Travel day to Allure of the Seas cruise from Canada to USA . What you need to know

 As advised by the WestJet I arrived 3 hours early.  The US check in was a breeze. I had checked in online and at the kiosk I got my bag tag. Tip 1 If you check in on line and agree to the US declaration of vaccination and PCR test you can drop your bag off a the automated machine.

Going through US customs took 5 minutes as no one was in line. They did not ask for proof of vaccine nor PCR test. 

WestJet  does not check any documents before you board they just tell you it’s a 5000 fine if you lied on your declaration.

I arrived at 1 pm and wait forty minutes for the RCCL shuttle.  It’s cheaper for a solo to take the shuttle at $30 round trip but pack your patience.

At the cruise port it’s chaos you have to walk around bags and I stood in line for an hour . It’s and endless roped off line up. At the end they check your vaccine proof and the date on you PCR test 2 times.  Tip 2 pick any time to arrive at the port as they don’t check but I was told the afternoon is quieter so expect at least an hour in line in Fort Lauderdale port.

On board you must check in at the right muster number at customer service right when you come on board. Note you were supposed to have watched the safety briefing but they cannot check so I had checked in prior to finding my cabin.

I bought the internet package and it was not easy getting on their app. Tip 3 you must put your phone or iPad on airline mode to get their app to work. I had to go to customer service to get it to work.

Canadians need a PCR test to get back into Canada so customer service gives you a card with a url to book your appt.  It is done on the last day of the cruise. It’s confusing as the address is Florida but it’s actually on deck 3.  It’s a 10 minute window and the email you the results. Note it is currently complimentary.

Dinner in the main dining room is seating by your party so if you are travelling alone, you will eat solo. I liked it as it’s much faster so the food is hotter.  I will ask to sit alone from now on.

Booking entertainment can only be done on board on their app and all the comedy shows were already filled. Tip 4 book all your entertainment as soon as you get on board. Note they have shows for vaccinated only and then for everyone.

My cabin is a Central Park balcony.  It very loud until about 11 pm so don’t choose it if you want quiet.

Hope this helps.

Marcia 

Countdown to Allure of the Seas cruise

 Just a couple more days until my cruise on Allure of the Seas.  Below is what you should expect in the week before the cruise during this COVID 19 era

1. Daily emails from the cruise line with a checklist - documentation, pcr or antigen test required 2 days before sailing, proof of vaccination uploaded to their app

2. Emails for Royal up which is a bidding process for upgrading your cabin.  With just a couple of days to go - they are down to $45 US per person for an ocean view balcony upgrade from the Central Park balcony.  But this is risky as you don't get a choice of cabin so you may get a bad room - ie. with bunks, adjoining cabins etc.  I am going to pass.

3. Constant changes to the times and or cancellation of your shore excursions. They just sent me a new time for my beach excursion in St Thomas to 7:30 am.  I have a spreadsheet of the cancels and re-bookings at that is how many there have been and i will have to check this against my credit card statement

4. Sea pass, booklet with the transfer coupons (its actually cheaper to take the transfer through RCCL) than a taxi - it cost me about $19 Canadian each way

5. Here's my checklist for you at this point

check and re-check US entry and  air and cruiseline requirements

download the airline and cruiseline apps

Print out all documents - airline, cruise, vaccination proof, pcr test proof, travel insurance proof and have a copy on your phone or ipad

take copies of your passport, and other key documents in case of loss; write down the numbers

Pack including all bathing suits, chargers, mini humidifier, all lotions, shampoos etc as they are expensive on board the ship and in Caribbean ports

Leave a copy of the itinerary with family

Hope this helps

Marcia

Pre-cruise experience with Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

 Heres an article by Cruise Critic on what you should do before you cruise

11 Things to Do the Week Before You Cruise (cruisecritic.com)

These are mostly common sense - but I agree - check and re-check requirements for documentation and vaccines for the countries you are going to, the cruise line, the airline and especially the re-entry rules for Canada.

Now for my pre-cruise experience with Royal Caribbean Cruises.  I will give you the good and the Bad

The Bad

1. If the cruise goes I will have lived thru 3 cruise cancellations - The Oasis of the Seas for which I got the FCC for this cruise. The two Baltic cruises (RCL's lift and shift campaign was a disaster - as I lost money on flights and hotels) and likely due to currency conversion money on the cruises.

2. Trying to get refunds for the booked shore excursions took over six months and several calls and emails to RCL.  But I finally got the credits on my card

3. Shore excursions on the current cruise were cancelled due to itinerary changes(I am still waiting for my credit card to be credited). Then the ones that I kept went down in price so after waiting over an hour on the phone with RCL I had to cancel them and re-book to get a lower price. 

4. Contacting RCCL is painful - long waits on the phone - lack of help once you get someone. I will need a PCR test on board in order to get back into Canada.  The first rep said I was on a "list" and then the supervisor said "what list" and to go the first day to Guest Relations and make myself known as they have no information on what to do once on board.  Given the COVID times you would think they would have info.

5. Their "toted" app for your phone is useless.  There have been itinerary changes and the app is not updated - its still showing shore excursions on sea days and not the new ones I booked

6. You can not pre-book entertainment or activities on board - only the extra restaurants. Why - who knows but given the recent reviews it appears entertainment on board is iffy with many entertainment venues shut down.

The Good 

1.  As of 23 days to go - they say the ship is still sailing.

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Is now the time to take a cruise?

 I am booked on an RCL cruise for late November and have been questioning myself if this is the time to cruise?

Here's why not and why maybe:

1. Both the CDC and Canadian government are still saying not to cruise - but then I went to the Netherlands when Canadian government was saying we shouldn't travel ... but they just lifted the international travel advisory saying be cautious. But still no to cruising.

2.  I am fully vaccinated and this is a requirement of the cruise line - so this is a positive

3. You have to get a PCR test coming and going from Canada to the US and cruise line. This is expensive - mine for same day will cost $159 Canadian to go and the cruiseline says they charge $99 USD on board.   - A negative for sure

4. The cruise line has right to change the itinerary at any time. They just changed two ports on my cruise (actually for the better for me) but you have no control on where they go and the timing.   Another negative unless you don't care about the ports.

5. You lose the flexibility on board - for dining times, show times etc.  Usually you can book these 60 days ahead of the cruise but now its a month away and no ability to do this online on their site.  If this rigidity bothers you - don't book.

6. If you want fresh air - you need a balcony - which I have so its going to cost you more.

7. You have no choice financially - like me they would not extend the future cruise credit beyond 2021. So I don't want to lose my money - therefore I am going. 

8. You don't want to wear a face mask - sorry but you will inside.  - neutral for me

9. You don't want to be subject to testing on board at the Cruise lines discretion. They warned me on the app that I will be subject to testing at their discretion.

8. You really want to be at sea and caution be damned - sort of my feeling right now.  Except I am taking precautions - Using the RCL transfers, will be wearing N95 mask, being flexible about the various controls.  Most of all I am prepared (vaccines, PCR tests, pre boarding review of RCLs webite, downloaded their app and bought the internet package so I am not stranded at sea without a communication vehicle.

Hope this helps

Marcia

Favourite and not so great places to visit in the Netherlands

 I visited a lot of cities and sites during my recent trip to the Netherlands.  Below are my favourites and least favourites.

Transportation is a favourite (public trains, trams, buses) are great in the Netherlands.  Get an OV-ChipKaart. Its $7.50 euros, non- refundable and load it up with at least $50 euros.  Use Ns.nl (their GVB) transportation site to plan out all of your trips. I found they had up to date info on routes. costs and any delays.  You get back whatever is left on the card (back to your credit card). You can do this at all major stations and in the airport at the customer service kiosk. Note the card is good for 5 years.

Museumkaart is a favorite-  5 entries to most museums for 64.5 euros. You will save about 20 euros. Note book an entry time for all museums in Amsterdam or you won't get in.

Amsterdam is not a favourite.  Even though I like the museums and parks.  I found it dirty in the DAM, central station area, lots of homeless and druggies.  

Favourite museums here are the Rikmuseum, the Moca.  I really didn't find any of the restaurants amazing or worth mentioning.  The Modern Art museum was just ok.

Hotels - I loved the Manor Amsterdam (Muiderport station), and hated the IBIS central station hotel (dirty)

Delft is a favourite.  This town is worth staying a couple of  days. I loved the Hotel Grand Canal (my least expensive hotel).  Close to the train station.  Its a walkable town with great food at college student prices.  I loved the YA street food for their asian toast speciality,  Mama's falafel (everyting is homemade).  The greek restaurant right beside it in the central square.  You can take the train from here to Rotterdam or The Hague. Stay here and visit for a day to the two mentioned cities.

I visited the Delft pottery factory for the tour, and the old and new church - 5 euros for both 

Haarlem - worth a visit especially on Saturday as the market in the central square is buzzing.  I visited the Frans Hal museum (just ok),  But liked walking around the old town

The Hague- the Mauritisuis museum was my favourite museum in the Netherlands. So many masters paintings.  The peace palace is closed due to covid as is the palace.  Only worth a half day visit.

Rotterdam - only worth a day visit.  I stayed two nights due to my PCR testing, but only the waterfront Markhal and Delshaven (a small neighbourhood) are worth visiting.  This is a commercial, shipping town and not really for tourists. The museums are just ok.  

Years ago I visited the tulip park in April and loved it ( a day trip from Amsterdam) as well as the windmill park (you can take tours or public transport).

I find the Dutch people friendly, well organized and its an easy country to travel in by yourself.

KLM was great to fly with - on time, organized.  The seats however on the plane are really hard and uncomfortable - I had to put the blanket down  and wished I had a pillow to sit on.  

Overall Holland is a great place for a visitor during Covid if you are fully vaccinated.  As they just need proof of vaccination to travel to.

 Hope this helps

Marcia

How to reduce the stress during covid travel - some tips

 I am back from my ten day adventure in the Netherlands. I have learned some things that may help you to reduce the stress level of COVID era travelling.  

1.  no matter what you will experience stress especially if you have not travelled yet since pre-covid. Just don't let it paralyze you.  There was a women on my flight who had a panic attack and they asked for psychiatrists on board. She was just scared.

2. Pre plan most details of your trip by checking the airline requirements, hotels, cruise lines and especially the governments of the countries you will be visiting and your own for return entry.  Follow and print the instructions out.  Recheck the websites every few days as the governments keep changing the rules on us. 

3. If required book your PCR tests early (at least 2- 3 weeks) with reliable providers that have good reviews about getting out the test results in the time they say on their websites. Its going to cost you (CDN up to $200 and in Europe about 100 euros) for a 24 hour turnaround)

4. Bring cash and credit cards as I found many places are cashless and you have to use a card - i.e. fast food, bakeries etc.

5. Make multiple copies of your Vaccine certificates - on your phone/ipad, paper copies. As you will have to show proof of vaccine pretty much everywhere - hotel checkin, airplane check-in, cruise line check in, etc.  

6. Be prepared for longer wait times and line ups at airports, restaurants etc.  You have to get to the airport 3 hours early no matter where you flight is going.  They check your paperwork at check in and at customs and again just before you board the flight. 

7. Bring lots of face masks - you will need to change them every 2 - 3 hours while flying as they get damp from breathing.  I use N95 masks as my glasses don't fog up and they have more layers of protection.

8. If you are able book everything yourself as this way you will know what your are getting into. While travel agents are great and helpful, if they do the bookings - read the paperwork carefully. Can you cancel? What are the covid requirements?  

9. Be pleasant and patient with everyone.  I noticed people on my plane were unusually quiet, subdued and polite to everyone.  Not like what you hear on the news. 

10.  Overall if you can't deal with the unknown, just don't go yet.  I was constantly worrying re my PCR test as would the provider get me the results in time. Would I be covid free?  If this is to much for you - delay.  I couldn't as they wouldn't let me change again. 

Hope this helps

Marcia

Travel to Amsterdam COVID era

 I started in Toronto and via KLM I flew to Amsterdam.  If your fully vaccinated I uploaded proof a week earlier and just showed my vaccine receipt and boarding pass. On the flight you must wear a mask. Bring extras and I only took it off to eat. 

Upon arrival you just show you your passport at passport control and then your free to go.  The only places where you must a mask are the airport and all transport. 

Tips

You must show your passport and vaccine receipt to check in at your hotel.  Also to sit inside cafes or restaurants.

Buy an ov chipkaart for trains, trams. It costs 7:50 euros and then you fill it up . Coins only at the machines or credit cards.  Cash notes require you to go to a service desk which are in the big stations.

You must check in and out of transportation by swiping your card. 

Check rome2rio.com or. NL transportation for the schedules and which train, gates and very important check the name of the train final destination and number and track.  I goofed at least twice.

Cash is not readily accepted due to COVID.  It is annoying for small amount purchases.

Pre book on line for major museums as there are no spots same day for Van Gogh.

buy a museum card 64.50 euros for entry to 5 museums across Holland   You will save about 20 euros. however some of the bigger museums are charging a 3 euro surcharge.  No reason given

You need to wear a mask on transportation but not in museums. 

Many public toilets are 1 euro

Favourite places in Amsterdam

Museum plain park . Buy a sandwich or salad at the Albert Hein supermarket on a nice day and enjoy people and dog watching. 

Moco museum not covered by the museum karat but if your a fan of Banksy it has many and it’s quite funky. it’s 19.50 euros.

hope this helps

Marcia