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Alberta Quilter

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Everything posted by Alberta Quilter

  1. We had ours shipped to Canada to avoid any issues. I believe they came in the fall in time to plant.
  2. Agree. I'm currently seeing the Volendam Grand Australia menus (which match what richwmn is posting) even though my cruise isn't for a few more months and nowhere near Australia.
  3. This is interesting. I did something similar a few years ago but maybe there is a difference in how I did it, that allowed it to happen. I boarded the ship in Vancouver, sailed on a 1 day cruise to Seattle. From there, on the same ship, we did a 14 day cruise to Alaska. It was two different booking numbers as we booked the 1 day cruise some time after booking the 14 day cruise (mostly because it's much easier for us to fly to/from Vancouver/Victoria than Seattle). I believe I inquired about the PVSA rules at the time; I didn't know until reading this thread about Canadian cabotage laws. Like the OP, the last port was Victoria. We asked, and received permission to disembark in Victoria. We had to take our own luggage off and, of course, go through customs/immigration. Were we just lucky?
  4. Doesn't that prove my point? The captain of your ship didn't follow the Princess map illustrating the route. However, I'm glad that you were able to see such a scenic part of the inside passage.
  5. I was once told, by a captain, that the pretty picture of the route map does not necessarily indicate what will happen. Those are created by graphic designers and not by Captains who chart the route to save fuel. I, like Blackduck59, suspect that northbound will be in open ocean and southbound will be in the Canadian inside passage. Note that HAL considers cruises to be inside passage even if it will be only in the Alaska inside passage. The scenery in the Canadian inside passage is stunning. Hopefully, the route will be as depicted in the map but don't count on it.
  6. Good Morning! My sister and I are planning to cruise from BA in early 2025. We plan to arrive at least one day prior to our cruise, probably two days. I'm wondering if we should bite the bullet and pay for a pre cruise hotel/tour with the cruise line. I did this before when my mother and I went fourteen years ago but it does add significantly to the cost (hotel and tour info are not yet posted on the cruise line website). My sister has never been so I'm sure she will want to do some touring. Any idea how safe it is for two women on their own (who don't speak Spanish)? We do know not to be flashing any bling but I'm sure we'll still stand out as tourists. Thank you for your help!
  7. I know your question is regarding the PNW but have you considered heading east after your cruise? You could take the Rocky Mountaineer (or drive), see the Canadian Rockies - Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper and fly home from Calgary. You could also do it before the cruise and head west to Vancouver for your cruise and then do the PNW. Really depends on the amount of time you have and your budget. But, if going east is out of the equation, I would highly recommend Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island. I also think Butchart Gardens is a must do, if you've never been before (not inexpensive, though). Tofino/Ucluelet, too. Whistler was lovely when I was there in early September a few years ago.
  8. richwmn is on a Grand Voyage. I believe the Legendary cruises are step up from the regular cruises, and the Grand Voyages are another step up from Legendary. But that's a guess on my part.
  9. I did this with HAL several years ago. We were on a B2B, one night Vancouver to Seattle, followed by a 14 day round trip Seattle (to Alaska). Last port was Victoria(first Canadian port). Since it’s much easier to fly to Alberta from Victoria than Seattle, we opted to disembark in Victoria. Through our TA, we requested permission in advance and received it. As was mentioned earlier in this thread, we advised the Front Desk of our plans once onboard. I don’t recall any paperwork on our part other than the customs form which was barely glanced at when we left. We did wait until the rush to disembark died down, and we had to be able to handle our own luggage.
  10. When I log into Navigator, I can only see menus for the Volendam Grand Australia cruise because that's the ship on which I will be sailing later this year. I don't see any way to choose the ship in Navigator to see another ship's menus. I'm guessing that BermudaBound2014 could see the Koningsdam menus in Navigator prior to embarkation because she was booked on the Koningsdam.
  11. I read it as pay $1500 to receive $2K to spend ONLY in the Effy boutique. Note the second last line of the Ts and Cs.
  12. Include passwords to unlock computer(s)and important websites! Remember the young fellow who had the only codes to cyber fortunes when he passed suddenly? You don’t want to put your family through that…
  13. It's a good thing to discuss with your spouse/travelling companion, too, in case one of you passes while on a cruise. We had a death on the ship in SA. That caused delays in Ushuaia due to the local authorities not being available; I think it was a weekend. The woman had passed a few days prior but the family wanted her repatriated as soon as possible, which was Ushuaia. My DM said to me that if it happened that she passed on a cruise, I was to continue the cruise so as not to delay the ship; she wouldn't care! Not sure how one would be able to continue a cruise after that, though... Thankfully, it didn't happen. It's good to hear of the support of fellow passengers and crew.
  14. But won't you and your friend have separate statements/accounts even if in the same room? If so, you'll still have the clutter on the statement but there should be nothing to split out to your friend.
  15. If the OBC came from HAL, it’s non refundable. If you purchased OBC for your use onboard, it’s refundable. TA OBC might be either/both.
  16. You could try getting an up elevator, ride up to a high deck and then take it back down. I’ve had to do that before on disembarkation day.
  17. I haven’t been on the NA yet but the only reason I would think it is preferred over the Noordam is because of Tamarind. I would choose any ship with Tamarind over one without. Even so, the Noordam is still a lovely ship. I would consider your flight arrangements in making the north/south decision. Perhaps the flights to/from Alaska, from Atlanta, are at undesirable times, although that might be alleviated by arriving/departing a couple of days earlier or later. I really don’t think there is much difference between north and southbound cruises, if you’re only cruising. If you’re considering a land tour, that would need to be taken into consideration too. I recommend doing a land tour first and follow with the cruise, which would mean a southbound cruise.
  18. That’s disappointing. Was there a reason given for the cancellation?
  19. You need to do the math based on what you would use. I have the same predicament. For me, it’s a no brainer to take the price drop ($1500/person) but not so much for my companion.
  20. Wow, have a great time, Rich! I really enjoyed Isles de la Madelein! I hope you do, too.
  21. I understand that but that all depends on whether or not your original booking is refundable or not refundable. If non refundable, then you're hooped, from what I understand. If refundable, then you should be able to re-fare.
  22. If you booked with a non refundable deposit, that would explain the cancellation fee. Check your confirmation that you received from HAL or your TA and see when the cancellation period starts.
  23. Yes, with one booking number, it is one cruise and your OBC should be good for the entire 14 days. Yes, you'll need to clear the ship on the turnaround day.
  24. There are three different Fairmont Hotels in downtown Vancouver, just as gnome12 says. You'll need to be able to tell the driver which one you need. I understand about not being able to do the train. My suggestion is just to take a taxi. With the flat rate, it's quite simple and easy. No pre-arranging necessary.
  25. @surgie, you may want to check out the YWCA Hotel in Vancouver. It's farther away from Canada Place but has more reasonably priced rooms and can accommodate larger families. It's recommended often here on CC.
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