jamiski

For anyone still looking for info on the Emerald. This was from a Patter in May 2018. Patters seem to be the most useful (if you can find a recently posted one for your ship)

“Designated sections of night club and casino...Speakeasy Deck 6 for cigars...Deck 7 Starboard Aft...Deck 16 Portside forward near Tradewinds Bar...Deck 17 Starboard aft (under Skywalkers)”

Ship – Star

Class – Grand

Deck – Lido

Cabin # L304

Category – BC

Port/Starboard/Bow/Stern – Starboard

Connects With Cabin # N/A

Accessible – No

Quiet – See comments

Balcony Size – Standard

View – Unobstructed

Privacy Issues – None

Wind – Moderate

Soot – None

Problems – None

Comments – Occasional hallway noise as cabin is in a higher traffic area, however it is a trade-off as the location is wonderful if you enjoy the Lido Deck. The outside deck above the cabin was closed at sunset so overhead noise was not an issue at night.

We toured the Queen Mary a few years ago and loved it. One tip: If you haven't already check Groupon they often have a deal on whatever the current exhibit is, I believe right now it is Titanic artifacts.

Thanks! I'll check Caltrans. We mostly just want to go on a scenic drive, do some easy hiking and see a beach or two.

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Do you have specific questions?

Ooo, *Hand up* I do! :)

We will be there in early Oct on the Star. We have a car rented for the day and were planning on going down to Big Sur State Park and/or Pfeiffer Beach? (which I think I read is not actually part of the State Park and requires admission fees?). I saw there are lot of closures and work going on due to last winter's storm damage, any insider knowledge or suggestions?

Ship - Crown & Ruby

Class - Grand

Deck - Riviera

Stateroom # R745

Category - IE

Port/Starboard/Bow/Stern - Starboard/Stern

Connects With Cabin # N/A

Accessible - No

Quiet - Yes - Very occasional overhead chair movement during daylight hours (Terrace dining area - not pool chairs)

Balcony Size - N/A

View - N/A

Privacy Issues - None

Wind - N/A

Soot - N/A

Problems - None

Comments - Great location near Terrace

Ship - Grand

Class - Grand

Deck - Aloha

Stateroom # A749

Category - OE

Port/Starboard/Bow/Stern - Stern

Connects With Cabin # N/A

Accessible - No

Quiet - Yes

Balcony Size - N/A

View - OK. 2 small portholes. The view depends on how clean they are - mostly just provide natural light

Privacy Issues - VERY private

Wind - N/A

Soot - N/A

Problems - Light fixture in bathroom shook lose and fell - repaired quickly

Comments - Ship movement can really be felt this in this room, a lot of vibration when docking.

Let's see if this will work...The easiest way I know to get in (at least the easiest to explain) is to go down the ramp that is on the East side (also the foot of Howe Street). It is clearly marked with light blue "Cruise Ship Passenger" signs, if the link worked below you can see them in the middle right of the screen. On ship days there are folks there directing traffic, tour companies and local guides etc... all there to help.

Sorry - Tried to link to Google Maps, but it is not cooperating. :(

Thanks Jamiski. Did they have coffee service in the mornings by the trade winds bar? What kind of tables (round plastic ) and how many? If I go, going with family (other smokers) and we like to play cards and dice games. Just wondering about the conditions up there. The aft area on the Grand was appalling, very few ashtrays (almost always overflowing). Place was so packed there were times that people had to stand. They had also removed some of the tables from my previous cruise. Just really tired of not knowing what to expect anymore. Thanks

Maybe 6-8 tables? Most of them tucked around a dark corner, often not well tended to. I don't recall coffee service, but in the mornings we stayed in the aft. The bar service hours at Tradewinds seemed very limited. It was an Alaska cruise, I would assume a warmer weather cruise might have longer outdoor service hours.

Sorry to hear about the Grand, they used to have one of the better aft areas as far as size and service went.

I am looking for updated information on the Star. Often the Princess Patters are a good resource (if you can find recent ones) the first page often details the locations. However, the Star only lists the cigar bar and "clearly marked outdoor areas', so not helpful at all.

Can anyone please tell me the "current" smoking areas on Ruby please? Other then the speakeasy cigar lounge. Was not happy on recent Grand Princess that they had taken away the smoking area by the Sea Breeze Bar (told the reason was because of proximity to the kids zone). We had booked mid ship and were always making the trek to the aft. Looking at the Ruby, the kids zone is aft, so am I guessing right that there is no COVERED with seating smoking area at the aft (not interested in the promenade stand up smoking area). Thanks, just trying to figure out where to book cabin or if I even want to go.

As of May 2017:

Deck 16 - Port side of Tradewinds Bar, Midship (Tables and Chairs) - Covered

Deck 17 Starboard aft (One bench outside the doors near the Teen Center) - Not covered

Deck 7 Starboard aft (Two chairs outside Club Fusion)

We were on in May, and all of the pools were open. We only went in the aft Horizon Terrace Pool, assuming it was heated as it was surprisingly warm given the air temps for most of the week. The mid-ship pool was open and often populated with kids.

We have always found the library on Princess to be disappointing compared to HAL, seems by other comments this may vary by ship. We usually make sure to bring some extra reading material just in case.

Our recently discovered favourite Princess tip is the coffee card. If you like a stronger brew it is well worth the $35. It gets you all the brewed coffee and specialty tea you can drink, plus 15 specialty coffees ('adult' coffees, flavoured lattes etc...). Great for the chilly waters of the Pacific.

Okay... got it. The Grand Princess does dock in Long Beach. You can use the Passport Bus .

Thank you! The Passport Bus was what I was trying (unsuccessfully) to remember the name of ;)

Another vote for Riviera. We almost always book R745 or R744 on that class ship, noise is very rare and was totally worth having the access to the aft deck.

Hello.... what is your opinion on the century plaza on Burrard? already booked on August 14th. Whats to see? Any good restaurants? Planning on hop on hop off bus. Thanks

As the other poster mentioned Burrard is a busy street, however it is safe and is not that much noisier than other places in the middle of a city. It is about 3-4 blocks off of Robson Street which is a popular commercial area with restaurants, and about 2 blocks from Davie Street which is eclectic with smaller shops and diverse dining options. Hop on hop off is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

To the OP - I may be bias because the Sylvia is in my neighbourhood, but it is a great quiet(er) area across from the beach with easy access to with world famous Stanley Park. Denman Street is nearby and has a variety of restaurants. A taxi from that neighborhood to the cruise terminal is in the $10-12 range depending on traffic. With the number in your group taxi is probably the best choice, but keep in mind most taxi's in the city only take 4 people even the vans. The city bus would likely cost the same or more but in case you are interested #5 bus is about 2 blocks from the hotel and will get you within about 2 blocks of the terminal $2.85/pp.

As this is LA , I would suggest renting a car. You should port in Long Beach so look for an agency near there. There should be plenty of time to see what you mentioned and perhaps elsewhere on the west side as well. LA traffic can be brutal but you staying west so.not in the absolute worst IMO.

We have booked a rental car for when we stop in LA on another Princess ship the same month. All indications (at least on the Princess website) point to Long Beach for both our itineraries. There are a few major car rental companies near-ish the port. From the best I can tell not really walking distance, but I am hoping the (free? or cheap?) town shuttle we saw a couple of years ago is still around. If not, I am sure a cab will get us there fine.

THis is awesome info, thanks so much! I have 2 teens who will not be up before 8:30 so will set that as a goal

Sounds like a plan! You can always use the bridge cam channel on the TV to get an idea of where you are, if I remember correctly that is the same channel the naturalist and the park rangers narrate on. If you or your teens are feeling adventurous you can go on top of the bridge and watch for the first glacier. Go all the way forward on Deck 15 and use the 'secret door' to go to the deck area above the ship's bridge. It can be really cold and windy, but the view on the approach is amazing.

thank you!

 

Did you get out there around a certain time>

We did this same itinerary the last three years, most recently this past May. You enter the National Park at 6am. Typically you will not arrive to the first Glacier (Margerie Glacier) until after 8:30am, although everything about the Park is scenic especially if you are lucky to gave good weather. The Patter will have this information as well. As another poster noted you will be there just under an hour while the ship makes a 360 degree turn (very slowly). Then you will leave for the next Glacier. The timing of this can very depending on the conditions in the Park, but there will be some time in between to grab a coffee or a snack. We personally like to watch from a higher vantage if the weather is nice enough. We have a favorite area on Deck 16 near the wind barrier between the two pool areas. It is somewhat sheltered from the wind and there is a warm vent ;) I am not sure if anyone else mentioned the Park Service will be in the Skywalker while in the Park to answer questions etc... and there is a presentation in the show lounge after you leave the final Glacier or you can stay on deck and watch for wildlife. We've seen hundreds of sea otters just floating by. :)

To get to the Castro, the fastest thing is to take the F line above ground rail to the underground light rail station at Embarcadero station. Then take the outbound light rail (the K, L, or M lines) to Castro station. This trip takes less than 20 minutes, I think. The above ground F-line is quite slow; the underground light rail is significantly faster. From Castro, you can take Bus #6 that runs up Divisadero to Haight Ashbury. I think it's more efficient to Uber this trip though. I would then Uber back to the ship.

Thanks, I had seen a really old post that vaguely outlined this route. Good to know!

I read that Castro to Haight Ashbury is walk-able but with one heck of a hill to climb. I'll need to look into Uber, we do not have it on this side of the border but I may get an account for just for this trip. Thanks again.

I work at the pier. The Star will be at pier 35 which is next to pier 39.

Thanks for that! We're on the voyage and just did a little jump for joy. A few years ago we overnighted at Pier 27. We love walking but that 1/2 mile or so less a day will save our legs for other adventures [emoji6]

Thanks all for the replies.

As far as Alcatraz goes, we're wanting to go on the island I'm counting down the days for our date to open and will book ASAP. We want to do the night tour and I would imagine the go fast.

I've looked into the day passes, just do not think we'll use it enough to justify especially since we aren't too interested in the cable cars.

Good to know about the bills and coins, and transfers. Our system is set up similarly minus the bills, we're in the land of loonies ;)

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Hello –

We will be doing an overnight port stop in San Francisco this coming mid-October. I am hoping to get some transit advice. This is our second time in SF, the first time we did the HOHO thing. This trip we are looking forward to seeing a few places we missed. Our plan for the first day is to head to the Castro and then walk over to Haight Ashbury late morning/afternoon then back to the Pier (not sure how yet) and go to Alcatraz early evening.

I did some searching and saw that we can take the F streetcar line from near Pier 23 to the Castro. I’ve read that it isn’t the most efficient way to go but it is simple and you get the classic streetcar experience.

We’re OK with walking long distances and are experienced public transit riders (at least a home). I’ve been on the SFMTA site but I am hoping someone can clarify a couple of things. To purchase a ticket for the F we need to have exact change and pay cash on the car? Silly question, but does it take bills and coins?

Any tips on a more direct route (bus, train or otherwise) if time becomes an issue?

Thanks!

J

Rent a car and drive into the Yukon Territory. Most people go as far as Emerald Lake. I've done it twice and it's enjoyable and relatively inexpensive compared to excursions.

I second this idea, we did the Green Jeep last year and are renting from Avis this year. Both are very helpful and provide you with maps and local information.

Report from north of the border. Appears that the reported damage so far has been minimal. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure being inspected. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/earthquake-yukon-alaska-1.4093105

First ship due to arrive there tomorrow.

You can easily do Alcatraz and Sausalito on your own. There would be no benefit to using a tour. I strongly suggest not going with a tour.

 

For Alcatraz, you should buy the tickets directly from the official vendor. The link above is not correct. You must use this link: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com.

 

It is still way too early to buy Alcatraz tickets for October 2017. The tickets go on sale 90 days before the tour date. See https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/faqs-purchasing-tickets.aspx#purchase03. However, you should buy your tickets as soon as they become available, since they do sell out in advance.

 

The Alcatraz experience comes with its own tour. See https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/tour-comparison.aspx. It is a very good tour.

 

It is very easy to get to the Alcatraz ferry terminal. In fact, it is not far from the cruise ship terminal.

 

For Sausalito, I would either take a ferry or an Uber/Lyft to get there. Once you are there, you just walk around on your own. There isn't a whole lot to do there but stroll around.

I second (or third) the suggestion to book as soon as the Alcatraz tickets for your date come up. I will admit I am the cautionary tale that missed out because I did not heed others warnings. We tried for some of the very limited standby tickets available day of, but none fit the port time. On the bright side it gives us an excuse to visit beautiful SF again ;)