jlynchtx

4 hours ago, rajkr74 said:

On April 30, 2022 I tested positive for Covid on the NA, the last day of the cruise in Victoria Canada.  The test was needed prior to flying back home to Oregon from Vancouver.  I quarantined one day in cabin 4035 a verandah cabin starboard side.  It was on the same deck as our original cabin.  The fire doors to this section of the 4th deck closed off access to everyone except staff.  The 6th deck same floor section was also used for quarantining and the fire doors also were used to restrict access.

Thank you for the reply and help. I did just find out that they “upgraded” us to deck 5 midship. I guess it’s a moot point now anyway, but thanks for the info! 

Well, never mind. I just got an email and found out we have been “upgraded” to deck 5, midship. Time to re-print luggage tags…

That does make me wonder if we were in the quarantine area originally…Either way, we aren’t now. Thanks for the help. 

6 hours ago, oakridger said:

@jlynchtx  What would be the issue being "too close" to the quarantine area?  I will be on a cruise later this year on another ship where my cabin is a couple doors away from the current quarantine area on that ship.  I don't see a problem with this, as the people will be staying inside their cabins.  Do you know something we should be concerned about?

 

Thanks,

~Nancy

@oakridger 

No, I don’t know anything, the only thing I know is I would prefer not to get COVID on the cruise and ruin my vacation. It just seems to me that being right next door to dozens of rooms with COVID positive people would increase the likelihood of catching it. But, I could be totally wrong about it. If the ventilation system is completely separate, then I’m sure it will be fine. I’m probably worrying over nothing. 
 

I think what got me concerned was when I read that the isolation area was deck 6 FWD, which is where we are staying. That’s why I was trying to make sure it was at least on the opposite side of the ship. Surely they would couldn’t accidentally sell cabins in the quarantine area… Again, probably over thinking it,  but it would still be nice to know where it was…

6 hours ago, AFNavigator said:

Also, airflow in a quarantine area is totally separated from airflow in adjacent non-quarantine areas. The ships are built that way for smoke containment in case of fires. The zones are separated by corridor fire doors   In other words, you won't accidentally wander into a quarantine zone.

Thats good to know. Thanks!

Does anyone know exactly where the quarantine area is on the Nieuw Amsterdam? I just read that it is on deck 6 FWD, but I can’t seem to get an answer as to which side of the ship? Port or Starboard? We are booked on deck 6 FWD starting on Sunday and I am worried we are too close to the quarantine area…

9 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

It depends on how/who you booked with.  If you booked direct with HAL you will get an email from HAL about 2-4 weeks prior to sailing.  If booked with a TA, the TA will contact you, but be aware that not all TAs bother to do this, so best to contact your TA and ask what their policy is on upsell offers.

I booked with a Holland America cruise consultant (or whatever they are called). So I guess that would be the same as booking directly with HA?

I am the same cruise and have never received an upgrade offer. I wonder how you receive these upgrade offers? 

I see you can buy the unlimited laundry package on the website before you get on board… Do most of you buy it before or after you board? Will the price change? 

2 hours ago, Tracey/Thom said:

You are very welcome! I've been the recipient of SO much helpful information on these boards, I was anxious to be helpful and going on the first few cruises of the post-pandemic season seemed like a good time to give back. We loved, the itinerary, out of Vancouver. (We loved Vancouver too!) It seemed like it just kept getting better and better. The Inside Passage was lovely, mountains on both sides, we could sometimes see (with binoculars) people on the beach. Ketchikan was a small, basic, nice town. Juneau was a larger place, with much more activity. The whale watching tour was phenomenal, the Mendenhall glacier up close was so interesting and very picturesque. Skagway, the train up the mountain was breathtaking (and cold!) and then Glacier Bay National Park, those glaciers were magnificent, mesmerizing and we couldn't take enough pictures (we've since deleted a lot as we took so many!). I'm glad we went south to North rather than the other way around, as it really did keep getting better and better!  If you're booking directly with HAL, our rep Shandra Goben was very efficient and very helpful. They're short staffed and she often took a day or two to get back with me, but she did get back with me and was experienced enough to be helpful the first time around.  You'll have a ball!

I have never cruised the inside passage before (or Alaska for that matter)… Are there ever any portion where all you see is ocean, like in the Caribbean? Or, is land always visible? Also, how is the Ocean in terms of being calm or rough in this particular path? 

Thanks for all the info! We will be on the same ship in July. Besides the live music venues, do you remember what some of the evening shows or presentations were? Possibly what time they started? Thanks!

It looks like Canada will require cruisers to be tested to get on a cruise ship and to disembark a cruise ship in Canada.

Does anybody know about Cruising one way Northbound from Vancouver to Whittier on HAL? I'm assuming you would not have to take a second COVID test to disembark in Alaska (or to even fly back home) since it's all within the US? That may be a false assumption on my part, I'm not sure.

Also, I noticed that the HAL Northbound cruises say they arrive in Whittier at 1:00 AM? Is the the disembark time also?

Is there an easy way to get to Anchorage from there? 

Thanks for any help!

We have never been on a NCL cruise before and I had a few questions about the Encore specifically. We are thinking about doing an Alaska cruise on the Encore this summer with my family and parents. 
 

1. Are there any other shows beside the two Broadway shows? All they mention on the website are the Choir of Man and the Kinky Boots show, is that all they have? Are there any variety shows such as Juggling or Magic shows?

2. Do they have family friendly stand up comedy shows? 
 

3. Are there welcome aboard shows, trivia, game shows, etc? Again, there isn’t much in the way of activities mentioned online. 
 

4. On the Alaska cruises, do they have a park ranger come on board when they go through Glacier Bay? Do they have any talks or anything related to Alaska specifically?

5. Are they still making towel animals? This will be my parents first cruise and was hoping they could experience that at least once. 
 

Thanks!

17 minutes ago, lderochi said:

I believe that currently HAL takes care of testing for any passengers who require it at disembarkation. From the FAQ If my home country requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test result for re-entry following my cruise, will Holland America Line administer and cover the cost of the test?

Yes, if a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test after your cruise outside the terminal. 

 

Good news. Thanks for the info!

We have a cruise booked to Alaska out of Vancouver this July. The US currently requires a negative COVID test taken the day before you fly back. If this rule stays in place, would Holland America provide this test on the last day of the cruise? Or would you have to get off the ship and find a test before you can fly back?

Also, how long would Canada require you to quarantine if you tested positive? I heard it was 14 days,  it that didn’t seem right. 
 

I really want to cruise out of Vancouver, but it seems much more stressful and I may end up switching to Seattle. 

17 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

Great question.  I'm in the same boat - passengers 1 and 2 get the free trips but my kids (pax 3 and 4) don't have tickets.  I just want to know the time of our train, since there are apparently 9 trips per day.  Just FYI - it's $134 for teens if you book directly, $139.95 if you use HAL as the middle man.

Let me know if you figure out a way to find out the time. 

12 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

Call Shore Excursions and ask.  1-888-425-9376.   Monday - Friday 7am-5pm

Thanks for that number. I may try that. 

26 minutes ago, lstrong said:

The train holds a lot of people. Highly unlikely to sell out!  But I believe you could purchase on the ship when you find out your assigned time

Thank you, that sounds promising.  I will try to purchase a ticket for our son when we get on board and find out the time we have been assigned. I will just have to hope they still have seats available. 

I booked the “Have It All” promotion with Holland America. One of the included perks right now is a free pass to the White Pass Railway. However, you don’t get to reserve the pass like you would normally do with excursions. The rep (and the fine print) told me that we would receive our train times once on board. The problem is, the free railway pass is only good for guests 1 and 2. Our teenage son will be staying in our cabin also and so we have third person who will want to ride. 
 

So, I’m trying to figure out if I can just wait and buy his ticket once we are on board and I know the time we will be going. Obviously, we would like to all be on the same train. Or is there a chance they will sell out before I am able to buy my son a ticket? This a very strange situation I have never encountered before. Thanks for any input. 

What is the preferred method for brining on 12 packs of soda? I have only been on one other cruise before and I just put them inside my carry on luggage that time. I don’t think I will have room this time. Can I carry them on top of it? Do you strap them down somehow? Do you have to take them off to send it through the x-ray machine?

25 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

Sounds like it.

This is sounding less and less like a vacation. I’m going to see how people say it goes this week, I may end up cancelling my January cruise if they are going to be crazy strict now. 

So do you really have to wear a mask when in the spa or the fitness center working out? 

Yes, I was hoping maybe someone could share a recent one. Or maybe just the times for the comedy and main shows in the liquid lounge? 
There used to be websites that had scanned copies of the paper versions, but I can’t find anything now. 

Hi, is there a way to see a recent fun times from the Vista? I can’t seem to find one from any recent cruise… I haven’t cruised since all the changes and it is my understanding that they are all on the app now? Is there a way to see them online anywhere?

I just like to plan a few things before I board and I was trying to figure out the times for the evening comedy shows and the evening main shows in the liquid lounge. If you could just share that info it would help also… 
 

2 hours ago, Cruise4Jesus said:

We were on this same cruise and yes the comedy clubs were open for 4 shows daily in the Limelight Lounge. PG shows were 6:15 and 7:15 (repeat) and adult shows were 8:30 and 9:45 (repeat). There were also couple times it was dual comedians in the Liquid Lounge. Same 4 comedians throughout the cruise.

Thank you for the comedy show times. We have a cruised booked on Vesta soon…Does anyone know what times the main shows are in the liquid lounge? Is there still two shows per evening? I’m just trying to figure out dinner times to plan for. Thanks!

2 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

This question has been asked and answered a million times. Would you want to go to a house party full of unvaccinated people for a week or fully vaccinated ? Which do you think gives you a better chance of not catching Covid, getting it severely and it spreading quickly? You should know the answer to your own question by now.

It honestly would not bother me a bit either way. I live my life like normal and I never think about who around me is vaccinated or not vaccinated. It’s just not something I dwell on. I know many unvaccinated people who have never caught COVID yet and I know vaccinated people who have had COVID even after they were vaccinated. I am vaccinated and have never had COVID, but I figure I will get it at some point in my life. Life is too short to be divided over these things.