Dan G
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Posts posted by Dan G
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just came home last week and went to the beach club next to Crazy lobster. I have to tell you that food and drink was very reasonable but the server did try to rip me off by adding tax and a service charge to my $24 bill. I just told her that in MX all taxes have to be included and I would tip myself. No problem, she reduced the $40 bill back to $24, but you need to know the rules. I also found a beach massage for $20 for 60 minutes which was way better than what the ship charged.
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just came back and I definitely would skip this 'excursion'. First of all there were 4 or 5 ships in port and the 'tour' involved much more waiting around than an actual tour. There was a ton of waiting for the 'group' in front of you. They give you a tour of the trees in the parking lot, then you go up to a stupid insect exhibit. From there you wait patiently to cross a suspension bridge that takes forever as everyone wants their pix taken as they stand on the bridge. The mcaws were good but the jumping monkeys I could have lived without. You wait in long lines to take a pix with the mcaws then again for the monkeys. That was the whole 'tour'. The bus was late in picking us up and very late returning us to the ship. It was pretty much a total rip off with no time to explore. They charged $5 to put something in a locker and food and drink was way overpriced. Please skip this tour.
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didn't realize the name change but I had stayed at the Wyngate and was super impressed. Brkfst wasn't exciting but it was free and rooms were great.
use
seattleexpress.com
for airport transport for hotel to pier and back to seatac.
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Seattle has an 'official' flat rate only from downtown hotel zone and pier 66 of $40. Many cabs have gone with the $60 flat rate from Pier 91. At seatac airport you can request either a metered or flat rate cab. Ask the taxi dispatcher what the rate is before getting in.
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you don't really gain anything by staying 'closer to pier 91'. If your not sightseeing then the airport can work. Hotels near the space needle are maybe 1 mile closer to P. 91 but not worth prioritizing over downtown. Hotels would include Mediterranean, Maxwell Hotel, and a few others including Fairfield.
Nothing will be cheap. Plan on $250-450. Airport hotels lack amenties and dining for the most part. Shuttles can be arranged thru
seattleexpress.com
as an option look for hotels around Southcenter Mall, Tukwila for more choices in dining and shopping.
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I've been multiple times but for me Capilano is maybe a 90 minute stop while Grouse Mtn on a clear day has so many activities you could spend hrs, so for me that would be my choice. Both attractions have free shuttles from downtown and Canada Place so compare prices and activities and then decide.
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I just visited SF and actually stayed near the airport and had a great room at this hotel
I know Fishermans Wharf isn't for everyone however for a tourist with ltd time it offers a lot. Shops dining and the hoho buses stop right there. The cruise dock is close to FW so for lots of people this makes a lot of sense. Overall the area has less homeless than even downtown SF and feels a lot safer. You would have to Uber there and there used to be multiple shuttles from SFO however the wharf is almost always the 'last stop' so if you don't mind a little 'tour' a shuttle can work out for you.
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Walking on Pine St is the easiest and no problems. 3rd Ave has slowly improved but crossing at Pine St would have no worries.
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Mt. Rainier is a nice day trip. Other suggestion would go to the Wine tasting rooms around Woodinville and then drive towards Snoqualmie Falls. If you don't want to drive then a few tours do this route Look at
customizedtours.net
or
toursnorthwest.com
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tourism in Seattle has returned to 99% of what it was in 2019. Lots of people and much different than what you may have imagined. Police and new mayor have done a good job of cleaning things up. To me as a local I'd only avoid 3rd Ave near Pike and pine. 1st Ave and Pike, and some areas around pioneer square. Everything is relatively safe and using just a bit of street smarts will help you avoid problems. I can't really pin down a hotel that is in a terrible spot. Just use caution and sometime walking one block over will make a huge difference. Pine St vs PIKE ST. 4TH VS 3RD AVE.
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seattleexpress.com actually operates the mall shuttle and it's free
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while I enjoy the Musuem of Flight I wouldn't think it to be an 'all day's type event. A few hrs is always a good time and you can get walked around by a docent which will give you much more info. I believe they close pretty early around 5 pm. I would most likely Uber as it's south of downtown and you don't want to haul bags on a city bus.
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For customs it will speed things up if you download Mobile Passport ahead of time. That way you answer questions online and you go to exclusive kiosks at LAX and you'll avoid lots of other people and much shorter time to get thru customs. It's a free app
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
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another option since this was written is Amtrak train will go from Bellingham to Vancouver. Train station is a short taxi from dock. Right now there is only a morning train but should have an evening train by summer. While you would need a taxi to get to train station in Bellingham its in a very cute area so lots to see and do. Quickshuttle logistically is going to be the easiest and would be ok from Bellingham but from SEattle are about the slowest option and never my 'first' choice.
amtrak.com
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No hotel in dowtown Seattle will be 'inexpensive' during cruise season. Currently in non cruise times the Waterfront Marriott is $384 a night. I don't think that qualifies as 'inexpensive'
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if you look at
seattleexpress.com
you can see the hotel list there, however i know of no airport hotel that doesn't offer a shuttle to airport so your safe. Look at hotwire for their 'hot rate hotels' and see the rates.
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you can buy tix now on Amtrak.com. The word is they are trying to resume the 2nd train as well leaving Vanc in early evening. It is very reliable since it originates in Seattle mostly. Going north from Seattle i suggest business class since those cars goes thru customs first so it helps for that and getting a taxi.
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a lot of things changed with shuttles and taxis during the pandemic. Seatac used to have $45 flat rate towncars to downtown but they are no longer available. Taxis at Seatac can be either 'flat rate' or metered so you need to ask the 'dispatcher' and be sure to establish the 'rate' before you get in. They normally use zip code to establish cost so its helpful to know that. From downtown hotels or pier 66 (not 91) any cab is a flat $45. They have pricing on the door of metered cabs only. Its not that confusing but you need to ask. People just took cabs from Pier 91 to downtown hotels and they said they were charged $30. Don't know if there is an 'official' rate but others have mentioned flat rate from pier 91 so apparently its been around for a bit.
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I wouldn't think a transfer is routine to Vanc from Seattle, however you can take Amtrak.com train. It is starting again in Sept but schedule has not been announced. Your other option is Amtrak bus which goes direct to downtown Vancouver and a short cab to port or flixbus.
There is Quick shuttle however it takes the longest but goes from Seatac to cruise dock in Vancovuer.
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flying into YVR would be choice one but next yr when the train is running from Seattle to Vanc might also be an option. The talk is only one train per day so till the schedule comes out we wont' know but its a very scenic route following the water for most of the way. With two days prior you have plenty of time to enjoy the train ride to Vanc.
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if you go to the Seattle forum on tripadvisor and look on top right you will see this as a 'top question'. There is a shuttle from Seatac however it is very long but logistically easy. Allow about 5 hrs or more
quickshuttle.com
other option is amtrak or flixbus direct bus. Train is scheduled to start later in september but timing may not work. if you want to check tripadvisor you can ask on there or read the top questions. Bolt bus went out of business but flixbus picked up the slack.
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I did the alcatraz tour and bought direct. Viator is a reseller of tours they operate NOTHING, they are just like expedia or similar. The tour brings you to Alcatraz and then its a walking tour with an audio headset. I found it really interesting.
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was there this wk and there are tours
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I live in Seattle and that routing makes virtually no sense. Lt Rail to northgate then back downtown etc etc. From the Magnolia bridge you would need to carry your suitcases down two flights of stairs then walk into the harbor. Its not a really terrific idea. You might also look at
capair.com
which is a shuttle from Seatac that goes every day.
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Update on Krazy Lobster at Costa Maya
in Costa Maya
Posted
I really don't know but there are many and most wanted $15 for a chair but it wasn't busy. I just ate and enjoyed the sunshine. I was near the boats for the dive shop.