Roz

Thank you, @julia. I booked a guarantee and don't have my cabin assignment yet, so haven't printed out the boarding pass. I thought about using the Sky Train. I went on the website and it seems complicated. I couldn't figure out if there's a station near my hotel, and buying a ticket seems difficult. Seems like it's set up for daily commuters, not one time users. I've had bad luck with using public transit in other large cities. People weren't very patient with me as I tried to figure out how to use a new system. My biggest concern is traveling with a suitcase and if I would would be able to get it onto the train car and where to stow it once on the train. Thanks for everyone's information and advice.

I was wondering the same thing.

That's wonderful (being facetious). That's the hotel I'm staying in pre-cruise. Hope you make a full recovery and get home soon.

Me too. Worth the cross country flight.

There's a gap between April and October, and only a couple of 7-day Mexican itineraries.

Maybe they just haven't been posted yet?

I just checked the Uniworld website, and it says this under Inclusions: Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour The bolding is mine. Very subtle, wouldn't you say? I wouldn't have even paid attention to this if it weren't for @beesKate's post.

@Mary229, do you happen to know where the desk is located in the airport? Maybe in the luggage claim area or ground transportation? Haven't flown in or out of YVR since 2003.

I'm sailing from Canada Place on Oct. 2. I get into Vancouver late on Oct. 1 and am staying at a hotel near the airport. I purchased a transfer from the airport to the cruise terminal. Other than the email I received confirming my purchase, I don't have a ticket or time I'm supposed to show up at the airport. Anyone know how HAL handles this?

@Reds4life, if you're going to post in an online forum and ask for advice, you're going to get opinions all over the map. Take what's relevant and ignore the rest. I think you're taking some of the posts too personally.

I'm sailing on the ms Grace in December and my cabin is 150 sq. ft. The ship can carry 130 passengers.

Who at HAL said you needed a 2nd booster? Here's what the HAL website says: VACCINATION: All guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. A booster dose is required for guests 18 years of age and older whose final dose of an approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccine is older than 5 months to be considered “fully vaccinated.” Only one booster dose is needed to be considered fully vaccinated. Moreover, it's 5 months from the 2nd shot of the initial series, not 4 months.

Yes, you are fully vaccinated. You only needed one booster to meet the requirement.

@Lois R, I'm doing a Yuletide cruise thru The Netherlands and Belgium over Christmas.

HAL always holds back. They seem to be one of the last lines to post future itineraries.

Here are your choices: May 7, 2023 - Nieuw Amsterdam September 17, 2023 - Noordam The September 18, 2022 cruise I mentioned is not the same itinerary shown on the map. I apologize. I did not intend to mislead you.

The ones I referenced go to Kodiak and Anchorage. They aren't land tours.

There's a 14-day Alaskan cruise leaving Vancouver on Sept. 18. There's one on the NA next year and one on the Noordam.

I believe there are a few 14-day Alaskan cruises on the Noordam next year.

Also, it requires everyone to have lots of small denominations. A real pain.

Reminds me of NCL's bid process and I think it cheapens the line.

@Lady Arwen, here's my review:

@beesKate, I've done 3 river cruises with Uniworld and this is all news to me. For such a small amt. (1-2 euro) I wonder why they just don't include it in the fare like they've done in the past? Maybe it has something to do with how guides and drivers are taxed. Employee vs. contractor? I'm doing a Tauck cruise in December and as far as I know it's still all inclusive.

Yes, unfortunately.