techteach

I live 5 minutes from one of the two piers in Seattle where cruise ships dock. The additional bus, van, taxi, and Uber traffic can be frustrating. Lots of people in a hurry so driving crazy or lost so impeding traffic. We do our weekly shopping at Pike Place Market and wading through people taking pictures of $89. Mushrooms has become the norm. While I pack my patience the businesses pack the money bags. The six months of tourism balances the ledger for the rest of the year when only the regulars buy the mushrooms. Seattle is large enough to be able to handle the inundation of 3 large cruise ships per day, but I can’t imagine more than that. For the small towns in Alaska it must feel over the top and maybe they just need a day of peace and quiet.

https://replica.seattletimes.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=4376b9fd-a8d8-40b2-97d7-6c1bb15ec4a5&share=true

This article was in our local newspaper and points to changes in the number of ships that will be allowed into Juneau.

@Cowbell Kingdom We also raid our cellar when we sail. You can’t carry it on, and you can’t send it through Luggage Forward. We put it in our checked luggage for the airport and then when we get to our hotel pre-cruise we transfer it to carry-on. We usually fly Alaska Air and they have a Wine Flies Free, and a special carrier for a case of wine, but we haven’t tried it yet and it only applies to specific cities for the wine flying free. This isn’t the cheapest way to take wine on-board but it lets us take some of our special bottles.

@NE John I gave you a ❤️, but not sure after reading your description. I hope it works out well for you.

@LymingtonLad We’re perhaps on the same cruise with you. We’ve never been to Zeebrugge, and I expect it to be raining. I got tired of trying to figure it all out, and worrying about it, so I booked the excursion that includes the canal and the afternoon on our own.

@Bigmike911 Glad to hear you haven’t been affected by all of the storms. We get rain up here on the Pacific Coast, but it really isn’t the same as the deluge others experience. And the tornadoes? Wow. Take care —

@Bigmike911 Thinking about you and the weather. I hope you are doing well.

On 5/16/2024 at 11:25 AM, Pushpit said:

Plusgrade upgrade ranges are quoted per person per sailing, and not per day. Solo passengers therefore need to double the quote to get to the charged amount (as is made clear in the email from Plusgrade).

Then $275. Per person for the entire cruise is definitely worth it!

@Liao Look at the December TA’s. The ship is beautifully decorated, but the west bound QG does sell out.

Love the Q4 balcony, large table and chairs for dining, and the extra bathroom. $275./pp per night worth of love? Maybe not.

@D&N I thought of you last night as we enjoyed this bottle. Perfect with roast chicken and morel mushroom risotto.

Thanks for the link @bluemarble, that is one really cute bear. I hope I can score one in September, and if not, then in December.

How exciting @NE John! We only have 2 cruises under our belts with Cunard and have booked QG from the beginning so I can’t comment on this being the norm. I’ve certainly never read of anyone receiving a phone call on CC. Is this upgrade for Alaska?

@asdf1245 We have a large Tumi that will not fit under the bed. We put it in the corner of the walk-in closet. It is my understanding from other posts that they could be stored somewhere else on the ship.

I love the look of the waistcoat and is very forgiving as pounds gather at the waist during the cruise. Have fun and congrats!

They are available on-board in the gift shop. I can’t help you with cost for rental. You can also purchase bow tie, cuff links, etc. I would go early to make sure they have the correct size.

We sailed Oceania Regatta last September and the food was good to poor compared to Queens Grills Suit on QM2. We haven’t traveled in anything other than QG on Cunard, and only on QM2. I did a review of our Regatta sailing from last September, go take a look. Happy Sailing!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. It is very helpful. Can’t wait to experience it myself. 😗

@ctrinco I’m sure you can rent a car downtown, but then you’ll need to return it to downtown. You could walk to Westlake, if docking downtown at Pier 66, take light rail to the airport, then take a shuttle to the rental car, and then off you go to Mt. Rainier. (Get a real map) Depending upon which day of the week it’s about 2 hours, traffic and where you’ve going dependent, to the mountain.  We love Tipsoo Lake on the far eastern side. I don’t check this board regularly so if you want to ask me other questions be sure to include my name. Have fun!

21 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Just as I was reading this earlier the wind strengthened and the power went off !

It was back on within about 20 minutes and fortunately the wind had dropped by the time I drove home. This was the road between our village and the nearest town. 

Yikes!

I thought of our group last night as I watched the New Years big bang over London, as recorded, on YouTube. I think London wins for best of show. I didn’t see any other city with music that was better.

@Host Hattie and @ronpes I hope you can stay warm and dry. Hope the ponies are safe.

I have read the weather is pretty bad in England. How is everyone doing?

DH does have a few in cotton, but would never wear them to church or as smart attire. His are wool, most from Brook Brothers, and he has never complained of itchiness.

Standard dress for DH to wear to 8:15 church service. Mock turtleneck. No, that is not my DH, much too young. I think it’s a great look with a smart pair of pants and a jacket.