vswan

Went out of Vancouver in April. Was very confused when filling out the ArriveCan since I was flying in and leaving on a ship the same day. I called. They told me to put in the address of the cruise port and the name of the ship. We did need to redo the ArriveCan info when coming back into Vancouver - the ship sent out forms that we had to return when we were finished filling out the app so that they knew who had completed it. On the sheet it told us what to put where and they were able to help at the front desk for those that needed it.

I have been on 2 casino-offer cruises this past year. My husband laughs that they must have made a mistake because I am not a big gambler. Over all I budget about $30 per day for the casino. I have found that at the beginning of the cruise the machines pay much better than mid-way or toward the end of the cruise. I figure they are hoping to hook people early in the cruise and then keep them coming back. Toward the end of the cruise I figured it was cheaper to just buy my drinks than to throw a lot of money in the machine for my free one.

We've arrived after the crowds twice for cruises. Once was this past year when we had an earlier check-in time, but the bus from airport to cruise port had already left and we had to wait for the last bus of the day. Although I like being on the ship for lunch, etc., I have found getting to the port later in the day after all of the main crush of people to be very relaxing and a great way to start the vacation.

I may be wrong, but I don't think glacier viewing is easy or even available from your other stops - Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Point Straight. Doing an excursion at Mendenhall will get you close to the glacier, hopefully your ship can get close at Endicott Arm and you can view from "the other side."

Thank you all for the input. Not being that familiar with Seattle all of the comments help. I think I need to call the hotel and find out what my options are on their end. Online it said they had a shuttle to the King Street Station, but that could be a very old post and in these times a lot of the things that used to be are no more. They also may have input into covid testing in the area. My biggest issue may be the luggage. We are light travelers, but when going to colder climates coats and warm clothes take a lot of space, and of course we'll probably pack a picnic - or at least some water and drinks - for the trip which would add to the stuff we need to bring. Would probably throw whatever isn't gone away, but would still have the cooler bag, etc. Just glad that I figured the extra day into the mix. Is it possible to take the tram back south to the cruise port? What stop would we need and how far would we have to walk? Probably just be easier to taxi or uber - a more relaxing start to the trip.

I don't remember which glaciers we went to, but it's been my experience that the ships which do the glacier cruising (Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier) get in close to the glaciers and you have a day of glacier viewing from the ship. On one ship we sat in the middle of the glaciers and did a 360 degree turn to see from all sides.

Thanks for all of your responses. I have booked the Amtrak from msp to Seattle and then went online and booked a hotel on the site that doesn't tell you which hotel you are getting for $145 plus taxes, etc. (There were a couple which were less expensive, but the ratings were questionable.) Staying at the Hotel Nexus BW Signature Collection about 6 miles from pier 91. Says it is across from the Northgate Transit Center. Looks like there is a tram that goes from King Street Station to Northgate Transit Center. If we can pack light enough may give this a try. Not sure how this will all go, but I'm a do your research and then go with the flow kind of person and we can always get a taxi if need be. Now I need to figure out covid testing. Can always order the emed tests which I have used last time and worked well. Leaving to early to do before we take off.

Yes it's the Empire Builder from Minneapolis to Seattle. No, we will not be reserving a sleeper room, they are sold out. Of course when I just looked the prices have gone up about $100 per person since yesterday. LOL

Going out on a HAL cruise and coming in a day early. We are looking at Amtrak with prices rising on gas and airfare - and it's something we've never done and think it might be fun. Has anyone else done this? How far are you from the cruise port? Assuming we would need to take a cab somewhere. Concerned about trying public transportation with luggage. Also looking for a reasonable priced hotel that is not too far from either the port or the Amtrak station. $300+ seems steep to me for a place to sleep for the night. Have been to Seattle several times, but am not familiar with Seattle and what the sections of town are and where I should look. Doesn't pay to stay too far away or the cost of transport back and forth will make the savings void.

That would be the case if the 14.50 all went to the cabin steward. The 14.50 is shared.