midwest 852

Yes last year on Oosterdam with no problem.

We are booked on the Westerdam Alaska R/T Seattle on 7/28/14. We haven't booked our flights yet, but we realized that the latest flights to the east coast leave around 11 AM. Would we be able to get off the ship early enough to make an 11:30 AM flight or should we just figure on a red eye or wait till the next day?

We were on the Oosterdam May 2013 had a early flight out of SEA-TAC we used luggage direct & took a taxi to the airport and no problem making the flight with time to spare. But took the same cruise in Sept 2013 got delayed at customs then the TSA lines took for ever all most missed our 1:30 pm flight!

It's a crap shoot.

Any idea how much is the cab fare from pier91 to airport?

There were 4 of us is was about $60.00

Any idea how much is the cab fare from pier91 to airport?

There were 4 of us it was about $60.00

I also plan on getting a taxi---is it readily available or do I have to prearrange for one? Thanks for the info on Luggage Direct and Self Disembarkation, I only plan on taking two luggages to the cruise (a family of four), I will utilize one of the methods for sure. I will aim for the first ones to get off and rush to the airport, hopefully the traffic to the airport is okay on a Saturday morning.

 

Also, could someone please tell me how far in advance should I book the shore excursions through local providers?

 

Thanks

Yifeng

Taxi's line at pier no need to prearrange! Some shore excursions can be arranged

Right on the pier as you disembark.

We will be cruising on Holland America's Westerdam RT from Seattle to Alaska 5/31-6/7/14. I booked a same day return flight out of Seattle at 11:35am with Alaska Air. The ship arrives Seattle at 7am. Never cruised before, don't know if it will take a long time to get off the boat and check into the airport. Please help! Thanks!

May 2013 we had a noon flight. We used luggage direct & took a taxi to the airport. Arrived at the gate by 10:00 am.

Aug 2013 my flight was at 1:45 pm. arranged everything else the same as May trip. But I was picked for the random luggage customs search. We didn't make it to the airport until 12:15 that trip. Then the TSA lines were long.

Can anyone tell me the time restrictions for flights out of Seattle. Thanks

2013 it was 11:30 am

I'm sailing aboard the Westerdam on May 3 to Alaska and it's my first cruise.

I know there are a couple of formal nights, but what about the other times on the ship? During the days....is it okay to just wear jeans and/or sweats? What about non-formal nights in the MDR?

I'm genarally pretty casual on vacations, so I'm hoping not to have to wear a dress shirt and slacks every day. I'm a jeans and sweats kinda guy...but I don't want to be offensive to others or be laughed at.

8 trips to Ak. I wear jeans every day. I order room service on the formal nights

You'll fit right in with your jeans/sweats

There are double doors. Trust me, I've actually staying in the pinnacle suite. I have no idea if the other posters have.

I think it's the Amsterdam that has the curtain. I hate the double doors! I stub my toe at least once every trip on the floor latch!

size of 2 balcony cabins with no separate sleeping area

That is not correct. There is a separate bedroom I think there's double doors,

But at the very least is curtain.

Hi guys....I will probably be going on an Alaska cruise this spring. However, I find that the excursions sold by the ship are expensive. I am traveling by myself so I am already paying a big price for my cabin and would like to save money on the excursions.

 

When I did the Canada New England cruise, there were lots of tour operators waiting in the pier area and oftentimes those excursions were at least half off. I know that you have to be careful which tour you choose, but I wanted to know from people's experience about those tours.

 

Are there any that you would recommend? I am doing the 7 day inside passage from Vancouver, either on the Zuiderman on the Zandaam....do you have any commentaries about those 2 ships?

 

Thanks in advance for your answers!

There is a lot of tour operators on the pier in Ketchikan, Juneau & a few in Skita

And in 2013 there were much cheaper.

Ok so what some are saying it's ok to go around the line that is waiting for the photo/boarding line I understand passing the photographer when it's your turn but to by pass the line is rude.

Now when reboarding the ship in a port and the line is long because a someone cannot find there card its ok to just walk around them! (Rude)

So is it ok for me to cut in the lido line because I don't want bread or salad so I just by pass you and go to the meat station. (Rude)

Good Manners, you always wait your turn

I don't think you can skip the photo line, you can pass through with out having a photo taking but the photo line & the boarding line are the same line! At least that's how's it's been for me.

Was that in the penthouse?

Yes PS7045 no wall dispensers in Sept.2013. I have photos if anyone want to see

I was on the Oosterdam sept. 2013 they did not have the wall dispensers.

We had 3 large bottles at sink, tub and out side tub also.

Grand Cayman stingray city/sand bar about 4ft. of water where the free rays swim around you. HAL's stingrays are in a pin.

5 ships in port all won't be a big deal. I like more people out there that way your not overwhelmed by the rays.

Which cruise terminal in Seattle does ms Amsterdam usually depart? I'm looking for the closest hotel.

Pier 91. No hotel within walking distance. Down town Seattle Grand Hyatt taxi cost about $15.00 last year.

How far away can you get on your balcony?

 

Yes, the smokers have every right in the world to smoke on their balcony on HAL. I don't think anyone has suggested otherwise, just don't try to sell it as "considerate"

 

Smoking is fast becoming an anti-social behaviour, like any other drug addiction. That trend seems to make some smokers very angry. :)

I can move a long way only book the PH vista ships! I would never sell you anything. :)

HATE HATE HATE the smell of smoke! When I smell it I move away it's my problem! I deal with it unstead of complaining about it!

HATE HATE HATE the smell of alcohol! When I smell it I move away it's my problem!

HATE HATE HATE people with B.O. They should be tossed overboard :)

Ok, I'm confused:confused:. I know Princess doesn't just do RT out of Seattle to Alaska. Our very first cruise was out of Vancouver on the Sapphire to Whittier. And yes, it went to Glacier Bay. Plus we added on one of those land tour options and saw Denali.

 

I have done this also

I'm sorry that you had this happen to you.