KAYEF

Can we still catch a bus to/from the Totem Park right from where we are docked?

How do we get from DFW to Galveston?  I've heard we can stay at an hotel near the Airport and they will take us to the ship (in Galveston). Is this true?  If so, which hotel?  Thanks for help regarding this.

A year ago...……………...R/C cruise...……...just missed the hurricane and missed a port BUT the BEST THING, we averted and picked up many survivors AND their dogs!!  FEMA doesn't allow any "extras" on their planes and these people didn't want to abandon their pets.

We never saw any "Press or TV info"  regarding this wonderful act that R/C did. 

:confused:Does anyone know if they have Room Service the first evening on the cruises to Alaska from Seattle?

We've never used it on the first night but thought it'd be fun for the family to dine together on the wrap-around balcony IF it's the usual beautiful weather leaving Seattle in August.:)

This is a very interesting discussion since I just got off one where people were complaining about undisciplined children taking over the pool and causing problems on the elevators and stairways on a HAL ship!

After many HAL cruises, we did one on Princess because it was a fifteen day repo from Barcelona back to the USA. There was one person in particular who, every time our CC group got together BROADCASTED about all the OLD people and WHEELCHAIRS on HAL and kept telling people to NEVER sail on HAL.

After about ten days, I asked her if she had EVER sailed on HAL.............and, you guessed it. She had NEVER been on a HAL ship! She just said she would NEVER do that "because they're like a Nursing Home."

I, at times, thought perhaps she was paid by Princess to use her loud mouth.

You just have to try things and figure them out for yourself.

BTW, the cabins on Princess are FAR smaller than those on HAL and the beds are like sleeping on a concrete floor ~ we've tried that line three times.

HAL is our choice ~ the staff really cares that we all have a grand time.

Last year we did try Disney and, as usual with Disney............they have things figured out perfectly. Even as 4,000 people boarded it was never crowded. :pOnce they greeted each family separately, they sent us down a certain corridor to get to the "Lido" for lunch. There was not one other family/group the whole way; it was like everyone had a personal hallway, elevator, etc.

And, the way they have bathrooms in the cabins? Well, THAT should happen on every cruise ship! One bathroom with a sink and toilet and a second one with a sink and round shower with a place to sit. It was deep so little ones could have a bath, too.;)

I was on this cruise, also. Mary nailed it. I enjoyed myself, BUT ...

 

The boys were pretty much out of control. On several days they decided that "fun" was to throw each other down the steps. They started out running from the back of the elevator lobby to the steps, then they would throw each other down them. I never saw adults with these boys.

 

I just cannot understand why the Ship's Crew didn't put a stop to such behavior (was it reported?). Sometimes they don't want to "offend" those people with bad manners but they should NOT be allowed to affect the cruise of hundreds of other people. Period!

 

They can knock down other people and you can be sure if the children got injured, those parents WOULD SHOW UP.............and blame the ship/crew.

 

I'm sorry a few inconsiderate people caused problems for so many and HOPE HAL is reading this and taking action with the crew.

$150/pp :eek::eek: I know we have done one, albeit not very extensive that I believe was free. I am losing my mind here?

We, too, did one a few years ago on the Oosterdam and it was FREE!

We especially enjoyed the kitchen part and the "behind the stage" part...........those performers have VERY little space for all their costumes and changes, etc.

Along the way we saw many other areas as well.

I know we paid NOTHING for the tour.

Melodie: I'm confused. Ballentyne Pier is in East Vancouver. Did I miss something?:confused:

:rolleyes:B IS in Vancouver, BC. YOU aren't confused; the poster is.

This ship does Seattle/Alaska Round Trip.................never goes to Vancouver on this itinerary.

In Seward I would DEFINITELY recommend the Godwin Glacier helicopter flight and sled dog rie and puppies to love on. It's a beautiful ride plus they are wonderful with the ride, etc.

The other is a cart ride on a dirt road (unless it's been paved); there's no comparison with sled dog riding on a glacier and you may only have this time to do it!

Enjoy!

The aquarium in Seward is also AMAZING.:)[/color]

Hi - do you know if the Goldbelt hotel is walkable from the cruise ship? It looked to be on paper. That is where the Avis pickup point is for ours.

YES!

It's a short couple of blocks; you can see the hotel from the little park/pick-up area right where the ships are docked.

Well, if you happen to be at one of the FAR docks, it's a bit longer but I've always been on HAL and we've had the dock right behind the library parking structure.

When I booked our 18 day re-po from Barcelona to Galveston, I asked that my TA put a note on our res. saying we wanted THIS cabin and NO upgrades. Since we were coming across the pond, I wanted to be low and center for the best stability.:p

Well, we were the ONLY people on our level, I think. We never saw anyone else and learned that "everyone" had been upgraded to verandah cabins if they'd had OV or IN.

The Atlantic was as smooth as glass; we wouldn't have needed the center location I'd booked.:rolleyes:

BUT, we are rarely IN the cabin so it was all just fine.

SOME ships don't have self-service laundry..............check your ships decks and information.;)

The train really doesn't have a "depot".........it stops very close to the ship and you just walk over.

We didn't even have to take our own luggage...............it was taken care of and showed up in our cabins. The only thing we had was our carry-ons.

No taxi needed.

ENJOY!!;)

In Alaska, you want and need to be out on deck at all possible times..........if you have a window or a balcony, you can easily be on the wrong side and miss things.............whales, otters, calving, etc.

If you are outside, it's easy to get from one side of the ship to the other. Save your $$$ for excursions.

When you are viewing glaciers, be up on top for a while, but take some time to go down to the promenade deck because you can HEAR the ice that's calving from the glaciers cracking as it floats by in the water...............it's sorta like Rice Krispies noise!

Your in-cabin TV will have cameras so you can look when you first get up and see what the weather is outside..............some people leave them on when they're gone so there's some light when they return to the cabin.........but, if you are an energy saver you won't want to do that.

ENJOY ALASKA!:p

For a 14 day cruise in AK, I prefer the Holland America one...............no repeats. It goes way over to Kodiak Island and it a great itinerary.

When we tried Celebrity I was amazed at how much smaller their cabins were but it may depend on which ship................

I would always choose HAL over Celebrity, but that's just me/us maybe..........

larger cabins and much better service IMO.

I love going at that time of year...............the deciduous trees are changing color so the shore scenery is all the more beautiful (they're mixed in with the firs).

The ports aren't as crowded and the stores are selling things at huge percentages off................you can pick up Ch. gifts! Truly!

People come back to the ship with the red "Alaska Shirt Company" bags just stuffed full.

On one cruise, a couple of stores in Juneau had things marked 90% off..........so, if shopping is your "bag" it's a good time to shop.

You just can't predict the weather; last year in MAY we got sunburned in Fairbanks, at Denali and in Anchorage.............all before the cruise part of our trip! I'd never gone THAT early cuz I prefer fall............

Your days in port are much longer than some of the ships offer.if it's a good price, go for it.

Later in the season, they will have these last cruises marked WAY down.;)

THAT is such a great itinerary; I've loved it both times.............ENJOY!

We got sunburned last year in May..............hope the same for you.

If you want to buy the REAL thing............it's a good place to do so.

The less expensive ones (that they have in the coupon books) are made in China...............who wants to go to Alaska and buy a fake made in China?

If you want Alaska souvenirs, be sure to watch for the little Polar Bear symbol on the packaging.............support Alaska...................the state has only a limited number of months to make money from us. Just my opinion.....(I go pretty much every year). ;) My best year was when we spent from June 18 until August 8th up there in our motorhome.............used the Marine System on the way up and then drove the whole way back................well, I didn't drive an inch; my husband did all the driving!

Thank you all for your great answers. We are staying at the Pan Pacific and planned to go to the terminal about 10:30 after a room service breakfast.

Great choice (though not huge rooms) because they take your luggage directly to the ship for you!

Me too! I'm going late August, my first Alaska cruise. I'm wondering what they serve on the Oosterdam to Alaska. since I don't like fish it will limit my choices. :)

You will most likely have beef, poultry, pasta, vegetarian, pork to choose from..........a big variety. For me, there's always more than one from which to choose.

There will be a variety of soups, salads, fruist, cocktails (ie: prawn) and THEN..............several desserts, too.

Have fun!

I always take an envelope with lots of ones and a couple of fives in it and tape it inside a closet door.

If we are ordering bkfst. I take out two or three before going to bed and have them on the table, waiting, because they are always in a rush and really can't wait for me to locate my purse, then my wallet.

If we order a big meal, we tip more that a couple of ones. IMO, they earn my tip...............and I'm lucky to be able to give it to them.:)

Thanks, everyone, for your information!

I "always" think I'm going to suggest Lunch in the P, but have never done it!

This is just a seven day cruise (which I don't personally like)................I enjoy L-O-N-G ones with lots of Sea Days............but, I'm taking my grown kids and their spouses AND, they still work (for pay), so I'll take any amount of time they can get away for a fun Family gathering.

:D

Can someone please tell me about breakfast in the Pinnacle?

I understand it's "only for suite passengers." OR is it only for Neptune Suite Passengers?

Is it part of our fare or do you pay extra as you do for lunch and dinner?

(I do love having dinner there but have never had lunch).

Almost two hundred Mariner Days and this will be my first Suite experience!:)

Thinking about doing this excursion. Anyone have any feedback on it? Any other recommendations for Skagway?

Unless you have something wonderful in mind for Haines, I'd spend the day discovering Skagway. It has much more to do............