boze9999
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Posts posted by boze9999
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24 minutes ago, kb4683 said:
Also love that place! Bet you stayed next door at Hotel Traghetto 😉.
You've got that right @kb4683 Hotel Traghetto isn't fancy, but the location and the incredible service can't be beat! They even stored (for no charge) our luggage while we toured for a week in between B2B cruises and gave us a bottle of wine to celebrate our anniversary!
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From the inaugural sailing of the Koningsdam when we brought her to America! Hoping to do the same with the Rotterdam in six weeks! Meanwhile - can't wait to re-visit Civitavecchia and enjoy one of our fave pizza bistros upstairs at Mastro Titta! Decadently Delicious!
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1 hour ago, albingirl said:
Just back from a wonderful sailing on the Norwegian Gem. We usually sail with HAL, but there were no Caribbean sailings in August. We had a wonderful time. The ship was half full, the service was top notch, and the entertainment was perfect. Testing at the pier was so easy, and the cruise line was set up to handle the numbers of people well. Extremely efficient job and comforting to know we were on a 100 per cent vaccinated ship. I hope HAL does the same.
Can you describe their actual testing procedure? Nasal or deep nasal? How long did it take for results?
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7 hours ago, TJR_0323 said:
HAL uses the phrase "medically observed" in reference to the required pre-cruise testing. I'm not sure at home tests meet this requirement. Having said that, the personnel at the check-in counter at the pier are contract employees and may not pay too much attention to the details of where the test was performed. Just a caution it could be an issue.
This IS a medically supervised test. You call in to their designated number. An approved observer monitors your testing procedure. We have done this for previous trips. It IS acceptable and the good news is, it's NOT a deep nasal test!! YAY!
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18 minutes ago, RGEDad said:
You do NOT need a iPad or desktop computer. Just a smartphone with a STABLE internet connection (you will be on the connection for like 20 minutes) and a microphone & Camera.
Some people use a desktop computer because it is easier to see the screen & easier adjust the camera (You have to set the camera so it captures both you and the table in front of you where the test card is).
You must maintain the connection during the wait time, The proctor may go off-screen (I assume to service other tests, they they , or someone, will come back to verify the results and send you your test results.
A number of people have taken the tests to foreign lands to do their pre-flight tests just using their cell phones.
They have test Proctors available 24/7. Current wait times reported to be ~20 minutes or so.
We purchased a pack of 6 several weeks ago...just in case.
The current products (all manufactured feb 2021) tests all expire February 2022, So will need to re-purchase for cruises/flights in 2022. A small price to pay for the assurance of having a test capability in your baggage no mater where/went you need it.
ONLY the items purchased at the web sites are valid (Units purchased in drug stores are not monitored and are not valid for travel)
eMed offers 6 Pack -
https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack
Optum sells in packs of 2 or 3
https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit/
Elume also offers a different proctored test - but beware - it's test (apparently) has a deep nostril test : aka Brain tickle) test.
https://www.azova.com/testing/ellume/
Just buy a pack, do the testing, and be done with the stress.
Excellent tip about the expiration date! We're making up for lost time and cruises and have a number of upcoming cruises booked - For fear of limited supply I was going to order another six pack, but will wait a bit. Do you know @RGEDadwhen they predict the new batch will be available?
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6 hours ago, 12cruise2 said:
Here's a link to the FDA fact sheet for the monitored binax home self ag test.
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks @12cruise2! I ordered the six pack!
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Hot off the HAL Email at 10:30PM MDT:
Please view our guest letter with an important update here: *****/3gVRJLG
Pursuant to new directives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have updated our pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements. Effective with U.S. cruises departing from Saturday, September 18 through
October 31, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within TWO days of their embarkation on all Holland America Line sailings. Guests must provide
this proof along with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in order to board.We strongly encourage you to be tested prior to traveling to your cruise in
order to speed your embarkation. We have partnered with Quest Diagnostics for testing near you: *****/QST_TST. There will be limited testing available at
the pier for a fee (to be determined) for a small number of guests if you do
not receive your test results in time for embarkation.-
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5 minutes ago, Loreto said:
I have my 6 tests as it may be our only option to get tested quickly. Our health plan said PCR results in 24 hours, but I can't depend on that. 2 days cuts it short as we leave for San Diego the day before the cruise for our favorite itinerary, The Sea of Cortez. Nearest CVS is 30 miles away. I understand the need to be safe, but I resent the extra cost!
I plan to take 2 of the tests just in case when we fly to Europe for our river cruise this month. All we need is the CDC card and the cruise line is doing the required testing to return to the US.
THIS Binax test appears to be the one you need to take for international travel: BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test meets the self-test conditions of the Order for proof of negative COVID-19 test by the CDC and is accepted by our partners United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for entry into the U.S.
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19 minutes ago, boze9999 said:
this is what their website says:
Can I use this COVID test to meet travel requirements for testing?
No, this is for personal use only and doesn’t provide a documented test result that you can display when traveling. For a documented test result the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test may be a better Combined with the NAVICA App and with a negative result, you will have a digital result that may meet travel requirements. This test is offered by eMed, please visit www.emed.com for further information.
Still researching this - I went to the www.emed.com site and it provides a good tutorial/video on the test and says this about travel:
BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test meets the self-test conditions of the Order for proof of negative COVID-19 test by the CDC and is accepted by our partners United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for entry into the U.S.
However - nowhere on the site does it say what "kind" of test it is. I called their info # and was "told" it is an antigen rapid test with video supervision. It appears to be an anterior (main part of the nose vs deep to the throat) nasal swab which is really nice (especially for those of us with nasal surgical concerns). I emailed the company (ABBOTT) to verify it is an acceptable international and cruise test. If so, I'm all in for the type of test, the ease of doing it in a short 48 hour time frame, and for all the different International/cruise requirements!
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19 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:
But you have to mail the test package to a lab for results, correct? That doesn't increase speed.
this is what their website says:
Can I use this COVID test to meet travel requirements for testing?
No, this is for personal use only and doesn’t provide a documented test result that you can display when traveling. For a documented test result the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test may be a better Combined with the NAVICA App and with a negative result, you will have a digital result that may meet travel requirements. This test is offered by eMed, please visit www.emed.com for further information.
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Is the ship testing a saliva, deep nasal swab or an anterior (not to the depth of the nasal cavity)?
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SO excited to see the Rotterdam moving to the Netherlands - prep time for her long awaited Inaugural October 20th sailing!
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4 hours ago, Nymich said:
I could not find on HAL website where home tests are ok? I am sure someone has the right info to steer me!
Home tests are ok as long as they are medically supervised by authorized agents of the testing lab. We've done them for Hawaii (the most strict) and have our's ordered for our HAL cruises through Costco/Azova.
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4 minutes ago, aliaschief said:
....because you're already ON the ship. They want to show the governments entities that when you boarded, you were covid free (at that moment in time)!
4 minutes ago, aliaschief said:e
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9 hours ago, zgscl said:
Yes. Anything from Mildly dressed (think a wrinkled short sleeve button up tucked into wrinkled pants) all the way to to suit and tie. Might have seen a couple tuxes too. There is a very wide range!
we love to dress up and will do so, so you won't be alone if you do!
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9 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:
Keep an eye out on the Navigator app. When it is close to your sailing you will be able to see each nights offerings. A few weeks before ours I started taking screenshots of each evening so I could go back and reference each evening meal and plan our specialty dining.
Smart idea and tip!
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3 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:
It will be on Tuesday in the MDR and look like this:
Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful array of specialties!
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4 hours ago, Mickb said:
I think is the beginning of the end for Volendam and Zaandam. Maybe Fred Olen will take them too.
IMO, I'm guessing it's been a handshake for a year....
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1 hour ago, roxybear135 said:
Last night we stopped in Hoonah and were at port for 3 1/2 hours. There was basically nothing there and felt that it would be hard to spend that much time in port there unless you do an excursion. There’s a gondola that takes you on a short ride up and down a hill, a few stores, and one restaurant. So don’t feel like you have to get off the ship here if you want to just have a relaxing night because there’s nothing you need to see here.
We then got back on the ship for dinner which I was excited about because it was the culinary council dinner (I’m a huge Top Chef fan and Kristen Kish from Top Chef is on the council). Dinner was fantastic and we both thoroughly enjoyed everything we got. I highly recommend the chocolate puff pastry dessert on this night.
Service at lunch had been horrible and extremely slow so we were given complimentary glasses of champagne at dinner to make up for it which was nice.
We then went to watch BB Kings which was good but again crowded.
Today we’re in Sitka and did the otters and wildlife quest excursion which was fun. We saw bald eagles, humpback whales, seals, and otters. We then explored Sitka for a bit before coming back to the ship for lunch. We ordered room service for the first time and it was excellent.
Please tell me about Culinary Council Dinner. We have all our nights booked in specialty restaurants on our Sept 25th Alaska cruise and no mention of a Culinary Council Dinner - although on one night we do have "Rudi's Sel de Mer" Pop-Up in the Pinnacle for one night booked....
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August 25, 2021 12:53 PM EDT Holland America Line Announces May 2022 Return-to-Service Dates for Volendam and Zaandam Zuiderdam will sail the Grand World Voyage in 2023 SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers looking to get back to sea on their favorite Holland America Line ship can anticipate a restart date of May 2022 for Volendam and Zaandam. The ships will join Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, which have returned to service or are slated to restart cruising by November 2021.
Holland America Line will restart the two ships in May when Volendam will explore Northern Europe and Zaandam will return to the Canada/New England region. With these new start dates, the Grand World Voyage and Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will not operate in 2022 and will resume in 2023.
"We have been diligently planning and preparing to move our ships back into service, and after an extremely successful restart in Alaska and Europe we are thrilled to have return-to-service dates for Volendam and Zaandam," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "The team members on our ships in service have shared what a positive experience it has been welcoming guests back on board. We look forward to next spring when even more eager travelers can get back to cruising with us."
Volendam and Zaandam Return May 2022
When Volendam returns on May 1, the ship will offer longer explorations ranging from 14 to 35 days to the Baltic, Norway up to North Cape and Spitsbergen, British Isles and Iceland, all roundtrip from Rotterdam, Netherlands. The ship also sails along the Iberian Peninsula to the Mediterranean and down to Egypt and Israel.Zaandam restarts on May 12 in the beloved Canada/New England region, with a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boston, Massachusetts, followed by itineraries between Boston and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The ship will offer the popular 35-day Voyage of the Vikings itinerary in July that sails roundtrip from Boston to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland.
Grand Voyages Resume in 2023
When the Grand World Voyage departs Jan. 3, 2023, Zuiderdam will debut on the 128-day around-the-world sojourn, offering world cruise guests the opportunity to book a verandah stateroom for the first time. Zuiderdam also features Music Walk's Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard, along with specialty restaurants Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto. Volendam will return for the 74-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in 2023 that departs Jan. 3, 2023.Guests who were booked on the 2022 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will be automatically moved to the 2023 departure aboard Volendam. Guests who were booked on the 2022 Grand World Voyage aboard Zaandam will be automatically moved to the 2023 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam.
"Our 2022 Grand World Voyage booked in record time, and with the pent-up demand to get back to world cruising we moved the cruise to Zuiderdam," Antorcha added. "For the first time on a Grand World Voyage our guests will be able to book a verandah stateroom category, which makes for spectacular scenic cruising, breakfast with a view or relaxing outside without leaving your stateroom."
2023 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Zuiderdam
- 128 days. Departing Jan. 3, 2023, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
- Crossing the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia before sailing up the west coast of Africaand charting a path through Northern Europe.
- 61 total ports in 30 countries and island nations, including eight overnight calls.
- 15 calls around the African continent with opportunities for safari experiences.
2023 Grand South America and Antarctica Highlights — Volendam
- 74 days. Departing Jan. 3, 2023, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary that circles the continent on a counterclockwise route.
- 34 total ports in 16 countries and island nations, including five overnight calls.
- Daylight transit of the Panama Canal and overland opportunities to visit Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls.
- Four days of spectacular scenic cruising in the icescapes of Antarctica.
- 11 calls in Brazil and a journey along the Amazon River to Manaus.
Koningsdam to Assume Popular Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas Cruise in 2023
With Zuiderdam embarking on the Grand World Voyage, Koningsdam will take on that ship's longer, exotic itineraries in 2023. Koningsdam's 25-day Mexican Riviera and Circle Hawaii Collectors' Voyage will move from a Jan. 31, 2023, departure to Jan. 7, 2023, for 24 days. In February, the larger Pinnacle Class ship offers the exotic 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas itinerary roundtrip from San Diego, and all guests booked for that departure aboard Zuiderdam will be moved to Koningsdam.Zuiderdam's Panama Canal cruises in January and April 2023, as well as a 10-day Mexico and Sea of Cortez voyage, will be assumed by Zaandam.
Full Refund Option Also Available
Guests who prefer a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences Form to indicate their preference by Sept. 24, 2021.The above options are not applicable to guests booked on a charter sailing. Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if the cruise was not booked through Holland America Line. See the terms and conditions in the Cancellation Preferences Form for all details.
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1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:
As it should be.
I love this updated report! A small item but obviously someone was paying attention!!
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25 minutes ago, GrandmaOhio said:
Will the Cabin stewart provide distilled water for CPAPs upon request or should we bring our own?
My sister pre-orders it on HAL
and it's a few dollars a gallon.
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I just looked on the Port of Amsterdam site and the Rotterdam is still showing......perhaps there are different public viewing sites....
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6 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:
So does that mean the account is chained to only 1 device? ( and no other device can access it under the account?
If so, do you know whether that will also apply to Eurodam?
(Asking for a friend, who needs internet to contact students in a class she is teaching that starts at the end of her cruise.)😉
Happy Anniversary!
You are able to use multiple devices on one plan, however you have to log off the internet on your first device in order to log on to the internet on a different device.
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Schiphol Airport requiring QUARANTINE?
in Holland America Line
Posted
When I look at KLM flights to/from US/NL, I still find plenty to book. Of course, they could get cancelled, but if I was booking right now, I could easily do so.