There's no place like "Homer"... If you like getting overcharged

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Just got off the Amsterdam this morning from the May 17-31 itinerary. I guess we were the "guinea pig" group:). The excursion desk staff on the Amsterdam are a very professional, patient, capable team. They kept us all well-informed regarding the shuttle and the fact that we would need to pay. This decision was made by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and was not a HAL decision, as I understand it. Yes, there were some glitches associated with 1400 passengers all wanting to get into a small town not really equipped yet to deal with that kind of influx. However, I'm confident that any issues will be taken care of, and things will be better for passengers on subsequent sailings this season. For one thing, the shuttle to all the shops/restaurants/activities on the Homer Spit (where the ship docks) will now be complimentary for all Amsterdam passengers, paid for by HAL.

 

I don't know if there will still be a charge for the shuttle into town, but my sister and I didn't feel gouged by having to pay $15 (or whatever it was) for the 4 1/2 mile drive to the Homer downtown. They use the local school district buses to transport the Amsterdam passengers, so I guess somebody needs to pay for the extra wear and tear on the school buses over the summer. My sister and I visited the Alaska Islands and Oceans Center, and walked along the Kachemak Bay estuary. I highly recommend a visit to the center, which is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

 

http://islandsandocean.org/

 

 

We did some shopping in town, and enjoyed lunch at the Two Sisters Bakery (how could we resist?) We also walked along the beach there.

 

I honestly don't remember seeing or smelling a garbage scow near the ship, but we were in town for a good part of the day, and didn't come back until later in the afternoon, so maybe it had already left when we got back. I do remember that the weather and views from the ship were glorious. We hope to return on this itinerary next year.

[bwater]

This thread is classic

 

$15 to take an old school bus into town, with no ther options- what a scam!!

 

I have been on dozens of cruises- but have not posted too many times here- I hope the character who said wait for more " seasoned " posters for an opinion will not mind my saying this is gouging- It is what it is- and is shameless by HAL- in my opinion

 

ps- $300 Midsize car rental in Seward for 6 hrs is gouging too.. but I was shot down on that opinion as well??

[jtl513]

...for an opinion will not mind my saying this is gouging- It is what it is- and is shameless by HAL- in my opinion

Did you not see what m-a-m wrote just above you?

 

They kept us all well-informed regarding the shuttle and the fact that we would need to pay. This decision was made by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and was not a HAL decision, as I understand it.

[Jade13]

This thread is classic

 

$15 to take an old school bus into town, with no ther options- what a scam!!

 

 

Most mainstream cruise lines do not pay for shuttles into town. This s not SilverSea. Azamara just started including shuttles into town but they are supposed to be premium or deluxe (or whatever is above Celebrity) and their prices reflect this.

 

The OP said HAL was paying for the shuttle along the waterfront to shops, restaurants, but this sounds like a 4.5 mile trek into town and the town is charging. Someone has to pay the drivers.

[Jade13]

Did you not see what m-a-m wrote just above you?

 

Yes, but person who responded believes that HAL should pay the Homer Chamber of Commerce.

[IRL_Joanie]

This thread is classic

 

$15 to take an old school bus into town, with no ther options- what a scam!!

 

I have been on dozens of cruises- but have not posted too many times here- I hope the character who said wait for more " seasoned " posters for an opinion will not mind my saying this is gouging- It is what it is- and is shameless by HAL- in my opinion

 

ps- $300 Midsize car rental in Seward for 6 hrs is gouging too.. but I was shot down on that opinion as well??

 

I have no idea where you are coming from in your comment(s) but I will say this, READ ALL POSTS before you respond!! (actually, I think I do, but am trying to be kind):)

 

I speak from experience. NOW I read before I post. I suggest you do the same.

 

Joanie

[IRL_Joanie]

Thank you middle-aged mom for the truth and clarification!! I am anxiously awaiting your recuperation from your 14 day cruise so I can read your review of this wonderful itinerary:)

 

Joanie

[jperkin1]

I, too, just left the ship this a.m. :( The Homer stop was a bit confusing, but as mentioned, this was the first time there, so I am sure things will just end up going smoother and smoother as the time goes by.

 

We usually choose to walk wherever we are, so we walked to the spit (it's not very far, perhaps a 15 minute walk..), enjoyed watching the bald eagles, stopped in at the Salty Dawg and wandered from one end to the other. We did, however, decide the walk into town was just a little much. We decided to head back to the ship, get lunch, then perhaps make another go at going in to town. On the way back to the ship, a gentleman from town was driving a Suburban with a free shuttle sign taped on the side!! He picked up 8 of us, drove us into town, dropped us off at one of the local gift stores and told us to have a good time! He wouldn't even accept a tip. Do think the people of Homer were looking forward to having a ship dock there, and were a bit worried about how they were going to deal with the influx of so many people.

 

We walked around the town, had a very good lunch at a Mexican restaurant (it was mentioned that they didn't notice an increase in business with the ship there). We walked around the town for another hour or so, and the same gentlemen took us back to the ship. He did mention that they were trying to find ways to help people get in to town, so I'm sure it will all work out as time goes by.

 

I am also sure that the OP will not be the only one who was unhappy with it. So, try and be kind, everyone deals with things differently :)

 

This was an amazing, awesome, too many WOW moments to count. I wish you all the same sunny skies that we had!

[IRL_Joanie]

I, too, just left the ship this a.m. :( The Homer stop was a bit confusing, but as mentioned, this was the first time there, so I am sure things will just end up going smoother and smoother as the time goes by.

 

We usually choose to walk wherever we are, so we walked to the spit (it's not very far, perhaps a 15 minute walk..), enjoyed watching the bald eagles, stopped in at the Salty Dawg and wandered from one end to the other. We did, however, decide the walk into town was just a little much. We decided to head back to the ship, get lunch, then perhaps make another go at going in to town. On the way back to the ship, a gentleman from town was driving a Suburban with a free shuttle sign taped on the side!! He picked up 8 of us, drove us into town, dropped us off at one of the local gift stores and told us to have a good time! He wouldn't even accept a tip. Do think the people of Homer were looking forward to having a ship dock there, and were a bit worried about how they were going to deal with the influx of so many people.

 

We walked around the town, had a very good lunch at a Mexican restaurant (it was mentioned that they didn't notice an increase in business with the ship there). We walked around the town for another hour or so, and the same gentlemen took us back to the ship. He did mention that they were trying to find ways to help people get in to town, so I'm sure it will all work out as time goes by.

 

I am also sure that the OP will not be the only one who was unhappy with it. So, try and be kind, everyone deals with things differently :)

 

This was an amazing, awesome, too many WOW moments to count. I wish you all the same sunny skies that we had!

Thank you for the voice of reason and calming influence. You must be a wonderful person to have on a cruise.:)

 

It does indeed sound like things will get better with each ship and hopefully others will remember that this is a new port for HAL and the people, HAL and Homerites, are doing their best to work out the kinks.

 

I look at it as someone has to pay the price for first time, hope if ever I am in the same situation I will respond with your's and middle-aged mom attitude:)

 

Joanie

[Kween Karen]

I will be in Homer on the Amsterdam in July......just planning of playing it by ear as I didn't book any tours there. Figured I could walk or get a shuttle into town. I don't mind paying the $15 if I have too (free is always better of course!)....this won't be the first port where I had to pay to get into town....though most often HAL has arranged it.

[bwater]

No offense IRL.. I read all the posts.. and it was MAM's understanding that the the Chamber of Commerce charged- and her undersatnding came from..... most likely HAL.. I have seen more posts about misonformation from HAL- They cant even explain why there is sewage smells for yrs on the Statendam.. Ive read 100 different posters versions of why this is so...

 

And to say that HAL is not profiting off this $15.. is IN MY OPINION ludicrous.. so please IRL- before you go off on me- get your facts straight..I do- I suggest you do the same

 

The same 5-10 people blindly defending a company that made a 2.5 BILLION dollar proft last year is actually quite comical..

 

Yes-Im sure HAL protested intensely before this gouge came out- heck- they got a state to change an entire tax code- yes- IM sure HAL is fighting the $15 very hard- some may sneer about cost,

 

but $60 for a family of 4 to ride into town from 4 miles is LUDICROUS..just my opinion

[Loreto]

Just got off the Amsterdam this morning from the May 17-31 itinerary. I guess we were the "guinea pig" group:). The excursion desk staff on the Amsterdam are a very professional, patient, capable team. They kept us all well-informed regarding the shuttle and the fact that we would need to pay. This decision was made by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and was not a HAL decision, as I understand it. Yes, there were some glitches associated with 1400 passengers all wanting to get into a small town not really equipped yet to deal with that kind of influx. However, I'm confident that any issues will be taken care of, and things will be better for passengers on subsequent sailings this season. For one thing, the shuttle to all the shops/restaurants/activities on the Homer Spit (where the ship docks) will now be complimentary for all Amsterdam passengers, paid for by HAL.

 

I don't know if there will still be a charge for the shuttle into town, but my sister and I didn't feel gouged by having to pay $15 (or whatever it was) for the 4 1/2 mile drive to the Homer downtown. They use the local school district buses to transport the Amsterdam passengers, so I guess somebody needs to pay for the extra wear and tear on the school buses over the summer. My sister and I visited the Alaska Islands and Oceans Center, and walked along the Kachemak Bay estuary. I highly recommend a visit to the center, which is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

 

http://islandsandocean.org/

 

 

We did some shopping in town, and enjoyed lunch at the Two Sisters Bakery (how could we resist?) We also walked along the beach there.

 

I honestly don't remember seeing or smelling a garbage scow near the ship, but we were in town for a good part of the day, and didn't come back until later in the afternoon, so maybe it had already left when we got back. I do remember that the weather and views from the ship were glorious. We hope to return on this itinerary next year.

 

I am also just off the Amsterdam 14 day cruise. As stated, the shore ex department was very professional. It was explained that the day the Amsterdam called at Homer, there was a shortage of school busses because the local schools were making up a snow day. We talked to people who said the line was so long waiting for the shuttle busses, that they never went. Hopefully things will go better for future sailings.

 

We chose the Gull Island and Seldovia tour and had a great day of sailing. There is nothing to do in Seldovia as it is not a tourist haven. It does have peace, quiet and breathtaking scenery....worth the trip!:)

 

The shops on the Homer Spit looked intriguing, but we did not have time to explore.

 

The 14 day cruise was great, and I do plan to write a review.

 

Karen

[Kween Karen]

 

The 14 day cruise was great, and I do plan to write a review.

 

Karen

 

Great! I am looking forward to your review.

[maryjomo]

Thanks for everyone's response. Geesh.

 

This was my husbands posting. I chose to work on the ship that day and he decided to take the girls into town. He has had recent knee surgery and is not up to that amount of walking. He was taken by surprise and upset when met with the pay 45 dollars to go into town spiel.

 

FYI: We read up on all the options regarding shore excursions and decided to book our own excursions at certain ports, because we were on a tight budget. This was our 12th cruise and our 4th on HAL. We planned and budgeted for all the stops as we were well aware how expensive Alaska was, and am afraid to say we did not budget for shuttle fees, or ones this high. Tipping the shuttle drivers as we do in Caribbean Ports, perhaps, but 60 dollars for a family of 4 was an expense we were not prepared for.

 

Obviously, we were not expecting to have to pay more than a few dollars if any for a shuttle into town. This issue had never occurred on any of other cruises or port calls.

 

Yes, it was listed in the Excursion Brochure but we did not read it because we had no intention of booking an excursion in Homer, and frankly one does not usually think of shuttle service as an excursion.

 

My experience is that in most ports they want you to come in to town and spend money, so either the shops or community covers it. This being a new port and the first stop, maybe they did not think it through very well.

 

They announced after docking, a round trip shuttle was available for x dollars, but failed to mention that this option, or a cab was the only way into town due to distance.

 

Even for the hardy folks, it was a bit of a walk. We were blessed with awesome weather, so those who braved it were lucky. It could have been miserable on a cold wet rainy day.

 

And a number of the folks who did purchase the service were frustrated as the bus drivers they had would not stop at the shops along the spit. Others waited so long for return shuttles due to the shortage of buses due to them being used for the school kids and ended up walking back anyway. (They had to make up snow days and normally school would have been out and more buses available)

 

With school being out now, perhaps things will run better for the next cruise. Normally I read up on Cruise Critic postings more prior to the cruise than I did with this one, so if the charge for shuttles was mentioned, I overlooked it as I was busy with work. I had less than 20 hours to return from a week business trip and leave for this trip, so I was crazed.

 

The other disappointment was Victoria. We were supposed to be there from 2 pm until 8 30 pm. Not sure if it was the fog but we ended up arriving at 4 and getting off at 4 30. With it being a Sunday, shops closed early. They also had a shuttle, this one costing 7 dollars a person. However, in this case the entire family could take a taxi for 7 dollars, so the price gouging wasn't as bad. We opted for the taxi, again, should have read up on this and realized that shuttle was not free. However this shuttle was NOT LISTED as an excursion unlike Homer, which was???

 

I am very sorry I did not get to see Homer, the folks that went said it was charming, but if you did not visit the museum or book an excursion, shopping was limited, and it was mostly local artists and such. IOW untouched by commercialism.

 

All in all it was a WONDERFUL cruise, just wish HAL was a little more forthcoming with information.

 

In retrospect, they could have used this information in there favor to book more excursions by saying, BEAR IN MIND THERE ARE NOT FREE SHUTTLES, SO IF YOU BOOK AN EXCURSION YOU WILL HAVE TRANSPORTATION COVERED.

 

Anyway, this irritation would not stop me from going back to Alaska again. We loved it. Just expect to pay for shuttles in Homer and Victoria.

[Gablin]

Years ago, shuttles were free, just like tenders. Last September, I paid a rather tiny shuttle price in Juneau, getting off Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody. I think it was about $4 round trip. I was surprised by it because my only other visit to Juneau was on the Rotterdam, and we docked right at the bottom of the hill in town. Rhapsody was docked way out, too far to walk.

 

In Victoria, it was certainly possible to walk, but family members chose to take the shuttle there, as it was very inexpensive, so I went with them.

 

In Skagway, there was a shuttle, but it was silly. You could walk to town faster than waiting to load on a bus, wait until the bus was full, drive slowly down the street, unload, etc. I think there was a charge for it, but do not remember how much it was.

 

The Homer charge seems high to me. It would be nice if HAL (and other lines) spelled out shuttle fees, as much as they know them anyway, in the pre-cruise information we are given.

 

I guess the good news is that wherever you have to tender, it is unlikely that you will also have to shuttle.

[alpal1993]

I am wondering if you arrived so late in Victoria did they cancel any of the tours.we are booked to go to Buchart Gardens from 2-6?

Also in Homer we planned to grt off early and take the shuttle downtown to visit the Pratt Museum then shuttle back to the ship grab a slice of pizza or a hot dog and meet our group for our HAL sponsored tour A Taste of Homer.Hoping to have enough time to explore the Spit stopping at the Time Bandit Booth and capping off the day with a visit to The Salty Dawg.

[NMLady]

I am sympathetic to the OP's complaint. I agree that the information about the shuttle, including pricing, should not be a surprise and should be widely available. The customer service reps at the main HAL office should have this information for those of us who are either considering this cruise or are already booked (as we are). The daily papers on the ship should publish the information. We cruisers cannot make informed planning decisions without it. I appreciate the OP's efforts to distribute this information, while HAL seems to be lax in this regard. ...

 

The shuttle cost and description as an 'on/off' with 5 stops was listed online with the shore excursions and was also included in the booklet of shore excursions given to each passenger the first day of the cruise.

That is probably why the information was not repeated in the newsletter, even though it was repeated on the intercom when the 'all clear' announcement was made.

[mescat4]

Based on info we got on CC and TripAdvisor we wanted to visit the Lowell Gallery outside Homer about 12 miles- We booked the Homer Highlights Tour which visited the Gallery, the Pratt Museum and the Wildlife Center. All three stops were 10 on my scale. The Pratt Museum is an award winner for a small museum and has several outstanding exhibits relating to the history and natural beauty of the region. The wildlife Center featured a Naturalist lecture on the sea life of the Barren Islands which are midway between Homer and Kodiak and are the preferred home of gillions of sea birds because of the high fish concentrations due to unique current interactions. She predicted that as we would pass the Barren Islands at about 10:30PM we would see hordes of whales and porpoises and that was what we did see! But for us, the gem of the Cruise was the Lowell Gallery. The paintings exhibit the work of one artist, Norman Lowell, who indeed created the Museum and his art work while Homesteading. These paintings capture the beauty of Alaska with the vitality and passion that no photo or video can compare with. As an additional bonus, Mr. Lowell was in attendance and very approachable. We had an excellent tour guide- it was her first tour and I'm sure her performance will only improve. The school bus was uncomfortable but the drives were short. If you're going on the Amsterdam this summer book this tour ASAP.

 

Ev amd Sybil

[Travalot]

Based on info we got on CC and TripAdvisor we wanted to visit the Lowell Gallery outside Homer about 12 miles- We booked the Homer Highlights Tour which visited the Gallery, the Pratt Museum and the Wildlife Center. All three stops were 10 on my scale. The Pratt Museum is an award winner for a small museum and has several outstanding exhibits relating to the history and natural beauty of the region. The wildlife Center featured a Naturalist lecture on the sea life of the Barren Islands which are midway between Homer and Kodiak and are the preferred home of gillions of sea birds because of the high fish concentrations due to unique current interactions. She predicted that as we would pass the Barren Islands at about 10:30PM we would see hordes of whales and porpoises and that was what we did see! But for us, the gem of the Cruise was the Lowell Gallery. The paintings exhibit the work of one artist, Norman Lowell, who indeed created the Museum and his art work while Homesteading. These paintings capture the beauty of Alaska with the vitality and passion that no photo or video can compare with. As an additional bonus, Mr. Lowell was in attendance and very approachable. We had an excellent tour guide- it was her first tour and I'm sure her performance will only improve. The school bus was uncomfortable but the drives were short. If you're going on the Amsterdam this summer book this tour ASAP.

 

Ev amd Sybil

 

Wow, thank you. It sounds great. Did the tour leave you with anytime for the Homer Spit?

[mescat4]

the tour did a detour down the Spit on the way back to the ship and left off any pax that wanted to visit the stores and bars there- one could then take the shuttle or walk back to the ship.

[marinermari]

We are on the inaugural 14 day Alaskan Cruise on HAL's Amsterdam. Two new ports for this cruise were Anchorage and Homer. The weather has been awesome and the ports of call breathtaking. However, today something occurred that really bothered us.

 

Yesterday we visited in Anchorage. The town has not had a cruise ship dock in 10 years. The city has dredged the harbor for HAL to bring the ship in. They had news camera crews recording the event, visiting dignataries that toured the ship, signs welcoming us, and a free shuttle service into downtown that ran until 8 30 pm. We felt very welcome and happy to be there.

 

The response today in Homer was quite different to say the least.

 

We are parked at Homer Spit, which is a good 3 miles or so from the main center of town. The closest attractions are some shops which are a miles walk along the water. Being relatively young, a one mile walk is not an issue, but given the median age of folks on our cruise, the majority chose not to do so. Our ship is docked next to a huge garbage trow and the wind is blowing a frangrant aroma onto the decks.

 

Homer, appears charming from a distance, but that is as close as we got. We never got a chance to see the downtown. After my family made it's way off the ship and approached the town shuttles, we were met with the information that unlike Anchorage, the shuttle was not free.

 

In fact, it costs 15 dollars a person round trip, and does not even take you to the shops located near the ship, but rather into town which has limited offerings in terms of shopping. This seems excessive, and since we are traveling with little cash, and certainly not 60 dollars in cash, we were forced to return to the ship or add it to our sign and sail which we chose not to do out of principal. I could see a dollar or two charge as a tip but $15 mandatory a person is to us, extortion.

 

Needless to say, this left an unpleasant taste in our mouths so to speak. (To say nothing of the garbage smell) as we are parked next to the town garbage dump.

 

HAL needs to reconsider visiting Homer, if the only way to get into the town is to hire a taxi or to ride a school bus with a $15/person all-day shuttle charge. We are providing revenue to the town and paying port charges, so why stiff visitors further?

 

This information was not clearly disclosed to the passengers in any of the port information that is printed daily, and when we approached the front desk to comment on the situation, they seemed uncaring, blaming it on the City of Homer saying this was the only option they were given ! In checking the shore excursion booklet, there is a listing for downtown shuttle at 15 dollars per person, but one would not normally consider a shuttle an excursion and therefore it is easily overlooked.

 

SHAME ON HOLLAND AMERICA FOR GIVING IN TO THIS TYPE OF EXTORTION!

 

Because that is what it is. Extortion. The issue we and the other passengers I have spoken to, isn't necessarily the cost but the lack of a reasonable free option, as any of the other ports we've ever visited. This being my 12th cruise,and our fourth on HAL, we've never experienced this before hopefully never will again ! Had we known we could have booked an excursion or made plans for a spa treatment or rented a movie.

 

Our daughters were disappointed, as was I. Several folks have volunteered to sign a petition protesting the fees as well as the only area available to dock being next to garbage.

 

This certainly won't spoil our cruise, but if you are on a cruise to Homer this season, be advised.

 

We were on the cruise with you and completely agree with your views about Homer - the shuttle bus didn't even stop near the Safeway which would have been more use than some of the other stops. We made our feelings known to the Shore excursions Dept and it appears we have not been charged for the "hop on hop off shuttle bus to nowhere". We felt Homer & Kodiak were very much "fill-in " visits to extend the Cruise, That said all the other ports of call the weather and experience in general were exceptional.

[maryjomo]

We were on the cruise with you and completely agree with your views about Homer - the shuttle bus didn't even stop near the Safeway which would have been more use than some of the other stops. We made our feelings known to the Shore excursions Dept and it appears we have not been charged for the "hop on hop off shuttle bus to nowhere". We felt Homer & Kodiak were very much "fill-in " visits to extend the Cruise, That said all the other ports of call the weather and experience in general were exceptional.

 

Yes, I wish we would have been to Victoria sooner too.

[CowPrincess]

We felt Homer & Kodiak were very much "fill-in " visits to extend the Cruise

 

Or possibly an opportunity to see more of Alaska? A less-commercial, less-touristy part of Alaska? For me, visiting Homer and Kodiak will likely remain a dream -- no way can I do the 14 day r/t cruise as much as I'd love to get to these smaller ports. Sorry you felt they were "fill-in" ports.

[maryjomo]

I am wondering if you arrived so late in Victoria did they cancel any of the tours.we are booked to go to Buchart Gardens from 2-6?

Also in Homer we planned to get off early and take the shuttle downtown to visit the Pratt Museum then shuttle back to the ship grab a slice of pizza or a hot dog and meet our group for our HAL sponsored tour A Taste of Homer.Hoping to have enough time to explore the Spit stopping at the Time Bandit Booth and capping off the day with a visit to The Salty Dawg.

 

As to the Homer shuttle, check with the tours desk before you go into town and make sure things are running better than they did for us. I would hate for you to be stuck waiting and miss your excursion.

 

As for Victoria, they just readjusted the tour times to have them start at 4 30. Some of the venues like the castle and such remained open for us. The regular stores downtown closed at 5 as they do on Sundays. Tea at the Empress was still going on, albeit a bit late in the day for tea, and the shops that were geared towards tourists remained open until 6 pm. So you had to hurry. I did not take the Gardens Tour but I know it went on but not sure if they shortened it or not.

 

There were some folks in the Anchorage tours that were also upset with the train excursion. They could not take the original planned 6 hours trip up north and they shuttled them south for a three versus 6 hour tour, and then only refunded 30 dollars or so. Guess there was still snow or ice on the tracks. This should be alleviated soon and should not affect your cruise.

 

The folks we spoke to complained to HAL so I am hoping they got a better adjustment as they paid over 300 dollars for that tour if my memory serves me correctly.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[jtl513]

... but $60 for a family of 4 to ride into town from 4 miles is LUDICROUS..just my opinion

Well, it's $30 in and $30 back ... $7.50/p/direction. I agree that's a bit high (we've taken many HAL shuttles of about that distance and they usually range from $3 to $5 /p each way) but we found that pretty much everything in AK is about 50% more than we pay at home.