NitaBcruising

20 minutes ago, baybeach11 said:

We didn't want to take the excursion from the ship to Mendenhall because the time there was very limited.  We found that when you walk off the ship in Juneau, there's a row of excursion stands on the dock.  There's a couple options to purchase roundtrip tickets for buses to the glacier and all the prices were the same, regulated by the tourist industry there.  I think we paid $45 rt. We chose the white "Glacier Shuttle" buses instead of the blue buses.  They were less crowded since they don't advertise as heavily as the blue bus company and we were so right about that.  Go early!  We were on the second bus to the glacier and it was magnificent to not have noisy tourists in our photos or videos.  No crowds at the Visitor's Center so we were able to see the movie and not be crowded into that snall room.  Do not use the city bus.  It drops you off about 1.5 miles away from the Visitor's Center!  

Thanks!

I read about one bus dropping you off 1 1/2 miles away, but didn't know which one. I'll watch for the white "G;acier" shuttle! 

We have to tender into Juneau, but will try to get an early one. 

I've been a couple times, but I want my friend to see it. 

1 hour ago, Coral said:

The original (and current) company is called M & M and they have been around since I started going to Alaska in 2002 (so probably way before that). They run old blue school buses. Though they have new green buses that they use for their whale watching tours.

 

Yes - there were kids/adults making the bridge sway. It seemed to sway less in the center and was worse on the ends (I thought). Yes, they were brats for those of us who were trying to be brave! 👿

Again, thank you! It must be the blue bus. Bad recall on my part! 

35 minutes ago, Coral said:

I had never been to Capilano bridge before and am afraid of heights but I have had to face a lot of my fears recently so decided to try it. There are still things I wouldn't do there such as the tree forts!!!!! 

 

Sitka and Icy Strait Point were new to me 🙂  and I have been to Alaska a ton.

The bridge is fine, I'm not afraid,  but it's not fun if kids, or unkind adults,  make it sway too much!  One of my friends did this, the brat! Many years ago, we were young,  so it wasn't too scary!

I'm looking forward to Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Haines. 

Oh, last time I  was in Juneau,  we took a local shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier.  I kept thinking it was the green bus. I found a shuttle called the blue bus. I  wonder if I've remembered wrong, or it's a different one. 

Anyone know about this?

I almost never do a ship's tour, so I  try to find a way to get where I want to go!

34 minutes ago, Coral said:

I knew of a Nita Lake Lodge there (obviously named after the lake) - it came up several times in my hotel search. Of course you had to visit!!!! I would love to go there with a car and spend more time up there. I did prefer fall to spring.

 

I had done a YVR to LA cruise several years ago (2008 or so) and a friend had just been to Whistler (Sept time frame) and recommended it. I only spent 2 days there back then but I have always wanted to return and this was the perfect time to do so. I absolutely love Whistler and wish I was in B.C. right now. It is hot where I live. Though I love the Pacific NW part of the US. So obviously I would love British Columbia. I have been to Vancouver many times so it made since to do this and hotels were cheaper in Whistler compared to Vancouver.

 

I can't wait to hear about your Crown cruise. Have a great time!

After seeing your pics, and remembering our time there, I'm thinking a road trip there in September might be a great idea! 

I've also done the Capilano Suspension Bridge a couple of times, but many years ago! Your pics show stuff I don't remember seeing!

Larry used to be a speaker at a Bigfoot event  at Harrison Hot Springs, years ago,  so he wanted to take me there, after Whistler.  

It was a great road trip! And only about a 6 hour, or so, drive to Whistler.  

And thanks,  sure looking forward to Alaska,  especially the new, to me, ports! 

On 6/2/2023 at 5:50 PM, Coral said:

@thesmiths took this gorgeous picture of the Crown Princess in Juneau on May 18th and shared it with our roll call. They were on the Miracle! Excellent photo.

 

Wow! Nice of them to share!

Theresa, thanks again for this thread! I finally got through reading all the pages!

I found it interesting that you went to Whistler pre-cruise! From WA, we did a road trip there, then to Harrison Hot Springs, a few years ago. It was an awesome trip! We hiked to 2 or 3 waterfalls, trails, loved it! Near Whistler is Nita Lake, which we had to go to! LOL!

I appreciate all your advice! Much of it I can use for my upcoming Crown Alaska sailing. 

Thank you for taking the time to share your great pics and experiences!

Nita

11 hours ago, helby said:

You could catch the Skytrain from Waterfront Station on Cordova(not Canada Line to the airport) to Main Street  Station and the Pacific  train station is across the street. There is good signage for the station when leaving Canada Place.. The trains are frequent and the trip is short. You would have to drag your luggage a block or so on either end which may be more than you want to do. The line to get taxis  can  be very, very  long  so I think that  Uber is a better bet to get to the train station. 

Thanks!  Beings we decided to stay one night, we will get an Uber to our hotel. It will be easy to get one to the train the next morning. Certainly, I hope so, to be there by 6 am, eek!

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

I’m sure you know an acceptable route, but I would NOT recommend any tourists try to walk from Canada Place to Pacific Central train station. Best to take a taxi. 

We're walkers, but no way are we dragging luggage any distance! Uber or taxi will be perfect.  Thank you!!!

2 hours ago, martincath said:

Firstly, get the next morning 'train all the way' service booked ASAP - if they are not already sold out, Saver tickets make the train cheaper than the bus and partial-bus services as well as quicker than the latter! While too early to eat brekky before boarding for most, the bistro car does pretty decent and affordable breakfast sammiches as well as Bob's Red Mill steel-cut oatmeal - there aren't any views to speak of until you get close to the border, so the first ~45mins or so is the ideal time to go grab some grub.

 

Second - see if you can book the YWCA Hotel, as it might already be sold out but if not it's one of the closest hotels to the train as well as the best-value hotel in the region.

 

Third - yes, ask your friend what she wants to do if she's never been before! With a really short stay it's crucial to cut the vast array of possibilities down to the ones most likely to be enjoyed by the specific people visiting. TripAdvisor's rankings work very well for all popular sites, as thousands of reviews average out to be an excellent indicator of Joe Q. McAverageTourists tastes... assuming you and your friend know your own tastes enough to be aware how you differ from Joe, it's easy to shuffle e.g. Museums up a couple of places in the rankings and Gardens down a couple or whatever.

 

The only Big Hit you might already know from past visits that is not available this summer is UBC's superb Museum of Anthropology - closed for seismic renovations.

No, it's still available and we agreed to book the direct train both ways. 

Thanks for your suggestions!

It's harder to get it all done, when booking 28 days before the cruise! And I'm the usual researcher, planner, booker, and I  do have other things going on, too! Lol!!!

15 minutes ago, martincath said:

The 9am Bus/Train is more efficient due to less time hanging around in Seattle waiting for the train - and still easily made if you self-disembark. Unlike the train, where CBP preclear pax at the station so you're supposed to arrive an hour before departure, all the buses you only need to show up 15mins early (indeed, any earlier and the bus probably isn't even there yet, still parked out the back somewhere!) because immigration happens at the land border.

 

You could literally walk from the pier to Pacific Central in time! We live just across the park from Pac Central and I walk both mine and my wife's big suitcases home every time (she goes straight to her office or a meeting downtown) - it's only 1.5miles on nice wide sidewalks, slightly downhill going to the train...

 

Since it's July 4th, you'd definitely be home in time for the fireworks (even if you head into Portland for the bigger show here) if you took this departure instead... the later train could easily be delayed enough to miss them.

Thanks for your input!

After getting all the details,  my friend would rather stay in BC for the night and leave on the 5th. Sharing the price of a hotel makes it not too bad. Maybe she hasn't been to Vancouver,  BC! 

So, any suggestions on what to do that afternoon in Vancouver,  BC? I've been a few times, guess I'll see what might interest her. 

I appreciate everyone's advice! 

54 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

Coral has just posted the disembarkation letter for the Crown Princess she is currently on or just was on in the above post #2.  Thought she might know the pricing for the SEATAC transfer. 

Thanks, but I'm not looking to get to Seatac. The bus/train suits us, as we go home to Vancouver, WA, right on the train line! I assume you are interested in if you can get a transfer to Seatac, to fly to and from there instead? 

My question has been answered.  

3 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

Thanks but looking for a Princess transfer to SEATAC.  Flight times for us are the pitts out of Vancouver and SEATAC not much better.  

I have no idea if Princess offers a bus to Seatac. The bus on the Amtrak site is for connecting to their trains. I guess I misunderstood what you were looking for. Good luck! 

Have you called Princess, or asked your agent?

I booked mine from an offer, online, so I don't even have anyone to ask my questions! 

6 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

Thanks for posting this.  Was wondering if Princess had a transfer to SEATAC.  Would you know what the price was and approx time bus arrived at SEATAC.  TIA

The bus at 11:30 is 4 hours, arriving in Seattle about 3:30 pm. I guess you'd have to Uber/taxi to Seatac. We get the sr. rate, there's a place to show that where it says travelers. The bus is booked direct on the Amtak site. 

https://www.amtrak.com/home.html 

Sorry for the confusion, but I did know the 11:30 is a bus/train combo. I've done it before, no biggie. It is slightly higher, but still cheaper than a hotel and train the next morning! 

But, it leaves at 11:30 am, arrives in Vancouver, Wa at 9:07 pm, certainly not late! 

Last Oct we did it going north for a cruise. We had a bite to eat in Seattle, a block or so away. 

I appreciate all the input! 

Thanks again, everyone! I will leave it up to my friend to decide which way to go. At least the option is there!

35 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

OP you can always take SkyTrain to Vancouver airport, then a quick flight to PDX.

Flights are higher than the train, even if we stay one night! 

I travel quite a bit, so tend to check all my options, before booking!

Thanks!

5 minutes ago, nini said:

The metal railings are on the bow. They go a few back from the front on the port and starboard sides too.

Thank you!

We have a BF guarantee, which are at the front.  

I'm sure Princess is still trying to sell some cabins, so doubt we'll know which cabin, maybe not even until we check in! It is what it is!

6 minutes ago, Coral said:

Here is the disembarkment schedule from this week. People were getting off around 8 am (it shows 7:45 as earliest time).

 

I was at my airport gate by around 10 am.

 

 

Thank you so much! 

I was thinking it is doable. 10 am would be plenty of time for the 11:30 train!

Did you take your luggage off? I'll have to ask my friend if she thinks she can. 

I am doing Crown on 6/23 to 7/4. I was hoping to take the train from Vancouver, BC to Vancouver, WA on this day. However, the latest train is 11:30 am. I read on the Princess site that flights have to be 4 1/2 hours after ship's arrival, which would then be at noon. However, we wouldn't need to be 2 hours early to the train, so maybe the 11:30 train will work? I hate to stress! I'll also have to decide if we're up to schleppping our luggage off, to get off early! We are 2 gals, not young anymore, LOL! 

But, staying another night in Vancouver, adds about $300 more. 

Any experience with this? 

TIA!!!

Nita

3 hours ago, Coral said:

Hi Nita!! - 

 

Long time! I think there are some suites with a ship obstruction (aft) but I can't think of any balconies on that class of ship.

 

It is a great itinerary. 

 

Theresa

Hi Theresa! I wondered if any of us cheerleaders were still cruising! LOL!!! Then I saw your post!

Thanks, it doesn't look like any bad locations are left, and glad they won't be obstructed. Although on some ships,  I hear it's just a solid metal, instead of plexiglass panel on the balcony. For cheap, that would do! 

I've done Alaska a few times, but not to 3 of these ports! 11 nights makes it interesting for me. 

Coral, or anyone, do you know if any of the balconies have an obstructed view? I just booked the Crown, balcony guarantee, and I don't care where it is, but hope it's not obstructed! 

I haven't done an Alaska cruise in a few years, so I'm excited to be going. Sitka, Haines and Icy Strait Point are new to me. 

TIA!

Nita

On 11/19/2022 at 1:26 PM, Cajuntraveler said:

We will be on Soltice in January 2023 with an overnight in Cabo San Lucas.  I've been researching tours in the area.  Did you take any excursions in Cabo? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We were on Solstice 11/12. We got off the shuttle in Cabo and there were a lot of vendors selling tours. We took a boat tour to Los Arcos, and they will also drop you at a beach, then come back to get you. Reasonable and a good tour!

15 hours ago, runrene said:

We board the Solstice on 11/12!!! I am super excited!.  I have a bid in to move up TOO! Hoping to learn if our bid was accepted.  I am looking forward to PV.  The weather is supposed to be very nice!

 

Thanks for your Review

My daughter and I will be on the Nov 12th sailing, too! Looking forward to sunny and warm days! And can't beat being on a cruise!

Thanks to the OP for posting! I've been on Celebrity, but not Solstice. 

43 minutes ago, Milhouse said:

Another big thank you from me too, @OrcaGirl.  Appreciated the thread for both the information and entertainment value 😃in prep for our sailing departing this weekend. 

We'll likely book the post cruise bus tour just to kill time too.  

Yep, we figured it beat a day at the airport! Plus, they take us there, so no need to pay for a taxi, too! 

Enjoy your cruise! I'm starting to get excited about mine, right after you! I already started to pack, LOL! 

I used Generali, as that is the company I use when booked through my agent. I called them, but could get it online. $105 for 2 pp. Wanted medevac and luggage delay, etc. Well worth having for so little! Generali has been easy to use, when having to cancel. 

8 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

I think it’s fair to say we did enjoy ourselves IN SPITE OF the tour guide and the missed stop. Bus tours aren’t my favourite thing (the glare from the windows means the photos never come out) but we did enjoy our independent time in Santa Monica and not having to deal with our luggage until the airport. So as a time-killer, it served its purpose.

 

Poor Fox, though. Her flight home got delayed by over two hours due to (get this) a fishing pole stuck in the overhead compartment of the plane. I told her to come to Disneyland with me instead… 🤣

Thanks! We decided to book this tour. Beats sitting at the airport for 8 hours!!! I actually don't care for big bus tours either. but, will do this and hope for the best!

Thank you so much, OrcaGirl, for your report from this ship! I'll be on her in 2 weeks! I enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your great pics! I've cruised Mexico a few times, not my fave, but my daughter hasn't been. We're both looking forward to sunny, warm weather, and just relaxing! 

I am interested in the LA tour, though, as we don't fly out until 6 pm. A day sitting at the airport isn't appealing! Maybe my DD will rent a car instead!  She'll drive in LA traffic!!!