Well we all had a lesson in Canadian Flags thanks so much for the explanation!!

Well I think this cruise is a CEREMONIAL OCCASION and as such the "appropriate flag".

THANKS CARMAN

Yes the MOOSE is of course called Bullwinkle!
Wish we had put him on the pin now!

Ngaire - you could create children's stories when you retire. Very clever. A Ceremonial Occasion it will be, not to mention memorable. :app:

We drove up through Northern Michigan and along the Canadian side of Lake Superior and are now in Thunder Bay. The trees are starting to change color and should create a beautiful palette when you cruise up the St Lawrence.
Jim

Jim, thanks! Been a long time since I have been in Thunder Bay. Say hi to Pat for us.

We have buds on trip before Canada Oct 3 - they got offer to bail NO details - they are not interested but maybe some of you will get offers for following week???

Joanna, we haven't heard anything yet. Sounds like recent "deals" haven't been that good so not really thinking about taking the offer, anyway.

NO idea what their offer was - could have been 30 day cruise and free air they would not have taken it - ;) ;)

NO Marc - no deal taking, no no no. :eek: Need to see you and Arlene.

We wouldn't be able to either, as two couples are with us and one for sure are very anxious to go, and the other will do what they do, so we will go no matter what.

The last offer was simply your money back no other incentives. Many people have changed their mind and wish they could cancel. Something unexpected at work etc. People are relieved to be able to cancel. There is no obligation to take that offer and if that does not work then they go onto other offer. We have not had a secondary offers so they may have had enough volunteers already.

The cruise is just two weeks away. I can't wait. Work has been very busy which is why I haven't posted too much.

Mona and I will be staying at the Intercontinental, arriving on Tuesday the 11th. I don't recall seeing anyone post any plans for a pre-cruise dinner. If anyone is interested in dinner Tuesday or Wednesday evenings please let us know.

I don't think I've been to Montreal in 30 years so I have to catch up on what to see and do there.

Looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Tom and Mona.

Tom & Mona,

Joan and I are also arriving in Montreal on the 11th by car. We should arrive mid to late afternoon. We are staying at
the W Hotel.

We are definitely interested in a pre-cruise dinner. Since some folks are arriving on the 12th, that would probably be the best day for the dinner although we are up for dinner on either day.

We don't arrive until the 12th Tom, same with our friends Jack and Laura. We four will be at the Intercontinental. I don't know where the other couple is staying, but I think they are arriving on the 11th. In any case we might be interested (well Frank and I would be for sure) in a group get together on the 12th.

Tom & I arrive the evening of the 11th (Ralph is on our flight too). We're at the Intercontinental Hotel..count us in for dinner on the 12th.

Maybe we'll have our big meal @ 40,000 feet and just have bar food and drinks at the hotel on the 11th ?? We'll probably arrive at the hotel around 9:00ish, depending on customs.
It doesn't take us long to drop bags and hit the bar

Well lets make sure there is a bar party on the 12th too Marcie. :D :D Maybe both before and after dinner LOL. Gotta get the party started sometime, why not the night before.

No pre dinner for us as we don't get in until the day of the cruise :mecry:

If anyone is looking for the ship in port, may need to ask for Silversea Navigator. :D

Here is the port schedule for month of October:

http://www.port-montreal.com/site/7_0/7_1_1.jsp?lang=en#oct

It looks like Navigator is in port with AIDAaura; just don't ask for Regent Seven Seas Navigator. :D

:lct:

Any thoughts on good way to spend Oct. 12th in Montreal?? Has anyone experienced the Hop on/off bus there?

Only 11 days now and we will be onboard. :banana:

Looks like you might just miss the great weather we're having in this part of the world right now (Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal). Hope the forecast improves for your trip, and hope the leaves cooperate.

What is the forecast for us Wendy? I haven't seen any, sounds cold. :eek:

Weather.com looks good for our arrival, at least!

Doesn't look too good after Wednesday -- Jerry is packing his gloves ;)

I packed my mittens, and bringing a warm jackeet, hope its enough. Brrrr.

Looks like highs in 50s and lows in 40s and a little rain; not too bad. I would love some snow on the ship.

See everyone on the ship!

I am so jealous. Have fun fun fun

I am excited to stalk new ports

Hey Mark, why not save the snow "idea" for Zodiak?
:p

New York is gorgeous this weekend...hope it keeps up for you guys.

I do too, I cannot wait for this cruise. It can't come soon enough.

Didn't Ngaire tell us that this is one of her largest escorted cruises ??

It was originally but now down to 80 something. Still plenty of people to have fun with that is for sure.

Ngaire, where and when are we meeting first day? We probably won't be on ship until at least 1500. Is Galileos or Pool Bar preferred location on Navigator?

We will have our normal informal gathering before dinner in Gallieos at 6.30 pm. Letter will be on your door as usual with pins included. Plus I will bring some extra pins for Arlene.

Thank you Ngaire! :D

Aloha
We are in SFO for a couple of days to see the kids leaving Monday for NYC. Then the train on Wed.to Montreal. See you all on board!

John & Christina

Have a great precruise. Looking forward to hearling about the train. Send some "rail mail" if you have time / opportunity.

I would say bring a raincoat and umbrella. We still have wonderfully high temps here in Toronto, but we will get rain tomorrow, and temps drop gradually by Thursday. Same for Montreal. Won't be terribly cold, at least not while you're in Montreal, just wet. Environment Canada is a good source for weather reports of specific cities:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html

On another topic, this Air Canada flight attendant strike looks very real, scheduled for Thursday morning. If I were flying in on Thursday on AC or a codeshare, I would be trying to find another way to get to Montreal. The federal government has threatened to order them back to work immediately, but in my experience, this process takes a few days, so I wouldn't count on it.

Of course, the flight attendants might settle their dispute before Thursday.

Edited to add: this morning govt claims they would pass back to work legislation "immediately". Not sure what means, but it won't be before the strike starts, which unfortunately is Thuresday.

Woohoo, just did our online check in for tomorrow's flight. We are good to go!!!

Just checked in to the Intercontinental in Montreal. It seems like a nice hotel. I'm going to walk around and see what's nearby.

The weather is beautiful here today. Tom.

Tom - sse if you can find out how close Place Cartier is, how long of a walk if you get a chance.

See you tomorrow for drinks.