nanwel

I enjoyed my cruise from Boston to Montreal. Had a family commitment so took the train the same day I arrived in MTL to Toronto. Would have stayed a few days otherwise.

I did it in the fall, mid Oct - few chilly mornings, but great for seeing he fall colours and walking. Relaxing cruise. Lots to see and do,  if you want or just stroll the ports. 

I was on Holland America - but most lines follow similar interties in the fall.

Do not put a depost for 2021 - Canada is not allowing cruise ships in this year. Maybe by fall, but would not count on it. But see some lines still have cruises posted.

I have cruised the east coast from Boston to Montreal on Holland America - will not happen in 2021 due to Covid

There are ships that do only Canada, but cannot remember the name of the line..

Agree with most comments - have many RC nights, only 1 msc - it was ok because it was not crowded - only 1/2 full.  Liked that they did not seem to have the pee pool - yes said that. Hate pools where everyone is standing waste deep drinking all day and never move... get my drift?

The msc ship I was on that did not happen.

Not keen on food - cheap - not great selection or quality on MSC compared to RC or others.

But value for the # of ports and length of cruise.

Room was similar.

So up to you if ports selection is what you want and length of cruise or timing. 

Lets face it - even on our fav cruise line - some things are not what we prefer, but it is better than sitting at home.

They should notify you. But, the cabin change might be because of using every other cabin due to Covid. That you can change if you are all family. But the date of the actual cruise??? What are they thinking... I realize that might too have been out of their control. 

But, they must notify people.

MSC will not make money this year, and will blame Covid - not their incompetency.

I agree, and with luck, they will have some room for solo cabins without charging us double for a single person in our cabin.

Would be interested to see if they have a cruise with the provision that you have had the new Covid needle before the cruise.

And if they will make it mandatory for all crew and staff.

Sailing sailing over the ocean blue.....

I have been reading your letters. I have been cruising solo for 18 years - usually 2 or more a year. Have concerns about returning to cruising. Never join the solo cruise groups anymore - find them a strange collection of guests. Like being at a table of mixed guests and finding out about them. Also meeting new people throughout the ships. So, not sure how keeping distant from others would make the cruise any fun. But, do not want to "catch" Covid. Have no plans for a future cruise at the moment. Try to find places that there are few or no cases on the world map, but seems this is everywhere. Agree, if you are negative on Sat when you board, not sure you are still neg on Monday....etc. that is a worry. When or are we going to be retested?

Was on ship end of March when this started, but cruiseline did not seem to get how much of a problem this was going to become - and of course neither did we on board.

Boring staying home all winter, but will do what is necessary...sleep and eat..haha. no travel!

Good luck with future plans everyone!

No. They still have  people live on the islands

 And, you do not know who your crew or fellow passengers will be.

In time maybe

..but it will be a long time yet..

Thank you! 

Will look for the "daily" specials in the bars days I am on board.

Can you buy the drink package on board? and can you buy it 1/2 way through cruise (4 week cruise)?

They are only offering 1 pkg now online - do not want that pkg.

Can you buy a pkg that is for 5 bottle of wine etc...

thanks. cannot seem to find anyone that knows.

Can anyone tell me if you can buy a wine only pkg when you are on board?

The cruise is 4 weeks and the pkg is for all drinks and is over 1000 Cnd… do not want to be drunk everynight….

only want wine with dinner and maybe 1 - or 2 afternoon drinks.

Ok, I find real pizza so different in Italy - but only if made locally, not the fast food stuff - and that is what is on any ship - standard fast food.

Yes, your standard may be homemade "thin" crust with fresh local herbs. Never had that on any ship from any line! or in 99% of restraunts around the world.

Too many people accept/love the big box style of food.

I have been on  many cruises, and yes had people from other nationalities push in front of me - I often make comments to them - funny they speak English at other times, not when you are say, 'heh you just cut me off - I was here first" Had one lady put her hands on my back and push - I stopped, turned around and told her get your hands off me - she may not get English, but got my point.

Most people are on vaca and just want to have a good time - there are jerks in every crowd - learn to laugh at them and try not to get your blood pressure up - not worth the hassle.

Yes, most crew members work extremely hard and smile while doing so. I few kind words or ask about there family/country etc - goes a long way.

Thanks, I have a 4 week cruise and there is only 1 package offered and it is almost 1000US kinda steep - I would not drink the 5 drinks per day for 4 weeks - or if I did I would be rolled off the ship in the last port....haha.

Hope they offer a smaller package once I am on board.

Or, will just buy as I go. 

Bit of a challenge - but got my flights rearranged.

Arrive in Singapore at 25 after 12 on the 13th - hope to find a hotel for the night and board later in the afternoon.

not keen on sitting at the port from that time of night until the ship lets me board. Will need sleep - long flight, and I am not a good airplane sleeper.

Have been to Singapore before. Nice city -  very clean. Pricey

Single lady 71, able to walk, climb etc - love to join others in any out trips on our new schedule.

Nancy

Or, if you are a carded member of any of the hotel chains, they will hold your luggage for the day for a tip. Ask the bellman.

Can you buy the package once on board perhaps (doing a 4 week cruise) 1/2 way through?

Too bad our cruise critic get together is so late into the cruise - would be nice to meet everyone sooner.

Wonder if they would consider moving it up a bit? Day 9 our cruise is 1/3 over.

Am I the only one thinking that is not a good day?? What about the Tues 18th? 

I have just finished reading your review on MSC Splendida.

I am on her from Shanghai to Dubai in Feb 2020.

Single lady from Canada - not in YC - that may be a problem? Too late to upgrade now - they charge me for 2 - so makes it too much.

Have been to many of the ports in past, but loved most of them and look forward to seeing them again. Last trip was on Seabourn, so a much smaller ship..haha.

Thank you for your article - gave me some insight on what to expect - Have been on many cruises, not usually keen on huge ships, but the price was good for this cruise.

Have not booked any out trips yet.... will see.

Thanks! 

Even if they open the port and let the ship in there will be water on some of the old walkways. Some areas are higher with new sidewalks to make walking around easier. Drier. This is not a new problem - ongoing for years. This just happens to be the worst in years pas

I suggest wearing a cheap pair of runners you do not care if they get wet or taking a pair of rain boots.

I wore my runners and rinsed them out and put on balcony to dry after. Some were in bare feet - that worried me, that I would step on something and cut my foot,

The sidewalks around the inner canals were ok when I was there fall a couple of years ago.

Tipping is not expected in Auz. But regular tipping rules apply on board - the staff will take any form of money - think of the fact that they are usually Asian, and sending most of their money home. (prefer US because they bank it).

in Auz - I did tip the porter $1 Auz money. Did not tip the prepaid taxi. 

When I went into a bank in Sydney to get some local money - I was told to go to a machine outside - or I would be charged a fee. Thanked them and did that.

I was getting a petti and the fee for that was cash only in a small local shop.

Small lunch type restraunts did not expect a tip.

I did leave one in Dinning rooms, but smaller than the $ I would leave in US or Canada. I took out cash and paid for small stuff instead of using my card and getting a larger bill when I got home. I was at a hotel pre and post cruise for 3 days each way.

Went into a local pub for lunch one day - order food at  counter and go sit at table with my drink in hand. Order came up -got up to get it and they cleared my drink...oops. they did get me another, but took a bit.

Remember, you are going to be in ports for a few days - will need some small cash for things.

I usually order money from my bank before I travel, In Auz, NZ I ran out and had to get more.

On 1/29/2019 at 12:49 AM, Almighty188 said:

 

Interesting, I only took a cruise once and that was Carnival in 2012, do you know if they require the scanning part because I don't remember scanning the card key.  

 

I have a question of B2B (Back-to-Back Cruises) like those close looped one on the Grand Princess from San Francisco, do they have to disembark the ship, go through customs/immigration or what you call it and then have to board the ship again or do they actually just stay on the ship without getting off?

It's actually better taking the passport because if you had any problems in a foreign country, your driver id will not get you the aid from the US Department of State through the Embassy/Consulate when needed while the passport will.  In my case, I will lose both if I was going to lose it as they are all part of the same wallet including the credit cards.  The Xerox copy is only for you to report it lost or stolen but when it comes to flying, the original is needed as the passports actually has a RFID chip in it.  So whatever documents you use, there will always be some risk to it which is why you should always be on alert and also carry it in a secure place where it cannot just fall out easily.  If you carry your drivers license only, you are also supposed to carry a certified copy of your birth certificate as well.  A passport will prove your U.S. citizenship while your Driver License won't. 

I lock my passport in the safe the day I board, unless they tell you you must take it ashore. had to do that in Cuba.

Otherwise, I always take a photo copy of it with me on day trips. If there is a problem on shore or at the port boarding. They have all your info. I know I must have it to fly across boarder, but have never needed it ashore (except Cuba)

Have been on over 30 cruises and never a problem.

 

 

 

Usually menu is posted on the wall next to the dinning room each day for the lunch then later for dinner - I often check it out pre dinner to see if there is going to be something I like.

Find if I wait till I sit to eat, I get so busy talking I forget to pick what I want for dinner...

Would not want to be the waiters - we all order strange things that they have to remember and get - two app, 1 now 1 for dinner.

no veg, 2 veg etc.... good on them they manage with a smile to do so many tables each night.

Funny - I was on a long bus ride to a site - got there and the lady "in charge of the washroom" had to be found!

I just went in and used the toilet - as I came out, a "gentleman" said he had to pay my $1.00 because I did not wait until she was ready.

My answer was - if I waited she would more than earn her $1.00.

I offered him his $1.00, and he said no.

I will admit, I have walked the buffet - just to look (haha) before going to dinner.....sometimes had a predinner appetizer.

Especially if it something rare - shrimp, lob etc.

Think if you have a later time - and there is a line up they will send you away - if you have a later time and there is no line up they do not care....strange!

I boarded in Sydney, and yes, they would not allow you to board before your "time" - I could drop my luggage, then went for a walk around the pier Still lugging carryon - when I came to board 1/2 hour earlier than my "allowed "time they let me board.

Once you have checked out of your hotel or coming from the airport - and lugging luggage, you do not feel like going anywhere else and waiting!

There is a small group of stores, I meandered around them, used the facilities, sat with a coffee and people watched at the pier - then walked back and boarded.

The cruise is worth it - breath - you will get on board!

Note - once onboard, they had a place we could drop hand luggage - it was tagged. And watched - you had to come back for it. But you could walk around without all your stuff - rooms were not open when I boarded at 2 (time I got was 2:30).