psuboater

Really hoping not Everett as I was planning on going off island tomorrow 😄 Just saw on the news- he’s landing at SEA around 5pm tomorrow.

Local here - they have not yet released where he's going to be yet but confirmed he will be in town tomorrow, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th. There's also a six-game Mariners homestand this weekend as well, and the 520 Bridge (which should only impact you if you are driving in from the east, coming from the airport will not be affected), oh, and 3 boats are scheduled to be in port on Saturday May, 11th. All transit alerts will be shared by our DOT - https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2024/05/09/travel-advisory-president-biden-visit/ Plan a few extra hours in getting where you need to be tomorrow and Saturday, and may the odds be ever in your favor. 😀

As a daughter of a father who raised me on great coffee, it's....fine. It's drinkable, although a bit weak. We get FAS+, so Starbucks is included, but what I'll typically do is start with a cappucino to start the day as an early riser, and then when we get breakfast a few hours later, I'll have some buffet coffee. I won't go out of my way to get Starbucks if the buffet coffee is right there.

I’ve been to Vancouver a few times in the past couple of years. No need for cash, I used Apple Pay most times. The only time I’ve needed cash in Canada in recent memory was on the other side of the country for St. Viteaur bagels in Montreal 🙂 Also, when the prompt asks if you want to pay in USD or CAD- always choose the local currency! Your bank will give you a much more favorable rate.

I agree- maybe it’s because it’s still pre peak season?

Looking at Google Maps, it would require transferring on the D bus line to get closer up to your hotel. Not sure how far you’re traveling from and how much luggage you have, I think you will have grumpy husbands if you want to walk. 🙂 Since theres 4 of you, I’d recommend splitting an Uber.

Cap Hill 🙂

Some less expensive cocktails 😄

So funny story @Ferry_Watcher, yes they do! We had friends come visit in November 2021 from the East Coast so we were so happy they were visiting we didn’t let them purchase a single thing. My husband is obsessed with Negronis, so at one point this friend grabbed the bartender and ordered the vintage Negroni ($270). My husband was shocked but thrilled! It definitely was a unique cocktail.

You would have to make two separate reservations (they only take parties of 4 or less) but Canon is one of my favorite cocktail bars in the world. They make unique drinks, but even cooler they serve them in unique glassware. I’ve drank out of a glass bee, a Nintendo cartridge and a glass in a mini shopping cart. It’s awesome. Other great cocktail bars are Navy Strength and Some Random Bar. You don’t think of Pina Coladas and Seattle, but SRB’s are homemade and fantastic. None of the above have a great view, but Bar Moxy and The Fog Room scratch that itch as they are both rooftop bars.

That’s going to wildly depend on the boat on the day. Most likely it will start around 7am for walk off passengers, if customs clears the boat early in the morning. In my sailing in May 2022, customs was delayed and we didn’t start walk offs until 8:30am with a lot of people panicking. Since we live here it wasn’t a big deal, but it’s why we always recommend booking your return flight later than 12pm.

Yup, I was quite shocked myself when I looked it up on FlightAware. The only Canadian trip I've taken from SEA connected first in Detroit, so I had to look up previous gates.

If you’re taking Alaska airlines, it looks like you’re in C gates like the other Alaska flights. Delta and Air Canada are departing from S gates. There’s a train to S gates which appears every 3-5 minutes. From a domestic connection there isn’t anything special other than getting to the South terminal. If you’re taking Delta you might have facial recognition at the gate instead of scanning your passport, but have your passport with your ticket ready when boarding. Safe travels!

Your next cruise, you should tell people "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM SO IMPORTANT I HAVE PEOPLE PRETENDING TO BE ME ON CRUISE CRITIC" 😄

The short answer is yes, it’s safe. It’s Westlake station which drops you off in the middle of a hotel and retail core. Seattle has upped their transit team who are checking valid tickets and escorting those who shouldn’t be on the train off at the next stop. However, if you’re not used to city life and have a low comfort level of these types of things, an Uber might be your best bet. In rush hour, taking the light rail is a no brainer - under $3 vs $50+ and it will get you to where you need around the same time when there’s a traffic jam. 3rd and Pine is the area you’re referring to. As someone who works downtown I don’t seek that area out (although it is close to the market) but I don’t freak out if I find myself there. Then again I’ve lived in downtown Philadelphia and Columbus so Seattle to me can be “unpleasant” at most where other areas in my other cities maxed out at a “don’t want to get killed” level. The city is very concious of optics during cruise season, and we tend to see less events while we’re doing our cruise hosting. Even so, I’d be fine to walk there in December as long as I practiced street smarts. As a reference, I am a woman under 40 and I normally take the light rail when I can. However, if I was landing late at night (10pm+) I’d probably just take an Uber.

We've done the Vibe on a February LA/Cabo cruise, and while a lot of times it was too cold to use, we still felt we got great use out of it. The days that it was warm enough we spent most of our time out there. We also did the Vibe on our cruise to Bermuda last June. Keep in mind that the wind going up/down the Atlantic might be too strong. The last sea day only one side of the Vibe was usable because of the wind. The staff did a great job of moving all of the chairs to one side, so while we were closer to our neighbors than usual, everyone still had a seat they could enjoy. However, I also live in Seattle so 70 sounds great to me, if 70 means you're putting on a sweatshirt, then it might not be 🙂

I love to travel -- but if you look at my travel schedule, I don't fly out of SEA from June through September unless I have to. 1) This is the best part of the year for Seattle - where most days don't top 80, never rains, and nights get down into 50s. 2) The absolute zoo that is flying out of SEA during cruise season. If you're disembarking on the days where we have 3 cruises disembarking the same day - don't book anything before noon so you can utilize Port Valet, saving yourself 45minutes-1 hour in bag drop at least, and give your self time to get down to the airport (you need to cut through rush hour traffic), and give yourself time to not ruin the experience of your amazing Alaska cruise by trying to get on the next (oversold) flight. Utilize Port Valet for all eligible flights after noon, or Pack a Carry on only if you must take a flight before noon, use Space Saver SEA if you don't have PreCheck, pack your patience, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest 🙂 Also, a GREAT reminder if you're planning on flying to SEA to take the train up to Vancouver BC (or vice versa) - BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKETS NOW. They sell out quickly, and Amtrak rewards you the earlier you book.

If you can avoid bag drop, I think you’ll save yourself a lot of grief. I only check a bag for this Bermuda cruise and it’s always in June. I’m Sky Priority with Delta and last year bag drop took me 40 minutes. Especially with two cruise ships disembarking that day that will be the best move.

It’s tight but doable. If you do not have TSA Precheck, look into SEA spot saver:https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver. It’s a free service that lets you schedule your time through security. If you have TSA Pre and CLEAR- then I’d absolutely feel comfortable with 11:40. Keep in mind bag drop will be a zoo, so if you have a loyalty program with your airline that will help with time as well. Randomly, I will be at SEA at that time flying in from NY with my annual Bermuda cruise 🙂

Happy cruise season! Welcome to everyone coming to our corner of the country 🙂

That’s correct, but it’s only for general screening, not if you have TSA Precheck. Evenings tend to be very busy as there’s a lot of red eyes to the East Coast then. It’s a free service so couldn’t hurt. 🙂

I like to say “Don’t yuck other people’s yum.” 🙂 Full disclosure- I have never been in Haven. But we do “Haven Lite” thanks to your suggestions. We have a club balcony, upgrade to FAS+, Vibe, and this year we went with Thermal Spa, and an additional 2 nights of specialty dining so 6/7 nights are covered. I don’t care that there’s Haven, I’m happy for those who can afford that experience. For us, we’re not big butler people so the 3x the cost isn’t our interest. But if I can upgrade myself on a plane, I will do so any chance I get. That’s what’s worth it to me, while others will say “we’re all getting to the same destination, it’s not worth it.” It’s all what’s worth it to you.

Spent the week between Montreal and Quebec City. Very different than what we have with Vancouver/Victoria, but amazing in its own way. 🙂

Between your thorough knowledge and the “in” as a Pier employee, who is taking your #1 spot??

Thank you, King/Queen of the WCD board- we have to get drinks one of these days. I’d love to meet you and express my thanks for your support and advice 🙂