Gadget 1004

Good Morning!!  My wife and I are driving from Mesquite, Texas to Seattle, WA to board Quantum of the Sea on May 9.  We are required to have a Covid-19 pre-boarding test.  Is there a testing location in NW Seattle that will provide a test with results within one hour.  We are testing at home before leaving on our driving trip but it takes 4 days to arrive in Seattle and the Covid test will not be valid when we arrive.

Thanks,

George & Bennye Rice

Mesquite, Texas

Wife and I are planning an Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle on RCCL out of Terminal 91.  We've never been to Terminal 91.  Looking for suggestion on parking or where to park at a reasonable price.  Our cruise is May 9, 2022.  Thanks

Thank you for the info.  We'll just see what happens.  Alaska is one of our favorite vacation spots.  We have been several times so if RCCL cancels it's not a big deal.  We live in Texas and just rebook a cruise out of Galveston.

Our May 27 Alaska cruise was cancelled.  We took the refund and then booked the Ovation for August 28th Alaska cruise.  Hoping RCCL won't cancel this one.  But if they do cancel we'll take the full refund again and look for another cruise.

I have been to ISP several times.  It's a good place to get off the ship and relax.  There is a short nature trail near the pier.  It goes into the forest and it's an easy walk.  Great place to take pictures of the forest.  I have been whale watching and bear watching.  Both were good trips.  At times you can see whales right near the ship.  RCCL has built a pier there now and it's easy off and on the ship.  There is a zip line, restaurants and gift shop at the pier. You can take a bus into Hoonah.  It's about a mile from the pier and you walk along the shore line.  Hoonah is a small fishing community and there are several restaurants and crab shacks in town.  Just keep in mind it a small Alaska fishing town and there isn't much to see there but it interesting little town.  I hope this answered some of the questions.  My suggestion is if your going whale watching book a trip through a local vendor because they have smaller boats and the captains communicate with each other as to where the whales are located.  Booking a ship whale watching trip is ok but there are many people on the boat and it's hard to get good pictures.  The boat my DW and I were on carried 6 people and we got up close and personal with the whales.  The company we used is out of business now because the owner retired.  Also we will be in ISP again this summer.  The TV show "Alaskan Brush People" is filmed in ISP.

My DW and I a long with another couple will be in Denali on June 6-7 and we are doing the Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour that goes to Kantishna Lodge in the far back of Denali.  It's 100 miles in and out.  I called KWT tonight and asked about the road conditions.  The person I spoke with stated it's still winter in the park and they have not information on the road conditions.  He stated just before the park opens the NPS will determine what the road conditions are and then make a decision.  He stated the road conditions would be posted on their website.  denaliwildlifetour.com

Thank you for the information.  Four of us have purchased Kantishna Wilderness Trail bus ticket for June 7, 2020 for the 92 mile trip to the lodge.  I hope we can make the trip or our money will be refunded.  

Thank you everyone for your replies.  The information provided is very helpful.

Mikes.... Thank you for the information.

Does anyone know if there are washers and dryers on the Sunrise?  We will be boarding Sunrise on Sunday, September 29 and will need to wash some of our clothing after spending 3 days in NYC.

Thanks

Thank you for all the replies.  I am checking out all the suggestions.

I am planning a road trip in Alaska.  One stop will be in Denali Nat'l Park area.  We will be taking the Wildlife Tour into Denali.  Any suggestion on a Hotel that is reasonably priced.  There will be 4 senior adults in our group and we'll need two king size bed rooms.

I am 76 years old and went down the Abyss without a problem.  Also, did the zip line.  The crew member helping at the slide and zip line was amazed that a person of my age would go on both of them.  

I have seen Super Mario on several different cruises. He seems to be a very nice guy and just enjoying life.

DW and I have used F.I.S.H.E.S. for whale watching. Floyd is the owner of the boat and he has several years of experience finding whales. His boat only carries 6 people and it is 36 feet long. I like the smaller boat because your not joking around trying to find a spot to see and take pictures of the whale. The boat has a small cabin that six people can get in if the weather is bad. We have a group going with Floyd in August 2017.

Update.... I talked with Kenny at Brown Bear Lodge and he was very nice over the telephone. They didn't require a down payment and we can pay the day of the tour. He takes cash, check or credit card. He were up front and said they couldn't guarantee seeing bears but there is a good possibility. He did guarantee showing us a good time and see parts of Alaska we have never seen before. All I am looking for is a great tour and I realize wildlife spotting in Alaska is just like in Texas. You have to be at the right spot at the right time. Looking forward to this tour. Thanks for all of the advise and information. We will depart Vancouver on Aug 11 and will be on a B2B cruise.

Great question, I just came across the possibility of bear hunting in Hoonah last night. Teck doesn't seem to have a website anymore.

We will be in ISP on 28th June, what about you? We are concerned that is too early in the season?

 

 

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We will be in ISP on Monday, August 14. I think TECK has gone out of business. A tour company in ISP suggested we use Brown Bear Lodge. I sent email to the lodge asking questions and haven't received a reply yet.

Has anyone used Brown Bear Lodge for a bear watching tour?

DW and I had a balcony cabin on a north and southbound Alaska Cruise. The balcony was nice but for two weeks it was foggy and raining and we couldn't use the balcony. Therefore, it was a waste of money. We now book inside cabins and use the saved money for extras.

DW and I will be on the Quantum in January 2015 and are wondering if laundry service is offered. We are packing light and would like to send our dirty clothing to the laundry during the cruise. Anyone have any info on this question.

We are going on the Quantum in January 2015 and are staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 1120 South Avenue, Staten Island, New York. The hotel provides free shuttle service to the port.

My DW and I have been to Alaska several times and we normally book an inside cabin. We decided to treat ourself with a balcony and were traveling from Vancouver to Seward. Leaving port the balcony was great and we enjoyed it very much. The next morning we woke up and decided to go out onto the balcony. I opened the door and it was a light rain and heavy fog and you couldn't see anything. The fog lasted for the entire cruise. Therefore, a balcony was a complete waste of money for us and now we always book an inside room and enjoy the public areas and are able to see much more. We are returning to Alaska next May and have booked an inside cabin. Just remember weather in Alaska is unpredictable and go prepared for any type of weather conditions.

My wife and I booked F.I.S.H.E.S. and it was the best whale watching trip ever. Floyd is a great Captain and his boat is about 36 feet long and about 10 feet wide and very safe with a small cabin for 6 people. He provides snacks and drinks (water and coffee). His wife will pick you up at the dock. We saw many whales and some were right next to the boat. It is worth your time and money. He runs two trips a day. It is best to book early.

Cathy... go to AT&T Website and look up Cruise Ship Package. We were on the Legend of the Seas last month and a passenger was using this service. He said it was the best deal for AT&T users.

DW and I booked F.I.S.H.E.S. last year and it was the best whale watching tour we have done. There were so many whales you could not count them. Floyd is an excellent boat captain. We took many pictures and videos of whales next to the boat. If I remember right, Floyd's boat is about 36 feet long and 10 feet wide. There is a cabin that will hold 7 people and Floyd provides drinks and cookies. It is a very safe boat and plenty of room to move around and take pictures of the whales. It was about a 45 minute ride from the dock to where the whales are located. Along the way you can look for bears on the shore line. I hope you enjoy you whale watching trip as much as we did and it was well worth the money.