YoHoHo

6 hours ago, bitob said:

Thx. I tried other numbers. Every mailbox full

I've been following your Suitcase Saga. With your persistence you done very good despite the lack of direct response. Hoping your other one shows up and that the one you are expecting will not be fully water damaged or mildewed.

Elliott.org has a listing on their communications:.

https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/cunard/

They list a VP of customer service located in CA along with an email address but no phone number for her.

1 hour ago, GICNJC said:

Thanks for your comments.and information.   We travel south on Jan 9 and return jan 26.

I guess we will get the visa to mKe sure we are allowed on the plane in Toronto.

Ah, you are making that stopover on/after Jan 10. For comfort I'd likely get one too in that case. Have a great  trip, we enjoyed our brief stay in BA.

1 hour ago, GICNJC said:

There are new rules effective October 1st for the nationalities I listed.

Deplaning I picked up from oneYoutube blogger.  Also lots of blogs on new rules on Youtube.

I do not know if you have to leave a secure area, but the blogger said we have to deplaine while it is being refueled and because we touch Brazil you have to be processed by customs.

Is the October 1 still in effect?

https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2023-1460-brazils-visa-requirement-for-nationals-of-australia-canada-and-the-united-states-postponed-to-january-2024#:~:text=Effective 10 January 2024%2C Australian,effect on 1 October 2023.

Maybe the above is why the CDN Gvt travel advisory site and the visahq site I cited above show as not required. I don't know. Tough when there is conflicting info. Perhaps ask your source to confirm the October 1 date. I'd check with the Brazilian consulate. Hopefully their site is be up-to-date and they are reachable by email.

Sorry, we flew making a connection in Dallas then non-stop to Buenos Aires so have no personal experience.

You might try cross posting to the South American ports board as a general question. And/or the cruise air board here on CC. There are some very knowledgeable posters there but they can be a tough crowd if your are not specific / clear on your details, or worse question a reply. They will very likely have the answer.

I am curious how you learned that you have this stop for refuelling and have to leave a secure area. Painful. 

Oh, curious I looked at Canada get advisories and it reads "Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days"

And this visa facilitator and it shows no visa required for in-transit or <90 day stay tourist visa.

https://www.visahq.ca/brazil/

Starclippers has cruises that end / start in Panama.I

We've sailed on one of their ships in the Med and have Panama with them  high on our list.

They are not for everyone and not a usual cruise ship; a piano player or make your own entertainment, small ship with few pax, a true sailing ship with wooden decks and sailors that actually winch the sails, several ships built as four and five masted brigatines. the perfect definition of A Tall Ship. They are a wonderful sailing experience if that is the type of adventure that interests you. 

There is a very quiet forum on CC for them.

41 minutes ago, smellywax said:

... Colombian family members visiting and I booked a cruise to Alaska ... that leaves Sunday. The travel agent ... didn’t mention they would need visas. ... apparently they do for Canada even if they don’t get off the ship in Victoria. Is this correct?

Getting on or staying on the ship is not relevant; they are in Canadian waters at a Canadian port so have already entered Canada.

This tool has a few basic questions such as which country's passport are they travelling on, if they have dual citizenship;  do they have a green card for the USA...

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

A quick look at how to obtain one it sounds tight if they are leaving this coming Sunday. Maybe a visa service can help.

Hope they can make the cruise as it would be a great trip for them. Maybe they can change to a return trip that is all in the USA. Good luck

12 hours ago, broberts said:

 

Have you explored online options? Scopolamine is still legal in Canada by prescription.

 

As you say Scopolamine is legal (injection used for post surgical and palliative care ) but the Scopolamine 1.5 mg transdermal patch has been discontinued in Canada. Northern Health (BC) reported in May 2022 that patch supplies were low and that it was also being used off label for respiratory congestion in palliative care.

+1 your suggestion to discuss motion sickness solutions with a local pharmacist. As you say they have greater experience with meds than most Drs. that prescribe. I happily pay a few dollars more supporting my local pharmacist who is very knowledgeable, helpful and keeps an eye on my meds. More than once she has made suggestions that I have taken to my Dr and he has agreed with and acted upon (but then he is also a great doctor who actually listens),

Early this year I did discuss with our pharmacist and learned we have very few options now (for meds think Gravol). A friend was to pick up OTC Bonine for us on one of his many (casino) trips stateside but picked up generic gravol equivalent by mistake. It filled the need crossing the Drake and DW prefers it to Bonine for less drowsiness but that is strictly about how this affects her. We were planning on taking both (and lots). She tried a patch ( don't recall it's active ingredient) but prefers pills to control her dose as per anticipated need.

Thanks, @PORT ROYAL. I had looked at The Arches, perhaps from a suggestion of yours on a different thread. It is full on one day. Yellow bird has the same donut hole in my dates as does Sweetfield.

I had reach out to Sweetfield last night as it appeared from their booking calendar that I could make this work by changing rooms but the booking engine would decide a room was not available when trying to book vs the apparent availability on the calendar. No reply yet but I have my fingers crossed.

Yes, I know I have left this late but circumstances are what they are sometimes.

On 8/2/2022 at 11:57 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Yes… For a day stay post cruise waiting for a flight.  Plus friends have spent a week there pre COVID and will return.  Superb value for money.

A Plantation style residence with its style augmenting the history of the place.  Think of it as staying at a “Southern Bell’s House”.  Sweetfield is far removed from the slick modern commercial offering so prevalent in Barbados, but Sweetfield values one’s custom.  One can unwind, relax and chill in the grounds and dine well in the evening.

Be courageous, go a little off piste and try it.  Think you’ll love it and probably wonder why didn’t I stay here before.

Sweetfield Manor does look like an wonderful place. However one of the nights we will be in Barbados they have no room. Do you have another suggestion? Will be there 3 days in the first week of December and have left this rather late.

I suspect if you check the route Rometorio is providing it will consist of several forms of transportation, i.e. 1st Alilaguna (private company water bus)  or vaporetto (public water bus (don't do this with luggage as they can be very,very crowded) ) from Murano to P. Roma then land bus or car or train to Trieste. Depending on where your hotel is located on Murano the Alilaguna to P. Roma might work. Another choice is a water taxi, convenient if your hotel is on/near a canal but very pricy especially for one.

Assuming the main reason for choosing to stay in Murano is for easier luggage handling and simpler  then I would check Alilaguna's routes from the airport and to P. Roma and choose a hotel that is very close to their stops that service both those locations. They will hold your large luggage in a corner in the boarding deck and you will take your small carry on below with you. Just don't simply walk past your luggage when you get of the boat.

Note: most hotels that are on a canal will offer a shuttle service but it m might not be owned by them but they just book an expensive water taxi for you.

22 hours ago, Acrusa said:

Then ship tour passengers would be bussed to that new port that's nearby?

We had all pax bussed to the ship's new nearby location not just those on O's shorex. They would not want to move the ship without notice leaving those not on a ship tour behind to fend for themselves.

Happened to us in (we debate where but maybe Positano or not). We tendered ashore for a walk about. We took an early tender back for the scheduled late afternoon all-aboard (due to my timing mistake.)

Ride back was extremely rough. They decided that was to be the last tender and moved the ship to a nearby anchorage with less wind.  While we sailed away I looked back to the shore and imagined what those pax must have been thinking as they watched us sail away. I would have been recheck watch, get out the daily sheet with times and port agent info, scratch head, curse, scratch head, recheck watch, panic run to pier though that ship has sailed, relief seeing O team on shore.

O arranged busses to transfer pax from the previous tender location to the new one. I was glad we were already on board thanks to my miscalculation.

1 hour ago, durberville said:

Had no idea this was a thing. So the rational is simply to encourage passengers to buy their alcohol in Canadian ports? Seriously?? Do other countries do this?? Seems so odd. 🫤

no,the rationale is to pay tax. The CL chooses to close.

To your 2nd question Yes, many. i.e. Even in the USA some States impose taxes so bars on board close or all purchases are subject to additional taxes ( don't buy a drinks package until away from that jurisdiction of the whole thing is taxable). Some countries there is a tax until out of their jurisdiction and that could be huge, i.e. leave the entire zone not just the country.

There were some major threads on NCL board over closed bars in UK; some suspected administrative failures but yes, taxes and closures are definitely a thing. 

Just off a 21 day (Adriatic/Mediterranean) cruise and while no liquor issues ( due to cruise line package to all before sailing) the on board shop was closed almost every day.

@chengkp75 explains it well above

On 9/2/2023 at 4:23 PM, Vineyard View said:

We always purchase for pre-existing and that is a 14 day window from deposit. We also only insure the deposit initially - maybe check to see if any of those policies are available in Canada 

Thanks for the suggestion. 14 day is not uncommon but no CFAR so if we go without that, or the price of the CFAR policy is too high then that is a good option. Insuring deposit only is a smart idea.

On 9/2/2023 at 3:45 PM, EJL2023 said:

Not all travel policies require you purchase within 72 hours of booking for CFAR.  The one I use allows you to purchase the CFAR option if you buy the insurance within 20 days of placing your deposit.  

True. I realize this one is strict but it is one I like because of the excellent coverage. I.e. CFAR is 80 or 90% vs as low possible 50% for some others. And can be requested within 48 hours of departure. And very few coverage exclusions / conditions. So great coverage but strict on time window and only for up to 30 days.

The immediate financial penalty means we must research and get quotes on insurance, and slog through their fine print, before booking a cruise now with O. 

One policy I like includes CFAR coverage if purchased within 72 hours of booking. Depending on amount of coverage, age and duration it can be competitive with non-cfar policies, or can be much more expensive so must check each time. Another policy requires purchase within 48  hours of the first non-refundable payment for the pre-existing condition waiver. Etc, etc, etc. Insurance coverage is an important consideration for us and unfortunately in Canada have limited options.

An immediate penalty means we cannot just book and then get our other arrangements sorted so no more impulse purchases.

This apparently small change has a large effect on our purchasing. The size of the penalty is less important than the effect it has. Sudden promotion or opening day bookings take more work. That is a reason we never considered some cruise lines that were otherwise appealing. Unsubscribed from most mailers as I knew would not book because of their immediate penalties.

Now O is in the same boat as the rest and one thing less to differentiate O. This new penalty has expanded our list of cruise line possibilities so that is a good thing (for us).

We are already drifting away. We are on three cruises this year, only one (upcoming) on O which always was our preferred line.  

To clarify, there is no "marina". Some ships (other lines such as on Royal Clipper (primarily a sailing vessel)) have a platform that opens down from the stern that can be used for swimming or loading into kayaks, etc and it is called their Marina. World Navigator, and I believe W. Traveller is the same, does not have a marina or swim platform. It does have an opening in the side of the hill where steps lower to a small stand on platform.

This platform is used, with assistance from strong deck hands, to load pax into the RHIBs, aka Zodiacs. Then these zodiacs towing kayaks and SUPs (I assume as they were not in use) go out a short distance from the ship (or a longer distance for experienced kayakers on Antarctic excursions) and the pax are loaded into their kayak off the zodiac. 

That platform is also used for the Polar Plunge (tethered) but not as a general swim platform.

They have offered kayaking several times. It is announced the day before and must sign up for an available time slot. Wind is a key determining factor. Plus they must obtain clearance from the harbour authorities and the amount of other marine traffic and assigned anchor position plays into that. So it is not so simple as I was expecting. 

we've kayaked once and missed a 2nd opportunity as we were away on excursion. They announced a possible opportunity tomorrow(?) or next day (again if weather allows) and will try for morning sessions and Kate afternoon so those away on excursions can have a try.

When we went out the wind and current did not seem at all strong but it was deceptive because the distance covered with a short time drifting was surprising. The water team are on zodiacs keeping a close eye on us and herding us together.

We're docked in Syracuse today. The small bridge to Ortygia is right at the exit from our port so could not have been docked better. 

It is cooler this morning. That is to say not blazing hot and humid. Warm but comfortable having breakfast on the fantail so was optimistic for our walkabout. Out by 9, around much of Ortygia seeing highlights and scouting out beaches for a return swim in the afternoon. Back by 11 and it now much hotter and humid. So an afternoon dip in the oh so clear blue sea will be welcome. Appears mostly locals on the rocky beaches, I will stand out I am sure. 

FYI @Host Jazzbeau pasteis de nata available today at Paula's Pantry (coffee, cappuccino, sweet, energy drink, sandwich grab and go). 

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Atlas is owned by a Portuguese company.  Does the cuisine or any other onboard culture reflect that unique background?  [Getting down to it:  do they have pasteis de nata?] 

No, not a Portuguese culture on board. Very international staff from 26(?) countries. Nuno, the Hotel Manager is Portuguese and a wonderful host ensuring everyone is always taken care of whether one needs more attention than others or prefers little attention. 

But yes, they did offer pasteis de nata but just the one time. The dinner menus can be themed or several times had an additional local specialty of the port visited also offerred.

1 hour ago, Reunionmama said:

Which ship are you on?  Food quality?

World Navigator. Excellent. It is a small (lovely) ship that only holds <200 pax so naturally selection is less than larger ships but the quality of ingredients and production has been very good. Minor thing to most folks but this is the first time in a cruise ship I have received medium poached eggs as requested. Breads and pastries are excellent, meats very good (though a little under seasoned (S&P) for my liking but less salt on a cruise ship is usually welcomed), full range of fresh and interesting items on salads at lunch though veggies are a little scarce at dinner. Separate page of offerings of vegan / vegetarian items.  

Good suggestion @Host Jazzbeau. No, the charge is not home-based but on the amount of data. We received 1 GB each with a 2 MBps bandwidth limit.

Just to add, the internet response does seemed nice dependant.  This Fire tablet, which I prefer for browsing and typing with the larger display and keyboard, sometimes will report no new mail after a refresh but my phone will pick up new mail. I had to take my phone and this tablet to Reception to get them to make the initial Wi-Fi connection. Got invalidated then just connection time out, etc. They got this tablet to connect by closing everything including all open tabs. But my old Samsung phone I had to leave with them for a few hours and they did get it connected. I was not the only one having trouble with that initial connection. Oddly on both of my devices, and at least two others I know, even after connection Fong and getting an IP address the Wi-Fi indicates connected but no internet. But it IS connected with internet. So it might appeared to be not functioning but it is.

A problem with the data allotment is there is no indication of how much is used or is left so being careful perhaps unnecessarily.

I do know two people working from the shop on their full laptops who both say it is aok.

Have to run as pulling into amazing Valletta harbour now.

Having a wonderful time. If you have any questions I'll try to answer. (Was planning on writing a 'live' post but internet to slow (for my impatience🙂))

@ShopperfiendTO no inner shoes are worn inside the boots. 

We both felt the boot size wanted was pretty close to our regular shoe sizing. I wear 12 1/2 shoes and could wear the size 12 boots even with my extra thick socks. But they were a little tight so went to 13 and that was fine.

Before we left I was concerned of cold feet so layered them too. We both wore very thin sock liners then a heavier winter sock designed for warmth. Both the sock and liner are made to help wick moisture. Socks were J.B. Fields brand, excellent product. With the sock layers our feet were very comfortable and we never gave them a second thought. Atlas supplied Muck brand boots - they are excellent.

For both of us the jackets seemed a little on the large size even with shirt layers underneath. Too small would be even more restrictive (all bundled up one is already a little awkward moving about). I ordered my usual men's size jacket. I wore a thin technical long sleeve undershirt, a regular short sleeve shirt and once or twice, a thin fleece vest which was not needed. With that under the jacket and the jacket's removeable inner padded vest I still had space in the front to have my camera on a neck strap under my jacket while crossing to the landing site in the RIB. I would not order a size larger than you normally wear.

As @rloke wrote there is a fitting session while crossing so can go up  or down a size if needed. However, on our sailing there was an usually highly demand (their words) for small size jackets and that in turn put demand on the mediums. DW had ordered a large and it was too large for her and wanted to down size but one was not immediatly available (they did get her one). The larger would have worked for the landings but would have been pretty useless to her at home.

We were never cold except face in the wind while going for the landings (we brought a good selection of head gear and buffs for that) and hands when my gloves got splashed on those same rides, twice. That was miserable. I found my gloves to be a significant problem keeping dry and were awkward getting on and off to use the camera.

It was not that cold. Windy conditions would be cold but they do not go on landings if windy conditons predicted and keeping dry is important. If you go on the longer hikes / routes then sweating is a bigger concern. Before leaving I was concerned of cold feet standing on snow and ice but was never an issue.

On 7/31/2023 at 12:10 PM, kd9 said:

there's a lamp near window but don't know if that area contain extra power outlet or not.  If the answer is yes, what type of connection it takes.

As you noted there is a floor lamp in the corner near the window. I purposefully took a photo of the outlet but can't find it it right now.  That said, I recall the lamp has a large oversized plug. I *think* it is because the lamp is an LED and the socket is a USA type B (standard 2 prong plus ground) outlet but that is just a guess. I'll post the photo when I find it. 

On 7/31/2023 at 12:10 PM, kd9 said:

I am hoping to be able to charge electronic devices near the window.

The desk across from the bed has a series of outlets in the top. Open a small door in the top and IIRC there are USB, USA type B and maybe also European C or E. Again, have to find the photo I took of them. But those outlets are at the far end of the desk from the window so not a lot closer to the window than the bed but a good surface for the devices.

If you must use an outlet near the window and there was just the one outlet, I would unplug the floor lamp and if needed us an adaptor.

I'll be back when I find the photos.

1 hour ago, AOV Communications said:

mnocket,

 

This is Jason, Communications Director for Atlas Ocean Voyages.  2024-2025 Antarctica is expected to go on sale Sept 20.

 

This is excellent to see an official AOV member on Cruise Critic now. Welcome aboard, Jason. I see @AOV Communications  had made a number of replies since Tuesday. I've not yet read through them but very happy to see this communication channel open.