LEMJMcC

Hi All- Not sure where to post this thread, but since we're flying from Atlanta to Seattle to catch the Quantum of the Seas, I put it here. I've never driven to this airport, so I need some advice. I'll be driving four of us to the airport for a 7:00 AM Alaska Airlines flight. We're staying the previous night in a hotel near the airport. I plan to drop off my passengers and out luggage, then park my car. With all that, when should I plan to arrive at the airport to ensure we make the 7:00 AM flight (we all have the TSA PreCheck)? I'm thinking 5:00 AM, is this early enough? We'll all some bags to be checked in, but not too many...I hope! Which long term (10 days) parking lots are within easy walking distance to the terminal? Which offer a shuttle? Thanks much!

Hi All You Experienced Alaska Cruisers! We're doing our first Alaskan cruise next year and will be in Sitka from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. We're kind of excursion-poor so we're looking for things to do and see on our own while there. So, what would you recommend for us? We tend to be rather active, enjoying walking, hiking, and cycling. Thanks.

Not just cruise lines. I checked the current cost of a flight to Seattle versus what I booked in early August and the airfare increased 80% for the exact same flight and seat class. And now the price of diesel fuel is starting to climb back up again...😡

Just out of curiosity I looked at cabins on the cruise we've booked next year on Quantum of the Seas. For the same class cabin, just two doors down from the one we booked, the cost is 60% higher!

So we tested the Vortex Diamondback 15X56 and the Vortex Viper 10X42 binoculars over the weekend. Then we stopped by a local outfitters and compared the Vortex Viper to a Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 - Zeiss hands down had the much brighter and clearer image. So I returned both Vortex sets and ordered a pair of orange and black Zeiss Terra ED 10x42...why orange and black you ask? Because they were about $115 cheaper than the solid black or green models. Plus my wife wants a pair of her of the same make/model, but wants the black or green; now we won't have to argue about which pair belongs to who!

Is that real money or RCCL money?

Did the UDP once on Wonder this past February, never again...too constrained and too much hassle trying to make reservations for each night of the cruise. In the future, we'll stick with MDR, Windjammer, or take in a Specialty Joint at our convenience...

I just ordered a pair of the Vortex Viper 10X42s to compare to the 15x56. The 10X42 has the same dimensions as the Viper 8X42 and is 0.4 ounces heavier. If she likes the 10X42, I may keep them for the wife. If I like them, I may return the 15X56 and buy a second pair of the 10X42.

Well, I spent $330 on the Vortex Diamondback 15X56 binoculars. I played around just a little with them last week, but will give them a good try when we go camping over Labor Day. I have until 9/19 to return them. Main use will viewing wildlife or landscape features from a distance. I plan to take a monopod with me on the ship. I have a pair of 10X42 Bushnell, but I'd like something with a bit more power. I'll know more after camping in a couple of weeks. Thanks.

Our Quantum of the Seas itinerary includes Victoria from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM in early July, 2024. We are very interested in Butchart. Assuming we can get to the gardens by 6:00 PM and have to leave at 9:00 PM to return to the ship, and considering that the sun sets at 10:0 PM, would it be worthwhile? Thanks.

Would CLEAR membership help with the lines?

Just booked Alaska Airlines roundtrip Atlanta to Seattle. Return flight leaves SEA-TAC at 10:30 AM. We're getting TSA PreCheck. Here's praying all goes well with the return flight on Monday, 7/8/2024!

Nah, I am not sure. But that's why I ordered them so far ahead of the cruise; I want to test them out an see if they're what I want. It's pretty easy to return them if I don't like them and I have plenty of time to select another pair. Thanks much for feedback.

Thanks, but those are a bit out of my budget...

Me (55, but I identify as 25!) and my wife (??) both used the water slides on Wonder this past February and had a blast! Here's to not growing old before our time!

Quite right! I embrace heavier weather and somewhat relish it on a cruise, though I don't want to be selfish and callous toward the other passengers who may be more sensitive. If the ship is not moving, I might as well be in a hotel room. Again, I have to qualify all this by saying that I have never gotten seasick in my adult life; I'm certain that if I had, I'd be changing my tune. Nevertheless, I would welcome some chop in the sea as long as it doesn't ruin the cruise experience for most of the guests.

I'm looking for recommendations and suggestions for a decent camera tripod or monopod that can be easily packed for air travel and carrying around in a small backpack on hiking & biking excursions in Alaska. I've seen some online, but I rather not spend as much on the tripod as I did on the camera! Any suggestions? What have you used that you'd recommend? Thanks.

True, but the only "rough" seas we've encountered on previous Caribbean cruises were in a storm on our return from Cozumel to Orlando. That was fun! I must add that neither the dear wife nor I have been subject to seasickness, Lord willing we shan't be on future cruises... Here's hoping! Thanks.

Taking Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle next July. Here's the route as near as I can tell: Any chance we'll run into rougher seas? In a way, I kind of like it (I enjoy the pitch and roll of the ship), though I'm not sure if the rest of our travel party do. Also, if you've taken a similar route, are we close enough to shore to see any scenery? I doubt it, but not having been before, thought I'd ask. Thanks.

I ordered a pair of Vortex Diamondback 15x56 ($302 on Amazon) for our Alaska cruise next summer. They're due to arrive in a week or so. They may be a bit bigger/ heavier than I want to tote around, but Amazon's return policy is pretty good if I end up not liking them. I have a pair of Bushnell 10x42, but I'd like something with a bit more magnification. We'll see if the 15x56 fit the bill.

Right. Thanks. I really don't know what to expect even as an Emerald level on a cruise...

Hi All, We currently have 72 C&A points making us Emerald. To get to Diamond we need 80. Our next cruise is a 7-night cruise in a JS, will that put us into Diamond level? I think it's 2-points/night for a JS, but I'm not sure. Thanks.

Found this on another forum...

Thanks all!

I suspect this has been asked before, but 1) I'm too lazy to look and 2) things (policies) do change, so I'm asking for the latest information/experience. We are planning a cruise with two other parties on Quantum of the Seas, one of the parties is a family of five whose mother would like to have the basic soda package. If no one else in her family wants one, can she get it for herself only? I told her that I thought I had seen somewhere on this forum that someone had done this successfully. Am I right? Would each member of the family have to have one? Please advise and pardon the laziness or as I call it, economy of effort! Thanks.