dawnvip

22 hours ago, Henk123 said:

Your final bill will be in USD and your credit card company will make the exchange 
in the currency of the owner's country

Not sure if this is always the case. Although I haven't seen it offered on cruise ships yet, many vendor's credit card systems ask at time of sale if you want the sale amount in home currency (bad idea, poor rate) or local currency (better idea, CC daily rate). 

Luckily, I happen to have no-forex fee CC from Canada as well as a US account card, so am covered for most transactions!

48 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

I'd love to know what happens when the airline tries to force a passenger to give up their bag for forced checking. What happens if the passenger refuses? I'm pretty sure the airline does have the power to do it, given the Ts and Cs of the passenger contract on the ticket. That being said, every time we've flown in the last year (maybe 8 times?), the airline has tried to get passengers to give up some bags, but even the very last passengers boarding in Zone 5 are still coming on board with two, even three carry-ons, leading me to think the forced handover is never actually carried out.

I will not give my carry-on over at the gate for check in. My essential items such as medication, travel docs and laptop are in there, so not willing to risk possible delays/loss of these items. Additionally, the laptop is not allowed to go into checked bag as per Transport rules. 

6 hours ago, rodndonna said:

 

And of course it's not the bin over their seat they are trying to load that oversize bag in, but the bin over the seat of the person in the aisle waiting for them (i.e., typically my bin). 

While I agree with you in theory, the reality is that I have often gone to put my bag over my seat, only to find it full of aircraft safety equipment (oxygen and first aid stuff) or crew bags, or even pillows and blankets! So my carry-on goes into the nearest open space.

Other than bags and blankets (which could go anywhere) it would be great if apps like Seat Guru indicated those seats where bins are always unavailable.

On 10/10/2023 at 5:29 AM, syesmar said:

Question: I recall in the past, some passengers who used Flight Ease reporting that their held flights were canceled after browsing/checking for alternate flights. Has this glitch been fixed?Thanks!

Glitch is "kinda" fixed. You can browse, check for alternate flights as long as you back out of the booking and do not select "change".

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, I'll be following along too!

Very much enjoying your reports thus far, thanks!

DH and I have been planning a trip to Isreal and Jordan ever since we were postponed due to COVID.  Funny thing, how bombs and kidnapping makes one re-think their plans. We'll hold off again, with thoughts and prayers for everyone in the vicinity of this horrible situation, until peace breaks out once again. 

10 hours ago, 3Shelaghs said:

I say give them what they are asking for. Keep them happy and in Canada!

If world events continue to deteriorate, we all may not be flying again for awhile. We don't need anymore of our pilots leaving for greener pastures!!!

 

I dunno, comparing salaries with American equivalents is, IMHO,  a very slippery slope. "Oh, you're a school teacher? Then you don't get any raises until the US catches up with Canada."   Also, nurses and doctors would bankrupt our already precarious medical system if they were at parity with their American counterparts.

I've had issues in the past with the laser measuring device at YVR. Similar to above post, re-arranging some items and re-positioning the carry-on on the device (so the flat back is facing outwards and the zipper is facing into the device) allowed us to pass. 

I agree that the number of people with multiple, large carry-on is sometimes ridiculous, but AC needs to start policing the multi-baggers rather than the millimeter difference in bag sizing.

OH SO many leftovers!

Thank You!

No problem!

I should have mentioned that if your bags are checked through, then follow the signs for US Connections at "E" gates. This way you do not have to leave the "secure" airside. 

We have android phones and use Tiles. They are very similar to airtags, working off any nearby wifi source to ping location. 

We've actually bought extras and put them under the seats on our motorcycles in case they get stolen!

AFAIK,  you will need to go through security and customs in Vancouver. The biggest question is determining whether you need to collect your bags and check-in to your second flight or not.

If bags are checked through, then you will only need to walk across the terminal to US Connections. The "security" will consist of showing your passport and boarding pass to someone at a doorway along the corridor, before continuing on to Customs (very quick). Filling out CBP MPC won't help you here.  Give yourself at least an hour and half for this scenario.

Some airlines do not participate in the US connections process with baggage, so be sure to confirm. And if luggage is not checked through then you will need to go downstairs to collect bags, then go upstairs and all the way over to US Departures, check in to second flight and go through security and Customs. Using CBP MPC will definitely help in this instance. Give yourself at least 2 and a half hours for this scenario.

For all the Canadians celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend!

Thanks @Crew News! You're awesome!

Our very first cruise, DH and I were delayed and re-routed. We were thankful that our plans included an overnight in MIA before embarkation but our luggage was also delayed. My luggage met the ship in MIA, but DH had to wait 3 days until first port to retrieve his. It was a real wake-up call for us, and now we always "cross-pack" so that we will both have something to wear!

We have also stayed at airport hotels, less than an hour from home, if early morning flights in winter are booked. You never know what will happen with traffic and weather!

We tend to book direct flights whenever possible to avoid delays, missed connection and missing luggage. Not guaranteed but it helps. If we're flying within North America, we'll usually arrive night before embarkation. If we're flying overseas, then 3 nights ahead.

"Information picket" included:

- first contract negotation in 10 years

- pilots showcase unity and resolve

- want to be paid same as pilots in USA

Pilots held an "information picket" a few days ago, so they are still negotiating AFAIK. 

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

any updates  on the strike ?

We have flights  from MIA on the 14th & have not seen/heard anything  from AC

Same - we have flight to MIA on Nov 12th. Excitied but also anxious!

If the flight booked with FlightEase is past final payment (only 40 days away now) but the price has dropped significantly, can I still change/rebook or will I end up paying twice? 

Really interesting! I had no idea this type of itinerary was available!

Thanks for sharing.

Both answers above are correct for transferring from YVR to Canada Place. It all depends on your level of mobility/comfort in taking the skytrain (about 20 min and $10 CAD each) along with your luggage, and your time of arrival at airport. Vancouver traffic is horrible, so the flat rate to get to Canada place ($41 CAD) could take anything from 25 min to hours.

DH and I enjoy both HAL and Celebrity. Evening entertainment is probably less on HAL, but service and food is as good. Rooms and amenities are comparable. 

DH and I have done 3 med cruises - Princess, HAL and Celebrity. We tend to do a mix of personal/cruiseline excursions based on length of stay in port, distance to attraction, availability of private tours through roll call, etc. We usually find the personally arranged tours are better and cheaper, but convenience of cruise-arranged tours does have its advantages. 

We almost got stuck in Pisa when the train back to port was cancelled!! Luckily we recognised several other passengers from our same cruise also looking frantic, so we shared a taxi with them back to the cruise ship.

Also note the dock at some ports is a LONG way from the cruiseport entrance, so leave yourself plenty of time to get back aboard!

Wow! Very cool!