bhopal21

We are actually not going until May.

 

I'm glad all of you have let me know that the beaches are not good. I can adjust a lot of plans since we don't have to worry about even going to see it.

Don't waste your time as the beaches in the keys are all man made and nothing special to say the least.

Mike:)

I don't really care to see the residential area....and I'm sure my husband would prefer NOT being near the mall. Haha.

Is the Fort Zachary Taylor beach good? If so, is it close enough to walk? TBH, I don't think we plan on swimming, so I guess we don't need to see the beach. NTM we'll be there after spending 5 days at different beaches.

Being from North Carolina you certainly do not want to waste time going to the beach in Key West as you will be sorely disappointed.

Mike:)

Here you are:

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/21688439_10156603791029392_3722113261292081206_o.jpg?oh=e4f5ef72d51abb91ad3294e0ece0a5b4&oe=5A48997C

Mike:)

The Hyatt is open today with no flood damage that I have heard. Like every other place lots of foliage damage and I understand some damage to the marina.

Mike:)

Hey young man. :cool:

I wish that was an accurate statement. ;)

Mike

I will be sailing with Princess to Alaska for a Land Tour and Cruise. The cruise will be the usual stops (Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway). I was wondering if anyone can tell me of an excursion at one of these ports where I would have the best chance of seeing Eagles in the wild. I have seen many kinds of wild life but never Eagles in the wild. I will be going the beginning of June in 2018. Any suggestions?

In Ketchikan they should be lined up on the power lines like sparrows are here at home.

At least that has been our experience.

You won't have to take an excursion to see eagles in Ketchikan.

Mike

Many more opened today and they are eager for tourist dollars as that is what drives the rock.

Mike:)

You will be fine Corfe Mixture.

Schools will reopen next Monday, several bars and restaurants have already reopened while the cleanup continues.

Mike:)

Bon Voyage,

Please report back on your experience. We are booked on this itinerary next year.

NRayH

We had an excellent cruise to the New England Islands September 9-16 onboard the American Star.

We arrived on Friday 9/8 and stayed at the Omni Providence hotel on Exchange St which could not have been more convenient to things in the city. Everything about the hotel was great. If you like seafood and are in Providence I strongly suggest the Providence Oyster Bar as the food was very good and the service even better.

A few days before the cruise we received a notice that the ship would be sailing from Fall River MA instead of Providence RI. None of the crew knew why the port was changed and we had a $68 Uber ride trying to locate it with GPS, Waze. and Google maps. After going over the bridge three times we finally found the pier was underneath the bridge. We stopped at a couple of piers where security met us and had no idea where the American Star was located until the third one happened to be it.

Our party of 4 was the first to board around 945 and we waited in the lounge for a little more than an hour until the cabins were ready. Both of our balcony cabins were on deck 2 which is super convenient to the lounge area and just a few steps down to the dining room.

In our welcome meeting we met the staff, who all turned out to be very attentive and the chef "Manny" who told us that he would try his best to make each of us gain 10lbs by the end of the cruise. Our group was pleased with the food offerings which offered lobster as a choice for 21 consecutive meals. I had lobster and cheddar omelets several mornings as well as lobster benedicts. Lobster rolls and lobster salads for lunch and whole Maine lobster or lobster and filet for dinner along with lobster bisques of all sorts.

Janelle the housekeeping manager, Jamie the hotel manager and Na Quan our room steward could not have been more accommodating.

The ship was is good shape other than the carpet showing wear in our cabins. Deck 3 had all new carpet and our deck's carpet was loaded on as we disembarked. We were the final New England Islands cruise of the season and the ship was headed to the Hudson River while the contractors replaced the carpeting.

We changed captains mid cruise as Captain Connor needed to attend a wedding and was replaced with Captain Brown. Both were very personable and I took advantage of a bridge tour with each of them.

Captain Brown sat with us at dinner one evening and asked how everything was going and we all said that we were having a great time and if we just had to complain about something it would be the pitifully slow internet access. He agreed completely and stated it had long been a thorn in the side of the crew as well and urged us to mention that on our post cruise surveys.

If I can answer any specific questions I will try to oblige you.

Mike:)

American Cruise Lines doesn't do European cruises, hence the name.

They only do North America at this point.

Mike:)

With proper identification locals may return to Key West beginning in the morning. Mayor Cates made an announcement to that effect this morning.

Mike:)

Headed to Providence RI in the am for Saturday boarding for the New England Islands cruise onboard the Star.

Mike:)

I'm sorry. I meant to copy brumagin1's response where they said they would be on the NE Islands cruise this week.

Obviously I failed to look at my response.

Maybe they will report.

Mike:)

We are going the end of August.

Interested to hear about your NE Islands trip if/when you return.

We are sailing on the 9/9/17 cruise.

Mike:)

Dante's has a large pool you can use as long as you buy a drink or food. You can walk along the harbor to get there.

 

Hotels generally cater to their guests and don't allow outside use of the pool or beach.

I agree with the above. Dante's would be your best bet.

Mike:)

It's now been a half of million dollar total that ACL has paid to Blank Rose to lobby against the DELTA QUEEN's reprieve from certain laws that bar her from steaming on America's rivers because of her wooden superstructure. It doesn't make any sense to me!

That's politics. It is all $$$ driven.

Our junior senator was paid 1.8 million by Georgia Power the first year he was in office.

Think he is unbiased?

Mike

Thanks everyone! After reading more, we have decided to stay for 3 days:)

I took locals advise from previous posts and we are staying at La Te Da! Thanks so much for your recommendations. Some were even years ago haha!!

Great decision!

You will not regret your stay at LaTeDa. Their staff excels at all levels and will make your visit something to remember.

Mike:)

Thanks for the link!

Sure.

FYI The annotations are as follows: B -- Margaritaville Hotel pier (Formerly the Westin Hotel)

M -- Mallory Square pier

***** - Outer Mole pier

Mike

According to the city calendar the Empress is scheduled to dock at the ***** on November 23.

Yes she does use Mallory as well.

http://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/egov/documents/1502376074_73621.htm

Mike:)

With few exceptions you can count on it being business as usual.

Mike:)

Thank you so much for the info!

 

 

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You can see their selection at https://eatonbikes.com/

Mike:)

Thanks for your reply. Thanksgiving Day, November 23 on RCL Empress.

 

 

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The Empress docks at the Outer Mole pier which is behind US Navy property and you will be transported via tram to Mallory Square area. Eaton Bikes' phone number is 305-294-8188

Where's a good place to have them delivered?

 

 

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What ship will you be arriving on and when?

Mike:)

I would advise you to use the barber shop onboard your cruise ship rather than spend your vacation time in port doing such. Personally I would find it much more convenient and probably more reasonable.

Mike:)

I would suggest https://www.eatonbikes.com/

You can reserve ahead of time and they will deliver/pickup anywhere in Key West.

Mike:)