blizzard44ca

If you’re interested in wine, but not interested in travelling, there are many wineries with tasting rooms within walking distance from the pier. Check out http://urbanwinetrailsb.com

Yes, 72 hours prior to “boarding” for your NAAT.

It is 72 hours from “boarding time”. Feel free to use that liberally, and no one will check to make sure exactly what time you boarded. Enjoy your cruise!

I think what some are missing about the program, is that it is not an auction. They ask you to “bid”, but there appear to be many other factors at play. They say you might be upgraded immediately, or you may have to wait. Factors such as prior spending, prior cruise history, original price paid, etc. could all play a huge factor in whether your bid is accepted or not. It is more similar to putting conditions on purchasing a house. The highest “bidder” may not get the house if the conditions are unsuitable. We just can’t see what the “conditions” are on our bid for a better cabin. I’ll try it, but won’t bid much on it (maybe $100 total for a one category upgrade, $200 for two) The reason I select the category I do, is because the price intersects with what I want from the cruise.

Yes - minor on Sapphire Princess. When you pushed the handle, nothing would happen for 10 minutes, then it would flush. Steward checked it, then had maintenance come. When it was fixed, one of them said it was a sanitary product that had been flushed (implying it was me or my daughter - it wasn’t). Anyway, only once, and quite minor on our side. (I do feel badly for those that have had major problems!)

What country is his passport issued by? That is critical information. If it is US or Canadian - no problem. Other countries may require greater than 6 months remaining by US or Mexico. Check the government websites (US & Mexico) for accurate info and don’t depend on people here to give you accurate information.

As a tip (at least in the past), check a dining room that is not serving breakfast/lunch, as the dinner menu goes up first thing in the morning.

It has always been 2 days for Canada (no change)

We went on the Sapphire in 2019. They do dress it up a bit and turn down the lights. Access is restricted, so people aren’t wandering through from the back deck. It is not AS nice as a dedicated space, but we thought the food and service were very good, and worth paying the upcharge.

Not even sure how you’d fill it out. Doesn’t it require you to state where you are returning? (I know the question comes up regularly for what the port in Victoria is called) Regardless, Princess has it as a listed requirement for our cruise from YVR to LA. Likely a generic listing for AK cruises, but we’ll see what the say when we check in.

Canadian Government says No, (but Princess seems to misread things) Cruises that are staying in Canadian waters or not returning to Canada All travellers are required to take a pre-embarkation COVID-19 test before embarking on a cruise in Canada, even if the cruise ship is not leaving Canadian waters Travellers who are staying within Canada throughout their entire journey or who are leaving Canada and not returning don’t have to complete ArriveCAN.

Second file works. Thanks!

If you have children under 3, they can visit the kids club if a parent stays with them.

As someone who likes to walk or jog every day while cruising, I liked the walk/jog track on the top side. (Better IMO than dodging people on the promenade deck)

Escape room?

Alberta recently opened up to all over 18, but previously had exemptions available for travel, etc. I had been considering waiting, but read an article that said that omicron boosters likely wouldn’t be available until November at the earliest, so if it’s been a long time since first booster (for me 11 months), you should go ahead and get a second booster now. (Just got back from getting booster shot this morning. Cruising in September)

I have done a transpacific cruise (28 days) in a quad inside. It was a multi-generation trip with my mother, daughter (10), and neice (17). The key to space issues is to not plan on spending much time in the room. We picked a location that was very close to common areas. I would get up in the morning and get coffee for myself and my mother, and we would sit out on the back deck and watch the wake, while we enjoyed our coffee. I would then go to the gym, do a quick workout and then shower there (much larger than cabin shower). We kept the room as more of a quiet area (shower, dress, nap, read, sleep). If you can afford more space, great, but don’t put off the cruise if you can’t. There are many ways you can make it work for your party. Just go into it with expectations of doing things outside the room as the default.

If it’s just for travel money (tips, souvenirs) I usually get foreign currency at local CAA. They can order in any non-standard currencies, but always have USD, Pesos, and Euros. Our branch has a bank machine with those currencies. I would rather have money for travel up front, rather than searching for the “right” ATM when I arrive somewhere (then have to phone my bank, because they’ve locked my card - BTDT). (And I’ve found the rate to be much better than the bank, or a tiny mall type FX. You will always do better at a real FX store, but not available everywhere and often not interested in small amounts of money)

I think what I did was the way card companies say to enter for the US (like for gas pumps) Enter the numbers only from your postal code, followed by 00. Example M5W 4E6 would be 54600. The card companies will recognize this as good for credit verification.

We were told by a bartender, many cruises ago, that security does not care if you bring a small amount of beer or wine (6-pack/2 bottles) back from a port stop. We have taken many cruises since then, and have never had anyone say a word, or ask any questions about wine or beer in our bags. If you declare it, they may have to do something about it, but if you say nothing and it’s in your bag that they scan, I’ve never had an issue. Ship Security is looking for threats to the ship, not worrying about the current alcohol policy. If this changes, you can always ask them to hold it for you until disembarkation. YMMV.