Blackduck59

Sorry for the multiple guess routine. I knew it looked familiar but couldn't recall for sure, We ended up in Antwerp as a result of a power problem on our train, It was a bit of drama that put us in Brussels 5 hours late. We arrived to an empty station and were very luck to find our gate for the overnight train to Berlin. Let's see what I can find

Or even Brugge. We have been to all 3.

Oops wrong place make that Antwerp

I'm going with Brussels,

Does anyone have a very famous heritage hotel in their town, or in a port you visit? I do, the world famous Empress Hotel (Built by Canadian Pacific) now run by "Fairmont" I can tell you that "The Empress" aint what she used to be and never will be again. To sit and pine for what was is a fools errand. There have been changes but to suggest that HAL has come to an end because they have eliminated the "Yum Yum man", really? They stopped demeaning some crew member by putting them in a monkey suit, and that is reason for finding a new cruise line?

Steak and mushroom pie for me And a snag on a bun for Lynn

I have always thought the "keys in the mail box idea to be fraught with problems. I much preferred the get your card at check in. Of course that slows down check in as they have to find your boarding package at the back counter. In any event even if the cabin isn't "ready" you can grab the key, drop your carry on gear and carry on. Of course there are those who fail to read their boarding pass or check to make sure they have the right cabin, they are in a special class of cruiser often discussed on these boards.

I think the $1.00 deposit is a great idea...for cruisers. I know there are some who book a whack of cruises with no intention of taking all of them. I also think the majority of those who use the $1.00 deposit to book a cruise they would definitely take, many would even make the regular deposit. The sale just means they get to keep that money in their account until final payment. Holland America gets the booking they want, the cruisers get the cruise they want, it's a win win. I think some members seem to be jealous that they missed "The Deal", or their special needs cabins are all sold out to others who pulled the trigger first. Whether it is fiscally responsible for HAL is irrelevant to those making the bookings. If the line goes down oh well they lost 2 bucks. Of course those of us that paid full deposits would be screwed. I'm hopeful HAL has it right and all is well. For those that got in on the deal, good for you, those that missed out, better luck next time.

Yes, Victoria has a vibrant brewery scene. I'm not sure which breweries are on the tour, but there are many to choose from. We also have 3 different beer festivals, you can check the Victoria Beer Society for more details. Beer is a thing here.

Perhaps @richwmn could help with this as they recently completed a similar voyage.

@LHARTWICK, if you do book the cruise and have a stop in Victoria maybe look at other options than "The Butchart Gardens". While they are indeed lovely, they are a long way from the cruise port (as anyone who has been there will know). Also keep in mind the time of the year when this cruise happens, not really peak blossom time. I would suggest doing some research and look into some almost secret gems much closer to the port. Check out Government house, the grounds are nice, the gardens are tended by volunteers and it is free. Craigdarroch Castle is also a great place to spend some time. Maybe take a little harbour ferry, it's a great little boat ride around the inner harbour, and can save part of the long walk from the port into downtown. Anyone who chooses this cruise enjoy the experience and remember there is way more to Victoria than the Butchart Gardens, which is a 45 minute drive each way from the port.

It is Rainbow park in Victoria. So named for Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp (RCSCC) Rainbow, which was named for HMCS Rainbow. That is where I spent many hours of my youth doing sea cadet things. It was a great place with large barracks, boat deck, boat shed, our own marine ways and a float. All long gone now, except in the memories who attended there. Sorry for the recycled photo. I just found my portable hard drives so if I get another turn maybe I will find something new, or older or... Your turn Lyndon

Perhaps.

Sorry for the delay, it was sleep time here.

I'll try Luxor

Okay, I'll try Canada.

I'll throw out a guess (an obvious one) were you in Australia.

Hey Mic, thanks for asking. I have had a bit of enforced absence from here. Spring has sprung and all is abloom. I had a bit of a spectacular fall last week and have had a few days of work. My ribs are sore but I hope to get back to work tomorrow. I fell on Tuesday and didn't go to work since then. I already had Thursday and Friday booked off; Lynn's nephew came to be with us as we travelled to Vancouver to inter Granny's ashes as she had wanted. It was a sad reason for a good visit. Lynn is still working through her grief, she is okay most of the time, but now and then she has a moment. As unfortunate as my fall was it has made it so I can be around for her a few extra days.

I see others are beginning to feel frustration. I think that following clues is the best part if the game. Or asking elimination questions, which should be answered with something more than "not there". Of course I have mentioned this a couple of times and been mocked for it. I think when @OzKiwiJJ started this it was supposed to be a fun way to talk about places we have been. Some people decided it was some kind of stump the others competition.

@POA1 and @Huskerchick, I was just reading your after action observations. I think one of the reasons that you have success with your servicepersons is your attitude. You choose to travel in a "bubble of Awesome" and you are both aware that your personal attitude has a direct impact on the level of awesome in that bubble. I think some of those who had a lesser experience than you, were the authors of their own disappointment. I think many people would find a better experience by dwelling on the good rather than the bad.

@CruiserBruce have I got this right you spent the night at a port in Mexico? I always find it interesting when people travel to a foreign country and get all bent out of shape that "They don't speak English here". I'm not sure why it is that many English speaking people seem to think everyone no matter where in the world should know their language.

I would take any residual version of "Arrive Can" with a grain of salt. The investigation into the money pit that is "Arrive Can" is ongoing and it is just another example of a poorly monitored program thrown together with good intentions but poor execution. I doubt it will save any time on arrival and suspect it will be a waste of any time you spend on it before arrival.

@Menocchio further to your point, the person involved could probably book passage on an Alaskan ferry. Of course that would probably be a little more basic than a cruise ship. I also seem to recall the angst from cruise dependent communities in Alaska about the nasty Canadians closing our ports so the cruise industry couldn't comply with their own protectionist law.

I quoted both the posts to keep them in context. I think @RedIguana is pointing out the slippery slope that @Heartgrove is suggesting. Should the 5 stars have a special line over the 4 stars? I dare say that there will be several 3 stars on any given cruise who over their cruising life have spent way more than the inside cabin 4 and 5 star. So "star status" has a widely varying price point. Club orange is a set cost, pay the price get priority, it's a simple concept.

Thanks @TiogaCruiser for posting that. It's an interesting read. I knew about the rule but it doesn't apply to me. Where have we heard that before? The cruise line entered into a contract with the passenger to transport them to Vancouver. At no time did they force the passenger to disembark the ship before they reached Vancouver. Too bad so sad, I guess the person learned the rules do apply to them.