oakridger

An FYI regarding the U.S. government issued Covid tests: My iHealth brand tests listed an expiration date of July 2022 also, but I received and email from them stating that, based on data, the FDA has extended the expiration by 3 months to October 2022. If further data justifies, they will extend the expiration again. See their notice below: iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit Expiration Date Extension – iHealth Labs Inc ~Nancy

I loved my excursion in Tracy Arm Fjord! I had one of those drinks too....it was good! I'm curious how you managed to get the "Glacier-Rita" (blue drink) on the small boat since you said you didn't bring any money on board the tour? Did they take pity on you and give you one for free? 😉 Great pictures of Alaska Greg! ~Nancy

Thanks Pete and Judy!

I sure am enjoying your report! I'll be down that way in October bringing the Nieuw Amsterdam from Vancouver/Alaska back to Ft. Lauderdale for the winter Caribbean season. Your picture and music clips are really getting me in the cruise mood!! Thanks, ~Nancy

Certified Teleservice COVID Testing - OnPoint Testing (onpoint-testing.com) Check this website @RuthC. Thanks @CruiserBruce and @seaoma. I'll keep this info for myself because I have received some of the US Government supplied tests. iHealth brand. ~Nancy

Hello @Machta. Actually, I think your idea to book the interior cabin is a good one! The extra bathroom will be good to have as well as the privacy! She can hang out with you during the day if your cabin is larger and has a balcony. Let us know what you decide and have a wonderful cruise. ~Nancy

My driver drove into the lower area of the port terminal and stopped where the porter came up and took the bags to be put on the ship. I tipped him and walked into the check in area for the cruise. The car drove down into the building for drop off. Very easy!

Have there been any "live from" reviews yet? I'd love to hear what people think about it.

If cabanas had bathrooms, then I might consider renting one (only at a vastly lower price), No bathroom......I'm not interested!!!!

Also, BC (before Covid) it was the case, in my opinion, that the Elite package did have more and better by the glass wine choices, so I upgraded to Elite from the SBP. Since the restart I feel that there have actually been a few wines by the glass added to the SBP that I can enjoy and the EBP has less. No reason to upgrade for me now. That said, I really think HALs wine selection in general should be improved! ~Nancy

Thank you! I very much doubt that I will cruise on any ship over about 2500 passengers (the exception being Rotterdam because I found an interesting Caribbean itinerary that was only available on her). I'm glad you had a nice cruise and reported back to us. ~Nancy

Frequently Asked Questions (hollandamerica.com) From the HAL website 2 minutes ago on May 23, 2022. My bolding. "PROOF OF NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST Guests who are up to date with their vaccines or fully vaccinated may take their COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours prior to sailing or a medically observed antigen test within 2 days before sailing." Have a great cruise on Zuiderdam! ~Nancy

Thank you @rkacruiser. I'm googling it now! ~Nancy

@rkacruiserWhich restaurant is your favorite for the fish and chips? I just may do that myself next time. I haven't had it in many years! Thanks, ~Nancy

The HAL Navigator App for the cruises prior to yours?

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing you meant twice weekly. ~Nancy

Thanks to Mr. Roger Jett's web site he has posted the embarkation day "When and Where" from the Zuiderdam Alaska 7 day cruise in April 2022. There is a "Singles and Solo's Travelers Meetup" in the Ocean Bar at 8pm. Z2022-WW-Embarkation-Day-01.pdf (rogerjett-photography.com) That said, I have never attended one and have not heard how well attended they are. There is a wealth of info on his site! Thank you again Roger, aka @Crew News

Oh dear! I hope you are not feeling too bad. I really appreciate your letting us know what's going on as I will be on NA, but not until September. I would think that by now the ship would have had these procedures de-bugged. Poor crew! I take solace that everyone is vaccinated so the actual medical outcomes for both crew and passengers shouldn't' be too bad, but all the uncertainty is so stressful. As you say, "at least" the cruise has been nice so far. Thanks and take care, ~Nancy

I'm also considering this itinerary.......oh heck, I've been eyeballing it for about 15 years!! The fabulous pictures from @scubacruiserx2 have definitely piqued my interest!!! Leaning towards one between Buenos Aires and Santiago. For me, I think it depends a lot on if I want to spend extra time before or after in Buenos Aires/Argentina area or Santiago/Valparaiso, Chile area. I would consider an Easter Island (Rapa Nui) added on land trip after because the one time I was there by ship we didn't make it onto land due to hazardous tendering conditions.....so close, yet so far! I also really prefer east to west itineraries of any sort due to the time changes adding hours not removing hours! Food for thought, ~Nancy

@oceanbill457. Yes, interesting to get it free for a non-Canadian! Is the site in actual Canada Place pier building or Pan Pacific Hotel? Or is it next door at the Convention Center that others have mentioned?

Thanks! ~Nancy

My USA iHealth brand government issue covid test have an expiration date of July 2022 printed on them but about a week or so ago I got and email from them that the expiration dates have been extended by 3 months with studies going on to possibly extend another 3 months after that. Good to know because I thankfully haven't had the need to use them yet. iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit Expiration Date Extension – iHealth Labs Inc ~Nancy

I guess it's another case of HAL being consistently inconsistent! My last cruises in 2019 had SBP in the upper right corner as well.

I will clarify what was stated by our resident Vancouver expert (thank you @martincath!!). I called the Pan Pacific about two weeks ago and they told me that all rooms, even without a package, can receive the luggage transfer from their room to the cruise ship with no charge on a "gratuity basis". No need to sweet talk the porters!! 😁 So, just let them know at check in that you will need the service and they can give you instructions on what to do with your luggage. I'll be there for the third time, first post Covid, this coming September. Have a great trip, ~Nancy