SbbquilterUT

We only saw the Magic Carpet move down to act as a tender load once in 28 days of cruising. I was fascinated so watched it from Cafe alBacio and did not seem to be noisy.

The Celebrity Summit is sailing out of Vancouver this season and will sail the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland. We have sailed out of Seattle the past few years and it sailed west of Vancouver Island and then enters the inside passage.

We also enjoy a leisurely walk to the bridge over the creek(the sign for the Lower Dewey Lake moderate level trail is there). If there are salmon running I can spend time just watching them I the creek. We have watched the movie at the National Park building more than once as it is awesome. We were able to walk to the cemetery though you may want to ride.

We have cruised for years on a variety of ships and enjoyed all of them. If you are used to very expensive, immaculate hotels and resorts you might see a ship as dated but we have not had real issues except in the days of fabric shower curtains that get too friendly. We really enjoy an older, smaller ship (when we are without kids) where we can find places to enjoy the sea. I can recall reading reviews for a cruise we were on and the other opinions may be wildly different than ours. Enjoy

Have not traveled from CGD but have taken the train from Saint-Lazare train station to LeHavre which was quite easy. We chose to walk back and forth to the ship which was not far but it might be dicey with luggage.

We have sailed from SanPedro as our January treat - we have a sweater or light fleece for the first day of sailing (rain jacket is in the suitcase as a back up and has been needed). Even first day of sailing south toward Mexico can be cool but we have it needed any heavier coat.

We have walked off early at pier 91 and made the airport for flights at 10:45 am (four times). We have been fortunate to have no problem making our flights but we always know it might not work and have a plan B in mind.

I am not a group person except family with the proviso of dinner together. They need their vacation time even more than we do.

We stayed at the Motif which was uphill a couple blocks from the Westlake station. It is downhill toward the waterfront and in some places stairs you may need to navigate.

We often stay at a hotel at the airport for better pricing. From there we will take the hotel shuttle back to the airport and ride the light rail into downtown Seattle. If at pier 66 it is a very short walk/ride to the terminal. If at pier 91 it will be a ride to the port. Having said that it is likely easier for you to make it a single ride.

They are quite different experiences - Caribbean I think of as beach vacation with the warm waters and sunshine but having been there a number of times so is not our choice any more. The Mexican itinerary works great for us (6 hour drive to the port) and is pleasant in December and January though be prepared for cooler temperatures when in LA with winds on deck. For me the cost and flights to the east coast would make LA sailing the choice.

Also consider that the water activities of the bigger ships may not be much of a draw on a cooler Alaska sailing - enjoy the trip you have planned. When we sailed with our kids at that age none of the ships had much in the way of slides, etc and we had a great time as a family.

We have used the National Express bus from LHR to Southampton and back - comfortable coach and easy trip.

Love my GE clearance for use in airports when entering the US. Exiting the cruise port is a breeze in those ports with facial recognition and you used a passport for checkin.

We sailed Port Liberty to Southampton last year - lovely cruise without untoward weather issues. Comfortable for sail away including a full pass of the Statue of Liberty. As expected, very windy sailing to Ponta Delgado but comfortable temperatures for us. Very cool and windy at night on the decks. Time changed at noon each day and did not impact our sleep. Warm and humid at Ponta Delgado. This year we are Cape Liberty, along the Canadian coast and on to Iceland. We search for ways to use a TA as transport to Europe or Baltic for another cruise (only have to fly one way)