explore4ever

My husband and I just came back from 2 week cruise out of FLL. 

We flew from YVR Vancouver to Edmonton to Toronto to FLL on Oct. 20.  And flew back FLL to YYZ to YVR yesterday Nov.3. 

Oct 20, the connection in Toronto was the worst part of the journey.

Nexus line did not help. Long, multiple lines, confusing, chaotic.  incompetent staff.

We barely made our connecting flight to FLL, with 2 hours layover. 

In contrast, flying back from FLL to Toronto to YVR, the journey could not be better! 

In FLL, if you have Nexus, TSA approved, the security reminded us of pre-2001 times!  We did not have to take out anything out of our carry on.  No lap top, no liquid items, no shoes removal. Just put our carryon luggage, backpack on the conveyor belt, and off we go!

We flew Air Canada.  Even if you had checked in online the day before, with boarding pass, we were required to see an Air Canada flight agent at the airport.  The agents will check our vaccine cards, as well as negative PCR test reports.

I think that is why no one at Toronto CBSA asked to see our test report. 

We also are required to submit information in ArriveCan app, which we did the day before.

Caution:  Make sure you have the correct app!  We know personally someone who got scammed by a look-like ArriveCan app!  He is tech savvy!

He was not only out of $, but also personal confidential information! 

Beware!  Double and triple check before you upload your personal info! 

Big red flag--Arrive Can will never ask for fees! 

Hope you all have a safe journey to your destinations!  Let's explore this wonderful world again! 

Hi all,

We just received news from our TA-- our cruise, Muse Asia cruises are cancelled.  (We had expected this for a while now...)

We were booked on Nov. 5, 2021 SS Muse B2B cruise. 

We also introduced friends and family to SS, first time for them.  They also were very much looking forward to this cruise.

Very disappointed.  But, I am sure it is beyond SS control.

We will search for another itinerary.  

Stay safe everyone! 

Thank you very much for this info!

On 4/6/2021 at 5:07 AM, keokukjoe said:

I would assume that the terms and conditions and all benefits that Atlas advertised when the booking was made would have to be honored. we'll see. Their website has other contridictory info.

Hi Keokukjoe, i guess medevac is not included in AVO.  Like you, we had paid in full, and are looking forward to our TA with Atlas. 

However, the changes, the lack of communication and not honoring what they advertised are concerning and disappointing.  We will give them the benefit of the doubt.  It is a mad time to start a brand new cruise line. 

Thank you Joyce for your time, reviews and wifi data!  Much appreciated! 

In addition, my thanks to all those who contributed. 

We always learn so much from you all CC. 

Joyce, or anyone onboard, if we may, ask a question:

what happened to the one guest who had test COVID positive, after he or she disembarked the ship?

Did Atlas take care of his or her trip back? 

thank you for your time.

We were wondering the same thing. 

My husband and I booked back in January, when the included insurance was listed on their website.  

Yet, stated in our reservation documents, travel insurance is our responsibility.

If one googles "Atlas ocean voyage return to home insurance", one can still find the advertised Atlas travel insurance.

Thank you all for your helpful information and suggestions.  Very Much appreciated!

I will be taking my mom on a cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore in February.  

I just want to thank you all for your generousity, taking your time to share information. Your advice, suggestions, your experience, are much much appreciated.

We will be in Croatia this November. We will definitely visit Cavtat!

Thank you!

We just came back from 10-day cruise, flying back from Honolulu. I recommend reserving your transport before disembarkation in Honolulu. The taxi line is long especially if you don't use porters. The taxis are expensive.

If you have arranged rental cars, many will pick you up.

This is a great topic! When my husband and I first started cruising, we thought a sea day is a waste of time! We focused on port-intensive itineraries. Well, after 20+ cruises, we now welcome sea days! :D

Our first transatlantic cruise included 5 consecutive sea days. We were on Oceania Marina. There were so much to do! In addition to educational & destination-related lectures, picture taking classes, and crafts projects, the crew organized "country fair" on pool deck, everyone had a blast! That sailing changed our perception of Sea Days.

We just came back from 10 days Vancouver to Honolulu on Solstice. 5 consecutive sea days before getting to the first port Kona.

This was a different cruise for my husband and me. This was the first time we sailed with 9 family members, age ranges 12-73, 3 generations.

To my mom, the 5 sea days were way too long.

To my siblings and us, our days were filled. We attended Hawaii-related lectures/ presentations; we learned to make Hawaii bracelets, learned to move our hips and call it Hula dance. My nieces and nephew never missed any ukulele lesson! In fact, they love ukulele so much, they bought one home to continue their practice!

This is not to say we were not happy to see land!

It would be irresponsible of me if i did not mention: Sea days in cold, rainy, windy, weather, or on choppy, rolling seas are not fun. I speak from personal experience. (Remember Super storm Sandy?)

Bottom line? if you choose itinerary with many sea days, choose sunny and warm destinations, far away from hurricanes and storms! Enjoy!

I was in Taiwan last summer. There is no tipping required. Wonderful services in restaurants especially Ding Tai Fung. fabulous food, fabulous service. Highly recommend the restaurants (chain). Absolutely no tipping expected.

My DH & I were in China, Yun Nan area and Shangri la in 2008. Because we are Canadians, my DH is Caucasian, we were encouraged to a have private vehicle and a private guide. The guides provided were supposed to be able to speak some English, but none of them did. I ended up translating, since I speak Mandarin. I learned from chatting with these guides that they were independents who do not get paid by the tour agency that organized our trip. THe guides get paid by commission from the shopping places they were to bring us, and by getting tips from us. They learned that North Americans are big tippers, and the tips usually are much more than their normal salary.

China has seen Vast changes since. Not sure if this practice still continues today.