Gpilon

Rachel…..there are a number of issues with the ArriveCan app and in fact my wife went over to friends of ours here in Savannah this morning to help them with it as they fly to Toronto Monday morning to embark on a River cruise from there. As we found out, things still seem to be a bit “wonky” in Canada at this time. We hold dual citizenship and surprises still greeted us on our trip up to Montreal last week. Good that you fly in a couple days early…..where will you be staying?

The airport was the closest test site for us. As mentioned, we are originally from Montreal so are intimately familiar with the city. Unfortunately for us, we were through customs in a breeze….which very seldom happens. Agree…..one should wait 15 minutes or so to ensure you haven’t been “selected”. Alas, it was a more than 2 hour round trip for a 2 minute test. Cut into our social time visiting Montreal.

We flew up to Montreal this past Tuesday for a 5 day visit (our original hometown) and it was a breeze getting through customs, etc. We arrived to our downtown hotel and then......boom! I received an email advising I was selected for a random PCR test and had to go back to the airport the next day to have it done (had to be completed by that evening). It would have been nice and saved lots of time and aggravation (so much traffic and construction to and from downtown and airport) had I been advised WHILE I WAS AT the airport. We had pre-advised we were fully vaccinated and double boosted but the Canadian Government still does these random tests, which take only a couple minutes to do then results back within 24 hours. A cautionary tale, perhaps, for those traveling to and through Canada.

On our Splendor cruise in March, the included hotel was AKA Brickell. Nice clean rooms and good bar for a drink and bite that night. Breakfast was rather…..for lack of better words….bland and boring. An easy drive to the port the next morning. The hotel offers a glass of “champagne” when checking in. I would avoid it should we ever stay there again. There was lots of construction happening around the hotel in March so our taxi had a difficult time getting us to the off load area.

I am referring to those offered by RSSC with an additional cost. We think they are very good.

If looking for any suggestions in Montreal, let me know. Our hometown…..

As others have commented, we arranged this through Reception.

We have found that the “Small Excursions” were worth the price and so much more personal.

On our Splendor cruise in March, we said “thank you” to our butler and room attendant then also presented an envelope to the Crew Fund. They all deserved it after looking after us so well.

Exactly what it was on our March Splendor cruise…..country club casual. Which we thoroughly enjoy. Out last Silver Seas cruise was far more formal. And for us….too formal.

Bill…once again, agree with you.

I am pretty sure they were free. We were in a Grand Suite and were amazed at how much "free" stuff they gave us there.

Agree with you Bill. Would much prefer “included” as opposed to “free”. Although, one night prior to our March Splendor cruise, I had a “few” Martinis and said to the Bride…..”Wow….look at everything they are giving us for free”.

On our March Splendor cruise, there was no Sake. Put a damper on dinners in Pacific Rim as I enjoy Sake very much.