psuboater

Vote for specialty the first night. The first night is always a mess as people are learning the ship and bottlenecking into reservations. Last year we did Ocean Blue the first night and had a front seat to the Statue of Liberty during our sailaway. It took the stress out of the first night for sure. 

I found the smaller dining rooms (Taste and Savor) had better service than the larger Manhattan room. 

Dinner was always fine. However I set my expectations accordingly living in a few foodie cities in my adult life. 
 

Honestly, the Indian section at the buffet was consistently excellent. Even though we have 6 speciality dinings planned, that Indian food during lunch is what I’m looking forward to the most! They offer it from dinner as well, so if that’s up your alley I recommend that for dinner!

The Purple Store downtown offers luggage storage for the day:

https://www.thepurplestore.com/luggage-storage-seattle.shtml

9 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The Bird was looking for some crispy bacon and found some frozen bacon in the ship’s freezer. 800 pounds of bacon is served each day on the ship. 
 

For food safety, there are different freezers and prep areas for meats, poultry, seafood as well as fresh veg and dairy. 
 

Most frozen foods are shipped to the Joy from NCL central provisioning in Florida. Some fresh veg, dairy, and eggs are sourced in NY. 
 

How are The Birds in the bacon cooler at 11pm? Do we get a view of the ship’s brig next? 😉

https://www.king5.com/article/travel/sea-airport-undergoes-major-construction-projects/281-c5fa8585-0a6c-481b-801f-32de08b993a9

Wanted to make you aware if you’re traveling to or from here right before or after Memorial Day weekend, the local news reported SEATAC airport is reporting its highest volume of passengers all year, with over 175k people coming through TSA checkpoints on 5/24. 
 

Some tips:

-Be aware Billy Joel is playing at T Mobile Park downtown on 5/24. Expect massive traffic delays from northbound and southbound. Traffic is worst from 4-8 and clears around 8pm before the concert lets out around 11pm

- Leave as much time as possible in getting to the airport. 
- If you can, utilize the light rail to get to the airport. It’s about a 1/3 mile walk from the station to the terminal but it’s all covered in the garages and there are free golf cart shuttles provided. 
-If you’re being dropped off, ask to be dropped off at arrivals if the line to departures is backed up. It’s very simple to get to departures from there. 
-If you don’t have TSA pre, utilize space saver - https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver

-If you’re disembarking and your flight is after noon, look into if your cruise participates into port valet. They will take your bags the last night of the cruise and get them checked at the airport. It’s free and it’s a massive time saver. 
 

Welcome and happy cruising!

Last year on the Joy to Bermuda I bid max on the lowest level Haven room, and  did not get it. I did the same on an RCL equivalent in early 2022 when they weren’t full capacity and nada.

Now I’ll throw a small bid in “just in case”

but spend that money on Vibe, FAS+, extra dining and now the Thermal Spa, and I’m just as happy. 🙂

Another recommendation for 13 coins. It’s right next to King Street Station, is open late hours, and is essentially a diner so your kid will find lots of things to eat on a picky palette. 
 

To anyone reading this who wants to take Amtrak the same day as their cruise, I am on the Cascades right now to Everett to get home. We’ve stopped twice now- once because we lost air pressure (30 minute delay) and now for freight train access (10 minutes). We are already 40 minutes delayed for what should be a 45 minute train ride for me. Not sure what’s to come on the way up, but factor in any customs problems at the border, and you’re not making your cruise. Definitely plan an overnight if you’re taking the train up!

13 hours ago, PghCouple said:

1st time cruising out of Seattle from July 11 - 18 2024 no issues on arrival, but departing we are scheduled to disembark at 7am which could mean 830am and we are aware of this.

 

Our flight doesn't leave til 945pm is there anywhere that rents lockers so we could see some of the town instead of sitting at the airport or are we better off getting a hotel room and just leaving from there for the flight?

 

Thanks,

 

2 adults (1 disabled) 1 child

Depending on your cruise line and airline, they might participate in Cruise Valet. It’s a free service that will take your bags from outside your cabin the last night and check them to your final destination. 

Staying downtown for The Rolling Stones concert and the cheapest we could find was the Four Points by Sheraton. Very impressed with this location, rooms are spacious and modern. Wanted to add there’s a shuttle to either Pier 91 or 66 for $15pp. Happy cruising! 

1 hour ago, cyntil8ing said:

 

My first NCL cruise last year introduced me to the Waterfront. I can't count the hours I spent there. It was more comfortable than my balcony, not to mention, drink service! It's definitely unique to NCL. I've done 40+ cruises on other lines and never experienced anything similar. Can't wait to return in a few weeks.

 

 

 

Don't give away the best kept secret on the Joy! 😄 This is a perfect place to go on embarkation day as not many people know it's there yet, a perfect way to get away from the crowds while you're waiting for your room to open.

14 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Guessing that he is flying into either Boeing Field, or maybe Paine Field (Everett).

Really hoping not Everett as I was planning on going off island tomorrow 😄
 

Just saw on the news- he’s landing at SEA around 5pm tomorrow. 

Local here - they have not yet released where he's going to be yet but confirmed he will be in town tomorrow, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th.

There's also a six-game Mariners homestand this weekend as well, and the 520 Bridge (which should only impact you if you are driving in from the east, coming from the airport will not be affected), oh, and 3 boats are scheduled to be in port on Saturday May, 11th.

All transit alerts will be shared by our DOT - https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2024/05/09/travel-advisory-president-biden-visit/

Plan a few extra hours in getting where you need to be tomorrow and Saturday, and may the odds be ever in your favor. 😀

As a daughter of a father who raised me on great coffee, it's....fine. It's drinkable, although a bit weak.

We get FAS+, so Starbucks is included, but what I'll typically do is start with a cappucino to start the day as an early riser, and then when we get breakfast a few hours later, I'll have some buffet coffee. I won't go out of my way to get Starbucks if the buffet coffee is right there.

I’ve been to Vancouver a few times in the past couple of years. No need for cash, I used Apple Pay most times. The only time I’ve needed cash in Canada in recent memory was on the other side of the country for St. Viteaur bagels in Montreal 🙂  

Also, when the prompt asks if you want to pay in USD or CAD- always choose the local currency! Your bank will give you a much more favorable rate. 

2 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

@Glaciers & @psuboater, is it me, or does it seem that there are a lot fewer questions about sailing from Seattle this season?

I agree- maybe it’s because it’s still pre peak season? 

56 minutes ago, LEMJMcC said:

Doing some research for transportation from SEA-TAC (Alaska Airlines) to the Mediterranean Inn located at the corner of Queen Ave N. and W. Republic St.  Four of us with luggage arriving on a Friday morning around 10:00 AM.  Would the light rail be a good option?  How far from baggage claim to the rail station?  We can walk fine, but pulling/carrying luggage too far may make the wives unhappy and the husbands worn out!

Thanks

Looking at Google Maps, it would require transferring on the D bus line to get closer up to your hotel. Not sure how far you’re traveling from and how much luggage you have, I think you will have grumpy husbands if you want to walk. 🙂 Since theres 4 of you, I’d recommend splitting an Uber. 

21 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

@psuboater, wow, what gracious hosts you are!

 

So where is the Canon?  Capital Hill or Pill Hill?

Cap Hill 🙂

Some less expensive cocktails 😄

So funny story @Ferry_Watcher, yes they do! We had friends come visit in November 2021 from the East Coast so we were so happy they were visiting we didn’t let them purchase a single thing. 

My husband is obsessed with Negronis, so at one point this friend grabbed the bartender and ordered the vintage Negroni ($270). My husband was shocked but thrilled! It definitely was a unique cocktail. 

You would have to make two separate reservations (they only take parties of 4 or less) but Canon is one of my favorite cocktail bars in the world. They make unique drinks, but even cooler they serve them in unique glassware. I’ve drank out of a glass bee, a Nintendo cartridge and a glass in a mini shopping cart. It’s awesome. 
 

Other great cocktail bars are Navy Strength and Some Random Bar. You don’t think of Pina Coladas and Seattle, but SRB’s are homemade and fantastic. 
 

None of the above have a great view, but Bar Moxy and The Fog Room scratch that itch as they are both rooftop bars. 

That’s going to wildly depend on the boat on the day. Most likely it will start around 7am for walk off passengers, if customs clears the boat early in the morning. In my sailing in May 2022, customs was delayed and we didn’t start walk offs until 8:30am with a lot of people panicking. Since we live here it wasn’t a big deal, but it’s why we always recommend booking your return flight later than 12pm. 

1 hour ago, princeton123211 said:

The S gates in the international terminal aren't designed for the smaller 737s that make up most of the traffic at SEA. They're designed for larger widebodies flying to Asia and Europe which is why the Hawaiian A330s depart from the international terminal on a domestic routing. 

Yup, I was quite shocked myself when I looked it up on FlightAware. The only Canadian trip I've taken from SEA connected first in Detroit, so I had to look up previous gates.

On 4/17/2024 at 4:32 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Other than showing your passport to be eligible to fly into Canada, there is no Immigration or Customs procedure at SEA. Canadian Immigration and Customs will be when you land.

 

I don't know SEA's policy, but flights to nearby countries like Canada and Mexico don't have to go out of the international terminal.

If you’re taking Alaska airlines, it looks like you’re in C gates like the other Alaska flights. Delta and Air Canada are departing from S gates. 
 

There’s a train to S gates which appears every 3-5 minutes. From a domestic connection there isn’t anything special other than getting to the South terminal. If you’re taking Delta you might have facial recognition at the gate  instead of scanning your passport, but have your passport with your ticket ready when boarding. 
 

Safe travels!

On 4/10/2024 at 3:23 PM, Sthrngary said:

Well, it seems many think getting to know the staff on a cruise is unusual.  Using the comparison of staying in a hotel and not carry about the staff the same way as some do on a cruise.  Those folk gave their personal opinions and we should all allow opinions whether we like them or not to express how someone really feels. That is why it is called social media. 

 

If you disagree, you are also allowed to say something.  "Nice setup, right."  I personally disagree.  Part of a GREAT cruise experience to me is meeting and getting to know the staff/crew. Taking an interest in their lives and experiences.  Not every waking moment of every day, just in passing.  I do the same thing with almost everyone I meet.  It is what makes cruising different then the 1,000's of days I have spent in hotels in my business travel career.  

 

Now if it is not your thing to do that, I respect your decision.  It is MY thing, I will continue to do it. I will also continue to over tip those that provided superior service.  WHY, I like when people see me and smile first because I showed a level of interest in them and second because I valued their extra efforts.  

 

Now since this is a Haven Thread, I have rarely had any crew member in the Haven be anything less then outstanding with the exception of a butler or two.  I fixed that with my approach which works for me but NOT everyone that tries it.  

 

If I have something to complain about it is very rude guests that think they own the place.  On a cruise a few years ago, I had a guest that was a constant complainer.  He said he was HUGE on CruiseCritic.com.  After a while I had enough, I asked him what his name was on CruiseCritic.com.  He said, "SthrnGary".  That is ME? To my shock, he was impersonating, "ME".  I played along just enough to let this person put his foot in his month.  Then I say, "OK, I have had enough.  You have been rude to almost everyone you have come in contact with.  You say you are "SthrnGary", that is really funny." He asked why, "I say, because I am SthrnGary".  He said, you are NOT.  I turned my phone around and showed him my account on CruiseCritic.com.  His face got red and I never saw him again on that cruise.  

 

Look folks, Just make your next cruise all it can be.  Find people you enjoy and enjoy the people you find.  It is one hell of a hobby and makes you feel like a Rock Star for a week or so a year.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Your next cruise, you should tell people "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM SO IMPORTANT I HAVE PEOPLE PRETENDING TO BE ME ON CRUISE CRITIC" 😄

The short answer is yes, it’s safe.  It’s Westlake station which drops you off in the middle of a hotel and retail core. 
 

Seattle has upped their transit team who are checking valid tickets and escorting those who shouldn’t be on the train off at the next stop. 
 

However, if you’re not used to city life and have a low comfort level of these types of things, an Uber might be your best bet. In rush hour, taking the light rail is a no brainer - under $3 vs $50+ and it will get you to where you need around the same time when there’s a traffic jam. 
 

3rd and Pine is the area you’re referring to. As someone who works downtown I don’t seek that area out (although it is close to the market) but I don’t freak out if I find myself there. Then again I’ve lived in downtown Philadelphia and Columbus so Seattle to me can be “unpleasant” at most where other areas in my other cities maxed out at a “don’t want to get killed” level. The city is very concious of optics during cruise season, and we tend to see less events while we’re doing our cruise hosting. Even so, I’d be fine to walk there in December as long as I practiced street smarts. 
 

As a reference, I am a woman under 40 and I normally take the light rail when I can. However, if I was landing late at night (10pm+)  I’d probably just take an Uber.