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harbormaster

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  1. We are boarding AMA Kristina Dec. 21 for a cruise Lyon to Arles. Have just read that a cruise last week had to remain in Arles due to Rhone river levels. Is anyone on the river now, or does anyone have information on Rhone river levels. We are still planning to travel, just want to be prepared. Thanks much! Happy Holidays to everyone.
  2. We returned from Solstice Alaska a week ago. The ship is in decent shape for a ship of her age. It was clean and staff for the most part was friendly. We had issues with the cabin. We had a Concierge class. There are only two plugs in the entire cabin, at the desk by the balcony. You have to carry the hair dryer out there to use it. They will confiscate an extension cord or multiplug. Wifi was non existent and it was almost impossible to do any business unless in port. The distance between the foot of the bed and wall is very narrow. Two people cannot fit. The bathroom is small but does have storage. The closet is set sideways next to the bed which makes it awkward spacewise to get into it. Our refrigerator did not work. Our steward was less than adequate. We ran out of toilet paper, kleenex and had to ask three times for water. You will be charged for the Evian water on the bureau and for everything in the minibar, even soda, even if you have a drinks package. Our main issue was the food. We loved Celebrity food in the past. They have gone to cheap cuts, fewer options and we had trouble finding any entree to eat three nights. Murano dinner first night was great. Tuscan grill the last night was dreadful. Cold entrees, except steak, which was all overcooked well done when ordered rare. We avoided the buffets after seeing people put their hands in the salad bowl. There is no large gathering area except the Observation Lounge which often was packed with people during trivia, which chronically ran long into dinner hour, affecting cocktail time with no seating. Entertainment was good. We were interrupted every night at dinner by the photographer. We did not like Solstice. We may try Beyond eventually, but will not return to Solstice.
  3. Hi We and friends just disembarked Solstice in Alaska. Our friend forgot to check the ship photographer’s gallery before leaving. Is it possible to contact the photographer to obtain photos once disembarked? If so, can anyone provide a contact number or email? Thanks much.
  4. In May Tracys Crab Shack price for 3lb bucket was $200 just FYI.
  5. It may be something in the future, but it is far from that now. It looks like a decaying manufacturing zone turning into a tourist zone. The building was 1/4 utilized with mostly tshirts. If you like Icy Strait Point,eventually this will be similar. But is definitely is not now. The shuttle vans were COVID risks. The transportation was not coordinated. I am happy for you if you do not have walking problems. But many people do, and there were MANY unhappy people. It took an hour out of our time in Ketchikan. The townspeople and shop owners and artists who we know quite personally did not want this. NCL wanted it.
  6. Just disembarked smoothly in Vancouver after 12 days on Regatta doing the West Coast including Alaska. Food was wonderful, service was topnotch and cabins were comfortable and well serviced. Peter, the cruise director was fantastic. Unfortunately, we had to skip Sitka, which was a highlight for many of us. A storm came up the outside passage and the Captain decided that, due to wave height and winds, he would reposition to go up the Inside Passage instead. Since Sitka was a tender port, it would have been dangerous to attempt it. A good decision, although unfortunate. We spoke with some Carnival passengers in Hoonah who had taken the open ocean route and they said the waves were 30 feet and many of the ship’s passengers were sick. That ship ran out of Dramamine. We, instead experienced a smooth sailing and one extra sea day. Yesterday we took the COVID test in order to fly back to the US. It was run smoothly and efficiently and we tested negative. However, we saw at least 8 people pulled aside for positive tests. One, who we knew, was told 10 days in quarantine in a Vancouver hotel. Her husband was negative and was allowed back in the room with her and told he did not have to quarantine. However, if he decides to stay in the same hotel with her he will have to pay for a different room. We wish them well. Our only complaint is that Oceania now is docking 7 miles outside of Ketchikan, rather than at the town docks. It is an NCL built docking facility and frankly, is second rate and extremely inconvenient to anyone with walking difficulties. It is a long uphill walk from the ship to a building where the tour busses and shuttles into town depart from. There were no golf carts to assist people with walking difficulties and it was raining. The shuttles only run every half hour and are vans which cram people tightly together. Not COVID safe. The dropping off place in Ketchikan is berth 4 which is a 7 minute walk to downtown. We took a cab and it was $14 roundtrip to get to the downtown from where the shuttle dropped us off. There was no one there to meet the first shuttle so folks were left to try to figure out where to go. The shuttle people at the departure point had the wrong information and were telling passengers that the last shuttle was 4:30 when the ship was leaving at 4. Very disorganized and a corporate decision that does not consider the passengers and forces them to cut time in town to take the shuttle a total of an hour roundtrip. The crew also suffers as they did not have enough time to get to the WalMart for their shopping that they were anticipating. We hope Oceania reconsiders this poor decision but have been told that NCL, Regant and Oceania will all use this far away dock. Ketchikan shop owners also are unhappy about the decision. But, All in all a lovely cruise to beautiful Alaska.
  7. Hi I have a quick question. Solstice in July. Can someone tell me the time or times of the Captain’s Welcome Reception? It is usually the second night, correct? Are there two, one early and one later? Or is there just one now? Is it held in the Theater? Thanks for any help.
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