Kate45

As a ppast travel consultant, and as a Canadian, you need travel insurance anytime you leave your province. Some provinces will give you SOME coverage but usually not. We did this cruise in September....Montreal to Boston by way of newfoundland. Bought full coverage for all 11 days. It's not cheap but well worth the peace of mind.

We know to put towels on floor of bathroom when w e want them replaced and to hang them up when w e will re-use them. But the towels left on the couch in a heap were from the towel animal that fell apart when we moved it off the bed.  The glasses were empty, brought back from the ocean bar filled with ice so we could have cold water (that we purchased in cans) when we went back to our cabin at night. Mostly to take pills. They stayed on the counter empty for 3 days. Our garbage can went for 2 days without being emptied. After 17 cruises, we know what is what as far as us and them, and they dropped the ball this time.

As I mentioned, we did not receive the checklist. Did not get ice any day, wasn't asked how we wanted our bed configured and saw/talked to our cabin Stewart exactly twice. He was waiting  when we first got to our cabin and once mid cruise passing in the hallway. Don't get me wrong, our cabin was made up every day once in the morning and turn down service at night, but not really "cleaned" as soda cans, garbage and towels were left in the main area for 3 days before taken away. We soon learned that if we didn't put the cans in the trash, they weren't picked up. And we had canned water sitting on the desk every night, yet no ice. We managed, but it is the worst cabin service we have ever had in 17 cruises on 6 different cruise lines!

It's very interesting reading your posts and comparing them to our experiences. We were on the cruise before you. We did not have a Checklist in our cabin when we arrived, only got Chocolates and towel animals twice for our entire 10 day cruise, and our cabin steward was basically MIA. Didn't clean up used glasses, or garbage for days at a time.

We were just off the zaandam on Wednesday. Had 2 ports cancelled- one for weather (St Anthonthy, Nfld,) and the other (Bar Harbor) because of work needed on stern thrusters. We received port charges refunded AND a $75/pp obc. I am assuming this was because we lost a day because of a mechanical issue  by HAL? Not sure, but we ended up with enough credit to pay our grats!

We don't have a HAL confirmation as we booked thru a incompetent TA! How can I find out because my TA doesn't reply or know and takes weeks to respond 

OK. So alot of chatter here about wheth3r you tip extra or not and where you like to do your drinking. But...I would like to know whether the HIA in includes the tips. I just checked all my paperwork from HAL, and nowhere does it say it includes it in the drink pkg or the two inclused a la carte dinners. We cruise Sunday.this info would have been nice to know before now. I just assumed it was included 

Don't count on much fall colour in September. We did the repo cruise in 2019 on the Zuiderdam over the Cdn Thanksgiving in October from Quebec City to Ft Lauderdale. There was a bit of colour, but even then, in October, not much. This year the weather has been wonky all across Canada, so who knows?

Just heard on the news today that Montréal airport will have construction  and closed roads around it beginning this Sunday. For our fellow canadian friends from there, is this going to be a problem getting a cab to the cruise terminal. We fly in to Montreal on Sunday, Sept 3. Can we expect another email from HAL suggesting we purchase a HAL transfer like we did for departure in Boston?

Maybe they'll let me play! Although it will be on church and wedding music (classical music)

Here's a question for past Zaandam cruisers or any on the ship now.....does anyone actually play the organ in the atrium? Or is it just piped in music? I play....used to play at church and for weddings and I'd love to see someone actually playing it.

Another question....is there somewhere in my docs that give me a complete itinerary of my cruise including the shore excursions and dinner reservations we have.  I saw it once a month or so ago but can't seem to find it now. 

Here's a question for past Zaandam cruisers or any on the ship now.....does anyone actually play the organ in the atrium? Or is it just piped in music? I play....used to play at church and for weddings and I'd love to see someone actually playing it.

Another question....is there somewhere in my docs that give me a complete itinerary of my cruise including the shore excursions and dinner reservations we have.  I saw it once a month or so ago but can't seem to find it now. 

Looking forward to your comments. We get on the day you get off. Hope you have a great cruise!

I know this has been discussed here a few times lately, but.....I did my check in 2 weeks ago and all seemed OK. I got the  congratulation it's complete notification. Then last week, I got an email that it wasn't complete. I went into HALs site and double checked. Everything still good. All items have a green checkmark ✅ except the docs. Does that mean I can't print them yet with the barcode? They're not much good to me without the barcode. I asked my TA to check and let me know. She hasn't. (It's time for  new TA as I basically did her job for her his entire booking, but I degress, sorry). Anyway, we leave in less than three weeks. Any help is extremely appreciated 

We won't be using the Nav App at all. I've been told it's not absolutely necessary and pics will get taken at the terminal. Hope this is indeed true.

Thanks for posting the menu a icant seem to get it any other way. It's a good thing I have the HIA pkg and it's included, as I would NOT pay for anything on that menu.

Thanks everyone. I  think we'll just go with printed docs like we always have and not worry about it.

We did a repositioning cruise on the Zuiderdam in early October 2019. We had great weather until Nova Scotia where it was rainy but going into NYC was iffy as winds were very high. Captain warned we may miss this port but luckily he was able to dock with the help of many, many tugboats. It was a little rough, but I've been in worse in the Caribbean.

Upcoming cruise is our first since Covid so we are new to this  Navigator App thing. Although we have one cell phone between hubby and myself (I know, I know crazy right?), we will not be using it on this cruise unless it's an emergency or to take pics. We don't have data on our plan. Don't use it, don't need it. So my question is.....what are we to do? I understand you need to download pics of ourselves for check in etc. How will not having this app affect us? Thanks for your advice and help

I should write all my questions down and just ask once, but I'm thinking of more at every post. Can't thank you enough for all your posts so far and looking forward to the upcoming ones. You mentioned others joined you on the cruise. Were you able to find a taxi large enough for you all and your luggage. I was told that might be difficult. We are also a group of 4 adults. Is the $50 taxi fare a flat rate? 

I am thoroughly enjoying your review and pics. We are doing 10 nite Montreal to Boston with 3 prts in Newfoundland September 3rd. I noticed on your pic of menu for 1st nite, there isn't any "always available" options. We haven't cruised since before covid but on our previous cruises (15 with various lines), there was always a couple of options available every nite if nothing appealed to us....like salmon, roast chicken, and a Caesar salad. Is this still the case? 

Asa canadian, I am somewhat embarrassed at Air Canada's practices and customer service lately. I try to avoid flying with them if possible. However, having said that we are flying to and from our upcoming cruise this September. Here's hoping they smarten up!

Thank you. I will wait until onboard

I apologize if this ?  has already been asked. I was able to book our 2 complimentary dinners for us, no problem. But went to my sisters booking to do there's and the same time is unavailable. It was like 5 minutes later! So in a panic, I booked them at the next available time 30 minutes later. So to my question.....should I leave it as is and hope to change it on-board, should I cancel both bookings and start over, or should I call HAL and get them to book it? Is that even an option? Thanks

We checked out the pricing for a Canada/newfoundland/New England cruise for Sept/23 in January. Price for inside cabin with HIA was just over $8000/couple. Advantage price, which was an option on HAL site as well as TA site, had a larger deposit but was fully refundable. No HIA. Which we booked. We have since added the HIA pkg and booked our flight ease flights and are still just over $7000/couple total. Savings over $500pp and it now includes the airfare.....and other han the deposit, have not paid anything with it all fully refundable until our final payment date. Bottom line....Check out all your options including checking on TA pricing. We got free obc included thru our TA.  Bonus!!