Sandyrella

On 3/10/2024 at 5:30 PM, hallasm said:

Where does your ship dock? Assuming Oceankaj if Princess or Cista).  ( might also be Langelinie if Seabourn)
Two options - by taxi or public transport (bus 25/164 from Oceankaj to Orientkaj and metro M4 to Kongens Nytorv) - if you have time you can take the harbor bus (public boat  991) from Orientkaj to Ofelia Plads. Same ticket for bus, metro and harbor boat.

 

 For canal tour yes - for Tivoli no
 

Thank-you for this great information!  We are on Princess and trying to figure out where exactly we are docking. The harbor bus sounds like a great idea but we'll look into all options. 

We've booked out canal cruise with Hey Captain.  Great reviews!  We are really looking forward to visiting Copenhagen 🙂

We'll be arriving by cruise ship on May 25th and want to book a 10 a.m. canal tour.  We dock at 7.  What is the best way to get to Ofelia?  Also, we'll be going to Tivoli afterwards.  Do we have to prebook tickets?  

Thank-you for all of the great suggestions.  We have a pretty long day in San Diego (8am to 10 pm), so we may end up doing Little Italy for lunch on our own and then do a the Brothels, Bites and Booze tour later in the day.  I'm not against day drinking but would prefer to start an bit later in the day 😉

Question....is La Jolla worth a visit since we have quite a bit of time in this port?  

Edit to add that we really enjoy organized walking tours as a way of learning something about where we are but also for the social aspect of meeting new people 🙂

Can anyone recommend a good food walking tour in San Diego?

There are quite a few listed on Viator but I'm wondering which itinerary is best.  Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town?

Any insight would be appreciated!

Looking for a transfer from Lyon to Charles De Gaulle Airport?

What would be the easiest way to get there?  It doesn't have to be the least expensive.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

54 minutes ago, rodndonna said:

We considered POA for our 1st (and good chance - only) Hawaii trip, but finally went with Celebrity for Sept 20, 2024, It's a pretty good itinerary (4 island, 3 overnights) and is unidirectional.

 

https://gangwaze.com/cruise-lines/celebrity-cruises/celebrity-edge/2024-09-20/12-nights

 

I figure this way we have 5 sea days of Celebrity cruising (which we know we like) to adjust for time zones before we arrive in Hawaii and then can spend an extra night or 2 at the end if we want.

 

Splurged on a Sunset Balcony for this one...😎

We did this cruise in 2018 and loved it.  We place to do it again in 2024 or 2025.  We also splurged on a Sunset Verandah but honestly rarely used.  The port days were so busy and the sea days were very cool and rocky.  

Thank-you for the great suggestions..  I would love to do a tour just to get a bit of information about the island.  We don't like exploring blindly as we always want to learn something about our destinations.

The tour bus from the ferry terminal sounds like a great option, maybe followed by some walking around town and visiting the gingerbread houses.  They look so cute!!

We just got off of the Beyond and really enjoyed Le Petite Chef.  

We had already booked this restaurant for our next cruise but we aren't really interested if it's the same meal and show?

Does anyone have any idea if they switch it up at all?

We got off the Beyond last week and booked a future cruise deposit.  We were told that the 2024 European itineraries would come out in December.

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

Yes Celebrity offered transfer to the airports.  We book the transfer to Newark with Celebrity and when we got off the ship the line for the bus was long but moved quickly and we were on the bus and at in less than 15 minutes.  We saw the long lines for those waiting for taxi's, the debarkation was initially slow because of backups at immigration.  We were among the last group of luggage tags called and when we got to immigration the line was long but moved extremely fast. They had agents at every window by then but it seems that they may not have had enought agents initially.

They had no transfer to LaGuardia but we booked an Uber the day before and walked off with our luggage.  We were some of the first off the ship, breezed through immigration, and met our Uber at the exact time we requested.

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

The  Martini bar you normally had to wait for a drink.  However we had very little wait at the WCB, Sunset Bar and Craft Social.  We didn't go to the Club or order drinks from al Bacio.

We never had an issue getting a drink within a few minutes.  The longest we waited was at the martini bar at a busy time but we knew that they were doing their best.  We got many of our drinks at Craft Social and the Sunset Bar.  We also don't wait around to be served when we can just go up to the bar. 

We'll be stopping in Martha's Vineyard in June and are looking for suggestions on what to do there.

Celebrity doesn't have any excursions being offered yet and this is usually my inspiration on researching independent tours?

Any suggestions?  I know we can just walk around and have lunch in the port area but I'd like to see more.

TIA

2 hours ago, Nitemare said:

There are 2 (TWO) Disney shows on Broadway now.  None coming soon.  Aladdin and Lion King.

There are 2 (TWO) Jukebox shows on Broadway now or soon.  MJ and the Neil Diamond show.  If you want to count Moulin Rouge as Jukebox, then 3.

 

That's 5 out of 41 Broadway stages

 

SO much great and original things to see on Broadway right now.  Just in terms of what I have seen I can strongly recommend the following:

 

Hamilton

Book of Mormon

Six

Chicago

Hadestown

Come From Away

Take Me Out

Into the Woods

1776

Kimberly Akimbo

Topdog/Underdog

Between Riverside and Crazy

Sweeney Todd

 

 

Add in Off Broadway and I can recommend:
 

Kinky Boots

Little Shop of Horrors (seeing this again next week on the west coast)

Blue Man Group

Fiddler on the Roof

 

Is your list in order of preference or just a list of your favourites.  We've seen a number of these shows and want to see something new so we're looking for something great!  We only get to Broadway once every few years but we do get a lot of Broadway touring shows in Montreal.  Right now we are leaning towards MJ but we can always change our minds.  

On 8/11/2022 at 1:39 PM, lenquixote66 said:

I am reading the book about Come From Away:

The Day The World Came to Town by Jim Defede.

 

If anyone plans to read it ,have tissues handy

It's such a great book.  I read it years ago, before the show ever came out.  I'm planning to give my mother a copy for her birthday, with tickets to the show.  

On 7/20/2022 at 2:43 PM, markeb said:

We're making one final trip to The Rock before Come From Away leaves Broadway. We're not going to make it to the West End, and our timing didn't work out to catch Jenn Colella. My wife's birthday (one of the uncounted big ones...) is in three weeks. Catching the matinee, and heading out for dinner at our favorite restaurant.

 

As a total outsider to the industry, I'm a little surprised that a show that seems so successful on the surface is closing. I understand the whole marginal revenue needs to be greater than average variable costs thing. You can only fill the house with half price tickets so many times if you're not filling it with full price and premium tickets as well. Junkyard Dog doesn't look like it's ever had anything run this long, and CFA is the longest running production at the Schoenfeld. I guess theater lives up to the adage that the quickest way to make a small fortune in fill-in-the-blank is to start with a large one!

 

(I'm at least going to look at Six tickets while we're in town. We'll see...)

We saw this show in Toronto quite a few years ago.  It’s in our top 3 of shows we’ve seen.  I was sad to hear that it’s ending on Broadway this year.  It’s coming to Montreal in January so I’m planning to bring my mother this time.  Enjoy the show!!

On 6/11/2022 at 6:23 PM, generichandle said:

I don't know. I actually think Bigelow's Earl Grey is reasonably good. Best tea I found on any ship was Mighty Leaf Cinnamon on (bite my tongue) Celebrity.

I'm an Earl Grey drinker and usually bring my own Twinings.  In the buffet, very often I could only find the Earl Grey decaf.  Fine for my 3-4th cup but it just won't do on my 1st or 2nd.  I started bringing my own b bags to breakfast.

Not self-guided but we are doing this tour in Ketchikan. We wanted a bit of a history lesson at the same time.  https://www.terrystour.com/tours/cruisin-boozin-historic-bars/

We are so confused as what to do.  We are booked with Chilkoot and were supposed to take the bus up and train back.  Now they are offering a tour by bus with multiple photo op spots or a city tour with round trip train.  My worry is that we if we take the train, we will miss out on some of the big photo op stops.  Below is the comparison.  Is the train ride worth the extra money at this point?  It's $110 more per person (approx. $150 in Canadian $$)

 Any thoughts??

Here are the points of interest by bus

Skagway Scenic Overlook
White Pass Trail of ’98
Brackett Wagon Road
Pitchfork Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
William Moore Bridge & Overlook
“Welcome to Alaska” sign
Tormented Valley

Here are the points of interest by train

• White Pass Trail of ’98
• Brackett Wagon Road
• Pitchfork Falls
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Broadway Street
• Various Skagway popular locales
• 40 mile round trip train tour

7 hours ago, pisces223 said:

Is there actually more than one train that makes this trip? How can one company cancel all train trips, yet a different company continues to run them? I'm just a little confused and am wondering if I should do it through the Celebrity shore excursions. Chilkoot had a 6-hour tour, but Celebrity's is only 2.5 hours.

Along with the two tours in the original post, Chilkoot also as a roundtrip train option as per the email I received today:

White Pass Summit Train and City Tour (City Bus Tour and Round-Trip Train)
Duration: 3.75 Hours
Departures: 7:45am, 11:45am
Cost: $159.00 Adult $79.00 Child (12 & Under)
Itinerary: Skagway City Tour, fully narrated and entertaining, gold rush history, board the train for a 40-mile round trip train journey with full narration and beautiful scenery along the White Pass Summit

6 hours ago, Glaciers said:

There are several neighborhood bars/restaurants that get missed by visitors and for the most part we like that. One of our favorites near our home is Some Random Bar. Wonderful food and a bit alternative to the normal bar food.  The crab nachos are fantastic.

http://www.somerandombar.com/

You had me at crab nachos!!  It's only a 13 minute walk from the market and 22 minutes from our hotel.  I may have to really consider this option.  The drink "While I Was Away" also has me intrigued.  I'm a huge Empress Gin fan and a blood orange fan....just never thought of putting them together.  I would love to know what color the finished product is!

On 4/4/2022 at 11:30 AM, Lynne&Barry said:

We are staying at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco.  Is there anyplace nearby to pick up wine for the cruise?

Well, that's an almighty important question!  Thanks for asking.  We would have been wondering the same thing.  Happy to hear there is a  place at the market.    

Any good Washington State wines that are recommended?

On 4/4/2022 at 2:08 PM, psuboater said:

My favorites:

 

1) Din Tai Fung/Dough Zone - I like both - they are excellent choices for dumplings and noodles. Din Tai Fung is a global chain where Dough Zone is more local, but you can't go wrong with either. These two places are where I'd miss if we left Seattle.

 

2) Sushi -Momji Sushi in Capitol Hill is PHENOMENAL. There are a lot of good sushi places, but this is a standout for me.

 

3) Salt and Straw- technically a Portland import and growing nationally, but the best ice cream in the country, hands down.

 

4) Canon - expensive, but their craft cocktails are theatre in itself. On the drink menu, the icon next to the drink description is what it will be served in. Some examples - a glass apple, a metal canon, an IV bag, a Nintendo Cartridge....and more!

 

5) Rhein Haus is a cozy traditional beer hall with great appetizers.

 

6) Butcher's Table - is our favorite steak place in the city. I love the ambiance and their steak flights are worth it.

 

7) Bateau - They were just featured in the NY Times - they pride themselves on using all cuts of meat of the cow - so you'll get cuts that you won't see on most menus. The earlier you can make a reservation in the night, the better- when a cut is gone, it's gone for the evening.

 

8.  Starbucks Reserve Roastery  -- skip the "original" Starbucks at Pike Place and go to the Roastery and Reserve room in Capitol Hill. It's a Willy Wonka of coffee - with giant copper roasters, artesian sandwiches, craft cocktails and unique Starbucks gifts for the Starbucks obsessed. 

 

9. Another Starbucks trick - the Starbucks in Columbia Tower on Floor 40. It's free to go in, and you get views of the city higher than the Space Needle.

 

10. Craft Beer - We have some of the best craft beer in the country because most hops are grown in Yakima Valley, WA. Be sure to try Reuben's Brews, Fremont Brewing, Cloudburst and Holy Mountain.

 

Enjoy! 

 

20 hours ago, coastcat said:

TBH, if you want the local Seattle dining experience, that's carryout chicken teriyaki (sticky sweet sauce, served with rice and either mushy mixed veggies or salad with sesame dressing) from a hole-in-the-wall place. 

 

There are much fancier places, but teriyaki joints are pure Seattle. 

 

Assuming you're flying it, you can get a taste of Beecher's at the airport. Their mac & cheese is so dang good.

A lot more great suggestions!  Thank-you so much.  I will add these to my list.  I love the idea of going to the Starbucks in Columbia Tower.   I don't even drink coffee but I may make an exception for the occasion.

Coastcat, thanks for the tip on the mac & cheese at the airport.  It's my favourite comfort food and have a hard time resisting it when I see it on a menu...and who knew that teriyaki was such a big thing in Seattle? 😊

We stayed at the Westin Harbour Castle in September.  It's a great location on the Harbourfront.  We had a room very high up with a beautiful view of the lake.   It's walking distance to many of the great sights that Toronto has to offer.  The Fairmont is always a good choice but could be pricey.  We've also stayed on the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel which is right across for Nathan Phillips square where the big light up Toronto sign is.  It's a little closer to their theatre district and an easy walk the the Eaton Centre for shopping. 

18 hours ago, Glaciers said:

Pike Place Chowder is good. We enjoy the Clam Chowder at Buckley’s in Belltown a bit more though. It’s a bit of a hoof at 10 minutes from the market. In addition to scott’s list of Michou & Pirosky is Beechers Cheese, in the same general area at the market. They make wonderful on-the-go sandwiches with their famous cheese.

 

 

The problem won’t be getting a quick grab and go meal after you’re inside, it will be waiting in line. Each of these places can have a dozen or more in line shortly after they and the market opens during the summer.

I think we saw the cheese place in one of the Youtube videos.  It looked like they made some pretty fancy grilled cheese sandwiches.  We also noticed the lines for food.   I think we may be winging it based on the wait times.  Thanks for the tip on Buckley's.  We are big walkers so 10 minutes is nothing.  I will definitely keep it in mind.

1 hour ago, Gardyloo said:

I'm going to recommend some places with good food but excellent experiences.  IMO most of Seattle's "best" restaurants (whatever that means) aren't in the downtown core (but could certainly be reached via Uber) but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some unique-ish times.  So some ideas for inexpensive but fun places/meals:

 

Lowell's.  This diner in the main arcade of the Pike Place market (note, no "s" in Pike) is a terrific spot for breakfast, particularly if you've just arrived from the east and are up and about a couple of hours earlier than most, due to the time change and as-yet confused body clocks.  Come early for breakfast (they open at 8 AM) and get a table with a view of the harbor.  Walk the carbs off through the market as the merchants set up for the day, and be gone by 10:30 or 11, after which the crowds become oppressive.  Lowell's Restaurant Seattle | Almost Classy Since 1957 (eatatlowells.com)

 

Marination Ma Kai.  As you sit at Lowell's you're looking across Elliott Bay at the West Seattle peninsula.  There's a water taxi (so called, really just a passenger ferry) that runs from the downtown ferry dock across to Seacrest Park in West Seattle.  Right on the dock is a Hawaiian/Korean fusion cafe, Marination Ma Kai, which has a fabulous patio where you can get terrific mai tais and eat marvelous cheap "street food" like Kalbi sliders, Loco Moco, Spam musubi and other Hawaiian dishes, as well as great fish tacos, etc.  The view - back across the bay to the downtown skyline - is the best in town, and again, if you want to walk off the carbs (or booze) there's a level pathway where you can walk, or rent bikes from a rental stand next door to the cafe, or even kayak, that runs around Duwamish Head to Alki Beach, where you can view passing ferries, the Olympic mountains, and see our own wee Statue of Liberty.  Walking map - https://goo.gl/maps/46dCZzy2GQgPSNrf9

 

Uwajimaya.  You'll note on the map that the start/end point is Uwajimaya.  This is an iconic pan-Asian (but heavily Japanese) superstore located in the International District, a couple of easy blocks from the International District/Chinatown light rail station, and also a couple of blocks from the waterfront.  Inside Uwajimaya you'll find a huge collection of Asian (and western) foods, including the best fish market in the downtown area, a terrific deli for take-away meals or snacks, and a food court featuring stalls offering Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Hawaiian and other cuisines.  There's also a branch of Kinokuniya, Japan's biggest bookstore chain, a great selection of housewares, and all sorts of cool things, (including some weird Japanese snacks to take on the cruise.)  Like Marination Ma Kai, Uwajimaya serves as a delicious reminder that you're on the Pacific Rim.  Highly recommended, one of my "don't miss" destinations for visitors.  

Thank-you so much for the very detailed suggestions.  I love the idea of the Marination Ma Kai, if anything for the views.  We come from a city where summer is referred to as patio season so sitting outside on a dock enjoying a mai tai and some snacks sounds wonderful   Our patios don't have amazing views like that!

32 minutes ago, scottca075 said:

 

See my reply in your other topic 🙂

Very much appreciated 🙂

10 minutes ago, scottca075 said:

I don't know if Pike Place Chowder has the best clam chowder or not, but it is pretty good and Pike has other places to nosh, but it isn't that any individual place is great, it is that there is so much variety.

 

I love DDD, but they don't usually uncover the best places in a city, but beloved local "dives" and ordinary places.

 

Sister's and Brother's is famous for their Nashville Hot Chicken. Yes, you can get it "naked" (no sauce), but then it is just fried chicken. It is the spiciness of the Nashville Hot that makes them special.

 

Other spots of note in PPM are Seattle Dumpling Co., Mr. D's Greek, Wild Fish Poke, Michou Deli, Le Panier (kouign aman& baguette) and Piroshky Piroshky.

Thank-you for this!  It's exactly what we are looking for.  I'll be looking for all of these places on our visit.  

I agree with your take on DDD but that's also what makes it so great.  It's usually places that locals know and love but most would probably just on walk by.  I don't think I need more fried chicken in my life but if hubby has his way....I'll just have to add a lot of extra steps to my Fitbit 😀