LeftcoastBC

I left a clearly marked Cane on the Koningsdam in May.  Used the lost and found like that HAL has.  They reported after several other emails of "Nothing yet" to me that they could not locate it.  Just for fun and something to do recently on a non busy time at the front desk after 4 days at sea from Hawaii I took the matter up with the front desk and they checked the Lost and found right then and there.  I could learn of no other info from the limited english speaking Guest services agent. So who knows what they actually  do at the end of a cruise with found objects.  It was not in BB Kings either where I left it 🙂

Day before  .... for a  7th OCT cruise...any layer and I would have shown up with the luggage and assigned when we got on.  Not a pleasant feeling atually.

On 5/12/2023 at 4:46 PM, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Sure I read your post.  I read everything you post.  😉  If you were only talking about announcements, maybe you should be more specific.  Belkat and her husband were bothered by a lot more than the announcements.

 

AS was I.

I forgot about Amtrack. Great suggestion now they are running again.  Timing isn’t so great but it might convince you to come up a day nearly and spend some 60 % bucks,  have used it a couple of times.  Great trip."?..even came up once on a return YVR to SanFran. One still has to overnight in Seattle I think.

I’m the Bob that the good doctor refers to.  I indeed used a cane off and on in that mess and for good reason.  My age and former occupation and too much fun has recently caught up to me.  I started off boarding day with it secured to my roller.  Then started to need it as we went through two lines.  I have never hit anyone with it yet. The guiding lady surprised me by picking me out so we went with her as requested.  Didn’t matter however cause where she took us didn’t have access to nexus just needed passport.  So that didn’t save us any time in line at all really.

when I used to read CC my experiences used to differ quite often with some of the sad tails.  Jim the author here has not exaggerated anything .  This experience has changed everything about my approach going forward.  Most of us on this cruise just wanted to be onboard a nice well run ship at a reasonable price.  The experience was on some occasions punishment .  HAL’s fault for the issues onboard.  Likely a combination for what occurred in Canada Place.  It was not what I paid for and my worst experience in 20 yrs of cruising.

I wish better stories for future cruisers in Vancouver.  I miss Ballantyne Pier.

On 5/5/2023 at 1:51 PM, xlxo said:

The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires the ship to sail to another country.  I think they wanted an Alaskan sampler instead of going to Seattle or Port Angeles.

The Pvsa does not apply to ships sailing from Canada.  It’s a USA statue.

Heres the full story on Parking.  Normal drop off is drive under Canada Place to P2.  Get dropped off with your bags and head for the Zoo.  Our experience was the worst embarkation ever  anywhere I have done in North America since 1994.  Here Seattle ,Florida, California, Puerto Rico. Etc..  2 plus hours of non-stop through separate checkin/Customs/ etc. to getting finally to the ship.(see thread by Dr. Koob here on CC).  I haven’t  read it yet but I’m sure it’s a beaut.). So  back to parking >  IF YOU. ARE GOING TO PARK you give your bags to specific ship handlers and go and  park.  Doing this bag drop and getting to the check in line took about 45 mins from the entrance. Then we started the 2+Hr check in.  We entered around 12:30. We found space back near the entrance to P2.  More folks came after us as we walked all the way back to where we passed the bag drop and started up to check in.  There are lots of spaces across the full width of CP so best take a pic of your spot. Not sure if spots are avail for cruise parking on P1.  On return  you walk onto CP on Cruise Ship Level get your bags and go out towards the front of CP and it was a breeze today.  About half way to the street on this level There is an elevator to go down to P1 and P2.  As you breakout into the public area.  Straight ahead with slight angle to the right and can be missed if you are not looking up at the signage. Getting off the ship well planned and timely as ship cleared when it was supposed to. BUT we came from a Canadian Port and did not have a clearance issue for enter into Canada. Most ships that do the return from CP leave a US port and will have some Customs delay or Procedure that we would have had in Prince Rupert.  It was casual but our paper work was done after leaving Ketchikan and obviously almost precleared for Rupert. BTW A subject was arrested off the ship by Police in Prince Rupert.  It was made pretty clear he would not be returned to the ship.  Welcome to Canada.

Just got home.  Rolling dice would depend on how many ships are returning and how many pax are on them.  A crew member who should know cause he is in the feeding end of things said for example the Koningsdam for the next 2-3 weeks for sure is almost overbooked (all beds full) so running around 3000 people plus exact would be on HAL website.  So if a day you wished to cruise had say 3 full ships returning you could count on some movement in the number of spaces available.  Only a small percentage of folks actually park put from now on the constant turn over of ships will keep things topped up. Today when we left there didnt seem to be many spaces available. But there were some. But you still might have to wait until later on in the day to make it.  I dont think I would chance it.   Reserve in advance or park elsewhere and cab/Uber.  Depending on where you are driving from.  Airport and Sky train.etc.  Folks I spoke with Parked at the BC Ferry and bused in.  Said it was easy. But that was packing for only 5 days of stuff to drag around.

Thks everyone.  Think I have a plan.  Lol.   HAL just backed up our boarding time to 1 pm with the ship planning departure at 3 Pm according to the Port site.  It’s a three ship day on the first weekend + Monday.  I t will be an interesting. Day I’m certain.

Looking for specific instructions on Entering the drop off area under Canada Place.  Dropping bags and then parking.?  Is one still able to do that rather than bringing bags up from down below and back out into the area were bags for the different cruise lines are located. Any other tips for this year (23) which starts next weekend. Haven't cruised out of here for quite some time.  Thks.

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

Going back to the time when drinks packages were not available the Elite/Diamond cocktail time did mean a significant saving on your drinks bill! Those who tend to price without perks can still really benefit from this. Also even the top suites didn’t have free laundry, WiFi etc so loyalty discounts were of value.

 

We are D+ and E+, most of our RC cruises were some years ago now. On RC ‘loyalty’ seems more important. Many people wear their pins with pride and conversations may move from ‘Where are you from?’ To ‘What loyalty level are you?’. Never been asked any of this on a Celebrity ship!! Obviously this is simply our observation, others may have found different.

 

There were two changes that altered the ‘value’ of the perks for some people, the introduction of drinks and other perk packages packages and the Suite Life programme. If you have a drinks package and a WiFi package then free drinks and a WiFi discount are meaningless. Book in a suite and the duplication becomes even more evident. Not an issue for us, all about choices, but as you are aware some people do feel that their ‘hard earned and paid for’ Elite perks have limited monetary value, hence the discussions. 

 

 

I agree that X’s Perk program has taken a lot of the social interaction out of Its rewards program.  I remember when we went to Ak and I think there were 6 of us In the Elite lounge .  Then the boomers hit and it became Too crowded and then perks hit and its gone the other way again.  I know its just a marketing tool but we use it all the time...although I still haven’t played bingo.  Lol

Celebrities biggest error was the names of their categories.  Only a certain group of people really want to be Elite and Elite PLUS.   Lol.  And 99 % Of us Will never make Zenith.  Although in its day it was a great ship even without balconies.

The very best perk of all was priority tenders.  Now its not even in the rules (but its there). Most ports dock even The biggest ships now or they don't go to those ports at all.  Grand Cayman an exception. 

56 minutes ago, DrKoob said:

PS: This is a great thread. Hi Gerardo. Hi Don, Hi Texed!

 

So great to see you guys. Do you know if Lois is still with us on CC? I always loved spotting her purple prose.

 

 

Jim

Hey Doc thks for the mention.  It is really interesting to go back and look sometimes.  I did a search tho the other night on a 2001 incident and those are all gone.  I was using a different name back then of course.  I met Gerardo on my most recent cruise and of course have read the other two you mentioned over the yrs. 

Texted  the doc and I have discussed your posting prowess in relation to a certain product quite a few times over the years.  😃

Most recently I have slowed in this part of my online presence.  Its really hard to stay current here on the forums when you don’t cruise as often as we used to.  Main reason the US $.  I found  when you haven’t been to certain ports in over a yr.Or so  your personal info is only in the general category not specifics.  I like to be specific.

Roll calls can be quite helpful but also can bring out the worst is some folks.  I have no idea why.  

To the op. Carry on & enjoy!

Apples and Oranges.  Skagway a real old Gold Rush feel.  Icy Point a real old Cannery feel and a "Real" (no tourist traps) small Alaskan Village a mile or so away from the Cannery.  Skagway has tours into BC and Gold Rush Country.  The Train is certainly a must do.  So if you don't go there you will have to come back. 😁  Icy Point does have some great Water tours and of course the World's Largest Zip line.  I enjoy both places better than the other stops up there and wish more ships went to both.  (Rather than Juneau and Ketchikan.)  but that's just me... been there and done that both as a worker bee and frequent cruiser.  Glacier Bay does offer the best glacier views and odds of seeing them in my opinion.  I have never cruised NCL or Princess.

On 5/24/2019 at 8:24 AM, Hoopster95 said:

I wish to thank Twangster, Drusierdmd, Alan, eel.... and Biker who was not on this sailing, he was on the Hawaii repo... for all your contributions and photos/videos to this thread. Sounds like the CC family out there enjoyed this as much as we did 😁👍

 

We Did and

to you and all the others you name I wish to add my thanks.  Best thread ever on CC for info and entertainment.

PS.  Maple Ridge is really only "Haney" 

43 minutes ago, Sunny AZ Girl said:

The biggest disappointment is that this ship is just too large to go through the BC Inside Passage, so our 4 days at sea were truly at sea.  No beautiful scenery floating by.  For that reason alone I would choose my next cruise to Alaska on another ship.  For our 11 night itinerary it was great.  For 7 nights, if seeing Alaska is your priority, I would not recommend the itinerary.  Only two ports and 1 glacier day without the Inside Passage I think you are missing too much.  The exception would be for those who have already seen Alaska and want to experience this class of ship close to home and in a beautiful setting.  This ship, with it's multiple enclosed viewing areas, would be perfect for routine round trip Seattle longer cruises like the one we had with an obligatory port stop in Victoria.  I think if it were offered later in the season it would sell well.  Princess does r/t to Hawaii 15 nights on a regular basis.  RCI could find a niche in Alaska with this wonderful ship!

Great overall post but I really wanted to point this out as the best tip on over all cruises to AK.  Thank you.  I agree completely.  I'm a bit of a homer of course but glad to see others feel the same.  All Ships leaving from Vancouver do a lot more of the inside passage if persons just want a seven day voyage.  But the Ovation is doing a full day stop in Victoria and it has lots to do there from Wonderful garden tours to Whale watching is case you struck out in the north to great restaurants.

I'm aboard the Ovation in July.  It's not about AK this trip but family and kids and I'm very grateful to you and all the others that took the time they have on this thread to inform us about this new ship.  

Well you do get the Captains Points for the missing person and you do not have to pay the port taxes.   There might be something else they leave out of the cost but I do not remember.  😄

We never reserve a time for select dining. We normally go to the Elite happy hour until about 7, then migrate with our new cc roll call friends to the dining room. Never had to wait more than 10 minutes on 10 X cruises.

Now that seems just right. Look me up sometime :D

Interesting thread. Going to use select for the first time soon. I see where people prebook. Hi exactly do you do that? On line or TA. I just thought anytime was anytime but I would like a bit of a change. Maybe dine with other folks we meet or just pull up and say we will sit with anyone. (Maybe). :D

I can see the various methods everyone has written here. Any other comments or idea appreciated

Thanks

so...Is there a restaurant open any more to hang about in (not concierge) other than the buffet while those of us that manage to get on early wait for our rooms ??

Old thread but #7 is from poster BruceMuzz.... who has had many years in the cruise industry. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1190057&highlight=BruceMuzz+DUI

Yes it’s old post. The sharing of info between the US and Canada NOW works both ways since then. So even harder to enter. Bruce said basicly the same as we do now. You will never know for sure until you attempt to enter. We can give suggestions and been around here for awhile too. Some of us have backgrounds closer to the subject than being employed by a cruise line. Others don’t. :halo:

Hi!

A group of us are booked on an Alaskan Cruise in June through carnival. Just recently found out that if you have a DUI it might be a problem gaining entry into our last port of call, Victoria. It’s a closed loop cruise from Seattle. The gentleman in our group has a couple DUIs on his record that are over 10 years old, however one of them that he though was done and over with was not. So he was sentenced only recently for that which resulted in jail time of 30 days. There’s absolutely nothing on his record after 2007 other than I would assume the sentencing part. What is the likihiid of him still being allowed to board the cruise ship in Seattle. We already feel confident that he will not be allowed off the ship in Victoria, but will for any reason he be stopped from boarding in Seattle? We’ve been contact in contact with several immigration consultants and lawyers and carnival but cannot get a clear direct answer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

If you have read some of the past posts you will see that we all have one take. You never will know for sure until it happens. HOWEVER you should be able to ask your cruise line the question now. “WILL YOU BOARD ME?” Yes....then go for it. They want passengers & a dui to them is something they can usually work around especially on that closed loop. You are not allowed off the ship in Victoria. Happens frequently. If they say NO. You have your answer. Deal direct with a named cruise line person in authority if you have a TA make sure they help. But insure you get the name of the cruise line staffer. TA’s sometimes just want to sell tickets.

PS

Make sure the facts of your “Gentleman’s “ convictions are true?:halo:

However. I think I can say with reasonable assurance that after pot becomes legal through out the great white north ....maybe as early as July ..your simple possession charges of ones youth will not be an issue. Going south we will still experience being turned away by US federal authorities.

I concur that you will never know for sure if you have a DUI conviction until you actually try to cross the border. Your cruise line may have policy to not sell you a ticket But once you are on you are not likely to have any issue other than not being allowed into a Canadian Port. Usually this would be Victoria on the West Coast. In the East could be a few places in the MAritimes and Quebec.

I do believe the issues are dealt with quite a bit differently if your cruise ends in Canada rather than just a service call stop for the purpose of evading penalties under the Passenger Service Act. You likely won’t be boarded in the first place if your conviction is on file and is one that would be Indictable in Canada. Which a DUI is along with many other more serious matters.

At th e border bold faced bluffing or not owning your issues are sure fire ways to guarantee a ban on proceeding. If your conviction was properly recorded by your court of conviction by your PD you will be toast if caught in a lie. Records are shared by our countries now and have been for a while.

The only way an S class ship would go through the canal is having all the life boats follow behind. A mast can be altered as was the case with Solstice.

S-class with the lifeboats in place will not pass through.

Welcome to the thread. No one suggested the Mast be altered other than to make it go under the Bridge of the America's. If indeed that was an actual issue. We all had the ship passing through the new locks..

It is not related to the new vs old locks or the expense of them. S-Class ships, unless modified, will not fit under the Bridge of the Americas on the Pacific side of the canal. We took the Infinity through the canal in 2016 MIA to SD and it was an awesome experience.

Now that's something that I had not thought about. Interesting for sure. I do wonder how much height is in play. The Solstice has been modified to fit under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. So would it not follow that the Eclipse has been "Fixed" also.? Since it's doing Ak from there ! Must be more height than what has been accomplished with that fix ?

Couldn't agree more on the WB Canal trip. Always something different to see and a great mix of Port days vs Sea in those two relaxing weeks back into my time zone .