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Been There, Planning That

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Everything posted by Been There, Planning That

  1. We just returned from our 14 day cruise and no smoke noticed.
  2. I'd cleared cookies and visited CC without logging in. Interesting that the Canada thread did not appear, but when I logged in we were back on the 'world map'. British and Australian threads remained in place! Even after the worst of COVID it's nice to see this thread still active. Ruth
  3. We're on the May 14 day and I too HAD been confused too. By the time I called the excursion operator at HAL it was too late and all were booked. The best she could do was add us to a waiting list. Hope our experience helps.
  4. In the two decades we've had MEDOC we had one major claim just under $35 000. The Italian hospital did not have an MRI to conclusively show spinal damage. In the end we flew home without the signature of a doctor. We'd been independently touring Italy for two weeks prior to a major cruise from Rome. Bob chatted with an expat while I was in the ER and he warned him not to allow any operations as there'd been newspaper stories of scandals. And this was in Milan, a quick ambulance ride from the Cathedral. The rules are clear, but we were so desperate we knew we could be in trouble with the claim. The MRI from our hospital and signatures of the orthopedic surgeon were adequate. Most costs were quickly recovered and in the end each of our return airfares were recovered. Initially they argued that if I'd needed my husband as an attendant they'd have sent one - hardly a cost saver. Only age increases annual costs as we now limit our trips to under 40 days.
  5. Somehow I missed that Company, and a direct reply suggests they can do that so thank you for the lead. It looks promising, and we have time on our side and even with 'health issues' we're optimistic. Ruth
  6. I've had no success finding a company that ships directly to a cruise line within Canada. For the first time we're really trying to simplify travel and ship luggage from our home to the HAL ship. The best I can find is direct to our hotel. Has anyone used a service getting luggage directly to the ship within Canada? Have I simply failed in my googling to find such a company? We haven't mastered 'carry on only' for a two week cruise. Thank you for any assistance. Ruth
  7. Based on three granddaughters in university, the two in engineering had last exams on the 23rd and the one in science earlier (Queens and Carleton). It's my impression that they didn't have firm dates until a month or two earlier. And those in Arts often have major assignments in lieu of exams so that would allow for more flexibility. Missing a class or two in the new year would not be as challenging as an exam before Christmas.
  8. No, not in the years since we've had a TD Visa for US card and USD account. Like you, we watch the dollar exchange rate and transfer from CDN to USD account as needed. I do all this online and then should we ever resume cruising we withdraw cash for tipping from the USD account at the local bank.
  9. Our AC May direct flight to Vancouver was recently changed to stop over at Pearson. We're foolishly hoping it might revert to direct. Ruth
  10. We bought a couple of sets of regular Air Canada packing cubes at Walmart. We've been using them for dozens of trips. https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/air-canada-packing-cubes-set-of-3-assorted/6000197763302?skuId=6000197763303&offerId=6000197763303&region_id=202200&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=always_on&cmpid=SEM_CA_280_RBC49D1IS5_71700000092875347_58700007764569172&utm_id=SEM_CA_280_RBC49D1IS5_71700000092875347_58700007764569172&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwx7GYBhB7EiwA0d8oex4bOQs2b2l4jmDvzZTG3CQNNJNiWutEywPXxm6z4Bg2nVH9iuHeJhoCAdUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I've never tried compression bags though. Ruth
  11. We used to bring along high end ponchos we purchased in some camping store in the US. Later switched to a 'dollar' store bargain over a Gortex jacket when such jackets needed for measure of warmth. As I've aged with diminished vanity, I've learned I 'drip dry' in the tropics. I do remove my watch and protect camera/phone in my purse. I spray our runners thoroughly with water proofing before a trip and 'hope for the best' but when the best doesn't occur the hair dryer helps. We've not had great luck with small travel umbrellas but if you're in a suite on most lines, a large one is provided. If you're new to cruising it's trial and error to find out what works best. Ruth
  12. I tend to be a headline and lead paragraph or two reader, unlike you Sprocket, who obviously reads more carefully and completely. Ruth
  13. https://nationalpost.com/news/ottawa-discreetly-changed-rules-for-arrivecan-to-let-travellers-have-one-time-exemption
  14. 1. Probably better in Canadian but I suspect airport workers would gratefully accept USD as they probably frequently exchange a variety of currencies. It has been my experience that Cdn. airline employees are not allowed to accept tips in Canadian airports - all this is pre COVID. 2. Sure use USD. 3. Workers in travel related industry probably easily exchange USD at banks for great exchange rate. 4. NO
  15. We'd done all the research for each port, and then cancelled just before final payment. I'll sure be reading your daily posts of all we'll be missing. Ruth
  16. Under similar circumstances we cancelled a planned 28 day cruise starting next week. Exactly a month after second booster my older husband got COVID, was desperately sick and required Paxlovid. I was quite sick too but never actually tested positive. We cancelled within the full refund stage. We have a 14 day booking for early May held on a 'wait and see'.
  17. Today’s the birthday of a country filled with hypothermia-inducing lakes, biting horseflies the size of toaster ovens, and people who say “sorry” when they bump into inanimate objects. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Happy Canada Day! We love exploring other parts of the world, but we consider Canada a great home.
  18. Thank you, LAFFNVAGAS. When I go to payment it's really botched up as it correctly says 2 nights but the reservation is for the day the ship sails. At least it remains in CAD. Our TA is away but I'll contact her upon her return as I understand HAL won't deal with anyone using a TA. Since we've had to cancel so many of her bookings of late I now try to do all the work.
  19. In the preCOVID past when we booked both HAL flights and hotels, payment was made when final cruise payment was due. I've successfully booked HAL return flights for a spring 2023 cruise but when I book the two hotel nights with HAL, hotel payment is demanded. Nowhere do I see confirmation that these hotel nights are refundable should the cruise have to be cancelled. Is this the new norm? Thanks HAL experts, Ruth
  20. In the pre COVID past when booking flights and hotel with HAL, payment for both was due along with final payment for cruise. For a cruise next spring, I've successfully booked flights, but when I reserve two nights in a HAL hotel option, payment is demanded to complete reservations. If it's there, I've missed an indication that the room is refundable. Is this the new norm? Ruth
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