Walfam
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Posts posted by Walfam
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We were unable to use our Nord VPN while on the Zuiderdam on a Panama Canal cruise in 2019. I don't know why, but we crossed our fingers and used the ship's WiFi without that extra layer of protection.
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Back in 2000, we flew to Scotland for a golf holiday. Long story short, Hubby's golf clubs arrived a couple days late, along with our suitcases. We also had a carryon bags, so the big suitcases arriving late didn't negatively impact us. In the meantime, Hubby rented golf clubs, had to buy golf balls and something else. We kept all the receipts and filed a claim with Travel Guard, who reimbursed us for those expenses.
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"We don't really want or need trip cancellation or Trip delay insurance-just want the medical part. Has anyone done this or have some companies you could recommend?"
When we went to Canada for vacation, we needed insurance for medical only now that we are on Medicare. We used Travel Guard and it was not expensive, at all. Since visiting these forums, we have used tripinsurancestore.com and were very satisfied with our experiences.
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I always wear the Sea Bands and have Dramamine handy. Better to be prepared and not need it. IIRC, the ships "newsstand" shop doesn't have much if you end up needing it.
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"So do you think I can take just my carry on for a 14 day SAmerica cruise? I really want to just take that and not worry if my luggage takes a detour! "
Yes, it is possible. Link---> Rick Steves' website has excellent information about traveling carryon only. It is not possible for me but I encourage and applaud those who can do it!
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Decades ago, I put bright neon yarn pom-poms on all the handles of our luggage, including the carryons because ... gate-checked hand luggage. Initially, my Hubby snarked and made fun, but over time he started asking me to put them on his new bags. The last few trips, I added a bright orange duct tape letter to the front and back sides of our checked luggage. It really helps identifying ours on the carousel, now that other people have added the bright color pompoms to their handles.
After reading this topic and seeing all the bags over Xmas standing upright at Southwest airlines' unclaimed baggage, I'll add some duct tape to the narrow sides and tops, also. Our suitcases aren't cheap and I'd hate to lose them and everything inside.
I also like the Air Tags idea and will implement that before our next trip.
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We've done two cruises in Neptune Suites. IMO you will be happier with two verandahs for the sleeping arrangements. Otherwise, the teens will share a pullout sleeper sofa and it can get tight in there when it is opened out.
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Yes, take the Neptune Suite upgrade. We had a Neptune suite on our last two cruises and absolutely enjoyed the space and the perks.
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The VPN we use (Nord) slows down the internet enough on land-based hotel Wifi's that we didn't even try to use it on the Zuiderdam three years ago. We just used the ship's Wifi and hoped for the best.
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Roz - The sister I mentioned above got their 2nd boosters at Publix in Franklin.
(For some reason I cannot edit my original post #22 )
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Roz - my sister, her husband, my hubby and I have all gotten our second boosters in the past week or two at the CVSes in Williamson county. Their website will tell you which store has which brand.
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"Replacement ports vary by itinerary, and the five sailings that would have visited Saint Petersburg, Russia, will instead call on Baltic ports such as Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Visby, Sweden, while also adding an overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden".
Visby, Sweden is a lovely little town and very walkable. We had a port stop there on the Maasdam 20+ years ago and were tendered into the port.
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On 2/26/2022 at 7:05 AM, KirkNC said:
Hermitage is unbelievable but when we were there it was incredibly crowded.
The Hermitage was quite crowded over twenty years ago when I cruised there on the Maasdam.
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Hawaii has been hard hit with Delta variant. Cancelled cruises to their ports would not be a surprise. IIRC, there are limits on gatherings and they were trying to avoid lockdown, three weeks ago.
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8 hours ago, flyguyjake said:
Maybe you need to clean your cookies LOL
That usually works well for me, too.
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Our Canada/New England to FLL on the Zuiderdam in October (that we booked thru that big box TA) was canceled by HA in early May, and I finally got notice, a few days ago, from my credit card that our deposit was refunded by Holland America.
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If a cloth mask is causing skin irritation, ladies can avoid wearing makeup. I haven't worn foundation since lockdown. 😳 I don't want to think about how my makeup would feel under a mask, even after 30 minutes. Ugh. Highly perfumed aftershaves could be a problem for men.
We wash all our masks (and general laundry) in Free&Clear type detergents and never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets due to allergies. Their oily residue and/or their perfumes can cause skin breakouts for sensitive skin.
I suggest to friends who will wear the cloth masks I've made for them for work that they change them out after 2-3 hours and put on a fresh one. I give them three or four, and encourage them to wash them every night. They can be hand washed in the sink. This virus is susceptible to soap/detergents so hot water isn't necessary. We don't boil wash our hands during the day, and that works.
We prefer the pleated style to the contour style that is more prevalent on the internet and we see almost everywhere. Those contour ones are not 'one size fits all' and the majority of improperly worn masks are that style.
Cotton breathes better than synthetic fabrics, IMO.. The masks I make include a sleeve on the inside for a nose wire. This helps it fit better at the top of the nose and really cuts down with the glasses lens fogging.
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We just now received an email from HAL about this. Now to get a refund on our deposit and shore excursions.
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The daughter of a friend of ours is threatening this....they won't stay home. LOL-
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11 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:
Yet cruise ships seem to get the headlines in the evening news.
IMHO, Probably because it is more sensational journalism. Drama. Passengers are basically stuck (trapped) on a ship with no way to get home, and with no hope at the moment. This is what sells and ups the media ratings. .
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2 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:
I received one several days ago. Last cruised HAL February 2019, next booked HAL cruise July 2021.
We last cruised March 2019 and next booked HAL cruise is October 2020. I have not received an email from HAL of any sort.
🤷♀️
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"As this virus spreads cruise lines may well start to take draconian steps to keep the virus off their ships"
Impossible.
The only way to keep it off the ships is stop the cruises. Given the high contagion and up to 14-day incubation before symptoms can present, it would be impossible. -
4 hours ago, thyme2go said:
SempreMare, HAL did not send me a notice with the missing info AND the breach in one email. I am the one who put that together as the email I received had the title "Missing Information" which is not that unusual and I expected there to be one or two piece's of info missing........when I looked for the missing info i I discovered that everything when I made the reservation was no longer there.
I would be very careful and not use a link in that email. Go directly to the HAL web site.
Very disappointing that HAL has not notified all their past and current customers. (!)
I went into the HAL site just now and changed my password. But .... I could not "edit" the security questions. What the heck? That alone is creeping me out.
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On 2/27/2020 at 6:14 PM, *Miss G* said:
This is exactly what I was experiencing. After a number of hours I decided to delete all website data for Cruise Critic and I was functional again.
Thank you! Deleting all cookies and website data on the iPad finally fixed it. (my desktop was fine)
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So called “Service Dogs” on board ships
in Holland America Line
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True service dogs are working and doing their job for which they have been trained. they will sit quietly for hours. If a pup doesn't have the ability to stay calm and sit for long periods of time like that, they are culled from the program and re-homed as a civilian.