krev

Our first couple of cruises we avoided booking onboard and then it was explained to us. Crazy not to, we get a couple of the next cruise credits, which may have recently been changed, we just got them in Sept. But I really like the reduced deposit. My husband gets reduced cruise fare through the airline he works for so we just transfer the booking to them to get the discount. If you think you'll cruise with the same cruise line again it's a no brainer.

Where do you get all of these build photos?

We stayed at the Blue Keys Inn, it was a quaint little inn a short taxi ride from the pier. They have a bar and restaurant, great service, lovely staff and clean rooms.

We are going to use the Express Shuttle in front of the Empress to get to the Gardens. There are 3 ships in port that day. Do the shuttles sell out or are there long lines? Just wondering if we should book ahead of time.

I really don't know but I'm always a fan of prebooking, saves disappointment. Butcharts is a very popular place.

Is 2 hours enough time to schedule for seeing the Gardens?

That's plenty of time. I guess it depends if you want to admire every petal! But to go for a leisurely stroll that's more than enough.

High tea at the Empress is the best in the city in my opinion and I think we've been to most of the places. It is expensive but so worth it, I would make a reservation though as it can get very busy. I personally would walk from the ship but I don't know what your physical ability is. Not that's it's a major hike but it's certainly more than a couple of blocks. If you take the waterfront path it's just stunning. Tea at Butcharts is also very good but the Empress is oh so good! We had high tea last summer at Harrods in London, the Empress was a very close second to that. Now I want a scone and clotted cream!

Thank you! Looks like a GORGEOUS city!

It's a beautiful city, I hope you enjoy the gardens, it's our favourite place. (5 mins from our house). Do try and save time for a wander around down town, it's just so beautiful. As mentioned before lots of great restaurants and brew pubs.

If I may suggest, don't take the clipper from Victoria-Seattle but take the Coho form Victoria-Port Angeles and rent the car there then drive the park that way. I've not driven around the park but have been to Port Angeles a few times. We live in Victoria so if you need any information ask away.

And OF COURSE I assume those fuel savings will be passed along to RCI's loyal passengers.......oh wait....:rolleyes::(

Well of course they will. [emoji6][emoji6]

$182 one way, Kenmore Air. Victoria Harbour to Seatac. Hard to beat that, there in 45 minutes

We have direct flts.

You clear American customs at Port Angeles, doesn't take long as it's just the ferry passengers clearing.

I think a time out is needed, goodness.

Another option is the free wifi in the ports. Thank you to the OP for the information, it was extremely hard to read but I understood what she was trying to say. Leave her be.

My older brother worked on this boat, he fitted gold taps etc around 15 years ago.[/

 

Oh wow, interesting. The lettering on the name is all gold as well, no gold taps for us, will have to stick with chrome!

Thanks -- I like to see the yachts in St. Maarten and them look them up. Atessa IV was docked when we were in St. Maarten in February and we have seen Seven Seas owned by Steven Spielberg and C2 owned by Ronald Perelman from Revlon.

If you like yachts Google the info on this one, we saw it in Barcelona while on our Med cruise in Sept.

Lady Moura, not sure if you can see the name in the photo.

Really enjoying your review, the food looks amazing. We love Chops.

Marriott Stellaris is great! Well worth the cab fare to the pier on embarkation day. There's also a Sharaton in OSJ but we've never stayed there...has always been booked to capacity when we've looked.

I'll second the Marriott, very nice.

It will be in Fort Lauderdale, but when it returns in Nov 2016, it will be in Miami. At least, we're booked on the transatlantic Nov 2016 from Southampton to Miami!

Are you still doing the Harmony TA?

Just booked Navigator for Dec 6, 2015 since it will be in Fort Lauderdale then! Fantastic rate!!!

 

 

 

Peter

Peter, you cruise so much I'm sure RCI pays you by now lol

I had rome in limo and italytoursharing ( joe bananas).. Both are great!! I believe they both hire the drivers so they are very comparable. The great thing about italytoursharing is you can sign up on the site and just open it up to your roll call. I'm using them again this july. Anyone have any suggestions for venice?

You can do the same with Rome in Limo, one of our roll call members posted the link and that's how we found it.

That is good to know about Platinum pins should be in my room next cruise. Looking forward to slowly starting my collection

Don't count on it, I had to phone C&A, they were very apologetic, and we have nice metal pins, no plastic.

Len, stunning photos. I grew up in Victoria and lived there for 35 years. We didn't usually go downtown between May and September (no offense anyone! LOL). Between the tourists and the Tally-Ho horse carriages, it just wasn't worth the locals going into downtown. BUT... having said that, I do miss the beauty and charm of the Inner Harbour. :)

We're the same! So when we do go DT we feel like tourists, I'm still completely stunned every time we go at what a beautiful city this is. We do however go to Butcharts more often as it's 5 minutes from our house.

Thank you! I looked it up on Trip Adviser and people went on and on about how beautiful it was at night. Walking around for a little bit sounds like a nice way to spend the evening. I haven't been to Canada since I was about 10. I wish I had more time this trip!

If you need any other questions answered ask away, we've lived here for 20 years and was raised on the Island.

Good idea, thanks. I wasn't sure about just walking around because I didn't know if the area where the boat docks is very good or not. I keep picturing a scary dock with the fog rolling in like in those old film noir movies. :rolleyes:

I agree with Langley, take a wander into town, we have a gorgeous city to offer you. Ogden Point where the ships dock have some of the most expensive real estate in the city, you should be quite safe! I say should because things can happen any where, we would walk around there at night. There is a beautiful path long the water to the Inner Harbour, Google map it, definitely worth getting off the ship. The Parliament buildings and Empress alone are worth it.

We were on Adventure in Sept in the Med, we were basically $7 per day for unlimited. The price depends where in the world you are. We had very fast connectivity, couldn't face time though.

Two years ago on Adventure, we were in the Caribbean and I wanted to take a ring back to the jewellers I had purchased it from for some minor repairs . We decided to go on an excursion instead and the port shopping guide took my ring and had the work done. He returned it to our cabin and there was no charge for any of it. I'm sure that's part of his job however we were very impressed.