Tango99

Until the 3-4 times a day non stop flights return to other international airports (Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, etc) there isn’t as much competition. So yes, prices will fluctuate for quite sometime… until we get to a new normal for market price. That will mean a lot of up and down. Sometimes the return cost portion of the trip is disproportionate to the flight south. You may have other options with a stopover in the USA on way back. Check Expedia or Orbitz, etc. They are consolidators and their flights will often show airline partners with connections in flight path towards YYZ, not necessarily AC till the last leg. Sometimes it’s easier to just book at the price you’re comfortable with. Or ask AC to quite you on same flights as the consolidators ….. sometimes it’s possible that you’ll get that price with AC if there’s a sweet spot between supply/demand.

TBH we’re still avoiding YYZ for travel south. Always did. An alternative may be direct flights to Miami if they’re operating from YYC or somewhere across the border and then a short hop on many flights from MIA to SJU. We do that whenever we’re heading that way. It’s been a while for us, pre covid.. So you may end up being shifted to AC, unless you want to overnight in Miami.

If vaccination took place in Canada, 2 vaccines are needed to be considered fully vaccinated. (Canada didn’t use single dose vaccinations) A booster and other entry requirements may be required for some countries where you may be travelling. Check whichever airline you’re using for travel to the US. And check out the spacing between vaccines in Ontario being administered ….. it was a window of minimum 120 days to 170 days between them.

Oh you are so right. We can thank covid for us 🇨🇦 all having only four international hubs. And there’s no sign of them opening any time soon. Canada wants to recover their monopoly on Canadian passenger traffic anywhere so as to collect the extortionary rate of taxes on flights (that we aren’t subject to if we go through the US). The hubs there are so efficient and economical but getting to them, and anywhere else on the planet, now means all Canadians are stuck with Montreal for all east coast and some Ontario passengers, Toronto which includes all of Ontario, some east coast, most of Manitoba, many Quebec and northern flights, then Calgary and Vancouver (also routed via Toronto for Eastbound transatlantic and Southern US flights). And they wonder why it’s swamped. No wonder folks are looking at Air Transat etc can’t wait for more options.

Your Nexus card is most efficient in airports and it’s exclusive to your identity. Everyone’s equal through customs no matter what nationality. If you are porting in FLL the airport is very close. Miami is about 45 minutes away. Of course how efficient is the customs process going to be on your day? Any queue jumpers getting off too soon. You know it will be close so I’d suggest you just go with whatever means you have to get to FLL. And have a back up plan. We had 2 experiences with customs in Miami since March and we had facial recognition in Miami and it was seamless. We were through in less than an hour from the time our bag tag was called. Yesterday in Miami we were ready at 730 and scheduled off at 815. We waited close to an hour in the customs line up at as the officials were swamped, rather than facial recognition. We were lucky. Check out which ships will be in port when yours is. That will give you an idea how many folks will be milling around the terminals. If you can manage it, I think self assist is the way to go as it’s called as soon as the ramp is ready, after the ship is cleared.

I don’t know what the limit is. But I think yes. Casinos at Sea is a name that comes up that has perks for members. I don’t know much about them, though I assume they do accumulate the amount their members spend and offer rewards that are non-taxable. One of the slot pulls we did we cashed out at 860.00. It was fun. We were 20 people so we all got back more than we paid. 15.00 for 3 pulls. Some slot pulls cost 20.00pp. 5.00 of that goes into a pot for the person who gets the highest score. I’m sure other groups have hit jackpots.

Canadians pay tax on casino winnings immediately in the USA. I think it starts at around 2000USD. I once won 2200 and after taxes received 1250.00. You get a receipt so you can claim the income and taxes back on your tax submission once you’re in Canada. But it’s a PITA so I didn’t bother. On board a ship I’m not sure. But when Ive organized group Slot Pull I arrange for a US resident yo collect any winnings to avoid any hassle.

Vaccine status is important before you board as you will need to be sure that the destinations on your cruise accepts whatever status yours may be. In the absence of vaccinations some countries require a negative test, some countries like Bermuda for example, require a negative test and that you provide proof of your insurance coverage that includes covid. Some countries don’t accept passengers. Cruise lines do provide tips and links to forms etc for various countries but they are not responsible for people who do not comply with specific country forms for admission. Or who send in the forms too late. Arrival back into the US ports, for Canadians, is usually pretty seamless, depending on your cruise line arrangements at the port. NCL has a fantastic electronic system based on your room key card that you also use to check out of the ship and through US customs. If you plan to stay in the US for a while after arrival you can bring the same allowances as US citizens, but you must declare whatever is brought into Canada.

If I’m not mistaken, arrivals in any European port right now each still have their own formalities and forms to submit before sailing. So it’s still a bit iffy and worth checking out to be sure. Any future fees to EU are likely taking after the model Canada set years ago with the ETA fee for arriving foreign nationals travelling here. Crazy world.

That’s great news. PR is a fantastic destination.

It’s always been that on the first flight on a journey, baggage is subject to that carriers baggage policy. That’s for check in purposes. It’s caused havoc for overweight charges for some people who don’t realize it. And that includes weight restrictions they may have on carry on baggage. Lufthansa for example. United I think has no weight limit. Here’s where you can check. This is from a current AC ticket. Star Alliance or other airline partners If you’re travelling with another airline partner, you may be subject to the baggage policy and other rules of the airline operating the first flight in your itinerary.

You’re absolutely correct. My brain needs a re-set. It used to be max 22lbs on AC. Though airlines of other countries that may be connected still have weight restrictions for carry on. The first flight segment is where that would apply. So it’s worth checking the rules on the ticket in either direction.

Keep in mind that carry on has weight restrictions and should be stowable under seat. If using carry on cases, or checked bags, pack half your partners stuff and half of your own in each. Lessons learned for us last cruise. As for low packing, I the. had the advantage of not having make up, and wash and wear 2 souvenir store dresses for the first week of our cruise. I was always ready before my other half. When my bag arrived I realized I didn’t need half the stuff that was in it. All I really missed was my tapestry. 🤣

Don’t count on the testers knowing anything. On Arrive can I had registered with the company in March as the app suggested to save time registering at the desk. When I was randomly selected I was carted off to the test area. The nurses there didn’t know anything about the app, or what I was asking them to look for. They told me they are a contracted company and this is all that they do. So I had to provide all the info again. It was a PCR test so I had to wait 2 days before getting my negative result. Now that random testing all off site at the 4 airports I don’t suppose they’re accessible at all. The new rules for random testing apply to 4 airports.

And….just like that! Thanks Fouremco!

Our freedoms around the houses of our government and the Peace Tower itself, have been one of the most respected on the planet. With new measures in place, let’s hope that prevails. Though some new protocol under way may mean traffic restrictions or diversions will continue. We can always use our LRT 🫢

Sorry about that trophy I added. I meant to add a like.

The vaccine certificate for BC should have the Canadian flag on it. You can get the full paper version by applying to the province for the official on line version. You can save that copy to upload to the cruise line’s electronic check in process. That check in is available once the cruise is paid in full. Usually 120 days before. And yes, your mum can set up both in the check in process. Just a heads up…make a few copies of the print out. There may be services at their local library or a trusted friend to do this.

Anyone from across most of E. Canada and the maritimes are still only connecting in YUL for international flights. It’s those connections that are most likely to delay baggage as the process slows both the original flight and baggage transfers. If you check in directly at YUL at least you will know your bags have a better chance of getting on only the one plane with you. Pack some of each other’s stuff in both of your bags. Wish I’d know this trick. End of Feb on a Thursday our 2 bags stayed in Ottawa and our flight was so delayed that we overnighted in Toronto and next morning the plane was delayed for 4 hours. Minutes before pushing back we were notified by AC text that our bags were still in Ottawa and which home address should they be directed to. Once in Miami we reported them missing and gave the address of the cruise ship. One made it to the cabin on the Sunday. Mine didn’t catch up with us until 5 days into the cruise in St Thomas. On the return, via YUL, the customs hall was a zoo. Now those were flights to/from the USA. I’m sure the chances are better from BCN-YUL but gone are the guarantees.

You can find a test site and pre book/prepay at the pier beside your terminal. None of the Canadian test product are approved by the FDA. Even some of the accepted tests in the US are not approved by the FDA. That’s why the cruise lines offer them at the port. With loosening of testing on flights back and forth it’s wise to manage your risks before cruising.

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦HAPPY CANADA DAY!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦From Ottawa … where there are happy signs that normalcy in our celebrations is returning. And that security of our beloved space, especially at the front of the parliament buildings, will prevail. Even if it means some parts of the party is a few klms away. Canada Eh? No problem! We also eat Beavertails! 🤣

We have a direct flight from FLL to YOW in November. There was 3 price points in AC bookings of 0; partial; or fully refundable. Suggest one way there and then back and allow some time for delays. IMHO connecting flights anywhere incl YUL, YYZ, YYC or YVR is not predictable that far out. You could take a chance. It could be seamless through YUL. Same in EWR. Even this far out theres no guarantee of connecting flights improving. Connections to and from our Canadian transatlantic and transpacific “gateways” will need to be re jigged as global travel resumes. All airlines and airports are trying to manage/recover the flow of passengers on international flights that would have landed in smaller cities. Thats the piece we just don’t know about and that will cost the airlines (our wallets) more. The entire deck of international landings over the next 2-3 years will be re-jigged around the planet as flight paths are re-established.

Tried to reply. Lost it! So the standard for test reports is for the name and address of the organization and their registration #, the date and time the test was taken, the name, the lot# and the manufacturer of the test, and the name and role of the person authorized to administer it and their signature, and of course the result. Your name, address, DOB, and your passport # should also be shown, along with your signature. We were tested 5 times along the way and all results had the same information, and yes there was coloured logos to indicate the company. For one it was a green bar with NEGATIVE printed inside it. We were tested by NCL, and they also scrutinized our airline test in check in. A week later an independent contractor outside the terminal of the next cruise did the test and that was also scrutinized. Because all the vaccine and boarding info is already entered in the NCL app the test result are most important at check in. Pharmaprix are registered separately in Quebec even though they’re associated with SDM.

Hi gnome! Thank you so very much for the tip. I shared it with her for some extra help. After a long time away from a real keyboard my lovely sis had completely forgotten that the numeric keys at the side really do work soooo much better than the ones across the top…y’know…like the ones we use on our devices. 🤦‍♀️ She had someone help her figure it out! And she wrote today to thank everyone and apologize. She says she was feeling a bit like a wet lettuce. 🤣 I still love the way things are interpreted over there!

With the changes to the plan you can sign in to Air Canada, and then select the method to pay by Aeroplan reward. By then you’ll have entered your account #. Then you find your preferred flight/routing, and you will see the various options that are available … by class … and what your points will buy you. It’s all on one page for each flight. Take lots of notes for now. Include flight number and airline and time in transit. You can get an idea of what airline might work better. Once you select the class and go on to seating preferences, you will be given the option of using all points, or various combinations of cash and points. This will be for just 1 passenger, so remember to double it. Some business class are not offered short haul, so buy that for the longest flight segment. Trouble with that in real time MAY be baggage allowances for smaller connecting flights. Check out the airlines in the Star Alliance partners. Be careful though if you stop or layover in let’s say Portugal - TAP airlines are often least expensive but have fewer options, and covid status is still iffy (but of course that can improve). Another lovely option was Singapore Airlines when they had a stop in Munich. Not sure if that’s still available. Swiss Air never applied a fuel surcharge when it was introduced in the 80’s so that was a massive saving for a long time, even when using points. Mind you that’s likely going to change. You’ll see the differences when you check out the routings. It’s all about your preferences and ideals about value for money. If you decide to book now, be prepared to look at options if there are changes to the flight schedules. That’s usually September. Sometimes it’s a 20 minute difference, sometimes more.