Midwestern Cruiser

Lesson learned -- thanks!

This thread has been running a long time.  And there were previous ones before.
This is the first time I've commented here and re-posts seem silly.
Why not just add a countdown to your signature if sharing it often adds to your excitement?
 

Is it common for people to re-post the number of days as a cruise gets closer?

15 .... and 52 .... and 214 .... and 257

I would never pick a cruise based on the ship.
Travel timing may help determine destinations to consider.
Budget can play a role as well.

On 9/14/2023 at 8:41 PM, Gary72 said:

We are on your cruise as noted in the roll call.  We are arriving on July 7 and have reservation at Reykjavik Residence Hotel/Apartments.  It gets rave reviews on tripadvisor....

Thought your 'name' looked familiar, so I guess it was from seeing it in our roll call!

My flight to KEF leaves here (St Louis) July 7th.  Meeting friends from TN in Chicago for the long haul flight, arriving July 8th.  One more day there would be nice, and we haven't booked flights yet, so I guess it's possible, but we'll hit the ground running when we land -- planning a whale watching tour that afternoon, once checked in (wherever we stay).  Doing the Golden Circle on the 9th.  Can't wait to soak in a lagoon.

I really like the idea of an apartment (kitchenette, pre-cruise laundry, wifi) and with four of us, it seems more economical.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I'll check the place out.

16 minutes ago, highfields said:

Can highly recommend Center Hotels. There are two locations in the center of Rekeyavik. One on the Plaza and another on the main shopping area.

Thanks.  Looks like Plaza has availability, but I can't tell which is in the shopping area (there are at least six).

17 hours ago, Reagan0712 said:

So your hotel is right at the airport. Honestly, you’d be better off getting a hotel in Reykjavik. If you are arriving very early in the morning, which most east coast flights do, you’ll be missing out on so much up in the city especially if you are flying in the day before you board the ship. There is really nothing at the airport but hotels and car rental agencies.

I can recommend Fosshotel Reykjavik on Porunnartun street. It’s walkable to the downtown area.

But whatever you decide to do, have a great cruise.

 

Thanks @Reagan0712
Don't land til almost 9am, but planning to whale watch that afternoon, so I now see why being in Reykjavik makes more sense.  Also checked out FlyBus a bit.
Fosshotel is sold out, as is Skuggi as recommended by @Heartgrove
We're actually looking at apartments too.

46 minutes ago, Reagan0712 said:

I’ve been to Iceland several times. You don’t want to go back to the airport. It’s an hour from Reykjavik.

Your best bet is to schedule the FlyBus from the airport to your hotel. Then just get a cab over to Skarfabakki. The front desk at the hotel will order you a cab.

Our hotel is 7km from KEF and provides transfers between the two -- that's why we need the transfer to the ship.

1 hour ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Just use a cab to the ship then. Far easier as it is 45-60 minutes back to the airport depending on where you hotel is. Then that amount of time plus some by HAL transfer. The cruise terminal is a very small building so far easier to show up in a cab than a bus load of passengers.

No -- our hotel is 7km from KEF, but about 50k from the cruise port.

3 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

Are you spending any days in Reykjavik before the cruise? The airport shuttle runs to the bus station and then a mini-bus to the hotel. Streets are tight in Reyjkavik. I can recommend Skuggi Hotel as it is near the mini-bus stop on the green line. Then only less than 10 minutes by cab to the pier.

We are, but have our hotel chosen already and it has an airport shuttle.
If HAL has a transfer, we'll return to the airport to take it -- just can't seem to get a for sure answer.

43 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I recently sailed out of Reykjavik but not with HAL. Taxis from the airport are VERY expensive. Transfers might be a good option depending on the cost. 

 

There is a shuttle into the city from the airport that's pretty cheap, but you still have to get from the center of town to Skarfabakki which, while not a long distance, will still cost you another $20-$30 in a cab.

 

 

Thank you.
Pretty much supports what I'm finding online: neither bus nor train will get you to the cruise terminal (would still need a cab from either depot) and cabs are WAY expensive.
My HAL PCC says she'll start asking others and I'll continue to look at pre-cruise travel on their site to see if transfers become available.

Doing my first cruise in Europe (Reykjavik Iceland to Amsterdam Holland).
Wondering about transfers from airport to cruise ship.
Can't select pre-cruise travel yet and my PCC is not familiar with this port.
Anyone used HAL transfers to the ship on arrival in Reykjavik?
TIA

23 on Carnival -- most on one ship: Imagination and Triumph 3 each

16 on Holland -- most on one ship Nieuw Statendam 4 (soon to be 5)

11 on others -- 5 on Royal, 2 on Princess, 2 on NCL, 1 on Costa and 1 on Big Red Boat

I like 'em all and cruise by price and itinerary.

@cabland

Have done that drive three times & it continues to be my 'best of' Skagway. Without it, I'd rather not port there.

4 hours ago, cabland said:

For Tracy Arm, it was pretty straightforward and my 89 year old "unsteady" Dad was able to walk the "ramp" they had from the ship to boat and vise versa upon return (note: you re-board the ship in Juneau as they have to swipe you out in in the ship.

Thanks for sharing!

Had an "oh, duh" moment about swiping your card to get off the ship ... of course that's how it works 😏

You didn't, @linksgolf -- I've been there enough to know -- but I'm sorry your tour was cancelled.

I've been incredibly fortunate on my trips there.  So far, only one port was skipped and only one bad day of weather (had sideways rain in Ketchikan in 2021).  That's in nine visits over 60 days.  Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good 😊

9 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

I am glad that you found my response.  I should have asked about the mobility challenge your person is experiencing.

 

My father had Parkinson's, and in the early stages of the disease he would have had no issues with moving from the large ship to the Allen Marine vessel.  He certainly could have handled it with a cane or walker.  A wheelchair -- no.  But the platform between the AM vessel and the larger ship is wide and has railings.  So if someone has a vision issue there are railings and no having to quickly step from the ship to  a tender during with swells.  

 

Every Allen Marin vessel we have been on through the years, even if they are more than one level, has restrooms on the lower level.

 

Hope you enjoy your trip to our state.  We think we live in a very special place.

You DEFINITELY live in a special place!  And, if I didn't have kids and grands near me, I'd join you (at least in the southeast area).  This will be my 8th cruise and 9th visit.  Just can't get enough of the place.
The mobility issues are neuro muscular related.  Leg weakness, so walking for any distance is tough, but there are no other problems.  I think -- now that I've heard your description -- getting on and off of the smaller boat should be fine.  Nice to be less concerned.  Thank you!

Thank You! @Northern Aurora

Based on your earlier post, this is what I expected. Guess nervousness just wanted to see it spelled out - and I really appreciate you taking the time to do it (here & within the other topic)!

This is a first time out since dealing with the mobility challenges, so I'm trying to prepare by asking & looking ahead.

CC members like you are why it's such a successful site.

Thanks again!

On 6/2/2023 at 11:02 AM, cabland said:

Juneau Day

- Tracy Arm small boat excursion (as the cruise ship passes the mouth of the Tracy Arm Fjord you hop onto a smaller 150 person boat that takes you into the Fjord and to Sawyer glacier...it then meets back up with the ship in Juneau)

 

 

I'm looking for detail on the small boat excursion (ours will be Endicott and Dawes next week).
Concerned a little about how easy boarding the excursion boat is (any different than boarding a tender?) and whether we re-board the ship in Juneau or exit on to a dock.
Have one in our party with a slight mobility issue and am trying to get info to share.
Thanks so much!

On 5/22/2023 at 7:31 PM, Northern Aurora said:

We have done this excursion off of the Celebrity Solstice in June 2022.  An Allen Marine vessel picked us up from the Solstice about 7 AM.  Essentially it was a tender operation but we didn't use the Solstice tenders.  The two level Allen Marine vessel was able to sail much closer to the glacier than the Solstice could.  We had an excellent naturalist on board who knew when to talk, and also when to be quiet and let folks take in the scenery and experience.  We took a different route back to Juneau than the Solstice, diverting into Fords' Terror (google it).  The Solstice was just completing their docking procedures in Juneau as the Allen Marine vessel approached the Solstice and we walked from the Allan Marine vessel onto the Solstice.  We were directly reunited with the Solstice.  It will be a long day, but you will be able to schedule another excursion/activity.

We've booked this tour while on Royal next week (Endicott and Dawes).
Would you mind sharing more about the boarding and exiting process from/to the ship?
We have one person in our group with minimal mobility challenges.  Is boarding the excursion boat 'really' like boarding a tender?  And is exiting at the end on to the dock (vs back on to the ship) possible?
Thanks so much for your assistance!

4 minutes ago, shipper50 said:

Well at least one read my comment. Thank you very much, oh not to scare you, but I am from Gary born and raised, The Region as we called it back in the day.

Gary is north of my southern Illinois, metro St Louis location, but I've visited The Region a few times!

@shipper50 I've read your comments & know you didn't ask about a land tour (pre- or post-cruise).

Hope you enjoy your 'cruise only' trip! I've done that seven times & can just about guarantee you will :-}

On 10/9/2022 at 4:48 AM, richwmn said:

 

Today is Curious Events Day, Fire Prevention Day, and Leif Erikson Day
 

He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.--Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

Meal Suggestion for today - Manti
Drink of the Day - Cruzan Mai Tai
Wine of the Day - Castello di Gabbiano 2017 Cavaliere d'Oro (Chianti
Destination of the Day - Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis
 

Eurodam

Vancouver, BC Canada 07:00 - 17:00
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Lahaina, Maui Island, Hawaii eta 10/14
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

At Sea Destination Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Riviera eta 10/11
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Saguenay, Quebec Canada eta 10/10
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Honolulu, Oahu Island, Hawaii eta 10/14
 

Oosterdam

Naples, Italy 08:00 - 19:00
 

Rotterdam

At Sea Destination Stockhold, Sweden eta 10/10
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Dubrovnik, Croatia, Port Cruz eta 10/10
 

Westerdam

Honolulu, Hawai'i
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 10/10
 

Zuiderdam

Hilo, Hawai'i Island 08:00 - 18:00

Came here looking for a bit of info and you seem to be the 'go to guy' so I'm wondering what you can share about outdoor movies on Nieuw Statendam?  Times especially, but genres, release dates, ratings and anything else you think notable would be great.
Thanks for your help!

@dhshultz Surprisingly enough, I've emailed Gus Antorcha and gotten a reply (though it probably took about two weeks).  Might be worth a try.

gus@hollandamerica.com