farjar

This is a quote from the HAL notification we received posted above in #77.  Sounds to me like you can test at a location close to your home within 2 days of embarkation, bring proof of your testing and if you haven't received those results in time HAL will retest you for free.  If you can show you made an effort within the time frame to comply and it is not your fault you haven't received a negative test result back then HAL will test at no charge.

We realize some of our guests are having a challenge getting a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially considering this new guidance. We are working to set up mobile testing sites at all our embarkation homeports to conduct a rapid test the day before or day of your departure. We are still finalizing the details and will announce those shortly. Holland America Line will be subsidizing the infrastructure of the mobile testing sites, but the company providing the testing will charge a per person fee (to be established). Providers will not accept insurance, but you will be provided a receipt should you wish to submit the cost to your insurance carrier. You should consider this as a back-up alternative should you not receive your test results back in time. If you bring proof of testing without results to the pier, Holland America Line will test you at no charge. 

Just received this about our upcoming cruise.  Sounds like it is not just Holland but all cruise lines.

"Dear Holland America Line Guest:

We look forward to welcoming you on board for your upcoming cruise.

We are writing to advise you that pursuant to updated directives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have updated our pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements for cruises departing between September 18 and October 31, 2021.

All fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically observed PCR or antigen test) taken within TWO days of their embarkation on all Holland America Line U.S. sailings. This is an update to our previously communicated requirement of three days prior to embarkation.

Guests will be required to provide proof of this negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board.

For U.S. guests, Holland America Line has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to provide over 1,500 locations in the United States to schedule a no-cost* COVID-19 test appointment, with results delivered within 48 hours. Click here to find a testing location near you. *This COVID-19 no-cost-to-you program is available to eligible individuals for $0 out of pocket when billed to a health plan or the government.

We realize some of our guests are having a challenge getting a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially considering this new guidance. We are working to set up mobile testing sites at all our embarkation homeports to conduct a rapid test the day before or day of your departure. We are still finalizing the details and will announce those shortly. Holland America Line will be subsidizing the infrastructure of the mobile testing sites, but the company providing the testing will charge a per person fee (to be established). Providers will not accept insurance, but you will be provided a receipt should you wish to submit the cost to your insurance carrier. You should consider this as a back-up alternative should you not receive your test results back in time. If you bring proof of testing without results to the pier, Holland America Line will test you at no charge. Guests who arrive without a negative test result will experience a delayed embarkation and risk denied boarding and subject to quarantine should a positive result be returned. The mobile labs will either be in or adjacent to our terminals, or within walking distance.

Additionally, guests are strongly encouraged to test before leaving home if departing prior to the mandatory maximum testing period (two days before embarkation for cruises departing from a U.S. port).

Please check our Travel Well Frequently Asked Questions for further details on our updated testing requirements and onboard protocols.

We are hopeful these requirements will be temporary, and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Kind regards,

Holland America Line"

21 hours ago, blubberwon said:

OBC cannot be used to pay gratuities and cannot be used in the casino.  You can use it for excursions,  shops, specialty dinners, cruise next deposits,  shows, race track, laser tag. 

Thanks Blubberwon.  Interesting that NCL doesn't let it cover housekeeping. Our Carnival shareholders' OBC we use on HAL to cover most of our daily service fee.  

Can the OBC be used toward the cost of the daily service charge or excursions?

I asked a similar question that is currently on page 7 called "Is noon too early to fly home from Seattle?"  There are three pages of responses if you wish to read them. We are using Port Valet and have TSA pre-check hoping to make reduced time at the airport.

We were notified yesterday our May 2022 Alaska cruise on the Oosterdam has been moved to the Westerdam.  Apparently everything is staying exactly the same otherwise.  That's a good thing since we already have our airline tickets booked.

On 6/30/2021 at 10:14 AM, NavArch64 said:

To farjar .... light rail from SEATAC station to Westlake station takes about 38 minutes ... bus #33 from Macy's downtown to Magnolia Bridge (near Pier 91) takes about 12 minutes ... but add waiting and transfer times .... could be between 1 hour (if perfect) to 2 hours (if not very perfect) ... clearly no time guarantees .... all depends on your interests and needs of the day.

Thank you NavArch64.  Your information and maps are very helpful.  It is so nice that CC posters are willing to take the time to assist others. We have about 3 hours from the time we land until boarding so we thought it might be a "courageous and adventurous" way to see more of the city.  😊

On 6/28/2021 at 12:21 PM, NavArch64 said:

If you are courageous .... hotel shuttle to Sound Transit light rail airport station, light rail to Westlake station downtown, walk one block on Pine St, Seattle bus #33 from in front of Macy's, get off on Magnolia Bridge at Pier 91, walk down to ground level, pier shuttle to HAL terminal. Must have roller bag, be in good physical condition, and want to have fun on your way to the ship. It also helps to have been born and grown up in NYC.

 We fly into SEATAC at 9:00am on the Sunday morning of the cruise.  Do I understand correctly there is a Sound Transit rail station at the airport that we could get on then follow the rest of your directions?  Approximately how long would the entire trip take?  Thanks.

We have the option of flying home from Seattle at either noon or 1:45.  The plan is to use Port Valet so we won't have to deal with our main luggage.  We also have TSA pre-check to reduce time at the airport.  Will booking the earlier flight give us enough time to get from the cruise terminal and make our flight?  Also what is the best way to get travel between SEATAC and the pier?  Thanks. 

We are on the Koningsdam to Mexico in late October.  Even though we are fully vaccinated it is unlikely we will get off the ship in any of the ports (Cabo, Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta).  We are just excited about getting back to cruising.  An article in this morning's San Diego newspaper quoted HAL saying "While the ships will initially sail with lower capacity-about 50 percent-Holland America is still expecting a 30 percent increase in passengers by the end of the cruise season."  With the Koningsdam having a capacity of 2,650 passengers, it will be interesting to see how many are actually on board.

If disembarking in Seattle you might wish to take advantage of the Port of Seattle's free luggage service.

Port Valet is Complimentary, Convenient, and Secure

The Port of Seattle is pleased to offer complimentary luggage transfer from the ship to your airline at the end of your cruise.

Here's why Port Valet makes it easy to be in Seattle:

• Receive your boarding pass before leaving your ship
• Enjoy streamlined disembarkation
• Enjoy Seattle luggage free!
• Skip baggage lines at the airport
• Track your bags for peace of mind

Port Valet is a complimentary luggage service sponsored by the Port of Seattle and our cruise line and airline partners.

How does the service work?

1. Enroll early!
   Once you're on the ship complete the enrollment form found in your stateroom.  If you have questions about eligibility, check with the guest services team on your ship. It's best to enroll during the first few days of your cruise. You can use Port Valet if you are flying with these participating airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, United
2. Drop your luggage
   The night before your cruise ends, you’ll receive your airline boarding passes and special luggage tags from your ship’s crew. Set your bags outside your cabin that evening and the ship's crew will pick them up.
   Your luggage will be securely transferred directly from the cruise ship and checked in with your airline all the way to your destination airport. You don’t have to do a thing.
3. Enjoy Seattle
   Capitalize on your freedom and spend the day exploring Seattle in its most beautiful season. Visit Seattle can help plan the day.  Check out the two-hour, four-hour and all day self-tours at the Visit Seattle website.  
4. Skip check-in at the airport
   Upon arrival at SEA Airport, proceed through security and board the plane.  Your luggage is already checked to your final destination!
5. Track your luggage
   You can track your bags at the Port Valet website. 

I totally agree with Mary229.  The White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway is a must.  We've done it twice.  Besides breathtaking scenery you get an insight into what the Yukon prospectors had to endure to make it to the goldfields.  It's both beautiful and educational.

We prefer doing an inside cabin.  Frequently in Alaska it is too cold to sit on a balcony.  We use the money we save on the cabin to go on shore excursions instead.  That way we see and experience more for the same price.

We will be sailing out of of the NCL terminal in Miami in Feb. of 2022.  Having read some about taking the trolley from MIA to the NCL terminal we have several questions: 

Will the new NCL terminal be operational by then and what letter is it?  

Is it practical for 2 people with 2 carry-ons and 1 rolling bag to take the trolley?

What trolley stop is closest to NCL?

How far a walk is it from the trolley stop to the ship and about how long does it take?

Any other information that can be provided would be sincerely appreciated.

We were notified two months ago by both our travel agent and HAL that our May Alaska cruise was cancelled.  It still shows up in our account and the days until sailing is still counting down.  Two weeks ago I called HAL and the representative saw what I was talking about on her screen also but couldn't give me an explanation as to why that was.  She also said our FCC for that cruise had been credited to our account even though that doesn't show on my screen either.  The fact she could see it too makes me think it's not a problem with the browser I'm using.  Has anyone else experienced this with a cancelled cruise?

I recently made a reservation with a very nice NCL agent.  I've been told I can transfer my reservation to a big box store travel department and get their promotion.  If I do does the NCL representative lose out on her commission?  I would hate to stiff someone just for a gift card.  Thank you.  

We took our first Holland America cruise in Dec. 2019 in a moderately priced ocean view cabin.  Every night there were chocolates on the bed, towel animals, free robes to use while on the ship, ice twice a day and lobster on gala night.  We are platinum on Norwegian and three months earlier on an NCL cruise in a comparable cabin we had none of these.  It will be interesting to see if these amenities disappear from other cruise lines too as cost saving measures due to lost revenue because of the virus.

Canada does have an embassy in Perth.  Don't know what, if any, help they could be.  You may wish to send them an email and see if they have any suggestions. 

Address:

Canadian Honorary Consulate in Perth, Australia - 267, St.George's Terrace, 3rd Floor - Perth, WA 6000 - Australia

Telephone:

(+61) (8) 9322 7930

Fax:

E-mail:

canadaperth@bigpond.com

On ‎3‎/‎9‎/‎2020 at 4:18 AM, suec12 said:

Our cruise is in mid-May - so if I want the FCC and some $$$ - I have to cancel before March 31st? I can't wait until closer to departure time?

We just cancelled our mid-May cruise 66 days before sailing.  We had no travel insurance so were pleased to receive a total refund of cash for our taxes & port fees and a FCC for the cruise cost.  Our airfare on Alaska is not refundable and they are currently not allowing free changes this far out.  Worst case we loose the cost of the airline tickets.  Best case the virus situation improves in the next six weeks and we can use our FCC to rebook the same cruise and use our existing flight reservations.

We will be getting $200 onboard spending credit if we go on our May cruise. Can this credit be used toward future cruise certificates, daily service charges, or excursions?  Thank you.

We just got the $200 OBC for our May cruise to Alaska.  Does HAL allow you to use non-refundable OBC to buy future cruise certificates like NCL does?  If not, can it be used toward excursions or daily service charges?  We still plan on going but are waiting to see how bad the outbreak situation gets in Kirkland since we have to fly to Seattle for the cruise.

On ‎1‎/‎30‎/‎2020 at 10:47 AM, AlanF65 said:

If by ride share you mean Lyft or Uber, the ride share lot is about a block and a half walk at the end of the gray building, there is also a shuttle to your right when you exit.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6286777,-122.3831309,3a,75y,329.61h,81.08t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxWhEu81F69QcwuCVIU0xOw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DxWhEu81F69QcwuCVIU0xOw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D204.38783%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

 

Lots of good info here

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/315-west-coast-departures/

A-

 

 

Very helpful information.  Thank you.

We will be doing an Alaskan cruise in and out of Seattle this summer.  Our plan is to take a car share service ($ 36) from Sea/Tac to pier 91.  On our return we plan on using Seattle's free Port Valet for our luggage and the ride share service again back to the airport. Has anyone done this?  Is it a good plan?  Any other suggestion?  Thanks!

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Ah, not true. Guarantees are assigned anywhere from about 30 days out to dockside. (we have gotten ours at 25 or so days twice, and as late as 8 days). The general consensus is 10-14 days prior to sailing. But you may not get it until you arrive at the Terminal.

We have our first ever guarantee cabin booked through a travel agent for an Alaskan cruise.  Will our travel agent notify us when our cabin is assigned or will it just show up in our HAL cruise documents?

We are looking at a future cruise.  If we use a CruiseNext certificate as our deposit then cancel the cruise before final payment do we lose our certificate?  Would we be better off paying the $50 deposit now, then using the certificate as part of our final payment?  Since the cruise is a ways off and our plans could change we would rather risk losing $50 than a $250 CruiseNext credit.