shuyak

Wonder if any recent cruiser or locaks can advise if myki Explorer is available at Port of Melbourne? If so, what attraction special offers are included? The PTV site has a few places listed, but clicking each link will lead to "Sorry - Page Not Found ". Hope to better plan our day at Melbourne in coming March Thank you!

Motion sensor under the closet (across from the bathroom) will lit when one walk by in both Zuiderdam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Used the curtain as well (pic from Zuiderdam) We had exactly same impression on our first HAL Cruise/Tour/Cruise in June, 2022.

@OzKiwiJJ, thank you for this very informational thread!

@paulvdb1, can you please clarify if you took an organized excursion to Zealandier and Te Papa? Is the Te Papa tour you mentioned the 1 hr introduction tour? We plan to DYI Zealandier (w/ its 2 hr Day Tour) and Te Papa (considering its 1 hr Introducing Tour). Thank you for the feedback!

We called the hotel (and all the hotels along the way) 3 months ago and was told yes, there are coin operated laundry facility in the complex. We did not use it while was there a month ago. Suggest just to call them directly.

One may find some useful info from the linked report at end. Activity/excursion synopsis: VANCOUVER Power PadeTours (E-bike) https://powerpedaltours.ca/ Landsea tours and adventures (North Shore Mountain Discivery) https://vancouvertours.com/tour/mountain-discovery-tour/ JUNEAU Juneau Tours (Whale Watch and Mandall Glacier) https://www.juneautours.com/tours/mendenhall-glacier-juneau-whale-watching-combo-tour/ SKAGWAY White Pass & Yukon Railway (White Pass Summit Excursion) https://wpyr.com/ Drive from Skagway throught Carcross and Emerland Lake to Yukon https://www.travelyukon.com/en/discover/regions/southern-lakes/carcross DAWSON CITY Top of the Dome https://www.ehcanadatravel.com/1-yukon/klondike/dawson-city/parks-places/4612-midnight-dome-lookout.html FAIRBANKS Riverboat Discovery https://www.riverboatdiscovery.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8ImptLTy-AIVIv_jBx2Xzwe4EAAYASAAEgLDsvD_BwE Gold Dredg 8 https://www.golddredge8.com/ DENALI Tundra Wilsness Tour https://www.denaliparkvillage.com/tours/tundra-wilderness-tour/ Fly Denali (Denali Park Flight Seeing and Glacier Landing) https://www.flydenali.com/glacier-landing-tour/ ANCHORAGE Anchorage Trolley Tours https://anchoragetrolley.com/ SKAGWAY Alaska Excursions (Glacirt Point Wildness Safari) https://www.alaskaexcursions.com/glacier-safari-2/ JUNEAU Overstreet Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31020-d15266752-Reviews-Overstreet_Park-Juneau_Alaska.html KETICHKEN Ketichken Kayak Company (Kayak Eco Tour) https://www.ketchikankayakco.com/activities/kayak-eco-tour/ RICHMOND, BC Richmond Night Market https://richmondnightmarket.com/

Add some pictures and comments to roundup. Vancouver Landsea tour to Capiano Bridge and Grouse Mountain, Juneau Tour whale watching, Skagway small museum (those tiny elephant!) and white pass train ride, Port of Skagway (before RR dock was damaged), Enroute to Carcross, Carcross Desert, Dawson City Top of Dome, Fairbanks riverboat, Denali national park (had to take a picture of the rustic restroom door), Cruisetrain from Anchorage to Whittier (and the 2.5 mile long tunnel), More from Skagway Glacier Point Wildness Safari, Richmond night market (though with light rain) had lots exotic dishes and was crowded, Additional random thoughts, Air Canada, thought light in beverage services, has good leg room, and we appreciate its mask mandate. Bus on land tour has much higher line of vision than a car/suv/minivan, hence provides much better scenery views than a lower vehicle could. Shuyak

@llarsen, we did both RT summit train ride and bus through Carcross to Yukon in our recent 19 day cruisetour. Train ride was beautiful, and you get to take pictures any time/any where along the way, Emerland lake near Carcross is stunning, and you got to take pictures when/where the bus makes those few minute stop, The experience will be different, but you will have good time whichever you choose. Just make sure it is what YOU really want to do, and your family members know that. Enjoy.

@kuddles14, we just came back from 19 day cruisetour. Since we were in Skagway twice, did the RT train ride to summit, bus drive through Carcross to Yukon, and the Glacier Point Wilsness Safari by Alaska Excursions. Train ride was beautiful, Emerland lake near Carcross was stunning, Glacier Point Wildness Safari had scenery, jet boating, canoeing, wildlife (could have walked to glacier if not too high water level), and lots of fun, If prefer scenery, and if train ride reopens to Carcross next year, would recommend to do train up/bus down. If prefer actions in addition to scenery, would recommend the 6 -6.5 hr Glacier Point Wildness Safari. We arrived port at 7 am, joined the 7:30 am tour. Back to port around 2 pm. More pictures in my linked report below.

We were at Skagway on 6/29/22 with 4 ships. Royal Princess was on the damaged dock and being tendered.

We were at Skagway on 6/29/22, saw Royal Princess being tendered. Fyi

Just came back from 19 day Alaska cruisetour. We went to deck 7 bow (compared to deck 5 bow, less sun exposure and less crowded) during forward viewing, went back to aft balcony enjoying hours of backward viewing as the ship sailed away from glaciers and bay. Report linked below with some pictures from aft balcony fyi.

We just came back from 19 day vancouver roundtrip alaska/ yukon cruisetour. Probably even more stressful then you are now - both before and during the trip (How many tests and when? How many arrivecan and when? How many verifly and when? Excursions being cancelled/ rebook/reconfirmed. Flight changed once, twice, rebooked. What if tested positive at sea? on land?). Really eally relieved that US test requirement was lifted the day when we left home. Linked below is my trip report for your glimps. All in all, we say worth it just for the scenery.

@Gray Lady, I am not qualified to address your questions, for this trip is our first experience with HAL, and it is the only post-covid cruise (2 HAL ships though) we had. I don't think it is fair to compare pre-covid experience to post-covid experience. Also, what we consider value will not be the same as yours'. HAL has some very good itineraries, including the Panama Cannal that we may consider for future cruise. Our general thoughts to share, They all provides good services, food quality ranges from ok to excellent, entertainments are up to individual tastes. We always book excursions independently, can not comment in that front. Carnival generally has bigger cabins; you would have good experience as long as avoiding school and collage vacation periods. Norwegian started with free style sailing concept that attracted us. Although many paid specialty restaurants, it includes more days of specialty restaurants in its perks (compared to HAL's only 1). Celebrity is a bit refined of the above, and some memorable staff and dishes. HAL (post-covid, and at 50% capacity) is very quite. Almost all Zurderdam's dishes have too salty sauces. NS are much better to our taste, and had overall wonderful meal on it's 2nd dressy night. Hope you find the best cruise to match your preference.

T-mobile's partner is Telus, very strong signal in and around Vancouver. In Alaska, I think most time is GCI and sometimes is AT&T. Ok in bigger city, none in remote area. Now, we used most staff brought: Rain coat, poncho, mosquito net (Top of Dome in Dawson City), mosquito wipe, packable jacket, wind breaker, etc. Think the only item we did not use is the rain pant. Although the view of Mt. Denali on the flight Dawson City to Fairbanks is a real treat, we may not redo the Yukon portion. We think the most scenic portion the entire route is Skagway White Pass. If offered in future years, do a train to Carcross then bus down. The pro of cruisetour is everything is planned and arranged for you, but only if you have a good tour director that will inform you all essentials ahead of time. Ours, every time the bus driver handed him the mic, he responded : "I really have nothing to say". All bus drivers are very good. The con of cruisetour is you do not have control of the schedule - every day luggage out and departure time is different. It can be tiring after on the road for days, especially with many conflicting info. As already mentioned, most other traveller's from Princess and HAL we encountered, land or cruise, do not wear mask. Add Celebrity to the list. There was the emergency drill on ship while we were at Juneau. The captain announced for us to ignore it, including the "quarantine rooms". Just don't know how many were there. Toward the end of cruise, more coughing around the ship we can hear. Wear mask, keep distance and frequent sanitizing worked for us. Since last year, many CC members help by providing valuable info for us to make own decisions. This is my turn to hopeful providing some useful info for fellow cruisers. Unless there are questions, am signing off. Happy cruising to all.

While waiting for debarkation call, we checked in for tomorrow's flight. Heard many commented about its convenience, we tested Canada line to YVR. Walking about 5 min from port, got the senior day pass (rate was updated on July 1 :0), train came about every 5 - 7 min. At least 3 ships on port today, the train to YVR was very crowded at around 9:30. At YVR while waiting for hotel shuttle, we bumped into our cruisetour mates on way back to Toronto. It's really a small world. Dropped off luggage at hotel, we took advantage of the day pass, ventured to Richmond checking out various restaurants (lots and lots) and stores. Very surprised to find a small restaurant in a food court had excellent xiaolong bao (soup dumpling). See the soup filled over bottom third, and the skin held well did mot break. Also checked out our favorite store - right across our hotel. Found something not seen in our area. It is drizzling on and off, not sure if we will take a look of the famous Rixhmond Night Market.

@Gray Lady, thank you. Hope you/travel partner are asymptomatic or w/ minimum symptom. Our biggest fear was being tested positive last day on ship that would require 10 day quarantine per Canada's rule. You now have the best reason to just do an Alaska cruise.

It was Canada day when we were in Ketichken. (For display only?!) It was overcast, perfect for our Kayak Eco tour with Ketichken Kayak Company. No whale nor orca encounter, saw lots eagles, seal, star fish, the norwegian ship sailed away, and a deer in some island home's yard (took a picture anyway even though we Have families of deers coming to I ur backyard. Lol) Wandered around town took some random pictures. Didn't do much yesterday cruising inside passage. Didn't see wildlife other than seals and birds. Sunset was beautiful from our balcony. Arrived Vancouver in the morning. Overcast then light rain. Will stay one more night for the early morning (the only) direct flight back.

Ha ha, just a wishful thinking. We are lucky enough to see it 3 times, Dawson flight to Fairbanks (confirmed by Denali Park ranger), in Denali Park, and on Fly Denali flight.

Nieuw Amsterdam. Guest service told us there are 1,100 passengers on this ship (50%). The return NB cruise will have 1,600.

Just taking it easy in Juneau. Went to info center got the map. Took a easy walk to the Overstreet park. Not sure how often Waterfountain will be on. Saw a few whales from balcony, including breaching. Some needs binoculars to see. Saw this higher up there on east as we head south to Ketichken. Wonder could it be Mt. Denali?? Ship is about to leave Ketichken. Will continue later

Skagway was cloudy to start but end up wonderful weatherwise. Went to Glacier Point Wildness Safari with Alaska Excursions. Jet boat from Skagway to near Davidson Glacier, bus transfer to canoe site, canoeing to near the foot of glacier, walk to glacier if condition permits (it was not for us, water level was too high), jet boat back with a few scenic stops. We had great time! Glacier ice Guide checking water level After that, we went to town to take a walk. This sign in a small jewelry store had us smile.

@Gray Lady, very sorry that you did not make it to your first cruise! Hope you had a wonderful land tour.

Another foggy start as we approach Glacier Bay. From lido, saw the small boat the park rangers came up to ship. The ship was delayed to address a medical emergency happened last night. Itinerary was changed, but the weather began to clear up. Saw quite a few wildlife while waiting (cell did not take as clear pic's as camera). Sea otters, whales, lots of birds, eagle, Also saw the sister Dam came out from the bay. We only spent time at Marjorie Glacier. It was massive! Heard a few thunder up in the mountain. Happy to see small calving twice. Saw 3 whales from balcony! It was a wonderful day! A tip, in addition to deck 5, deck 7 bow will also open. It is right below the bridge, less sun exposure, less crowded. Ship is about to leave Juneau. Will try to update tomorrow after excursion at Ketichken.

It was cloudy and foggy as we approach Hubbard glacier. The small boat excursion was called off. Saw a black rock near by, wondered if the ship needed to maneuver avoiding it. All of a sudden, the black rock showed two nostrils and hummed up. It's a whale! Happenef too fast to take picture. The captain waited patiently. All of a sudden, it cleared up and the sun came out! As the ship turned around, got other pictures from our balcony, also as the ship sailed away. We appreciated the aft location even more. Thanks to the tips from @Crew News.