Ephraim

Any pictures from on the ship?

Didn't see anyone on our dates...

Ahoy Sailor! Sailor Loot

Duration: 7 Days
Valiant Caribbean Holidays
23-30 Dec, 2022

https://virg.in/oXzJ

And....

Ahoy Sailor! Sailor Loot

Duration: 5 Days
Valiant New Year's Ahoy

Dec 30, 2022 - Jan 4, 2023

https://virg.in/o6j5

1 hour ago, ORV said:

We were on a team with a couple that had been on the previous cruise and had all the answers written down. I didn't like that at all. I either know it or I don't. They offered to give us their notes at the end of the cruise as we were staying on for the next cruise. I passed. 

First, any CD that uses the same questions... shouldn't be a CD. But even if they did... that's not winning... that's cheating.

From my experience with Oceania, a guarantee is assigned only once the upsells are done. They will keep a placemarker for you, but keep the room available so they can upsell someone and then offer them a choice of rooms. 

They may even offer an upsell for to you to move categories.

17 hours ago, kitty9 said:

...On a previous cruise, we saw the husband had a notebook with every trivia game they’ve played, and they won every time.   We partnered up with a great group on our cruise and we warned them that the particular group would get 20 out of 20 every game.  Yep, that’s exactly what happened.  Participation dropped until a very vocal member of our group spoke to the CD and told him that they really need to change up the questions and not use the same ones over and over again.  He did just that and the perfect team was not so perfect anymore....

There was a famous couple on Princess who did this. Head office would warn the staff that all trivia had to be discarded and brand new ones written. They also had to make an announcement that no notes, computers, etc. could be used. These people were pretty despicable, they would remove their tips and leave the prizes instead as a tip. From my understanding, they eventually were banned from the line. 

The link shows the bank buy/sell rates. Usually 2.5% in either direction for cheques and 3% for cash. Most banks in Canada don't charge consumers a commission fee. (They charge commercial accounts many fees.)

For most Canadians, the best bet is usually an ATM. Other than one or two cards in Canada, all our banks charge a 3% premium for using a CC in foreign currency.... all issued by Chase, which isn't a big issuer of CC in Canada.

 

BTW a new book has just come out discussing the inevitability of a union between Canada and the USA (it's certainly not imminent) but if this ever happened, there would be one common currency..

Yeah, I don't see Canadians as agreeing to this, ever. Politically we are closer to Europe than to the United States. Currency wise, the Canadian dollar is influenced by the US dollar and the US economy, but Canada's economy is heavily resource based (along with service industries) and so the value of our dollar increases based on things like oil and minerals. Canadians are also deficit averse, war averse and very much see personal freedoms differently than the US. We share many things, but if there was ever a referendum on it, I can pretty much guess than unless we are all offered pretty big cheques, it's not going to be for union with the US.

As for the current exchange rates, I usually use those of HSBC on this page... http://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/personal/banking/accounts/foreign-currency-accounts/foreign-currency-exchange and the current exchange on USD is 1.024 or CAD$102.40 per USD$100. The banks usually use a 2.5% margin on cheques and 3% on cash.

Just in that last year, the exchange rates have fluctuated widely. In the last 365 days, USD$100 has been worth anywhere from CAD$98.50 to CAD$105.00 (And in the last 5 years from CAD$94.86 to CAD$128.36) You can check historical rates via http://www.oanda.com/currency/historical-rates/

We just returned from our Canada/New England cruise. All places we stopped in Canada - Halifax, Prince Edward Island, Gaspe, La Baie and Quebec all took US currency with no problem at all. The exchange rate for US to Canadian was only about a 5% difference. The best thing to do in my opinion is to have a credit card that does not have a foreign transaction fee. This way you are able to get the current exchange rate with out a fee. One thing to be ware of - while in the town of Perce I bought something at one store where I did not pay attention to the receipt and they had priced the item in US currency at a higher rate than the exchange rate (there was an option there which I did not notice to have them bill at Canadian rate).

 

I saw no need to worry about exchanging currency anywhere we stopped.

It is called DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) and it's available at some places in Canada, but more often in Europe. It allows you to have the purchase done in your local currency and not use the currency conversion of your bank or bank card. I have seen it fairly often in Europe. Generally it is a little higher than your bank. If you have a card with no fees, you should decline that option.

Take my word for it, the exchange rate can be downright lousy, 15% versus 0%.

You are lucky that no one refused your USD. I know plenty of places that do. Seen posted signs as well. (Besides the fact that it's just disrespectful of your hosts.)

In Montreal we will generally accept USD, but that being said, there are plenty who don't and won't accept them. Quebec city is a LOT smaller than Montreal. I would expect exchange rates that discount about 15%. So while you should be getting CAD$101.90 for USD$100 at a bank, expect to be getting CAD$85 for USD$100 on the streets in the stores.

Why? Well, our banks charge businesses enormous markups. It's about $2-$3 for a deposit, another $2 for taking banknotes, another $1 for using a human teller (because USD can't be handled at the ATM) plus the exchange rate. So to discourage the practice, merchants pass the hassle back. Some people pass the USD through their personal accounts to avoid these commercial banking charges, but the realitity is that most Canadians just don't need USD in our daily lives. We pick some up from the ATM when we are on vacation in the US or pay with CC. And don't get me started on getting stuck with pennies... we don't have any in Canada anymore. If I have a US quarter, I can just use it in Canada, but a penny.... that is useless around here.

Thanks P_mori7 for the help. When you mentioned that the HOHO bus was operated by Gray Line, I got to looking closer. The bus I was looking at is operated by Viator. So these are obviously two separate companies offering a similar tour.

 

It is difficult to find info on either of the tours---like hours of operation. The Gray Line tour closes down at 4:00 I think. Can't find that info for Viator. The tickets are good for two days, but can we use them in the evening? Or just during the daytime?

 

I'll try calling both tomorrow, but if anyone has info to help, I surely would appreciate it.

 

B.

Viator is simply reselling the Grayline tour. There is just one bus in Montreal.

You can do most of Montreal by public transport. Bus 715 is specifically geared to tourists and the day pass is $9. Be aware that the STM doesn't usually accept US credit cards (but will accept cash and international cards with chips.)

Basically there are 5 areas to stay in...

• Old Montreal - Think of this as being in the beautiful neighbourhood. Beautiful hotels and expensive real estate. Expensive restaurants, though if you know how and where to go, some really great food.
  
• Downtown Montreal - The business centre of the city. Shopping centres and office buildings.
  
• Plateau Mont-Royal (or just the Plateau) - A part of town just north of downtown that is residential. The far west part caters to the McGill students, the middle is more upper middle class, the east more middle class and the northern end (Mile End) is a Bohemian mixed neighbourhood.
  
• Latin Quarter - A part of town that is very Bohemian and lively at night, but studenty otherwise.
  
• The Village - A part of town that is very Behemian and lively at night, cheaper to stay unless you have a problem with Gays. The neighbourhood is mixed, but there are a lot of bars in the area and stores that cater to this market.
  

I've listed the neighbourhoods in basic levels of price. Staying in Old Montreal or Downtown won't give you a real sense of what Montreal is like for Montrealers. It's the touristy part of town and the business part of town. And the city is quite safe.

There are two seasons in Canada... Winter and Construction.

The Dorval circle won't be finished in 2017... it's only running four years behind at the moment....

Yes, that is Quebec city. Too bad Montreal xdoesn't follow their lead.

Cruise ship traffic to Montreal is minimal. Most ships can't make it to Montreal, they are just too tall to make it under the electric wires and the bridges. It's just not economic to have left luggage at a terminal that is seldom used.

Thanks for checking. We will be there in October, so not in summer.

Should be fine. The busiest days in October are likely going to be Thanksgiving. (Yes, it's in October)

I was at Central Station today, so I stopped off and asked. The restrictions are that they will only hold luggage for a day. They have a right to open your luggage for inspection (for security) and you need a Via Rail ticket. They are lax with that requirement when it is quiet, but in the summer there is no guarantee that they will be lax on that requirement. (That's what the reception lady told me).

You can store luggage at the Central Bus Station on Berri. The bus to the airport also leaves from there, if you want to bother with it. Or a taxi from there to the airport should be $40 plus tip. VIA also has a luggage room. I'm not aware of the restrictions. In general, overweight luggage may be a problem in Canada because of worker safety laws, so keep luggage under 32 kg.

I would love to do the Royal, Ocean, or the new Pacific Princess. I have noticed though, that these ships' cruises are much higher in price. Their cost compare more with Amazara and Oceania. Even though they are under the Princess label, I doubt these ships are anything like the other Princess ships. I am surprised Princess does not do like Celebrity, who markets their smaller ships under the Amazara label.

 

If I do ever get to do this itinerary-I will probably book the Massdam. At a $1000 per PAX, it is more affordable than the smaller Princess ships.

Look for the last minute pricing in May... it often goes down quite under 60 day.

The Maasdam goes to Quebec. I liked the Massdam itinerary better than the round trip cruises (10 day) that go to Quebec, because they only went as far as Quebec city and not to Montreal.

 

I do wish Princess or Celebrity went there-but now I understand why-HAL still has their older, smaller, ships-the Maasdam only holds 1200 PAX.

Princess has done the Montreal run, with the Royal Princess. Last time was about two years ago. I don't think that Celebrity has a ship that can make it under the bridge anymore. Most of the ships that come to Montreal are container ships, which aren't built as tall. It's not the width, it's the height. And we aren't about to replace billion dollar bridges. :)

The fact that your B & B is in Montreal, I would think that perhaps people cruising HAL Massdam may would stay at your B & B. That ship does 7 day one ways between Boston and Montreal. One week it begins in Boston, the next week it reverses and begins in Montreal.

 

Our next big cruise will probably be in the med. We are supposed to go with friends in 2011, but we do hope to do the Canada/ New England cruise at some point, and we like the 7 day one way itineraries, very nice ports.

We have had a few cruisers stay with us. Sometimes leaving from Montreal and sometimes from Quebec City with Montreal on the way.

Our new B&B is doing very well and people have to book very far in advance for many dates. (I already have limited availability for some of June/July)

I, of course, have a lot more sympathy for the crews on the ship... since I also work 7 days a week, now.

As far as the cruises, only Crystal and Holland America seem to make it to Montreal regularly. (The ships are often too tall to get under the bridge at Trois-Rivieres.)

The important part is to make sure that your cruise does at least Quebec City and some time up the Saguenay fjord and the Maritime park. The whales are fantastic to see. And for a laugh, ask everyone to say "seal" in French. (phoque)

Has it been 2 years since you recorded that episode? Boy, they took along time to put it on air. Has many people booked your B & B because of that episode?

 

You know I met the Roloffs on a cruise in October 2005 on Mariner of the seas. So I met them and I have posted to you-so two connections with reality TV.

Yes, it sat quite a bit in the can. We filmed from January to April of 2008.

I don't think anyone has actually booked because of that episode. I think it has aired twice in Canada and once in the US so far.

You guys know Ephraim who posts here? I have never met him in person, but he was on an episode of HGTV's "Get it Sold." He owns and runs a B & B in Montreal, Quebec. He sold a smaller B & B, in order to buy a larger one.

 

So, I have psoted to a celebrity-LOL!

Actually, it was an episode of "Buy Me". But wow... first time someone has called little ol' me a celebrity. Of course, now you have been "quoted" by a celebrity (teehee!)

In the two years since, I have received one "love" note, someone recognized me on the street and now I've been called a celebrity. Wow... how life has changed. :)

The bulletin board is generally now located near the purser's desk. There are a number of meetings that are always posted and laminated and the FoD meeting is one of these.

I have a picture of the bulletin board posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/JustEphraim/BrillianceOfTheSeas/photo#5065638743524343250

We were on the Brilliance (and the Voyager) and the bulletin board was prominently positioned near the purser's desk.

From our experience, the most open and welcoming was Princess. Not only did they not use a euphemism, they always hosted at least the first meeting (usually with chumpagne... yes, I spelled it that way on purpose!)

Just curious when you last cruised NCL? We not only had a posted FOD party on the Wind but the assistant cruise director hosted it and they provided free food.

We last cruise with NCL in October of 2006. We pointed out the problem to Julie, the cruise director (fancy that name and she isn't even on Princess) and explained the reasoning behind it. We explained it to NCL head office as well. In fact we pointed out a number of problems and ensured that not only the cruise line heard them, but so did the IGLTA and Rosie O'Donnell.

Considering that it was a cruise out of New York City it was amazing that the pursers desk absolutely refused to answer when guests asked them what a Friends of Dorothy meeting was.

In the last year there have been a number of moves on the part of NCL that seem to suggest that they are changing their position in regards to the G&L community. They cancelled one gay group (the infamous Bear Voyage group with the porn producers that caused the stir on the Mariner) but also cancelled Chumley's despite the fact that they have cruised four years without incident. Rosie's group have also changed from NCL, the next cruise is on a Holland America ship and from what we have heard she is also going to book an RCL ship for next summer.