juliecat

Is the WSET wine academy course available on Queen Anne?

Not quite as fancy, but this is my favorite classic bar https://pennyroyalbar.com

Seattle public transit finally has an app - no need to buy an Orca card anymore 

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/fares-and-payment/ways-to-pay/transit-go-ticket

This is my favorite company (speaking as a local) https://reservations.island-adventures.com/whale-watching-tours/index.php

Unfortunately, as others have said, you either need to drive north or spend a long time on the boat before getting to the whale areas during the summer. I’ve gone out of Everett in the spring and seen whales within 30 minutes of leaving the dock

On 2/15/2024 at 7:46 PM, kpjb said:

 

I've never been to Seattle before, so we plan on coming in 3 days ahead of time to do some sightseeing and catch a Mariners game.  Is everything in Seattle easily rail accessible, or should I get a rental car?  And if I should rent a car, is there a place near pier 91 to return the car that would have a shuttle to the port?  Don't really want to have to backtrack to the airport.

 

I work in Seattle and avoid bringing a car into the city. Parking is appallingly expensive, especially at the stadiums. Light rail will get you from downtown to the stadium much quicker and much less expensively.

i use public transit wherever possible. I’ve never felt unsafe but definitely keep my city smarts/radar up. There are no turnstiles to the light rail stations so people get on without paying and then have to be kicked off by security. When I don’t use transit, I opt for Lyft which is usually cheaper and more reliable than Uber. 

This link shows the acres that are on fire: http://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map#5/43.037/-115.884

Some of the fires are not expected to be out until October

We now have smoke from fires in Eastern Washington covering the city and ash falling in the suburbs. This is far worse than the previous round and could stick around for weeks if we don't get rain.

Please take this seriously if you have breathing issues. Take it easy walking around and consider packing a face mask.

...Shuttle Express was an acceptable price (they say they'll meet us at the baggage claim at SeaTac, whereas with the actual Shuttle Express shared shuttle, as well as Uber and Lyft, I believe you have to take the elevator/escalator up and across the sky walk to the third level of the parking garage)...

You will still need to take the escalator up and across to get to your car. The only difference is that your driver will take care of getting the luggage there for you (assuming you don't have too much for him to handle).

The air is much, much cleaner today.

The Edgewater Hotel (pier 67) stores luggage for non-guests for $5 per bag (you might want to contact the hotel to double check as the last info I have is from 2016). Without your bags your plan will be doable.

Emerald City Trolley now does a non hop on hop off trip that takes you to some pretty cool parts of the city. I actually am planning to do this tour even though it goes right past my office. http://www.emeraldcitytrolley.com/northwest-seattle-tour/

Light rail to the hotel is an easy walk. No issue with hills, but be aware that there are many homeless people and drug users in the Westlake Park area, esp after dark.

Can't help with routing to the pier, but it is REALLY hilly; fortunately you would be going down hill.

Do you have plans in SLU? I work in that neighborhood and while it is lively during the week, it is really quiet on weekends.

Check out Cedarbrook Lodge. It's 5 min from the airport (and has a free shuttle), has an excellent free breakfast and is a hotel you'd want to stay in for longer than just a layover. It's one of the best kept secrets of the Seattle hotel scene.

Was wondering if the onboard shopping on QE includes either Chanel or Lancôme cosmetics (not perfume). Susan is hoping to make some cosmetic purchases!

 

Cheers,

Don

They do have several brands of cosmetics in the shops. Yes on Lancôme, but more skin care than makeup. I don't remember seeing Chanel, but I wasn't looking specifically for it.

J

For those of you who will be onboard (or boarding) in Long Beach:

The Queen Mary is offering free admission to all the onboard exhibits the day QE is in port to celebrate the visit by her neice.

If you pack a multi country plug adapter you can use all of those (as long as the device is rated for 110/220 like an iPad charger)

Just got back from this port and agree that Ephesus (and do the Terrace Houses!!!) is a must. If you are Christian, the Virgin Mary's House is really something to see. Such a peaceful location. We also found the shopping in Kusadasi to be better than almost any other port on our tour.

 

We had a private guide booked through www.ephesusshuttle.com. I would rate him a 10 out of 10! Knowledgeable, personable and able to customize the day to our needs. We also had a driver and a Mercedes van--very comfortable. Well worth the $78 per person fee.

We used Ephesus Shuttle as well with the group/shared tour rather than the private tour. We ended up being a very small group, so had lots of attention from the guide! The Mercedes van was fabulous and we were able to customize our day as we went along. After a great tour of the Terrace Houses where the guide translated questions to the head archeologist for us and we slipped around the big groups from the ship, We took a walk through the guides hometown, windowshopping rather than being pressured by salespeople and had Turkish coffee in an outdoor cafe where we were the only Westerners. Don't be scared off by the company name, this is more than just a ride to the archeological site.

The option was set before the sailing. The Commodore / Captain has no say

Of his ship at sea , including force 10 gale

And 30 ft waves

But you juliocat , from Seattle Washington

USA. Is the expert of the Cunard line:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I am onboard QE now!

The daily program placed in the cabin prior to departure had a list of the dress codes for each evening so people could plan their wardrobes. It listed that night as optional formal/ informal.

Please do not assume that which you can not possibly know.

Duplicate

You are so right Salacia :)

I have been in rough seas in the North

Atlantic . I didn't want to move , let alone

Dress in formal attire

The Captain made the right decision for

The passengers. (Even more so on the Queen Elizabeth)

The optional formal was set prior to the start of the trip and listed as such in the first day's program. It was not a decision made based on the seas (unless Cunard is truely prescient).

Queen Elizabeth sailed at 20.35 and QM2 sailed at 21.24. Most unusually, QE has gone down the western channel of the Solent rather than via the Nab tower and round the Isle of Wight, they are nearly at the Needles.

QM2 was delayed because a passenger had to be taken off in an ambulance.

 

After many times on Cunard this was the first time I was really disappointed in the food in Britannia, particular the choices. Where have all the interesting fish gone? We only had salmon, sole and once monkfish! No lobster, even on formal night, no venison, no escargot.... Perhaps I was spoilt by a cruise with Oceania, but I would have to think twice before another Cunard voyage now.

All of those dishes were served on QE last month. More likely due to it being a mini cruise than a decrease in the quality of food served onboard in general.

I received one two years ago, but nothing last year or yet this year. For reference, I'm Diamond.

J

Hi Juliecat.

 

Thank you.

 

i am particularly looking for CHANEL NO 5 - EAU DE COLOGNE

 

Thanks again

QE has the edp and edt but not Eau de cologne. The parfum is $124 for 100 ml.

They do pickup on embarkation day. I'm not sure if rush service is available the first day, but regular service is quick.

We are sailing on QM2 T/A on 15th December 2013.

 

Does any body know prices and selecrtion of cosmetics on board. Have they got Chanel?

 

Thanks

 

Pat & John

I am onboard QE right now. If you give me specifics I can check for you. They do have Chanel perfume.