Very long travel log of Vancouver/Serenade

[Krazy4Kruisin']

This is going to be a long review, including our activities. I'll try not to go into too much detail, but if you want more, just email me or ask on the boards.

 

Thurs, July 8. Went to Vancouver and were met by our limo driver (I'll give you his name if you are interested) and went to our hotel, Pacific Palisades. Great hotel, right on Robson Street. The hotel used to be apartments, so it is set up as such. Reminded me of Doubletree Suites. We rented a car from Thrifty, about 2 blocks from the hotel. Went to lunch at The Boathouse, then on to Stanley Park. Lots to see here, including the Aquarium, which was awesome. Had dinner at Karin's Mandarin Chinese, about 2 blocks walking from hotel.

Fri, July 9: woke up early to drive to ferry to go to Victoria. It was chilly on the ferry and if you have a tendency to get motion sick, take bonine or something before. Depending on weather, it might be slightly rocky. Went to Butchart Gardens. It rained, but didn't bother us too much. Then went to Bastian Square, had lunch and walked through the street art festival. Then walked down Gov't Street and made our way to the Fairmont Empress for high tea. It was fun, but very expensive. They boxed up our leftovers so we could munch on them later at night. Each person also was given a tin can with 10 tea bags. Took the ferry back and was too full from the food at high tea to eat dinner.

Sat, July 10: Went to Granville Island and had breakfast at the Public Market. Then we walked around the stores for a while. After this, we drove to Gastown and went to Storyeum. This was especially good for anyone with kids. It is an interactive show teaching the history of British Columbia, show lasts about 90 minutes. After lunch, we drove to Capilano Suspension Bridge-a must for visitors. Next on to Grouse Mountain and we rode the tram up, walked around, then came back. Ate dinner at Earl's on Top, which was good. We accomplished everything on our list of things we wanted to do in Vancouver.

 

Now for the cruise:

Sun, July 11: Got to Ballentyne Pier about 11:30. Walked straight into the check-in area. They didn't even ask me to take out my laptop. No one was in line yet, but there was a separate area for Platinum/Diamond members. All others were lined up by decks. Next up stairs to wait for customs. They also called Plat/Diam members first here, so before noon we were on the Serenade. How easy was that???? We walked around the ship to explore, went to get our internet cable, ate lunch in the Windjammer, went back to the cabin and 3 of our 4 bags were already there. I packed way too much, but still had room for everything. The closet is nice because it is divided in half, separated by a column of 9 shelves. Both sides of the closet had a pull-down rod, so you could double your hanging space. Had dinner and we like our waiter and assistant waiter. We also got a coupon book that had discounts for the spa, 2 for 1 photos, free glass of wine, $5 match play in casino, etc. There was a separate book for my husband and myself.

Mon, July 12: Formal night. Loved the escargot. But rest of food has been average, at best. Got forms delivered to our cabin to do the onboard checkin at the end of the cruise. It costs $15 per person, but worth it.

Tues, July 13: Highlight of day--Hubbard Glacier. We were on our balcony for most of it, but then went to the stern to watch. Saw lots of calving, and tons of seals right in front of the ship. Was really awesome. Went to Cruise Critic party that evening, but was disappointed that many people who had signed up didn't come. But I enjoyed meeting GJustice and his wife, since he posts so much. Ate dinner at Chops, was really good.

Wed, July 14: In Skagway- we did the Eagle Preserve/Float the Chilcut River. If you do this, take warm jacket, gloves, hat, etc. You will be riding a catamaran over to Haines and it was very windy. Of course, you could go inside, but you miss some of the sights by not being on the outside deck. Saw lots of bald eagles on this trip and was lots of fun, relaxing during the float part. Becky was our river guide and was very good. After returning to Skagway, we walked around town.

Thurs, July 15: Did the Helicopter Glacier Walkabout. It was so awesome and breathtaking. Bus took us to Northstar Trekking. They gave us windpants to put over our own pants, hardshell hiking boots, fanny pack (with bottle of water, energy bar, small pack of kleenex), gloves and lined windbreaker. You do not wear your own shoes/boots or take your own backpack. They keep these for you at the office. Once on top of the glacier, you will get crampons and an ice pole. We all emptied our water bottle and filled it with glacier water. It was so clear, clean and cold. Tasted wonderful. It was my daughter's 23rd birthday, and I was able to use my cell phone (Sprint) while on top of Mendenhall Glacier to call her back in Texas. Very clear reception. We had a guided tour for about an hour, but it went very quickly. That afternoon, we went to Gold Creek Salmon Bake. The creek is loaded with salmon trying to swim upstream. It was fun to watch them. Had lots of food, besides salmon in case you don't like that. Also had a campfire with broken tree branches and a bowl of marshmellows so you can roast them. After this, the bus dropped us off at Taku Salmon store, where we ordered lots of fresh salmon and king crab legs to be shipped back to Houston. They overnight it so it gets to you once you are back home. This evening was the C & A party. This was the 2nd formal night, but we decided to skip this in favor of Portofinos. We liked Chops better.

Fri, July 16: My DH decided to surprise me and wanted to buy me some diamond earrings, so who am I to turn that down? :p After that, we went to Misty Fjords by floatplane. It was also really cool excursion. We were in a 6 seater plane, including the pilot. When this was over, we went back to town and ate lunch at Steamers, which is across the street from where we docked. That evening, we went to the Jewish Sabbath services, that were held in the conference room. The ship gave us wine and baked a challah (egg bread) for us. Then it was on to dinner, where we had lobster/shrimp night. Lobster was great, the best meal so far. Sort of hypocritical after attending services, but we don't keep Kosher, so it was fine with me.

Sat, July 17:Last sea day. We walked around for a while and bought some things in the shopping area. Many things on sale by today. There was an invitation only brunch for Platinum/Diamond members, which was held in Portofino's. It was very nice. After lunch, we sat on the balcony and watched for whales. The naturalist on board kept coming on the loudspeaker (and through the television) to tell us of whale sightings. Most were on the port side. We packed up for our trip home, but were very sad that the week was almost over. Finally made it for sushi, which was not very good. We also decided to try to get reservations again at Chops, which we were able to do. But first we went to the dining room and gave our gratuities to our waiters. We elected to take advantage of prepaid, but added something extra for all 3 waiters. Put our bags outside the cabin by midnight.

Sun, July 18: Time to go home. :( We ate breakfast in the dining room, then got our things from the cabin and went to the Tropical Theatre. Exactly at 7:30 they started calling out airlines and flight numbers. When yours is called, you take your passport and show them, and they give you boarding pass, luggage tags and a card that you show at the airport to let them know you did onboard checkin. By 8:00, we were off the ship and into the limo for our ride back. Once at the airport, we were whisked through without any delay. Whoever said it was a mess and you had to rush to catch the plane--it couldn't have been easier than this was. Maybe they just have it worked out now. But once the bags were picked up outside our cabin, we didn't have to worry about them again till we got to our final destination in Houston. Going through customs was a cakewalk.

 

Other observations: I had internet in our cabin, never less than 44.2 mbps. I know it's not dsl, but for dial-up, that was very good. I was able to keep up with family and friends and tell them all we were doing. I also downloaded from my digital camera each night so I started out with a full card the next day. We traveled with another couple, and we swapped pictures each night. As soon as I have organized them better, I will post them.

The ship is very beautiful, with so much to do and see. We never made it to eat in the Seaview Cafe, nor did we make any of the midnight buffets. (there were 2) The gym was nice, but very crowded in the morning on sea days. If you go later in the afternoon, it is easy to get a treadmill or bike. There was a hairdryer in the room, 2 outlets at the desk area and a separate one for the hairdryer. The only thing you can plug into the bathroom outlet is an electric shaver. Shower had a shampoo dispenser, but nothing else. Plenty of storage space in cabin. You'll see this on my pictures, once I post them. We played miniature golf once, but didn't do rock climbing.

The weather was unusually warm and dry. It never rained, although in Ketchikan, it was overcast and cloudy in the morning because they had rain the night before. Our Captain said he has connections "at the top" and after the fabulous weather we had, I might tend to believe him. ;)

 

Well, this has been very long, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I probably left some things out that I had wanted to include, but oh well.

[grouchy]

Isn't Cruising wonderful?

[cujosmom]

I have a couple questions....

 

I also have Sprint service and would like to know where else you were able to use your phone (and where you weren't).

 

Is there a charge for the rock climbing and/or minature golf on the ship.

 

Thanks

 

Marty...from San Antonio

[Melissa_A]

Krazy4Kruisin', silly question, but you mentioned the 2 outlets....is there a mirror there also? my friend and I are will be able to get ready much faster if one can use the hair dryer at the other outlets :)

[snoopy_leogirl]

Thanks for posting...your review of Vancouver was especially useful for me because after our cruise, we're going to be in Vancouver for 4 days.

[spinsbabe]

What is the name of your Limo driver? How to contact him/her? What was the cost??

 

Thanks Spinsbabe

[natesfirewife]

Krazy4kruisin'- What a great review! It sounds like you enjoyed the Radiance Class ships in Alaska just as much as I did! I can't wait to try the Serenade for our CC Group Cruise 08/07/05.

 

Marty - There is no charge for the Mini-Golf or the Rock Climbing. Both were very cool to do while in the middle of the little icebergs at the Hubbard Glacier! We have Sprint and we got signals at the pier in Juneau but that was about it.

 

Misty

[Happy ks]

May I please ask what town you were in when you ordered the salmon? I'm too lazy to look up your cruise to find out the ports. Thank you.

 

Your cruise sounds like it was wonderful, I can't wait for ours, only 24 days left till we board Infinity!

[Krazy4Kruisin']

I have a couple questions....

 

I also have Sprint service and would like to know where else you were able to use your phone (and where you weren't).

 

Is there a charge for the rock climbing and/or minature golf on the ship.

 

Thanks

 

Marty...from San Antonio

 

Marty,

I was only able to use my Sprint phone in Juneau. However, I think that if I had signed up for out of network roaming ($10/month) it might have worked elsewhere. You can just drop it once you are back and you only pay the $10. Maybe less if you can prorate it.

 

No charge for miniature golf, and I don't think a charge for rock climbing. But that must be done only at certain hours when staff is there. There is a dress code for that-shorts, certain kind of shoes, etc. They will harness you and give you a helmet.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

Krazy4Kruisin', silly question, but you mentioned the 2 outlets....is there a mirror there also? my friend and I are will be able to get ready much faster if one can use the hair dryer at the other outlets :)

 

Melissa, The 2 outlets are on the desk area, and there is a mirror across the whole area. Plus, directly behind the desk is a full length mirror. So, you can plug the hairdryer in, and just turn around to use the FL mirror. So much storage you won't believe it.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

Thanks for posting...your review of Vancouver was especially useful for me because after our cruise, we're going to be in Vancouver for 4 days.

 

Snoopy, It is my pleasure to be able to help a fellow cruiser.

BTW, are you a leo? I am, birthday is July 31.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

What is the name of your Limo driver? How to contact him/her? What was the cost??

 

Thanks Spinsbabe

 

Spinsbabe,

I just gave his card to a friend who is going in August. I'll call her tomorrow and get his name and number. The driver's name is Peter. I think he owns the company. There were 4 of us and he picked us up in a big van (to hold all the luggage) from the airport, took us to the hotel, picked us up to take to the pier, picked us up at the end and took us back to the airport a week later. I think it was $100 US$ to and from the airport, and $60 US$ from hotel to pier. There were originally 6 of us going, so it would be very reasonable to split 3 ways. But one couple had to cancel at the last minute and we had only 2 couples to split. He might not charge as much if you don't need such a big vehicle. But if you do use him, tell him Elyse or Dee Dee gave you his name.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

May I please ask what town you were in when you ordered the salmon? I'm too lazy to look up your cruise to find out the ports. Thank you.

 

Your cruise sounds like it was wonderful, I can't wait for ours, only 24 days left till we board Infinity!

 

Happy Birthday to you too. Mine is in 10 days.

 

Ordered the salmon in Juneau at Taku Salmon store. It is right next to Mt. Roberts tramway. Infinity may dock right there, if I remember correctly. We have already started eating some it and it is delicious.

[cruisehokie]

Sprint phone- there is a plan which costs $5/ month- used to be $10- which gives you off network roaming for free. Phone must be set to " automatic"- should work in Juneau- Ketch- Anchorage- Fairbanks- a few other spots. Also- you only pay 50 cents per minute to roam in Canada- ps- roaming is free in Puerto rico- virgin islands and 50 cents in Mexico

just fyi - hokie

[Krazy4Kruisin']

Sprint phone- there is a plan which costs $5/ month- used to be $10- which gives you off network roaming for free. Phone must be set to " automatic"- should work in Juneau- Ketch- Anchorage- Fairbanks- a few other spots. Also- you only pay 50 cents per minute to roam in Canada- ps- roaming is free in Puerto rico- virgin islands and 50 cents in Mexico

just fyi - hokie

 

i had read about all this and was planning to do it, but time got away and i never did. at least my DH's phone worked everywhere. he's with cingular.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

What is the name of your Limo driver? How to contact him/her? What was the cost??

 

Thanks Spinsbabe

 

 

The driver was Peter Siew and his company is Richport Limo. 604-220-4959.

I posted his prices on here last night.

He was really good and so personable. Liked to talk about where we were driving, etc. Very reliable-if he tells you he will be there at a certain time, he is there.