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

[midwestpat]

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

Really??? Huh... okay. Sorry.

 

[Caropooh]

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.

and I believe the last one does the opposite, leaves from Seattle and returns to Vancouver. Also, the weather in Vancouver and Seattle are normally not that different.

 

[mellers]

and I believe the last one does the opposite, leaves from Seattle and returns to Vancouver. Also, the weather in Vancouver and Seattle are normally not that different.

It does go the opposite way on the last cruise--and I will be on it!

 

[NWmom]

It does go the opposite way on the last cruise--and I will be on it!

Very happy for you mellers.

Seattle and Vancouver weather are very similar being only 2 hours apart.

I was on last year's May 24 cruise. We had cloudy foggy weather in Juneau. The rest of the time the weather was sunny and clear.

Inside I was warm as they had upped the heat for those from warmer climates.

While outdoors I saw people in wool coats- while I was wearing a hoodie and a sleeveless shirt.

I brought a dressy shawl along that I threw on if a room was too cool, but most of the time I wore short sleeves or sleeveless.

 

[eandesmom]

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 alternated between a light sweater and short sleeves, occasionally sleeveless (Palo) last August on the Wonder. Inside it's fine but it is breezy at night if you go outside at all and I was glad to have a light wrap for that purpose. being from Seattle we were generally far less bundled up than most (part of the Northwesterners who actually used the adult pool at hot tub...pretty funny, pretty much everyone who did was from the PNW) but Tracy Arm day, any time of the year will be cold as even if it's lovely out...it's a long day outside. Layers layers layers!

 

[Luv2Diz]

We finally booked our August cruise!

In looking at parking, I see that the Port of Seattle lists parking with a company called Republic at $175 for 7 nights. I also see parking a listing for parking with Seattle Cruise Park at a nearby Army National Guard base for $140. It would be nice to save $35.

Has anyone used the parking at the National Guard base? Did all go smoothly?

Thanks!

 

[Caropooh]

I alternated between a light sweater and short sleeves, occasionally sleeveless (Palo) last August on the Wonder. Inside it's fine but it is breezy at night if you go outside at all and I was glad to have a light wrap for that purpose. being from Seattle we were generally far less bundled up than most (part of the Northwesterners who actually used the adult pool at hot tub...pretty funny, pretty much everyone who did was from the PNW) but Tracy Arm day, any time of the year will be cold as even if it's lovely out...it's a long day outside. Layers layers layers!

We were on the August 9 cruise last year and wore shorts in Juneau! We were actually quite comfortable and were very glad we weren't in jeans that day.

 

[mellers]

Teatro Zinzanni sent me the online coupon code vp0612 which is supposed to get you $25 off Teatro Zinzanni shows on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings in Seattle, based on availability and with a limit of 8 tickets: http://www.zinzanni.org/ , if this interests anyone.

 

[DisSarahK]

Has anyone used the parking at the National Guard base? Did all go smoothly?

Thanks!

I booked with SmithCove Parking (the one at the National Guard base--also known as seattlecruiseparking) although we haven't cruised yet. I did a lot of research and there seem to be good reviews for it and references for it on a number of local travel agent websites. The one negative I could find was a comment about it having just one shuttle van so it took awhile to get back to the lot after the cruise was over.

I'm going to pay attention to exactly how far the lot is from the terminal on the day of the cruise (or we might scope it out sometime this summer--we're semi-local). If it isn't *too* far or too hilly (always a concern in Seattle when you move away from the water, then if the wait seems crazy after the cruise is over, we might have my husband make the trek from the terminal to the lot on his own and pick up the minivan and then drive back and get the rest of the fam and the luggage. I think the lot is just 1/2 a mile from the terminal. We'll play it by ear.

 

[eandesmom]

We were on the August 9 cruise last year and wore shorts in Juneau! We were actually quite comfortable and were very glad we weren't in jeans that day.

Oh you had the really nice week! It had cooled off by the end of the month, we were the August 23rd cruise. I had light jackets for Juneau and Skagway, worked out perfectly. Ketchikan wasn't cold but was VERY soggy! I was glad I'd brought both a shell and a rain jacket as I used them both on different days.

Tracy Arm though, by the end of the day we were cold, I even put on a hat arond 4 or so, and I never wear a hat! Then again we were outside for about 6 hours straight, maybe more.

 

[Mean Queen]

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



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.



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.

Thank you! As a Floridian, I also have ZERO cold tolerance. My DD6 yells she's cold any time it goes into the 70's so I have a feeling I really need to pack warm clothes for her.

 

[danacath]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread since my question doesn't directly relate to a cruise, but I could sure use some advice from the wonderful Seattle locals! DS is doing an internship with Microsoft this summer, and the rest of our family will be staying with friends on Whidbey Island (Coupeville) at the end of June. I'm trying to figure out the easiest/affordable way for DS to get to the Mukilteo ferry dock after work on Thursday, June 28 from Bellevue or on Friday morning from Redmond (his apt.) so he can spend a few days with us at Whidbey and Vancouver.

So far I've looked at a bus route (almost 2 hours), a cab ride (approx. $80-90), and a combination cab ride to the Seattle train station (about $28) followed by a Sounder train to Mukilteo. Microsoft will reimburse him up to $70 for a cab ride, so option 2 really wouldn't be that bad. Any opinions or other options out there?

 

[Luv_Tink]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread since my question doesn't directly relate to a cruise, but I could sure use some advice from the wonderful Seattle locals! DS is doing an internship with Microsoft this summer, and the rest of our family will be staying with friends on Whidbey Island (Coupeville) at the end of June. I'm trying to figure out the easiest/affordable way for DS to get to the Mukilteo ferry dock after work on Thursday, June 28 from Bellevue or on Friday morning from Redmond (his apt.) so he can spend a few days with us at Whidbey and Vancouver.

So far I've looked at a bus route (almost 2 hours), a cab ride (approx. $80-90), and a combination cab ride to the Seattle train station (about $28) followed by a Sounder train to Mukilteo. Microsoft will reimburse him up to $70 for a cab ride, so option 2 really wouldn't be that bad. Any opinions or other options out there?

Have him check with Microsoft. They have commuter buses called Connect Shuttles. I would bet they have one that drops off near the ferry dock. It's a perk they offer to employees that he may be able to take advantage of.

And congrats to him on the internship!

 

[mellers]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread since my question doesn't directly relate to a cruise, but I could sure use some advice from the wonderful Seattle locals! DS is doing an internship with Microsoft this summer, and the rest of our family will be staying with friends on Whidbey Island (Coupeville) at the end of June. I'm trying to figure out the easiest/affordable way for DS to get to the Mukilteo ferry dock after work on Thursday, June 28 from Bellevue or on Friday morning from Redmond (his apt.) so he can spend a few days with us at Whidbey and Vancouver.

So far I've looked at a bus route (almost 2 hours), a cab ride (approx. $80-90), and a combination cab ride to the Seattle train station (about $28) followed by a Sounder train to Mukilteo. Microsoft will reimburse him up to $70 for a cab ride, so option 2 really wouldn't be that bad. Any opinions or other options out there?

I would suggest that http://www.eastsideforhire.com/ and double check their rates to the usual taxi companies, but according to my husband, Microsoft has its own taxi company. Other than that, I can't think of any other way to do it. Sorry--I've never been to Whidbey Island.

 

[Nicolepa]

Have him check with Microsoft. They have commuter buses called Connect Shuttles. I would bet they have one that drops off near the ferry dock. It's a perk they offer to employees that he may be able to take advantage of.

And congrats to him on the internship!

This. The Connector will have something that will be close and it's free.

Unless there is something new I haven't heard about Taxi reimbursement is supposed to be for emergencies that pop up nd you don't have a car on campus.

 

[Bunless]

Have him check with Microsoft. They have commuter buses called Connect Shuttles. I would bet they have one that drops off near the ferry dock. It's a perk they offer to employees that he may be able to take advantage of.

And congrats to him on the internship!

Just wanted to also say 'this'.

Also, I love Coupeville. Hopefully they are harvesting the muscles again.

 

[Chilly]

We did the Underground in Seattle and loved it, thanks to whoever suggested it.

 

[danacath]

Bunless, Nicolepa, mellers, and Luv_Tink-- I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks a bunch! DS takes one of the Connect shuttles to work every day, so I'll have him look into the possibility of taking one up to Mukilteo. If that works out, that would be great!

Nicolepa--Just an FYI, the current Microsoft package offers interns without a vehicle their choice of either a rental car deal or a bike stipend to buy a bike. DS chose the bike deal. Because of that, he's eligible for 12 cab rides ($70 limit on each) for the 12 weeks that he's there. (He's really being taken care of nicely by Microsoft.) His roommate has a car, though, so he hasn't even needed a cab anyway. DS said he actually prefers to take bus rides rather than go to the trouble of seeking reimbursement for cab rides. LOL Go figure.

Bunless--Gosh, I hope they're not really "harvesting muscles" in Coupeville. Sounds kinda creepy. LOL As long as you meant "mussels", then it's all good. Whidbey Island looks beautiful-- can't wait to see it!

 

[DisSarahK]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread since my question doesn't directly relate to a cruise, but I could sure use some advice from the wonderful Seattle locals! DS is doing an internship with Microsoft this summer, and the rest of our family will be staying with friends on Whidbey Island (Coupeville) at the end of June. I'm trying to figure out the easiest/affordable way for DS to get to the Mukilteo ferry dock after work on Thursday, June 28 from Bellevue or on Friday morning from Redmond (his apt.) so he can spend a few days with us at Whidbey and Vancouver.

So far I've looked at a bus route (almost 2 hours), a cab ride (approx. $80-90), and a combination cab ride to the Seattle train station (about $28) followed by a Sounder train to Mukilteo. Microsoft will reimburse him up to $70 for a cab ride, so option 2 really wouldn't be that bad. Any opinions or other options out there?

Also have him look into the vanpools that run from Microsoft to the Mukilteo ferry dock. The vanpools usually are well-established (and people pay to be a member) but if there is an empty seat, they'll often let someone ride for a low cost or for free if it is a one-time shot. My husband's vanpool usually charges five dollars for a one-time ride--unfortunately his vanpool is from a different large company to the Seattle ferry terminal so that wouldn't work for your son.

I guarantee there are vanpools that run between Microsoft and the Mukilteo dock. Microsoft may have a transportation office than can get him info on the existing vanpools, or he can contact the various transit agencies for their vanpools that run from his office.

 

[DisSarahK]

For those cruising the first week in July, if you are in town on the Saturday before your cruise, the Seattle Symphony (located right in downtown Seattle at Benaroya Hall) is putting on a Disney in Concert musical selection. It sounds fabulous and surely would get you in the mood to cruise! And, btw, the symphony (especially the afternoon performance) in Seattle is a fairly casual affair.