oceanmom

We were on the same cruise and experienced the same horrible embarkation fiasco in Vancouver. Much as we enjoyed the Inside Passage to Vancouver (that plus Skagway were our reasons for going through Vancouver), Seattle is usually a whole lot easier. We drove and spent 45 minutes both northbound and southbound waiting to go through immigration/customs at the US/Canada border. It was a completely different experience when we got off the ship in Vancouver, we found our bags, walked straight out to a taxi and 15 minutes later were in our car which we had left at the Hampton Inn in downtown Vancouver--locked garage and under cover.

We were lucky enough to get a $129 pp upgrade from a Signature Suite to the Neptune for this cruise. Seems like we usually get offers for upsells when I keep the booking with our PCC rather than transfer to the big box store. As always, enjoyed the Neptune suite and lounge and our wonderful concierges although I think there was a third one named PJ.

The updating done last fall was very nice. I really liked the tile work in the bathroom, beautiful blue/gray/white chevron pattern. The NA looked great, clean (except for some normal rust on the balcony). Personal preference--the sculpture of NYC was weird in the atrium.

Our best excursion was the luxury train car up the White Pass in Skagway. More than well worth the extra cost. Only 14 of us in the car with leather swivel seats, guide/bartender, mimosas and quiche and smoked salmon. Truly a splurge but a wonderful memory.

Until we took an 18 day cruise from AMS to Boston via Iceland and Greenland last year, I thought 7 days was plenty. The Viking Passages was wonderful with the right blend of sea days and port days, different cultures to visit, and I guess it helped that our adult daughters were along for the ride (giving up several future birthday and Christmas presents).

Overall a nice trip.

We got the same notice and it says

should expect delays during the security, US Immigration and check-in process

due to having 2 ships in port..

Only TWO ships which I would hesitate to call a multi-ship day when there will be 4 or 5 ships at each port we visit..... It does say 4* and 5* have priority boarding which I will assume includes Pinnacle and Neptune suites....

Last July we were able to purchase the hotel-ship transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam even though we were staying at another hotel. It is my understanding that the policy has changed and you cannot purchase the transfer without purchasing the hotel stay. Call your TA or HAL to verify. See if this link works to the discussion-- https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2578272

We also usually do Canaletto (love the views out the big windows) on first/last nights. First and second seatings in the MDR were fine on the first night when we do fixed dining--but anytime dining seems to be a mess with long lines on that first night.

While perhaps not technically a TA, we thoroughly enjoyed our Viking Passages cruise from Rotterdam to Boston. Usually a sea day or two, then a port day--except in Iceland where we had four port days in a row although two of the port days were an overnight in Reykjavik. Absolutely best cruise ever. Don't think I would like more than four sea days in a row. On the other hand, I don't like 4 port days in a row either.

If you get an upsell (or as HAL calls it a "Preferred Limited Upgrade Special) offer, it gives you the direct phone number to call. Your PCC isn't involved.

Two weeks ago (April 11) received an upsell offer from an SS guarantee to a Neptune for $129 per person--and selected a Neptune four doors from the Neptune Lounge--on the Nieuw Amsterdam for May 19 sailing. I have found that when I keep the booking with the PCC, I get the upsell e-mails. When I transfer the booking to the big box store in Seattle, no upsell e-mails.

If that's the case, I would seriously consider saving the money and skipping Tamarind.

Have to at least try it before I can say "Never Again!" Besides, my husband will probably like it and I love him.:hearteyes:

Great choice in our opinion!

 

 

 

Can you elaborate on what you think you might not like about the Tamarind menu? It looks awesome to us!

Different tastes for different folks. Despite living in Hawaii for six years and Korea for two years, I'm just not into Asian cuisine. My daughters love it.

I think you'll be fine. Ours are in their early 30's, one very independent and introverted so she likes her own space. The other one goes along with whoever is doing something interesting. Plus we were on an 18 day TA so we were together a WHOLE lot more than usual.

Meanwhile, back to the topic of where to eat on the last night, we like to go to Canaletto. We've done it on three cruises and find it is very quiet since that side of the Lido is closed for dinner service, there are huge windows to watch the sea and scenery--and often the sunset, and it doesn't feel as formal as the Pinnacle (which we do twice a cruise anyway). It is nice and relaxing before going back to the real world. We are doing Tamarind on this next cruise for the first time--not sure I like the menu but everyone has different likes and dislikes.

When we travel with our adult daughters (they're usually in a Vista suite and us in a Neptune), they check in with us because my credit card is listed for both cabins when I do the online check-in before boarding and that card is visually checked at the port. You can always change the credit card associated with the cabin during the cruise, so that would be one way to have your son-in-law check in with you. Your daughter can also get an extra keycard for the inside cabin once you get onboard.

Not that this may be an issue for you, but I had all the on-board accounts for both cabins moved to my account since we had a lot of OBC from our big box store TA for that 18 day cruise. I wanted to be sure that any excess OBC at the end was refunded to us--mom and dad--since we were paying for the trip. Neptune Lounge concierge took care of that for us.

Hope you have a good trip--we're on the NA in May for another Alaska trip.

Absolutely. And chose a Neptune 4 doors down from the Neptune Lounge. Small price for the certainty rather than waiting out the guarantee game.

Also went from an SS Guarantee to a Neptune guarantee on a Nieuw Statendam holiday cruise for $200 per person--lost free gratuities and $150 OBC but that's worth it for a Neptune. I have become spoiled.....

(Looking forward to a 14 night AK Explorer in a couple of years)

Just received an upgrade offer for Nieuw Amsterdam May 19-26 cruise. $129 PP from SS guarantee to Neptune.

We stopped in Sitka two years ago. Walked to the Sitka National Historical Site, nice hike around the site, and stopped at the Russian Bishop's House. Google Sitka National Historical Site for lots of information. This next trip, we're going in the opposite direction to the Russian Cemetery, Baranof Castle site, and Saint Michael's Cathedral. The tender port which is where the shuttle buses drop off HAL cruisers is centrally located between the historical site and the cemetery, etc.

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Firefox and Windows 10--no problems with Mariner status or excursions book download.

Something else to consider is the room layout for the SS on the new Pinnacle class ships. The SS appears to be a split room with the desk area against the bathroom wall, then a half-wall, and then the bed against the window. Turns out we can move up to a Neptune for $230pp for the week so we're changing to the Neptune. I like the desk area next to the window.

We stayed at Banks Mansion for several days before a cruise last July. No dinner on site but lots of restaurants close by. Wonderful breakfast and an elevator but also several steps up to the lobby. Most likely not good for Ruth, but we loved it.

Yes.

any recommendations for parking a car near the port while on the cruise?

And if you buy them now, and then cancel the cruise, your credit card is refunded.

And just showed up for our May Alaska cruise. Thanks for reminding me to look for it!

And you could get a better deal if you transferred to an outside agent.

 

 

That happens closer to final payment when we usually transfer the booking to the big box store. Waiting allows us the opportunity to talk directly with HAL and not go through the "please hold while I connect with HAL" and then often be patched into a 3-way call--and as happened once, during that 3-way conversation, HAL and I figured out what to do and couldn't get the big box store TA to rejoin the 3-way conversation. "Helloooo, big box store, are you still there?????"

Booked an Alaska cruise for $2069 per person last July while on the Rotterdam (Viking Passage--great trip!!). When View and Veranda first came out in December, the fare was an additional $400 per person for a benefit of $250 (prepaid gratuities plus $150 OBC). Just checked today, and the increase is only $100 per person for a benefit of $250. Sent an email to our PCC who immediately refared us at today's V&V price. Love my PCC!! And shows how important it is to keep an eye on prices.