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Great info, thanks so much! Good to know for when we're sightseeing - thanks.

We're staying at the Marriott Waterfront. It looks like the closest light rail station is Westport Center? The map says it about 3/4 mile walk - but what is the terrain like? Is it pretty hilly, getting from the station down to the waterfront? I don't relish the idea of luggage on wheels on a steep hill. . .

Love, love, love all the bird photos - thanks for sharing! So glad for you that you're having such a great time!!

I think you're very wise to be looking at not doing every port. I haven't done the Med with kids, but those intensive schedules wear ME out! On my 10-day with my mother, I opted out of Rome. I was tired, over-stimulated, and needed a break from being around so many people. On my 7-day with my husband, I skipped whatever island we stopped at, for largely the same reasons (but did get to Rome!). My thought process is, it's not a vacation if I'm unhappy, exhausted, and miserable. This is true for younger people, also! Who wants their memory of Rome (for example) to be their kid having a meltdown in the Vatican as you're being herded from one room to another, rather than appreciating the beautiful art and architecture? In your shoes, I would pick the 2-3 places that I KNEW I didn't want to miss. Then plan 2 (maybe 3) break days where we'd just visit the port area and hang out on the ship. I would plan a break day for every 3rd-4th day. The spacing all depends on what you know you want to do. I would also think twice about excursions that had us in transportation for 1/3 to 1/2 of the total time. There are fantastic things in most ports. They'll likely be there if any of you get to go again. And if not, you'll have wonderful memories of what you saw and did, both in port and on the ship. (Full disclosure - I'm an introvert who needs time away from crowds to rejuvenate. If everyone in your group has had good experiences with go-go-go vacations, my thoughts might not make much sense.)

Only place we found a rather lengthy wait is in Spice H2O. Otherwise, no different than on shore.

Thank you!!

Can someone point me to the Access Form? I need to request distilled water for our upcoming cruise (May), as my husband started using a cpap a couple months ago. TIA!

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Decided to go with a solo balcony, for the larger space. I'm excited about the opportunity to cruise alone for my "January reset!"

Looking at a solo on Escape next January. Going back and forth between a studio and balcony. Biggest downsides to a studio to me are nothing to sit on besides the bed and very little room to do my daily yoga. Looking at the deck plans, it looks like there are a few "sideways" studios, where you enter the cabin on the long wall instead of the short wall. How does this change the layout of the room? Is there perhaps a tiny bit more floor space?

Thank you so much, Gardyloo, for such a thorough response! There's lots in there for hubby and I to ponder and plan!! I look forward to having fun with it. 😁 Years ago, I did walk from "upper" downtown to the giant ferris wheel. Work conference, had hit the bar after sessions ended, then we decided it was a great idea to ride the wheel. Blew out my shoes and nearly my calves. Then had to walk back up. Your description of the bluff brought those memories back! It is quite a climb!! We arrive May 17. It's a looooong flight, nearly 6 hours, so we'll map several options and choose which best fits our energy and the weather.

Great information, thanks! Curious about transportation options in Bainbridge Island or Bremerton. Quick peek at my hiking app shows several trails that might be interesting, but are not accessible by foot from the piers.

We'll arrive in May, with 1-1/2 days prior to embarkation. Staying at the Marriott Waterfront. Arrival afternoon, likely to do Pike Place Market and wander downtown. Probably an early night, as we're east coasters. Looking for ideas of what to do on our second, full day. I've been to Seattle a couple times, but many years ago, and didn't leave the downtown area. Hubbie has never been. We're outdoor people, love nature and (not too strenuous) hiking. We won't have a car, but can walk several miles easily. Some things I already have questions about: Seattle Aquarium - if the weather is not great, this might be a good alternative? crossing the sound - intriguing - what's on the other side, if you don't have a car? and what are the details to make this happen? Chihuly gardens - have been to several traveling installations in botanic gardens and love them. Good option for us? We're not limited to these initial ideas. Feel free to suggest anything you think we might like!

Got things sorted this morning. There was an issue last night, confirmed by call staff this morning. I was able to do almost everything I wanted this morning, except book dinner on embarkation day. After being politely persistent with call staff, they traced it to a conflict on my schedule. We have both Vibe passes and Thermal suite passes. Those bookings apparently have to have a day/time to "hang" them on. They were set for early evening on embarkation day. This was the "conflict" blocking making a dinner reservation at the time I wanted. At first, she told me to ask for the dining reservation once I got onboard. When I said I was interested in helping solve a problem that would affect more people than me, she got the message that I wasn't going to give up easily. Five minutes on hold, and she had fixed the problem. I imagine this conflict is a known thing on these boards, but I thought I'd share in case this helps someone else.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried the app on my phone - same problem. I am definitely 120 days out, per the NCL site itself. It's just booking and paying for things that isn't working.

Trying to book dining at 120 days today. Site keeps saying, having problems, log out and try again. Have done that multiple times, cleared cookies, restarted computer. No go. Anyone else having challenges?

Thanks for all the helpful info! Not sure yet what we'll do, but everything shared will be part of our decision-making process!

I have looked, through about 3 pages of posts, and didn't see much. Perhaps I should look further back, or try a search. Thanks for the info you shared!

We're looking to celebrate my 60th in 2024 with our dream Alaska cruise. I'm fairly sure I want to do one-way, likely southbound. My birthday is in July, but we don't have to sail that month. It's SOOO much cheaper if we wait until late August or September. Other than cost, what are the pros and cons of late summer travel vs height of the season?

Yes

We liked Food Republic so much, ate their twice. Split 4 dishes between the two of us, and that was plenty. Our favorites were the Tiger Roll, Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Black Cod Skewers, and Vietnamese Pho. Only thing I would not recommend is the Pork Belly Bao. Oh, and the pepper served with the Pho. I thought it was a shishito pepper, silly me. Took a bite. My tongue burned, and burned, and burned some more. After I asked for some milk to put out the fire, they told me it was a Thai chili. Good news is, the milk worked. Couple of sips, lingering on my tongue, and I was back in business. Really quite stupid of me! Live and learn. 🙂

I can further confirm this. Spent nearly 30 min standing in a hallway. Best part of the cruise - NOT!

I happened to be near Guest Services the afternoon, two days before GSC day. They were open then. We got group 4. Tender process actually went quicker than we expected. They started calling group 1 at about 7:30 am. We weren't ready to go when they called #4 at about 8:00-8:15. We ended up going with group 7, got onto the island by 9:30 or 10, if I remember correctly. The seas were very calm that day, so tendering went smoothly.

I believe we were on the same cruise. My adult daughter and I had an excellent time! Agree with you about La Cucina - we very much enjoyed it! Also agree about Cagney's crab cakes - meh. I wish I had not eaten mine, and saved the room for the excellent steak that I barely touched because I was already full. We also had thermal suite passes, used every day except one. Loved the chance to escape the very crowded decks. Not complaining-we were expecting crowds, with a virtually sold-out ship. We very much enjoyed Choir of Man. My girl ended up on stage for one number - it was very fun! We also loved, loved, loved Syd Norman's. That band was excellent!!! We got lucky - the weather was exceptional. I've been on January cruises before that were just plain cold! Bit tough to be back at work. But that's what I need to do, so I can cruise again!

Great, thanks for the info! Well, if we like it, having it mostly empty would be lovely, especially on a fully-booked cruise!

Anyone have experience with Pincho Tapas Bar on the Escape? I've read a lot of good things about Food Republic, but am also interested in Pincho.