crusinthrough

I also hope there is seating at the bar. Getting a drink from the bar is not the same.

I would love this. You use your cell phone for GPS information on Amtrak. Honestly, it's the economy version of train travel.

I recently found out HAL is HQ in Seattle. Ironically, two different waiters asked me if I was Corporate. Staff must expect to see corporate folks on the 1N itineraries. It may make them nervous.

Thank you! Amtrak should have points of interest maps for each route. This way you what time to look out the window and what you are seeing.

If there was a way I could have stayed on for the 4N I would have. Due to the PSVA rule I could not. I agree I needed those extra nights to try more.. I gave it my best.

I'm not opposed to giving HAL another try. It just wouldn't be my first choice. Mainly because I commit to one cruise line at a time until I achieve a certain loyalty level. However, for the right price on a longer and new ship, I would definitely consider HAL. The crew really did seem over worked and overwhelmed especially in the MDR.

Recently booked the Summit. Following along

Overall, it was a nice way to explore a new cruise line and Vancouver. The weather was perfect for the two days. I have no real complaints, but I probably will not rush to book another HA cruise. The casino being closed on this sailing was a bummer and the food was nothing speculator. Truthfully, food quality is declining on all cruises lines since the restart after the pandemic. I'm sure the experience is different on a longer itinerary. I also did a 3N Princess r/t Seattle cruise recently. The casino was opened part of the trip. 3N was perfect to relax and get away. I can probably do a 2N as well but 1N felt short. An advantage of short cruises is that they are a less expensive and quicker way to build loyalty status on cruise lines.

Somewhere between Vancouver and WA.

Vancouver I left my luggage at the valet desk for the Pan Pacific hotel located in Canada Place (Port of Vancouver). It costs $5 a bag (Canadian or USD cash only). Walked around Vancouver for the day hitting some major tourist attractions. I took the SkyTrain from the Waterfront station at Canada Place to Main Street - Science World station (4 stops). It cost around $4. I walked a half block to the Pacific Central train station and caught the late Amtrak train to Seattle ($50 for coach). Amtrak was on time with no delays along the way. It was a scenic and quite four hour train ride.

Disembark There was a surprise Canadian inspection the morning we disembarked, and the last call to disembark was 9:30 am. Of course, you had to keep your luggage with you. Breakfast was available in the Lido Market (buffet) and MDR. HA saved the winding gangway for the departure. Going down is much easier than going up. Customs in Vancouver was efficient and fast. Handed a Canadian Customs Officer a Canadian declaration form and kept walking.

This bar wasn't popular. I believe it was the Ocean Bar.

The Daily

Entertainment Comedian: He was moderately entertaining to me BB King’s Blues Club: This was the hot spot in the evening. A live band played 3x for one hour sessions. It was crowded. Billboard Onboard: a dual piano bar playing the top 100 by request. The two pianists were really good. I enjoyed the few songs I heard.

I would consider this a good option to avoid international flight. I agree. Vancouver itineraries are better than Seattle. Seattle itineraries are limited. They are usually to Vancouver or Victoria and Alaska. I wouldn't consider it a cruise but a one night get away, Tamarind seemed like the best option for something different than the typical Italian and steak restaurants on cruise lines. I tried 😂. Cruising was definitely a better option than flying and a lot less hectic. With less than 24 hours, there is no time for grass to grow under your feet. You have to be read to party from embark. 🙂

I did not see pizza in the Lido Market but I wasn't looking either. You are correct. it was the New York Pizza venue on deck 8 aft near the Sea View pool.

For dinner I ordered shrimp tempura, lobster shrimp potstickers and panning red curry coconut chicken. I enjoyed all the dishes. The cucumber mojito cocktail was excellent.

I took a nap and missed anything that happened before 8:30 pm. I ate dinner in Tamarind (Pan Asian cuisine). I noticed the pre cruise price for the restaurant increased by $10 in the cruise planner. I'm not sure if the increase is permanent or because pricing is dynamic and increased closer to sailing.

Casino notice

Nice view of Seattle from deck 9

The weather was nice and people were sitting outside on deck 9 in the Seaview pool area. These non dishwasher safe cups were around $13 without alcohol or it could be filled with a pre made alcoholic beverage for $17.

Since I am on dining, I’ll mention breakfast. It was better but the service was as slow as lunch. People were getting agitated waiting. I saw a few people walk out because they only received a cup of coffee in an hour. I ordered OJ and never received it. I was surprised by the one piece of bacon.

I heard good things about HA pizza. I tried a piece after my salad. It wasn't the best or worst cruise pizza I had. Princess is still my favorite.

Dining - hit and misses. There was nothing memorable. Since it was only one night, I did not have the chance to try a lot. The MDR was opened for lunch on boarding day. Princess also has this option, which I like. It's a nice way to start a cruise. Unfortunately, lunch service was slow and wasn’t satisfying. The Beecher's Mac and Cheese was nothing short of awful. I did not like the tomato aioli or bacon jam on the cheeseburger. I ventured up to the buffet. It was crowded but because it was late seating was not a problem. had a made to order salad, which was good.

Elevators - The middle set of elevators has three different elevators banks. You have to request each elevator bank separately, which is annoying. There is no good place to stand to get to all elevators quickly. Just be prepared to move quickly when the doors open. Elevators were small and could get cramped quickly. The rug is pretty much the interior of the elevators.