Sue from Canada

7 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Many small ships over the years have ended up with Oceania (4 under 1,000 passengers) and Azamara (4 with 1,000 passengers).  Of course Viking is building ships at a rapid rate and they are all under 1,000.  You have to be willing to pay a premium compared to HAL but the small ships are out there without having to go to the luxury lines.

So is Oceania and Azamara my only options for cruising on ships the size of the Volendam and Zaandam?  Viking does rivers cruises - not my cup of tea.

Now I'm curious what the big errors are.  Inquiring minds want to know (lol)

This has been a problem in a lot of ports for people who have mobility problems.  In a few ports a golf cart was available at the ship to where the tours were located.  Some tours were so far and included climbing up a steep hill (Greenland).  Turks and Caicos also has a long walk from ship to tour bus location.

2 hours ago, FrankieSue said:

I have noticed that the Volendam and the Zaandam have been docked side by side just off the island of Corfu since mid November.  After searching itineraries, they do not seem to move until Spring 2022…. Any thoughts regarding these 2  ships docked for so long? And what condition will the ships be in when they finally take on passengers? I look forward to your thoughts and comments since I will be sailing on the Zaandam before Summer 2022…

I'm booked on the Volendam for March 2023.  I love these smaller ships and hope HAL doesn't sell them.

7 hours ago, Dunner said:

Arriving from Tahiti 8:30ish am and need to get to terminal 2 to catch a Delta flight.

 

We have two options :

 a) take the noon Delta flight---gives us 3 1/2 hours---would prefer this flight ,but not sure how much time it takes to get thru customs??

The last time we had Nexus cards this time we don't. Last time other line where Canadian citizens would have to go if they didn't have a nexus card  looked like there were hundreds of people.  So we aren't sure how long it would have taken us??  

                                     

 b) take the 2pm flight------        gives us 5 1/2

 

 

Take option b - better safe than sorry.

5 hours ago, Magicat said:

Has anyone flown Porter to Billy Bishop and had to go through Customs?  Can you share your experiences?  Thanks.

I've flown into BB twice from the states.  Very easy and efficient.  You won't regret using Porter and BB.  Plus, there is a nice waiting lounge.

Well I guess your best bet is to book a hotel for one night after you get off the cruise.  Then you can either get your test at the pier (if it's available) or get one at CVS or Walgreens that's close to your hotel.

Thanks to everyone with good ideas to try.  

8 hours ago, Froufie said:

They cannot legally hold your money or deny you a refund - contact your credit card company and request a chargeback to get your $$ back!

 

Really.  Well then Air Canada also owes me a refund for two flights I just cancelled.  I've got some phone calling to do this weekend.  Thanks

17 hours ago, bookbabe said:

Is it a standard WJ travel bank amount or a specific credit with WJ vacations?  If it’s travel bank there’s an option to pay a few bucks to get an extension on your expiry date…

Yes, it's a WJ travel bank amount.  I didn't know about an extension for a few extra bucks.  I honestly don't fly WJ that often as we have such crappy flights out of Ottawa and nothing direct. Plus, I prefer Air Canada's business class.

18 hours ago, thon said:

Did you cancel the flights or did Westjet cancel them?  You might want to join the Air Passenger Rights (Canada) FB group.  They have ‘experts’ who have been providing information on how to deal with Canadian airlines in these sorts of situations.  

I cancelled the flight since HAL cancelled the 2020 cruise to Alaska.

I have a credit (due to a cancelled cruise in 2020) and have to book a flight by this March.  I don't plan on flying anywhere right now.  I've called WJ to request a refund to my credit card and they said no.  Has anyone else been in this situation?  

Option:  Book a flight and then cancel it.  Would I get a credit again with a longer expiry date?  Don't  advise me to call WJ - they don't answer their phones.

On 11/26/2021 at 9:40 PM, Laminator said:

Maybe you misunderstood. 

If you click on the link of the graphic below that is on the home page all of the cruises that show up are Black Friday Specials. As I stated earlier there are 52 pages of them. If the link doesn't work for you on Firefox then there are more issues than a logo not appearing.

 

What is "crew appreciation"?

On 11/18/2021 at 3:49 PM, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

www.juneauharborwebcam.com

 

It's 30* and snowing in Juneau. An early White Christmas!

Here's a good site I just found and you can see a lot more snowy photos of Juneau.

https://webcams.thesnowcloud.com/

I did my 7th cruise solo and now have number 30 booked and still looooove going solo.  Once you've had the cabin to yourself it's hard to even think of sharing it.  As a previous poster noted, I also get casino deals so the fare isn't as bad as it could be with HAL.  For those considering going solo, there are so many wonderful people you'll meet (if you want to).  Just do it.

On 9/3/2021 at 8:23 PM, boop29 said:

I'm waiting for my new cabin assignment from HAL before I decide whether to stay and go on the '23 WC or cash out.

In the mean time I have booked Holland America 150th Anniversary Cruise, October 15th - 30th, Rotterdam to Ft Lauderdale.  It will be my first time to depart from Rotterdam & I plan on flying in at least 2 days early and pick up a tour etc/.  Any suggestions for single accommodations?  So far those that I've checked are booked.  Appreciate any suggestions.

 

I've stayed solo at the Hilton Rotterdam.  Very nice and you can grab a tour bus just outside the hotel across the parking lot.  Wonderful breakfast is included.  Ask for a room over looking the Hofplein fountain and roundabout - get watching at night.

Why can't people put their phone away during eating, going to the bathroom, reading while walking, taking a bath.  Drives me nuts.

On 11/8/2021 at 3:26 PM, vedettes1 said:

Hey, fellow insomniacs - is there any way to get coffee on HA in the middle of the night, like maybe 3 or 4 AM?

Call room service.  Only one person manning the phones so just let it keep ringing.  Along with the coffee order some of their delicious chocolate chip cookies.  They may even arrive warm as they're baking during the wee hours.  I'm also a night owl and don't usually go to sleep until 4am.  I wish HAL some night owl activities.

13 hours ago, Fouremco said:

The ArriveCAN app gives you the option of uploading a photo or a file. As your receipt would have been downloaded as a PDF file, you can upload it to the app. I do have a camera on my iPhone, but it was easier to simply upload the file. Here's a screen grab showing the app with my two uploaded PDF receipts"

 

Can I upload my two vaccine proofs at any time prior to my travel?

14 hours ago, RGEDad said:

I view the Booster as just a stress reducer, just a little less to worry about as I bob about on the ocean.

 

WHAT - You are not getting the Shingles Vaccine. I have been through the shingles may years ago - and it was No Fun at all. I have been there - and done that - and I am most definitely not going there again - If one little shot can protect me - I am all in. Time to get the new Shingles vaccine.

 

I am toooo old to be getting these preventable things - I am finding (the hard way)  I do not recover nearly as quickly as I used to.

 

I got the Singles Vaccine eight years ago and had a bad reaction to it.  My friends told me there is a new one out (2 shots) but I'm not going to get it.  Once was enough.

I'm not getting a booster shot.  I'm tired of shots.  In the last couple of months I've had 2 Pfizer shots; stronger flu shot for those over 65, and a Prevnar 13 shot (pheumococcal).  The only shot I want is a shot of libation in a shot glass😃

On 10/17/2021 at 12:02 PM, Crew News said:

FWIW I strongly recommend the Fly Denali excursion with a landing in the mountains.  The downside is that you are folded like a pretzel with your knees in your chest unless you get lucky and are chosen to sit with the pilot.  I have had both opportunities.  Note the dashboard of the aircraft come nearly to your forehead thus making photos out the side window the only option. Here is a link to my photo from both views:  Fly Denali Photos

 

WOW!  Stunning photos.  I'd never fit in one of those small planes. Thanks for sharing.

11 hours ago, jhannah said:

In looking at a 2023 cruise on the Rotterdam I see that a Signature Suite is guarantee only. I wouldn't think the ship is sold out yet, so I'm wondering if this might be because capacity limits haven't been set yet for 2023. What say ye?

This has worked for me:  Choose a few cabins you're interested in from the deck plans.  Click on Change Stateroom then Choose Your Room.  In the Search Box enter a room number and you'll see if the room is available.  

I hate the wooden ones.  Tops and dresses fall off them.  I pack those super thin flocked hangers (they have a velvety coating).

On 10/18/2021 at 7:21 AM, Evilmuffin said:

I guess it’s time for me to get with the times.   I have all the latest gadgets, iphone, Ipad Pro, Apple Watch, etc, etc but don’t bother to use them to their full capacity.    My son is off in University so my go-to it guy is not available.  

 

@Fouremco   You seem to be pretty up on all this stuff.    You wouldn’t happen to live in the west end?   LOL.  I need a mentor for all this techy stuff.   🙂

I'm in the Alta Vista area.  One company I also use for computer problems, teaching etc. is CompuHome.  You can google them.  I highly recommend.