Sue from Canada

I read yesterday on the HAL message boards about price drops. Called my TA today... She called HAL and we got a total of $1,260 off our B2B to Alaska next June. We did have to give up the Explore 4 package - no big deal in my mind.

I just saw that HAL has slashed the cabin price of our cruise by $150/person. I have a call in to my travel agent to see if we can get a credit. Anyone know HAL's policy? I called but they referred me back to my travel agent saying that it will depend on the travel agent's policy????? I also read elsewhere that we would have to give up the Explore 4 offer if we took the lower cabin price? The agent at HAL said she could give me no information over the phone since I did not book directly with them.

Thank you gbgpr. We have a B2B booked to Alaska in June. Called my TA today about Statendam price drop. She call HAL and we got $1,260:D reduction. We did have to give up the Explore 4 offer - no big deal to us.

You can smell it off and on on any ship. It happens.

I bring an Airwick solid (fresh linen scent) and put it in the bathroom.

I will be traveling with family to Alaska next summer. One family member mentioned that she is planning on just bringing loafers (as opposed to any sort of boot, waterproof or otherwise). We will not be doing any strenuous hiking or anything, as we will also be traveling with my 81 year old grandmother. So, primarily walking around the ports, etc. I think we are considering a tour of Mendenhall Glacier and a whale watching tour. Will loafers be appropriate? I am also concerned about what shoes my grandmother might wear as she does not normally wear tennis shoes or hiking boots of any kind.

I always bring my Teva sandals and Crocs. Both are good on rainy days and warm days.

Same here after being on the low sodium diet. Thanks for all these tips. I might limit myself to one latte at Explorations each day.

 

My ankles swell so much it's not funny. This past August I did two things different on my 14 day cruise and no swollen ankles:) I stayed out of the MDR -- 2+ hours at night is too long and I didn't have any soup. At dinner/supper I went to the Lido and ordered a lot of veggies, salad and whatever meat/fish I wanted. I also ate at Caneletto twice. What a relief. Now I can go and book an even longer cruise w/o worrying like looking like a French poodle.

What was your first cruise ship? What cruise line, the year and the itinerary? (if you remember;) ) Did it get you hooked?

 

Westerdam - E. Caribbean at the end of October (1994). Never crossed my mind when mum and I booked that it was hurricane season. First three days we hit rough weather and mum stayed in the cabin with cans of Ginger Ale and crackers. On day four when she emerged from the confines of four walls, I found her lounging on the Lower Promendade deck. It was then that she told me that she was so sick she couldn't care if the ship sank and will never get on a ship again. I on the other hand became addicted to cruises. Two years later she asked me if I wanted to go to Alaska, to which I replied "I thought you told me you'd never get on a ship again." Well, we went to Alaska, she wore sea bands this time, and at the end I had to drag her off the ship as she didn't want to get off. Before we even made it to Vancouver airport she said "lets go to the Mediterranean next year." She is now hooked to HAL cruises:)

I checked the TSA website for permitted foods on board, but the CATSA is a bit difficult to navigate.

 

1. I’m travelling from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale (connecting in Atlanta), is food permitted in carry on baggage (such as pre-made sandwiches, cookies, muffins, bags of chips, etc)?

2. I also thought fruit was banned? It’s on the ok list below?

3. I know liquids (water, juice, pop) is not permitted until after we’re checked in and then we have to pay a ridiculous price for it.

TIA!

 

From TSA website

Solid food products are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage. Examples of solid food products include meat, bread, fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, chips, cookies, cakes, muffins, granola bars, hard candies, cheese, nuts, crackers, chocolate bars and other similar food items.

If you are planning to bring food from a foreign country into Canada, you should check with your air carrier or Canada Border Services Agency’s website as some restrictions may apply.

If you plan to bring food products from Canada into another country, you should contact the appropriate foreign office accredited to Canada or the customs authority of the country of your destination.

I flew from Toronto to Florida last month. US Customs told me "everything is considered food except gum." Yikes. To be safe, on the Customs Declaration form, tick off the yes box to food.... On second thought, maybe the Customs Officer was suffering from PMS that day:rolleyes:

Westerdam, October 29, 1994; Mother-daughter cruise. We never thought of hurricane season when we booked this cruise. As soon as we left Fort Lauderdale we were rocking and rolling. My mother stayed in her cabin for three days with only crackers and gingerale. I on the other hand love rough seas. Once we returned home she told me that she felt so sick while on board those first three days that she didn't care if the ship sank! Two years later though she asked me if I'd like to go to Alaska. I replied "with who?" "Me" was her answer. "But you told me you'd never get on a ship again." Well, we sailed to Alaska, had the calmest waters and she was hooked. We booked a cruise to the Mediterranean the following week and the rest is history (P.S. She does wear sea bands though).

Westerdam, October 29, 1994; Mother-daughter cruise. We never thought of hurricane season when we booked this cruise. As soon as we left Fort Lauderdale we were rocking and rolling. My mother stayed in her cabin for three days with only crackers and gingerale. I on the other hand love rough seas. Once we returned home she told me that she felt so sick while on board those first three days that she didn't care if the ship sank! Two years later though she asked me if I'd like to go to Alaska. I replied "with who?" "Me" was her answer. "But you told me you'd never get on a ship again." Well, we sailed to Alaska, had the calmest waters and she was hooked. We booked a cruise to the Mediterranean the following week and the rest is history (P.S. She does wear sea bands though).