Cruise4Sunshine

Jane,

 

I took HAL's Westerdam to Japan this Spring, one of the first cruises back there after COVID. The food was excellent, even some nights had Asian themes in the Lido buffet, so we enjoyed that rather than the MDR. The Shore Excursions were wonderful! The man eho owned the company was in every port assuring we were taken care of at the pier. In 2 weeks he only had days off while we were calling in Korea. It was a magical trip, though the castles were a lot of stairs. I had to change my excursions after the first two nearly killed my knees. I sailed the Noordam in Australia, and liked it very much. No dedicated Rock Room or BB Kings, but they rotated in the Queen's lounge for performances and dancing. 

Many thanks for your ongoing review. Taking same itinerary in Feb., and the tips on Shore Ex and entertainment has been really helpful. Haven't cruised Celebrity in 20 years, giving them another shot with a group deal. Hope KARMA gets the sweater thief. 🙏

On 12/23/2022 at 10:02 AM, Homosassa said:

Curious about your home town.

 

I grew up in Patchogue.

My ancestors are buried in Patchogue. There is an archeological dig happening on their former home, George Washington may have stayed there during his "Oyster Tour" of L.I. You should be super proud of your town's history.

On 7/17/2021 at 8:12 AM, marazul said:

And now, music banned in Mykonos!

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1164725/music-banned-on-greece-s-mykonos-in-new-covid-19-restrictions/

If you want to know where the Raves are, follow the music. Also in indoor restaurants people can sit further from each other and not shout if it is quiet, less chance for spread. Only 51% of Greeks are vaccinated.

I have used athensbytaxi many times over the years. You can reserve in advance, pay a bit more, but they will be there for you. They speak perfect English, so call or use their online form. Great for day trips from Athens as well. 

On 6/13/2021 at 1:37 PM, irvington said:

I’m resurrecting this thread because I’m continuing to think about what to do in Rhodes. If I were traveling by myself or with someone just like me, I would tend to sign up for an ambitious day of sightseeing. I’m trying to balance my urges to do that with what my younger son would like, since he’s my travel companion this time. He wants to avoid nonstop organized tours. So I’m wondering, even though he and I both really like ancient and medieval history, and that’s why we’re going to Greece, this would be a good day to DIY and focus on the old town. Does anyone have a recommendation of a resource either in print or online about what to see in the area near the cruise ship? If we can wander and go to museums, and I can get what I would get out of a tour guide through something in print, that may serve both of our needs. Does the Blue Guide series still exist?

There are some good YouTube videos about what to do & see in Rhodes. Perhaps you can watch them with your son to get you both pumped for the trip.

Meteora,

 

A few ladies from the ship and I booked a taxi driver on the pier for a short 2 hour tour of the whole island. Mind you this was several years ago, but it was about $50 USD per person. He took us to the former underground "hospital" which was nearly the gas chamber, to the cliffs, the shoreside community opposite end of the island, a tiny church made of broken tiles, many of the best views of the Island.  We got back to town in plenty of time to see the fortress, have proper tea and enjoy some strolling through the shops after everyone had returned to the ships.

Hello Fellow Cruiser,

 

Last summer after my early a.m. shore excursion to Edvard Greig's home (with a classical piano concert), there was still time in port. I walked out to the pier and talked with a taxi driver. He wanted to do a 3 hour tour, I talked him down to 1 hour for $70USD, we filled the car, went up to the market, top of the funicular by road, through neighborhoods, past the dockyard, saw the back side of the city, a lovely tour for just a short time.  Negotiate and you may be able to see and do it on your own without a lot of walking or waiting.

Here's the latest on the viaduct, completion of demo slated for Sept. 2019, but the tunnel is 18 or more months behind schedule. Transportation services will know the way around, but if you have the option to walk off early with your own luggage, I would do so to gain those extra minutes. Save the anxiety that undoes your vacation.

https://seattle.curbed.com/2017/8/3/16092162/alaskan-way-viaduct-demolition

There will be major construction (demolition of the viaduct) in 2019, so keep this in mind for next summer in Seattle. Allow extra time coming in same day, especially Pier 66, won't affect Pier 91. We won't know until Feb. or Mar. how it will affect downtown traffic. Don't rent a car. We have great bus, light rail and Uber/Lyft service.

 

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May rains sometimes bring mudslides north of Seattle, which can cancel service. Amtrak brings in buses to get you there, but doesn't guarantee times. There is a great bus called Bolt Bus, from the Amtrak Station to Same in Seattle. Currently $25 one way.

 

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You don’t say which cruise line you are sailing on, but I will tell you a bit about your options on Royal Caribbean. We sailed on the Explorer of the Seas in May, and debarkation was the easiest of any cruise we’ve ever been on.

 

It is possible with several airlines (we were on Southwest) to have boarding passes printed and have your luggage transferred from the ship to the airport without you having to lift a finger. BP’s and luggage check tags are delivered to your cabin by your cabin steward on the evening before debarkation. You put your checked bags in the hallway the night before, and the next time you see it is on the luggage carousel at your home airport. We walked off the ship at 6:30 AM with our carry-ons, caught a cab (lined up right outside the terminal), and we were at the airport by 7:30 for an 11:25 AM flight.

 

Pier 91 in Seattle was possibly the most well-organized of any we’ve experienced, including Miami. There was no tipping, either ... you just dropped off luggage and went into the terminal. And debarkation was a breeze. I hope you also find this to be true!

 

Bon voyage!

Sam

Current Yellow Cab rates, the only company allowed into Pier 91, it is $55- 60 one way to/from SeaTac. That rate may change next season with the new Hwy 99 tunnel under the city and the toll added. Uber and Lyft rates will change next season as well because of the same. Holland America and RCCL use Pier 91, Pier 66 is a shorter distance but will probably take longer due to removal of the viaduct next summer. Come in a day ahead if you can if you're cruising other lines.

 

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I have been sailing with HAL all through my 50s and now 60s, there are all age groups, depending on the itinerary. Their itineraries are port intensive, which I prefer when traveling, more destinations for the $$$. My favorite part is there are few children, which is the appeal. The Noordam is a perfect mid-sized ship, a little worn around some of the leather club chairs last year in Alaska, but am looking forward to sailing her again to NE Australia & Paupau New Guinea in Dec. Entertainment includes BBC Earth, unique to HAL, BBKing Blues Club for dancing to 60s, 70s, 80s now Motown and Billboard Music piano bar & pops classical. Something for everyone besides show tunes, which isn't my deal. Have tried Princess, Celebrity, NCL and RCCL, but keep coming back.

I personally am thinking about what you could do with the extra money onboard or onshore. You will end up spending a lot of extra cash along the way. There is a good triple space in a Vista, you're not often in the room together. Now if the Neptune had an extra shower, that would make it worthwhile. Just throwing in the other side of the argument. 20 more drinks, 2 extra shore excursions, or a LOT of extra space?

 

Enjoy, whatever you choose.

 

MON

Only smaller ships will be allowed in for now, see if it helps protect from shore erosion. Venice is losing ground due to higher tides, changing winds and some construction in the harbors, when all ships will be prohibited.

Aft decks can sometimes, depending on winds, get a diesel smell from the smoke stack, above. I would suggest for the Norwegian seas and the winds, go for a midship on that cruise.

 

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I have done both to Alaska and feel HAL's shore excursions gave us a better "Alaskan flavor." We did several that included learning about Native Tribal culture and foods. It seemed like on Princess they were the usual river rafting, zip lining, sightseeing tours offered, but it was many years earlier. On our last trip into Glacier Bay we were in the dining room at dusk and the captain came on the announcement speaker and said "don't be alarmed but we are turning the ship around. Look out the port side of the ship and you'll see 7 or 8 bears eating a carcass of a whale along the shoreline." Not certain another cruise line would have done that, but the experience was amazing, once in a lifetime.

On my last 3 HAL cruises, which have been longer than 7 nights each, one night there has been a 10:30pm Chocolate Extravaganza, which included ice sculptures, white and dark chocolate fountains with fruit and pound cake for dipping, many small cakes and cookies, coffees, teas, and of course cocktails available for purchase. It was artfully arranged, worth staying up for the photos, but not like the old days where we could fuel ourselves to dance until 3:00am. Does anyone do that on HAL anymore? Maybe that's the idea.

 

 

 

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I am really happy you came back and reported everything went OK with the dining times. I am a stickler for a 7:00-7:30 dinner time, otherwise I'm famished and get to bed too late for early shore excursions. (I know, I'm a lightweight!)

 

Just wanted to share OUR group nightmare that never materialized. My daughter and son-in-law got married on the Oosterdam Alaska sailing before the ship left Seattle, It was a year in the planning, went off without a hitch, all we did was show up with the bride in a dress & the groom in a tux. Photos, flowers, food, wine, perfect!

 

Halfway through the year we were advised there would be a VERY large "Twilight" Group on board, fans and some of the cast of the popular vampire movie series. We kind of panicked and thought about changing dates, but family was coming from all over the country to join us for the post wedding cruise to Alaska.

 

Luckily they had so many sea day events planned they were literally invisible to the rest of us. It was a much younger clientele than your usual Alaska sailing, which made the wedding party pretty happy in the Northern Lights Nightclub at night. But other than some rather gothic clothing and purple hair they were a pretty well behaved group of travelers.

 

So you just never know, and I would not panic again if I heard there is a group on board. HAL seems to accommodate all of their passengers during special circumstances.

Probably should check Canadian travel restrictions.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

Have a question about the zip ties. Haven't flown in 25 years - things have certainly changed. I am flying into Vancouver on a Fri and don't board ship til Sun. I don't think I can put scissors in my carry on for the flight. How did you manage to undo the zip ties.

 

ATM - You can bring fingernail clips in your carry on now. TSA has expanded their list of acceptable items:

 

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2002/04/30/tsa-issues-guidelines-help-passengers-through-security-and-expands-list

Thank you so much for posting this. We will make sure to visit and purchase there during our visit in February. This shop sounds similar to one that a guide in Manila took us to - all goods were produced by small businesses or disabled people.

 

 

POMELO has a website: http://www.pomeloyangon.com/ if you would like more information about this worthy visit. They have moved in the past year, so be sure to find their correct address on the website.

We are sailing on HAL and they will do the visa on board. the eVisa, if that's what you're referring to is $50, plus a current photo upload. The ship charges $60 pp.

I love cruising! And want to plan my next cruise. Most of my cruises have been on HAL and I have been very pleased with Holland. Have been to several European countries, to South American, and the Caribbean. I am now traveling solo, and trying to decide if I should try other lines. I am thinking about the Norway trips and prefer 9 to 14 nights. The food is way too important to me so bad meals would be a real spoiler. Quality over quantity. Input much appreciated.

 

 

 

How about HAL Asia? Or Kiel Canal and Baltics? I'm thinking about both of those, and I think we were on the Iberia together.

 

Mary

Seattle

Jessophie :

 

 

 

Look at the Roll Call Section of these boards for your particular sailing date and ship. There should be fellow cruisers looking for pairings or groupings on shore excursions. Ramses let us all add our selves independently through their website, and if they didn't make the minimum the tour was canceled (we filled 2 mini buses and had a ball getting to know each other). We paid when we arrived (in cash, which I just put in an envelope before leaving and forgot about it until that day), so if the ship doesn't dock for any reason, no hassles with refunds.

 

 

 

 

 

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