rdhnd

I have done this excursion in the past and recommended to others who also had a great tour.

Nigel is a good local fellow

Sometimes he was slow getting back but gave a great tour.

He also has an "in" with the local port. His group of vans were the only ones allowed inside the fence for pickup.

On our cruise he had 6 vans running

Hello,

 

I am booked on the Escape sailing on 7/31/2016. This will be my first time in Belize. I have been looking for a good shore excursion, but I am not crazy about the excursions offered by the cruise line. Most of them seem to be sightseeing excursions that don't attract my attention. There is only one beach excursion of 4 hours in duration, but it seems weak compared to what we are doing in Roatan (Maya Key), and in Cozumel (Playa Mia). I won't turn down the beach if it is spectacular, but this one seems... meh.

 

What are the don't miss shore excursions in Belize? Beaches are preferred, but nothing is off the table. I would prefer a cruise line affiliated excursion because they will guarantee that you get back to the ship on time, but independent reliable excursions are acceptable. Suggestions?

I would suggest "ButtsUP" cavetubing/zipline ... very reasonably priced and they work with cruise passengers on a regular basis

http://www.cave-tubing.com/

Searched & got no clear hit - maybe not good enough search by me LOL!

 

We have an assigned boarding time slot @ noon but would like to wander around downtown Seattle prior to boarding without dragging them around.

 

Can we check our bags onto the ship prior to actual board time slot?

Do not try this on The Pride of America

We dropped off with the porter and then went to return our rent car ... before we could return to check in we received a call from the porter that they would not check the bags through the scanners without an owner present TSA ???

In fact the fellow was rude about my error.

Never had a problem at any other port and on many other cruise lines.

When I've priced Vueling and Iberia code-shared flights from/to where I live, the price on Vueling plus a checked-in bag and picking my seat (the Optima fare) came out to the same price as the base fare on Iberia that included those items.

 

Also, you can collect Iberia Plus Avios with Vueling's Optima and Excellence fares. However, you cannot redeem Avios on Vueling.

 

Vueling and Iberia are owned by the same company (IAG), which explains the price coordination and Avios accrual policy.

We had very good customer service with Iberia on a Amsterdam to Barcelona flight. Flight was delayed in AMS and they visited with us while in flight about our connecting flight. When we departed there was a rep at the gate to direct us to the proper connecting flight gate.

On the non all inclusive side chairs and shade tables are first come first serve at no charge

Already posted in several threads.

Yeah so............... It kills me how some have to let you know exactly what is going on already and how many times it's been posted over & over & over. Gheeze ya get fried for everything on here. Funny I just got the e-mail & I've read all the threads & didn't even see it. Excuse me while I go clean my glasses & sit in time out for making a boo boo.

Well I received my notice at 12:22 PM today. Perhaps vince is thinking of all the threads when the DSC went from $12 to $12.95 per day ... weird increase recently ... seems only a couple months ago as you have indicated.

Even so $12 to $13.5 is still hefty increase ... 12.5% along with service surcharges on beverage and services going from 15% to 18% ... that is a lot of nickel and dimes.

Don't discount the buffet at night, it is much better than it used to be. They have steaks now and some other cooked to order items.

We have late dining and sometimes go to the buffet early for a snack.

Another reason from them to justify cut backs and increase fee for specialty dining. Good news for the stock holders.

This was not good news for stock holders. Prior to the release of the quarterly statement ... stock was at $80 a share ... today it is about $67. But in a way all is good because I bought when it was down at $12 a couple of years ago.

yes, the link light rail. it seems like a good transportation option for us!

The light rail from SeaTac is a very good and inexpensive option. One way to the end of the line at Westlake Station is $2.25 each, takes about a half hour and drops you at 4th and Pine. Go around the corner to 3rd and Pike and catch bus #24 (I think) to pier 91 for $2.75 each... buses run every 15 minutes +/- and should take less than a half hour. Luggage was not a problem on the light rail ...lots of people use it to get to the airport ... might be more a problem on the regular bus... I have not done it yet so I can not confirm

Well as a long time share holder I enjoyed the days when we could stack some benefits. I understand not combining some perks like balcony discount with C&A benefits with future cruise discount but all of those are in house discounts and share holder is outside of the actual cruise company and should be an added benefit for those willing to put the money up front. At any rate a few years back the stock tanked with everybody else and I took the loss and put it on my taxes. After 6 months the price was $11-12 a share so I bought another 100 shares .... That $1200 investment is now worth $8000 today. I can get a lot of on board credit wit that

Ok I'm clueless with the space bags:confused: I see the bags at the stores but how does it work? Is there a good starter pack that would come with everything I need or do I only need the bags? How do I get the air out of them? I know sorry I warned you I was clueless:D

We use regular zip lock gallon or 2.5 gallon bags, put our shirts in one and undergarments in another, etc. sit on the bags to let air out then finish zipping them up. They are not as good as the space bags but serve the same purpose.

because that was the largest vehicle available. Some of the reviews were making me nervous. DH didn't seem to care once I did it, but said he really wanted a Suburban or Escalade size vehicle. I doubt Sourdough will have that type vehicle either, but he's going to check in April.

 

I think he's going to have a rude awakening with the cost of gas. I, now, feel relieved.

 

Gloria

From what I have read I do not think that they have the SUV you are looking for. Probably the best they have is some kind of minivan. They do not sound like the Escalade type of organization. The price of gas is the same regardless of being Sourdough or Avis. SUV run 15-18 MPG regardless of who you rent from.

Thank You for your input

My points are from first hand information. The milage, indicates something very wrong with the car. They should have been very concerned. This car normally gets over twice that mpg. The gas gage did indicate, full when picked up. The over an hour wait and getting a personal car, tells me, poor business practice and sloppy management.

 

Green Jeep is the newest company to open in Skagway, and wasn't in business when I had the rental with Sourdough.

 

Your response was very vague if it was or was not first hand. For some, comparisons, frankly, you have to have experience with both, in my opinion.

Absolutely I can tell that your your experiences are first hand knowledge. Perhaps that “Gently Worn” vehicle had a malfunctioning gas gauge. I know that on some cars that you can drive 60 miles and the gauge does not move then whamo it drops like a rock. If the hour wait was for a previously reserved car then for sure scheduling on their part is lacking. I thought that you meant that Avis was closed and the Sourdough company was out of vehicles and then provided their own personal car so you could have your excursion.

As I indicated earlier, I have never been to Alaska therefore no firsthand experience here. . My Bucket List is going to places I have not been therefore I can only use reviews by others.

It might be a good indication that Sourdough has been in operation for an extended period of time and still in business . Bad reviews can sink an operation in a heartbeat. I also like giving the local a chance. Apparently you have given them that chance and found them lacking. Have you given them a bad review in the past?

Have you rented from both vendors?

 

I have and in my case, I had more than a "gently worn" car, that wasn't maintained. A Taurus that didn't even get 10mpg. Got a shrug when I reported this. This was a few years ago, a second rental car (no other choice, choice since Avis was already closed), wasn't there when I went to pickup. I was delayed and given a personal car that was not clean. I have rented from Avis over 10 times and always had well maintained cars and accurate reservations.

 

If you have rented from both, especially if last year, an update would be informative.

Well Budget Queen

I have never been to Alaska nor used either of these establishments.

I have no doubts that renting from a national chain like Avis will provide a clean and new vehicle not in need of any maintenance. So they were not interested in the gas mileage … well if it started off full and you returned it full … they could care less what the MPG is.. With the second rental I think there should not be a complaint because without them you would not have gone anywhere because Avis was not even open … but maybe you could of used the company that rents jeeps.. I think that if the owner provided you with his personal car so that you could go he went the extra mile to help you out. If I did not know that I was going to share my car I might not keep it in pristine cleanliness either.

Most of my considerations are from cruise critic, tripadvisor and Yelp. Personal reviews normally are very good. I have read many of your comments and know that you are extremely knowledgeable about Alaska. I did not see any reviews about Sourdough for the ’14 season. I saw a number of yelp reviews from ’13 that were positive. There seemed to be some negative reviews for the ’11 season about a couple of wreck cars that were unavailable. Sometimes a deal just does not work out. Tell that to someone who missed a port due to weather.

I think that Sourdough provides a service at a price that many can handle.

I did not hear of a single review where the renter did not get back to town.

Even so .. I did see some comments where if one did break down on the only road to town that someone would always get them back.

My husband also wants to use Sourdough. He was also told to wait till after April 1st. I want him to reserve a vehicle with Avis. He heard a lot of good things on reviews he's read somewhere. He doesn't do Cruise Critic.

 

Why do you prefer to use them instead of Avis if I may ask?

 

Thank you,

Gloria

I suppose price and expectations.

Avis does provide "New" cars to their clients. Being the only national car rental place in town ... they do not have any incentive to be more competitive in their pricing.

Sourdough provides cars that are gently worn and a few years old. I drive that kind of car every day ... that might even be a comfort zone. I also like helping out a local company vs. a national chain. Kind of a " Buy America " feel.

As for pricing ... Avis wanted $140 + taxes and fees for a mid size vehicle ...$200+ for a van

Sourdough wanted $80 with taxes and fees included ... $120 for a van

Last month the I received an email back from them that they would not accept reservations until April. So maybe January is clean up time for them? Renewals of domain and website updates?

 

I spoke with Carey at Sourdough Rentals today.

He said that he was in California recovering from hip surgery and that he would be back in Ak. by the end of March and to contact him after April 1.

Also said that he had someone looking into the web site but that he might need to start all over on that.

Yes, I believe it is called the Perspectives Studio. We noticed on the Getaway that they advertised you could schedule a private sitting with the photog at the studio or I believe even off the ship for beach photos, etc. I don't believe there was any charge for the sitting, just for the photos you purchased. Not sure how the picture prices would compare to those taken elsewhere on the ship. Also note disclaimer on the "packages" that price does not apply to Perspectives Studio.

We were on the Jewel in December for a destination wedding and never saw the disclaimer you mentioned. While at the photo gallery the wife set up a photo shoot ... thought we would get the 20 for $200 package. Well turned out the shoot was the Perspective Studio personnel. After the shoot they had us review the photos with background music and it was impressive until they mentioned their package prices. At first they wanted $900 for their shots ... we told them that we were sorry for wasting their time ... then also asked the price for a single shot and they said $350 ... we said thank you and left without looking back. Our mistake in not making sure which package we were wanting to get

You might want to keep your eye out for bear.

That is why they call it a cheap alternative adventure!

When do you depart the last day?

I try to be the last off the ship ...dragged kicking and screaming

The next cruise will be to long to wait for.

Also easy to find luggage and car.

My name is lindylou15,(Linda). Four of us adults, are going on Celebrity Solstice at the end of May. We are so excited because everything we read is so positive! I haven't been on a cruise since I was in my early 20's, and can't believe the luxury and opportunities I hear about this cruise as well as cruising in general nowadays! Can't wait to meet others on the 5-29-15 cruise!

Linda

Come join us on the roll call page.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2064284

We could use some new blood...

We also have a wealth of knowledge to share just ask

Do not forget to sign up for the Connection Party

Having the UDP as a perk for so many cruises now, I was wondering if the venues are over flowing and unable to book. Seems I read that NCL only provides 10% of seating for pre booking prior to departure.

On another thought ... can there be seating for more than 2-4 people. We like to meet new people at our table at freestyle and not sure how we will like this package

Last time I was there I rented thru a local company. Are they no longer in business??

Sourdough Rentals is the other rental company and they do not rent late model cars - 3-4 years old. Seems that they did not pay for the web hosting so no web page and I do not know if they are still open.

That is odd

The web site worked recently when I was looking around.

You might try to contact them by phone and find out more info.

(907) 983-2523

Our July 31 sailing went down $100. So it may well depend on what type of cabin you're looking at.

 

It's the airfare plus the cost of Seattle hotels that bit hardest.

I guess that I just got lucky IMO

Round trip airfare non-stop on Alaska Air $300 ea.

Pretrip Days Inn SeaTac $85 - taxes included

Post trip Moore Hotel downtown at $130 a night - taxes included