psuboater

#10 are all breweries without food so I don’t think that fits your list. If it was on the water downtown you might have eaten at Anthony’s at Pier 66, and depending where your hotel is, there’s a killer set of stairs back up to the downtown core.

There was a medical call yesterday afternoon, but we haven’t heard anything yet since. I know we were very slow yesterday because the winds were bad, so they kept our cruising speed to a minimum so we could all enjoy outside.

The wonderful thing about this cruise is with 2.5 days in Bermuda, you rarely see bottle necking all week. There’s a lot of repeat cruisers (like us) who don’t need to rush off the ship first thing. We tend to get off around 11am or so the first day. It’s the best of both worlds- you get a cruise without the stress of getting back to the port every day. Enjoy! We’re on the Joy right now and sad to leave her.

Here’s my running list: 1) Din Tai Fung/Dough Zone ($$)- I like both - they are excellent choices for dumplings and noodles. Din Tai Fung is a global chain where Dough Zone is more local, but you can't go wrong with either. These two places are where I'd miss if we left Seattle. 2) Sushi ($$$) -Momji Sushi in Capitol Hill is PHENOMENAL. There are a lot of good sushi places, but this is a standout for me. 3) Salt and Straw ($) - technically a Portland import and growing nationally, but the best ice cream in the country, hands down. 4) Canon ($$$) - expensive, but their craft cocktails are theatre in itself. On the drink menu, the icon next to the drink description is what it will be served in. Some examples - a glass apple, a metal canon, an IV bag, a Nintendo Cartridge....and more! 5) Rhein Haus ($) is a cozy traditional beer hall with great appetizers. 6) Butcher's Table ($$$$) - is our favorite steak place in the city. I love the ambiance and their steak flights are worth it. 7) Bateau ($$$$) - They were just featured in the NY Times - they pride themselves on using all cuts of meat of the cow - so you'll get cuts that you won't see on most menus. The earlier you can make a reservation in the night, the better- when a cut is gone, it's gone for the evening. 8. Starbucks Reserve Roastery ($) -- skip the "original" Starbucks at Pike Place and go to the Roastery and Reserve room in Capitol Hill. It's a Willy Wonka of coffee - with giant copper roasters, artesian sandwiches, craft cocktails and unique Starbucks gifts for the Starbucks obsessed. The proscuitto, parm, and argula on croissant seems like it can be made anywhere but it is so heavenly. 9. Another Starbucks trick - the Starbucks in Columbia Tower on Floor 40. It's free to go in, and you get views of the city higher than the Space Needle. 10. Craft Beer - We have some of the best craft beer in the country because most hops are grown in Yakima Valley, WA. Be sure to try Reuben's Brews, Fremont Brewing, Cloudburst and Holy Mountain. 11. Some Random Bar ($$) - In Belltown, used to be my go to for Happy Hour. Try the crab nachos and the house made pina colada (for real - wouldn't think Seattle = Pina Colada, but yes, awesome) 12. Dino's Tomato Pie ($)- If you're missing East Coast pizza, this is the closest thing to it. It's owned by a ex-Jersey guy, and we would happily pay out the nose for delivery to get this pizza. I almost brought it home on the train with me. 13. The Pink Door ($$) - Views of the Sound from Pike Place Market - excellent Italian food, and sometimes there's circus-like acts of entertainment. 14. Quick bites at the Market: Grabbing a Grilled Cheese at Beechers ($) - then walking through the market where the arts and crafts are on the top floor - you'll come to an outdoor patio with views of the sound that's kind of hidden away, and therefore, not as crowded. For a less touristy selection at the market - Farvahar Persian Cafe ($) is a family run stand that is so good. 15. Copperworks Distillery ($$) - Located right near the touristy pier, the building is amazing and their spirits are good enough to take home. (Still Seattle, but not downtown but worth an Uber): 12. Windy City Pie (Greenlake) ($) - really intereting Chicago style pies 13. Cafe Munir (Ballard/Crownhill) ($$) - Our favorite local joint in Ballard for Lebanese food - I miss their hummus and garlic sauce so much. 14. Pestle Rock (Ballard) ($$) - This is Northern Thai food - so beyond a Pad Thai and a Curry Chicken - really interesting dishes. 15. Ray's Boathouse (Ballard) ($$$) - a Seattle staple that's on the water and great seafood. 16. The Masonry (Fremont) ($$) - Great coal fired pies and an amazing craft beer selection, with outdoor seating/fire pits.

I’ve shared this story a bunch of times when we get posts like this but I know the search feature is bad. On our 2022 sailing to Alaska, while we got into port on time, we experienced customs delays. The first group started disembarking at 8:30am. There were massive of panicked people shouting they’d miss their flight but US Customs doesn’t care. We live in the area so hung back until the end but we saw a lot of tears that morning. Seattle traffic is it’s own level of pain, as geography with the water makes for minimal alternative ways if something happens on I5. A rainy day and an accident one evening turned my planned “3 hours and relax in the lounge” to “arriving at the gate while boarding.” While you might hear someone say on here “I’ve done it before!” I’ve been flying out of SEA for 7 years now and know there’s a lot of things that can go wrong.

Whoa whoa whoa, calm down there. The June 9th crew is not ready for this 😉

Greetings from the Thermal Spa. You got a steal at $199 as it was $299 to pre book. However, absolutely no regrets!

I've lived here for 7 years now, and I still get excited when "The Mountain is Out" 🙂 I hope you enjoy our city, OP! I am on the opposite coast gearing for a Mother/Daughter trip on the Joy tomorrow, so keep Seattle well for me until I get back!

Another vote for the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown. When I was there last year, the rooms were still the old Marriott branding, but the location was great, the downstairs rennovated and a great location. If you're a casino fan, we really liked The Douglas. The Casino has the JW Marriott on one side and The Douglas(also Marriott owned) on the other. It's definitely a bit more "sexy", but we loved the rooms, as well as the bar made fantastic cocktails.

Last week the cheapest we could get 10 days in advance downtown was close to $400 with all taxes and fees.

Yes, it is very easy - once you get your luggage, follow the signs for the Light Rail. It will take you through the airport parking garage (about 1/3 of a mile) and to the train station. It's $3 each direction, per person. In terms of safety - what is your comfort level on public transit? If you're used to city life and the good and bad with it, you'll be fine. In the summer, 10pm it has just turned dark, and there's a lot of airport traffic going in and out at that time with red-eyes to the East Coast being very popular. Seattle has really beefed up their transit authority team in the past couple of months, and with the summer coming, I'm sure that will only increase. If there's a Mariners game or a concert that night, expect full trains of revelers as well. As a female traveling alone, I might opt for an uber at that hour, but if you're all together, I wouldn't imagine any issues. I regularly take the light rail alone with no issues.

Vote for specialty the first night. The first night is always a mess as people are learning the ship and bottlenecking into reservations. Last year we did Ocean Blue the first night and had a front seat to the Statue of Liberty during our sailaway. It took the stress out of the first night for sure.

I found the smaller dining rooms (Taste and Savor) had better service than the larger Manhattan room. Dinner was always fine. However I set my expectations accordingly living in a few foodie cities in my adult life. Honestly, the Indian section at the buffet was consistently excellent. Even though we have 6 speciality dinings planned, that Indian food during lunch is what I’m looking forward to the most! They offer it from dinner as well, so if that’s up your alley I recommend that for dinner!

The Purple Store downtown offers luggage storage for the day: https://www.thepurplestore.com/luggage-storage-seattle.shtml

How are The Birds in the bacon cooler at 11pm? Do we get a view of the ship’s brig next? 😉

https://www.king5.com/article/travel/sea-airport-undergoes-major-construction-projects/281-c5fa8585-0a6c-481b-801f-32de08b993a9 Wanted to make you aware if you’re traveling to or from here right before or after Memorial Day weekend, the local news reported SEATAC airport is reporting its highest volume of passengers all year, with over 175k people coming through TSA checkpoints on 5/24. Some tips: -Be aware Billy Joel is playing at T Mobile Park downtown on 5/24. Expect massive traffic delays from northbound and southbound. Traffic is worst from 4-8 and clears around 8pm before the concert lets out around 11pm - Leave as much time as possible in getting to the airport. - If you can, utilize the light rail to get to the airport. It’s about a 1/3 mile walk from the station to the terminal but it’s all covered in the garages and there are free golf cart shuttles provided. -If you’re being dropped off, ask to be dropped off at arrivals if the line to departures is backed up. It’s very simple to get to departures from there. -If you don’t have TSA pre, utilize space saver - https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver -If you’re disembarking and your flight is after noon, look into if your cruise participates into port valet. They will take your bags the last night of the cruise and get them checked at the airport. It’s free and it’s a massive time saver. Welcome and happy cruising!

Last year on the Joy to Bermuda I bid max on the lowest level Haven room, and did not get it. I did the same on an RCL equivalent in early 2022 when they weren’t full capacity and nada. Now I’ll throw a small bid in “just in case” but spend that money on Vibe, FAS+, extra dining and now the Thermal Spa, and I’m just as happy. 🙂

Another recommendation for 13 coins. It’s right next to King Street Station, is open late hours, and is essentially a diner so your kid will find lots of things to eat on a picky palette. To anyone reading this who wants to take Amtrak the same day as their cruise, I am on the Cascades right now to Everett to get home. We’ve stopped twice now- once because we lost air pressure (30 minute delay) and now for freight train access (10 minutes). We are already 40 minutes delayed for what should be a 45 minute train ride for me. Not sure what’s to come on the way up, but factor in any customs problems at the border, and you’re not making your cruise. Definitely plan an overnight if you’re taking the train up!

Depending on your cruise line and airline, they might participate in Cruise Valet. It’s a free service that will take your bags from outside your cabin the last night and check them to your final destination.

Staying downtown for The Rolling Stones concert and the cheapest we could find was the Four Points by Sheraton. Very impressed with this location, rooms are spacious and modern. Wanted to add there’s a shuttle to either Pier 91 or 66 for $15pp. Happy cruising!

Don't give away the best kept secret on the Joy! 😄 This is a perfect place to go on embarkation day as not many people know it's there yet, a perfect way to get away from the crowds while you're waiting for your room to open.

Really hoping not Everett as I was planning on going off island tomorrow 😄 Just saw on the news- he’s landing at SEA around 5pm tomorrow.

Local here - they have not yet released where he's going to be yet but confirmed he will be in town tomorrow, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th. There's also a six-game Mariners homestand this weekend as well, and the 520 Bridge (which should only impact you if you are driving in from the east, coming from the airport will not be affected), oh, and 3 boats are scheduled to be in port on Saturday May, 11th. All transit alerts will be shared by our DOT - https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2024/05/09/travel-advisory-president-biden-visit/ Plan a few extra hours in getting where you need to be tomorrow and Saturday, and may the odds be ever in your favor. 😀

As a daughter of a father who raised me on great coffee, it's....fine. It's drinkable, although a bit weak. We get FAS+, so Starbucks is included, but what I'll typically do is start with a cappucino to start the day as an early riser, and then when we get breakfast a few hours later, I'll have some buffet coffee. I won't go out of my way to get Starbucks if the buffet coffee is right there.

I’ve been to Vancouver a few times in the past couple of years. No need for cash, I used Apple Pay most times. The only time I’ve needed cash in Canada in recent memory was on the other side of the country for St. Viteaur bagels in Montreal 🙂 Also, when the prompt asks if you want to pay in USD or CAD- always choose the local currency! Your bank will give you a much more favorable rate.