laverendrye

A brief update from my TA. If I cancel my trip I will receive a full credit less the $200 administration fee for trips completed by the end of December 2020. For trips ending in 2021 (until end April) I will receive a credit less the administration fee and airfare portion of my present trip. I think that’s fair considering I should be able to claim that balance from my insurer.

This is the policy from Scenic/Emerald Canada. It may vary in other countries. 

I have been speaking with my TA who informed me of the welcome change in policy. She thinks however that for my Vietnam/Cambodia cruise which includes air and a land portion that these might not be refundable under the condition “with any third party fees at the guest’s own expense”. She is calling Scenic/Emerald to clarify this and determine just what the future credit will amount to. 

However she did did inform me that another client with the same insurance plan as mine will have their claim for reimbursement for their cancelled Mekong cruise accepted because of the Canadian Government’s formal recommendation to avoid all cruise ship travel. So depending on the future credit, I will either accept it and claim the balance or cancel without a credit and claim the total loss. I will be speaking today with my insurer.

In any event I won’t be travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia this year (or perhaps ever, as I’ve done much of the trip before). 

6 hours ago, IB2 said:

On that timescale, no one can answer your question.

 

The only point to make is that the situation in Germany is, by then, unlikely to be the principal consideration.  You should be trying to assess how things might be at home.  I haven't been following the news from Canada, but if it is anything like the chaos and denial we are seeing from the US, you should be very worried.

The situation in Canada is far from the chaos and denial that you said you see in the US. We learned our lesson from the disastrous response to the SARS epidemic in 2003 and have spent the intervening years preparing for another epidemic like this one with new institutions, facilities and procedures. The responses of the federal and provincial governments and health agencies have been timely and effective so that nearly all the cases identified have been travel related. This is not to say that the epidemic has been contained but I believe most Canadians are confident in the measures being taken by the authorities. But as these authorities stress, it is not only for them but for all citizens to take responsible measures to contain the spread of this disease. 

47 minutes ago, Baileytoby said:

We are heading to the head office in Vancouver today.  This Is absolutely ridiculous.  We are to travel mid April, so at the stage where we will lose 50%.  Might have to get the media involved.   As you say they have our money, they don't care about our health or anyone elses for that matter!

Please report back on how your appeal to the head office turns out. 

I am not surprised. This was bound to happen there sooner or later.

I am booked on an Emerald Cruise tour from Hanoi to Siem Reap at the end of this month.  I haven't yet cancelled as I am waiting for Emerald/Scenic to change their very restrictive cancellation policy, but I have no intention of taking the risks of going.

I've travelled in Cambodia before and have been following the news regarding coronavirus there closely. It must be understood that Cambodia is essentially a vassal state to China and the Cambodian dictator, Hun Sen, has misguidedly attempted to please his Chinese masters through obfuscation and denial (while ironically, the Chinese have been much more open and effective in dealing with the epidemic). Sadly, he is not the only world political leader using the epidemic to try to boost his personal and political image. This article gives a sense of the politics of the situation:

https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/hun-sens-political-gamble-the-coronavirus-epidemic/

I suspect that there are many more cases of COVID-19 in Cambodia than the government admits and at the best of times its medical facilities are rudimentary as the following advice from the Government of Canada indicates:

With the exception of some Thai-run hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, medical facilities throughout Cambodia are extremely poor and very limited.

Doctors and hospitals may demand cash payment or written guarantees from insurance providers in advance for health services.

Medical evacuation to Thailand or Singapore is often required in order to obtain adequate treatment. Seek immediate assistance in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and consider leaving the country if you experience medical problems.

Those who may still be thinking of travelling on a cruise in Cambodia should give it careful reconsideration.

On 1/24/2020 at 2:41 AM, djh1959 said:

Yes our Rhine cruise was in Strasbourg on a Sunday so everything was closed.  Luckily we had spent a week in Strasbourg earlier last year, so we just stayed on the ship.  It would have been very disappointing though if we hadn't been before.

Strasbourg and the rest of Alsace follow the German practice of closing shops on Sunday.  However souvenir shops in the centre of the city will be open as well as restaurants. The Cathedral is open for visitors on Sunday afternoons and all museums will also be open (museums usually close on Mondays). So there’s lots to see and do in Strasbourg on a Sunday.  In answer to the OP, Cologne Cathedral is also open to visitors on Sunday afternoons. 

Unless you are transported there by bus as well as back, I doubt that this tour will actually take you into the Black Forest, which is really too far away by bike for the time available. It would also involve some fairly steep climbs. More likely, it will be through the foothills of the Black Forest north or south of Freiburg, which is largely a wine growing area with many pretty villages. Or perhaps most likely, it will be through the Kaiserstühl, an area between the Rhine and the foothills to the east. The Kaiserstühl is also quite pretty, with its old volcanic hills rising from the Rhine valley.  It has lots of vineyards and picturesque villages and Breisach is its principal town.  

This map has three walking tours of the former town of Chicoutimi, now Saguenay. 

https://tourisme.saguenay.ca/files/circuits_patrimoniaux_pdf/depliant_patrimonial_chicoutimi.pdf

Regarding Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov, I’d recommend the latter. It’s a very attractive town with many mediaeval structures.  You’ve already been to Salzburg and it doesn’t seem that your partner is set on it.  I wouldn’t go just for the Christmas market.  

As to a city to visit after Budapest, if your aim is an impressive Christmas market, then you must see the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. I assume that your cruise does not include it. It’s one of the oldest, biggest and certainly most impressive in Germany if not all Europe.  Munich would also be a good choice. I can’t speak for Prague as I’ve never been there at that time of the year.

I have made a connection from an Air Canada international arrival to the Fernbahnhof. As I recall, my flight arrived at 0820 and because I was concerned about the time to get my bags and through customs and passport control  I opted for a train at 1050. Although it is a long walk I arrived at the station about 0930 and could easily have made an earlier train. However there are always variables and you may wish to err on the side of caution. 

Le Continental and Lapin Sauté are both good suggestions. Like martincath I am of two minds about Aux Anciens Canadiens. It really does date as a restaurant from the 18th Century and is attractively decorated, although as martincath suggests, verges towards kitschy. The food is traditional Québecois, meaning it is very hearty indeed and you should come with a good appetite. This is not a place for haute cuisine à la francaise. If you want to have dinner there, if you order before 6PM the lunchtime prices apply—the evening prices are considerably higher.

For lunch, if you are in the Lower Town, you might try Le Cochon Dingue (crazy pig) a French bistro across the street from Lapin Sauté and under the same ownership.  In the Upper Town, for lunch I like the Pub D’Orsay where I usually have their mussels and fries. Pub St-Alexandre is another favourite of mine. 

If if you want to splurge for dinner with traditional French cuisine, I think it’s hard to beat Le Saint-Amour in the Upper Town.  Laurie Raphaël and Légende are also very good restaurants in this category.  If you are looking for something cutting edge, there are a number of places in the Saint-Roch district that you could look up.

In the tourist parts of Québec City, you will have no problems with a lack of French.  Those dealing with the public will speak English and English menus are generally available 

Excellent advice from martincath. The only thing I might add is that you might consider the train from Montréal to Québec. It’s a pleasant trip and as the train leaves from Central Station (Gare Centrale), it would be very convenient if you stay nearby after arriving on Amtrak. There are 5 or 6 trains a day. Check details at www.viarail.ca. 

7 hours ago, spindrift said:

Can someone make a suggestion for transportation from the airport to the hotel (in the old port area)?

Taxi. Fixed fare $41. 

Host Bonjour, you mentioned that you struggled with the French title and I would agree that it does not read well.  My gentle suggestion is to change it to “À propos de Montréal”. 

You will clear US Customs and Immigration in Montreal so that when you land in Detroit it will be as though you are coming off a domestic flight. Even so, 38 minutes is not much between flights. Are both flights with the same airline?

16 hours ago, creaghadoos said:

you have the pleasure of visiting what i think is one of the nicest places in the world. hope you enjoyed our lovely county. 

thank you for your answer

Yes, in Donegal the countryside is spectacular and the people warm and welcoming. 

I’m returning next year to the Mekong which I cruised in 2012 with Viking/Pandaw. This time it’s with Emerald from Hanoi to Siem Reap and includes an overland trip from Hanoi to Danang, Hue and Hoi An which I have not visited before. As Emerald is introducing the Mekong this year this price was very attractive and it includes air fares. 

19 hours ago, creaghadoos said:

oh dear, 

much the same as home, 

wish me luck telling this to the wife.

Creaghadoos, I’ve just hiked down to Teelin from the heights of Slieve League and I must say that the weather here this week is not dissimilar to that of the coastal areas of Nova Scotia in May. Additionally, Donegal has the advantage of the warm Gulf Stream currents that Nova Scotia does not. If you dress as you would at home you will not go wrong. Sorry.  

I don’t know how tips are distributed and I suppose that I don’t really care. In recent years all my cruises have been with Uniworld and Emerald where gratuities both on-board and on excursions are included in the fare. I have found the service in both impeccable and have seen no need to add any additional tips with the exception of one or two guides who were outstanding.  I expect that the staff on these lines are adequately compensated and that there is no need as there is in certain countries to supplement their meagre pay with generous tips. 

1 hour ago, jimraeno1 said:

As a UK passport holder, is it necessary to purchase a Canadian ETA prior to our transatlantic cruise originating from Southampton. Frustratingly, MSC, travel agents and the Canadian Govt. website information are contradictory. We will be arriving at both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by cruise ship. No flights are involved in or out of Canada. Any up to date clarification would be welcome. 

If you are arriving by cruise ship you will not require an eTA. Here is the relevant Canadian Government information:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html

20 hours ago, Fish & Chips said:

Thank you everyone for your great replies.  It's getting so exciting and we are looking forward to spending 3 days in Quebec. 

If I may ask another question 🙂 As UK citizens will we need a visa for Canada? I have found conflicting advice, such as only if you are flying into a Canadian airport. We are wondering if we should just get one anyway.

 

 

 

You do not need a visa as a UK citizen to enter Canada. However if you are arriving by air you will need an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If you arrive by other means such as cruise ship an eTA is not required. You can obtain the eTA online for a fee of $7.(US Citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement. For more information check the following Government of Canada website. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html

There’s no need to go all the way to the Ile d’Orléans to run (and I don’t think there are any good routes there). Just outside the walls of the Upper Town above the port lies the Plains of Abraham, a vast park and site of the decisive battle in 1759 where you can find lots of routes. I’m not sure about organized runs there but certainly one can see lots of runners in this park.  There are also bike/pedestrian paths along the St. Lawrence and St. Charles Rivers where one can run.

A quick check on the internet will give all the details. 

1 hour ago, lenquixote66 said:

Our favorite hotel is the Chateau Frontenac.

A fine hotel indeed,  but it is neither the “cozy B&B or small hotel” that the OP is looking for. 

10 hours ago, martincath said:

I think both of these must have been missed by the locals - yes, Springhill Suites is outside the 'downtown core' fixed fare zone. But a limo would run quite a bit more than a cab unless roadworks/major traffic problems seriously racked up the fare. IIRC it's in the $63 limo fare zone, whereas a cab should be <$50 on the meter (the price for the fixed fare zone is meant to reflect a reasonable average fare to that area, and Springhill is not far beyond it so should only be a few bucks more). I'd post a link to the limo price maps, but I'm traveling with a teeny screen and it's very footery to embed links easily. Credit cards yes (Visa & MC anyway) so unless you were going to acquire CAD cash anyway, I would not bother just for cab fare. If you're cruising to smaller Canadian ports though it could be a very good idea, and sometimes you get a better rate if you buy more currency.

 

Dinner nearby - Toque! is a long-standing and excellent resto that's not much over a half mile away, but on the gourmet end of the scale so might not work if you're just looking for a simple 'refueling' meal after a long day. Keg steakhouse is super close, Canadian (though not at all Quebecois) and might suit for something filling and good value. I think there was also a very popular Creperie just along the road with a pun-based name like 'Crepe Suzette' (sorry, it's been close to 10 years since I stayed in this hotel!)

Cabs will definitely be lining up for an arriving cruise ship; Uber comes on request, but I would imagine that some drivers will be deliberately hanging around nearby as cruise pax are a reliable source of fares.

Am I missing something here Martin?  The Springhill Suites on rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste in the Vieux Port is within the fixed fare zone, as set by the city. Or is there another Springhill Suites outside the zone?  

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=8177,92215612&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Just a note on “national parks”. In Québec, the term “parc national” can mean either a federal national park, run by Parks Canada, or what in the rest of Canada is called a provincial park, run by the provincial agency Sépaq (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec). While Parks Canada is rigorous in providing all information and services in both official languages in all National Parks across the country, Sépaq is under no such obligation in the Parcs Nationaux under its jurisdiction. Nonetheless many of the services are in fact provided in English as well as in French, but by no means universally.