Traveling Library

 Here is our departure experience at Amsterdam (Schiphol) airport on July 2.  If you cannot stand or walk for 2+ hours I highly recommend that you ask for wheel chair assistance.  

Our flight was 2:40PM to Boston on Delta/KLM in Comfort Plus. We do not have Sky Priority status.

Left ship at 8:45 and took the worlds fastest taxi to Schiphol . Arrived 9:20AM.  When we arrived we saw long lines of people outside the terminals some under tents. I think these were lines for flights leaving concourse A & B (European flights). Not sure.

Entered the terminal and found  the usual check-in crowds but the KLM woman looked at our ticket and because we were Comfort+ let us in the Sky Priority check in area.  I do know if the ticket was Economy people were being sent to different check in desk lines. Once checked in (the man noted we were 5 hours early but took our luggage) you join another line for security.  This line is split into two: Sky Priority/First/Business (not us) and Comfort+ and Economy (us). A long and slowly moving line will get you to the stairs to get to security.  Scan your boarding pass and then wait in an enclosed area (claustrophobia warning) for your chance to climb the stairs to yet another LONG line just to get to security (think Disney).  At this point people who had 11:30 or even a 12:30 flight realized that they were going to miss it.  Two people nicely asked to skip ahead but in most cases everyone stayed where they were in line. Once thru security there is another very short line to scan your passport and get it physically stamped and finally you are in the gate area. Arrival 11:50AM or 2.5 hours of lines.  Of course you have to get to your gate but once in the gate area all chaos disappears and it seemed almost serene to wander through the shopping opportunities to your gate (ours on concourse F was a 15 minute walk others are much longer). Our flight left 1/2 hour late which gave extra time to board for those who were still caught in the process.  

If you are Sky Priority/First/Business you will still be on lines but they probably are shorter and once in the gate area you can relax in the KLM Lounge.

Bon voyage! Buen viaje! Safe travels.

Here is the MBTA site: https://www.mbta.com/ They have a really nice trip planner (I live in the Boston area and use it for my travels).  Commuter train (you'll want the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Line) to Salem leaves from North Station. Taxi/Uber trip from the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal to North Station will take at least 15 minutes and probably more like 20 to 25 depending on traffic/time of day.

We have had 2 experiences at CVS. In March they took us both at the same time. I got my test results as we drove home. My husband's took 1 1/2 hrs to arrive. Today they took us sequentially. We got there a bit early and they took us early. Today we both received our results before we left the MinuteClinic.

All tests were rapid antigen.

Can you carry the tests in carry on luggage or do they need to be in checked luggage.  I know that the liquid is less than 3oz but technically all liquids need to be in the quart sized clear plastic bag. We cannot open the tests to remove just the liquid.  I'm concerned about putting them in our checked luggage which is going overseas. Any experiences? Thank you,

58 minutes ago, Nanatravel said:

Thanks.  With the help of the link for Mass testing sites, I found the CVS Health Community Testing Site at  3 Post Office Square zip 02109. This is perfect location from our hotel and many others. Issue is I can't find a phone number or when I attempt to follow all of their links, it takes me to Minute Clinic locations all outside of downtown Boston. I've tried looking up the address, the name etc. with zero results. Can you check to see if your local phone directory might have a phone listing?

 

Bev

Only number I found is 617-426-8964 for CVS at 3 Milk St which is near Post Office Square but Yelp says this site is closed.  I cannot find any other number.  Try the number above but then try the hotel. They can tell you if the CVS is open or not and get you a phone number.  Note I read the other day that CVS is moving testing to places that have a Minute Clinic. The CVS on Post Office Square is/was tiny and probably isn't/wasn't big enough for a Minute Clinic. Good luck. Wish I could be more helpful.

10 hours ago, Nanatravel said:

Thanks Lipton,  this helped a lot. The CVS PO Square is the closest for our hotel location.  Now to be able to book with them in advance when it gets closer to test time will be my quest.

 

 

I'd call the CVS at Post Office Square and make sure they are doing testing.  Not all CVS's are doing proctored testing.  I did a Google search (Covid test near Black Falcon Terminal) and came up with ARCpoint. This is on Drydock Ave and not far from the cruise terminal. I cannot figure out how to see if and where they have appointments without registering. You may want to try though: https://www.arcpointlabs.com/boston/request-an-appointment/

Finally, you could get a test at the airport.  If you are only staying overnight in Boston you could get the test when you arrive at the airport.  https://www.xprescheck.com/ search for Boston. Testing sites are in Terminal C (Jet Blue but connected to other terminals by shuttle bus) or in Terminal E (International flights).

CVS is only listing appointments 2 weeks out.  I checked and the closest CVS's that have the rapid test as of today are in Cambridge (6 JFK Street and 36 White Street)  Not sure where you are staying but you can get from downtown Boston to Cambridge by public transportation (the Red Line). You may want to bring the Abbott proctored tests (make sure they are the ones that offer proctoring) and do the testing from your hotel. Or call your hotel and see if they know any local testing place. And, take a look a the site Lipton provided. It will list the possible locations but you'll need to check each one to see if they have testing available.

The app was convenient to watch the safety video (we checked in our muster station when we boarded), to check the dinner menu, and to track our account (very helpful to see how many drinks we had left of our D+ allotment before they expired at midnight).  We also scanned a QR code to schedule our C-19 test for our B2B and also schedule our departure time. The Enchantment didn't have the account on the TV which is why we used the app. In truth, I didn't find the app all that "intuitive" so the app isn't a requirement and all could have been done at Guest Services.

19 hours ago, Entropy said:

Ahoy,

My wife and I applied for Global Entry in the beginning of December. She was invited to an interview in just days while I'm still waiting for my review. We're cruising at the end of May so I'm begining to wonder if I'll have the card by then.

What are others experiencing for their wait times?

You don't need the physical card for GE to work. You just need the number which you will get on  the approval letter. When we first applied in 2016 we were interviewed. By the time we got home (45 minutes or so) our approval letters were waiting for us in our email.  Once you get the number you can add it to airline sites so you get TSA Precheck.  GE is automatically associated to your passport. If you get a new passport you go into the GE website and update your passport number. We renewed our GE online in the summer of 2021 and neither of us needed to be reinterviewed and the renewal was approved in less than a week. The only time I've ever used the physical GE card was when my drivers license didn't show my full name and my GE card did (license now shows my full name) and I was flying. You cannot use the GE card to go thru TSA precheck if your boarding pass does not say TSA Precheck (happened to us once). 

16 hours ago, micruiser2002 said:

Do you remember how many people the minibus holds?

I think may have been 16 but not sure. I know it was on the smaller size so I'm pretty sure it wasn't a 24 seater.  It was several years ago. I do remember that for the Reykjanes tour there were only 6 of us and we all were very prompt. As a result we had so much extra time the driver took us to show us his Boy Scout Camp. I'm sure the tour company could confirm the bus size and they may have various sizes available. Enjoy your trip!

Increase the print document to 150% and just print the last page.

Also note that Ft. George is a steep hill climb from the port. It's well worth a visit. Just be prepared. Same with the church ruin you can see from the port.  Again, an uphill climb and you cannot get into the site but you get a nice view. On the port side is a staircase and on the old port side you walk (hike?) up streets.  This is another way to go from the new to old port.  In either case enjoy your trip!

Walk thru the tunnel to see the old port. Pre-covid there was a tram tour that left from the port and took you thru the tunnel and around the old and current port area. It was about an hour and pleasant. Also pre-Covid there are a lot of taxi drivers at the port who do tours of the island. 

They are treated as 2 separate cruises. You need to check in both.

1 hour ago, GSRDPM said:

Reading the checklist for the bag, it mentions specific types of clothing - for example T-shirts. - and that other items included will be charged at the regular rate.  Has anyone ever tried to see if other shirts like polos or button down shirts were included without the extra charge?

Pre-pandemic we've put in a polo shirt and it was just fine (no extra charge). Never put in button down since that clearly isn't t-shirt style. Roll everything tightly and you can get 20 to 25 pieces in the bag.

We've taken day trips with Iceland Guided Tours: https://www.igtours.is/

They met us with a minibus at the port. We've taken the Golden Circle and Reykjanes Penninsula tours. Enjoyed both.

For the morning walk around downtown Reykjavik. We spent an enjoyable afternoon walking around visiting the church (the organist was practicing), the city hall, concert hall. It's a very small city so easy to navigate. Walk from the port to the city along the waterfront.

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

Good to know. What is your opinion of the Hampton Inn Boston-Logan Airport property? 

If you only want to stay at a Hampton Inn (vs. other Hilton sites) then I'd pick either the Hampton Inn in Cambridge which, according to their website, is across the street from the Lechmere stop on the Green Line (note there is some construction going on so until spring 2022 there is a shuttle bus to take you to North Station where you'll join the Green Line trolley). The Green Line will take you directly to Park Street where you will be in downtown Boston.  Or stay at the Hampton Inn in the Seaport.  There you can walk to the cruise terminal. This hotel is close to the Silver Line (a dedicated bus lane) which will take you to South Station.  From South Station you can change to the Red Line (trolley) to Park Street or easily walk up the Rose Kennedy Greenway along the harbor to the North End.  The Green, Red, and Silver Lines are all part of the public transportation system locally called "The T".  It is safe and easy to navigate. They have a great website www.mbta.com with a trip planner that I use all of the time (and I live in the Boston suburbs!).  Depending on where you stay and how much luggage you could take public transportation from Logan Airport to your hotel and also from your hotel to the ship. There are two Hampton Inns for Logan Airport IMHO both are good if you have a car or if you only need a place for one night to sleep and you don't want to visit the sights.

On 1/13/2022 at 12:47 PM, davekathy said:

We are doing a one night September pre cruise stay at the Hampton Inn Boston Crosstown Center. 

 

Another good place to ask is in the Ports Of Call Forum.

 

 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/317-east-coast-departures/

 

 

 

 

I would advise caution on the HI Crosstown.  I'm a big fan of Hampton Inn and I'm sure this one is doing its best for their guests. That being said, I'm not a fan of the neighborhood for this hotel.  It is near the intersection of Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd where there is a large unhoused population who have recently (in the past several weeks) been moved out of their tents and into various other and warmer housing including a formerly vacant Best Western Roundhouse which is just across a busy rotary from the HI. The new housing is low threshold which provides support to anyone who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, mental issues, and helps them find more permanent housing and services.  It is a difficult and hard process for all involved: the Mayor, the residents, the businesses, and the unhoused. 

We've stayed at both the Hotel Colon and it's sister hotel the Colon Regencia, which is located directly behind the Hotel Colon.  IMHO if you cannot get a Cathedral view room at the HC then stay at the Regencia which is usually a bit less expensive. Location is great for both hotels.

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

That wasn't what I heard on the news tonight but they don't always get it right.

Here is the link to the CDC website:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship

Here are the relevant sections (bolding is from the CDC statement. not me ;-).

• If you travel on a cruise ship, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel and get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if you are eligible.
• People who go on a cruise should get tested 1–3 days before their trip and 3–5 days after their trip, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms.
• Along with testing, passengers who are not fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for a full 5 days after cruise travel.  

18 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

And they want everyone to quarantine for 5 days after getting home from a cruise.

The CDC is recommending only the unvaccinated to quarantine for 5 days. They also are recommending that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, be tested 3 to 5 days after return.

Juneau Public Library is on top of the parking garage at the port.  In the past I've used their WiFi to download my library ebooks.  I also leave a small cash donation when I leave just to thank them.  No need to do so but Library Friends groups usually sponsor library programs so a few extra $ is always appreciated.

6 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Doing another trip today, much smaller. We are going to Lancaster, Pa. to Sight and Sound Theater. Since it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive each way, DW decided that was too long for me to drive in one day, so we are staying over. Maybe we will look at some things in the area the next morning.

 

BTW, today is our wedding anniversary #44. ( Way back in 1977, I figured forward when our Friday the 13th anniversaries would be. LOL).

I spent my High School years in Reading PA. Not too far from Lancaster is the Ephrata Cloister which is worth a visit and kind-a sort-a on your way home.  Another interesting place is Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson, PA. Maybe a bit too far afield but it is again sort-a kind-a on your way home.

Happy Anniversary!

On 7/28/2021 at 3:44 PM, ontheweb said:

 

 

BTW, thank you for that piece of information; I would not have made that connection. And NY's subway does not have the same sense of humor.

NY Subway may not have a sense of humor but their library does. The New York Public Library Catalog is called CATNYP. 

4 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Basically worked perfectly. We did need help finding where we could get the Silver Line. And the funny thing is the bag was easier to handle on the Green Line. The others had the place to put bags, but they were full and I just had to keep the suitcase by me. On the Green Line, it was so empty, I just put it on a seat.

Glad this worked! Enjoy your trip. Next few days will be sunny but humid. We haven't seen the sun in a while so you must have brought it with you!  Do try to ride the Swan Boats in the Public Garden.  It is one of 2 things I try to do each year (the other is to go to a Red Sox game).  Only in Boston will you be able to take a ride on a human-powered boat in a lagoon in the middle of a city. And after the ride (or before) stop to see the Make Way for Ducklings statutes (near the corner of Charles and Beacon St) sometimes they are dressed up in capes or cute hats and always good for a photo op.