Meander Ingwa

Do you need a hotel for the night before your embarkation the next day, or are you wanting to do touristic activity for a day or two? If you just need a hotel for the night I suggest one of the corporate hotels at the airport. They provide courtesy vans. You can then arrange a large transport to the pier with Seattle Express. If you want to spend a day or two doing touristic activity then I suggest one of the large corporate hotels on the east side of Seattle Center. You can see them on google maps. You can visit the center and use the Monorail to get to the Downtown core and visit The Market. Transport to the Pier for your eventual embarkation can be most easily done with Lyft or Uber. You can also book Seattle Express vans to shuttle the larger group and luggage. With 4 people per room the rates could be seen as very reasonable even in the downtown core. All the major chains are there with high rise hotels that can easily accommodate your group. The Monorail makes it easy to get to the Seattle Center

If you are docked at pier 66 you can walk to Pike Place Market. The Monorail is about 4 blocks from the east entrance of the market. That will take you to the center. You can easily get Lyft or Uber back to the ship. It will be a full day

personally as a Seattle native I would say no, it isnt worth the time or money. One of the best views in Seattle is mentioned above, a walk on ferry ride to Bremerton or Winslow. If it is a clear day you will see the mountains, enjoy the water. If lucky you might spot Orca or Harbor Seals. You can join all the folks who walk around the decks or sit inside. Time your journey for sunrise or sunset. The ferries are very large, you should feel tight at home The ferry dock is just south of the Pier 66 cruise dock Gardyloos other suggestions are all excellent The Seattle Center is worth visiting for the Glass Garden and MoPOP. There are also concert, opera, and theatre venues on the grounds.

It is a somewhat reverse commute once you get out of the core downtown. The issue become a problem based on the geography of the area. There are just few escape routes away from traffic snarls . Better to be at the airport too early than be stressing the clock. There is just no predictions of how it goes.

If it is a weekend, 8 is doable, I wouldn't do 830, too tight If a weekday I would do 7 - 730. Traffic in Seattle can be bad and all it take is one accident or bad rain to choke your trip.

They are both easy. If you have a chip and pin credit card, you just tap it on the pad at the gate for the Elizabeth. You can pre book HE or get tickets at the desk. Elizabeth runs every 10 minutes from terminal 2/3 takes 30 minutes to Paddington, no changes. There are also trains from 4 and 5 on less frequent interval per hour HE every 15 minutes and takes 15 minutes The Heathrow airport web site has links to information snd tickets booking for HE

My friend noted that the trams do not appear to have traffic light priority like they do in Manchester. She did not mention if that engineering feature might be / could be put in place.

I am looking at the same journey from Amsterdam port ( as yet undefined if city or IJmiden) . I love trains and trams and consider them part of the enjoyment. I am interested in visiting the Delft factory and museum to learn a bit more about the old designs and history of Delft ware. Viking might offer a trip but really dont want to be tied to a short time line or one where I am pulled away from what really interests me. Thank you for the timely post @skings

The new extension of the tram line from the Ocean Cruise Post at Leith into the city center and the airport , beyond, opened today

The Elizabeth Line is simple to use and an economical choice. There are agents at the ticket kiosk. I dont think it any more complicated than HE. I agree, however, if the hotel is not within simple walk of Paddington a private transfer from Heathrow is likely the way to go. Otherwise the Taxi ranks at Paddington are easy to find they will still need to grab a car. If the group is new to using subways, the agents at Heathrow are the ones to learn it from rather than the neighborhood station which will be busier There are a lot of videos on line that show how to get around the system, tap and go , using gate, wayfinding

A tram line extension , running from Newhaven / Leith Ocean Port into central Edinburgh and beyond to the airport has opened today.

check out Scam Pulse it shows up there.

The bad fires in eastern Canada are a major contributor. I live in western washington and we sometimes get smoke from Eastern BC and Alberta. Last year with our own local fires in the state, it was horrible with murky , fog like smoke and particulate that fell like snow. It smelled like a campground The eastern seaboard could use a good rain train

e mail links are handy but glossy "dream books" capture people and hold them. I paged through my river cruise book and noted the nice SE Asia tour. It then went in to the recycle bin. I face the same mail volume from my Medicare Advantage provider. Statements every months in multiple forms about how I have used my benefits. I dont need this stuff, particularly the notification that I did not use any benefits . (rollyeyes)

Seattle Express. They can minimize the number of vehicles most efficiently

talk to your doctor about having antivirals on hand. Be aware that some cold medicines (OTC) are contraindicated if you use blood pressure medications I bring my own test kits.

the inter-city and the high speed trains have sockets and outlets at the seat

Ohhh jigsaws. What a great way to pass the time and have a natter and coffee. Plus you dont have to worry about the cat coming and pussyfooting away a piece.

I hope it was a momentary glitch. Any baked good with almond or apricot has my heart and this is on my list of must haves

Ahh who doesnt love Pogo? I need to dig up some old book. I don't mind distilled water. I use it in summer when competing outdoors

Good to know about the room water. Some systems add back minerals for the flavor. I have asked V about how they treat their RO water, if at all

I have seen them but never bought. There is a woman in Portland Oregon who makes little purses out of children's book covers. You can order one from your favorite childhood story. She also makes record album tote bags and various wallets and card holders Mugwump on Etsy

Reading comments here about water, water bottles and water retention. Are there some water systems that have higher sodium levels than others? I know my body does not do well with that issue. Does anyone know what Viking uses I personally prefer to fill my own metal flask than taking plastic water bottles. Are there filling stations or have those gone away to mitigate touch point contamination

You will probably get the most for your money by grabbing last minute cruises scheduled for the next month or two

https://www.the5pointcafe.com/main-menu 5 Point is iconic Seattle diner. take a look at the menu and decide if this is the place for you easy walk to the Seattle center check out MoPop and the Glass Garden on return go over to the Pike Place Market and stroll, have lunch ( window seat at Lowells) then go to SEA. The link rail is handy with no luggage if you use the service Ferry Watcher suggested, you can bypass the agents, too with just your electronic or kiosk printed boarding pass. Right thru TSA and done