*Miss G*

@Crew News has a very informative site. If you click on the links on THIS PAGE and scroll down, the hours are listed for each venue. Here’s a screenshot. It’s a different ship but they generally follow the same timetable.

Depends what your cruiseline policy is. For HAL and Princess we tested Wednesday, flew Thursday, boarded Saturday. Have to have your booster for the “within 3 days” policy, though.

They don’t send an email. You wait for the results in the store and they hand you a hard copy. Check it over to make sure everything matches. (Date, time, name, passport information, etc.)

Here is their Customer Care Page. I also found the contact information for each individual ship, but from a German site, so you would probably forego the country code numbers and just enter “1” like we normally do in North America. Princess Ship Direct Contacts Good luck.

We had a good experience at Shoppers Drug Mart. You won’t have a problem with the cruiseline accepting that. I filled everything in online, beforehand, so there would be no room for a transcription error if they have to enter it manually when you get to your appointment.

I am so very sorry to hear of your husband’s illness. That must have been very scary for you both. Very relieved to hear he is improving and you are being well taken care of. I wish you all the best.

Meant to add this pic:

I imagine that’s an inevitable development. Anything over those painful check-in kiosks they currently have. I’ve experienced the facial recognition technology upon arrival in the UK (implemented a number of years ago) as well as at the new e-gates at YYZ. It seems that Covid has been the catalyst when it comes to ArriveCAN and E-Gates.

I’m sorry, I may have misunderstood the question. Our expiring FCD’s were not extended for an additional 4 years. Only for an additional year.

Yes.

At embarkation you head to a facial recognition kiosk. The attendant scans your passport and then the machine scans your face and matches it to the passport. Upon disembarkation, you head to one of the kiosks. It scans your face and, unless there’s a problem, it authorizes your entry and you’re on your way. THIS LINK gives additional details.

+1 to both points! I was actually going to post “More cruises!” as I’ve found the more I cruise the less I feel the seas. Also, Gravol is my go-to anti-nauseant as well! I am unable to take Dramamine without strong side-effects, but have no problem with taking Gravol. As I am not a chemist or pharmacologist I can’t offer an explanation. 🤷‍♀️

No idea if all terminals/lines have it, yet, but the HAL terminals have all switched over to facial recognition kiosks so no Global Entry lines anymore. Fastest disembarkation I have ever done at PEV, even when we used GE.

It appears the mandatory mask mandates are based on number of onboard Covid cases more than any other influence. Our March cruise was mask-optional until the last couple of days when a note was slipped under everyone’s door and it was suddenly compulsory, ship-wide. We had masked up everywhere we went, anyway, and no one in our party of four caught it.

My PCC was the one who told me we had some expiring and so he went ahead and extended them for us. Was not a problem.

The Nieuw Amsterdam is a lovely ship; you have made a great choice! Check out the Tamarind Bar as well as the Tamarind Restaurant. They are favourite spots for many. Also BB King’s is a super fun night spot. I don’t have a “Live-From” thread on the NA but I do have a PICTURE THREAD of our Neptune Suite, which is almost the same as the Signature Suite. Sadly, this was before CC had improved their site so you probably won’t see the pictures until about halfway down the thread, but the first posts will explain what they are. You can also find pictures on the HALfacts Site. Welcome to Holland America and to cruising!! Depending on your ship, there is a dining reservations podium located in the hallway usually on Deck 3 mid ship near the Pinnacle Grill. Check your When & Where for the times and locations. The When & Where will be in your stateroom upon arrival.

You would think Benadryl would be a basic med available in the ship shop.

Shocking. 🤪

I’m having difficulty buying into the theory that the problem lies with the US side when it’s the Enrollment Centres on the Canadian side which aren’t open.

CBSA clears passengers from the manifest and customs declaration. They only want to see you if something comes up.

Correct. No further submission is required. The first submission is all you need. Current reports state that an ArriveCAN submission prior to boarding a ship in Canada, which does not end in Canada, are not required. Go by what your specific cruise line requirements are for a B2B.

We didn’t do a beach day but did have a lovely day at the Hilton Eforea Spa. It was a rainy day so the thermal pool with different massage jets was fabulous, as were our treatments. Highly recommend it. Also did the Fast Ferry to Bellagio and then the regular ferry back. It was an amazing day. Lake Como Ferry

Depending upon the itinerary, I’ll use Billy Bishop over YYZ anytime. YYZ is a nightmare. In every way.

Thank you for taking the time from your vacation to do this review. I very much appreciated it. When you disembarked, would you say that the train station is within walking distance of the port or should we arrange for a taxi? (Or anyone who knows the answer to this question.) We are heading straight to Rotterdam in order to board a TA that same day.

We just tried Princess in March and much prefer Holland America. If lots of entertainment is important to you then you may want to stick with Princess. If a prom and forward observation lounge and traditional dining is important to you then I would choose HAL. Would love to know your decision. Have a great cruise.