Traveling Library

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.

Happy Holidays to all. 

In November Bill and I, with my mom, took a 9 day Caribbean cruise on Crystal (yes, posh and fab ice cream). It was SO nice to be on a ship again. We are crossing our fingers that we can do our RCL Vision of the Seas cruise in February. We aren't as optimistic about our June RCL Arctic Circle cruise (similar to the one cancelled in 2020).  Oh well.....

Wishing everyone a happy holiday!

Lois & Bill

PS. Morven, if you are reading this my email to you bounced. Hope all is OK.

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, DrKoob said:

Just wondering how Morven and Uve are doing with the floods. If you guys are monitoring us from Germany, please let us know you are OK.

 

Jim

I heard from Morven and Uwe yesterday. They are fine. I too was worried about them and the flooding. 

Lois 

We are hopeful that cruising is a viable option for late 2021 and all of 2022. Thus we have the following booked:

Crystal Serenity. Nov 19-28 Thanksgiving Caribbean. R/T Miami (this is with my mom)

RCCL Vision of the Seas. Feb 4 and Feb 14 Caribbean R/T Ft Lauderdale.

RCCL Jewel of the Seas. June 20 Arctic Circle R/T Amsterdam (this is the cruise we wanted to do in June 2020)

Holland America. Nieuw Statendam. August 2 Canada, Iceland, Greenland. R/T Boston (hooray finally a cruise from our home port).

Anyone else on any of these cruises???

Lois & Bill

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.

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

Could you tell me if any of these locations* are close to us at the Hilton?

 

535 Boyston Street  Floor 1

This is the closest of the 3 sites to your hotel. It is near the Copley T stop on the Green Line 

 

1 Union Street near Faneuil Hall

This is downtown near the Government Center T stop on the Green Line and in the opposite direction from Park Street and your hotel.

 

185 Franklin Street Suite 105

This is downtown nearest to South Station. 

You probably would find the most taxis near South Station since it is also the Amtrak station. If you get to Park Street you probably will have to try to flag down a taxi from the street.   I checked Uber and $40 plus tip sounds about right for a 1 way fare from the Airport to the Hotel

 

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

* locations of TD bank with ATMs that I could use their debit card if we needed cash

 

Also if we got to the trolley and found out we could not at that point handle the luggage, I suppose we could then get a taxi and at least be closer.

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

If we take those first direction (second paragraph of your post), do we need whatever tokens of however they charge in advance?

I don't know what a taxi would cost but $80 seems high. I'm sure if you call the Hilton they can give you a ballpark figure.  As for the T as long as you start at the airport on the Silver Line and make the transfers as noted there is no charge for the trip and transfers for the trolley system are free.  If you decide to use the T after you get to the hotel you can either buy a day pass or just pay for each fare as you go.  No more tokens on the T. Payment is by Charlie Ticket/Charlie Card.

Note that on the T the only portion of the trip that will have a place for your luggage is the Silver Line. The rest of the trip (Red and Green lines) will be regular trolley cars.  If you can handle your luggage then go for it! 

Once you get settled I highly recommend a ride on the Swan Boats in the Public Garden. This is also near Cheers and the Make Way for Ducklings statues.  Also the Boston Public Library has wonderful John Singer Sargent murals (these are in the old McKim Building) and a really nice take-out cafe in the library's Johnson Building. You can take your take-out and sit in the library courtyard if you wish.  If you like baseball, and I don't know if the Sox will be in town, you can take a tour of Fenway Park. And the Duck Tour leaves from the Prudential aka "The Pru" is fun because part of it is on the Charles River.

Food:  My two favorite places for seafood are Jasper White's Summer Shack which is just next door to your hotel, and The Barking Crab on the Ft. Point Channel. Also near the hotel (and other locations) is Joanne Chang's WONDERFUL bakery Flour. 

What ever you do. Have fun!

I agree with everyone above. From the airport to the Hilton take a taxi or Uber.  Trip by T is free (all outbound Silver Line from the airport is free) but requires 3 changes and once you get off the T the walking route to the hotel is odd unless you've done it before (Welcome to Boston!) and once you've walked it it will all make sense 😉

Silver Line from Airport to South Station. Transfer (free) to Red Line toward Alewife. Get off Red Line at Park Street.  Take either the B, C, or D Green Line trolley and get off at the Hynes Convention Center stop. Go up to Massachusetts Avenue. Turn left out of the station (you will cross over the Mass.Turnpike) to Boylston St. Cross Boylston and turn left. Follow Boylston to Dalton (2nd street on your right). Hilton is slightly down hill.

OR at Park Street change to the E Green Line. Get off at the Prudential Stop. Walk a short distance on Huntington to Belvedere St. (at the corner of Huntington/Belvedere you'll see the water fountains at the Christian Science Mother Church). Follow Belvedere to Dalton. Note the E Green Line on Huntington Ave  is what you'll take to the MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner (outbound) or to the Boston Public Library/Copley Square (inbound).

Great location. The Back Bay Hilton is within easy walking distance of the Hynes Convention Center "T" stop on the Green line.  From here you can head in-town to Park Street and either change to the Red line to go to Cambridge or head upstairs to the Common and the beginning of the Freedom Trail.  From your hotel you can easily walk to the Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church, Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and in the other direction the Boston Public Library to see the John Singer Sargent murals.  Have fun!

Boston has a great public transportation system called the "T" (short for MBTA).  From the port you can take the Silver Line (it's a bus) to South Station. From South Station you can walk along the waterfront to the North End (Italian District, Paul Revere House, Old North Church) or hop on the Red Line at South Station (transfers are free) to Cambridge to visit Harvard Yard (best view of the city is from the Red Line going over the Charles River) or take the Red Line to Downtown Crossing and head up Winter St. to the Common to get to the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail. Walk thru the Common to the Public Garden and take a ride on the Swan Boats.  I also second the recommendation to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  The T has an excellent website with a travel planner option. https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner

As for Cape Cod other than taking the ferry from Boston to Provincetown you will need a car. Boston has Carson Beach. While your wife sunbathes you can visit the 1812 fort at Castle Island.