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    Harv and Marv's or Juneau Tours for a Whale Watching Tour??

    in Alaska

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Kathscof said:

    I was talking about Major Marine and the Kenai Fjords tours.....but there are other smaller outfits that might have smaller boats, but when you're supposed to stay 100 feet away, being atop a boat doesn't make much difference in distance (I know they may come up closer, but the boats can't "try" to get closer)

     

    I would say to start here:

    https://www.seward.com/things-to-do/tours/day-cruises-and-boat-charters/

     

    and see if any would meet your desires

     

     

    Thanks for all your help.  The last time we went in 2019 we were fortunate enough to have an orca swim under our zodiac boat.  We snapped a picture of his EYE looking at us as he passed under us!  That was exhilarating!  Another issue we are sailing in early October when most operators have shut down for the season.  We are going to wait till we get into Seward and check sea conditions.

    Thanks again.   Smooth Sailings !

    • Like 1

    Harv and Marv's or Juneau Tours for a Whale Watching Tour??

    in Alaska

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Kathscof said:

    I have no experience, but I have read that the Seattle ones go a far distance to get to the whale watching area, making the actual viewing time very little....

     

    But I would say go out on a boat in Seward for sure!  I don't know if your ship goes to a glacier, but the glacier/fjords tour in Seward is more time and WAY cheaper than the ship excursions to the glaciers.  I know I had probably 45 min or so of whale watching while I was on the 6 hour tour, but I think we lucked into it.  We saw one about 10 min after leaving the dock and happened onto some orcas and then humpback whales when we went by a place that "they normally like to hang out". 

     

    1 hour ago, Kathscof said:

    I have no experience, but I have read that the Seattle ones go a far distance to get to the whale watching area, making the actual viewing time very little....

     

    But I would say go out on a boat in Seward for sure!  I don't know if your ship goes to a glacier, but the glacier/fjords tour in Seward is more time and WAY cheaper than the ship excursions to the glaciers.  I know I had probably 45 min or so of whale watching while I was on the 6 hour tour, but I think we lucked into it.  We saw one about 10 min after leaving the dock and happened onto some orcas and then humpback whales when we went by a place that "they normally like to hang out". 

    Do you recall what company you used?  Major Marine has double decker boats which tend to get crowded and you do not as close to the water level.  We have done the whale watch & fox island combination in past visits which doesn't interest us this trip.  

     

    Thanks

    Harv and Marv's or Juneau Tours for a Whale Watching Tour??

    in Alaska

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, wolfie11 said:

    Although you might see a whale around, neither Ketchikan or Seward are considered whale watching areas.  Successful whale watching is pretty much Auke Bay in Juneau and ISP.

    Thanks for your response.  In our past cruises to Alaska we have been I guess VERY lucky in seeing all different species of whales.  You're right Stephens Passage out of Juneau has been the best of all .  Of course there are no guarantees.  This itinerary stops in Icy Strait Point, Ward Cove (Ketchikan) & Seward.  We have already booked for Icy Strait Point.  Always try to book at least 2 during a cruise just in case.  Seattle is also a possibility pre embarkation.  Any info on Seattle whale watch tours?  

    Covid Vaccination Requirements Disembarking in Tokyo

    in Asia

    Posted

    8 hours ago, BruceMuzz said:

    As of today - 11 February 2023 - Japan requires any foreigner entering Japan to prove a minimum of 2 COVID Vaccines. Cruise Ship crewmembers must have a minimum of 3 vaccines.

    Thank you for your response.  I'd rather be informed and able to be incompliance than wait till the last minute.  Makes for a much smoother trip . 

    Covid Vaccination Requirements Disembarking in Tokyo

    in Asia

    Posted

    On 2/7/2023 at 5:18 PM, Jamietravelstheworld said:

    Doesn't really matter what the requirements are today - that could easily change between now and October, and most likely will change multiple times.

    Thanks for your response.  Let me clarify my question:  Does anyone know what the CURRENT (as of 3/10/23) vaccination reuirements are?

    Japan to reopen to cruise ships!

    in Asia

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

    Pre embarkation testing is not just a SS or RCI issue.  HAL has also imposed a similar rule that cruisers must be tested within the 3 days prior to embarkation.

     

    Hank

    There was No testing required of any passengers, nor vaccination requirements on the RCI 12/30/22 sailing.  RCL lifted all testing 11/30/22.  Are you referring to cruises leaving from other than the USA?

    Japan to reopen to cruise ships!

    in Asia

    Posted

    On 1/27/2023 at 3:44 AM, les37b said:


    That’s disgraceful that you weren’t separated. You were kept in a Covid incubator!

     

    Meanwhile on my sailing out of Osaka on April 26, we’ve just learned (Via CC… still no official notification, but it is now shown within the website) that in order to board Siler Muse, we need a negative Covid test. No test to enter Japan, just to board.

     

    This immediately rings alarm bells.

     

    So you test positive and denied boarding…

     

    You will be instructed to claim from your insurance. If you’ve boarded, the CL will look after you, including getting you home and any quarantine requirements on land should they be needed.

     

    So, you can’t board, you are responsible for quarantine and flights home (my cruise ends in Seward, so no good to get home from Osaka).

     

    You will lose your cruise. If you’d boarded, no doubt you would get a part refund for being locked up. Now that won’t happen and the CL removed from that scenario. If you booked using a FCC (which I suspect a large number of guests will have), your insurance company is likely to disregard that as it’s stipulated there is no monetary value. So cruise lost and no refund.

     

    I suspect this is also implemented because of the less than 10% infections or cruise cancelled policy in Japan.

     

    I can’t see anywhere that Japan insist on a pre board test, so this appears to be an RCI mandate. I can’t see this mentioned on any other board either, though it’s early days I guess.

     

    Am I being cynical here and unduly concerned by this new instruction brought in yesterday?

     

    What makes it worse is that there is no clarity on what is a valid test with the suggestion s home kit is valid with a photo and time stamp.

     

     

     

     

     

    We still have COVID testing sites through our State that offer PCR as well as Antigen with reults in less than 24 hours.  We haven't tried to present home tests.  We now always buy travel insurance.  Once ships started sailing again we thoroughly checked the fine print in the Insurance policies we considered.  Some covered COVID others did not.  Allianz did not at the time.  The cruise lines policy was not much better.  We are cruising again in May onboard RCCL Harmony of the Seas and we used AARDY.com for Travel Insurance.  Very reasonable rates.   We are considering the October 3, 2023 NCL Jewel Seattle to Tokyo and staying a few days in Tokyo.  Are you aware if tourists must tour only in group tours still? Can we tour on our own?  Any info would be appreciated.

    Japan to reopen to cruise ships!

    in Asia

    Posted

    Thanks for the clarification.  We just got off Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas for New Years and on the 6 day of 10 my DH tested positive for Covid.  We are both fully vaccinated and booster due to comprimised immune system,  I guess it could have been worse. I tested negative and they didn't even separate us!  3 weeks later and both tested positive, Zpack, Amoxicillian Medrol pack and still trying recoup from the severe respiratory infections.

     

    Im sure this ship which holds approx 8000 had 80 test positive.  I think cruiselines should at least require testing prior to cruising to protect crew and other passengers. 

    Japan to reopen to cruise ships!

    in Asia

    Posted

    On 11/28/2022 at 10:45 AM, koolforkatz said:

     

    We will be coming over on the first Transpacific with Celebrity in 4 years in fall 2023. I am happy to be going back but a bit concerned about all the sea days and what could happen. A 10 % requirement isn't that many people, crew and passengers combined. Hopefully Covid is farther behind us by then.

    Good Afternoon, we are also considering NCL's Transpacific Alaska to Tokyo in October 2023.  Could you please explain what 10% requirement?  Thanks.  Also what Celebrity ship & dates

    2022 Officers & Staff "Where are you now?"

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    On 8/12/2022 at 1:51 AM, maja651 said:

    Is Rumi the concierge? We sail on the Jewel in  September and I’m curious as to who our concierge will be.

    Rumi Khato holds two different positions depending on the Steven Jacobsen schedule.  Rumi fills in as the Hotel Director when Steven is not onboard and as the Food & Beverage Director.

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