AKJonesy

I guess what I meant to say if I was not clear is that during my convo with HAL, they confirmed upon completion of the first portion of the cruise; that is, the first B2B, we achieve 200 Mariner Days. He said on the second portion of the cruise; the 2nd B2B we will be able to use our 4 star benefits. That is when he said to go to the desk a few days in advance of completion of the 1st B2B and tell them to make sure that we can use our 4 star benefits on the second portion as we would be 4 star Mariners at that point. Is that as clear as mud? I don't really want to hijack this thread so I'll just leave it at that, but was just trying to share what I was told, and was hoping any of this might give some insight to the OP. But, I am doubtful of it all now.

By now, you've read that lower staterooms close to the middle of the ship are better. And, don't wait to take the Bonine until the motion sickness is underway. As said in post #3, if you sail from Seattle, the sea can be much more rough than from Vancouver and that is because the Seattle voyages are out in the open ocean. A balcony room is great for fresh air and privacy, but you're not going to sit on that balcony when visiting some of the areas of Alaska. Instead you will want to go up to the top deck or the promenade deck and move around for best views. There is a website called wind alert dot com. Go to that site and on the main page on the yellow line select Live Wind, then just pull the map to the area on the coast of Canada and you will see what the real live winds are. You can also go to a marine website and get the marine forecast. At least that way you will know in advance and can start taking the Bonine. No sense being miserable.

I'm not hijacking the OPs post but want to share what I recently learned about my change in Mariner status. I just booked a B2B 17day then 14 day. This voyage could also be booked as a 31 day. When booking I asked HAL about becoming 4 star on the second portion and this is what I was told. "You don't have to book the B2B because as soon as you achieve 4 star on the trip, you will receive your benefits". I said, "this is not a Grand Voyage". HAL said, "it doesn't matter". I said, "I am going to book the B2B because in the end, I can stay in the same room and the B2B is cheaper". HAL said, "either way, you will still receive your 4 star benefits". I kind of laugh at this because I am sure we have all been told things from HAL that weren't true. But, I am going to hold them to it. I was told to go to the desk a few days before the trip ends and "inform them" that you want to start your 4 star benefits immediately on the 2nd voyage. OK. On the CC boards, some people said this actually did work for them on HAL and others were skeptical.

You didn't mention if you were going to be at a Seatac hotel or downtown. We've always stayed at Seatac and there was a cruise port transfer that serviced several of the Seatac hotels for a reasonable price. I think we checked out at noon and then by the time we picked up the other few passengers, it was a bit past 1 and we walked right in and checked in. I don't think Seattle cruise port was strict like some others on the time slot.

We've done private tours about 95% of the time. Initially, when we first started cruising and used the excursion desk, we found that there were just too many people on the busses and too much time was spent getting on and off. On top of that, you OFTEN wait for the slowest passenger. We have found that the small intimate excursions get you into the nooks and crannies and off the beaten path where the LOCALS go and we hire a LOCAL guide and putting money directly into the LOCAL economy. I would say a very high percentage of the time when we have booked with other passengers into a small tour, we have been satisfied. I will say on our last cruise, we had an amazing local guide and you could tell she was proud of her country and knew the history. On a different island, we had a guy who was more concerned about arranging his next day passengers and did very little talking. But, in the end, we saw many things and still paid 1/2 what the ship was charging. Now, saying all of this, if time is tight, and say a tour only starts in the afternoon and we have an afternoon all aboard, that is when I would consider a ship excursion. Finally, keep in mind that when researching excursions locally, particular names come up over and over who have great reputations. If they did NOT get passengers back to the ship, they would not have a good reputation, and I'm sure they don't want to risk their business over it. Hope this helps.

You will make it. I had a 9:30 flight and I was there at 7:45am. Self disembark, cabs are ready to roll. The airport is 15 - 20 minutes max. Both times I did this, the terminal for Delta was NOT busy at that time of day. We were the first in line to check in with our luggage.

@Roz I'll be doing this trip except Ft. Lauderdale to BA. In the end, did the port authority or HAL offer shuttles to get outside of these container ports? I plan to do some private excursions and if they cannot do a pick up at these container ports, I'm wondering how to get to a meet up place? Thanks for any info.

I have found that when the crew announces there is something to see, that is when most people rush outside. We just waited a bit and then once people got their photos they moved out of the way. Same thing on the KF Tours. I like to mention 26 glacier tour because it is more than just 26 glaciers and there is a no sea sick guarantee for those concerned about getting sick.

When you say "One goes to Alyeska". That is a resort in the town of Girdwood. Depending on your ability and energy, both Seward and Girdwood (and surrounding) have much to offer. So, I'll give you pros/cons of both. First of all, each town, Girdwood and Seward have free shuttles so that will help you get around; although, they don't get you everywhere so that is also the downside. Alyeska/Girdwood: Right out the back side of the Alyeska Hotel is the tram which goes up the mountain and if you look at the Alyeska Mountain webcam you will see the spectacular views you will get up there. However, in May, there will still be some snow so you probably won't be able to hike up further from the top of the tram to the glacier, but you can definitely see it. There are a couple of restaurants up there. Not sure if both will be open in May. You will have to call the Alyeska Hotel and ask. Right where the tram is, there is a beautiful trail which takes you deep into the lush forest and close to the entrance, maybe 200 yards are some interpretive signs. If you follow the trail, it will bring you to the hand tram. Look that up online "hand tram near Alyeska hotel". It is worth it even if the hand tram isn't open. Walkable from the Alyeska Hotel are a couple of restaurants. If Sakura is open in Alyeska Hotel, I do recommend them, but other than that, I would take the shuttle or walk to Jack Sprat for dinner and The Bake Shop for breakfast hands down take my word for it. Also, inside Alyeska Hotel on the 2nd floor and to the back of the hotel is the coffee shop with some pretty good breakfast items, soup and sandwiches, etc. The must do at the Alyeska Hotel is the salt water swimming pool and walk in hot tub. I am NOT talking about the Spa which is a huge upcharge. Alyeska also has a gym. I would also walk or take the shuttle to Girdwood Brewing. You don't have to drink beer; they make great root beer and have food trucks for lunch items. It's a cool place with a fun vibe and a must to. Then walk into Girdwood; the town and there are some more restaurants and a cool old fashioned grocery store. Another restaurant I recommend there is Double Musky. The shuttle will take you there, but get there early; it is popular. Now, the downside. Every place other than what I mentioned would require a car or a separate booking. Just down the Seward Highway from Girdwood is the Alaska Conservation Center. I take all of my guests there. It is NOT a zoo. If you go there, do not just take the bus through it. To experience it, you have to get out and walk it. Trust me. The other place to go nearby Girdwood is Whittier for the 26 Glacier Cruise. Again, trust me on this. It is worth it and I take all of my guests. SEWARD - You will probably be put up right downtown so you would have access to a couple of places to see and do. If it is raining, I do recommend the SeaLife Center. You can spend a few hours there; at least. All of the shops are downtown and near the harbor and you could spend hours shopping if that is your thing. There is a very cool coffee shop in an old church downtown so if you like coffee, don't get it from the hotel; walk over to the church place. Can't remember the name. Around 3-4 pm the fish will start coming in from the charters and you should go over there and catch that. They hang all of the fish and then clean them up for those on fishing charters. Ask anyone is Seward where it is - easy to find. Now, the best of Seward also requires a vehicle; whether that is the one cab service in Seward, or an excursion. I would say that Exit Glacier is a must see. It is about 10 miles or so from downtown; maybe a few miles more. There is a nice visitor center there; it's all free; except the ride. I would stop over at the Visitor's Center. It's a few blocks from the Harbor ON the Seward Highway. They can advise you on how best to get to Exit Glacier. I also recommend Miller's Landing which is a couple of miles following the inlet from downtown, but again, you need a ride there. If you go on a hike or excursion that is arranged through Miller's Landing, you will get picked up at your hotel in Seward. Now, I personally PREFER the 26 Glacier Tour from Whittier over the Kenai Fjords Tour from Seward. Reason is that I feel you see more on the 26 glacier tour. While the KF Tour is looking for whales, which you will not see on the 26 glacier tour, it doesn't mean you are going to find them. Also, the last time I was on the KF Tour the Gulf was rough and we had to stay inside for half the tour. The Gulf can get rough, but you can check the weather with the Harbor Master right there are the harbor in Seward BEFORE booking the KF Tour. Both Alyeska/Girdwood offer great things to do and see but both are going to require some kind of vehicle which YOU CANT rent in either town. So, I'd take a look at those websites and see what you think you would be most interested in, then make your choice.

Library, full promenade deck. I have to admit, I do like the restaurants on the Pinnacle Class ships and wish they were on every ship including Dutch Cafe, Nami Sushi, Tamarind, etc...all of them! So, I guess for me it's a mix of the older ships and new ships.

Same stuff for when I got covid and used the imask protocol. It's a bunch of high quality supplements, plus ZPAK. But, before I travel anywhere I start high dosing VitD and VitC for a good couple of weeks. I also bring cough drops, electrolytes in powder form, a heating pad, and pulse oximeter. If I'm going to be sick, I want to be as comfortable as possible. Plus, we usually now do longer trips of 3 weeks or more so I figure there could be a greater opportunity to catch something.

I'm planning on doing that. I have to talk to my credit card people and see what they have as well. My TA offers Allianz? and then HAL has theirs. So, I have to read it all, then read the boards to find out what the real deal was when people made claims. We had 4 medical emergencies on a trip last fall and I just started thinking about that, getting older, etc. Don't think I want to take chances anymore even though I'm healthy.

...and for us the 50% discount for upscale dining surcharge

THANKS EVERYONE - We booked the B2B and TA will contact Mariner society to just remind HAL that we will be 4 star right at the start of the 2nd voyage. We also got the same room number. Next, we've never bought insurance, but I am going to research the boards first to read about that and IF I have questions, I will post on a different thread.

It was the Mariner # that I called and asked the question. They told me to just book the 31 day and then go to the desk, but I pointed out that was NOT what the HAL documentation said. It said you only get the Mariner upgrade if you are on a grand voyage. They have given bad and wrong advice before so that's why I put it out here for opinions because there are many seasoned HAL mariners on these boards. We decided to book the B2B so that it cannot be mistaken in any way that we achieved Mariner status 4 upon completion of the first leg. It's kind of weird that the B2B is cheaper also, so...bonus!

That was the other possibility; to just spend enough onboard to make up for the 3 days. I mean if I had to book another cruise, it was going to be more than $900. So, I've thought about that also. I think I'm leaning toward the B2B.

Oosterdam - Ft. Lauderdale to San Antonio 17 day then B2B San Antonio to Buenos Aires 14 day or as one voyage 31 day; NOT GRAND

The two back to backs works out a bit cheaper in the end and I did notice some of the same rooms are on both voyages. I was leaning that way anyway, but figured making one booking vs 2, less can go wrong. I agree it's risky to follow advice. I've read these boards long enough to know that people received bad information. Interesting how I've noticed it more since covid. THANKS FOR ALL RESPONSES. I'll book the back to back. I'm not a Carnival Corp and PLC stockholder. Honestly, I don't even know what that is. :)

I already called HAL on this, but I'm sorry to say that I just don't think the people on the phones always have the right answers. So, here is my situation... I am 17 cruise days from my next Mariner Status bump. My question does NOT surround achieving Mariner points through on board purchases, but only through actual sailing days. Saying that, HAL is offering a South America trip as ONE 31 day voyage OR as a 17 day voyage and 14 day voyage separately. After 17 days I qualify for next Mariner level. MY UNDERSTANDING from what I've read on the HAL docs is that I cannot achieve the next Mariner status on the 31 day because it IS NOT a Grand Voyage and thus would have to wait for my next voyage after that. The guy on the phone told me to book the 31 day and then tell the front desk that I achieved the next level mariner status after 17 days of sailing and they would honor it. I don't know. I've been told things before that end up being wrong. Should I just book it as to separate back to back trips instead just to be sure?

The only way I would stay in Whittier the day before is if you are going on the 26 glacier cruise which I highly recommend. Whittier takes about 5 minutes to walk around. Then what are you going to do day of cruise unless you want to just have a day on the ship to lounge around. If you do decide to stay in Whittier, wake up late, have a late breakfast and request a late check out. By then, it might be time to start boarding.

We do it ALL THE TIME as we are non revs and have no confirmed flights...just standing by.

You asked this on a different thread. IMO it's too close to the World Stage and you will probably hear the bass noise coming from there when there are shows. I would not book under the casino. I haven't been under the casino but I would not. IMHO.

IMO you have a couple of noise issues there. One, the World Stage is pretty close. We were in a similar stateroom close to the World Stage and it was the bass noise we could hear. The other thing is the Casino. That I'm not sure of but I personally would not book under the casino. IMHO.

https://www.alaskacoach.com/cruise-transfers/ - This is through The Park Connection serving Anchorage, Denali, Talkeetna, Whittier and Seward. On cruise days there was two shuttles per day. Call them to make sure. I don't trust anything after covid. Jobs are hard to fill here.