Not-quite-Live < limited > cruise journal: QE (Q427) Alaska cruise: 10 night, 30 Aug – 9 Sep 2024 plus Vancouver pre & post

[mking8288]

Breakfast and then ... joint the queue to exit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Host Hattie]

Thanks again for such a great report of your cruise. The amount of detail you included was amazing. 

[mking8288]

Starlink satellite WiFi was amazingly fast, turbo ... super-charged vs. NCL's Starlink already deployed on their ship.  One of the key differences could be the spacing between the wireless routers/top-mounted hotspot in all the hallways. 

 

Uber surged pricing 

 

Fast track using Porter once we had collected our luggage, cut the regular lanes for taxi ... Took us 20 minutes to leave ship into taxi, to Howe St & Head to YVR Airport for rental minivan.

 

[mking8288]

Checking our trip time with taxi, took about 35 minutes from Canada Place to Airport, dropped off in front of Budget car rental office ... passing by key "landmarks" along the way.  Must be something about the Subways here, they are all over the place ... not just McD's and now Popeyes 

 

This is the nearest luggage storage near the cruise terminal on Howe Street, a shipping place. One and a half block from Canada Street, also near the SkyTrain station to/from airport. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost at YVR - that's the Air Canada operations ... blurry photo. 

 

Edited September 9 by mking8288

[mking8288]

After a quick stop to exchange some more Canadian funds at the Yaohan Center, came inside the Aberdeen Center - we first discovered this place about 25 years ago.

 

 

@Sugar Magnolia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

After a quick stop to exchange some more Canadian funds at the Yaohan Center, came inside the Aberdeen Center - we first discovered this place about 25 years ago.

 

I was at Aberdeen Center last year and was envious of the little kids riding around the mall on their electronic stuffed animals.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

8 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Late night buffet looks good, though I'm usually asleep by that time of night. So much for chillin' with @Sugar Magnolia's posse on any trips as I'd be long in bed when they get the party started!

 

We'll see about that...

 

[mking8288]

Comfortably checked into a 2 BR 2 BA high-rise apartment in Richmond Town centre, 1 block from No 3 Road, lots of windows, balcony, full kitchen & washer/dryer, Telus WiFi and indoor parking, for an overnight stay, returning the minivan by 7 AM and then do the bag-drop and check-in for our 10:50  flights. 

 

 

 

 

All our luggage fits in the back with 1 of the 3rd row seat flipped down.

[mking8288]

LaQuainta Hotel - stayed here over 10+ years old, nightly rates in high season ... $250 USD a night, taxes & fees.

 

Cafe Restaurant, HK style - set lunch prices still reasonable, very good prices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afternoon snacks / tea time ashore.

 

[mking8288]

Both UA flights tomorrow looks pretty full and we just finished online check-in a short while ago, eBoarding Passes ready & 4 checked bag fees paid, w taxes - equivalent of about $32 USD per bag instead of $35/$40 when flying from the U.S. 

 

Will be using the YVR Express to skip the line with a 30 minutes time slot to go thru E Gate security, before proceeding to US Customs & border control, before being able to go to our gate. 

 

Hopefully, this will help move us quicker thru all the departure formalities at YVR with our flight. 

 

 

[mking8288]

DW and Sis-in-law spend the afternoon catching up with one of their older cousins, last seen 40 years ago ... and rest of us went along together to have a nice & simple dinner of classic Vietnamese meal, at Pho 37 - with 4 locations in the greater Vancouver area.  Great meal, authentic & very generous portions, etc. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The skylines of Richmond continues to change with these newly constructed high-rise condo apartment buildings. 

 

[mking8288]

Notice that our BnB has pretty fast wireless internet speed - couldn't help but give it a quick test.  Nice 👍 

 

 

[mking8288]

During our last evening onboard the QE while having a light Lido dinner, coughing were in surround sound mode all around us - we ate and quickly left.  Same with the morning disembarkation while in line on.  

 

We got plenty of masks and will likely use them while flying ... after a quick check of the latest public health news & alerts.  

 

Look for a post-cruise review, summary & observations, etc. later this week.  Hash browns were good, smoked salmon were great, and yes, cookies were good ... and, not seeing towel animals didn't bother us. We even gave our steward a free pass to skip our evening services 3 times.  Thank you all for making this another successful & fun review.

 

P.S.  next semi-live report will be over at the Royal Caribbean board here.  NCL will get their turn later.   

Edited September 10 by mking8288

[dexddd]

Post 651 - they gave you an empty plate by hash brown because they care.

 

Abstract, no changes?  On NCL good chance two would be shown, the as booked, then revised based on guest input.

[Sugar Magnolia]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

We got plenty of masks and will likely use them while flying ... after a quick check of the latest public health news & alerts. 

 

Our Mayor tested positive for covid, but that is the least of his worries right now.

 

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Our Mayor tested positive for covid, but that is the least of his worries right now.

 

He might get more than COVID in jail...given his "law and order" ethos. 

[mking8288]

Fast track, all done in 45 minutes from Budget rental, walk to find United gate, bag drop, YVR Express worked like a charm. Clear YS.CBP and now catching our breath near duty-free @8:05 AM

 

Quiet city streets

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 10 by mking8288

[mking8288]

The once Friendly Skies of United and the B747's including the SP's cozy upper deck, old Business Class ... 

 

Our United flight should be closed to on-time, not that but B738Max and this segment on A320's

 

 

 

 

Food court area 

 

That's a Vietnamese sandwich shop inside YVR near our boarding gate. 

 

 

[mking8288]

In-bound UA flight about 30 minutes from wheels down, no weather or ATC issues, should be at the gate by 9:50.  Deplane, quick servicing & boarding a full flight ... going to be a rush one again, Priority Group 2 for us 😉 should help 🤞 

 

 

Last stop inside this secured zone for water, juice & snacks, junk food, etc. plus restrooms. 

 

For your amusement while waiting 

 

 

That's not us 🤗

[mking8288]

5 hours ago, dexddd said:

Post 651 - they gave you an empty plate by hash brown because ... On NCL good chance two would be shown, the as booked, then revised based on guest input.

Hahaha, 1 thinner piece, then halves as 2 and served, plus 20% fees for services.  

 

Sadly, some of the reviews over there aren't good as we saw the trending, and put dirty Harry & company on suspension pending  review. 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

He might get more than COVID in jail...given his "law and order" ethos. 

 

3 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Our Mayor tested positive for covid, but that is the least of his worries right now.

 

With more & more key liaison staff & aides getting raided by FBI and likely others under watch, on top of 1 governor's "former" top community aide also indicated ...one can wish, hope & pray for changes.  Honorable resignations can be a possible, negotiated outcome. 

 

Does this explain why UA is asking for contact tracing info, email & phone #'s when we did online check-in ???  At least, they aren't going thermal temperature scanning, remember SARS days.

[mking8288]

A highly recommended reasons to carry and use a 2 meters or 6 ft. USB charging or extension cord. 

 

 

And, lots of complimentary mobility transport for assistance ... golf carts with AC logo.  "Mind the moving vehicles" and yield to them.

 

 

Addendum - A320 has parked at the gate, pax from DEN deplaning & everything looks good, most likely the same flight crew doing the return run.

Edited September 10 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

Have a safe journey home @mking8288. 

 

[mking8288]

23 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Have a safe journey home @mking8288. 

Sy, thanks ... all abroad, it's a full flight with standby, we volunteered 5 bags gate-checked to final destination LGA, air tagged. Easier with main cabin, flying time under 2.5 hours.

 

Masked up, coughing & wiped, sanitized. Doors closing & armed, cross-checked at 10:40

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Using UA's in-flight WiFi on T-Mo's 1 hour option - about 1 hour to landing in DEN, already 88 deg F at 1:35 PM. Seat belt signs coming on shortly all the way, long descent into landing

 

See that standby list for upgrade DEN-LGA - hahaha 

 

 

Edited September 10 by mking8288