john2003

What color was the $25 bus. We did that last time but I can't remember. Looking this time the cheapest I can find is $45, I think. Inflation or I am looking in the wrong place.

This is a very similar problem to the one I have with Antarctica. I have been unable to get any clarification from HAL on the impact of the new Polar Code on their sailings. There is numerous speculation so you would think they would want to clarify, but no. It is a strange approach to communication. I realise there is a lot of uncertainty these days but appearing to stick your corporate head in the sand is not a solution.

I feel you should be right but there are so many cases where things have gone sideways for people that I have to be sure. It is my recollection that at one point Canada didn't recognize a test done in Canada even if within the time envelope for reentry from the US.

Has anyone purchased the test in Canada, performed it in the US using the Canadian proctoring and then used it to board a ship in a US port.

BoopTheSnoot, we also have the day before the cruise in Anchorage. Are you planning on using a proctored test?

Mimalone3 , sounds as though this is what we should do. Have to see if they will mail to our hotel in Anchorage.

While I realise that tests may not be needed in June, I have to plan that they are.

So as we are travelling independently, are any of the online tests obtainable from a drug store in Anchorage or do they have to be mailed out?

Northern Aurora, thanks for the info. Glad, I am looking at this now as it may be difficult. Not sure quite how I would acquire the procured tests unless I can get them mailed to our hotel ahead of time.

Food for thought.

11 hours ago, Alphen said:

Just curious, are you in a Land/Cruise tour package, or the land portion on your own?

We are doing our own precruise travel.

I agree it is possible tests won't be required by June but I am not terribly optimistic.

I am getting a headache trying to figure out how we will get our Covid tests in Anchorage before our HAL June cruise that leaves from Whittier.

Part of the problem is that as Canadians, we aren't familiar with the potential options. 

First should we try to use a test that is monitored vs in-person? Can u buy these in drug stores?

If we seek an in-person test, the big risk seems to be not having the result in time. As we will be in Denali, it has to be done the day before the cruise when we are back in Anchorage.

Walgreens offers drive thru but we won't gave a rental car.

Some help will be appreciated.

The UK was ahead of Canada on the wave so patience needed.

Yes, patience is required. I plan and book travel so we are ready if it all works out. If not, I try to minimize our possible financial loss.

David, I posted the response I just got from HAL on the Oosterdam Jan 11, 23 Roll Call. No clarification.

11 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Sorry to hear that my friend.  :  (

Thx. I should add that prior to this experience using Alaska through SEA was our preferred routing for many trips and had always gone smoothly.

We used a limo company many years ago and it worked well. Amalfi-Drive. They still send me an email every Xmas so I know they are still operating. You should check current references. 

I think it is early to predict given the pace of change. Our briefing today in BC indicates that the current wave has peaked. Both testing positivity and sewage monitoring (Greater Vancouver) support this view. Hospitalization will peak sometime next week.

I would be cautiously optimistic.

That is very unfortunate. I gather some Canadians have been able to cope with the hassles but I quite understand your feelings. YVR to FLL is always a bit of a struggle. We used to find it not too bad from Victoria through Seattle on Alaska as it was at least a straight line. That changed when we had a horrible experience in SEA.

On 1/8/2022 at 9:37 AM, Coral said:

Out of curiosity - why is traffic worse?

 

You live in a very beautiful area!

 

 

Thanks, yes it is a nice place to live. Traffic is mainly population growth, I assume. I also think some drivers are more impatient,  perhaps creating more traffic incidents. I don't know if the stats bear this out. The greater area has experienced tremendous construction. Too many people heard about us!!

Thanks for the clarification. Having read the Polar Code I remain confused. I may try to talk to the Mariner Society next week as it is crazy there is so much confusion and speculation.

Nocl, are you sure it is true they only go to the South Shetlands? I posted under the Antarctic thread to see if I could get any certainty. Your post is a commonly held view but does not match the destination description on the HAL website. I don't understand why HAL doesn't clear up this confusion.

Another consideration from someone who lives here. Traffic is so much worse than even recent years. Consequently, travel times are less predictable. 

3 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

At least being 4 Star you can purchase a wine package at 50% off.  Thus, your per bottle cost will only be about $20, depending on which package and how many bottles.  At this price it really does not pay to haul wine onboard IMO (unless you like the higher priced wines).

This is correct and I really appreciate the benefit. 

Elimination if the 2 free bottle allowance seems petty to me. Certainly further lowers my opinion of the current HAL. Unfortunate as I am 4 star.

The timing is also interesting given that at the moment I assume many passengers have the beverage package. I realise no cabin service but we will probably grab a couple of glasses of wine from a bar and walk them back to our cabin. 

I seriously considered changing our Jan 2023 Oosterdam booking to the Infinity as it is so much less expensive. In the end, decided to stay the course as our flights from Victoria, BC are so long. Seemed we might as well have 3 weeks between flights rather than 2! It was very tempting. Last time we did Antarctica was after Sept 11 when few US residents were prepared to travel. 

I just posted some thoughts re the Polar Code on the Antarctica thread as this isn't a cruise line specific topic. Will be interesting to see what response I get.