bchandler02

The Retreat.. that's what I was thinking of. Yes, that area had some damage last week on Westerdam.

These are the cabanas up on the top deck, right? If so, yes, they were damaged last week. We hit some extreme wind one night.

I just got the same info. Cruise is Alaska to/from Seattle. Per Holland's website and my own knowledge, no vaccination required and no testing required, so I don't see the point in Verifly. I see someone mentioned ArriveCan. For those getting off for the few hour stop in Victoria, does that apply? Does it make enough difference to mess with it?

So it sounds like there's no chance of getting a behind the scenes tour on Westerdam next month. Dang.

Wondering the same as that's what I will have in a few weeks due to HIA.

Has anyone recently tried using T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling while onboard HAL? If so, which phone, ship, and which internet plan did you have and what were the results? On my last Carnival cruise pre-covid, I did not expect it to work, but was surprised when it did. I kept the phone in airplane mode but with Wi-Fi on and was able to make and receive calls just as if I was on land in the USA. Trying to figure out what to expect on HAL.

Many phones will allow you to create a hotspot from a wifi network that you are connected to in addition to creating a hotspot via cellular service. As others said above, do not use cellular service on board due to cost. The best thing to do is to keep your phone in airplane mode when onboard, and then turn on Wifi while still in airplane mode. Log into the wifi as you normally would. From there, you can try creating a hotspot. Make sure airplane mode stays on. You should be able to test this at home to figure it out before you go and see if your particular phone will do it.

I have dealt with this quite often in my travels as I frequently need a 2nd screen when working. As others have said, step 1 is getting to the HDMI port. This is hit and miss and probably not even consistent across the rooms on that ship due to different layouts, brands/models of TV, etc. Step 2 is getting the input changed on the TV. You could try the universal remote option, or you may get lucky and be able to access the buttons on the TV itself. Places like this typically have a phone or ethernet cable connected to the TV. On some of these, unplugging this and then turning on the TV "unlocks" it and it will let you change. Other times, this isn't the case. Bottom line - it is VERY hit and miss, and there probably aren't alot of people that have really attempted it vs. just seeing they were not supposed to get to the HDMI port and leaving it at that. The laptop as a screen idea is probably your best bet - or a travel monitor.

Thanks all. I'll take all of this into consideration. I think for now, the group is leaning towards the Holland cruise. It doesn't sound like there are any major negative points to it.

I think we have narrowed it down to these two choices. Looking for feedback on them to help make the final decision. The prices work out to be so close that price is not a factor. We want to see scenery during the day while cruising and do a fair amount of drinking, meals have to be decent but we aren't super picky. We don't spend much time in rooms unless sleeping so either should be fine. The majority of the group is used to (and satisfied with) Carnival for comparison, though some of us have been on other lines too. None are big on dressing up and will do the minimum required for the formal nights if not eating at the buffet, but being formal isn't in our interests. Holland's "Have It All" package looks to be the superior value of the two based on what is included when compared to Princess Plus. Itinerary: Ports: The difference looks to be Sitka vs Skagway. I know Sitka requires a tender, not a big deal. Skagway has the railroad which may be a good excursion. Holland: Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria (too short to matter) Princess: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria (too short to matter) Scenery: I am not seeing a major advantage to either - both offer some good scenery. Holland: Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier Princess: Stephens Passage, Hubbard Glacier Ship: Holland - Westerdam: 1964 guests, built in 2003 https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A3E07B/W326.html Princess: Discovery Princess: 3660 guests, built 2021 https://www.princess.com/search-cruise/details/?voyageCode=X321 936ft vs 1083ft but almost twice the passengers tells me Princess is likely to be more crowded? Other thoughts I've noticed so far - not sure how much any of these matter yet. Princess allows only one person in the room to buy the drinks package. I think most of us will do the "all-in" options and eliminate this, but it may be a slight advantage for Princess if we have any cabins where 1 wants it but 1 doesn't. Holland looks to be a slightly older crowd with less activity at night, but as long as a bar is open until midnight or so everyone will be happy. Our ages range from 30-75 in this group. The less small children, the better. Princess looks to be a little more lively. The Princess Medallion app looks more advanced - it sounds like you can track others in your group. Otherwise, they look similar. The Holland rooms include the couch area, which is nice but rarely used. I believe Princess has the enclosed pool, which may be good for an Alaskan itinerary. Any thoughts on all of this and which one we may prefer, and why? From what I am seeing each have pros and cons but neither is a clear winner over the other. Thanks!

Yes - if we leave from Seattle that is my understanding. We do not run a risk of "random" testing while sailing to/from Seattle even with a stop in Canada. On the flip side, if we were to sail out of Vancouver, we'd be subject to random testing due to arriving into Canada by Air, and would also have to fill out two (and possibly have two covid tests depending on dates of arrival to Canada vs date of departure on the ship).

I'm starting to look at Alaskan cruises for next year, and want to make sure I am understanding the Covid specific requirements correctly. I have not yet decided on a particular cruise line or specific cruise. First, I understand that pretty much all of them are requiring vaccinations which are defined as 1 J&J or at least 2 of Pfizer/Moderna. The only exception I've seen so far is Celebrity Cruises, requiring a recent dose/booster within 180 days of the trip. The rest just require the two doses with no specific time or booster requirements. The part I am a bit confused on is the testing requirements. If the cruise begins in Canada: Canada does not require testing for US citizens to fly into Vancouver, but a small percentage are selected at the airport for random testing. It looks like if this happens, you are given a kit to take home (or to your hotel/cruise) and complete via telemedicine? Can you bypass any of this by flying into Seattle and crossing into Vancouver by bus or train? However, pre-cruise testing is required on all cruises so you'd have to compete this within the 2 or 3 day period prior to departure of cruise? If the cruise begins in the US (Seattle or Alaska) but stops in Canada (which they all do): You are still required to get tested pre-cruise due to the Canada stop, also 2-3 days prior to departure of cruise Can you skip this by choosing not to get off while in Canada? I am trying to decide what is the least amount of hassle for the group that will be going on this trip. Right now, I think that beginning in Canada is the most complicated due to the random testing upon arrival, but besides that it is basically the same no matter which itinerary is selected?