silversneakers

Does HAL offer ground transportation between the airport in Montreal and Quebec City?  

On 4/13/2022 at 2:41 AM, LindaJ+ said:

Less than 4 weeks out.  Cancelled Latvia, Estonia, Finland.  Added Oslo and a couple small towns in Sweden

 

St. Petersburg was cancelled before ... OK, special circumstances.  Are they anticipating a Russian attack on the Baltics?

 

It's like ... you sign up for a cruise that sounds interesting and had places you want to visit ... and then they can change things around any which way.  It's like ... what's the point of going on a cruise?  I certainly don't find being on the boat all that wonderful.

 

Tangential question:  if we paid for an excursion and they change the date we are in that port, will our reservation be automatically transfered to the new date?

Acquaintances in Estonia tell they are building bomb shelters so I would say that is dangerous territory that HAL does not want to enter.  Don't be surprised if Sweden and Finland are eliminated as cruise ports. I believe there is a real threat to those countries

On 4/8/2022 at 8:58 PM, Nghthawke said:

(1/2) Reminder: Travellers to Canada must submit their information into #ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival to Canada and/or before boarding a cruise ship destined for Canada.

(2/2) To avoid any difficulties, make sure you download the latest version of the app. Learn more: http://ow.ly/3twS50IFjK3

 

Curious to see how it will go for the first cruise ships sailing out of Canada. 

 

Just experienced this on first ship into Canada.  The only issue we had was trying to "submit" the information when onboard (and we weren't the only people experiencing this).  Because wifi is not the best on the ship, I had to wait until I was off the ship in a port in order to submit it successfully.  Once submitted, you receive a QR code.  That was the end of that, nothing further needed to be done.

34 minutes ago, lderochi said:

We are also doing that route, on the NA May 15 from Whittier to Vancouver. It does sound to me like HA will conduct the tests for whoever needs them, as we disembark in Vancouver - the HAL  document says “at the terminal”. I’ve never been to the Vancouver terminal, so not really sure what the setup is like.  If the test is taken then, and you’re staying in Vancouver for only one night, then the test should be sufficient for you to board the plane the next day. More than that, then the US’ one day testing requirement will get in the way. We had originally thought about staying in Vancouver for a few extra days but have decided against it. 

We will be disembarking in Vancouver, originating in San Diego.  We were going to stay in Vancouver overnight and take a flight back to the US the next afternoon but found out that HA offers bus transportation (on day of sailing only) to Seattle.  So I guess if a test is needed HA will do it on the ship before we board the bus but not sure if this is correct.  Does anyone know how this will work?

17 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

 

No reports here on land about this status even in the news report about its arrival yesterday, how are they handling this Orange Status on board?

 

Only local news was the ocean activist group announcing they were trailing the ship in their own water craft,  and checking water samples to make sure it was not violating "dumping" regulations.  (Then continued with their standard anti-cruise ship screed).

Seems to be an uptick in cases, not just on cruise ships.  In my work environment it has doubled (but not progressing as fast as the last go-around) being dominated more by the vaccinated rather than the unvaxed testing positive. Fortunately cases seem to be mild.

42 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

That is correct, my dad got covid on Jan 28th, and March 17th his PCR test came back positive.   We got a note from the doctor showing he had recovered from covid.   The antigen test does not show up positive, just the PCR.     So, future cruisers, you should take a PCR test about 3 weeks before your cruise just to make sure you didn't have covid and not realize it.   It would suck getting on your cruise and they do a random (or not random) PCR test on you and you will be quarantined without the doctor's note even though you recovered from covid months ago.

 

Good advice. 

On 3/26/2022 at 1:26 AM, rolloman said:

I was on this cruise as well. You must have had a forward cabin to have felt the rocking you described. I was midship deck nine and felt basically no movement. I was actually impressed the ship handled so well. I was on the inaugural sailing and it was great at 40% capacity. However, I will never sail Mardi Gras again since now experiencing it at full capacity. This ship felt way too crowded compared to  similar passenger sized Royal Caribbean ships. The initial draw and defining visual character is the roller coaster, yet it is hardly ever working for one reason or the other. On the last day when it made a handful of runs, some guy was actually stuck on it for about 20 minutes. The Palm dining room was like a high school cafeteria and the buffet felt like MSC, minimal choices and missing deserts compared to the inaugural. Those were my chief complaints.  Anyway...looking forward to the rest of your review, very entertaining thus far. 

We were also on 9 midship and felt nothing!

12 hours ago, Joy_K said:

We will find out tomorrow, day 5 for him.  If he is still positive then he stays with me until his day 10 but 2 negatives - tomorrow and next day-  we think he will move back IF he wants to get off in Hawaii.  My day 6 is last port day so I will miss most if not all of the ports.

Unfortunately you always have the possibility of testing positive for up to 90 days once you have tested positive.

14 hours ago, Roser said:

My husband and I are both 65, retired, and each of us has a disabling physical condition.  No wheelchairs yet, but oxygen and decreased mobility in play.  We’ve cruised a few times in the past and really enjoyed it.  Trying to decide now whether to take the Panama Canal cruise on the Eurodam as one last cruise.  Caveat:  it’s highly likely that we won’t be able to walk the piers at ports and will simply stay on board for the entire cruise.

Does anyone have any experience doing this, and was it worth it to you? Do you have regrets?  I *think* I’ll be fine with it but I do wonder how we’ll feel when the day comes that we’re sitting in Antigua or HMC and cannot go ashore.

 

Thanks for thoughts!

I would check with the cruise line regarding the oxygen.

Received paid upgrade offer a few days ago via emailing for sailing within 7 days.

3 hours ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

Thank you for the tips! I keep wondering if I should bother with Cats lol.

 

 I also felt like RC was lacking in daily activities when I was on Allure.

Cats is very looooong.  People seem to leave before it is over.  If you haven't seen it and want to then maybe you will stay for the entire performance.  It isn't bad, just really looooooong.

1 hour ago, ledges1 said:

I have not eaten at the steakhouse. I have eaten many times at Morton's and Ruth Chris. How does it compare? Cuts of meat, flavor, etc ...

Does not compare.

Just don't go from sailing on the Mardi Gras to the Elation as you will be disappointed.  Elation is definitely an old ship but has customarily had an outstanding crew.

1 hour ago, Little said:

My Parents were on the Mardi Gras last week and had an interesting experience.  My Mom is Diamond and my Dad turned Diamond on this cruise.  My Mom advised that they no longer have a different process getting on the ship being Diamond.  They had to stand in line with everyone else. This would not have been such a big deal except my Mom can't stand up for very long.  Another thing they noticed when they got to their cabin is that a letter was left on the counter for my Dad welcoming him to Diamond with a nice leather password case but there was not a letter to my Mom welcoming her and giving her a ship pen and gift.  They didn't get the coupon that one gets for a free drink during brunch.  The Diamond party wasn't all you can drink or eat.  They gave them a glass of wine when they arrived then another glass when the left.   Has anyone else noticed a difference?  They did say the ship was beautiful and did not feel crowded at all.

The letter also stated you can get a "free drink" at any bar one hour prior to the VIP party, There is no food being offered at the event and the captain/senior officers were not present.  I suspect COVID has a lot to do with the diminished offerings.

As far a boarding,  typically Suites cost substantially more that most cabins and they now offer Suites first priority boarding which is what they should have always done instead of making them wait until after Platinum/Diamond board.  A lot of the Diamond/Platinum guests are sailing at a reduced rate.....not all but a great number of them are casino guests. There are now so many Diamond/Platinum guests that I believe they were thinking of adding another category in between (?).

10 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

Can you please explain "art at your table"?   Thanks much.

We just did this while on Mardi Gras.  It's unique.  A white board is placed on your table with the artistic dessert chef drawing on the board  with various colored squiggles and ending with a large, white chocolate ball (or egg) and then he cracks it to display a dessert to be shared. It was amusing, good, and great for a one-time experience.  Everyone at the table is required to order this as dessert as no other desserts can be ordered.

23 hours ago, melz1010 said:

So I'm planning to take the Mardi Gras out of Orlando in December for Christmas. But since we're going to be in Orlando, I figured instead of flying in one day before. Let's fly in two days before and spend a day at magic kingdom and then board the ship the next day.  Magic Kingdom at Christmas sounds wonderful. But now I'm having second thoughts. It seems great. The kids will be 8 years old. Last time we took them to disney they just turned 5. It would be for only one day. But this cost is getting crazy. To stay at a hotel off disney property for 2 days isn't too bad but the price of disney tickets are so high. Add in the cost of the cruise, airfare, excursions, and drink packages, the prices is getting a bit out of hand. However, I still feel it would make a great vacation for the kids. They get to go to magic kingdom, see the character, get on a few rides, watch the parade and then the next day spend the week on the sea. What do you think? Is it too much? Or should I just fly my ass to Orlando the night before and board the ship like regular folk LOL. 

8 is a perfect age for Disney.  It is really "magical" at Christmas-time.  If you can afford it, do it.  You can't put a price on memories and time goes by so very fast.

On 3/16/2022 at 7:23 PM, Seekup said:

One more question. It appears that these typical fee restaurants will require a reservation. I don't see where I can make them ahead of time. Can I make them asap after boarding?

Use your Carnival Hub App once on board. If you have YTD you have priority.

On 2/3/2022 at 3:13 PM, Qcruise said:

I've not been on these boards since the covid took away our favorite way to vacation....now we're supposed to finally try HAL aboard the Rotterdam in 

April after two cancellations.  I read in a recent review that tips and taxes are not included in the beverage package.  In the description it says "service charges included"....so what does that mean...?  We're used to Princess and they don't charge anything if you buy the package.  Thanks for any clarification....

An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Beverage Purchases,

I think there is an issue with the app.  I was in and then it went blank.

On 3/21/2022 at 8:05 AM, MamatoJack said:

I'm looking to book a trip after Christmas, the kids school board has Christmas break ending January 9 which is unusual for us so I want to take advantage and go south. We are planning on a few (busy) days at Universal followed by a cruise. So far I think either Magic 8 night to Aruba, Bonaire & Amber Cove or Mardi Gras to San Juan, Grand Turk and Amber Cove. We have B2B on Horizon booked in April that includes Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and Mardi Gras in December 2023 which includes the same cruise. So.. I'm not sure how much the ports really matter in this case. We have been on Magic before and enjoyed it. But Mardi Gras is very new and looks really great, and I've also heard lots of great reviews. Magic is actually a few hundred dollars cheaper for the extra day, but we'd get home on the Sunday instead of Saturday (gives us an extra day to do laundry, settle  back in at home before back to school/work on Monday). We are going to be booking an interior, probably up near lido deck. Kiddo loves water slides, ropes course etc, I just like to sit and read, but he'll be 13 so keeping him busy is important (and hopefully there will be some other kids to make friends with). For excursions I prefer less expensive ones 😄 beaches, and such. We often do one that's a little more fun but in this case the pre cruise portion is going to be costly so I'd prefer to keep it less expensive. I know at Amber Cove we can hang out at the pool, and Grand Turk has the pool and beach right there. 

Mardi Gras definitely.  If I had not sailed on the MG and sailed on the Magic it would not be an issue but the MG is such a great ship with so many amenities going to the Magic after sailing the MG would certainly be a let down. Just MO

On 3/21/2022 at 11:39 AM, famof4togo said:

So I am aware of the candy straws onboard...BUT does that include places like the Alchemy Bar or is that only poolside.  Will they have "cocktail" straws at some bars?  I just can't see certain drinks served with those candy straws.....TIA

I found out about the sugar straws the hard way.  I ordered a pina colada on serenity deck and asked for a straw.  I choked when I took a sip of an already sweet drink. Next time I will bring my own paper straws.  Not sure how I feel about metal straws just yet.

How much is a day pass to use the thermal pool, etc.?

1 minute ago, Mary229 said:

HIA includes a refundable deposit. Perhaps I am not fully understanding the question 

Is the HIA a separate transaction OR part of the fare?

Question:  If you have a NRF and have the HIA is the HIA portion refundable?

1 hour ago, sunonfire said:

My son had booked his first casino rate. He booked an obstructed view balcony. He received an upgrade offer through his cruise manager section of Carnival website. He accepted and was given an extended balcony. I called my travel agent and asked if he could pick another extended balcony with no charge. Yes. He booked 2 cabins down from us.

Thank you.  Good to know.