Fouremco

The big box store TA that I deal with doesn't give perks for special occasions, but it does give 8-10% of the total cruise price in the form of a store Shop Card, and the amount paid is included in the annual 2% reward program. We made the switch as soon as they opened the TA in Canada a few years ago.

I'd suggest that you do some research on SIM cards and eSIM. They come with a wide variety of options on where they can be used and the amount of data, texts and phone minutes available. These options will allow you to find one that best needs your personal requirements, and whichever one you decide on will be far less expensive than Koodo's roaming plan. This is a somewhat typical SIM: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07RYLB6PK/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=b7493dd449e12df467c1bf96f4a85140&content-id=amzn1.sym.2391ded4-5342-4a72-ab16-54835c13e968%3Aamzn1.sym.2391ded4-5342-4a72-ab16-54835c13e968&hsa_cr_id=3787483910401&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=b0524b0d-4e33-46ba-ac56-7b1663cc982f&pd_rd_w=G62A1&pd_rd_wg=DJFx3&qid=1665157038&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img&sr=1-1-a094db1c-5033-42c6-82a2-587d01f975e8&th=1 Here's a site to get your research going: https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-sim-cards-577532

Once upon a time, many years ago, when today's CBSA fell under a different ministry and was known as Revenue Canada Customs and Excise, I did have an occasion to lecture at the Customs and Excise College in Rigaud, Quebec. Also, a former President of CBSA was a neighbour at one time, so I have had "connections", but that's as close as I've come to working for them. While my association with CBSA has been very slim, with the PCO it has been zero! 😇

There's no need for confusion. Each cruise line can now establish its own policies with respect to such things as vaccinations and pre-cruise COVID testing. As the Canadian cruise season will be finished in a matter of days, cruise lines may not bother implementing changes for the few remaining sailings. Check with your favourite cruise line(s) to see what they decide to do with respect to COVID mitigation.

Transport Canada published Guidance for cruise operators to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19 - SSB No.: 22/2022 on 2022-09-30. The bulletin "outlines recommended measures for Authorized Representatives of cruise ships operating in Canadian waters, and persons on board those vessels," effectively changing previously required action on the part of cruise ship to recommended action. So, for example, whereas there existed a previous requirement for those 12 or older to be vaccinated, the bulletin now states that "Authorized Representatives are strongly encouraged to verify that all persons 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated before boarding the vessel (i.e., at least 14 days after they complete a COVID-19 vaccine dosage regimen)." https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/ship-safety-bulletins/guidance-cruise-operators-mitigate-risks-associated-covid-19-ssb-no-22-2022

Sorry to hear that, as it would otherwise be a good solution.

I don't know about availability on your dates, but Air Canada has a direct 4h 50m flight from Toronto that departs at 08:20 and arrive at 14:10. With lots of options for you getting to Toronto, that might be worth considering. As for luggage getting lost, I suspect that your odds will be the same no matter what combination of flights you take.

DW and I had previously registered our NEXUS cards as our travel documents in ArriveCAN. That is no longer acceptable with the latest revision of the app. In order to use the Advance CBSA Declaration, the traveller "Must be using a Passport or Canadian Permanent Resident Card as their travel document". A NEXUS member wishing to declare a purchase in excess of the allowable exemption "must do so verbally, to an officer, at a clearly marked area in the customs hall after using the kiosk or eGate." Hopefully, as the CBSA in more Canadian airports comes online with the Advance CBSA Declaration, the ArriveCAN and NEXUS automated systems will be integrated and allow all travellers to use the app to submit their declarations.

I drive DW to Departures and offload our bags while she takes off her winter coat and makes a run for it into the terminal. I then go and park the car in a lot about a 5-minute walk from the terminal. I toss my coat onto the back seat with my DW's, then set out on a brisk walk to meet her in Departures. If we were going to head to the airport by Uber or taxi, we'd just leave the winter coats at home and ask the driver to gives us maximum heat in the car.

I was one of the lucky ones who ordered the 14 Pro Max when the Apple website opened for orders on the 9th and then received it on the 16th. Like you, I had an older model, a 7 Plus, so quite a change, not only in the hardware but with iOS 16. All I did to start using it was take the card out of the old iPhone and stick it in the new one. Now, some good news for you. I was curious as to whether or not my provider (Rogers) would accommodate eSIM-only unit, and it seems like yes they do! Can I use an eSIM-only iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro on the Rogers network? Unlocked eSIM-only iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models can be activated and used on the Rogers network. You might want to contact the Apple store(s) in Florida where you will be staying to see what their forecast is for availability, or if you can order one now and have it arrive on time. Good luck!

Assuming that you are talking about an iPhone 14, the major issue for you is that US models do not come with a SIM card tray as they only operate on eSIM. So double check with your intended Canadian service provider to see whether or not they can support you. As I understand it, the reason Canada and other countries didn't receive the eSIM-only version was due to some providers not supporting them.

From a 2014 Alaskan cruise:

HAL has being requiring ArriveCAN submissions, even in situations where there was no Canadian requirement. You are wise to go by what RC decides to do come October 1 and not to base your actions on the changed Canadian policies.

Yes, that appears to be the case, although there are some interesting arguments that could be made in some cases. For example, a Canada-New England cruise departing Boston on September 30 may still call for an ArriveCAN submission, even though by time you actually arrive in Canada, it will no longer be an entry required.

The bulletin, which can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-to-remove-covid-19-border-and-travel-measures-effective-october-1.html states the following: Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travellers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.

Given the broad criticism of ArriveCAN on many fronts over the past number of months, and the official announcement expected tomorrow on a decision to end pandemic border measures and to make the use of the ArriveCAN app optional, I'm not sure that writing to my MP would result in any changes not already contemplated by cabinet.

LOL. Perhaps I should have written that most popular travel sims, like the one you just purchased, offer both calling and data. 😇

Most SIM cards and e-sims provide both calling and data. The amount of data, texts and calling minutes varies, while calling minutes can be subject to geographic limitations, and limits may very between incoming and outgoing texts. You really need to carefully review what each sim offers before buying. Take a look at the details for this popular card: https://www.amazon.ca/Preloaded-Unlimited-Worldwide-Tethering-Allowed/dp/B0B2DZRM8T/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1HLYU1TL6GTRR&keywords=sim+cards+for+europe&qid=1664032862&sprefix=SIM+cards%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMEhOMkVKNDhZSzI2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTI4OTkwMjY2RU5KQzZHMThLTyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTUwMDU2RDkyR0JOQU5YR042JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

This article provides a pretty comprehensive overview of your choices. I hope it helps. https://www.phonetravelwiz.com/buying-a-sim-card-in-the-caribbean-guide/

Can you tell us how long a period of time you will be staying, and whether it's on one or multiple islands?

Possibly not, and the whole issue still needs to be finalized by cabinet, but the sources do indicate that sea ports are included in the planned changes. The changes, for arrivals at land, air and sea ports of entry, are planned for Sept. 30,

LOL, as I have gone in the opposite direction. After many, many years of lugging SLR and later DSLR cameras and lenses around, I recently decided that the iPhone 14 Pro Max would become my "go to" camera when travelling in the future.

There are countless websites warning of the dangers of Colon, some more reliable than others. This GOC travel advice should help you to decide whether it would be wise to venture out solo. https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/panama

Yes, there are many threads on many boards pointing out the inherent dangers of surge protectors on ships.

Vaccination requirements vary from cruise line to cruise line. For example, Celebrity allows anyone to sail with them from the US and Europe regardless of their vaccination status. On the other hand, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible guests (based on US eligibility requirements) to be fully vaccinated. You'll need to check with your cruise line, and if vaccination is required, you will need to provide proof when you check in on embarkation day. Typically, CBP officers ask a couple of perfunctory questions and pass you through. If you have NEXUS or other status, you'll get through more quickly, but not at all ports.