MarieF4861

Have those of you who have booked through Avis done it online? I am not sure whether I will be renting a car or not, but did browse the site. On the main Avis page, the location near the cruise port is not listed and when I attempt to reserve through the Avis Alaska site, the site fails midway through the process.

here is the number: 1-800-625-4309 i started calling at 24 days till sail date.

but when you call they will tell you if there are any offers yet or not...i think it depends on how full and fast the Ship is filling up. i was also told you can counter offer...but when i tried at day 24 i was abruptly told "no". so i guess like anything if its a week out you can prob bargain a bit. just have your reservation number handy and credit card ready cause when you hang up the deal is usually off the table...

 

good luck and keep us posted..

 

-Mark

Can you use this process even if your reservation has been booked through a TA??

I have the free stuff in my cruise collection too. You can usually get the free coupons at the Shopping Desk. You don't have to go to the talks. I actually like the DI bracelet. I would never wear it, but it is a nice memento of the ports.

We rode in a car (hired a Skagway local to drive) & enjoyed the drive. Stopped whenever we wanted, got out walked around, etc. The scenery is beautiful the whole way up & back. Even if you are seeing the same thing, the light changes, the clouds go away, it quits raining, etc.

 

I do not feel like we missed out by not taking the train, but that is us & we have done several tourist trains.

Just curious as to how you found your guide. Was this something you prearranged?

This is a photojournal where the traveler compares her train trip one year to her rental car experience another year.

For the car trip they purchased Murrays guide which lists the milepost number for points of interest. $5

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2078780

Thanks so much for posting this. The comparison is very helpful - especially with the pictures. Also another idea here is to take the 3 hour train and do something else in the afternoon.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. Tony - the video was helpful. I'm now looking at the Yukon Rail & Bus with Dog Cart Experience. Not sure how it differs - will have to compare. My thought is that the time with the dog carts may break things up a bit.

With regard to seating, I think I read that if the bus trip is first to sit on the right for both the bus and the train - is that correct?

Considered renting a car, but I'm afraid we may just end up driving around without really knowing what we are looking at. Also, looking at shorter tours.

Yes, we could go our separate ways, but I would really prefer doing something we could enjoy together. She loves to take pictures. She may end up liking it in the end.

Hello,

I am thinking of booking the 7.5 hour White Pass Summit (train and bus) Trip either through NCL or Chilkoot, but my daughter (not a kid) thinks it is too long and will be boring and uncomfortable. Any thoughts/feedback on this and/or ideas for a shorter tour?

Thanks.

We have stayed in many Westins and we are always pleased with our stay! We have never been to Seattle, but the front desk staff can give you excellent recommedations!! Westins are usually very well situated in the city! Enjoy your stay!!

Good to know! Thanks.

If you just need a regular double room, I think you're pretty safe using the Pricelne Express option, choosing any of the four star hotels in the Pike Market area. I thought about staying out at the airport, but that seemed inconvenient for two days of sightseeing.

Through Priceline previously I got the Hilton, the Sheraton, the Westin, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt at Olive 8 -- All nice.

Take a look at the betterbidding.com web site. They explain how to bid and the amenity icons on the Priceline site.

Suzanne - I am a little nervous about doing this, but I will take a look. Thanks for the info!

I just posted my Priceline Express win for the Westin in May. With tax, about $150/ night.

Stayed there last year and loved it.

That's a great buy! Never did Priceline...

We have stayed at the Westin, Warwick and Mayflower. Our favorite was the Westin because of the location, followed by the Mayflower, also because of location. Our least favorite was the Warwick because it was a little farther from the things we wanted to do, but it was very nice. The Warwick is across the street from a small grocery which has great food to go.

 

Just keep watching the prices and travelzoo for specials. Sometimes someone on this board will pass on specials if they see them. We always make a refundable reservation at the Westin and keep watching for better prices.

Thanks for the info. So glad to hear your favorite was the Westin. I will keep checking prices.

I think the location is excellent for all your listed requirements. Since it's higher than you want to pay though, did you also compare available room prices in nearby hotels like Hotel Five, the Warwick, Mayflower Park? They're all within a couple of blocks, so if you're not married to Westin chain for points you can probably score a better rate in at least one of them (esp Five, which is definitely a less-swanky hotel though perfectly safe - the room decor is the only scary thing about it...)

Thanks for the info. I did check the Mayflower because it had been recommended by others. It was about $50 higher.

I am traveling to Seattle for a cruise in July and have booked the Westin Seattle for one night pre-cruise and two nights post-cruise. I am interested in staying somewhere that is safe, close to restaurants and places of interest, and near public transportation, Would appreciate any comments pro or con regarding the Westin Seattle. The cost is more than what I had hoped to pay, but if it is a nice hotel and the location is good, I don't mind paying the cost. Thank you.

We will be docked in Philipsburg from 12:15 to 8 and I wanted to spend the time in Marigot. Is there enough to do to fill about 4-5 hours? I know if is not one of the days when the market is there, but I believe (from what I have read), there are stores and vendors selling things at other times as well. Thinking I would like to do more than just shop. Suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Many thanks for the info on the Pearl and the suggestion to post my question on the respective cruise line forums.

I need help deciding between the Crown Princess and the NCL Pearl out of Seattle. I have never cruised on either cruise line. I wanted an itinerary that included Glacier Bay. That's why I chose these two. The itineraries are basically the same: Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria with the Crown Princess spending 3 hours longer (11am-10:30pm) in Juneau while the Pearl is there from 2-10pm. I have no idea what I will be doing in the ports yet, but I doubt that the shorter time frame in Juneau on the Pearl will be an issue for me.

So, I am interested in feedback from anyone who has cruised on these ships and/or lines. Almost all of my previous cruises have been with RCCL Once advantage that occurs to me is the casual dress code on NCL may help with the challenge of packing the many different types of clothing that appear to be required for an Alaska cruise. I wouldn't need to worry about formal attire. I know very little about either of these ships or lines to know what other differences there may be.

Thanks for your help.

We went to Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove on our last cruise to Bermuda - two summers ago. Warwick was very beautiful. Although it was summer, we were the only people on the beach. The water had an undertow - so we did not go in. We then walked over to Jobson's. There were a ton of people there - or maybe it just seemed that way because it is so small. There was an "outhouse" type facility at Jobson's - also a truck where you could buy something to eat or drink. Nothing at Warwick, but they are really very close to each other. We took the bus there and back - just asked the driver to drop us off at Warwick. Found the bus stop at Jobson's just by reading the signs. Very easy! Although I enjoyed seeing both beaches, my favorite is still Horseshoe Bay!

I did Bernard's several years ago and emailed him to ask if we could be dropped off and picked up at Le Galion instead of Orient. He said it was not a problem and the driver was prepared to do this, but in the end - we decided to get dropped off at Orient with everyone else. If you are interested in Bernard's tour, I would suggest you email him.

Thanks for the feedback. Sadly, I am only in Bermuda for one day and I am traveling with a friend who has not been there for a number of years so I may opt for Horseshoe. My cruise is not until May - so I have plenty of time to decide.

I love Horseshoe Bay but over the years, the crowds have sometimes made it a less than enjoyable experience. I have never visited Elbow Beach and the amenities described at the Coco Reef resort make it an attractive option. I am wondering if anyone can tell me how it compares to Horseshoe Bay from aesthetic perspective. Will I be mesmerized by its beauty as I am at Horseshoe Bay? Thanks.

Aubrey also has a lovely Bermuda Pink Sand (Pandora style) charm which they had displayed on a silver bracelet. Also, a similar Bermuda lucky stone charm.

Nice. Glad you enjoyed WLB and JC.

We can't wait to go back next year!

Did you use the #7 bus?

 

 

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Yes, the #7 bus. Driver announced the stop for us.

Visited Warwick Long Bay last week and it was indeed as beautiful as those here have described. The bus must have dropped as off past the main entrance however, as we had to walk down a steep incline to get to the beach. We were the only people there. We walked down a little further and found the steps to the beach (which we used on our return) and the lunch truck. About 8-10 people at that location. Walked over to Jobson's Cove as well - just to see it. Did not do the beach walk since it appeared that rain was threatening. Luckily, the rain held off unitl we got back to the ship!

I have never taken advantage of booking a next cruise onboard. I do have one question. I am looking at something that is over a year out and I don't know who will be traveling with me. Is it possible for me to book for myself alone and add the name of the person I will be traveling with later? Also, if I add an additional person later, will the pp rate be the same as at the time I booked? Thanks.

Thanks for the info. Looking forward to browsing there soon!