SSuitepea

I spent a lot of time searching as well. I discovered the only way to get our HOHO tickets was through the cruise line (RCCL) for our trip in May. So, I waited for a decent sale. It was very strange because you can see reviews on TripAdvisor and elsewhere from non cruise folks, but I believe that was precovid. 

On Feb. 1, 2018, our Uber pulled up to a drop off point I hadn't been to before, past the obvious entrance that says drop offs where the vans and taxis go. You normally wait a bit in this line and then under a tent you get dropped off, give them your luggage and hop on another shuttle to go to the terminal. This time, he went past that to another area that was for drop offs, and nobody was in line! Port folks were there to take our luggage and then directed us to walk down the sidewalk to another entrance where you show your ID, cross a bridge and head to the terminal. Our driver obviously knew what he was doing! We were out of the Uber and eating Guys Burgers N Fries in 30 minutes. Note: Uber was from Mt. Pleasant, picked up around 10:50 am.

We will be in Juneau on Sunday 5/20. I'd like to rent a car to go out to Mendenhall and various other sites. I'm trying to determine which dock Explorer will use, hopefully it's not a tender port, and the best rental car agency to use for a 7-8hr rental? Anyone have any experience or tips?

 

Thanks!

We're on that same cruise and booked with Juneau Car Rental. It's supposed to be near the AJ dock. Here's the map they sent me,

CRUISE SHIP OFFICE MAP 2017.pdf

I finally decided to book an overnight room at Best Western Charleston Inn. Pretty good price also. Then I asked about cruise and Park.

 

The clerk offered me $24 per person R/T to and from the port. I thought that was a lot and asked if I could just park for the 5 days of my cruise. She said O.K.

 

Now I plan on taking Uber or Lyft and I'm sure it will be less that the $24 per person.

We've stayed there before and did the shuttle. I think it was around $15-$20 round trip, they must have gone up. It's about a 15-20 min. ride from the hotel to port. We had to wait about 25 minutes to get on the second shuttle to go to the port...folks started lining up to ride the shuttle about 30 minutes before it was supposed to leave. It was easy on and off, however. And, locating the shuttle after the cruise was easy, although we did have to wait for the shuttle to fill up.

I agree prices are going up fast from east coast! I am watching them for a couple of friends who may want to join us on our cruise and the multi city airfare to Anchorage and home from Vancouver is now up to $900+ and that's bad flight times, multiple connections, multiple airlines.

I should have booked our East Coast to SEA back in June 2017 when I booked our cruise for May 2018. My airfare watch apps all said to wait, but after seeing it constantly go up since early November, we booked this week and I'm glad...because it just went up again! Although in comparison to what most of you are saying, our rate is right on par with everyone else. We went with a nonstop, it was cheaper if not the same price for some of the 1 stop flights.

I checked it out on Tripadvisor. It this place more of a party atmosphere or family friendly for the more conservative types? Thanks.

I think it depends on the patrons that are there that day. They play music, limbo contests, etc. I’ve seen families there every time. If you’re looking to stay away from the party area, have your chairs set further away from the bar. This isn’t a fancy resort, and I’ve heard people complain about the quality of chairs before...but for the price we love it and it’s everything we need for the day. We also love the food!

I posted a few photos from November 2016 here --> https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2554442

I feel the packages are worth it...if there are several ships in port, I'd expect to pay around $70 for two chairs, an umbrella, all you can drink for two and two lunches. If there are less ships, you'll be able to negotiate a bit more, I'd think. They also separate their packages for those only wanting drinks, chairs, etc.

Can people in your group split those drinks or is specifically only 1 person allowed for that price ? I will have a group of 4 ladies and would prob do 2 of those packages for us 4.

Any pics ?

Also, there is bathrooms there correct?

 

 

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We always make a stop at Tiki Bikini Hut. Last November, we did two beach chairs, one umbrella, unlimited drinks for two, two meals for $65. Our third person did unlimited soda, one meal and a chair for $35. Negotiate if you can! We'll be back in February and plan to spend the entire day there.....just head that way early if there are several ships in port to get the best spot to sit. And, yes...there are restrooms. Nothing fancy, nothing horrible. They did seem cleaner than in previous visits when we were there last.

We've walked it before as well (three women) and we never really felt there was any danger. Passed several other "tourists." Be careful with traffic, they go fast and get close to pedestrians. I wasn't interested in testing the yield to pedestrians part! Take water, because as another poster cautioned - it does get very hot. It was an enjoyable walk to see the area and the walk back seemed a little easier. There are officers close by and as long as you say "no thank you" and keep walking - you shouldn't get hounded by vendors. I wouldn't waste money on a taxi and highly recommend the walking tour....we tend to revisit portions of it each time we port in Nassau.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep checking the link to see when the 2018 locations are released. Good to know the shuttle provides a back-up plan if the location changes.

Stumbled upon this Cruise Compass link. It mentions a shuttle from the dock for $4 all day.

https://issuu.com/hochmania/docs/2016_06_03_explorer.rotated?ff=true&e=2025714/36467801

There is also a shuttle that runs from the dock right to the transport area in Juneau - 5$ pp for the day, thus avoiding the 1.5 mile walk. They ran frequently and were never full after the first morning rush.

Just what I had been searching for! Thank you.

We just booked with Juneau Car Rental for May 2018. I've got my fingers crossed Explorer will continue docking at ADJ next year as well. The girl I spoke with said that it has docked there all year. I've also heard about a shuttle from the other ports to ADJ, but can't find much on it anywhere. I'm not sure when they release the actual dock locations for next year, right now the schedule is up but does not include the docks.

We booked at The Moore Hotel in downtown Seattle based on CC, FB and TA reviews. We'll most likely take the Link Light Rail from SeaTac to the hotel (5 min. walk) and then an Uber or Taxi to the port the next morning.

I just emailed Avis Downtown about returning a car after they close. Looks like they close at 6pm, but our ship doesn't leave until 9pm. Anyone have experience in returning a car after they close? Is that allowed? How far of a walk was Avis from AJ Dock?

It could be worse - a jealous family member got a hold of a cruise reservation number a few years ago and cancelled a cruise for 5 people the night before we sailed, one of which was his wife. Luckily, I was able to straighten everything out after about two hours at the port and tears (on my part). Maybe things will work out in the end, just like they did for us :) Hang in there.

I asked just a few weeks ago and was told fairly similar- $40+. we have had to wait 30-45 minutes for taxi once before there. We have taken the city bus once too ;-)

We have rented a car the past 3-4 times in Juneau.

Process was a breeze. Salmon hatchery, Mendenhall Glacies, Glacier Gardens, Auke Bay Harbor, Gold Creek Salmon Bake then back to Downtown.

Thanks for the info. We are planning on renting a car as well and I've added the Hatchery and Salmon Bake to our trip ideas. What car rental company do you recommend?

Here's the Auto Progreso tour that's the same as Carnivals All Inclusive Beach Day. http://www.autoprogreso.com/ReefEn.html

I booked Carnival then submitted the price match form found on their website.

We cruised from NOLA on the Dream in December and the ship departed late. The reason was that a flight was delayed due to the weather and they held the ship because passengers had the CCL shuttle booked from the airport.

That's exactly why I booked CCL shuttle for our upcoming trip. Glad to know that was done! I don't mind waiting on a shuttle to load as long as we make it to the ship!

Carnival also offers their shuttle service for $23.50pp. We've never used it, but will be from New Orleans Airport on our next cruise due to peace of mind and a flight arriving around noon. I've heard stories of folks waiting for it to fill up before they leave, and I've heard stories of it being fast. A friend used it in Miami and actually beat us to the port once.

We did the Carnival's excursion also. I agree it was not worth the $79.00 but fortunately we only paid $35.00 since we requested a price match and Carnival honored it so we only paid $35.00 each at the Reef Club.

Exactly what we did as well. Probably worth $35 and no worries about missing the ship since you're with Carnival.:)

Thanks for the Info!

I've sailed out of Charleston in early February 2016 and late October 2016. Both times I got sea sick coming back in on the last day or night. I take it with a grain of salt, because you just never know. We had 70 mph winds in October.....I found the higher up and mid ship I went, the easier it was to fight being seasick. Take your remedies for seasickness and try not to think about it :)

I also wonder about the shoreexursioneer.com AI. Is it through Auto Progreso?

I have looked at Auto Progreso's AI, as well as Carnival's. Auto Progreso is highly recommended on CC, so I'd most likely be going with them or Carnival. Has anyone been? Is the same beach and company the Carnival uses? The descriptions are basically the same but the price is 1/2 through Auto Progreso.

http://www.autoprogreso.com/TechnoEn.html

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/yucatan-progreso/all-inclusive-beach-resort-getaway-320044

I'd say you'll be fine on a Saturday. Stopped by there a few years ago well before lunch. Great tour and walking through the Gray Cliff Hotel grounds was very nice too.

Aside from cruising through a storm or rough seas... Anyone ever been through a whole cruise or cruises without getting seasick, then got seasick on another cruise?

I got sick this past February on the last sea day of a 5 day cruise. I couldn't even stomach the thought of taking a Ginger tablet or Bonine after I had thrown up 5 times. I finally made it up to the middle of the ship on a higher floor and felt better the rest of the day, plus the captain moved us out from some rough water. People kept asking if it was my first cruise and I said no, it's my fifth cruise....first time sick. I get horrible motion sickness in cars and cruised prepared. This one just crept up on us. Guess it just depends on the day. It was a smaller ship, storm coming in and we were at the lowest deck. I always get "land sickness" when I come home from cruises, this time I did not. Guess I got it out of my system :)