TerryNJon

We stayed at the Belltown Inn. Great little spot. They stored our luggage for the day while we walked to Pike’s Market. It’s about 3 blocks from the ship. So cool to wake up and see that the ship had arrived overnight. It’s an easy walk to the pier, downhill all the way. Have a Mexican hot chocolate at Biscuit *****. So yummy. 

I have had to store meds on Carnival before. Contacted Guest Services once on board and they delivered a special cooler to my room. Do not use the room fridge. It does not maintain a cold enough temp. 

18 hours ago, seaman11 said:

Must be location because you cant go more casual then carnival swim suit in mdr .  Lol 

Maybe casual wasn’t the right word. I kind of missed the loud deck parties and the Fun Squad. I felt the atmosphere of the ship was more sedate than Carnival.  Not necessarily bad, just different.  

We did NCL last year. Food in MDR was on par with Carnival, specialty restaurants were great. Entertainment was far better than Carnival. Much more laid back than Carnival. We did Alaska, so maybe that’s why it felt more casual.  Would definitely cruise with them again.

5 hours ago, Valentina84 said:

Ok lovely folks. Our cruise is from Charleston in 20 days to Bahamas. I will need to know how to take the eHome tests that are quick and simple? PCR tests. What is the website (sorry been looking so much on this forum and my eyes are cross eyed now). 
 

please provide the link so I can make an appointment. Is it free? 

It’s $14.99 per person, you supply the test. https://onpoint-testing.com/

An

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

For folks with NCL transfers (highly recommend combination of transfers and Port Valet). 
 

Note: there is little to no drop-off pick up space at the Bell Street Terminal. If you are thinking about Uber, be prepared to chase your car down the street. 

 

Any suggestions as to a good place near the pier to have someone (not Uber) pick you up?

46 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

How sad that there are no Alaskan beers!

Just got the email from NCL about the price reduction. Will happen automatically. 

6 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

We are on that first Breakaway cruise in September and am surprised that it is 100% capacity.

I don’t believe the article states that the ship is sailing at 100%, just what the capacity is if it did. 

2 hours ago, Dan G said:

 

Here is some updated info I had posted on Tripadvisor re: transport.  Pier 66 is within the 'downtown zone' but Pier 91 is outside that zone.  There has been a major shortage of Uber drivers and a major increase in fare and surge pricing.

Taxis to downtown, which would be anywhere between Jackson St (Pioneer Square) to Denny Way (close to the space needle but not north of Denny are a flat $44. The flat rate taxis are normally yellow and blue but at Seatac they have both metered and flat rate. If you don't see a flat rate one you con request one. You can also go to the Ground Transportation window and ask for a taxi van also as a 'flat rate'. Good for 4 or 5 passengers. Pier 91 would be outside the hotel zone so fare would be more. Currently the smallest Uber is being quoted at about $53 (7/21) but check to compare.

 

 

 

If you see a taxi dispatcher you can ask for a van or call 206-432-9030 or ask at ground transportation. If no answer you can also try 206-475-5192 or 206-327-9915

 

 

 

Currently there are NO shuttles from Seatac to downtown hotels. Shuttle Express is gone and the towncars booked thru Shuttle express's number are approx $105 to downtown Seattle and have nothing to do with the old Shuttle express who is out of business

 

 

 

Flat rate towncars formerly regulated by the Port of Seattle and known as Stila are also out of business so the flat rate cabs are your best substitute.

 

 

 

From downtown Seattle hotel zone ANY cab will be a flat $40 fare to Seatac. Uber is considerably more now that Seattle has implemented changes which raised fares an average of 50% and with the current shortage of drivers often has surge pricing.

 

 

 

For airport hotels it appears that

seattleexpress.com

has survived but does not do shuttles to downtown hotels so options this yr are limited.

Great information. Thanks so much!

Thank you so much, Glaciers!

Anyone have experience with Belltown Inn or the neighborhood around?

I had flights when they cancelled the Gem. Booked the same week for August and could not get them to honor the flight promo. Tried twice. 

2 hours ago, cuterlmt said:

This is so cool! Can you give some idea which flights qualify for the Port Valet service? 

There is a list of airlines on their webpage. 

Had an upgrade offer in the app earlier today for our 8/14 Encore to Alaska. Went back tonight to look at it more closely and now it’s gone! 🤷‍♀️

Trying to do a mock booking to check the bed location for our upcoming cruise and I can’t get my cabin to show in the list. Is there a trick I don’t know about?

I was able to do a mock booking for 9/25 just now. 

11 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Seriously, I do wish things go as planned for those who are on any 2021 Alaska sailing.  I've been where you guys are....more than once.  But, NCL is showing NO BOOKINGS available for ANY Alaska cruise until May of 2022....a year from now.

Makes sense to me that they would suspend bookings until all of the existing passengers are transferred. I bet they come back in a day or two.

Planning to purchase flights after final payment. I feel the chances of sailing go way up after that date. 

Just rebooked my. cancelled Gem for the Bliss. My PCC could not give me the air promotion because we’re inside 90 days. I’ve heard people say they have been able to get them to honor the cancelled promotion. Anyone have any tips for how to get them to give me the air?

Suspect there is something going on with Gem now.  All categories on my August 15 are showing sold out and get the “we’re sorry” message when I look at excursions.  

I called my NCL vacation planner last night about switching from Gem to Bliss in August.  She recommended I wait. Was very cryptic and said some things are in the works. I hate waiting. 

The mini fridges are not usually cold enough for medication. They are only meant to keep drinks cool. It should be stored at Guest Services or the medical fridge.

Thanks for the review. I just sent them an email for a quote for our upcoming cruise.

Anyone been here? I love pearls and this sounds fun but I am concerned about the lack of information I’m finding. If you’ve been who did you book the tour with?