julia

100% agree... "after final payment" frankly smacks a bit deceptive to me. I'm sorry for these passengers (I honestly had to read the letter several times, because it was inconceivable to me to not have normal seating in the MDR!) HAL needs to be up front and honest, and this was neither.

We have used the Seattle light rail often, and find it convenient and cost effective. When exiting (up to street level) at WestLake, you will encounter homelessness, it's inevitable. Just go about your business quickly, and you will be fine.

That is the way I read it too... specifically, they will not be seating people after 6:30, so as to have the majority of the MDR available for this group for an 8pm fixed time. IMHO, this is NOT RIGHT!! If a group is that big, then have them charter the entire ship. If not, then please do NOT allow them to impact the enjoyment of other full paying passengers! 😲😪

We did the K'dam 35 night SoPac last year, and felt there were areas that were often crowded and noisy. We gave up on dinners in the MDR (after a few attempts and long waits) but did try it for some breakfasts & lunches. Service was hit or miss. The Lido hours were too short in the evening, so we needed to plan ahead. Port talks and shows were way overcrowded. Obnoxious canned music played in every venue... even at 7am in the Lido. We enjoyed our trip, our cabin, and the crew, but not sure that we'd do this ship again.

The answer is iffy ... 😲 IF the ship is cleared on time, IF you can do walk off with your luggage, IF you take a cab or rideshare, IF traffic is light (should be), IF you use SpotSaver or have TSA Pre, then you will/should make your 11:40 flight. Saturdays at SEATAC can be a zoo....

Five exclamation points.... did you not research your cabin choice before booking? SMH... 😲

@kpgibbsI would double check the Port of SF schedule for your sailing date to ascertain which pier you will have. Pier 27 is newer and nicer, but it may be occupied, so you could be at Pier 35, an older decrepit building. We had an "embarkation from hell" there while boarding the Ruby Princess, and would not wish that on anyone.

FYI: This ship (Bliss) called on Juneau today, opening an even longer Alaskan cruise season. Not everyone is happy about this in Alaska, with many residents in the major port towns forming groups to curb the cruising industry. Google it. I'm actually a proponent... especially with the mega ships now in these small ports, and 10k-15k passengers on any given day. It's pretty crazy.

So, let me get this straight.... the 85 year old dancing lady doesn't drink or smoke, but she cusses?! Well, I %@#×# hope that I %&^*$#@ live that %÷/<$#%^ long too! Hahahaaaaaaaaa!

Same situation here... the noise above on deck nine bothered me too, waking around 5:30ish every morning. Also, there was a female clomping around the lido (hard) in heels that was VERY annoying. It's a hard no to deck nine for me.

Nothing is "afoot", it's called REALITY. Food, fuel, labor, maintenance, insurance, overhead ALL escalating in price and has been discussed here a hundred times. Cruising (along with everything else) has changed, period. Nothing to discuss.

The OP was asking about a west coast cruise to Mexico, not Alaska. OP: Sept and Oct are great months on the west coast, and yes, plenty warm for deck sitting.

35 cruises, and counting. Enjoyed them all... RCCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Seabourne, Holland America, Oceania.

Honestly, the cab drivers from FLL to the port (and back) are the shadiest I've ever encountered. I would take this cruise transfer any day!

Yaaaaay! We are 30 days out from our Noordam cruise to Alaska!