Seattle Q&A/FAQ

[SeattleCruiselover]

I mean are there just regular generic busses or shuttles at the dock....not NCL's?

 

Shuttle Express will come and pick up if you pre-reserve

 

http://www.shuttleexpress.com

[SeattleCruiselover]

Hey Karen,

Looking for transportation from Sheraton downtown and from pier 66 which is best, greyline or shuttle express?

 

Brigitte

 

Brigitte:

 

Taxi from hotel to pier is about your only option (other than walking, which you can also do if you don't have too much luggage).

 

Pier 66 to the airport, you can walk across the street to the Marriott and call the Connector, then take Grayline.

 

http://www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm

 

Shuttle Express is considerably more expensive.

 

http://www.shuttleexpress.com

[jbh7]

They open at 7:00, so maybe 6:45 ish or so to be close to the front of the line. The place is almost always standing room only.

 

http://www.eatatlowells.com/

 

Hi Karen - we had been thinking about trying Lowells - if we don't get there by 6:45 - should we just forget it and eat somewhere else? We are sailing the Infinity on July 4th and were thinking about eating there for breakfast before going down the pier. thanks as always for your great advice!!

[vacationfool]

I just posted about the Sheraton Downtown Seattle under the question posted of ' what hotel do you like '. It was close to everything!

We also ate breakfast at Lowells! They have three levels, go to the second level for table serve. The other two are more longer of a wait, as its a cook to order/buffet sort of line. Real small place, but the food is good, and the view is super! Very easy walk. Have fun!

[SeattleCruiselover]

Hi Karen - we had been thinking about trying Lowells - if we don't get there by 6:45 - should we just forget it and eat somewhere else? We are sailing the Infinity on July 4th and were thinking about eating there for breakfast before going down the pier. thanks as always for your great advice!!

 

 

Depends on how you feel about standing in line for a while. They will eventually find you a seat (they have three levels of seating), it just may take a while is all.

[katiel53]

Yes, your relatives in Pass Christian are our next door neighbors. Guess you know about our area, or what Katrina left of it. Your jambalaya sounds GREAT! We hope to be enjoying your cool weather in two weeks. Can't wait!!!

Ruby

 

Ruby,

We went to Gulfport on casino charters until Katrina. We haven't been back since, but geez, your food, (southern) is wonderful. I am allergic to shrimp, but anything else is fine with me. Come on to Orlando and you can cook for me anytime, lol. I only know how to make food from upstate NY. I think yours is much better.

 

Maybe we can have a meeting of the southerner's. Karen, for all your help you would be welcome too. I remember when I was about 7 or 8, my family drove from NJ to Florida and I had southern fried chicken every night. Then, when I married my first husband we drove to California and all the way I had southern fried chicken every night. That is still my favorite food. I could it eat it 7 days a week, but unfortunately, I already look like I do that.

 

Oh, the memories. I know we will make some more on this trip to Alaska. I can't believe a week from now, I will be in Seattle. We are so looking forward to this trip.

 

Thanks for all the help you have provided Karen and for anyone else who has given us great ideas. We will be eternally grateful.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Ruby,

We went to Gulfport on casino charters until Katrina. We haven't been back since, but geez, your food, (southern) is wonderful. I am allergic to shrimp, but anything else is fine with me. Come on to Orlando and you can cook for me anytime, lol. I only know how to make food from upstate NY. I think yours is much better.

 

Maybe we can have a meeting of the southerner's. Karen, for all your help you would be welcome too. I remember when I was about 7 or 8, my family drove from NJ to Florida and I had southern fried chicken every night. Then, when I married my first husband we drove to California and all the way I had southern fried chicken every night. That is still my favorite food. I could it eat it 7 days a week, but unfortunately, I already look like I do that.

 

Oh, the memories. I know we will make some more on this trip to Alaska. I can't believe a week from now, I will be in Seattle. We are so looking forward to this trip.

 

Thanks for all the help you have provided Karen and for anyone else who has given us great ideas. We will be eternally grateful.

 

Unfortunately, our best Cajun/Creole restaurant closed because the owner got homesick and went home. And, equally unfortunately, it was just a few months before Katrina blew through.

[lovingretirement]

Ruby,

We went to Gulfport on casino charters until Katrina. We haven't been back since, but geez, your food, (southern) is wonderful. I am allergic to shrimp, but anything else is fine with me. Come on to Orlando and you can cook for me anytime, lol. I only know how to make food from upstate NY. I think yours is much better.

 

Maybe we can have a meeting of the southerner's. Karen, for all your help you would be welcome too. I remember when I was about 7 or 8, my family drove from NJ to Florida and I had southern fried chicken every night. Then, when I married my first husband we drove to California and all the way I had southern fried chicken every night. That is still my favorite food. I could it eat it 7 days a week, but unfortunately, I already look like I do that.

 

Oh, the memories. I know we will make some more on this trip to Alaska. I can't believe a week from now, I will be in Seattle. We are so looking forward to this trip.

 

Thanks for all the help you have provided Karen and for anyone else who has given us great ideas. We will be eternally grateful.

Katie and Karen,

I would love to have you both over for some good old southern food. Next week at this time, I should have 30+ here for some good eating and fellowship. Then, I can pack and head for your beautiful city, Seattle. We are bringing my uncle and aunt with us for a first time visit. We will be on the Star Princess on June 1. This will be our third trip to Alaska from Seattle, and our fourth visit to your beautiful city. We are already making plans to bring our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for another visit next year. They also enjoy Vancouver and doing a lot of hiking while we are up that way.

Ruby

[SeattleCruiselover]

Katie and Karen,

I would love to have you both over for some good old southern food. Next week at this time, I should have 30+ here for some good eating and fellowship. Then, I can pack and head for your beautiful city, Seattle. We are bringing my uncle and aunt with us for a first time visit. We will be on the Star Princess on June 1. This will be our third trip to Alaska from Seattle, and our fourth visit to your beautiful city. We are already making plans to bring our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for another visit next year. They also enjoy Vancouver and doing a lot of hiking while we are up that way.

Ruby

 

Ruby: Glad to hear that you have enjoyed your visits to our city, and hope that you continue to do so. If it weren't for my working hours, I WOULD invite all of you over for some Southern Comfort food (and I'm not even a native Southerner myself, though much of my family are. But I AM of Acadian (Cajun) heritage).

[wrp96]

Karen, it looks like the southerners are descending on you next week.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Karen, it looks like the southerners are descending on you next week.

 

Yep, it sure does. All y'all are more than welcome to drop on by.

[scmomofboys]

Karen,

I've researched and decided that Shuttle Express would be the best bet for 8 of us with about 10 bags for transport from SeaTac to the Seattle Sheraton downtown. We'll also use them for transportation to the Amtrak station the next morning (about $110). How reliable are they for picking up at the reserved time? I've read about problems getting taxis to show up on time and am wondering if you've had the same experience with Shuttle Express for a confirmed reservation. More concerned with the a.m. pickup for the train. Any thoughts????

 

And thanks for all your valuable information you've shared. Ups the comfort level for all of us.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Karen,

I've researched and decided that Shuttle Express would be the best bet for 8 of us with about 10 bags for transport from SeaTac to the Seattle Sheraton downtown. We'll also use them for transportation to the Amtrak station the next morning (about $110). How reliable are they for picking up at the reserved time? I've read about problems getting taxis to show up on time and am wondering if you've had the same experience with Shuttle Express for a confirmed reservation. More concerned with the a.m. pickup for the train. Any thoughts????

 

And thanks for all your valuable information you've shared. Ups the comfort level for all of us.

 

Shuttle Express generally, unless they have a legitimate excuse like being stuck in accident generated traffic or such, show up within minutes of the booked time, from my experiences with them.

[haligonian37]

Shuttle Express generally, unless they have a legitimate excuse like being stuck in accident generated traffic or such, show up within minutes of the booked time, from my experiences with them.

 

I've booked with Shuttle Express for my late arrival at SeaTac on the 23rd but unfortunately they don't pick up at the Renaissance (where I'm staying post cruise) except by limo/town car. After reading how unreliable cabs can be, I'm trying to decide how to get to SeaTac to make my 8am flight home....just when I thought I had everything figured out!

[scmomofboys]

Shuttle Express generally, unless they have a legitimate excuse like being stuck in accident generated traffic or such, show up within minutes of the booked time, from my experiences with them.

 

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I feel better booking with them now.

[SeattleCruiselover]

I've booked with Shuttle Express for my late arrival at SeaTac on the 23rd but unfortunately they don't pick up at the Renaissance (where I'm staying post cruise) except by limo/town car. After reading how unreliable cabs can be, I'm trying to decide how to get to SeaTac to make my 8am flight home....just when I thought I had everything figured out!

 

What date are you leaving? 30, 31 or 1 June?

[wrp96]

Karen, I'm having a brain freeze. Can you list the recommendations for good restaurants near the Sheraton again?

 

Also, my cousin is coming in to meet us for dinner. Do you have recommendations on where to tell him to park?

[haligonian37]

What date are you leaving? 30, 31 or 1 June?

 

We disembark on the 31st and I'm flying out Monday morning, June 2nd. I do remember reading somewhere on this board that Mondays are particularly bad traffic wise so that's where my concern is coming in. Getting up early isn't an issue as I'll be flying most of the day not to mention crossing three times zones and going ahead four hours, oh yay! :)

[SeattleCruiselover]

We disembark on the 31st and I'm flying out Monday morning, June 2nd. I do remember reading somewhere on this board that Mondays are particularly bad traffic wise so that's where my concern is coming in. Getting up early isn't an issue as I'll be flying most of the day not to mention crossing three times zones and going ahead four hours, oh yay! :)

 

OK, Monday morning and you have to be at the airport not later than 6 am.....

 

The 194 bus would be an option for you. You would have to go into the tunnel at the University Street station, which is in the WaMu building at 3rd & University, and catch it at 5:15 am, which would get you to the airport just at 5:49'ish, just ahead of what you need.

 

Or, the Grayline Airporter leaves the Renaissance at 4:59 am and gets you to the airport at 5:55 am.

 

http://www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm

 

Both of these are the first buses of the day on their routes.

[cascole]

Yet another airport transfer question... I thought I had read here that limos were readily available at the airport in the parking garage for ~$60 or so to downtown hotels... however it seems a lot of people are scheduling other companies for their transport. Are the limos no longer available, has the price incresed, am I missing some key detail?

 

Thanks!k

[emmilu]

We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express Sea Tac pre-cruise. What are my options besides a cab or the Seattle Express to get to Pier 66? I checked Settle Express and they wanted $75.00 for 3 of us. Is this about average for transport one-way? Thanks!

[Lois R]

Emmilu, I stayed at the Radisson at Seatac back in October

and took a cab to the Pier. It was about 30.00 for me (solo).

So not sure what the charges are when there are 3 people and of

course not sure if the cab companies increased all their prices

due to gas prices, etc......

Maybe you could get a Limo for 75.00 bucks and at least

have lots of room:D

[bucsfan100]

hi karen,

 

rather than ask a question that i'm sure has already been answered here, i decided to read through this thread to find out some info. when i got to page 6 i decided i better just go ahead and ask or else i would still be reading while the rest of my family was on a cruise to alaska!!

 

we are arriving in seattle on fri, may 30th and we have a day and 1/2 in town before our cruise which leaves june 1. we are staying at inn at the market and i will have my three sons ages 11, 13, and 15 with me. can you recommend someplace for dinner that is kid friendly, but still nice. also, any suggestions of something we HAVE to see while we are there? i was originally going to plan one of the tours like boeing or the museum of flight, but now i'm thinking i might rather just walk around the market, maybe the underground tour??, space needle (for the kids, not me!), etc.

 

any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

also... i do want to get some wine and soda to take on the ship with us. hal does not restrict the amount we can bring so i thought i'd stock up. are you familiar with pike and western wine shop in the market?

 

thanks so much!!

[SeattleCruiselover]

Yet another airport transfer question... I thought I had read here that limos were readily available at the airport in the parking garage for ~$60 or so to downtown hotels... however it seems a lot of people are scheduling other companies for their transport. Are the limos no longer available, has the price incresed, am I missing some key detail?

 

Thanks!k

 

There are ALWAYS contract limos available at the Ground Transportation Services on the third level of the garage.

[SeattleCruiselover]

We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express Sea Tac pre-cruise. What are my options besides a cab or the Seattle Express to get to Pier 66? I checked Settle Express and they wanted $75.00 for 3 of us. Is this about average for transport one-way? Thanks!

 

 

Unfortunately, the cruise express does not go to Pier 66, so you don't have that option., though it would be somewhat cheaper than $75.00 if you could do that.

 

Shuttle Express would be about $75.00, also, I imagine, though you can check here to be sure (they will price it for you online):

 

http://www.shuttleexpress.com