Fouremco

This article explains it: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/12/07/royal-caribbean-adds-price-tracker-feature-new-cruise-search-update It's essentially a price tracking system.

I wonder if the PVP had it a bit confused, and meant that it CPOULD be charged in CAD, not that it WOULD be. I always book in CAD, and other lines have always given me the opportunity to pay my onboard expenses in CAD, but the exchange rate is never as good as what my credit card charges (and I pay no forex), so I always pay in USD. I've not sailed with NCL, so maybe they are different, but the industry standard seems to be that lines offer you the option to pay in CAD, but it's not mandatory that you do so.

The TD sells both Chilean and Brazilian currencies, and very possibly the other two you need as they sell over 50 foreign currencies. For further information: https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/currency-exchange-services

The CBP and other related websites make no provision for the use of a photocopy to enter the US, the Service Canada employee's comments notwithstanding. Moreover, current passports have data stored electronically on them that the photocopy wouldn't have. This US article provides information on a variety of reasons for making a photocopy of your passport, but using it to enter the US is not one of them. https://passport-photo.online/blog/photocopy-passport/ The major benefit is to make the acquisition of a replacement easier should you lose your passport. From the article's FAQ: Can you use a photocopy of a U.S. passport as ID? No, you can’t use a passport photocopy as ID, but you should still have it as if you do lose yours it will help speed up the process of getting your new passport. As a former Maritimer, I'm well aware of the more relaxed attitude towards many issues, but I wonder if this extends to the CBP officials at the Calais border crossing.

I always wear Tilley hats that have straps that can be tucked away when not needed. Most of the time I don't need the strap, but they're a godsend on windy days or when moving quickly, such as in an open boat.

Same problems. And my DS is trying to book a cruise but the website keeps telling her there aren't cabins available. Clearly the gremlins are running amok in RCI's IT department.

Both here and in Montreal! 🥶🥶🥶

There are several Canadian credit cards that do not charge a conversion fee. While I don't use one as my everyday credit card, I do use one (Home Trust Preferred VISA) for travel and for online purchases outside Canada.

No separate line, and you submit your form when you arrive at the airport. From the CBP website: After downloading the MPC Application from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, eligible travelers will be prompted to create a profile with their passport information, including the traveler’s name, gender, date of birth, and country of citizenship. Arrival at eligible Preclearance locations or upon landing in the United States, travelers will select their arrival airport or seaport and terminal, take a self-photo, and answer a series of CBP inspection-related questions. Once the traveler submits their transaction through the app, the traveler will receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. Travelers then bring their physical passport and mobile device with their digital QR-coded receipt to a CBP officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States.

I think that you missed my point. The fact that the US Fair Credit Billing Act protects consumers from liability over $50 for authorized charges—and many issuers offer $0 liability - doesn't alter the inherent security risk, it simply shifts the financial loss from the card owner to the card issuer. As for encrypted data transfer, I agree with you totally. But I think that it would be rather naive to believe that absolutely no-one at the company to whom you are making the payment has access to those details once received.

I suspect that a dishonest person could do more damage more quickly with the credit card details than they could with the cheque details. Nevertheless, I probably write only one or two cheques a year and feel very comfortable with my credit card use. And it's so much easier tapping my Apple Watch on a store's point of sale terminal than writing out a cheque!

If the random person in receipt of the cheque is dishonest, is it really less secure than sending the same person your credit card number, expiry date and CVV code?

You're how old??? Not many of us who can relate to that comment! 😇

Before lines started introducing these charges, all too many passengers would take a towel or two to the beach while in port and simply leave the now wet and sandy towels there at the end of the day. There was never a problem with bath towels from the cabin.

I'd go with St. Thomas for her first dive and St. Lucia for the second. I've done multiple dives at all of the sites mentioned here, but if she's not done a drift dive yet, I'd suggest Superman's Flight: https://blog.padi.com/5-must-dive-sites-st-lucia/

I thought that two people in cabin simply shared a check in time. I understand that you need to go in and repeat the process for other bookings/cabins linked to your booking, but not for someone in your cabin.

It varies with the cruise line. Some will base it on the rate on the day that you make your first online purchase, then lock it in and continue to use that rate for any subsequent purchases.

Good catch. That change was just added to bring Celebrity in line with RCI. As you say, keep checking!

An organization like the National Association of Federal Retirees brings thousands of members to a company like Johnson Insurance. Naturally, they'll get a better rate than the handful of employees working for a small business.

Any type of insurance, whether travel, car, home, etc., has T&C. If you leave your car unlocked with the key in the ignition in a shady part of town, don't be surprised when the insurance won't cover your loss. That's not a loop hole, it's part of the T&C you agreed to.

With Celebrity it must be supervised: All guests ages 2 and older must present a digital or physical copy of a supervised, negative COVID-19 test result at check-in to board their sailing. RCI, however, simply requires a negative test: Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision.

Just to clarify a point, you don't need to be a member of the National Association of Federal Retirees to get travel insurance with Johnson/MEDOC. While I am a member, my sister is not, but as a member of the CBC Pensioners National Association, she too has MEDOC coverage through Johnson Insurance. Whether the cost or coverage is identical I don't know, as we've not compared our policies, but the insurance offered by Johnson is available to a number of groups. If in doubt as to whether you might be eligible, from the Johnson website: MEDOC® Travel Insurance is available to members of our sponsored affinity groups at a special member rate. Find out if you’re a Johnson group member & get insured today!

YouTube has some excellent videos, including this one:

Judging by the response to my post, I think that@LHT28 understood that my union comment was tongue-in-cheek.

Yes, that's true, but the person to whom I was responding was referring to cold weather issues with baggage handlers in Calgary, not Toronto.