tabster100

Staying in Yokohama several days post cruise.  Is a US to Japan adapter sufficient for hair appliances, curling iron etc or will I need a converter?

Thank you, Carol 

I'll be on Westerdam in Oct for transpacific crossing (Seattle to Yokohama).   If you did this crossing on westerdam in the spring how was the internet out in the pacific?

thank you!

Hello, looking for some pre cruise info.   I'm a senior female traveling solo, will be fly into Copenhagen mid day on a monday and will need lodging for 2 nights.   Would appreciate info:

1 - lodging for 2 nights, must have elevator, reasonable price, safe and convenient location;

2 - most efficient transportation from airport to city center or hotel location;

Do most places take credit cards, or should I exchange some money for Krone?

Ship embarkation is at Oceankajen, and it would appear a taxi would be the best way to the pier?

Thank you for your input, I haven't been in Copenhagen for over 30 years, and just wanting to feel comfortable upon by arrival.

Carol

Flying in Sunday to Vancouver, plan on taking sky train to get near Metropolitan hotel, wondering if a local could advise the closest stop for that location??     Also, is it a feasible walk to Canada Place with one piece of luggage or better to take a cab from that hotel the next day??

thank you so much!

I'm on the Westerdam right now, there is a DVD player sitting within 1 foot of me. I have already used it.

 

There is no drydock between then and now - she has a full schedule.

Thank you so much, I'll take a few dvds in May for my mother! Lucky you on Westie right now, hope you are having a great trip!

Carol

Just wondering if there are still DVD players on Westerdam or have they gone interactive? Sailing in May, and earlier this year there were threads about DVD players being eliminated, just looking for recent information!

thank you

July offers warmer temperatures in Alaska and Seattle. Thus is a more popular time with higher prices. May temperatures will be cooler for Alaskan ports and more rain likelihood in Seattle.

 

A little tip.... I've seen HAL and Princess announce discounts in June for July if the current season does not sell well.

Always hard to tell what the weather will be, I've had 70-80 temps in port on May Alaska cruises..... and in all my May departures from Seattle, haven't had rain yet :) That being said, it will probably pour on us this year...haha

Congrats on Alaska cruise shopping :) Shopping around is a good idea, although for Alaska the prices usually don't drop alot. I have found at least with Westerdam you can save a little going in early May or late September. I would highly recommend a balcony for Alaska, there is so much to see.

Happy travels!

For the first time, I'm trying to get some tips ahead of my trip for stores/vendors in excursion locations that are good for purchasing little gifts and memories.

 

My criteria: something locally made (crafts or jewelry), small enough to go into my luggage, and relatively inexpensive ($100 or under).

 

I love small pendants - they don't need to be gem-studded, costume jewelry is sufficient. I came home from Bermuda with a silver Bermuda longtail bird that I wear to work, and from Capri with a rose gold amulet etched with the Faraglioni. For family gifts, I bought some small wood inlay and painted tiles in Sorrento, and coral jewelry, and beautifully painted Christmas ornaments in Bermuda.

 

Has anyone who has been in Ketchikan, Juneau, and/or Skagway come across a particular shop or artisan whose work they really admired?

In Skagway, check out A Fine Line, haven't been there for 2 years, but it was always my go to place for locally made jewelry and reasonable prices. Hopefully it's still there and the quality is still high :)

In Ketchikan, I always go to the Rain Barrel for jewelry, locally owned, nice selection.

I've gone several times in May and haven't noticed any mosquitos

Thanks all, and sorry for the duplicate photos (and tons of photos of the seals, but they were cute).

 

I don't think I've said much about the entertainment on board. The shows in the Vista Lounge have been good (the entertainment is not why we sail HAL, not as good as some other cruise lines). The first night sampler/welcome aboard was OK. Best show in the Vista by far has been Recycled Percussion, a group of guys that were on America's Got Talent playing homemade drum kits. Reading that back, it doesn't sound so hot, but they were great! Check them out on YouTube. The comedian on Monday night wasn't my cup of tea. I judge comedians by whether they or I laughed more at their jokes, and I didn't laugh much. It was OK. Last night's show was All For Love, per the On Location guide, "An incredible concert showcasing some of the world's greatest love songs." Incredible might be taking it a bit far; it was good. The Westerdam singers and dancer ensemble did a very good job; better than most ships' singers and dancers we've seen.

 

We've also checked out the BB King band a couple of nights. They've been excellent (in a previous comment it may have sounded like I didn't like them; the band and singers are great, I was just a little surprised at some of the song selections. Piano Man Mike is a great talent, albeit a bit cheesy at times. The man is an extraordinary piano player and singer. There's a violin/piano duo (sorry, don't know their names) that are absolutely amazing.

 

The trivia games have been a lot of fun to fill in some time; Cruise Director Rick is funny and a great host.

 

Just pulled into Sitka. Really looking forward to the excursion planned for today - "Otters, raptors and bears, oh my!"

 

Later.

thank you for taking us along on your cruise! Happy to hear that Recycled Percussion is still there - saw them in May onboard and it was a great show!! Sailing the 12th, can't wait for it to get here :)

thank you everyone for your responses.

Budget Queen, I will be with her, and she can walk short distances. Pleased to hear the drop off is right by the entrance, that will work for her. I usually wait to see what the weather is doing and plan accordingly :) thanks much!!

Several years ago RCCL stopped in Prince Rupert, we went 2 years in a row in May and went halibut fishing in the bay - it was wonderful, fishing and whales were abundant. Regretfully, because of the fishing excursions i never got to see more than just the harbor area. Hoping someday they come back on the radar again.

Cruising on HAL Westerdam next month, and looking at the Alaska salmon bake excursion in Juneau. The excursion say wheelchair not recommended due to terrain, does anyone know if a rolling walker would work. My 90 yr old mother can only walk short distances at a time and we are bringing the walker on the cruise also.

I'm going to have my TA check with HAL and see if that is doable, but thought i'd check if anyone has first hand info :)

thanks, Carol

Any time I've used tap water, or even filtered water, rather than actual distilled water, my allergies have staged a revolt to rival Napoleon and friends! We're talking eyes swollen mostly shut, totally stuffed up nose, and subsequent coughing & sore throat from mouth breathing, in addition to the CPAP not working since I was breathing through my mouth.

Since the water on board is distilled seawater - made to be potable, but not necessarily free from all impurities (which is just fine for drinking) - I'm not comfortable taking that chance. ESPECIALLY since I've been given to understand that they can confine you to your quarters if you show symptoms of illness!

 

I think I'll call the Access & Compliance department about it in the morning, and if they say I CAN bring the unsealed, small bottles, I'll have them send it to me in writing. Then, if I get a hassle about it, I'll have that to show, and if they don't let it on, I'll pitch a bitch until they give me some for free to replace it.

 

If they confirm it has to be the original, sealed container, I think what I may do is put the gallon of water in a grocery bag hung on my scooter instead of in a suitcase, and then do some additional paring down of other non-essential items so I can just have the one suitcase and small carry on.

 

Talking about options more has given me more ideas, as usual, so thanks!

I always use distilled water in my CPAP, and if you don't want to lug it on board you can request a gallon for your stateroom - If I recall they charged $4 for it :)

thanks everyone for your responses! POA1, I'll try to control my daily intake :D

I searched threads and couldn't find anything, so forgive me if this has been asked before :)

There will be 3 of us in one stateroom next month, 1 will have a beverage card and 2 will have the explore 4 beverage pkg. If one person is an early riser, is it possible for them to take all three cards to pick up morning espresso for all of us - 1 coffee on each card? Hoping someone might know if this is doable!

thank you

Wang Wang recipe from an old post...

1/4 oz Vodka

1/4 oz Gin

1/4 oz White Rum

1/4 oz Scotch

1/4 oz Bourbon

1/4 oz Tequila

1/4 Triple Sec

1/4 oz Brandy

Top it off with Pineapple and Orange Juice

Add a splash of Grenadine and let the games begin!

The town web site has info on the shuttle and the public bus system. Look at the last 2 items on the FAQ. There's also a map:

http://www.sitka.org/plan/questions-faqs/

 

SEARCH the site for taxi if you think that's a better option than shuttle or bus.

 

You might want to include a visit to Fortress of the Bear.

 

(Send for a free visitor guide! )

Thank you! I will check this out

Just wondering if Sitka has taxi's or city/shuttle type buses?? We will be there for the first time next month and want to take my mom to the Raptor center, but thinking a ship excursion will be too long for her, so just checking out what options we might have on our own.

thank you!!

So happy I happened to click on this thread! Taking my elderly mother on her first cruise in Sept, just got this reserved for Ketchikan, sounds like it will be a very comfortable way for mom to see the sights :)

Carol

You can contact the cruise line to see if there are any accessible cabins still available, but they do tend to book up early.

 

Can she negotiate the 6" step up into the bathroom safely? How does she do with the walker on carpet and with thresholds? You may find she needs to use the wheelchair out of the cabin, esp. if there are any rocky sea days, and for long distances on carpet such as you have on most cruise ships.

 

You can take as much mobility equipment as she needs. I would be cautious about checking a walker though, as it is very likely to end up at the bottom of a pile of heavy suitcases, and get broken. Can she not sit in the wheelchair and carry the walker (I assume it folds)? The cruise line will provide someone to push her wheelchair so you can tend to the other luggage. If her walker is something like a rollator, you can pile the carry-on luggage on it (take a couple of bungie cords) and push that as well.

Thank you for the advice on not checking the walker!! Taking my 89 yr old mother on an Alaska cruise (her first) in Sept and we'll be bringing both wheelchair and walker for her to use. I've been trying to figure out how to make it all work, my TA advised that HAL no longer has wheelchairs to use at the port in Seattle, so we'll rent one ahead and bring it along. :)

Just returned from an Alaska cruise and wanted to share with those of you that will be going...

We had the need to get to Walmart while we were in Juneau - they are providing FREE transportation running about every 15 minutes. We happened onto the van (it has a tent like walmart sign on top) near the west side of the Red Dog saloon, and he was able to return us to the shuttle bus area near the port dock.

A wonderful service if you need it :)

Carol

Unless they have changed in the past 2 years, they have hot water pots starting in the junior suites, but not balcony cabins

I'll be on Rhapsody in a few weeks, does the replenish package 'speciality coffee' include latte's & espresso?