I'm submitting my review in the same format and order as the HAL survey normally requested near the end of every cruise. I find these redundant and refuse to submit them. I realize the cruise lines need this feedback to gauge the pulse of the cruise experience they provide. However, there is no immediate upside for we the passengers, nor do we have any feedback from them on how they disseminate and act on our complaints or compliments. I haven't noticed any great leaps forward in service in this industry, and hear the same complaints voiced years ago. So where are the great strides, and who is listening? My attitude is, "if you screw up, you'll hear from me pronto, if you don't, then I probably had a good time; time and re-booking with you will tell". My message to the cruise lines is, "If you want to know how my experience went, read about it here".

Having said all this, I will admit to being a former owner of a successful travel agency in the past, having sold and been on many cruises across the wide spectrum of choices available to the consumer, from the low budget all the way to the high end products.

PRE-AMBLE: Our cruise begins at the pier. Being from Vancouver, we debated using our car to get us to the ship. We read somewhere, if not here, that the 7-day parking fee at Canada Place was $69. Well it was $98. Fortunately I forgot my two tux shirts at home, so I returned to get them and had my son drive us back. Of course it would be another story altogether if we were from out of town, like Seattle for instance. The check-in and boarding procedures were a breeze. There is a sign in the drop-off area stating that tipping is not necessary. The longshoremen there were polite, and very helpful. Much better than other cities like Miami where a no tipping gesture guarantees you a dirty look, an insult, and could ultimately be bad news for your precious luggage. Read more