Konigsdam August 6 from Vancouver trip report

[steve4031]

We are off to a good start.  As I covered in another thread I opted to do the Emed online Covid tests.  This worked very well.  The complete process takes about 30-45 minutes per person.  What’s nice is you don’t have to make an appointment.  The person on the other end was supportive and helpful.  I was allowed to assist my gf in completing her test.  The results arrived via email and I printed immediately.  
 

A couple of days before I printed the cruise docs.  And I stapled are test results to the boarding passes.  We have are vaccine cards with us and I also completed the VeriFLY process.  Verifly  is not the easiest to use.  The test results were password protected so I had to save those as PDFs that were not before uploading to Verifly. We got notified within 5 minutes that documents are approved. 
 

We stayed at the Ohare Hilton.  It is connected to the terminals.  I was lucky when my dad dropped us off. There was a empty airport luggage cart sitting there and we loaded are luggage.  We probably overpacked a bit, but the luggage card saved the day.  I wheeled into the room and we used it this morning to go to United Check in.  
 

We are traveling FC so we got an easy check in and no luggage charges.  United employees were helpful at every point.  We are now on the non-stop flight to Vancouver.   

[quilty964]

Enjoy your trip!

[VMax1700]

Enjoy your cruise!

[Lido deck main]

Nice, have a great trip. Will be nice weather this weekend in Vancouver.

 

[steve4031]

We landed and got through customs and immigrations and checked into the Fairmont at the airport.  We were fortunate to get checked in and go right to our room. We were in the room at 1:05 pm.   The rooms have an interesting design with two entrances to the bathroom.  One as you enter and one coming from the bedroom.   
 

The photos confirm that the weather is perfect.  

[oakridger]

I'm looking forward to reading your report.  Have fun!

 

~Nancy

[steve4031]

We woke up and had a wonderful breakfast.  The food at the Fairmont is outstanding.   Not normal mediocre hotel restaurant food.  I opened the navigator app and it had stopped working.  Our boarding passes were not on it. And a weird error message.  I’m glad I print everything out.  The VeriFLY app is still working.  So hopefully we will be ok with that.  We are going to nap until 10:30 and then head to the port.   

[steve4031]

Just woke from my nap.  The navigator app does show are plans in the itinerary section.  I can see the Pinnacle grill reservation at 5. One thing I didn’t know is that it sends reminders to my Apple Watch. Just got the reminder for Pinnacle grill and I had visions of clothesline bacon.  
 

the weather is perfect.  View from our room. 

[steve4031]

We are at the terminal and there are computer issues so one long line.  No separate line for suite passengers.  I asked for wheelchairs.  

[steve4031]

We got upstairs and asked for wheelchairs.  The lady fast tracked us through the check in process.  Not the best thing for someone who needs a wheelchair.  Anyone in this situation needs to advocate that things move at a pace that isn’t too fast.  The lady escorting was anxious for in a hurry because there was a shot help.  She stated that the ship was delayed 30 minutes which caused the long lines.  
 

We were checked in by an agent using an iPad.  The cruise terminal has the ambiance of a warehouse.  
 

I am sure that once we are onboard we will be ok.  We arrived about 11:30.  At 12:04 we are waiting for wheelchairs to go through security.  Everyone has been coursed helpful.  

[steve4031]

12:40. They had only one wheel chair.  I opted to walk so gf could get a chair. An elevator that is normally used was out of order so we had a pretty good tour of the building.  When we got to the gangway I asked for one for me too.  
 

Based on today’s experience anyone who absolutely has to have a wheel chair needs to be prepared to advocate. Two people in one family needing a wheel chair might be separated.  
 

I saw some of those scooters that HAL is famous for.  I could see rent some for the week if you really need a wheel chair.  I saw one lady working her way through the massive line without a wheel chair.  She almost collapsed.  I think they were on the process of getting one.  
 

 

[steve4031]

Wow!   Just Wow!   This ship and Cabin are amazing.  Aft corner Neptune suite.  We are ready to eat!!

[steve4031]

The  lido area has a very upscale feel to it.  It was easy to find a table for 2 by the window.  Perhaps the delay in boarding eased crowding. The rigatoni pasta and nachos with cheese were bland. But took the edge of hunger.  I went back and got a dive in dog.  
 

The process is deceptive.  There was no line. So I ordered and then was given a pager and asked to wait 20 minutes.  I was ok with this.  They don’t like for people to stand there and wait.  I was encouraged to go sit someplace.  I did.  
 

The hot dog is good and they followed my directions for what I wanted.  The fried onions are good too. 

[Kirsten T]

Thanks for the info about wheelchairs. I'll be looking for two myself, and now I know it may not be easy. Hope the rest of your day goes much better! I love the Dive-In dogs with onions; that's a good 1st day lunch.

[celticGreen81]

Enjoying your posts quite a bit!

[Lido deck main]

Hey Steve,

you might already know this but in case you don’t.  You have free access to Club Orange restaurant through Neptune Suite benefits.  At 4:00 pm in the Bill Board on Board they bring out hot snack items.  The area where the snacks are is on the left back side of the room as you walk in.  They have great cookies at the Dutch Cafe, if interested go before 2:00pm or else they will be gone.  New Your fries has great sandwiches.  If you ever want a late night snack in your room, they have take away pizza boxes if you order pizza at New York Deli.  
Bet you had a great sail away.  

[erewhon]

Hope you have a fabulous cruise.

[steve4031]

Thank you for the advice.  This is surreal.  We are sitting in the cabin playing Beethoven on the Bluetooth speaker looking at the scenery.  I played the Temptations as we left Vancouver.  
 

I hope I didn’t come of as complaining before.  I have not taken the best care of my health so some of that is my own fault.  I’m working on improving because I want to do more cruises. I want to be as factual as possible to help those after me. 
 

The dinner in the Pinnacle grill was perfect.  Service very accommodating.  
 

The lady from the Neptune lounge called to explain the suite perks. That was cool.  
 

The room stewards have been attentive and helpful.  
 

 

[tompeter]

Sounds good so far!

Thanks,

(OBS)

[SGCruiser2013]

Enjoying this thread, thanks a lot! 

[steve4031]

Cruise Day 2.  

 

We woke up early.  It was foggy and 55.  We went to the lido deck for breakfast because gf was hungry.  I found the layout confusing.  The cereal was in one place, the milk another, and oatmeal another place.  There was no one to serve the oatmeal the oatmeal.  I decided to wait for club orange.  

 

Club orange is more my style.  You sit down and they bring the food to you.  I had a lox and bagel and eggs Benedict.  Delicious.  The coffee is be too.  

 

The part of the app that allows you to request food delivery and room tidying is turned off.  

 

The Wi-Fi service is spotty.  I can send text messages and then I can’t.  Not a complaint.  None are essential.  I have been unable to post updates to CruiseCritic.  At 9:20 am I saw I had 4 bars of cell service in the middle of the Queen Charlotte sound.  I called my father and we had a nice chat.  

 

We went to the ETC talk about Pacific Giants.  That was interesting.   They use technology and videos to enhance the program.  

 

We went to the Grand Dutch Cafe for lunch.  I had the Apple pancake with bacon.  THAT was DELICIOUS.   While having lunch gf participated in a zoom meeting via the WI-FI.  She had video and was she to participate.  

 

 

[steve4031]

We ate dinner in club orange.  The pasta was perfect.  The salmon was perfect.  The portions are not to big.  Erza, who greets passengers already knows sour names.  Before the cards are swiped.  
 

I’ve put in two or 3 cruise compliments.  She will be next.  

[Lido deck main]

Steve if the coffee is lacking for you, in the crows nest, deck 10, there is a pay coffee bar which maybe more to your liking.  Glad the staff is good for you.  Sounds like your off to a great start.

[zhuangcorp]

Can you share some copies of the daily programs?

[NavyCruiser]

Did I read that right, that it takes 20 minutes for a hot dog...?