senior lady

7 minutes ago, JP350 said:

So they have to pay for a cruise, and while on that cruise have to deal with people trying to film a tv show. Doesn't seem worth it to me.

actually most filming is done while people are off the ship or in area's that won't impact the passengers.   The general comments have been good and most people seem to enjoy watching the filming.

1 minute ago, JP350 said:

Are they filming while guests are onboard. Like actual paying guests. Because sometimes with tv I can't tell if they're just regular bystanders or extras that the production recruited. 

regular passengers.  

5 hours ago, ARP said:

Completed ArriveCan when flying into Vancouver and again when disembarking my cruise. Nobody ever asked to see it

 

that's because once you enter all the info, it automatically goes to border services and they have all the info.  so no need to ask you for it.

On 5/24/2022 at 5:24 PM, Buckeye10640 said:

Congrats on your anniversary! Curious why the casino was closed, I would not have expected that.  We also forgot to buy FCDs last week, I got caught up in the ' try to get a wifi connnection so we can Covid  test' drama on our last day.  Is it at all still possible if just off a sailing?

The casino is always closed between Victoria and Vancouver.   It's only a 90 min ferry ride.  Local waters, so no casino

25 minutes ago, pamps2801 said:

Well, 3 out 4 tested positive you say.... curios to know, if you are aware if they wore Masks, and tried to adhere to social distancing ? If they didn’t, they gambled and lost. No pity in that case. Now if they did, well, that really sucks, and hopefully the symptoms weren’t to severe.

actually they wore masks, because one of them was 94.   They were very careful, but started to feel like a cold coming on the last day.  Tested when they got home and 3 were positive.    I'm not sure why you would say  a unkind comment.   

Mexico is probably safer than most major cities these days.

I have never felt unsafe there.  Cruises many times, and also have done several all-inclusives.

1 hour ago, Senga said:

I have followed this thread and, as with everything in life, you can’t please all the people all the time.

I agree totally.  I'm just surprised at my friends.  They have been on the Royal before.   I did warn them that cruising is " much" different these days.   I haven't got any cruises planned for this yr, unless some really good deal comes up.

On 5/14/2022 at 10:52 AM, phabric said:

I have read others have been caught with USA customs after spending $$$ on purchases from ship stores and not declaring it all.

When you buy any jewelry on the ship it is reported to customs at port of entry when the cruise ends.

I hope someone does a total review of this cruise.   I have friends that got off on Sat and have said that the entertainment was awful and every night they had to send food back from the dining room because it was wrong.     FYI, 3 out of the 4 tested positive when they got home.  Lucky they live just outside of Vancouver so they can quarantine at home.     They weren't happy with this cruise.

15 hours ago, Crew News said:

Before I start unpacking, thought I would add the promised disembarkation process that I witnessed. 

 

Nobody onboard checked the luggage tag colors before allowing passengers off the ship meaning some passengers' luggage had not yet been moved to the terminal. ArriveCAN was not checked ashore in spite of announcements to have it ready.  Vaccination cards were not checked ashore in spite of announcements to have it ready.  Passports were not checked ashore in spite of being told to have it out and ready.

 

The efficiency of the taxi pickup services just outside the covered terminal doors was good and took me only 25 minutes to be on my way to the airport.  Separate lines for those with mobility issues, had larger taxis and a separate loading lane for pickups. $35 CAD fare to the airport.

 

Taxi driver told me that last week 65 COVID passengers left a single ship and were transported to quarantine hotels.  Each taxi had to be sanitized before it could return to the cruise terminal for more pickups.

 

Alaska Airlines does not allow check-in more than three hours before, so no big rush to leave the ship for afternoon flights.  COVID test results (not my Victoria address) were checked and at least one passenger had a test two-days old and was forced to get another one in the terminal.  Passports and vaccination cards (copies accepted) were verified at check-in.  A attestation of COVID test form was provided at check-in for turn-in during boarding time.  Boarding passes were checked at baggage turn-in (different from airline check-in).  Passport and boarding passes were checked at Security screening (shoes, belts, laptops, etc).  Passports and boarding passes checked again at US Customs desk.  Some passengers even had passports checked again at the boarding gate desk.

 

If you are taking a short flight to the US, there are no food facilities open near the gates.  Grab lunch and water before going the long distance to the gates.  There was a Euro Cafe near the gates but it was closed.  Except for very small roller bags, regular roller bags were tagged for passenger drop-off at the plane.  The completed COVID test attestation form was collected at the same time boarding passes and passports were again checked before heading down the steps to the plane.  Caution:  Getting down the 15 steps with luggage in both hands is not easy or safe.  Fortunately, those with mobility issues were boarded from a different gate location. 

 

The pre-flight safety briefing ended with a warning that masks were still required until US soil was touched. About half of the passenger in the Alaska Airlines terminal in Seattle wore masks.

 

More tomorrow.

vaccination, passport info is already in your Arrivcan app.  No need to show anything when you get off the ship.. Canada customs already have the info.  That's the beauty of the app.  Shortens the time being questioned.

14 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

The ArriveCAN topic is confusing because it is apparent the Princess is requiring people to have it in place for boarding even though not at all required and only needed for arrival TO Canada.  My guess is that Princess is trying to avoid a huge backlog or throttle point just prior to arriving back/to Canada and finding that half the passengers are clued out and not ready to go with the App.

I think that is totally the reason.  Once you load all the info, it's a snap to enter your arrival information for coming back into Canada.   I use mine at least once a week to go to my trailer in Washington State

19 hours ago, nini said:

I have to say, this ArriveCan is so confusing. Our cruise is in September, so we will see what develops.

 

All of you, have a wonderful time! Alaska is fabulous. September will be our 5th time, with some new ports for us.

It really is easy.   Just load your passport info, vaccine info and it's done until you get closer to your cruise.  I use mine once a week.

2 hours ago, dog said:

They did not ask for ArriveCAN for this cruise. Vancouver- Ketchikan- Seattle.

because you live in Canada.  You will need to fill it out when you head back from Seattle

2 hours ago, dog said:

They did not ask for ArriveCAN for this cruise. Vancouver- Ketchikan- Seattle.

You only need it if you are flying, driving, or arriving in Canada by ship

17 hours ago, oldfashioncruiser said:

Thanks for posting the patter   I can't make out anything.   Maybe you could try to retake the pictures.     Tried to zoom in but can't read any of it.

I can read them just fine

2 hours ago, phabric said:

I am Canadian.  I have a cruise from Vancouver to Whittier. To start the cruise I will be flying from Toronto to Vancouver.   After the cruise, I will be flying Anchorage to Vancouver, Vancouver to Toronto.

 

Since you mentioned everyone had to fill in ArriveCAN before getting on the ship.

 

I know I have to fill in ArriveCAN when flying from Anchorage to enter Canada at Vancouver.

 

Do I need to fill ArriveCAN when flying to Vancouver to get on the ship?

 

 

yes, you have to have it downloaded with all the information needed.  Then 72 hrs before arriving in Vancouver you finish it.

On 5/2/2022 at 10:13 AM, mrsskyhook said:

Currently waiting in line for security, checking and US customs. 

US customs is painful in Vancouver.    The port always gets such bad reviews when it's customs fault.   How many were there checking people in?    3 yrs ago I was in line.  2 agents for 2500 passengers........... crazy

2 minutes ago, Crew News said:

I will ask and post an answer here.

thank you.  I also read that you can't bring one bottle of wine each to have in your stateroom.  Is that also true?  It's been 3 yrs since I sailed HAL

On 4/26/2022 at 4:31 PM, Crew News said:

Just a few tidbits to get started.

 

The Taco Bar reopening after more than two years on hold this cruise.  The day before it reopened, I had asked the Lido Manager about it and was told it needed Seattle approval.  The next day it was in operation but of course I had just consumed a big lunch in the Lido Market.  My tradition of a plate of nachos on my aft verandah in Glacier Bay may now continue.

 

The new MDR Sunday Brunch and the diversity of the menu was a pleasant surprise.  See the link below for the menu.

 

For those interested, the Remy Martin Louis XIII has a higher price of $200/shot after the pandemic. On the same note, Happy Hour is held at both the Ocean and Crows Nest bars.

 

For tired feet/legs, the floor at the end of the Shops 'Citizen watch counter has a strong vibration that is quite soothing.

 

With fewer passengers than crew, the MDR feels empty and the staff goes out of their way to entertain. Impressive origami, puzzling card tricks, and an Assistant Maitre'd playing a mean ukulele.

 

A Mariner award ceremony happened today with only 9 attendees and one medallion awarded (my silver).

 

My Room Steward tandem has only 4 occupied rooms and spends the rest of their day deep cleaning 18 others.

 

The MDR is open for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM.

 

FWIW my MDR table of five completed dinner each night around 70 minutes.

 

For trivia buffs, a squatchie is the button on top of a baseball players cap.

 

PG has been full every evening so make your reservations at the podium near the PG as soon as you board.

are they still selling drink coupons.  When I sailed before covid they had so many drink coupons for a certain price?

30 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

Currently on Koninsdam.  For this cruise we had Happy hour 4:00 billboard onboard deck 2, 8:00pm Ocean Bar 2, 9:00 pm Crows Nest deck 12

what's the pricing like now for happy hr?

thanks

4 hours ago, 1965 said:

We've flown into Quebec, Montreal, & Vancouver for Princess cruises over the years. Have never had to use arriveCan. Our flight into Vancouver from Dallas & the cruise out of Vancouver in May will be the 1st cruise ever requiring it.

Have you flown into Canada since covid?   That's when it started

4 hours ago, erber said:

Antigen test 2 days prior would make it work perfectly for us. Fingers crossed. 

 

Looking at the official Canada websites though (at least as of March 31 update which is the most recent I can find online) the antigen test must be within 1 day of start of cruise and molecular test must be within 72 hours of your cruise. We shall see. A lot can happen in the next 2 months. 

Staring April 1st as long as you are fully vaccinated you don't need any test to come to canada 

36 minutes ago, atexsix said:

"Within 72 hours of embarkation" per Princess website.  Sigh.  Would have been so much easier to have just bypassed Canada again this year.  I love Canada, they're our Washington neighbor, but there are more hoops now than when we cruised in September at the height of a variant.

way less "hoops" now.  You don't need to have a negative test to come across the border.  The ArriveCan  app has always been there.     It's not hard to fill out.  I just did one now for a short trip across the border to check on my trailer in Skagit that I haven't been able to use for 2 yrs.   

15 minutes ago, JeffT237 said:

For Seattle round trip itineraries that visit Victoria do we need to do the ArriveCAN app or is that only for cruises that embark or disembark in Canada?  Thanks.

You need the to fill out the ArriveCan app anytime you enter Canada.

38 minutes ago, Desert Cruisers said:

Regarding the 72-hour rule...We will be on a cruise ship sailing to Vancouver 3 days prior to arrival.  Will not have cell service at sea - only wifi (if it works).  Does anyone know how this situation might be handled?  Thinking that we will have to do the ArriveCAN app upon arrival in Vancouver.

you can fill out the ArriveCan app before you leave.  Just put the arrival time of ship docking in Vancouver.   it's a 3 day cruise which is 72 hrs