mlgb

Looks like free smoothie to me!!

We also liked Los Lobos. For some reason it doesn't get much love.

Did I read that the chilled fruit soups aren't served anymore? I used to get some up there and pour it into a glass as a smoothie.

Are they still serving snacks up in the Observation Lounge? I used to also go up there to avoid crowds in the buffet at off hours. It's such a nice space for those with inside cabins. It was tricky to figure out when there might be food up there tho.

Pre-pandemic nearly all of my MDR wait staff experiences on Bliss were bad. After I complained to the head of that department about an especially awful service at lunch, they must have put an asterisk by my name. From then on I was seated at a table with an experienced waiter. It seemed that the better waiters were assigned to the specialty restaurants. We didn't have a great experience in the steak restaurant the first time we went and had to gulp down the desserts so as not to miss the show that night. The second time we told them we had a show and the pacing was better but we still had some cold side dishes. Cold truffle fries! Yum! I had a solo 5 day cruise early in 2022 that was nearly empty and I still wouldn't eat in the MDR! Indian buffet please.

" Me - May I please book Ocean Blue for Saturday March 18? NCL person: Yes, that will be Wednesday at 6:45pm Me-blink blink" LOLOLOLOL If you are vegetarian do check out the Indian station in the buffet.

Love the train to YVR! So easy.

There is a little bit of sun now here near the LA/LB ports!

Very entertaining! I love the buffet Indian station and the Observation Lounge (if they have snacks it's a nice place to hang out). I have only sailed on Bliss when occupancy was half or less so will be interesting to hear what a sold out cruise is like. Weather isn't the best right now in Los Angeles. Definitely need a jacket for the first half of the trip if you are going to be outside. Once you get to Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta it should be nice and toasty. Bon Voyage...

Thanks pmallen, for the reply.

I did read about Alfredo's being pizza only. Majestic also has the Noodle Bar instead of Salty Dog (I think). More interested in the ship layout (I did not like the very narrow "promenade" on Majestic). Looks like the Grand has a better layout for walkers. Not sure what the viewing options will be for Glacier Bay since I cheaped out and didn't book a balcony. On HAL they open the bow but it seems that is not going to be an option from what I can tell.

Helpful report, the menus look very similar to February 2022, when I did a Mexican Riviera itinerary on Majestic before it took off for Australia (going to Mazatlan was not off the table then). I am booked on the Grand for Alaska early season so interested to see how it differs from Majestic. I may change to late seating, hoping it will be less chaotic. I can always "pre dine" in the buffet if hungry.

Go over the hill on Mud Bay road (you can even walk it) to look for eagles on the Chilkat River. Walk through Fort Seward Haines Brewery They used to run a school bus on a loop for cruise passengers.

Totem Bight on the public bus (Silver Line). Not sure if Potlach Totem Park next door every reopened.

Same, but they took off $60 OBC that showed in my account, then charged my credit card the full balance. So after I am on board, they will add discount back to OBC?

A few days I ago, I ordered the Medallian for pickup at checkin (Vancouver) and am "green". There was a shipping charge on the app for mailling.

Amtrak (Pacific Surfliner) now runs on weekends as of Feb 3. Repairs are scheduled to be complete by the end of March, but could continue to be delayed. What is Holiday Inn LAX (I hope you are not staying at the international airport for two nights). The cruise terminals are in Long Beach (Carnival) or San Pedro (other lines). There is a nice intermodal transit terminal in Anaheim, maybe an option for where to stay if Disney is of interest. You can book limo shuttles from Anaheim to either of the cruise ports or airport. https://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train

Machu Picchu is now open again. The trains are supposed to return to regular schedules on February 20. For now, they have added bimodal service from Cusco to the local mixed class trains. It will take a while to get the small town of Aguas Calientes ready to handle the influx of tourism. Cusco no longer has shortages of cooking gas/petrol. https://www.perurail.com/news/news-release-train-operations-as-of-february-15/

Halibut is probably the most likely fresh catch in May. King Salmon wouldn't start until mid May. I was on a land tour in June 2021 and even then there was not a lot of fresh catch salmon. I am booked for an early May cruise on Grand and will try to report when I can.