Official Seattle information thread Updated 5/28/2014-Oso update

[Caropooh]

We had a lovely pre-cruise stay on the 19th. I'm afraid we didn't do much, after a late night the night before and a long day of travel, Mom and I both collapsed. Especially since the car service was picking us up at 6 for the ride to the Amtrak station.

Amtrak to Vancouver was super smooth and a great way to kick off the trip!

On our return to Seattle, debarkation was very, very easy. Honestly, I liked the colored bag tag method. Also, you debark from deck 4, starboard, so the line to get off the ship isn't stretching down the small walk way through the Promenade Lounge. It just seemed to work better. We did have trouble getting a porter - I don't know if there just weren't enough or we picked a particularly busy time. We ended up lugging our own bags out to the taxi stand (really, a very short distance).

We were really intrigued by the yellow flowers along the highways! They were so bright against all the dark green fauna. Just beautiful!

It may be beautiful, but it's a VERY invasive plant and quite the pain! It's called Scotch Broom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytisus_scoparius

 

[DisSarahK]

We were really intrigued by the yellow flowers along the highways! They were so bright against all the dark green fauna. Just beautiful!

Those yellow flowers are Scotch Broom and are a *major* allergen around here! Visitors always like them, but those of us who live here dread the season when the Scotch Broom starts blooming!

I'm glad you had a good trip--we'd all love to hear more details!

 

[DisSarahK]

I wasn't able to get to Seattle yesterday. Does anybody have a picture of the Wonder in Elliott Bay they are willing to share?

There are a number of great pictures in this thread from yesterday. Can't wait to go see for myself...and to set sail in August!

 

[Caropooh]

Those yellow flowers are Scotch Broom and are a *major* allergen around here! Visitors always like them, but those of us who live here dread the season when the Scotch Broom starts blooming!

I'm glad you had a good trip--we'd all love to hear more details!

Between the Scotch Broom and the "cotton fluff" flying around, it's a bad time of the year...

 

[DisSarahK]

We are bringing our car to the port and parking. The least expensive parking (we don't need a hotel) is at Smith Cove Parking (also known as Seattle CruisePark) in case anyone is looking. The parking is on a National Guard Base and surrounded by barbed wire. I haven't checked it out for myself, but the reviews seem decent. The only negative seems to be that there is just one shuttle van (or so I have read) so it can be a bit slow getting back to your vehicle after you get off the ship.

It is $140 for the week including all of Seattle's hefty taxes to park at this location.. In contrast, I believe it is $177 including all of the taxes and fees if you purchase parking online ahead of time at the terminal--and more if you pay when you show up at the port.

I hope this info helps someone.

 

[Keurigirl]

A Whale Watching outfit in Seattle (claims 97% sightings) is having a kids sail free offer:

http://clippervacations.us1.list-ma...ed12f3aae0725c706a&id=31e146d7e6&e=3b54a040db

Just to review for others, we did this yesterday and I'd give it maybe 3 stars out of 10. I would NOT recommend it for anyone coming to Seattle.

Mostly because you are going to see the very same scenery as you sail out of Seattle... without wasting so much time.

It was a VERY VERY long day - you arrive at the port at 7:15, and we did not get back to Seattle until 8:30pm. It was 9 hours on the boat itself and about 2 hours of free time in Friday Harbor to roam around between the hours of 2-4. You could do so much more in the city of Seattle for that many hours and see much more stuff.

The boat is very small and it was booked full - which means sharing tables meant for 6 or 8 with other people since we only had 4 of us. Food is limited onboard (mostly just snack stuff) - but you spend all three meals onboard unless you decide to have a late lunch in Friday Harbor.

And finally, we just don't have enough whales to see here. You'll see lots of birds and a few eagles, but that's it, really. If you get lucky you'll see a seal. We saw not a single whale in the entire 9 hours we were on that stupid boat.

Soooo if you are coming here for Alaska, don't do this.

 

[mellers]

Just to review for others, we did this yesterday and I'd give it maybe 3 stars out of 10. I would NOT recommend it for anyone coming to Seattle.

Mostly because you are going to see the very same scenery as you sail out of Seattle... without wasting so much time.

It was a VERY VERY long day - you arrive at the port at 7:15, and we did not get back to Seattle until 8:30pm. It was 9 hours on the boat itself and about 2 hours of free time in Friday Harbor to roam around between the hours of 2-4. You could do so much more in the city of Seattle for that many hours and see much more stuff.

The boat is very small and it was booked full - which means sharing tables meant for 6 or 8 with other people since we only had 4 of us. Food is limited onboard (mostly just snack stuff) - but you spend all three meals onboard unless you decide to have a late lunch in Friday Harbor.

And finally, we just don't have enough whales to see here. You'll see lots of birds and a few eagles, but that's it, really. If you get lucky you'll see a seal. We saw not a single whale in the entire 9 hours we were on that stupid boat.

Soooo if you are coming here for Alaska, don't do this.

I'm sorry it wound up being no good--I'm glad you posted the review.

 

[Keurigirl]

I'm sorry it wound up being no good--I'm glad you posted the review.

Well, I *did* get to see the Wonder in port from our boat... so there was that. LOL

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well, I *did* get to see the Wonder in port from our boat... so there was that. LOL

Oh my gosh!! I can't wait!!!

 

[DisSarahK]

My husband commutes by ferry, so he'll be seeing her every Monday--I'm jealous! I don't think she'll be there yet in the mornings...but he'll be seeing her every Monday afternoon.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My husband commutes by ferry, so he'll be seeing her every Monday--I'm jealous! I don't think she'll be there yet in the mornings...but he'll be seeing her every Monday afternoon.

 

[bekkiz]

We were at the Space Needle yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the Wonder in port. Made me so jealous! I hope everyone has a wonderful cruise this summer!

 

[mrp4352]

Those yellow flowers are Scotch Broom and are a *major* allergen around here! Visitors always like them, but those of us who live here dread the season when the Scotch Broom starts blooming!

I'm glad you had a good trip--we'd all love to hear more details!

I will! Once I can get the pictures sorted and "cleaned up", I'll start a trip report.

and thanks to everyone for the information about the flowers! I think we'll just keep our good memories of them instead of trying them in our garden.

 

[momtovandv]

We returned from our Alaskan cruise on the Wonder on Monday! It was an amazing trip! Anyway, I had booked us on a quick city tour (90 minutes) and then drop off at the airport with Seattle Qwik tour (seattleqwiktours.com). It was a fun way to see local sites, get some city history, and take a few final pictures of a wonderful trip. I just thought I'd post it as a potential pre- or post-cruise tour if anyone was looking for one. And the cruise to Alaska was amazing!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We returned from our Alaskan cruise on the Wonder on Monday! It was an amazing trip! Anyway, I had booked us on a quick city tour (90 minutes) and then drop off at the airport with Seattle Qwik tour (seattleqwiktours.com). It was a fun way to see local sites, get some city history, and take a few final pictures of a wonderful trip. I just thought I'd post it as a potential pre- or post-cruise tour if anyone was looking for one. And the cruise to Alaska was amazing!!!

Glad to hear you had a good time!! How was your weather?

 

[midwestpat]

We returned from our Alaskan cruise on the Wonder on Monday! It was an amazing trip! Anyway, I had booked us on a quick city tour (90 minutes) and then drop off at the airport with Seattle Qwik tour (seattleqwiktours.com). It was a fun way to see local sites, get some city history, and take a few final pictures of a wonderful trip. I just thought I'd post it as a potential pre- or post-cruise tour if anyone was looking for one. And the cruise to Alaska was amazing!!!

Our cruise leaves in 10 days, and on that forum we've been debating the temps inside the ship. Did they keep the interior of the ship short-sleeve warm? long-sleeve warm? chilly?

TIA -

 

[LeslieG]

Our cruise leaves in 10 days, and on that forum we've been debating the temps inside the ship. Did they keep the interior of the ship short-sleeve warm? long-sleeve warm? chilly?

TIA -

I usually wore a sweater on board, but I think it's going to be an individual thing. I'd certainly take one along. Better to have it if you need it.

 

[mrp4352]

I realize these weren't addressed specifically to me, but I'm going to jump in - I hope no one minds!

Glad to hear you had a good time!! How was your weather?

The weather stayed pretty cloudy most of the cruise - once we left Vancouver it stayed dry almost the entire cruise. I thought it was cool/cold outside. Endicott Arm day (we couldn't get to Tracy Arm because of the ice) was the coldest. The tv forcasted mid 50s, but when we were outside we were bundled - boots, jackets with flannel lining in, hood up and gloves on. (remember, I'm from Tx which means ZERO cold tolerance!). The next day, Skagway, we left our jackets on the tourbus and were in long sleeve t-shirts for the day. Juneau was the same way, but in Ketchikan the jackets without linings felt good.

Our cruise leaves in 10 days, and on that forum we've been debating the temps inside the ship. Did they keep the interior of the ship short-sleeve warm? long-sleeve warm? chilly?

TIA -

Inside the ship, we were fine with long-sleeve t-shirts and probably would have been fine in short-sleeves, but we didn't pack any of those.

 

[midwestpat]

I realize these weren't addressed specifically to me, but I'm going to jump in - I hope no one minds!

I don't mind, but I'm wondering when you took your trip. You mention Vancouver, which is not on this year's agenda. I was hoping the poster who just arrived from last week's cruise could share, but all info is good - thx!

 

[pixie08]

I don't mind, but I'm wondering when you took your trip. You mention Vancouver, which is not on this year's agenda. I was hoping the poster who just arrived from last week's cruise could share, but all info is good - thx!

The first cruise left from Vancouver and sailed back into Seattle.