bwaz
-
Posts
350 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by bwaz
-
-
21 hours ago, Baggy178 said:
Matt Barrett runs the best independent online guide to all things Greece and Athens.
You may find something here of interest for your trip.
Thanks for posting this. I was discouraged to see how many hotels are already booked up for next July, But I believe I have found a nice one thanks to Matt's guide.
-
On 5/3/2019 at 10:39 AM, Motorcycle Gma said:
David, I'm with Marilyn. Wow, you are an amazing guy! I've never seen someone answer questions for strangers in such detail. Your pictures of the Port Douglas tender landing area will be invaluable to me and the fact that you knew the exact time you got on and off the tender boat is amazing.
I'm a detail person, but you got me beat by tons! I'm so happy your heart situation resolved quickly and you are back enjoying scuba and cruising. My husband had quadruple bypass about 12 years ago. I think the technology has changed greatly, because he was in the hospital a good 2-3 weeks and a couple months of rehab. He is 71 now and I continue to push him with my joy for travel and adventure. I'm hoping the travel to Australia (17 hrs from LAX in cramped Economy) doesn't cause him too much distress. When we did China in 2016, his feet swelled larger than Fred Flintstones. It was very scary, I was afraid he would have an embolism or something. So, we've learned he has to wear compression socks during trips. His Dr. at the VA knows he's still scuba diving, but we don't really divulge his health on the waivers. I know, bad bad. If something happens, I will regret but this is bucket list for us! We always travel with travel insurance bought privately online.
I am not finding enough time to plan this adventure, so I apologize for not responding to all your helpful tips sooner. I think I will take a chance and book the scuba at PD with Poseidon and hope we make it. If not, we will run over to Quicksilver and hope they transfer our money. I read really good reviews about Poseidon accommodating customers who miss flights, etc. and even refunding money when dive trips went bad. Sounds like they have amazing customer service. I'm just not going to tell them we're cruising. (Little white lie...)
I am going to book the Arlie Beach scuba thru the ship, just so we don't miss. Same with the zoo at Brisbane. I'm grateful for that information also. I was wondering if it was the Irwin zoo. A fellow cruiser mentioned I should book it through the cruise line, so we will (not my favorite, but like you said, who wants to drive on the wrong side of the road!). Plus, I heard it's a long way from the ship.
I couldn't figure out the railroad and sky rail thing like Marilyn did, so I'm just going with some of my fellow CC people on a private tour. I guess I'm getting there on tours, although it still feels very overwhelming. I still have no solid plans in Sydney. So much to see & do there! I have lots of tips I'm keeping in a Word file. Will have to narrow down sometime.
Anyway, just wanted to extend my thanks to you, David, for continuing to help me and others out!
Best wishes on your next adventure.
Motorcycle Gma aka Cindi
Greetings, Motorcycle GMA and all the other wonderful posters here, David, and Suzi, and more. So helpful and encouraging. We have just booked the Celebrity Solstice for the April 2021 GBR cruise. I am beyond excited and happy to have such a great experience on the horizon.
Cindi, interested in your comment about the air flight. My DH and I flew to Inchon (Seoul) from LAX a couple of years ago - 13 hours. We were pleasantly surprised by the relative comfort of the Airbus A380 we were on, even though we were in the lowest class. No doubt you have already booked flights, but just in case , I recommend it - we were on Korean Air. I am going to look for the same type of air plane to go to Sydney. My husband is also not in the best of health and I want to get us there in as best shape as possible. Once again, thanks to all of you and happy future travels!
-
-
Blue Hole Watersports is an excellent company if you are interested in an independent snorkeling or boating excursion. You meet them at the British Colonial Hilton, a short walk from the pier. Check out their reviews on Tripadvisor. We loved our trip with them.
Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app
-
Our two most recent cruises were on Royal Caribbean, but we did enjoy dressing up. It's pretty much the only time my wife gets me into a suit. Lol
My parents have been dressing up for church for decades (dad in a suit, mom in a dress), but for some reason have balked at the idea of doing so on the two cruises we've gotten them on (one Princess, one RC). Have never gotten a straight answer as to why. Hoping to change their minds with number three, next year. Fingers crossed.
Maybe they want a change from the weekly routine. I notice so many of the formal night fans on this thread love to dress up because they rarely get to do so in their everyday lives. So maybe your parents are just like that but in reverse. They want something completely different from home for their vacation experience.
Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app
-
Thanks so much for this great review and photos.. I know it must have taken hours and hours. We are thinking about cruising NCL , have done HAL, RC, Celebrity and Carnival and are ready for something different. Your detailed review is just what we need.
Thanks again and all best wishes to you and your family.
Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app
-
We sailed Solstice RT out of Seattle last July. That was the best and most efficient choice for our large family group. I agree with Sheriff Joe about Glacier Bay. We took a flight seeing tour and it was purely spectacular. Please consider the small boat voyage out of Tracy Arm. Whales, glaciers calving, wildlife- we saw so much and it was comfortable, and warm. In 2002 we sailed out of Vancouver on RC Radiance. I thought Seattle as a port was just as enjoyable and beautiful in its own way. We stayed at Inn at the Market and got a lot out of our two days in Seattle.
-
We have. It's pricey, but I was concerned for the comfort of one of our party with mobility issues. Two of them are accessible as I recall. We loved it.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
We sailed on Celebrity Solstice last month RT out of Seattle. We loved it. It does have a couple of the elements you like. First it has one of the most popular lecturer/naturalists on the Alaska circuit, Brent Nixon. Entertaining and informative. Solstice also features the Hot Glass Show, which I think any crafter would adore. Sponsored by Corning, there is a glass blowing studio right on board. The demonstration show is amazing.
Celebrity is a bit more low key, not noisy. They do have dining dress guidelines but as others will tell you, cruises to Alaska tend toward a more casual interpretation of the dress code.
Also the Solstice had the nicest library of any ship I have been on.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Rain is possible this time of year as another poster reported. I always take a poncho or 2. Dry socks and extra pair of walking shoes.
.
We live in So Cal.and have gone to Disneyland for many years. Don't be afraid of going in the rain. Maybe not a torrential downpour but a light rain is not a problem. It keeps the crowds away. They sell cheap rain ponchos on site. We've had good times there on rainy days.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
John, this is a great rundown. We just got off Solstice about 2 weeks ago. We all had the classic package and we loved it. What a difference in the final onboard bill! No more arm and a leg cost for wine at dinner. And we did not find any difference in the service level. Courteous and prompt bartenders and waitstaff as we always have had.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Thanks. Will pursue.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Here's another option.
Arrive and collect your luggage. Then walk a few yards to Ken's Baggage, a storage facility located close to the Alaska bag carousels. Leave your bags at Ken's (probably $5 or $7 per bag, not sure of the current prices.)
.
We uses Ken's a couple of weeks ago at gardyloo's kind suggestion. It was a godsend.
As far as the two hour wait...we found a lovely little spot in Seatac... Washington Vintages. We had brunch and they let us stay for a couple of hours very kindly to kill time, talk, until we had to part with our family going to the opposite end of the country
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
I have a photo of the interior of the small Tracy Arm catamaran. Just trying to figure out how to post.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Happy to..It brought back a lot pf great memories.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Hi, Dave. We really liked the Tracy Arm excursion. The boat was three levels with seating on the first two . I would say there were maybe 70 people on the boat, with 50 seats on the main level and 25 on the second. I have read on other posts that sometimes there is a second smaller boat that holds 20 but there was only one boat the day we traveled.
It rained on and off, but it was calm and we got in close. We saw calving on both Sawyer and South Sawyer glaciers, plus whales, and a seal floating by on ice. The boat is comfortable and heated with a snack bar, small selection of souvenirs and bathrooms. There is plenty of viewing deck space. We did not feel like we had any trouble getting great opportunities to see. It was a bit on the long side, but well worth doing.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
You will always need it. It's ID, room key and ship credit card rolled into one.
When I plan my packing, I try to only bring slacks or skirts with pockets, even my evening elegant pants,if that is what I'm wearing. So I don't have to worry about lanyard or little purse or fanny pack. When I go to the pool or hot tub I bring a beach bag or carefully wrap my card in my towel.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
If that's your embarkation day, don't worry. You will see everything. People may have been driving to the port for 5+ hours, others living out of carryons. You will be fine in most anything you're comfortable in.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
We just got off Solstice. Had dinner at Tuscan Grill. It was the best meal and the best service we have had in any specialty restaurant including Chops, 150 Park and Captains Tables. It was a special family anniversary and we wanted something above and beyond the MDR. What gives me pause going forward are the very uneven reviews of the specialties, from high highs to low lows. They don't seem to have a handle on quality throughout the fleet.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Greetings, Alaska cruisers and soon-to-be cruisers. Here is a review of our recent trip-
http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=510457
-
Great review, thanks for taking the time to do it. I've been to Alaska on the Solstice 4 times (living just outside of Seattle, it's an easy last minute bargain), and never took the time to review. However, you've said everything I would have said, and much better. :) The only difference was your experience with room service. I'm sorry it wasn't better for you. Ordering room service each Tracy Arm fjord morning was a highlight. I absolutely love having my coffee bundled up on the balcony watching the sights slide by. Simply beautiful. I agree with your thoughts on Brent Nixon...I really enjoyed what he had to say, I just couldn't take his over-the-top style. Most of my travel companions really liked him, just a personal style preference, I guess. Again, thanks for the nice review.
Thanks for your comments. Yes, the room service was a bit of a letdown. It was just one time. We could have given it another chance. We're also fans of morning coffee on the balcony. But my DH and I found we really loved walking up just two decks to the AquSpa Cafe, so quiet and beautiful in the early morning big beautiful windows. It was just another happy experience we didn't expect.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
I think it would bew helpful to many people if you cross-posted this on the Alaska board. People are hungry for reviews and tips - always looking for reviews even if they are not cruising the same ship/line.
Here is the link to the Alaska board:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55
.
Thank you, Langley, will do.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
A lot of people in Aqua and suites still get dressed up, it probably has more to do with money. Those in suites still had their assigned dining in the MDR until a few months ago and many of them would choose to go to Specialties. I know some in suites who only ate in Specialties.
This is a good point. We're just off the Solstice. On the first formal night we went to Tuscan Grill. Most of the men wore jackets. Either they did not realize that specialty restaurants do not require them even on formal night in the MDR
or they just felt it was a special occasion.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Forums mobile app
-
Here's my review -
Thanks for all your great tips - we had a wonderful time -
Ephesus excursion query
in Greece Ports
Posted
We are also docking in Bodrum and want to go to Ephesus, but it looks tight. I was hoping that NCL offered a bus tour,but they do not. Di you go to Ephesus from Bodrum? Thanks for any info.