Cincylady77

Those stores are near the Old San Juan cruise piers...but the OP is cruising on Carnival, which normally uses Old San Juan. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and NCL normally use Panamerican as their embarkation port, not Carnival.

Any idea with cruise pier Royal Caribbean uses if just a day stop (not embarkation)? Thanks!

We are booked with them in December for the morning snorkel. How easy was it to find them? I heard you walk out of the terminal and turn right but we have never been to Bonaire before so dont really have any idea.

We are booked with them in mid-November. About 2 weeks before, we received email confirming the meeting point (Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino) along with a map. The meeting time is 10 minutes before tour start time. Looking at the map, it looks like the Woodwind Deck is a little further south from the meeting point.

"Walking out from the ship you take a right at the gate and walk south along the waterfront until you see a big sign "CASINO".

3 minutes walk from the south dock. 7 minutes from the north dock."

Hope that helps:)

As far as I know, you can book the flight on Southwest, and call and have them change it if the price goes down. We booked flights to Florida for November cruise as soon as Southwest had posted their schedule for November. Then we decided to change to fly out of a different airport as it was nonstop down & back. So we called and they refunded difference to our Southwest account. Later, prices went down and we called again - another refund of the difference.

From Southwest website: *If you change to a cheaper Wanna Get Away ticket, the leftover money on the ticket will remain in your name as a travel fund you can apply to a future ticket (just be sure to note the expiration date!).

Hope this helps!

We flew in on the 3rd, stayed at the Vancouver Hilton & boarded ship on the 4th of October Enjoyed the farmer's market across the street from hotel - even bought some fresh flowers for our cabin. Weather was great for us - most days were short sleeves, but we took a light jacket along on excursions. We took the Portland City Tour, Multnomah Falls, and Hell's Canyon Jet Boat premium tours. - and the bus ride to the Spokane airport (if you want to call that an excursion?!). Also enjoyed the hop-on hop-off bus, especially the stop at the Reach in Richland & the Richland farmer's market. Some have complained about the stops being in such small towns, but I like small towns. The American Empress had plenty of public places (indoors & outdoors). Enjoyed the River Grille - ate there for most breakfasts and lunches and 2 evenings (maximum evenings which we could register). Also met a lot of nice people. Can't pick out a best memory as I enjoyed it all! Hope you do too!

We were on American Empress in October last year. Although we had a balcony, IMO a veranda would have been fine. We didn't spend a lot of time on the balcony, as there were plenty of other public places to sit outside.

Didn't see a lot of walkers, but half of the time we were docked in the mornings and walkers may have already been off the boat.

Our trip was Portland to Clarkston. If you have any other questions I can answer, let me know.

I think it's the same company. I have more questions, though. I am afraid of the water but don't have a problem on a larger ship, or on a boat that is covered. I do not care for sailboats or small ones like canoes or kayaks.

 

in the video the boat is covered and looks like it seats around 25. Is this so? And, you mentioned two small rapids...really? The description states the tour does not go over rapids.

 

Did you stop at the Nature Conservancy site? If yes, was it worth it?

 

Thank you again for helping me plan!

I remembered I took a picture of the boat - so here it is . Thus, it tells you the name of the company the cruise line used (Snake River Adventures). The sides of the boat had plastic that was rolled down to protect you from the wind and any splashes. Some people wanted them rolled up, but they never did that. In the very back, there was room for maybe 6 to 8 people - where you would get all the wind. Although originally I said the boat seated about 30, I think maybe it was more than that - maybe 50??

The rapids I referred to were not like you would see on most rivers - there were shallow rapids and the boat mainly had to make sure they steered around the rocks - felt like you were going over some bumps in the road. I wouldn't let those scare you off.

We did make a stop (before we turned around to head back). Can't remember the name of the place, but they had some wild turkeys in a field. We stopped for cookies, drinks and a bathroom break.

I would recommend you check out tripadvisor on this company - that may help you make up your mind. Also, here is a picture of the canyon walls I took while on the boat .

Not sure if this is the exact company that provided the Hell's Canyon Jet Boat tour, but it is the type of boat used. The trip was enjoyable - did not see much if any wildlife while traveling down the river and back (could be because it was in Oct); went through a set or 2 of small rapids; past the canyon walls. We did enjoy, but I think we expected more for the price paid.

Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your reply. I am glad to know you enjoyed the cruise. Can you tell me a bit more about the ship? Our cabin is one of the smaller ones located near the promenade.

 

Did you take any of the side excursions? I think the Hop On/Hop Off option looks great, given that the bus is for the passengers.

 

I really appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts.

 

Rebecca

We got upgraded to Cabin 209 (deluxe verandah) - although we rarely used the balcony. Did not see any other cabin, so can't say what the others were like. We had twin beds, and still had ample room. Luggage fit under the bed and plenty of drawer and wardrobe space. Our steward always kept our room neat and clean (she also brought us ironing board/iron when asked).

At cruise check-in at the hotel, we were able to sign up for a maximum of 2 dinners in the River Grill (no additional cost). We selected two nights that we would be cruising (Monday & Friday). If I remember correctly, the dinner menu at the River Grill was the same for both nights - ok with me as I loved the lobster!

Generally we ate at River Grill (buffet style) for breakfast and lunch. Different themes daily for the lunch, but could always order hamburgers. At breakfast, you could order your choice of omelets at the grill. If weather is nice, can choose to eat open-air up there. The menu for the dining room is posted near elevator, so you can decide if you would rather eat in dining room.

Food in dining room was also good - with house wines (red & white) each evening with dinner. Can sit where you want- no assigned seating.

The Show Lounge got crowded, so for evening performances, we generally got there 15 minutes early. The Paddlewheel Lounge had bar, tables, couches, computers, popcorn machine, and piano. People played cards here, relaxed, enjoyed the library of books, watched TV (football game), or listened to piano player (usually during happy hour and/or later in evening). The Riverlorian (sp?) gave presentations - sometimes in Show Lounge and sometimes in Paddlewheel Lounge.

Excursions: we took the free HOHO at most locations. Premium excursions taken: Portland Rose City Tour (rose test garden was beautiful, but not sure roses would be in bloom in May); Multnomah Falls & Vista House (falls were gorgeous); Hell's Canyon Scenic Jet Boat Experience; and the Airport Shuttle to Spokane. I don't think I would do the Jet Boat again, as it wasn't really a jet boat, more like a 30 passenger motor boat, and not great value for the money (imo). Did really enjoy The Reach - a stop of the HOHO bus - in Richland.

I always like to find out as much as possible about my trips beforehand, so hope this amount of detail helped. Please let me know if you have other questions.

Hi

 

Has anyone booked the American Queen Empress for the Snake/Colombia River cruise? We are on the May 14th sailing. Would love to chat with others on that cruise, or anyone who has taken this cruise in the past.

 

Happy Sailing...Rebecca

We sailed from Vancouver Washington to Clarkston at the beginning of October 2015. Enjoyed the river cruise immensely. Rooms, food and service was great! We wore light jackets some of the time - but would rather have this weather than the hot and humid kind. Please let me know if I can answer any specific questions.

I'll second this. My wife has a portable sound machine we used to travel with, then I got an app on my iPod, and pair that with a tiny, collapsible portable speaker, and it really does the job. The speaker cost less than $20. on Amazon, collapses to less than the size of a woman's compact, and is great. The quality of the sound is much better than the speaker built into the Apple device.

Great idea! Would you provide link to the collapsible speaker you bought?

Movenpick is next door to the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam - which is probably where HAL cruise ships dock?!? The picture I am attempting to post is looking toward the riverboat docking and Central Station.

Using google maps - streetview - for the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam - you can see the Movenpick. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Passenger+Terminal+Amsterdam/@52.3771836,4.9152468,3a,75y,358.06h,92.63t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2R2BFZQRrWBIxFPk34xXyA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26output%3Dthumbnail%26thumb%3D2%26panoid%3D2R2BFZQRrWBIxFPk34xXyA%26w%3D223%26h%3D75%26yaw%3D357%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D120%26ll%3D52.377184,4.915247!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x60fb82074430ceb1!6m1!1e1

Hope this helps!! Enjoy your time in Amsterdam - we did!

We stayed at the Movenpick in November 2013 as pre-cruise hotel (Viking Riverboat). We thought the hotel was very nice and within 5 minute walking to the dock where the riverboats docked. It also was within 8 to 10 minute walk to the Central Station where you can catch any of the city buses or catch a train. If I remember correctly, there is also a bus stop in front of the hotel. The hotel is at the edge of the center of the city, but we either walked or used the buses and had no problem with it's location. I have some pictures looking out of the hotel room and will post (if I figure out how to do it).

Ok. We just finished this cruise from Spokane to Portland. In a word --- amazing. The port stops were all great. We did the hop on hop off bus in the morning and took the optional excursions every afternoon. They were worth every penny. The dining staff were sensational! They make quick friends with you and the service was great. The cabin was comfortable. The cruise directors- Lindy and Greg were wonderful. They were also the star performers in the shows in the evening. The boat was really nice and the food---- beyond expectations. Enjoy!

Regards

Sheila

Thanks Sheila! Hope the Washington forest fires did not affect you all. Which premium excursions did you take and did you have to worry about any of them being full before you could book? Can't decide which ones to take and debating whether to book any online now, or wait until we get onboard. We should be getting documents in 2 weeks - getting excited!

Thanks to all for information on the times we will be cruising on the rivers! Any input on the premium excursions would also be appreciated. Thanks.

Will be on the October 3rd river cruise - so would love to hear from you after your trip, including how much cruisin' on the river is done during the daylight hours. A lot of my fun on these trips is anticipation (and maybe some planning)! Hope you enjoy!! (Our trip is Portland/Vancouver to Clarkston)

What is the pricing of this and what does it include? Thanks

I think this is very nice of you to give them all this information. I would recommend you inform them of the "other" restaurants and the small price for them.

Hopefully they will meet others that become good friends and they will also share time and information with them! Let us know how they enjoy their first cruise!

Thanks a lot!

Who can go to the Mariner's lunch in MDR on embarkation day? If you travel with someone who has never traveled with HAL, are they permitted to eat with you at this lunch?