Ferry_Watcher

I booked a 13 day pass on a Transpacific crossing Oct '23 on the Westerdam. It was surprisingly not busy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I probably used it maybe 7-8 days of that cruise. The Westerdam does have the Therapy pool, as well as the ceramic loungers.

If you use a Chauffeur type service, then you can be dropped off and picked up along the 'U' shaped drive area. This is where the taxis, buses, friends/family along with the chauffeur vehicles can access. The Uber/Lyft drivers have their own drop off area about 1/4 mile from the terminal. There is a shuttle that can transport you from the Uber/Lyft lot. With such a large group, plus having someone with serious mobility issues, I would suggest the chauffeur option.

This week's CC post submission from a first time poster with a somewhat believable story. Six (6) months ago poster states they left their backpack in their stateroom, and is basically suggesting that since their cabin steward was the only one who would have had access to the room after the OP disembarked, so therefore the room steward should be considered suspicious. Not sure even if this post is legit, or what the OP wants from the CC community six months after this is alleged to have happened. Does the Venezia even have a stateroom 2400?

Also hoping that the OP isn't planning to arrive the day of embarkation. I have traveled on the Empire Builder from Seattle to Minnesota and we luckily had one of those sleeper cabins. Our train was also delayed, because sadly we were involved in a fatality (ATVs should not cross in front of a moving train). The train ride is very pretty, and I remember looking out over parts of Montana and understanding why it was called the "Big Sky Country". This year, I would also be concerned about delays caused by potential wildfires or excessive heat. If you do plan to arrive in Seattle via Amtrak, please make sure it is at least the day before your ship sails

Always appreciate organ donors. Thank you in advance. : )

Short answer is no. Generally speaking, all passengers are responsible for their own carry on luggage. You would receive assistance in getting a carry-on up on to the security screening conveyor belt, but other than that, you will need to take care of your personal items yourself. Your larger pieces of luggage can of course be left with the porters and delivered to your stateroom. Look into using a shoulder bag, or a backpack type carry-on to use when you are on your scooter. Also, the wheelchair attendants are not allowed to use the wheelchairs to transport luggage, just people.

FYI, since you first posted, Canada now requires Mexican passport holders to have a Canadian Visa. This means any Mexican passport holder sailing to Alaska - which includes a port-of-call in Canada - must have a Canadian Visa or they will be denied boarding. Exception would be if the individual was a US Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

OP, if you live in NY State, consider getting an Enhanced Driver's License for both you and your spouse the next time you need to renew your DL. Your spouse could also use it for any driving across the US/Canada border. (Flying, of course needs a passport).

Thanks for sharing this real life story.

What a beautiful area to work in. It's sweet that you are suggesting hugs for your young adult son, but guessing that the novelty would end well before you arrive in ISP in July. When the ships are in port, the folks who are working there are quite busy, and if your son is having to take time to respond to strangers talking to him about his mom's hug request, that means more work for his co-workers. I get it - you are both proud of him, and no doubt miss him. Maybe scale back on the physical hugging request.

Since you live in Seattle, I know that when you say that your Mom has a WA State Enhanced DL, that you know what you are describing is accurate. Like @njhorseman said, your Mom could also use her original US Naturalization Certificate as a 'back-up' document to her EDL. Hope you both have a wonderful cruise!

We were on the Seattle - Tokyo HAL Westerdam cruise Oct '23. There was one day during the crossing that was a bit rough (less than a half day), and as we approached Japan, I believe that the Captain had to adjust the route to avoid a typhoon. We remained on the ship for the 2 week Circle Japan cruise, and me missed one port, and overnighted in a port as part of that. Lucky for us we were basically moored across the street from a "morning market", so we got up early and had a wonderful fresh seafood breakfast.

So jealous!

Then you have answered your own question. You either chose My Time Dining and pay the gratuities (as per policy on this sailing), or chose to take you chances with dining at a time not appealing to you, and/or have at least some of your meals in the Buffet. The cruise company has set the rules, you need to decide how to move forward.

Luckily, the Quantum will be the only ship at Pier 91 that morning. The ship will begin disembarkation between 6:30 - 6:45 AM, and this will be for those folks 'self-assisting', which means folks who carry off their own bags. The rest of the passengers - the ones who put out their luggage the night before and plan to pick it up in the luggage hall - those folks will be assigned a time to disembark and pick up your bags in the luggage hall. Depending on your travel plans after getting off the ship (morning flight, etc), you can work with the Quantum Guest Services to make sure you receive the best disembarking time,