declansdad

43 minutes ago, Hogbay said:

If you have cheers , they are required to open it .if you are buying a bucket of beers you can go were ever with it on board 😉

Thanks for the reply but this had nothing to do with cheers or buying buckets. For a period of about 2 hours you could purchase unopened beer at the Red Frog Pub to take back to your stateroom.

6 hours ago, n6uqqq said:

I think the happy hour has gone the way of the dodo unfortunately. I inquired on my last two Red frog trips on the Spirit in Feb and May and they didn't have the half off deal on embarkation day.

Thank you

2 hours ago, staceyglow said:

That depends on your bartender. In theory, they are required to open it, but YMMV. 

 

The exception would be if you purchased a bucket of beers. 

That is something completely different. It only happened during happy hour the day you boarded and you could buy beer by the case to take back to your stateroom.

Back in 2020 while sailing on the Magic, we were able to purchased unopened beer on embarkation day at the Red Frog Pub and take it back to the stateroom. Next summer we will be on the Legend on a British Isles cruise, do anyone know if we can do the same thing on the Legend?

3 hours ago, Fouremco said:

 

Canadian cities were once filled with small, independent brick and mortar bookstores. Their numbers have dwindled over the past few decades, unable to compete with the large national and international chains that moved in, and unable to deal with the rise of internet sales. Today, online retailer Amazon in Canada probably sells more books in more formats than all of the remaining independent bookstores combined.

 

A while back, Amazon started offering a free monthly Kindle book to all of its Prime members. Some months, we get to choose two, and I made my October picks yesterday. I’ve enjoyed many of the books I’ve read since Amazon started this program, and I’m quite sure that this little perk has attracted many of its customers to purchase other books. Amazon isn’t stupid, and you can be sure that it has found the program to be a money maker.

 

When my big box travel agency was first established in Canada a few years ago, it immediately started offering perks to its customers. Canadian cities were filled with small, independent brick and mortar travel agencies, and this new kid on the block needed to provide an incentive to get travellers to switch allegiance. I don’t recall any hue and cry from the cruise community for them to give up part of their commission, it was simply a good, very effective marketing strategy on the part of the agency.

 

As a consumer, whether I’m buying the latest best seller or booking my next cruise, I’ll choose the best deal offered to me. The key word here is “offered”. I never asked Amazon for free Kindle books and I never asked my TA for part of its commission.  And to answer your question, no, I wouldn’t ask my lawyer, my plumber, my real estate agent, my barber to give me back part of their pay, but I would certainly accept a discount if they were to offer one.

 

I see that Shell is offering a 3 cent per litre discount to CAA members. And Petro-Canada has offered a similar discount for a few years to customers who pay with an RBC credit card. Again, simply good business sense on their part, and I accept the discount with absolutely no feeling of guilt for having cut into their corporate profits.

You get what you pay for. Hopefully you never need help with some of these big box stores that offer travel.

On 10/1/2023 at 6:49 AM, CDNPolar said:

 

I am not saying that any TA should give me their commission.  I am simply working under the knowledge that some TA's offer incentives to book through them, and why would you not take advantage of that?

 

One particular large retail chain that has a TA division, does not commission their reps, so therefore you as the traveller are the one that gets the benefit back.  On a cruise we did last year, we received over $2,000.00 in compensation back.  Another large Canadian TA company we get over $600 per trip in compensation and this is clearly stated in their promotional materials.  This is not taking from anyone, if it is offered.

 

We made the decision to interview TA's and they openly state what they give.  

Most TA's do not work for companies like this. In fact, the vast majority are independent. The incentives they give are usually because they are part of the promotion they are offering you and is you are asking for more, you are asking for a share of their commission.

On 9/30/2023 at 9:09 PM, Fouremco said:

No TA works for free. They get a healthy commission from the cruise line for every booking, and some TA's keep all of it, perhaps minus the cost of a cheap bottle of wine, while others are more generous  with their perks. This results in a smaller profit per booking (smaller, not small) but more bookings as the perks attract more customers. The net result is a bigger overall profit. No need to worry on their behalf.

I know how TA's get paid and describing it as healthy commission is being generous. There are are also may factors that come into to play with that commission. It could be split between with the host agency they work for, they need to pay their expenses and it is likely their only source of income. The commission rate will also be different by cruise line and also dependent on the agreement they or their host agency has with the line

Would you ask for your lawyer, your plumber, your real estate agent, your hair stylist to give you back part of their pay/

On 9/15/2023 at 7:59 AM, CDNPolar said:

Well, we can talk in general, but not promote by name.

 

What we have found is that you must interview several.

 

We used one TA for a very specific cruise as we wanted someone expert in that particular expedition itinerary.  We were overall happy, but the signing process with them had more paperwork than the cruise vacation and the fees attached to cancellation and other things were too much, but we went ahead at the time.

 

Since then this same TA has been trying for our business, but wants a fee up front to research and book, then a fee to book air, then a fee for this and that....  Nope, we are not going to pay to use a TA when we are capable of doing the booking ourselves.  There must be value to us to use the TA.

 

There is a major retail chain that offers huge money back but they only book certain cruise lines.

 

We use a TA now that we get an OBC of $200 per person for our cruise bookings, and at the end of each year we get an additional $100 per person that we can apply to upcoming bookings.  So in total, we get $600 to book a cruise through this company.

 

I would interview and ask several about their fees, and what value they offer in on board credit (OBC) or in cash back... then make your decision there.

 

I will not state the amount here, but one of our first ever TA's that we used only the once by mistake sent us their invoice for commission to the cruise line, and there is a LOT OF ROOM for a TA to offer you something.  What we get from the above mentioned TA is not even half the commission for our chosen cruise line.

Why should a TA give you their commission? Do you work for free?

11 hours ago, CTGirl74 said:

 

Good to know about the lack of Uber--thank you!

 

After checking out the map I linked to and doing lots of research on some of those places, as well as some we saw on Google Maps, I think we have a plan for the day. Or at least a few places in mind to visit. Unfortunately, the Loyalist House and a few other historic places are closed, either because it's the end of the season or because they're closed on Saturdays. But we found Woodchuck's Ax Throwing, which we plan to try; the city market and Market Square; and a restaurant that looks good--Churchill's Pub & Steakhouse.  🙂 

There isn't much at Market Square anymore unless you are looking for food. I've never been to Churchill's before so I can't pass along much there. If you are just looking for craft beer, try Picaroon's General Store. It's a good little brew pub and it is just around the corner from Churchill's

There are no Ubers in New Brunswick. You can easily walk to the City Market as well as a number of brew pubs from the Marco Polo cruise terminal

On 9/2/2023 at 11:19 PM, Kitty Ellas Mom said:

So, don't bring water shoes?  That is what I was thinking when someone else suggested what you wear to the beach.  But I can see how this could be more slippery due to rocks. 

 

I'm thinking of a very old (but serviceable) pair of sneakers that I'd just throw away before getting back on the bus (having extra shoes with me).  I don't know if that's overkill or not though.  I don't know how muddy they will be getting.  Maybe I could just wash them off and then throw them away when back onboard the ship.

I wouldn't wear water shows. I don't remember anyone wearing anything like that. Anytime I've visited I just wear sneakers.

It will be muddy, the rocks and trails will be slippery. Wear something with good support, a good tread and is easy to clean.

About one hour up the highway visit the capital city, Fredericton.

6 hours ago, Corby114 said:

I rented a vehicle from the Miami International Airport Rental Car Center after a December 2022 Royal Caribbean cruise from the Port Of Miami and the free shuttle service was still discontinued. I paid approximately thirty five dollars on a metered cab for the twenty plus minute trip. I asked the customer service representative at Alamo if he knew when and if free shuttle services would be restarted and he stated he didn't know.

Than you.

2 hours ago, Corby114 said:

Alamo shuttle service from the Port Of Miami to the Miami International Airport Rental Car Center and in the opposite direction was discontinued at the beginning of the Covid Pandemic. I'm unsure when the service will return. I know that Avis, Budget and Hertz have downtown Miami locations that provide service to their facilities. The only problem with the downtown locations is they are small and get very busy on cruise turnaround days.

Yes but that is part of the conflicting information. I have read other reports that it is running. I'm not going to a downtown location so I don't need info for them.

Have you been there recently or are you just providing information that you've read?

Finding conflicting information about a shuttle from the Miami cruise port to the Miami Airport. Has anyone used an Alamo shuttle lately to get to the airport and pick up a car? If so, how did you arrange the pickup?

On 1/11/2023 at 6:01 AM, njhorseman said:

 

 

It's a rather common error to call the city in New Brunswick St. John's instead of Saint John.

No it's not, not if you take the time to actually read your cruise itinerary. It's also insulting to the City,

On 8/28/2022 at 6:06 PM, shipgeeks said:

Lobster seems to be the stereotype. (None for me, thanks.)

What are some local favorites that we might consider trying while in our ports?

Blueberry pie in Bar Harbor.

Beaver tails in Halifax.

Holy Donuts in Portland.

Dried seaweed (name?) in Saint John, sold in the city market.

Suggestions, please!

Dried seaweed is called Dulse.

11 hours ago, Anet01 said:

Planning a New England Canada cruise for my mom.  Finalizing this week and can't decide between the first and second week of October. Mom loves the change of leaf color (Florida so not much color ever here!) so leaning towards the second week of October (week of the 8th) so we might see some color change. I know that some things start to close around this time though, so I am unsure what to do.  Thoughts or suggestions I might not have considered. 

 

Itinerary/Ports:

Newport, Rhode Island 6am-4pm

Portland, Maine 10am-7pm

Bar Harbor 8am-5pm

Saint John Bay of Fundy, Canada 9:15 am-9:05 pm

Halifax, Canada 2:30pm-11pm

Second and third weeks on October are typically peak times in southern NB and NS. 

On 8/8/2022 at 12:08 AM, Twomaloneys said:

In St. John’s we are doing the hop on / off also.

Halifax we are renting a car and driving to Peggy’s Cove, then to Lunenburg. We have a long day in port so will have plenty of time.

enting car was cheaper than tours for 4 adults.

Sorry to be picky but it is Saint John. St, John's in in Newfoundland.

On 8/1/2022 at 10:09 PM, davekathy said:

Do you have a crystal ball? 😉 Any idea what terminal Celebrity cruises uses? We'll scheduled to stop in Saint John 23 September on the Summit.

You will berth at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.

10 hours ago, davekathy said:

As far as the ArriveCAN app selection, it appears to be "Saint John Marine Terminal (New"

That's how it' shows on the app. The other choice would be "Saint John Marina". Doubt that one. 

SJ Marine Terminal is the correct choice

36 minutes ago, davekathy said:

What is the name of the port where the cruise ships dock in Saint John? 

Port of Saint John.

There are 3 terminals - Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal, and Long Wharf. They are all together in one area.

9 hours ago, KATHYMAC68 said:

Do they offer taxis at the port to take you there?

I'm sure they do.

13 hours ago, stacyh270 said:

We will be in Halifax next Monday.  We are renting a car and driving down the coast. We plan to visit Peggy's Cove, Oak Island, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg. 

How long are you in port? Not giving yourself much time to visit each spot.