does this mean all passengers have to be guarantine 14 days before cruise 

We rebooked our Disney cancelled cruise Apr 2 2020 and rescheduled Feb. 2021 but with what's happening in Florida State with the Covid virus I have a feeling we won't be cruising in Feb. 2021

Hi I just received my refund  back on my Credit Card applied in March.  I'm happy I have put down a deposit on a Great Alaskan 14 Day Explorer Cruise summer of 2021

Thanks Shmoo here  but try telling that to other family members. I think they will understand but it does take something away when everyone wearing masks but it is also something for them to tell later on in life about the pandemic. My worry is if they don't get the virus under control in Florida will the planes fly in or will the cruise ships be allowed to sail. Fingers crossed

The number of case are increasing. We have a Disney Cruise in Feb. 2021. I'm worried that they could shutdown airline flying into Florida and stop  Cruise ships from sailing.  I realize its still over 1/2 yr away but its still worrying already had to cancel our last trip in Apr.  Fingers crossed. Family is frowning  about wearing face-masks sort of takes a Disney Cruise away.

On 4/21/2020 at 4:35 PM, Haveuseen1 said:

I feel pretty good about it.  Sailing from Seattle to Alaska in May 2021.  
 

How do you feel about it?

I have book  a 14 day Great Alaskan Explorer cruise in July 2021 I just wonder what entire requirements Alaska will require if the Pandemic is still about Covid-19 

Hi We booked 14 Day Great Alaskan Explorer July 12-26 2021 on the Maasdam. We also have a family cruise for the grand children in Feb. 2021 0n a disney cruise linec

Our daughter and son in law grandchildren age  5 and 6  at sailing have never cruised before.  They are just a bit worried about the cruise we were to have gone in April but of course it was cancelled

Thank-you 1025cruise we are going with our two grandchildren 5 and 7, our daughter and son in law we will have to just wait and see. 

We are scheduled for a Fantasy Cruise  Feb. 27th 2021 will we have to wear masks

KirkNC The same happened to us in 2015 49 day cruise. The Captain tried six time to dock and couldn't. so more sea days. We had a family emergency and we were getting off to catch a plane.and I have to say the entire crew of the Maasdam and many cruise mates were very helpful. We were finally able to get off the ship in Manus fly all the way back to San Paulo. 4 hrs fight and then take a fight over 10 hours to Dalls then to Calgary. Thank god for travel insurance I was very surprised the insurance company , Holland America and our travel agent were very helpful and we received way more then we expected.

Hi LMaxwell: I enjoy Sea days hanging out on the Promenade deck as close as I can be to the bow hanging over taking pictures of what ever I can see Flying Fish, Dolphins, whales, black masked Boobies diving and catching fish I have posted some of my pictures in Photo Gallery

Hi OctoberKat:

On Cruise Critics go to Photo Gallery search Username Howasaur and all these pictures I took this year with the exception of the sunset this years while on the Maasdam January 23rd to March 13th Carnavel and Amazon Cruise. Flying fish Birds(Mask Booby) and of course the Pink Dolphins I have been up the Amazon twice and Iwould go again. Have Fun.