Fouremco

There are a lot of variables when purchasing travel insurance, so what might be a better option for one person may be less favourable for you. I think that the best course of action, albeit possibly time consuming, is to reach out to a number of companies to get a quotation based on your personal preferences, medical history and other factors. You might also want to look at a website like Insure My Trip ( https://www.insuremytrip.ca ) to get a number of quotations online to compare.

We seldom book ship excursions, but if that's your preference, book now so that you won't be disappointed if something you're interested in sells out. If you change your mind later, you can always cancel and get a refund.

Yes, very strange. We normally cruise Celebrity or HAL and have regularly purchased OBC using CAD funds. For a number of years, the exchange rate was so good that pre cruise we'd buy several thousand dollars worth of OBC that we would cash in at the end of the cruise to have USD for our next visit to the US.

These Air Canada and United webpages should answer your questions in part: https://www.aircanada.com/kr/en/aco/home/plan/accessibility.html#/home: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs/disabilities/oxygen.html Here's HAL's accessibility webpage, with a section on oxygen: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/accessibility.html

While a number of the ports you will be visiting only require the passport to be valid for the duration of your visit, the Bahamas require the passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your date of intended departure. A passport renewal is your only option.

According to this Royal Caribbean webpage, they are only available for US residents: https://www.royalcaribbeancertificates.com There are also some quite restrictive terms and conditions. Unfortunately, it looks like you might have to gift your friend in some other manner.

It seems that every time we start to relax, another wave arrives. We've cancelled a number of cruises - or they've been cancelled - and currently have nothing booked. That's the first time in a decade or more. In our mid-seventies, we've been able to avoid COVID while so many around us, including our kids and grand-kids, have caught it. Fortunately, none had serious cases. But DW and I continue to wear our masks when heading out shopping or otherwise mixing with now mostly unmasked people, and yesterday had our 5th shots. Other than a trip to Toronto - driving - there's been no travel since 2020. We'd love to be able to cruise as we've done in the past, but for the time being, we'd rather be safe than sorry. It's all a question of comfort level.

There's no "right way" to approach your issue, but here are a few things that I've found that worked for me. You mention Roll Calls, and I've found that it can be very useful to read through Roll Calls from previous cruises on the same or similar itinerary. Lots of good information to be garnered there, including "must see" sites and local excursion providers. DW and I almost never take ship excursions and have found lots of excellent tours this way. The Ports of Call pages here on CC provide a wealth of information and give you the opportunity to ask questions. Many good ideas there about excursions. There are several online excursion providers whose offerings tend to be similar to ship excursions, but less expensive. Some provide the same "get you to the next port" guarantee should the excursion not make it back to the port in time. Viator and Shore Excursions Group are two that come to mind. Tom's Port Guides are excellent, particularly if you want to try a DIY approach. In many ports, there's no need to involve yourself with an organized excursion. Everyone has a different comfort level, particularly in a foreign port where language might be an issue, but we tend to be adventurous. 😇 Your local library should have lots of books - Tom's Port Guides are online - to help you plan. Of course, there's Trip Advisor and similar sites that will also help you in your efforts to determine what you want to see and do in each port. By time you have finished your research, you should have a list of "must see/do" and "like to see/do" items. Then you can start considering which of the various excursion providers (ship, private, excursion companies, DIY, etc.) can best meet your needs. I'm sure I've missed a good number of things, but I think that the key is to give yourself lots and lots of time to do research on each port before trying to decide on excursions. Best of luck and have a great cruise!

We've flown through Pearson from Ottawa to Jamaica a number of times and the bags have always been checked through to MBJ. It would be different if you were flying to the States and needed to go through US pre-clearance, but your bags would normally be checked all the way through to your final destination for international as well as domestic flights.

Happy to help out. Having had to play the game of collecting and then rechecking bags for years when arriving at Pearson on an international flight before flying on to Ottawa, I was so relieved when they eliminated this requirement.

It may vary with your airline. From the YVR website: Connecting passengers may be required to go through security screening at YVR, so please pack duty-free liquids in your checked baggage. *Please check with your airline before arriving at YVR on your eligibility for this process, and/or if you must pick up your bags. Facility operating hours subject to change. If facility is closed or you are not eligible for this process, proceed to Customs Hall on Level 2, pick up your bags and exit, then proceed to Departures Level 3. Follow signs to Check-in. This Thompson Rivers University webpage for international students gives a pretty good description of the process if you do need to collect and then recheck your baggage: https://www.tru.ca/truworld/new-students/before-you-leave-home/arriving-vancouver.html For Air Canada, there is no need to collect your bags: Connecting through Vancouver – From an International Flight to Canada Have all of your documentation ready and ensure all applicable forms have been completed. Follow the "Arrivals" signs to Canada Customs and Immigration. Once you clear Canada Customs, you DO NOT need to retrieve your checked baggage. Take the escalator or elevator to the Departures level, and proceed to your gate. So, no single process it appears. As the YVR website recommends, check with your airline.

Something I failed to mention earlier: Global Entry members have been warned by US CBP not to try to use GE and MPC simultaneously. While NEXUS and Global Entry aren't identical programs, they are quite similar and whatever concerns CBP has with using GE and MPC simultaneously might also apply to NEXUS: NOTE: Travelers can only use one automated traveler entry program per arrival. This means if you are a member of Global Entry, you can only use the Global Entry kiosk or MPC, but you cannot use both.If a Global Entry member attempts to use both entry programs upon arrival, the Global Entry system will automatically delete the traveler’s Global Entry fingerprint file. The Global Entry member will then have to visit a Global Entry Enrollment Center to have their fingerprints retaken. Otherwise, future use of Global Entry or MPC will result in a “X” receipt that forces the traveler to go through the normal entry process. https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3693?language=en_US I've not been able to find a similar warning for NEXUS members, but until there's clarification, I wouldn't take a chance and make an MPC submission before leaving home, then decide to use the NEXUS line once at the airport because it's shorter.

I'm a NEXUS member and have been for many years, so I'm very familiar with the program. On the other hand, I have only read about the MPC program, both on the US CBP's webpage and a wide variety of travel and similar webpages. Both programs are designed to reduce the time required to enter the US, but take a very different approach, with the MPC being free, available to anyone, and not requiring any pre-approval. For Canadians, with the current NEXUS application/renewal problems, the MPC offers an alternative, at least temporarily. While NEXUS can be used at all 9 US pre-clearance sites in Canada, as well as most land border crossings, MPC is only available in the Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal airports and at no land border crossing locations. I don't have a current list of US seaports using NEXUS, but it would be more extensive than the 4 listed ports using MPC: Miami, Port Everglades, Palm Beach and San Juan. For NEXUS members, the only potential benefit to having the MPC app that I can think of would be in a situation where there are separate expedited lines for each program, and the MPC line is shorter. That may be the case currently, but as this free app becomes better known, I suspect that it will become the longer of the two lines in the not too distant future. Other factors, such as the use of facial recognition at PE, also suggest to me that having the MPC app may be somewhat redundant. While I'll keep an eye on developments, particularly the impasse between the US and Canadian officials on NEXUS, I'm in no hurry to download the MPC app. Now that you are aware of MPC, you might want to see if there is a separate line for people using the app when you go through pre-clearance at YUL. And see if there is any sign of it at PE. Let us know what you find. Oh yes, and enjoy your cruise!

Unfortunately, YOW isn't included in the small number of Canadian airports with MPC coverage, so there's no benefit outbound. NEXUS is your best bet if you have it. On the other hand, Port Everglades does have MPC coverage, so you could use it there. As it's a free app, download it and keep an eye on the boards to see if MPC or NEXUS seems to be quicker when disembarking. Of course, if you don't have NEXUS, definitely go with MPC. @LHT28, yes, YOW has pre-clearance, including expedited NEXUS line.

There can be complex situations where it is obviously far better for the traveller to determine whether or not a visa is required due his or her particular background, status in Canada and primary travel documents. On the other hand, if a run of the mill Canadian citizen is taking a cruise to highly popular North American destinations visited by multiple thousands of Canadians every year, any half decent TA should be able to provide this information. While it is not the TA's "job" as you put it, it is most certainly something he or she should know and should share with the traveller. If the TA doesn't know, I'd definitely be looking for a different TA.

None of these countries currently require Canadian visitors to have a visa. This is something that any good Canadian travel agent should know, and this is the type of information TA's are paid to provide, not foist off on the client. I'd be looking for a different TA in future. The GOC travel website (https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories) is very useful, but there are some countries requiring visas that make an exception for cruise passengers. These exceptions are not necessarily reflected in the GOC travel website. Turkey is a good example, exempting cruise passengers staying for three days or less and remaining within the area of the port city, an exemption not mentioned in the GOC website (https://www.visasturkey.com/evisa-for-turkey-on-a-cruise/). Consequently, it's generally wise to go to the website of the country you are visiting to verify the requirements if your TA doesn't know.

OK, thanks. A few articles I've read suggest that those who are NEXUS/Global Entry members and also have the MPC app simply pick the shorter line, but I don't know how these lines are configured at Pearson or if a comparison is even possible.

Just curious, but how was the MPC line compared to the line for NEXUS members?

That's no longer the case. Interac does provide international transfers, albeit only for people with an active National Bank account. https://www.interac.ca/en/consumers/products/interac-e-transfer/international-money-transfer/

Caution is always advisable, and in this case the OP's husband uses a VPN. A virtual private network protects your online activity by creating a secure ‘tunnel’ that sits between your device and the site or service you’re trying to access. Many workers rely on them to access their email and corporate files while they’re outside the office, particularly since the pandemic and the huge increase in people working from home.

The information in this CC article is a bit dated, but Royal Caribbean continues to be rated highly. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3393 Moreover, Royal Caribbean has had a successful trial using Starlink, and will be introducing it fleet wide next year: https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/30/royal-caribbean-will-equip-all-its-cruise-ships-with-starlink-internet/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jcnVpc2Vwb3J0YWR2aXNvci5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANzviXn0k4GWt3V3FW9hblDFwwsc9TVKKfzMrcnpTQQ9orZ1dybqLXYkTxr88_gfbf5keGd-WoXlRTbysUSVKIT4XZkvcxQAmePV6EJCsUVhdWlzECJiQ9dKL-xMrzR9uwOxn-y-Scw_1FMSMo5SSsrsEe6NfzVWvb3HMEJdbeJ8 Even with Starlink, I doubt that your husband will ever get close to land-based wifi, but perhaps a test cruise with Royal Caribbean will give you some idea as to whether you should put off cruising until he retires.

This CC news item may be of some interest, although much of the information is dated: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6788/ While there were several statements made by cruise lines back in the Spring, I've not seen any related statements since.

Yes, definitely USD, as most lines' conversion rate these days is not as good as you will get from your Canadian financial institution. As suggested above, use a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

According to this website, cruise passengers do not require a visa if their visit is for less than three days and they will be only visiting the city where the ship docks: https://www.visasturkey.com/evisa-for-turkey-on-a-cruise/

I find Apple's Translate app quite good and easy to use in a variety of ways, but I don't know how it compares with Google Translate for accuracy when translating to/from Spanish.