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12 minutes ago, JustAPilot said:

We also all live in Igloos and ride polar bears to work in Canada. 

 

Exchange US dollars for CDN at home at your bank or exchange place, CDN dollar is ridiculously low compared to the US dollar, or use your credit card. 

You can't let that secret out.  If the tourists were to find out the polar bears are domesticated, they would all want rides.  🙂 

On 9/18/2022 at 5:07 PM, BeachBum777 said:

...

I have been with NCL that offers single cruise rates without an addendum but until now I’ve never found a line that offers this consistently.

 

The bigger NCL ships they also have the studio cabins that are singles only.   

Other lines also have cabins that are singles only, however they tend to be extremely limited in number while NCL has a large number of them on the larger ships.

On 5/30/2022 at 9:38 AM, CoronaCat said:

Just curious; do the waiters/waitresses get paid better in Europe? Do the meals cost more? In US, they are lucky if they live in a state that pays minimum wage. Some states pay them like the cruise ships who are registered in countries without minimum wages; About $2 per hour. Here, firefighters and police are well paid. As a Realtor, I  see this when they can afford to buy a home.

I have several relatives that work in Southern Portugal and work in the hospitality industry.  Working in a restaurant is a living wage.   Your not going to live in a palace but at the same time your not living on the street.  

Here in British Columbia (a province in Canada) last year the distinction in minimum wage between those who work in restraints/bar with liquor licenses and all other workers was removed.  Until then they were paid less due to tipping.   So minimum wage for a restraint or stocking shelves or working cashier at a grocery store are the same.  Minimum wage in BC is $15.65, with the automatic adjustment to inflation it is will be well above $16 in the new year.  The government stats are that only 6% of the workforce make minimum wage, the other 94% are above it.

We have similar practices to the US of tipping.  Practices 3 years ago was to tip around 15% on pre-tax amount.  Over the last few years tip features have been added as an option on the credit card terminal and now tips are usually calculated post tax and establishments are using higher default levels, 

I have never worked in a restaurant but friends tell me in Canada is common for the tips to be pooled and split between the staff at the end of the day.  So your not tipping based on the specific of yours server, The whole concept is just weird.

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why on God's green earth does exchange rate matter in any of this?

Main reason is if you have US$ and you need to pay for something in CDN$ you need to exchange money either physically or virtually.  

A restaurant or shop in Canada is not a bank.  If they accept US$ they will use a fairly fixed rate and will likely need to bad the rate a bit to deal with the hassle of working with US$.   

Your credit card company rate will be based on your card plan.  For me it is 3% fee that is hidden in the rate.

2 hours ago, genealogyfan said:

You don't need Canadian money, but just be aware, the exchange rate maybe bad if you pay in US dollars.  Most places took credit cards. For example, the funicular in Quebec City was $4 - that was the same in Canadian dollars or US dollars. That's not much of a difference (only $1), but other places it might be more.

 

Also if you use a taxi, ask if they take credit cards before entering. We were ripped off by a taxi driver leaving the cruise ship. She claimed she didn't take credit cards and then lied about the amount because all we had was US dollars. 

 

Nice thing about the tips at restaurants, the hand held credit card machines had the percentage amount to select if you select tip, so we didn't have to figure out the math in our head.

 

**A thing my friend learned, Discover is rarely taken in Canada, maybe just the major big cities.

Discover cards are not issued in Canada  We only have Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Our Dinners Club are actually Mastercard. 

Some retailers have merchant accounts that only accept Visa, Mastercard.  Many these days are also setup for AMEX.   A good number (especially in the tourism industry) are setup to accept all the foreign regional cards (e.g., Discover, JCB, China UnionPay).  

If you use a credit card from a US bank, the merchant will get paid in Canadian dollars and the bank will do the consecration.  One Canadian dollar will convert into costing you around 75 cents US.  

If you went for the package you may find the duty free shop interesting.   

Could be wrong, I don't think the cruise ship duty free stores are setup to use those security bags for going through security that the airport duty free shows use.   That means you would need to put the alcohol in a checked bag.  

On 9/22/2022 at 3:59 PM, cantgetaname said:

If I arrive well before my check in time for my cruise can I take a walk past the ship (Ovation of the Seas) then go back and go in to check in for the cruise?  Or is it not possible or not practical?  Just would like a decent photo of the ship from the port before I board.  

Ships will dock on either the West, North or East side of Canada place.   From Canada Place street level there is a promenade open to the public that goes all the way around.  You can take photos from there.  

If the ship is in the west side, you probably walk to walk to the next pier over (Convention Center West hall), it also has a promenade.   Open to the public.

If it is on the east side, walk over to the next side and there is some stairs taking up to a plaza that overlooks the harbour and will give you the best view.   Open to the public.

If it is on the North side, your options are a bit more limited.  

On 9/20/2022 at 10:23 PM, Texascruiser2008 said:

First time going out of Vancouver, we will be arriving by Uber, is there a special place to be dropped off for wheelchair assistance? We have advised Princess and it’s on my paperwork. I will have my walker which my husband will push but I need a chair at the pier as it’s too much for me. 
 

Any tips appreciated! 

Hopefully someone can give you more advise.  

The only thing I can add, is the cruise ship terminal is on a lower level in Canada place.  You don't want the uber driver to drop you off on the street but to drive into the terminal, there is a vehicle ramp, that the uber driver can go down and that will bring them down to the correct level in the building, there is a taxi, uber bus, drop off areas .  I don't know what level of service is provided at the curb, hopfully someone else can answer that part. 

8 hours ago, netpj said:

Today's news that lifting of pandemic border measures will be signed-off next week, does not indicate anything about the requirement for pre-embarkation testing if embarking in Canada.  I seem to remember that cruise ships were covered under a separate Order as "Broberts" indicated above.  Hopefully, this will be addressed.

They current restrictions are implemented through an order in council (basically cabinet votes on it and the GG signs).  When they were enacted they had midnight on the 29th as the expiry.  The feds are going to let the order expire.   That covers what happens at the border and what the customs people do.

The way things work for airlines and cruise ships, is the operator has to prepare a safety plan and associated procedures that are specific to the way they operate the ship.  That manual is submitted to Transport Canada ahead of time, reviewed and approved as being compliant and acceptable.  The ministerial order defines what the government is expecting to see in the manual.  Then going forward they are following that manual on a day to day basis.  The testing requirements, how they handle and offload people who test positive, how they transfer patients to hospital or quarantine hotels.  That is all in each of the cruise line individual manuals.    They have to put all of that in before the start of the season.  Some of the lines may try to revise their manuals before the end of the season, but I would be surprised.   I think that is something that will happen for next year.  

6 hours ago, Smokeyham said:

Hello,

 

Departing from Vancouver on a cruise in November and the latest guidance from the cruise line is that we must get a Covid test prior to boarding.

 

Wondering if anyone has suggestions for an in-person testing location close to the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver BC?

 

Thanks......

If you traveling in November, I would wait a week before doing anything, or check back.  

The current COVID requirements in Canada are set of expire on Sept 29.  The government needs to decide if they will renew them as is, modify them or simply allow them to expire.  They are expected to make an announcement in the next day or two on what they plan to do.  

3 hours ago, Froufie said:

Thanks so much - excellent information  - looks good - assuming I have that second boarding pass - not sure why I would not?

 

 Now let's hope no issues on 2nd flight with my carryon but assume it should be okay - and I don't need to dump my water bottle!!!!!!! LOLOL

 

Your going from a fairly small narrow body aircraft to a widebody.  The overseas aircraft is going to have a lot more baggage space.  I would not be worried.  

At check in they should print both boarding passes.  If my years of flying Air Canada I have never had them not print all the boarding passes.  Even if they still had not sorted out seat assignment or being standby on the second flight it always prints out with an annotation.  I have walked by those doorway scanning in Montreal several times, but never had to use them.

11 hours ago, NetworkGuy said:

I am debating is I want to bring my 35mm camera. Most of the excursions seem to be in cities and the cell phone works great there.

 

What have other people done?

I have a Sony Alpha DSLR.  Great Cameras, with multiple lenses. The chip in the DSLR is physically larger than an iPhone.  Have a couple of interchangeable lenses.  Dynamic range especially in low light and high light conditions is much better with the DSLR.  Optical zoom on the DSLR is always going to be better than the software zoom in an iPhone.  Shutter control is much better on the DSLR.  

If by 35mm you mean a SLR camera with film instead of a sensor the same will apply especially if you have good quality lenses. 

If its not a "professional" SLR style camera but one of those low cost 35mm cameras that were popular in the day, your likely going to do better with your iPhone.  

Would I take the DSLR or just the phone? Depends.  If it is a cruse where I am expecting to see some great landscapes or want to photograph things at night I will bring the DSLR.  If it is the Caribbean then probably not.

I went from the 35 mm SLR  to the DSLR years ago to avoid all the hassle of dealing with film.

On 9/8/2022 at 12:58 PM, goldengirl said:

No one knows hat will happen in a year covid could be worse or kit may be lifted. If I knew all this crap. I would have picked a cruise that does not go into canada

The order in council that made these requirements legal will expires at the end of September.  Federal cabinet will need to meet and decide if they extend it or let it expire.  Rumor floating around is most if not all of it will be allowed to expire.  However we are not going to know until that cabinet meeting happens and they make an announcement.  

Yes, lots of things can happen between now and a year from now.  They could re-introduce some or completely different rules.  Same applies to the US and virtually every other country.  

On 9/12/2022 at 11:10 AM, cruisingsfun said:

My husband and I will end a cruise on May 30, 2023 at the Vancouver, BC cruise terminal.  We want to rent a car to drive to Kelowna, Lake Louise, Banff, and fly home from Calgary.  Does anyone know what car rentals are nearby?  Thanks for any help.

Cruisingsfun

martinclad - Gave you some great info to search for options close by.   Some may even be closer.  

The only one I have experience with is Hertz at 413 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3H5   They also operate under the Dollar and Thrifty banner.  They are a few blocks away from the cruise ship terminal.  Depending on how many bags you travel with the walk is doable.   

44 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

ArriveCan to be Optional?

 

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-arrivecan-to-become-optional-other-covid-travel-measures-could-be-gone-in-weeks

 

Interesting possibility.

That does make sense.  The AriveCAN 2.0 is expected to replace the airport kiosks or paper customs declaration forms for airports without kiosks.  

The article also mentions that the order in council that imposed the requirement for vaccinations on entry into Canada and wearing masks on aircraft expires on September 30  and it is likely that cabinet will not be issuing a new order to extend it.

On 9/17/2022 at 1:27 PM, Mary229 said:

I agree.  I showed the DH the reviews but he wanted to go anyway.  Hey, he accompanies me on a lot of trips so I took one for the team 

 

let me add to my review - it is if run by teenagers.  When it is quitting time they go home. Whatever problems may remain are yours to deal with at your own expense 

Honestly not surprising.  With COVID many of these hospitality business let go of their staff and two years later when they hired back this is what you end up with. 

The baby boomers in Canada are entering retirement age and the 20 year old demographic is much smaller.  Canada has ramped up immigration but it is still a hard to find people wanting to go into industries like hospitality.  

13 hours ago, Luvtennis6060 said:

San Pedro, sorry.

Looks like some posted a description of the process from back in February.  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2829995-discovery-princess-using-pier-46-at-la-harbor/

13 hours ago, Luvtennis6060 said:

San Pedro, sorry.

i Have never sailed out of that terminal.  It looks to the overflow when the two main terminals are occupied.

The port authority claims there is a cruise ship terminal there and that area is frequently used for special events and has a very big parking lot,  The google map satellite image does show a building that could be a small terminal near where the ship would tie-up.  

https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/terminals/multi-use/outer-harbor

23 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

Sounds like 1st World problems.  In my family we call this an "Adventure."  

I travel by ferry between Vancouver and Victoria every other week.  It is not a difficult journey and there are lots of options.  

Annoying, yes. Not what you expect when booking a cruise, yes. 

What the cruise line should have done when building its schedule, was reposition empty from Seattle to Vancouver or Victoria.  Started the Alaska cruise out of Canada, then it would not have had created this problem when people booked the B2B. 

4 hours ago, aj1998 said:

Thank you for the quick reply.  The cruise is June 2023 - I omitted that as I didn't think it would be relevant.  As for departure city, that part is unknown as we plan to move between now and then.  It will either by CVG or greater Tampa area.  And why Delta?  Like most people who travel a lot, one manages to build up points and status on a particular airline.  Due to my status, I have a much greater chance for quick/painless resolution in case of issues.  So for now, I'm primarily looking at Delta and asking for guidance if anyone has recently flown to IST (regardless of departure date/city) on a Delta ticket.  I am trying to gather information to help me make an informed decision based on pros/cons.    

It has been years since I have been in IST, so no recent info.   I would say if your traveling on Delta your just as likely to connect through Paris with Air France as Amsterdam with KLM.   

Your three options in Canada would likely be Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.  You would clear Canadian customs at your first entry point into Canada.  Then it is a domestic flight from their forward.  If your on Air Canada through Toronto all the baggage transfer happens behind the scenes.  

The other thing to add is that Toronto-Vancouver is one of the busiest domestic routes in Canada.  There are a lot flights (at least hourly) with both Air Canada and WestJet.  Many of them are widebody.  That means if you miss your connection for some reason it is easier for the airlines to reaccommodate.  

Delta in years past did have a late afternoon flight from Atlanta that would arrive into Vancouver around 8 pm.  

If your not familiar with Canadian airlines.  WestJet is Delta's partner in Canada.  Air Canada is United partner in Canada.  

1 hour ago, princeton123211 said:

 

Thinking out loud without fully knowing if this would make it compliant, if they really wanted to try and make things right, why not cut the stop in Victoria short and divert the ship south that night for a courtesy stop in Seattle for a few hours before sailing north to Vancouver? 

That would make customs more complex for everyone.   

To perform the stop in Victoria the cruise lines need to clear the ship (and all the passengers) into Canada.   The sailing from Victoria to Vancouver would then be domestic and would not require Canadian border control in Vancouver when everyone else leaves the ship.

Introducing a stop in Seattle, would invoice the ship leaving Canada when it sales from Victoria, getting cleared into the US in Seattle.  Then getting cleared back into Canada when it arrives in Vancouver. 

1 hour ago, Urban trekker said:

I wonder if some of the cruises being talked about were booked while the PVSA was suspended and this is the only way to get around it being re-instated. 

Victoria to be best of my knowledge has never been a port where you can disembark - is RCL ensuring their are CBSA on duty.

Dennis

CBSA clears the ship into Canada in Victoria, otherwise passengers would not be able to get off the ship and visit the city for the stop.  

I would not expect CBSA entry into Canada to be a problem.  There are several ferry services between downtown Victoria and the US. Float plane service from downtown Victoria to Seattle.  Private boats/ships or float planes use Victoria as a port of entry into Canada all the time, when that happens the CBSA meet the boat at the relevant marina if they can't do it virtually for some reason.

I have been at the Airport in Victoria where it is swamped with cruise ship travels connecting on to charter flights back to the US.  It is extremely rare but does happen.  Not certain which cruise ship line that would have been.

The BC Ferries Connector bus service is likely your best bet.  Slower than flying but you have time.  The pickup is in downtown Victoria and you have your choice of several drop off location in downtown Vancouver.  

The Heliject service is fantastic (departs from near the crush ship terminal in Victoria and arrives near Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver.  They have a free shuttle bus at both ends that will take you to where ever you want to go in the downtown core.   The float plans (Harbor Air) is also good however it departs from downtown Victoria and arrives at the convention center (one pier over from the cruse ship terminal).  The one problem with Helijet and Harbour Air is baggage is limited.   If the cruise line lets you keep your bags on the ship this is not a problem.   

I would push the cruise line for an onboard credit equal to the cost of one of these services and the hotel.

3 hours ago, ByThePond said:

You will not find direct flights from Quebec City to anywhere on the US/Canadian west coast. You will need to transit through somewhere in between. 

Air Canada this summer had non-stop flights from Quebec City to Vancouver and Calgary.  I think they are season, summer only.