Fouremco

OK, thanks. A few articles I've read suggest that those who are NEXUS/Global Entry members and also have the MPC app simply pick the shorter line, but I don't know how these lines are configured at Pearson or if a comparison is even possible.

Just curious, but how was the MPC line compared to the line for NEXUS members?

That's no longer the case. Interac does provide international transfers, albeit only for people with an active National Bank account. https://www.interac.ca/en/consumers/products/interac-e-transfer/international-money-transfer/

Caution is always advisable, and in this case the OP's husband uses a VPN. A virtual private network protects your online activity by creating a secure ‘tunnel’ that sits between your device and the site or service you’re trying to access. Many workers rely on them to access their email and corporate files while they’re outside the office, particularly since the pandemic and the huge increase in people working from home.

The information in this CC article is a bit dated, but Royal Caribbean continues to be rated highly. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3393 Moreover, Royal Caribbean has had a successful trial using Starlink, and will be introducing it fleet wide next year: https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/30/royal-caribbean-will-equip-all-its-cruise-ships-with-starlink-internet/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jcnVpc2Vwb3J0YWR2aXNvci5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANzviXn0k4GWt3V3FW9hblDFwwsc9TVKKfzMrcnpTQQ9orZ1dybqLXYkTxr88_gfbf5keGd-WoXlRTbysUSVKIT4XZkvcxQAmePV6EJCsUVhdWlzECJiQ9dKL-xMrzR9uwOxn-y-Scw_1FMSMo5SSsrsEe6NfzVWvb3HMEJdbeJ8 Even with Starlink, I doubt that your husband will ever get close to land-based wifi, but perhaps a test cruise with Royal Caribbean will give you some idea as to whether you should put off cruising until he retires.

This CC news item may be of some interest, although much of the information is dated: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6788/ While there were several statements made by cruise lines back in the Spring, I've not seen any related statements since.

Yes, definitely USD, as most lines' conversion rate these days is not as good as you will get from your Canadian financial institution. As suggested above, use a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

According to this website, cruise passengers do not require a visa if their visit is for less than three days and they will be only visiting the city where the ship docks: https://www.visasturkey.com/evisa-for-turkey-on-a-cruise/

I find Apple's Translate app quite good and easy to use in a variety of ways, but I don't know how it compares with Google Translate for accuracy when translating to/from Spanish.

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.