Joy2theWorld

I looked up all our ports before we left, but one of them was changed apparently. According to the Helsinki site we were supposed to go to one port, but we ended up at another. It wasn't a big deal though. For Helsinki, HAL offered a shuttle to the city for $10 roundtrip or $6 one way. We did this and then did everything on our own. We ended up not using the ticket back and took a taxi since we weren't near the bus pick up. Taxis were a little pricier there compared to some other European cities. They also offered a shuttle in Stockholm, but that one was $15 per person roundtrip. We did not use that option.

We are scheduled to dock at 8 AM, but the Vasa doesn't open until a later in the morning. I wanted to get there for the 11 AM movie and 11:30 AM tour, but I'm afraid we'll miss the changing of the guard. Is it worth missing the changing of the guard for the tour? Also, any recommendations as to what we can do before the Vasa opens? I originally just planned on taking a cab there, but now I'm not sure if we should head elsewhere first.

Could someone tell me the approximate cost of a taxi from Frihamen to the Vasa? We thought we'd get the boat then to Gamla Stan. I was willing to take the ship's excursion that ends at noon, but they won't let us stay in town to explore.

:confused: All the passengers have 'As You Wish Dining' and no one has to prepay tips.

Sorry to make you so disgruntled by my question and by using the wrong terminology for the open seating for dinner. We have been on cruise lines that require you to pre-pay tips for open seating for dinner (Royal Caribbean is one), and I swear we paid for tips before our HAL trip last summer.

I am pretty positive that when my mom and I were on HAL in Alaska in August that we had to prepay our tips for the As You Wish Dining. I contacted our travel agent about our upcoming Baltic Cruise and was told we don't have to do so with HAL. The first trip was with a different travel agent, so, I'm wondering which one is correct.

We are debating between two different cruises this summer. One is Holland America's that includes a stop in Kiel. I can't find much info about this port and what there is to do. There are not many excursions offered by the ship. The other itinerary we are considering is the Princess with stops in Oslo and Gdansk, no Germany at all. Holland gets bonus points because it starts in London and ends in Copenhagen which would give us a chance to spend a little more time in two different places. Any input would be appreciated.

On DCL, before meals, embarking, entering the kids' clubs, really ANYTHING, they gave you a Hand Sanitizing wipe that was mandatory to use (to help prevent on-board illness). Do they do a similar practice on FOS?

Short answer is no. They have dispensers for sanitizing lotion at the entry to every eatery, but no one makes you use them. They don't make you do it upon re-boarding the ship either. It is all at your discretion. We just got off yesterday, so, this is how it was last week at least.

Thank you! I love Hudson Bay. When I was small we would shop there all the time in Toronto.

If we drop off our luggage after arriving via Amtrak, is there somewhere around Canada Place we can walk around a little bit? I'd like to pick up an Olympic souvenir or two.

Can you drop off your luggage a little early and explore the city a bit? I'm considering renting a car in Seattle and leaving Seattle very early Sunday morning of our cruise, so, we can see a little of the city.

I noticed the main complaint was the food. Something tells me just the way the review was written that the person who wrote it would be very hard to please with anything.

If we decide to take Quick Coach to Seattle instead of renting a car, does it leave right from Canada Place? Any other options to head to Seattle the morning we return to Vancouver? Our flight leaves Seattle the next morning. We are taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver.

We actually bought snorkel gear ourselves yesterday! Costco had a pretty good deal on some U.S. Diver's sets. I'm excited...

was this on priceline?

 

cathy

Yes, sorry. I thought this post was just for priceline wins, so, I didn't say which site.

Got the Westin Seattle for $80 plus taxes and fees for 8/7... Hotwire price was $109 (I'm pretty sure it was the Westin) and online rates were running about $189. Now, I have to find one for the night before we fly home.

I'm curious what the sales tax is like in Alaska...Planning ahead for all the shopping!!