worldtraveller99

Thank you Italy52, it sounds idyllic. Let's hope ours, plus QueenWiggler's, is wonderful too. I am also watching lots of videos!

Thank you strickerj. Yes it does seem to be much worse now than earlier in the year, when we had a great trip to Dubai in March with no Government apps needed either way, or any tests (and yes masks indoors there, but people were slowly taking them down!). We had runny nose Covid in late April, so I sincerely trust we stay immune for the next month at least!x Will tell you if this doesn't work!

Thank you surreymum, that all sounds good (apart from your husband's Covid). How long did they make you quarantine for before you flew home?

Thank you all so much. I've been sitting and thinking about the things I am looking forward to - whales, sea otters, First Nations museums, cocktails! to stop me thinking about the things I am not - the fact that our BA plane into Vancouver from London has been consistently from 1.5 hours to up to 5 hours late taking off every day for the past 3 weeks! But I have emailed to the nice people at Shoppers Mart Pharmacy in Vancouver and we are booked in for our pre-cruise Covid test (which I have never done before, not having a need to do so) so I guess I am ready now!

Wow! That sounds brilliant! Counting down now!

Thank you for all your information quack2, hope your Covid completely clears up soon. It is sad that everywhere seems to have closed shops, restaurants, etc. But we put this off for 2 years, and it is far too late to think of putting it off again. And I think we are prepared for not great weather (and will be a relief as London is going to to be very hot for much of next week).

PS Sorry to get political. I do really appreciate those of you who are encouraging, despite the hassles. Will feel better when we (and the suitcases!x) arrive I know.

Thank you all - especially the fantastic photos! I know it will be worth it when we get there. Re the ArriveCan app it wasn't me saying that, like all immigration apps, there is a side of all Governments which aims to shed employing people, and discriminates against those with poor eyesight who cannot see a whole page of text on a 2" mobile screen: The ArriveCAN app may be here to stay. But could that kill business in Windsor? | CBC News

That's great PhotoGal07! Thank you for the report Shuyak - the photos of mountains and glaciers are breathtaking. We will have nothing to compare our cruise to, having not ocean cruised before (we have taken river cruises which we love). So we probably will love the food and drink - we are not too fussy there! But I still hate all this compulsory online ArriveCan etc, which I understand the Canadian Govt wishes to keep long term, so they don't have to employ real people in immigration, huh.

Thank you all so much, you make me feel much better - and at least have a laugh about it, especially PhotoGal07's return flight and bags going walkabout! So I shall write a trip report about it all, and hopefully we will be overwhelmed with the beauty and wonder, and not mind the awful journey there and back!

I think so Terry. Though our TA sent to us a small flyer for Explora. They had an Aegean cruise, which is one of the places I am interested in, but they go to some weird and unknown islands, rather than Delos, Rhodes etc which I would like to see. I am not interested in beaches, swimming, sports etc, and I feel that may have been the Explora emphasis?

Hope you are feeling much better now quack2. Otherwise, was it nice?

Thank you both! I was beginning to think I was losing the point of going, and only thinking of the hassles. This will be our 1st ever ocean cruise and also our 1st time in Alaska. I love the flower photo Senga, thank you again.

PS Don't even mention the worry re the airports (and baggage coming with us?) - our flight to Vancouver has been consistently 2 - 3 hours delayed over the past 10 days on the BA website!

We go to Vancouver and then our Alaska cruise very soon. I am so stressed out with trying to reconfirm all our independent suppliers (we booked this originally in 2018 for a 2020 (cancelled) trip). Plus I have had to book the pre-cruise test, and don't mention finding somewhere in Vancouver to do an unnecessary online-only 2nd ArriveCan as we LeaveCan just before we get on the ship. Please may I ask - have you recently completed your 2022 Alaska cruise? Was it worth all this - did you actually get to relax, and was it wonderful?

Have a wonderful holiday bluestocking7! We will be off in Alaska, but look forward to reading all about it on my return.

Thank you GrandmaOhio, I shall use that. Sob.

I know! I'm just saying we won't be arriving in Canada but leaving it. And the address is really "the sea"! But if someone cares then I know we must do it - will go to the business centre at the hotel in Vancouver. Have just been told by the Hotel Captain Cook that once we reach Anchorage there are no restrictions or unnecessary online forms (or masks presumably).

Thank you. That is a blow.

Hi bluestocking7 We are (hopefully) doing the Tauck Christmas Market cruise on the Rhine this November. Are you on the Inspire? I also would love to hear all about it, thank you.

Hi frantic36 - is that your 3rd jab or your 4th? We have all had our 3rd last autumn, it is only the 75+ people who have been given a 4th jab this spring. The rest of us are probably waiting till this autumn for it.

Thank you very much BobbySu, that is really helpful!

I get a flu jab every year (now free), and I suppose they will include some COVID in that? Am waiting for the autumn.

This is our 3rd attempt to reach Alaska too, but assuming the BA strike is apres mois (le deluge) we will be there!x Re your interesting point re Shenghen, I think if few people are seriously ill they will remove all restrictions as we have done - else every tourist will come to the UK and none to the EU!

No ours still says "Coach" by "Silversea transfer". We go soon! I don't mind a coach if they will stop on the way - eg for photos?