techteach

The German village is Leavenworth. If you’ve been to Germany then don’t bother. St. Helens is fascinating, but make sure the visitor center is open. You could go up to Mt. Rainier. I recommend Tipsoo Lake. A wonderful walk around the lake with breathtaking views of the mountain.

I live 5 minutes from the cruise terminal in Seattle. We allow 30 minutes from our door to the airport. If I had a 1:30 international flight I’d leave home at 11:00. September is less hectic than June for traffic and airport congestion. There will be lots of taxis available at the cruise terminal, most are small Prius’. When we pre-arrange a car service to the airport we pay over $100.00, so if Cunard is charging $80.00 that sounds like a good deal to me, although much more than a cab from the cruise terminal, but our luggage would never fit in a Prius! A taxi/car will drop you in the arrivals area, which is congested at any time of year. The Cunard bus would probably go to a new area at the airport designated for them, so perhaps less stressful. There is a new international terminal which I haven’t flown out of. We usually fly Alaska Airlines to New York, then BA to Heathrow. At the cruise terminal there are people standing to look at your paper work — no turnstile or even a place for them to sit. The drop-off at the cruise terminal is congested to say the least. People have to walk in front of cars pulling their luggage and unlike in Southampton or New York, there aren’t people waiting to whisk away luggage, and there are people who haven’t tagged their luggage standing in the way…just ridiculous! (Note: this was for Celebrity and RCI in the past 2 years) I haven’t sailed HA out of Seattle in over 10 years and I assume Cunard will use the HA berth. Please feel free to ask me questions, and of course there is always the Western Ports forums. I know most of you aren’t thrilled to be sailing out of Seattle, but I’m excited to finally have Cunard at my doorstep and listen to the QE’s mighty horn every afternoon at sail away.

@Log Flumer You could go read the extensive well documented travels in this forum titled “Not Quite Live…Alaska.” You’ll be able to see the menu and read his review as a first timer on Cunard.

We’re getting the smoke from Oregon and the sun has been red all day. Thursday was my last day as all day grandmababysitter! Now I get to do what I want to do! I finished a small quilt for DH this morning and started a big one I’ve had in the queue for over a year. (I had to watch the same YouTube video multiple times to understand how to use the special ruler!) I’ve caught up with the almost live from Alaska thread, great fun!, and will head back to ironing, cutting, sewing. @Host Hattie have a great time on QA, @Lanky Lad I’m sorry you can’t jump onto QM2, but have a good week. I’ve started laying out clothes for our 3 days on QE on the 18th as she moves from Alaska via Vancouver to San Francisco.

@mking8288 You have made this SO much fun, and now I hope someone else will start a new adventure. I look forward to hearing about your day in Victoria. Have safe travels home, welcome to Cunard, and check out the TA’s on QM2 for your next adventure!

Today is Labor Day in the U.S. I give thanks to the people in restaurants who wash my dishes, to the person who climbs the pole to keep the electricity flowing, to the escalator repairers, the snow plow operators, and the floor washers. Thanks to those who labor in cold and wet, in humidity and heat. Thanks to those who do the smelly jobs no one really wants to do. May you have a day of rest today.

Have fun, dance your feet off, eat lots of good food and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Looking forward to hearing about Stanley Park. I was there in 1968. Do you think it’s changed? We’re sailing QE Vancouver to San Fran in about 2 weeks and staying at the Westin located next to Stanley Park. I’m really enjoying your posts and love having all of your friends join in.

Lots of thoughts as I read the posts. My 2 cents worth: +We did the hovercraft to view wild life and saw none. +Tram in Juneau. Go walk around and then come back to it. A huge line forms and it took us a good 30 minutes or more standing in line. When we came back down, about 30 minutes later, the line has dissipated. +Crab will be available in Alaska at any time I think. In Seattle the fresh crab is Dungeness and is seasonal, in Alaska crab is usually King, or sometimes Snow. In Seattle King crab is frozen at sea and shipped, or flown, down. +When I did a last minute cruise 2 years ago all of the ship excursions were sold out, so I booked through Trip Advisor with no problems at all. Also, I was thinking about your love of Italian food. Just down the alley from your hotel is a really fun and popular Italian restaurant called The Pink Door. You Must make reservations well in advance. If you go later in the evening there is live music. If you go earlier sit out of the deck and hopefully enjoy the sunshine. (It’s not the best Italian food in Seattle, but its probably the most fun and easily within waking distance)

Highly recommend taking masks and tests. DH got off an RC cruise 2 weeks ago and brought home Covid.

@david,Mississauga What a great review David. I’m glad to hear QG was to your liking. We board in 22 days for our first time on QE. Short 3 day from Vancouver to San Fran to test her out. We’re signed up for a Q3 for Alaska in June 2025 if this short hop is to our liking. Love the Maritime Museum in Halifax and the whole St. Lawrence. We cruised it on Holland America many years ago and would love to repeat it on QV. @WantedOnVoyage get going on that Cunard ownership idea!

Never been a fan of green tomatoes. But thanks for the idea. This has not been a good year for tomatoes in our neighborhood.

They tasted great. The boys ate them as fast as they pulled them. Alas, the strawberries, green beans, and peas are done but the tomatoes are finally turning red and they love to pick them as well. This is fun!

The 6 and 4 year old grandsons decided the carrots were ready for harvest. 🤣

The Inn is a great location right in the heart of the market. If you like real French Omelettes go downstairs to Campagne. September is nearing the end of Dungeness crab season, but that is what we’re known for. Walk down to the waterfront and just about any place will have good seafood. There are a lot to choose from with lots of price points. Anthony’s is upscale, Aqua at the far end is even more upscale. Ivar’s has an oyster bar and the crab pot has great outdoor dining on the wharf. I haven’t been up it, but the Smith Tower has an observation level with a bar and has a great history. Our local art gallery, the SAM, is at the end of the market across from the 4 Seasons. I think it’s closed on Monday and Tuesday and as a member I guess I should know that! The majority of the real art galleries are south of downtown near T-Mobile Park. Our Symphony is a Benaroya Hall, 2 blocks from the market, but Sept. 8 would be too early, that is probably opening night. Opera might be swing. You would walk up town to the Monorail and ride it to Seattle Center. Our local baseball team, the Mariner’s would probably have tickets available and it is a great park. You could walk to Benaroya Hall and take the rail line to the stadiums. Football. Sept. 8 would be a season opener and tickets probably won’t be available or $$$. The first thing I did when we booked our June, 2025, Alaska cruise was book the train. I decided to “go big or go home” so I booked the first class car. I didn’t think my back could handle that many hours on a hard bench. Whale watching can be done from places other than Juneau and can be booked through TripAdvisor. I would NOT book a plane excursion unless it is through Cunard. How many days will be you here prior to embarkation?

My Cunard TA said the decision to move to Seattle had a lot to do with air travel for passengers. Way more flights into SeaTac so people can disembark, be to the airport in 30 minutes and fly out close to noon.

@Megabear2 Welcome to Seattle, almost…soon. Are you staying at the Inn At The Market, or the 4 Seasons? What do you like to eat? There are lots of possibilities since you’re staying at the market. September is one of the nicest months of the year in Seattle. Lots of blue sky and moderate temperatures with little rain. The mountain will be out. Have fun planning and I’m happy to answer any questions.

@RosannaEL Thanks very much for posting this information. Enjoy your wine and your cruise.

@ronpes I’m so glad to hear you had a wonderful double TA! I bet those ponies will be glad to see you. We’re counting down the days until our double TA in December, so it was good to hear your positive report.

I’m hoping someone from Cunard is trolling CC and hops on this.

This is why I don’t eat in the buffet.

Really enjoying the Olympics. I loved the opening ceremony also @alc13. Glad @ronpeshas arrived in New York, but I hate that huge Macy’s store. Does it still have the wooden escalator stairs? @Bigmike911 I’m glad the rain has let up and I hope that all of you with deer issues are able to handle them. We don’t have deer here in almost downtown Seattle, but we do have lots of bunnies and coyotes. Last Sunday we pulled up to church and a coyote came prancing across the street and headed to the open door to the sanctuary. Fortunately he decided it wasn’t a good idea and continued on his journey hoping to find more bunnies. Everyone have a good week!

@Bigmike911 Happy 80!!! @NE John Happy 60!!! This is my favorite thread on CC. I feel like we could sit down with a cup of coffee and have a good chat.

@ronpes Enjoy your TA forth and back! I hope you have an opportunity to sit on deck, soak up sun, and view wild creatures swimming.

@Bigmike911 I thought of you last night as I swept up the mess from the neighbors tree. I need to call someone today to cut back their mess.