daisy-mae

As they say, there's no such thing as a free lunch :)

 

Would it not be better to have a card that allows one to redeem points for a wider variety of perks, or better yet, a cash-back card that can be used for a reserve fund to pay for that special extra?

 

I finally cancelled a card that cost me over $100 a year to collect air travel points for flights that were never free by the time the dust settled and the taxes and fees were paid. I now have a no fee card that gives me bonus points to use at a local hardware chain with unlimited choice of goods, and a second card that does not charge a premium when I use a different currency, and I a more than happy with both.

On the Equinox in September the Captain was the guest of honor at the ribbon cutting for at least one if not more of the special sales events. I thought it was a little "over the top", with the sole purpose of generating interest for merchandise that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Cash...then they can get what they want! Your heart is in the right place, but you don't work for "gifts", and neither do they!!! When you go to a hotel, do you bring "gifts" for the housekeeper, or the waiter in the restaurants? Of course not! Being on the ship is no different!

 

Actually, some folks do bring gifts (school supplies, cosmetics, etc.) to resorts in poorer countries where consumer goods are in short supply or very expensive. In our experience, such offerings (along with cash tips) are always gratefully accepted.

It would probably be more cost-effective than paying some survey company to conduct focus groups.

I believe that the proof of insurance certificate when crossing the border by car is to ensure that your vehicle has coverage.

I will also risk being flamed by my comments.

 

We attended a cruise show recently where we viewed a very flashy promo clip about the new Quantum of the Seas, complete with godmother Kristen Chenoweth and other celebrities. After it ended I turned to my husband and asked if he had noticed the ocean. Apart from the various activities that left the narrator almost breathless with superlatives, there was very little emphasis on the water and nature -- the two reasons why we like to cruise.

 

If I want an amusement park, I'll book a room at WDW. IMHO, when it comes to cruising, bigger and flashier is not always better.

I am mostly interested in photos of the ship, starting with the stateroom and amenities -- anything that will help with the choice of accommodations or onboard activities.

 

Although I am sure that a lot of members look lovely in their evening attire, I would save those photos for immediate relatives and friends who would have a much greater appreciation for them.

 

And for myself at least, part of the fun of any holiday is the possibility of discovering new and different things. I purposely shy away from larger numbers of photos from ports of call, since I want the initial experience to be personal and special.

Thank-you for taking the time to post your informative (and extremely well-written) account of your current ordeal. Your parents are lucky to have such a caring daughter.

 

Your situation is a perfect example of the need for good medical insurance. So many people think that because they are in good health, they need not be concerned about the extra cost. I have had "discussions" with friends who are convinced that their coverage through their credit cards or their employer's insurance is sufficient, and neglect to read the fine print.

 

There is a huge advantage in having an insurance company acting as an advocate on your behalf. The fact that the doctor in St. Maarten was angry that your Dad was being evacuated confirmed one of my fears -- that third world hospitals will most likely try to hold onto a patient as long as possible because their care generates much-needed income. The insurance company has the clout to take charge where an individual may well be powerless to act.

 

Hang in there. You have a lot of people praying for your Dad's speedy recovery.

I'm a little confused -- I thought the Nexus/GOES line was part of the airport operations (Immigration and Security) and not proper to an individual airline.

I was under the impression that you could update your information (including new passport number) online, as long as your current passport has not expired.

I think the product is small and discreet enough to go unnoticed.

 

We recently returned from a Med cruise on the Equinox, where we witnessed a number of large (8" and longer) power strips being returned to their owners as they disembarked. Our small white (two outlet) power strip had been in full view in our stateroom for the entire cruise and caused no issues.

 

I think the problem is with the luggage screening. If an object is detected, the security folks feel that they have to follow through and confiscate, regardless of what it turns out to be.

The one great difference that we found between the Freedom of the Seas and the Equinox is the connection with the outdoors and the ocean.

 

We love the opportunity to enjoy the sea air, and look forward to a leisurely breakfast on the aft deck. We were very disappointed with the enclosed buffet seating on the Freedom, not to mention the lack of dining space relative to the number of passengers. In contrast, the Equinox and its class of ships provide a lovely two-level open air dining area that is partially covered, with regular tables as well as armchairs chairs and small sofa-type seating.

 

Also, the Freedom of the Seas appears to focus inwards -- towards the indoor shopping mall; consequently, there are fewer ocean vistas, fewer windows in public spaces. At times it felt almost claustrophobic.

 

I guess it all depends on what one is seeking in a cruise. I am relatively new to cruising, but I always thought the main goal was to enjoy the sea and what it has to offer. It seems that the trend now is towards entertainment and the "wow" factor. Different strokes...

The Amazon.ca Visa card is administered by Chase, so they are one and the same.

 

We used the card on our recent Med cruise and can confirm that Amazon/Chase do not add a currency exchange fee to charges.

Hi Karen,

 

You might be interested in the following thread from August of this year.

At the time I wasn't convinced that ordering a bottle for our stateroom was good value, but we weighed the convenience vs. the cost and decided to go ahead.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2087255

 

(And thanks for the info about another cruise line's prices -- it never hurts to be well informed)

 

Enjoy your cruise!

At $40 a bottle, the HAL offer is a bargain!

 

We recently paid $80 on the Equinox for a one litre bottle of Canadian Club, plus 6 cans of soda and a box of assorted nuts. Since we did not purchase the drinks package, we felt that having our own bottle in the cabin was less expensive than ordering the equivalent number of drinks from the bar; we were able to replenish our soda at each port of call.

 

I also had the two bottles of wine that we were allowed to bring on board, which worked well for pre-dinner sipping.

I kind of like the card stock that most of the invitations are printed on; I turn them over and use the blank space to jot down notes for the next port of call, carry them to dinner to note the email addresses of my fellow diners, or use them as bookmarks.

I believe the relaxation lounge is called the Solarium. It's a beautiful, quiet enclosed space with a pool and wooden loungers (with pads); children are not admitted, and the atmosphere is so calming that it is the perfect spot for an afternoon snooze.

I also heard the crickets on the Equinox, but only near the lawn on deck 15; as someone who loves camping and being outdoors, I thought it was a nice touch -- but I can understand how the constant noise might be annoying for someone trying to relax on a balcony.

 

As to the "theme" music that was piped in to "enhance" our sail into Venice -- it was enjoyable for the first 20 minutes or so, but it wasn't long before the constant repetition of the 3 selections wore extremely thin. It was even worse when docked in Toulon with the loudspeakers on the pool deck blaring out what passes for French music -- one single male voice bleating over and over again about lost love and redemption -- surely they could have found something a little more uplifting, or canned the idea altogether.

 

Other than a few irritants, though, it was a most enjoyable cruise.

[quote name='sunnygidget']Wish that the ships had heated towel bars, now that would really help![/QUOTE]

Great idea!

We had a heated towel bar on a 24 passenger barge in the Netherlands -- worked like a charm! We rinsed out our cycle gear, socks and undies before heading to the dining room for supper, and most of the time everything was warm and dry and ready for our ride by next morning.

I seem to remember that if you renew before the PP expires, Passport Canada will tack that remaining 3 or 4 months (or whatever) on to the validity of a new passport...but its something I have never pursued because I don't care enough.

 

 

I don't think that is the case. The last two times that I renewed my passport it was still valid for at least six months; both times I grumbled about the fact that at this rate the passports only had a 4 and one half year lifespan, but the customer service agent simply shrugged her shoulders as if I was not the first one to make that observation. At no time did she offer to extend the validity of the new document.

 

I did a quick google search and came up with the following:

 

" You can renew your passport up to 12 months before it expires, ... your new passport will not be credited with the outstanding time remaining on ..."

 

Unfortunately, I read the entire Q & A page and could not find the full quote.

 

My DW will renew her passport after the cruise but not before. No need to give the Canadian government any money before it's needed.

 

 

True, but to be safe, you might want to give yourself a bit of an overlap, since for the Nexus program it is recommended that passports be renewed and the new number registered before the expiry date of the one that is on the record.

The approximate taxi fare from the ship to Plaça Espanya would be about €15 for a weekday after 8am. It would be slightly more before 8am or at weekends.

 

Our hotel pre and post cruise was located near Plaça Espanya, and it cost us between 22 and 25 Euros for each trip (maybe because of the luggage?). If you are not carrying bags, the most economical way would be by Metro. On a nice day it is also withing walking distance.

How long does it take to get a Nexus card ?

What does one have to do to get it ?

 

You can start here:

 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html

 

 

It can take a month or two for the application to be processed, then another month or more to get an appointment for the interview, which you must attend in person.

I've used the self-serve laundry rooms on Princess -- very handy, and very popular.

 

If the argument against the facilities is that it would take up too much valuable space, then a smaller room set aside simply for ironing could be a counter-argument.

One of our table mates on our recent Equinox cruise had an interesting comment regarding irons.

 

Since the use of irons represents a legitimate safety concern, and because full self-serve laundry facilities may take up too much shipboard real estate, why not have one or two rooms dedicated to self-serve ironing, with personnel assigned to monitor the activity? The rooms need not be open around-the-clock, perhaps a few hours during the afternoon lull.