shadesofblonde

I am currently 8 credits short of 4*, and am embarking on a 25 day cruise in a signature suite next month. I read this thread so I called. Was told that if it were a collector voyage (combined legs) it would kick in on the second leg (which it’s not). But they suggested I call or email back a week before sail date and try again, because she has “seen it happen”. Will let you know 

15 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

There is a separate door for priority-premium pax next to the usual door. Yes, it can be much quicker.

 

You can monitor the wait times for several days before your flight, and plan accordingly...

 

https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/airport/vancouver-international-airport

 

 

More good info, thank you!

Will definitely check this out for my next YVR departure

16 hours ago, canadianbear said:

You go to the front of the line & show your “reservation time”.  

Good to know, thanks!

6 hours ago, canadianbear said:

We have flown (not international) using YVR several times this year to YUL.  Never an issue but perhaps we’ve been lucky.  

Wow... I had absolutely zero idea this existed! Thank you!

Is it as effective as it sounds? What if you’re in the huge security line that (sometimes) queues almost to the food court. Is it obvious there is an express line?

No more printed copies, but on the Westerdam last fall you could read full editions of newspapers from all over the world through the navigator app

Yes! Also in BC and we used LifeCenters for our Alaska cruise with our free government tests (Rapid response in the green box)

Booked another test this morning for October cruise. Wasn’t sure what brand of tests may be available so filled in “Rapid Response” but noticed in the email confirmation I can change that prior to my test date.

You can literally just lay in the ocean in the SPacific and float! It’s amazing! 

Wear a watch! Some electronic devices can have a difficult time keeping up with the time changes

Do not miss the King Neptune ceremony.... lots of fun!

I’ll just say this...

If a great beach day is important to you, don’t forego the first opportunity. Unforeseen circumstances could arise which may not allow you to enjoy the second.

First off, it would be a logistical nightmare, even staggering boarding times everyone would still ***** and moan and show up when it suited them.

Secondly, nobody who has to travel there wants to be denied boarding at the pier and be forced to quarantine away from home.

And finally, a rapid test likely won’t pick up any infection caught 2 days prior to boarding anyway.

Two + years into this pandemic I think we are all aware anything we choose to do now comes with some degree of exposure risk. Unfortunately it’s not ideal for everyone

My only concern would be traveling too close together, catching Covid on the first and not being able to provide a negative test for the second....

otherwise go fi it! Vacationing never loses its charm :oD

I’m sure many can, but no way hub and I can drink our moneys worth EVERY day on a long cruise. Besides, there are so many places to have a drink on the islands where I’d rather be enjoying a cocktail or two instead of feeling I should be drinking on the ship.

Wifi will work on any number of devices you bring, but only one at a time, so you need to log on and off.

Gratuities (now called crew appreciation) will be added daily to your onboard account. Some people prefer to prepay these...but why?

And yes, I understand your concerns regarding the company staying afloat. Not to dissuade you..... but unless I had some pretty specific cabin requirements I wouldn’t put money down just yet.... chances are there will be space available at a later date. In light of some recent stock bottoming out speculations I’m concerned enough about having paid in full for our 51 day cruise this fall

Be careful with your timing. The 72 hour window applies only to molecular test. Antigen tests a 2 day window.

Refer to https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise#pre-embarkation-test

But I agree, video testing is so much more convenient 

Don’t forget the ArriveCAN app

Depends entirely where you are cruising. Recently testing requirements have been removed for cruises departing from Amsterdam 

We did ours online through LifeCenters.ca

Was super inexpensive and we used the RATs that are free at the pharmacy here in BC

Watch your appt times though as they are located in Alberta and times are MST

HAL is clearly mucking around with these trans Pacific  itineraries. I searched for our October ‘22 51 day collector cruise today and it’s also gone. Not totally disappeared though as the 2 segments can be purchased separately (at a higher price). Hope this doesn’t smell of cancellations

Yes!...... my fathers family immigrated to Prince Edward Island from Scotland 250 years ago. When we cruised Canada/New England I purposely selected an itinerary that included a port stop in PEI, and had been in contact with relatives who lived there. As it turned out the weather was bad that day and the ship couldn’t dock.... so much for that!

My mom was from Slovakia. It’s landlocked, so no....

17 hours ago, NMCruiser123 said:

Is it a public group?  I’d love to see how someone else’s experience is going

 

No, private Facebook group, but admission is free ;oD

Lots of people posting about how safe cruising is right now, but I’ve started noticing the posts about quarantine somehow mysteriously disappear within a day

There is a woman also currently quarantined on the Zuiderdam who has posted some of her experience in a HAL Facebook group. Her hallway photo showed LOTS of used meal trays, so you’re definitely not alone!

Her hubby, although negative, is quarantining with her. (Not sure I would graciously volunteer for that if I were in that situation haha)

So sorry your cruise isn’t going as planned... stay healthy (and sane!)

If the requirement is for 95% vaccinated, who exactly makes up the last 5% unvaccinated? Children? People who foe medical or religious reasons can’t be vaccinated? Anti vaxxers if there is room left for them on a first come first serve basis? Do you need proof of vaccination to book? Just wondering if people will actually be denied boarding....

Whether or not the cruise lines require it, I can’t see many countries letting people in that aren’t vaccinated, even for the day, even on a ship excursion. Are they going to herd you around in a bubble with zero possible contact with locals?

As for New Zealand, Australia... zero chance you’ll get in at all without the vax

3 hours ago, Roz said:

 

You must not work. 🤣

I think it’s safe to say a very large number of HAL cruisers don’t work

Hubby and I cruised 42 days all through the South Pacific from Australia to San Francisco (booked as the alternative to spending 17 hours on a plane to get home). Previous to that our longest cruise had been 21 days. I will admit when we boarded on day 1 we both thought “what were we thinking?!?

Fabulous cruise! Absolutely LOVED every minute of it, and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Since then we won’t even consider getting on a ship for less than 3 weeks, any less than that feels like you’re just getting started ;o)

9 hours ago, Mandalay1903 said:

I'm OK if masks are required, just so the same rule is applied for everyone aboard.  I plan to wear a mask on planes and at the Main Stages or other crowded venues of my future cruises, whether required or not. Not just because of Covid. I'm tired of getting the "cruise crud" on our travels from so many people coughing as the trip progresses. We got a bad case of cruise crud last January after a Caribean cruise, before the Covid became an issue. Over the past year wearing masks and distancing we haven't been sick once, and I think the masks really helped.

Omg me too! I was sooo sick after 3 weeks on the Koningsdam last Feb. Still often wonder if it was Covid.

Nope.... not too long!

The first day on-board our 42 day Brisbane to San Francisco cruise I had that same “OMG what was I thinking?!?” feeling... which soon dissipated. You find your groove, and form some wonderful lasting friendships on the way... 

I have learned since that anything less than 3 weeks is not long enough!

I’m with you!

The best part of cruising is making your own fun at the ports!

If I have to be herded around like contained sheep, that’s not for me

While I understand the necessity and applaud their protocols, I’ll wait to cruise until life returns to normal.... hoping at some point that’s even a possibility