KWong

On 9/6/2021 at 3:51 PM, taylorpn said:

Thanks so much, yes we were on Disney twice and it seems their alcohol policy was a bit more liberal.

 

Used to be even more liberal. There were stories of people basically bringing a wet bar on board with them before the policy changed (right before the one time I went on a Disney cruise, naturally).

I loved Johnny Rockets breakfast on the Oasis class ships. Less so on Harmony because the stupid purple slides block the view of the stern. And it's really the view and al fresco dining that you're there for - you can get eggs and bacon anywhere else. You should also be able to get breakfast at Mini-Bites for another outdoor location.

Aqua show is not to be missed. 

My lukewarm take here is that Chops is skippable if you've been to a mid-level steakhouse (like The Keg here in Canada) before. The steaks at Chops are fine, but not as good as a high-end restaurant, and roughly equivalent to that mid-level steakhouse. Not sure what the steakhouse landscape is like in the UK though.

Jamie's... well you have Jamie's in the UK. We had a couple in Canada (before they went into receivership) and because of that, I didn't need to go to the one one board. I'm sure it's fine though.

On 8/17/2021 at 1:39 PM, KWong said:

My older daughter just got her UK passport today. Application was July 20, mailed from Canada to the UK on July 22, and just received via DHL today (Aug 17). So exactly 4 weeks, which seems pretty good for a non-expidited overseas application.

Meanwhile, my wife's was just approved so I should see it next week.

As for the younger daughter's, nothing yet.

I should also note that HM Passport Office has been emailing every time we've gotten a step further in the process. Radio silence from Passports Canada. Definitely like the UK process better.

So I forgot to update this. My wife's UK passport arrived Aug 25 via DHL. Meanwhile my daughter's Canadian passport was delivered by standard mail, also on the 25th (exactly when they said I would get it). So just over 5 weeks for both.

Conclusion: the difference in non-expedited processing times between Canada, the UK and US is nuts. If you absolutely need a Canadian passport in 2 weeks, pay for the expedited service. Otherwise, don't bother.

And the UK gets top marks for being able to do the majority of the application online.

On 7/23/2021 at 3:44 PM, KWong said:

So for comparison's sake, I just did a Canadian passport renewal for my younger daughter, and UK renewals for my wife and older daughter.

For the Canadian passport, I walked into a Service Canada location on July 20. They said that the new passport should be delivered to us by Aug 25. I'll update when I get it.

For the UK passports, I did the application online + sent the digital photo. As there is no rush for these passports, I sent via registered mail on July 22. They are currently in transit to the UK.

My older daughter just got her UK passport today. Application was July 20, mailed from Canada to the UK on July 22, and just received via DHL today (Aug 17). So exactly 4 weeks, which seems pretty good for a non-expidited overseas application.

Meanwhile, my wife's was just approved so I should see it next week.

As for the younger daughter's, nothing yet.

I should also note that HM Passport Office has been emailing every time we've gotten a step further in the process. Radio silence from Passports Canada. Definitely like the UK process better.

I don't expect any movement on this until at least end of September if an election is called tomorrow. 

If I'm ranking, I'd say Oceanview, Central Park, Boardwalk. Caveat is that I'd book Boardwalk balcony over any deck 14 balcony. Too much noise from directly  above when you're on Deck 14. 

So for comparison's sake, I just did a Canadian passport renewal for my younger daughter, and UK renewals for my wife and older daughter.

For the Canadian passport, I walked into a Service Canada location on July 20. They said that the new passport should be delivered to us by Aug 25. I'll update when I get it.

For the UK passports, I did the application online + sent the digital photo. As there is no rush for these passports, I sent via registered mail on July 22. They are currently in transit to the UK.

22 hours ago, Jverge said:

I've done the drink card thing on a 7-day cruise.  I much prefer that over the drink package which I will never drink enough to make it worth it.  

Same here. If it's available I'll get it. If it's not it's no big deal. 

I seem to have forgotten an important one - lanyards. 

One year we bought the magnetic dry marker boards (we were in four rooms) and beach toys for the kids when we got to Fort Lauderdale. 
 

At home, at Dollarama, I buy the silicone travel bottles as they seem to leak much less vs the solid plastic ones. And travel packs of wipes - the disinfectant type like Clorox and ones to clean your hands like Wet Naps. 

Any of the places in that 17th street cluster will be good for you. If you forget something the shops are open early enough for you to grab stuff before you board. 

3 hours ago, Traveler said:

The problem is with - "original vaccination record" as many countries just have a pdf file  or a printout , this is the official one .

wonder how they are going to handle it ? , Maybe they will have a book with example from all around the world ?  (like some state police have a book with examples of all international driving license). 

I expect that there will be a couple of standard certificates/QR codes/napkins/whatever developed that can be used universally. 

I've not seen a flavoured creamer on the ships. You might be able to carry a bottle onboard, although I'm not sure if/how the non-alcoholic drink rule applies to nondairy creamer.

I will agree that the free coffee... exists. I can drink it (which is more than I can say about DCL's "coffee"), but I will probably bring Starbucks Via packets next trip.

As for Starbucks normal drip coffee... I do agree it's overpriced (especially when compared to Timmies and McDs) but blonde or medium roasts aren't too bad. But I'm usually there only for espresso over ice, or if my wife wants a latte.

On 6/19/2021 at 1:18 PM, smokeybandit said:

I remember when the lobsters looked like lobsters. Now they look like crawfish

You should come to Toronto (after... you know) and check out Fishman Lobster Clubhouse. The lobster is expensive, but they're huge.

I'm gonna link to a google search for pics here.

6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

They actually just fished someone out of the Detroit River the other day, they suspect he was trying to cross.  No joke. lol

I'm surprised that the 19-20yo crowd hadn't thought of that in order to get into Windsor.

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

At the moment, you cannot cross by land borders if it is non-essential.  You can fly out of the Canada, but you have to quarantine for 14 days when you get back and get testing done over that time period.

As of July 5th, if you are fully vaxxed, you can fly out of the country and return by air without quarantine. No word on the land border (which personally for me is the important thing because I drive and fly out of the US).

Trudeau said on Tuesday, that our border should open in a matter of weeks, not months, for Canadians and Americans, so I am hoping that includes land border as well.

Yeah I get the feeling that the feds are working with their US counterparts to get a common set of standards for exit/entry. AZ not being approved in the US could be a sticking point, seeing as a lot of Canadians (myself included) have gotten at least one shot of that.

On 6/22/2021 at 4:17 PM, Marlena said:

Ok so what i really need is Canada to accept antigen tests...or require no tests by Dec! 

Let's hope so. Wish the cruise lines would do the tests, and just charge us. Some of the AI resorts I've looked at include tests in their cost, which is nice.

2 hours ago, Tanner said:

Canadian, full Vaxx, travelling to Galveston for the Aug 22-29 cruise.  Need a PCR with 72 hours of returning to Canada. Everywhere I look for places to get tested in Galveston/Houston have turn around times of 24-72 hours which is to be expected.  I'm trying to determine if RCCL will offer this test (even for a fee) while on the ship otherwise I'll need to stay state side for another three days after the cruise.  Any insight would be appreciated.  

Thankfully I no longer need to quarantine when returning to Canada.  

If you need to stay in Houston, go to 100% Taquito at Southwest Freeway and Buffalo Speedway. Ummm, I've got nothing outside of that.

I've got the AZ/Moderna combo, so I'm hoping that won't be an impediment to a) getting into the US and b) cruising.

Matt had my favourite thing in his 10 things - breakfast at Johnny Rockets. 
 

I also like having al fresco breakfast at Wipeout Cafe. 

I hope the Coast Guard doesn't shut down this gang activity...

7 hours ago, FJ28 said:

I stayed at Hyatt Place. Great shuttle service to and from the port and airport. 2 minute walk to a Publix.

1851 S.E. 10Th Ave(Harbor Shops Dr West)

This is my go to. I usually book through a website called valuetrips which provides a good discounted rate. I do believe there is a charge to go to the port so it may be cheaper to take an uber.

They have had hot breakfast buffet in the past but I don't know how that will work in September. Wifi should be included as well. 

I like this area in general because there are several hotels to choose from, lots of food options, a couple of wine shops, the aforementioned Publix, plus a Dollar Tree, Ross and TJ Maxx in case you forgot something (or the airline forgot it on your behalf). 

And my December cruise is one step closer to being a Thing That Happens.

Looks similar to Viator. I might give it a go if we're allowed to book our own excursions.

On 4/25/2021 at 2:09 PM, smokeybandit said:

My first cruise I was 20 and was able to drink back when ship drinking age was 18.  It was great.

 

Now that many years later, I'm not a fan of 18 yr olds drinking on ship. Then again I have nothing against 18 yr old drinking per se, but I hope it doesn't become amateur hour on board.

 

Then again plenty age 21+ turn their drink packages into amateur hour, too.

There's always people that treat the drink package like a sprint instead of a marathon on Day 1. You generally don't see them again until late into Day 2.

I've never bought the package on the ship but I've certainly done my share of "sprints", so I somewhat sympathize with those "amateurs"...

23 hours ago, twangster said:

Bring on the vaccine tourists!  

Come on Canada, get your beavers down here!

 

I got my first AZ shot 10 days ago so I'll be good to go soon. But I don't cruise (fingers crossed) until December so I can be patient about it.