Emu2302

28 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

A lot of people seem intimidated by LAX...Yes, it is a very large airport--one of the largest in the world...

But, OTOH, it gives you far more flight options on more airlines from more places...and, of course, more nonstops.

For me, my FIRST criteria is nonstop...

Way too many things can go wrong when you make intermediate stops--I have had flight delays causing missed connections, I have had luggage lost by being unloaded at the wrong airport, I have had flights canceled without reasonable replacement flights when flying into smaller airports.

I fly in and out of LAX a lot (and I've also flown quite a bit in my life out of Burbank and John Wayne as well).  And I have never had many problems with LAX.  I have almost always had short lines and, really, no problem navigating the airport.  Worst thing I've experienced is having my plane taxi awhile before docking at the gate.

If you are arriving (and it is your destination), it is really quite simple to get off the plane and walk directly to baggage claim.

If you are departing from LAX, it's fairly easy to go from curb to check-in/baggage drop.  Security lines/screening are now unavoidable everywhere.  Lines may be long...but move.  Better if you have some form of preferred screening...Again, true almost anywhere.

But, yes, getting an Uber or taxi has become one step more complicated--but it really isn't that big a deal...It will take you FAR LESS time and effort than, say, having to change planes in Denver or Phoenix or San Francisco...

I would choose nonstop to LAX ANY TIME over making an intermediate stop to use LGB...

And, traffic to the port is overblown by many as well...LAX to San Pedro is a mere 20 miles (only slightly more than LGB to San Pedro)...And YOU are likely not the one driving...

Good perspective, thanks.

1 hour ago, princeton123211 said:

Coming from the East, take the nonstop. One thing happens with a connection and your whole vacation can get upended. LAX isn't so bad that I would not take a nonstop to avoid it. 

Good point…I may be coming in on Saturday morning for a Tuesday departure to spend the weekend in Santa Monica or something before embarking. So I have some buffer before the cruise.

I’m taking my first west coast cruise and wanted to see what the consensus is on flying into LAX vs LGB.

I live in Tennessee, so LAX makes sense because I prefer nonstop flights; however, the size of it, process of getting to transportation, plus traffic makes me cringe.

LGB isn’t nonstop (+3 hours), but seems like it would be easier to get in and out of.

thoughts?

Was just in Roatan last week. We opted for the all-inclusive Turquoise Bay beach excursion. It was very nice, great guide, great service. Only downside is that it is on the East side of the island so the ride was about 30 mins.

The “Just” water tasted fine to me. But I still don’t think the mixed use terapak packaging is any better environmentally than plastic. 

On 1/25/2020 at 8:44 AM, flhusker said:

Hubby and I are considering The Pearl for a half Panama Canal cruise in April 2020.  We've always cruised on Princess before but due to several challenges are considering this ship.  But it leads to several questions.  We are an older couple - I'm 76 and hubby is 78.  Is this a ship for a younger crowd?

 

1. Do they have "anytime" dining or do you have to schedule your dining in advance?

 

2. Do they have a non-alcoholic beverage package?  Hubby drinks coke and I drink diet Coke?  What is the cost? And can it be purchased in advance?

 

3. Hubby sleeps with a c-pap, do they have distilled water available even at a cost for this purpose?

 

4. Do they have a covered pool?  I can't be in direct sun.

 

5. What entertainment is there after the shows in the main theater is over?  Something other than casino or sitting in a bar.  Neither hubby or I are big drinkers.

 

I know there are more but that's enough to get started.  Thank you.

I’ve only been on charters aboard the Pearl, but here’s what I think I can answer.

- pool is not covered. There is an overhang area on 2 sides of the pool deck where you may be able to snag a seat, but the pool itself is full sun. 
 

- NCL does have a soda package. I’m not sure of the cost, maybe $8-10 per day + gratuities. You can purchase it online after you book your cruise.
 

- They do have distilled water for cpap. I would call ahead to let them know you need it.

I’m not sure about dining or entertainment since cheaters can be different. 

36 minutes ago, molemaui said:

Hopefully I have the definitive answer to this question. 

 

There is a 15 drink per person/day that includes ALL drinks IF your drink package was given to you as part of a promotion or amenity. If you outright purchase the Signature drink package, all non alcoholic drinks are UNLIMITED and not included in the 15 drink/person/day count. 

 

If the Signature package was given to you AND you UPGRADE to the Elite package, then all non alcoholic drinks are unlimited plus when reviewing the wines, a much better choice!

 

Hope this helps. 

What is the source of this info? Is this in writing somewhere?

this was not my experience. When I sailed in September the bartender said waters and sodas were included in the 15 drink limit. I never ordered a plain soda but they ran my card both when I ordered bottled water and specialty coffees. I never pushed the limit of 15 drinks a day so it wasn’t an issue. 

On 9/24/2019 at 5:49 PM, canadianbear said:

Are you next to the glass elevators?  Could that be causing it?  

It could have been, but the noise started late at night and all night long when there was likely little to no use. Staff swore up and down it was not the elevators. 

Just got off Oosterdam on Sunday. It seemed like a pretty basic ship to me. Your biggest changes from 10 years ago, from what I’ve gathered, is the update of the Crows Nest to the Explorations Central set-up. Perhaps redesign of the Atrium. New carpet, paint. Perhaps an update of the rooms. 

1 hour ago, Samanthac25 said:

 

I decided I’d suck it up and sit on hold to talk to someone. The HAL rep said that the 15 drink limit is for all beverages, including non-alcoholic cocktails, soda, and bottled water. This is disappointing. 

Yeah, I just came off the Oosterdam and had SBP. all beverages alcoholic and non-alcoholic go towards the 15 limit. It was clear the staff was directed to be very strict with this. So much so, we had staff in dining areas trying to “sell” us extra bottles of water and specialty coffee at the end of meals. It made me wonder, do they get commission or otherwise paid bonuses on how many “paid for” beverages they serve?

Oh, trust me, we had every Guest Services manager, assistant manager, and more that we spoke with. They all refused to contact engineering or send any mechanical technicians up to our room. We also requested to speak to the Hotel director and were declined to speak to them. 

We were in a end hall room. On one side was the lobby of the midship elevator bank, the other was a room. The noise seemed to come from the elevator hallway area, somewhere in the walls.

Reporting in from Juneau. The noise was more than just creaks and groans. And it was not from another room. It was really wild. there would be a THUD and the walls would shake. We had things fall off the walls. It would sometimes happen 2-3 times in a room, some times just one instance. Sometimes they would be minutes apart, sometimes 10-20 mins apart. But it was constant, 24 hours a day.  I’ve attempted to attach a video of the shaking. The noise was much louder than my phone camera picked up. But imagine a large boulder being dropped on the floor or a large steel door banging back and forth. That’s what it sounded like.

Miraculously, they found a comparable room to move us to 24 hours after we first reported it. The night of the report, they apparently only had inside rooms to move us to.  Not sure how they found a room, but it’s worked out for now. 

We set sail today from Seattle, and around 2 hours ago started hearing large thuds that shake our whole room. It sounds like the ceiling is coming down on us.

Guest services are is trying to tell us it is the waves hitting the ship and/or the way the ship is moving.

anyone ever experience this? We are in 5095.

On 9/9/2019 at 12:43 AM, Ptroxx said:

When we were in Juneau last week. The bliss was coming in as we were leaving. Taking our spot.  But there were 4 ships in post at the time.   So there might be 4 ships.  But I think 5 come in daily.   

 

This time lapse video shows the Joy coming into Ketchikan and then another ship coming in.  Then us and the bliss jockeying around.   

 

Thank you for sharing!

4 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

4 ships is pretty standard. But, they don't all come in at 7 or 8. In our case, one was in at 7am, we arrived at 8, another at 10am, and the smallest ship at 2.

 

With the vast majority of ships sailing on a Saturday or Sunday, the peak days in Juneau are probably Tuesday,  Wednesday  or Thursday. 

Makes perfect sense. I guess I hadn't researched enough and was thinking we'd see smaller crowds this late in the season 😂

On 8/14/2019 at 8:54 PM, Jimbo said:

Is there a way  to know what ships are scheduled for Hubbard Glacier each day? is there schedule listed somewhere? Trying to see whether or not we have a 50/50 chance or 100% chance of taking the tour. We already booked for August 2020. at a lower price then what they are charging now on RCCL.

I found this resource, not sure how accurate it is http://crew-center.com/hubbard-glacier-alaska-cruise-ships-schedule-2020

I am on the 9/22 sailing of Oosterdam. With it being so late in the season, I was surprised to see there are 4 ships in Juneau the same day as us

http://crew-center.com/juneau-alaska-cruise-ship-schedule-july-october-2019

Thank you all! I'm leaning towards booking Juneau tours. The shared experiences and tips are really helpful.

8 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

Thanks for the follow up. 

I'd never fly in the day of a cruise.  Lucky it worked out for you.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Depends which direction I am going / how long the flight is.

My upcoming Nashville to Seattle (about a 4 hr flight) - definitely at least a day early. 

My Nashville to Tampa earlier this year? (about a 1.5 hr flight) It felt plenty fine to fly out first thing embarkation morning, have friend pick me up, grab a bite, and then head to the ship.

Just now, Glaciers said:

I would think they could tell but who knows. I called about the new Hubbard Glacier excursion as it wasn't showing on the excursion list for our ship. They said it was already sold out. Turned out it wasn't operating yet. Good luck!

Thank you! Based on your info and visiting both Allen Marine and Gastineau Guiding websites I was able to determine Allen Marine is the operator for the tour I am looking at (Gastineau Guiding looks to be the operator for the same tour w/Photo Safari). 

28 minutes ago, Glaciers said:

If the boat holds over 100 people its Allen Marine. If 20 or so it’s probably Gastineau Guiding who gets very good reviews. Smaller boats are usually preferred as appears you’re aware of since you’ve considered Harv and Marv.

 

Thank you! A whale watching boat with 100+ people sounds like a nightmare. I wonder if I call HAL to inquire on the size of the boat, if they could/would tell me?

We are planning to do a whale watching excursion in Juneau, but would also like to go up to the Mendenhall visitor center as well. I'd prefer to book whale watching with Harv & Marv based on the reviews, but they do not do Mendenhall. Wie wouldn't have time to go to Mendenhall on our own if we booked through Harv & Marv.

There is an excursion offered through HAL, but I was curious if anyone knew what operator they use? I am trying to find some reviews and the review system on HAL.com is horrendous.

This is the one I'm speaking of: Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest

Would it be possible to do an Amazon Prime Now order and have them meet you outside the port?

The HAL website does not give this excursion option for our Hubbard Glacier day. Was it something only offered onboard? I'm sailing Oosterdam 9/22 - perhaps too late in the season for them to offer it?