unclerich

On 9/6/2024 at 1:04 AM, latebuyer said:

Is there anyone whose been to the quebec city citadel and halifax citadel? I’m interested in how they compare as i was planning to go to only go to one of them. Also, are you able to walk to the public gardens. How far is it?

Quebec City Citadel is more impressive. It would be about a 20 minute walk from Halifax cruise terminal to Public Gardens. It would be a short taxi ride.

We were in Halifax yesterday. For 60 dollars, we had a taxi driver tour us through Halifax for an hour. We stopped at the Citadel, the cemetery, and other photo stops. It was delightful and we did some shopping near the cruiseport afterwards. No prior planning required. 

PG charge on the Zuiderdam today is $19 for lunch and $46 for dinner. These prices do not include service charge or Mariner discount.

Just now, VTcruisenut said:

it feature's New England specialties, where is the Zuiderdam cruising currently?

 

Canada - New England. Currently Quebec to Boston. 

Current Zuiderdam PG menupinnacle_grill_dinner_menu_summer_2024_ca.ne.pdf

We can very highly recommend https://quebeclimoservice.com/

We used Etienne's services for a private 4 hr tour of Quebec and environs. It was fabulous! We also used him for our airport to hotel transfer on arrival to Quebec. We are very pleased.

Debbie,      Kathy and Richard will be joining you on Aug 31 for Quebec to Boston. Enjoy the trip.

3 minutes ago, Rubyfisch said:

Sadly we get off in Quebec - but we'll try to keep her in good shape for you!

Our Navigator app has our port arrival time in Charlottetown changed from 9a to 11:30am. I'm not sure if yours has changed as well.

Have a great trip!  We'll be joining you August 31

Kathy and Richard

Best wishes to Roy for good health. Your observations, experiences and writings are a treasure. I'm a frequent reader, but infrequent poster.

Richard

So much to agree with. You're getting great advice. In Ketchikan I have to add Island Wings seaplane tour. It was fabulous and memorable. https://www.islandwings.com/mistytours.html

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

This is from the website:  

You'll enjoy thoughtful discussions on the state of western civilization, analysis of political and cultural trends from the United States to the far reaches of the Commonwealth, and live editions of the features you've come to know and love from SteynOnline like Steyn's Song of the Week and Steyn's Sunday Poem. You'll not only have opportunities to hear from our guest speakers on stage, but also mingle with them and your fellow Mark Steyn Club cruisers. The week features exclusive shows, receptions, dinners, and informal get-togethers.

 

Not my kind of cruise.

We weren't interested in joining! Curious about potential impact on public areas. 

Thanks for your info.

We were also on this cruise. It was our first cruise since the pandemic and it went well.  Food quality is a smidge down and upcharges in the MDR, Pinnacle, etc are noticeable. Overall comfort of the cruise was excellent. Music variety is a major plus. Interesting that the cruise was essentially sold out, but never felt crowded.

Anybody have info regarding the impact of a Mark Steyn group? NA Feb 2024.

Thanks

22 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I would go 17, 18, 19 in that area.  I’ve had the ones on the other side and it feels like there is more traffic.  I don’t like all the plexiglass on the pinnacle ships because it does cut down on the air flow. On the non pinnacle I prefer the ones facing the pool for the airflow.  I haven’t been on the Rotterdam but have been on the koningsdam and nieuw statendam which are exactly the same.

Thank you!

We've had retreat cabanas on other HAL ships, but not Pinnacle class. Do you have a preference for cabana location on the Rotterdam - port/starboard or overlooking the pool?

We're considering air circulation with the plexiglass panels and trying to avoid a sense of feeling crowded.

Do you have a recommendation for any particular location to avoid?

Thanks for your help. 

Richard 

2 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Our province has been giving 11 year olds turning 12 the full dose all year,  so the guidance seems to have changed.  I also would hope they could take into account the size of the child. 

They're going by age reflecting the 'maturity of the immune system', rather than a dose by patient weight approach.

4 hours ago, bennybear said:

That is a good question,  they have been vaccinating all who turn 12 this year,  but 11 year olds get a third the dose now. 

The CDC has actually given guidance on this question. They get the smaller dose for the second shot (same as their first):

Q: What if a child is 11 years old when she gets the first dose but turns 12 before the second dose?

A: The child should get 10 micrograms for each dose.

(10 micrograms is the pediatric dose; 30 micrograms is the 12 and up dose)

Ditto for us. We will cancel our December HAL cruise if there is not a mandatory vaccination protocol.

We were on NA in November. At least in the Neptune Suite, outlets are updated to include USB ports.  TV was flat screen on wall.  Ship was fine. We had no problems, though friends in a Signature Suite had to be moved due to non-functioning toilet for > 2 days. Thank goodness there was an available cabin for them.

For us, in the Caribbean, the retreat cabana makes the cruise!

3 hours ago, razzinger said:

Answering the question, nothing more............

 

No!

 

Could you need one in certain situations, YES!.

For U.S. and Canadian Citizens: Travel by Land or Sea Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. For voyages that are scheduled to end outside the U.S., a passport is required. A PASSPORT is also required for all guests traveling on our Yukon +Denali Land+Sea Journey itineraries. We recommend your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal. U.S. and Canadian citizens including children must present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents: • US and Canadian and International Citizens traveling on Yukon Land+Sea Journeys involving an air flight between Dawson City, Yukon, Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska, USA and/or Fairbanks, Alaska, USA to Dawson City, Yukon, Canada are REQUIRED to have a valid Passport to clear customs and immigrations upon entry by air*.

Carolyn's information is correct - at least as of this point in the flu season.

• February 14, 2019

Apparently it was Noordam 3, The following is from 'the history books':

The third Noordam was the first for luxury cruise service. Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in 1984, had a gross tonnage of 33,933 tonnes and was 704 ft (215 m) long. The ship's beam was 89 ft (27 m) and draft was 24 ft (7.3 m); her cruising speed was 21 knots. Her standard capacity was 1,214 with all 607 cabins at double occupancy; her maximum capacity was 1,350 passengers and she had 560 crew members. In 2005, the ship was acquired by Louis Cruise Lines and was immediately chartered to Thomson Cruises; she was rechristened the M/S Thomson Celebration. Her sister ship, the M/S Thomson Spirit, was originally the Holland America ship Nieuw Amsterdam

Bingomamma:

"So I think I am going to bring a fleece blanket also to keep me warm if its too cool there."

Don't you dare:););););)bring a fleece blanket with you. They'll be extra blankets in your cabin and the cabin steward can always get one for you. You have enough to schlepp!!

Have a great cruise!

I'm still curious which ship's Christening, had all the ships' captains present. Anyone remember ?

It was the Nieuw Amsterdam. Here's the story https://www.cruisespecialists.com/blogs/holland-americas-nieuw-amsterdam-review-christening/

and a quote:

The following day was the actual christening ceremony with Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attending and being named the godmother of the ship. The event was truly amazing. It began with a water parade of fifteen boats; each boat flew a flag with the name of each ship in the Holland America Line fleet and aboard was the captain from that ship. Upon arriving at the docks each captain left their boat and lined up in front of the ms Nieuw Amsterdam with their flags behind them waiting for the arrival of Princess Maxima.