Alberta Quilter

Yes, please.

@bobpell Did you have any luck? I'm wondering if I should pay to join AARP, just to get the OBC...

I don't think so. Liverpool is the first port on the itinerary posted in the first post. They're just going there via the north rather than the south. I've had route changes like that before; that Captain also said that one cannot rely too much on the pretty picture of the route.

According to this thread, in the Canadian forum, passport renewals are being done quite quickly, even without expediting the process. Perhaps you do have time to renew the passport before sailing? Even if you do have to pay extra for an expedited passport?

Yes, the standard cancellation penalties apply to hotel/transfers if cancelled after final payment. I had that happen years ago for a hotel booking. The closer one is to sailing, the higher the penalty rate.

FF is higher than H/HH. I think you'll be fine.

But don't you want your neighbour to get the coveted CO tote bag?!!

Could they book the HH guarantee and then purchase Club Orange to get the upgrade? We did for an upcoming cruise. Got a much better cabin, still an OV, and it's assigned.

I don't have any issues with it either; I cannot eat two entrees. I think they should have the extra charge for additional entrees in all specialty restaurants.

Seems odd to me that they’re discontinuing the extra entree charge in the PG but not in Rudi's or Tamarind. Of course that would indicate consistency, which we all know, HAL isn’t!

If I may comment on the Rocky Mountaineer, please consider the three night itinerary from Jasper to North Vancouver, over the two night Banff to Vancouver. I’ve done both and found the three night itinerary to be the better of the two. Not sure you need 4 nights in Banff unless you’re using Banff as a base from which to go hiking or do some day trips but that could mean a lot of driving. I suggest a stay in Lake Louise, too, preferably at the Chateau Lake Louise, if your budget allows. Some RM packages include stays in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper which might make logistics easier but more expensive. Since you seem to have a generous schedule for this trip, I would also suggest a one night stay in Calgary to help with jet lag, then go to Banff, etc. You may also want to consider a trip to Victoria and Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island but this might be best after your cruise.

Zaandam is on the west coast for the summers of 2024 and 2025

I didn't purchase during this most recent $1 deposit day but did during a previous one in mid April. I was charged $1 CAD.

If you do choose the one way itinerary, make sure to ask for wheelchair assistance at the airport, when you book your flight. It will make travelling through the airport soooo much easier for both of you! Another thought, if budget and time are not issues, could you also book the return trip Montreal to Boston? The Zuiderdam is doing 7 day itineraries between Boston and Quebec City (but it’s the same ports each way which may or may not be a good thing). PS any itinerary with Saguenay would get my vote! That is one of my favourite ports!

I totally understand that! I bring two machines on a four day quilting retreat! Much easier when one drives or gets a ride to the port; I have to fly to get to any port so won't be bringing even one machine!

In Stockholm, make sure to go to the Vasa Museum. It's small but wonderful. I highly recommend it.

I'm surprised there was any doubt on HAL's part. Several years ago, long before Covid, I got noro on a cruise. I was only isolated for a day or two and received FCC for that time. Like you, I had to be symptom free for 24 hours so I think my total time was about 36 hours only. Glad you're able to apply it to the 2024 cruise and get a refund!

I'm glad you enjoyed the Vasa. I didn't think I would enjoy it and it is one of the best museums I've ever been to. Sorry that the getting there was so bad for you. But relaxing while watching the sail through the archipelago was a good way to recover. Thanks for your live from! It's bring back some very wonderful memories.

If it's an honour bar, how would they keep track of the number of drinks? In my view, it's no different than the mini bar being excluded. I thought there had to be a Point of Sale machine to keep track of the drinks "purchased". Perhaps there may have been abuse of the privilege and that's why it's been curtailed?

Thanks for the response. You wouldn't happen to still have the disembarkation instructions, would you? That you could post a pic of? Regardless, I hope you had a great first cruise! I still remember my first cruise - all wide eyed and in awe of it all!

Why did you need to go to your muster point prior to disembarkation? It’s been awhile since I’ve cruised but I haven’t heard or read of that before.

Good heavens! That pic certainly shows what it was like! I'm kinda glad I ended up cancelling this cruise between the rough seas and the noro. I hope you had a really good time, in spite of the itinerary changes, the seas and the noro! I really hope you got some brotchen, too!

I'm very happy that a tentative deal has been reached but, I wonder, what would happen if the pilots reject the deal in their vote? Would the whole timing conditions for a new strike notice start all over again? I think there was a 30 day notice, then a three day notice…I didn't pay a ton of attention to that so could have some of that wrong. I'm trying to determine if a flight in early June will still be safe, if the pilots should reject the deal. Of course, I really hope that the pilots accept the new deal and then we all can relax until the next union threatens to strike.

It should be on your confirmation documents. But if the booking is still with HAL (not transferred to a TA), then you can log into My Account on the HAL website, go to your booking, and click Make A Payment. It should show on that page. If you did transfer to a TA, you will not be able to access that page. You would have to ask the TA to get that information for you.

Could you stay the night in Vancouver, or near the airport, and take the earlier flight the next day? Then you get home at a reasonable time of day but reduce the anxiety. Of course, it will cost money to that...