teacher/bartender

To be safe, though, don't book flights any earlier than 11AM. I had an 11:30AM from FLL once after disembarking a ship in Port Everglades and we almost missed it. Yes, you can get off the ship that early, but it is not worth it to stress and nearly miss a flight. Morning traffic will also not be kind. So, no later than 11AM if you plan to disembark as early as possible. But, if you can't disembark first, I would say noon or later. All predicated on prices though, I know the afternoon flights can sometimes be loads more expensive.

Exactly. If we could catch a 9am flight it would save us $700. LOL. But I figured I was just dreaming that it would work. Although we do have TSA Pre Check and will just be doing carryons. :)

Looking at flights after our cruise. How early do you think I could get off the ship if we walked off with our luggage? We are also YC if that matters? Does customs usually clear the ship early?? How far is it from Miami to FLL??

Thanks for your help!

We are 4 people on a cruise arriving July 12 in Astoria. We don't particularly like ship excursions and wondered what you might recommend for some sightseeing that day. We will hire a private guide if necessary but if we can get around on our own that would be great.

Hey there! I actually live and work in Astoria! The previous posters are right .... we have a nice little town with lots to see and do!

There is lots to do within walking distance of where you dock. They also usually have busses at the port that will drive you into downtown if you would like. I would guess it´s about a mile from the dock to the downtown area. There are quite a few Art Gallerys to check out (I think you mentioned interest in that!). RiverSea Gallery is great as is Old Town Frame Shop. They would also be able to recommend more places. There isn´t much as far as wine tasting, but we do have some really amazing breweries:

Fort George Brewery: great brew pub with really good beers, definitely known for IPAs and more hoppy stuff. Restaurant will be busy for lunch and food is okay.

Buoy Beer: This place is also great! ON THE WATER - Amazing views. Great food, and a wider beer selection and also a full bar. If you want to go here, get there when they open at 11:00 to avoid a long wait.

Astoria Brewing Company: OK.

Reach Break Brewing: A great brewery near the Fort George. Tap Room, so no restaurant, but 3 food carts on the patio to buy from (thai, bbq, and taco fusion). On a nice day its a great place to sit and visit and relax. Right next door to Reach Break and sharing the same patio is Reveille Cider which has amazing hard ciders!

I would also recommend the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and the Film Museum if you love the Goonies.

I see lots of posts about Tillamook. In the Summer with traffic, Tillamook is a good 1 1/2 hour drive from Astoria. I would not want to be spending that much time in the car. I would also skip Seaside.

If you want to go to the beach, have Astoria Downtown Coffee Shop and Taxi Service take you to the Peter Iredale shipwreck beach. Not sure where you are from, but our beaches are usually COLD and WINDY! hahahaha.

If you walk to the Riverwalk all the way to the end, Coffee Girl is a great coffee shop on Pier 39 with amazing views, great coffee and pastries.

Let me know what other questions you have about our little town!

Oh and as others have mentioned, if it is a nice day, climbing the Astor Column is quite a treat .... but it is a spiral staircase and has made my friends feel a bit woozy after climbing up and down that many steps!

Hey! Yes, there will be buses right after you get off the ship. Most are school buses with amazing drivers! Although I might be partial as my school districts bus drivers are often there driving. :)

There are lots of stops downtown that you can get off and then they will pick you back up. The Sunday Market is right downtown so you will be fine. No Lyft or Uber here, but there are a few taxis. I recommend Downtown Coffee Shop and Taxi Service.

September is a beautiful time to visit Astoria. Please let me know if I can offer any more advice on our great little town!

I will be on a cruise late in September and have searched a little for transportation as my husband would not be able to walk half a mile. We are just interested in getting to the Sunday market for a quick walk through. I read that the trolley stops working Sept 5th so that is not a help. How does the shuttle system work? Are they available immediately off the ship port? Also available for a return to the ship? Any chance for Uber or lift rides? I would appreciate any information that anyone can post. Thanks

First of all - Loving your review! Love your sense of humor.

Quick question - The Beach Club that you went to in Jamacia - did you book that through MSC or on your own? We are looking to do something similar when we are there next year.

First, let me say the Le Muse staff was AMAZING with my girls!!! Dinners do take about 90 minutes, but they bring the kids' meals out with your first course, so they aren't waiting for their meals while you eat your appetizer. Of course, they are free to order an appetizer off the main menu, or order two things off the kids menu, whatever they want! Our oldest ordered an adult appetizer and dessert a few times.

 

In regards to the children's menu, there was always a pasta option, though the type and sauce differed, and a chicken and fish option, and (I believe) a vegetarian dish. There are also the "always available" items: hamburger, plain grilled chicken, minute steak (which my oldest ate four times--it was quite good!). But, again, the staff was very liberal with making food for the kids--for example, my oldest didn't want potatoes one night, so they made her fries. My youngest likes penne pasta with marina sauce, and once they knew this, they offered it to her every night. One night, they were very concerned my youngest wasn't eating. I told them she'd been snacking all afternoon and just wasn't hungry, but the maitre d himself came over and asked if she would like pizza. She lit up, and he sent someone to the buffet to get her a slice.

 

Also, they had high chairs available in Le Muse--I saw a few families using them. After the first night, we started allowing our little one to play games on her Kindle, because it was a bit of a stretch for her after a long day to sit still for that long.

 

Finally, I would say the dress code is Le Muse is actually more casual than the MDR. My girls love to get dressed up, but I say several smaller children (less than 8 or so) in shorts, and many pre-teen girls in leggings. A couple of teenage boys and several adult men wore jeans, a couple had t-shirts or hoodies. I saw these same people repeat these items, so nobody must have said anything to them. So I wouldn't stress about having to get your kids dressed up or anything. (Also, there is a bathroom right outside the entrance--close enough I was comfortable letting my oldest go by herself, which is nice.)

Thank you! Lots of great information. My daughter is 6 and last year when we did a Disney cruise she ordered steak every night and loved it! She didn't really order off the "kids" menu, but she basically told the servers what she liked and they would bring her steak, rice, and usually carrots. They were fantastic! I am sure our YC experience will be just as amazing! We are still 11 months out, but we are so looking forward to it! :)

Curious what the kids menus were in the YC for dinners??

Stingray City - something that you can do on your own or book through cruise excursions??

Hey there! I live in Astoria. Enterprise is probably a 15 minute walk. The trolley usually starts at noon. It does take a long time to go down and back on the riverwalk, and fills up fast. If you can catch it great, but if not, just walk!

If you're interested in hiring a driver or taxi, check out Richard at Astoria Downtown Coffee shop and Taxi. He has a new, clean SUV, and prices are very reasonable. Wouldn't recommend other taxis in our small town.

Feel free to ask if you have more questions! :)

Thank you for the review! We are headed on MSC next year after 3 Disney cruises. Excited to try another line, but I know I will miss the mouse!