Seattle Q&A/FAQ

[sunneesmile]

Yeah, well, since I have no sons at all, and my youngest daughter will be 22 in just a few months, no Guitar Hero for us.

 

Grayline should work well for you. Are all four of you flying in about the same time---do flights from TX and CA arrive at the same time?????

 

Well, I beat both of them last night! I AM the ULTIMATE Guitar Hero. LOL

 

Actually, Don and I arrive at 10AM on Thursday 9-11 and Yvonne and Brian arrive @ 11AM on Friday 9-12. Don and I are going to do some exploring on Thursday and then the four of us have tentative plans to go to Pikes on Friday, watch them toss some fish and find a brewery or something to have have dinner at. Thr four of us will be leaving the Sheraton together on Saturday to get to the terminal. I belive Yvonne will have preferential boarding, bue Don and I will have to "que" because we are not "special" yest like you guys are!! (bowing down in respect)

[SeattleCruiselover]

Well, I beat both of them last night! I AM the ULTIMATE Guitar Hero. LOL

 

Actually, Don and I arrive at 10AM on Thursday 9-11 and Yvonne and Brian arrive @ 11AM on Friday 9-12. Don and I are going to do some exploring on Thursday and then the four of us have tentative plans to go to Pikes on Friday, watch them toss some fish and find a brewery or something to have have dinner at. Thr four of us will be leaving the Sheraton together on Saturday to get to the terminal. I belive Yvonne will have preferential boarding, bue Don and I will have to "que" because we are not "special" yest like you guys are!! (bowing down in respect)

 

Two good breweries in close proximity to the Sheraton for your consideration. Pike Brewery in the Market (since you will be there any way), or the Biersch Brothers Brewery in the Pacific Place Mall at 7th and Pine on the 4th floor (about one block north and one block east of the Sheraton).

 

Sometime that preferential boarding actually means having to stand in line longer than the "normal" folks (*smiles*). I'll wave at all of you from my place in the front of the line, since I'm leaving here probably before the four of you even get up on Saturday.....:D

 

When it gets closer to time, remind me and I will e-mail you my cell number in case you get lost, since I am taking that week and the next two off of work).

[Mabroom]

We will be arriving 5/29 for our Star 5/31 sailing. Some advice on our plans, please?

 

Arrive 12:45 and head to the Mayflower Park Hotel. Drop bags and check into room if possible. Head to the underground tour. Bus or taxi? Back to room if it wasn't ready. Monorail (or bus if leaving from tour) to space needle. Wander about (ideas?) dinner, and if in the area, monorail back to hotel.

 

Fri...His birthday :) (cruising, airplane and baseball nut)

 

Sleep in late (him) fast look thru at the mall (me) Tour bus to Boeing factory (tickets purchased already) Bus or taxi? to Mariners game..seats at the Hit it Here cafe, (purchased, thanks for the info) bus or taxi? back to hotel.

 

Sat

 

Quick breakfast and head to pier by 10:30?

 

Our first long cruise !!!!

 

Sat June 7

 

Catch Thrifty shuttle to pier 48. Pick up car and head back to Pike Market and a coffee at Starbucks :p . Lunch then off to the Museum of Flight until closing. Drop off car at sea-tac and home.

 

 

According to the website, there is only a counter at pier 66, you have to be shuttled to pier 48 to pick up the car. When I checked the call center, they said you could pick up the car at pier 66. The cost is double that of renting it at pier 48. If they don't have the shuttle, we should be able to catch a taxi fairly easy to there?

 

Thanks !

[SeattleCruiselover]

We will be arriving 5/29 for our Star 5/31 sailing. Some advice on our plans, please?

 

Arrive 12:45 and head to the Mayflower Park Hotel. Drop bags and check into room if possible. Head to the underground tour. Bus or taxi? Back to room if it wasn't ready. Monorail (or bus if leaving from tour) to space needle. Wander about (ideas?) dinner, and if in the area, monorail back to hotel.

 

Fri...His birthday :) (cruising, airplane and baseball nut)

 

Sleep in late (him) fast look thru at the mall (me) Tour bus to Boeing factory (tickets purchased already) Bus or taxi? to Mariners game..seats at the Hit it Here cafe, (purchased, thanks for the info) bus or taxi? back to hotel.

 

Sat

 

Quick breakfast and head to pier by 10:30?

 

Our first long cruise !!!!

 

Sat June 7

 

Catch Thrifty shuttle to pier 48. Pick up car and head back to Pike Market and a coffee at Starbucks :p . Lunch then off to the Museum of Flight until closing. Drop off car at sea-tac and home.

 

 

According to the website, there is only a counter at pier 66, you have to be shuttled to pier 48 to pick up the car. When I checked the call center, they said you could pick up the car at pier 66. The cost is double that of renting it at pier 48. If they don't have the shuttle, we should be able to catch a taxi fairly easy to there?

 

Thanks !

 

OK:

 

Bus from hotel to underground tour. Walk down Virgnia (westbound) to 1st Av and take any of 21, 22, 56 or 57 to Yesler. Tour starts on the northeast corner.

 

To the Space Needle catch a 15 or 18 out in front of the Underground Tour and take it to 1st Av North and Republican. Follow the Space Needle til you get to it, walking through Seattle Center (southwesterly).

 

Dinner: Sport Restaurant across the Street from the Needle. Northwest fusion cuisine, good, moderately priced, and all the sports you could want on TV while you are there. Then go back to Seattle Center House for the monorail back to Westlake Mall and the hotel.

 

To the Mariners game, I would do the bus. Go back to 1st Av and Virginia and catch any of those same buses again. This time, get off at Royal Brougham directly across the street from the Safe. (Dinner hints: Fish and chips, nachos, Cajun chicken sandwich and/or the chili. You have $18.00 per person food voucher.....eat and have fun). Taxis are totally scarce around there after the game. There is a downtown shuttle that you can catch out on 1st Av near the main gate, or you can walk up to 5th and Jackson and catch any of the 4th Av buses (19, 24, 33 or any of several others) and get off at 4th and Pine or 4th and Stewart and walk the short distance to the hotel.

 

You will get there at 11:00 or so, and will be well back in line, so bring your good standing shoes, for cruise check in waiting.

 

To my knowledge, you have to go to Pier 48 to pick up the car. If they don't have the shuttle (though they should, but it will be horrendously crowded, it always is), catch the Waterfront "Streetcar" out in front of Anthony's Pier 66 restaurant. It is free and will take you fairly near to Pier 48 (you will need to get off at the stop just before the ferry terminal, just ask the bus driver to let you know), then walk about 1/4 mile or a bit more to Pier 48.

[bellebaby]

OK:

 

You will get there at 11:00 or so, and will be well back in line, so bring your good standing shoes, for cruise check in waiting.

 

 

What time would you recommend leaving the Fairmont for Terminal 30 if you want to be towards the front of the cruise check-in line?

 

Thanks.

 

B

[SeattleCruiselover]

What time would you recommend leaving the Fairmont for Terminal 30 if you want to be towards the front of the cruise check-in line?

 

Thanks.

 

B

 

I'm leaving at 8:00 am and I live about 3 miles farther away than the Fairmont is. Should be able to be first in line if you are there by 9 or very shortly thereafter.

[bellebaby]

I'm leaving at 8:00 am and I live about 3 miles farther away than the Fairmont is. Should be able to be first in line if you are there by 9 or very shortly thereafter.

 

Just so that I understand Seattle embarkation procedures -The line you are referencing is the luggage drop-off line? The check-in line? The security screening line?

 

This will be my first sailing from Seattle. Would you mind describing the chain of events?

 

Thanks.

 

B

[SeattleCruiselover]

Just so that I understand Seattle embarkation procedures -The line you are referencing is the luggage drop-off line? The check-in line? The security screening line?

 

This will be my first sailing from Seattle. Would you mind describing the chain of events?

 

Thanks.

 

B

 

This will be my first time sailing from Terminal 30, but they follow the same basic procedures as we did at Pier 66 last year.

 

Ship arrives and goes through Customs clearance, then pax are given clearance for disembarkation. This normally starts about 1.5 hours after the ship arrives (ships at Terminal 30 are due to arrive at between 6 and am this year). While they are disembarking, the longshoremen are both taking luggage from new pax and helping the disembarking pax with theirs.

 

The concierge opens at 9:00 am, if you are planning on leaving your luggage and coming back for final boarding later. Otherwise, after you give your luggage to the longshoremen, you proceed to the FIRST security line (which, I'm told, is outside at Terminal 30 rather than inside as it is at Pier 66). After you make it through the first security screening, you proceed to the line where you will wait for check in to begin. Normally, last year, check in began between 10:00 and 10:30 am, and the lines were usually quite long by that time.

 

You will then go inside to the check in lines for the appropriate cruise line (since both HAL and Princess will be checking in at the same time), and get into the appropriate line: US and Canadian citizens, non-US/non-Canadian citizens for general check-in; priority check in for suites and/or high level past pax. After check-in VIP's will be escorted to the priority lounge to await boarding, everyone else will be given boarding numbers and need to find a place to wait for their numbers to be called.

 

When your number is called, you proceed to the SECOND security screening, where you will pass through the metal detector and have your carry on luggage CT scanned, and may also have to be hand searched with the wand.

 

After that, you will be able to board. Usually sometime between 10:30 and noon, depending on how high your boarding number is and how long the lines are ahead of you.

[neecee23]

Can I ask why you arrive so early? I figured on arriving after 12:00 for check in. Do you really need to arrive at 9AM?:confused:

[SeattleCruiselover]

Can I ask why you arrive so early? I figured on arriving after 12:00 for check in. Do you really need to arrive at 9AM?:confused:

 

 

I get there early because I know how bad the lines are from working as a pier check in agent here in Seattle. While it is bad at 10:00 am, it is far worse from noon to 2 pm. Lines have been known to be one hour or more long at those times, as that is when the most buses are coming in from the airport.

[bellebaby]

Thanks, Karen for the description.

 

What is the difference betweeen the "first" security screening and the "second" security screening? Do they scan your carry-ons and require metal detection at both points? Any idea why there are two screenings? Just curious.

 

By VIP's do you include passengers with Suite privileges?

 

Thanks!!!

 

Marybelle

[SeattleCruiselover]

Thanks, Karen for the description.

 

What is the difference betweeen the "first" security screening and the "second" security screening? Do they scan your carry-ons and require metal detection at both points? Any idea why there are two screenings? Just curious.

 

By VIP's do you include passengers with Suite privileges?

 

Thanks!!!

 

Marybelle

 

First screening is usually a document screening only, though you may have to pass through a metal detector there, as well. Second screening is the search and x-ray screening.

 

VIPs do include pax with full suites and high level past pax ratings, but not mini-suites.

[bellebaby]

Thanks for your help. I have a much better idea of what to expect.

 

B

[wrp96]

Can I ask why you arrive so early? I figured on arriving after 12:00 for check in. Do you really need to arrive at 9AM?:confused:

 

 

I arrive early for several reasons. The earlier you arrive the more choice you have in times for things like spa appointments and specialty restaurant reservations. Also, I like to go around and explore the ship before it gets completely full of people - that's a great time to take people free pictures. And on past cruises when I arrived later, it was more crowded and I had to wait in longer lines.

 

Plus I always think of it this way. I've paid for the entire cruise, the earlier arrive the more of my money's worth I am getting.

[SeattleCruiselover]

I arrive early for several reasons. The earlier you arrive the more choice you have in times for things like spa appointments and specialty restaurant reservations. Also, I like to go around and explore the ship before it gets completely full of people - that's a great time to take people free pictures. And on past cruises when I arrived later, it was more crowded and I had to wait in longer lines.

 

Plus I always think of it this way. I've paid for the entire cruise, the earlier arrive the more of my money's worth I am getting.

 

My sentiments exactly......:D

[Lois R]

Hi, I always arriving at the ship early too.....not 9:00am but

usually closer to 10:30:)

Not sure which line we are talking about but I normally sail

Celebrity and boarding doesn't usually begin until about 11:30

so I am always there before that time:D

I guess it depends on what city you are sailing from too!

[sunneesmile]

Since I have only sailed from Florida ports and never sailed from Seattle, I have what may seem to be a silly question. When we arrive by taxi at the pier in Seattle will the luggage drop off be clearly marked? I am sure the taxi driver will know what to do, but in Ft. Lauderdale, for instance, taxis and all arriving transportation other than the cruise line shuttle can only drop passengers in one place and that is directly at the luggage drop off area.

[labrylao]

Ken & I have talked about renting a car for one day in the 3 days pre-cruise period to do the boeing plant and some other things.. but we are trying to figure out what other things. We would like to see more of the area attractions as far as what is maybe outside seattle. (have considered retiring up there in about 5ish years..) Ken is a confirmed tree hugger so he would love to see some more nature. we looked at the falls to the east of seattle. But what else would be a good bet in half a day. remember we are doing the boeing plant tour.

And Karen thanks so much for suggestions. I agree with everyone else. you are paid to little..lol

Lee-Ann & Ken

[Lois R]

Since I have only sailed from Florida ports and never sailed from Seattle, I have what may seem to be a silly question. When we arrive by taxi at the pier in Seattle will the luggage drop off be clearly marked? I am sure the taxi driver will know what to do, but in Ft. Lauderdale, for instance, taxis and all arriving transportation other than the cruise line shuttle can only drop passengers in one place and that is directly at the luggage drop off area.

 

Hi, I like the Port of Seattle:). When you are arriving and looking straight

ahead....go to your right and there has always been a table

set up with Cruiseline people to help you. When you say clearly

marked, I don't recall that but it is very easy to find people to

help you.

To the left is an inside waiting area. I know there is a counter

with coffee for sale. (I think..don't quote me).

I know there was a counter but can't recall the snacks for

sure.

You take the escalator or elevator up to the 2nd level

and that is the waiting area for you to sit in before you

actually check in.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Since I have only sailed from Florida ports and never sailed from Seattle, I have what may seem to be a silly question. When we arrive by taxi at the pier in Seattle will the luggage drop off be clearly marked? I am sure the taxi driver will know what to do, but in Ft. Lauderdale, for instance, taxis and all arriving transportation other than the cruise line shuttle can only drop passengers in one place and that is directly at the luggage drop off area.

 

Terminal 30 is pretty well laid out and all of the cabbies know where to drop you off for handing off your luggage to the longshoremen.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Hi, I always arriving at the ship early too.....not 9:00am but

usually closer to 10:30:)

Not sure which line we are talking about but I normally sail

Celebrity and boarding doesn't usually begin until about 11:30

so I am always there before that time:D

I guess it depends on what city you are sailing from too!

 

Here, X will try to start boarding at 10:00 am unless the ship is late arriving/disembarking.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Hi, I like the Port of Seattle:). When you are arriving and looking straight

ahead....go to your right and there has always been a table

set up with Cruiseline people to help you. When you say clearly

marked, I don't recall that but it is very easy to find people to

help you.

To the left is an inside waiting area. I know there is a counter

with coffee for sale. (I think..don't quote me).

I know there was a counter but can't recall the snacks for

sure.

You take the escalator or elevator up to the 2nd level

and that is the waiting area for you to sit in before you

actually check in.

 

Lois: That is at Pier 66. Yvonne is sailing with me, and we are leaving from Terminal 30. Little bit different set up there. Thanks for the info for those who ARE leaving from downtown, though...:o

[SeattleCruiselover]

Ken & I have talked about renting a car for one day in the 3 days pre-cruise period to do the boeing plant and some other things.. but we are trying to figure out what other things. We would like to see more of the area attractions as far as what is maybe outside seattle. (have considered retiring up there in about 5ish years..) Ken is a confirmed tree hugger so he would love to see some more nature. we looked at the falls to the east of seattle. But what else would be a good bet in half a day. remember we are doing the boeing plant tour.

And Karen thanks so much for suggestions. I agree with everyone else. you are paid to little..lol

Lee-Ann & Ken

 

Lee-Ann: Snoqualmie Falls would be do-able in a half a day on the same day as going to Everett, or maybe take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and go to Ft. Ward Park or some of the more rural areas over there. Plenty of trees to hug, water to see and good scenery.

[Lois R]

Lois: That is at Pier 66. Yvonne is sailing with me, and we are leaving from Terminal 30. Little bit different set up there. Thanks for the info for those who ARE leaving from downtown, though...:o

 

Ohhhh..ok because both times I have sailed from 66 and was

never lucky enough to board the ship at 10:00am!:eek:

66 is next to the Edgewater, right???

[Cruise Leprechaun]

We are staying at the Marriott accross from Pier 66 the night before our cruise which also leaves out of Pier 66. I realize its close but is it close enough that we can just walk our bags accross the street to check in or is it still pretty much of a hike, particularly if we each have 2-3 bags each? I wonder too if the hotel can bring them over for you? Any experience?