Seattle & Alaskan Cruise Tips!

[auntlynne]

First, congratulations and fingers crossed!

I am booked for mid September on NCL Encore to AK, so am in that same boat of planning. I have the advantage of having cruises to AK 4 times already; it really can be a repeatable destination for those who love it. This is my first NCL trip.

Are you departing from Pier 66 area (NCL) or on Princess (pier is further north)?

I live in Seattle and worked downtown before pandemic. Cedarbrooke Lodge is a very nice hotel near the airport. Not much to do around there but it’s a lovely place to relax after a late/early flight. Haven’t stayed downtown but I think Marriott and Edgewater are close to where you want to be. Be cautious walking around downtown especially around Pike/3rd. Love my city but with so many office workers still remote and tourism down, it’s a little sketchy right now.

Cedarbrooke Lodge is a lovely, peaceful resort that truly deserves to be a destination. I arrived late and left early when I stayed. I felt that didn’t do it justice. They have a lovely car service (complimentary) for the airport.

I am cost-driven for planning, so any recommendation I make has that bias. Then I compensate and throw that out the window on other aspects.

1. if you haven’t bought airline tickets, drop everything and do that now. Prices for September just jumped while I was looking at the Delta site two days ago. All news reporting has been saying to buy as early as possible.

Southwest still shows decent pricing. Great if you live near a city they service. I fly Delta due to loyalty and schedules. I’m close enough to Atlanta that connecting thru it is only a short hop from my hometown. We don’t fly AA due to a family history of plane issues nearly every trip. But I love DFW for dining options. I digress.... but seriously, buy your tickets now.

2. High-end hotel, mid-range...? I am booked at the Hyatt Regency. One night king bed, AAA rate for $177 total for a Friday night. I am sleeping, showering, and getting on the ship the next day.

Thanks posters regarding the current safety issues in Seattle. I picked this hotel due to walkability from the Westlake light rail station (ride from SeaTac).

I am planning on going to Pike Place, walking.

3. My niece and I did the Space Needle + Chihuly exhibit (Combo ticket). We were already Chihuly fans from the original chandeliers on the Magic and Wonder.

.... Seattle is a hilly city. Somewhat like San Francisco.

I would have called the entire pier area sketchy. But there are reputable restaurants along the water.

Going back to your original post to see what you were asking...

 

[auntlynne]

Southwest sale until tomorrow. includes flights starting Sep 15. Better prices on earlier days in September in some cases.

 

[auntlynne]

Ditto @Cheburashka re: Island Wings. Michelle is the owner/ pilot. She flew us over the Tongass Forrest and landed the float plane on a glacier-formed lake. So peaceful. Small plane, five tourists. Not unexpected, it made me queasy. But worth it. We booked directly with her. Short walk from ship to waterside office/dock.

 

[auntlynne]

Our adventure with Island Wings (Ketchikan)

 

[auntlynne]

Juneau - We have visited Mendenhall Glacier each of our 4 times there.

First, with DCL - whale watching + M Glacier.
2. Photo safari whale watching + M Glacier
3. cruise-sponsored M Glacier
4. Blue bus to M glacier (price is now $45 pp RT; used to be cheaper for a pretty good deal).

Some people ride the local bus for $2 each way, it a lot of time gets wasted that way, and it drops you off about a mile away.

I love the photo safari whale watching, due to the boat. Any tour that uses the lower profile boat that is small, near to the water, with lots of glass provides a great vantage point to the experience.

I think our boat was the same as the one in our picture.


Lovely Mendenhall Glacier. It is receding at an alarming rate.



We ate outside at Alaska Fish & Chips. Halibut is definitely a nicer fish than cod. cant say it’s the best place, since we didn’t try any others (yet).

 

[kelymo]

First, congratulations and fingers crossed!

I am booked for mid September on NCL Encore to AK, so am in that same boat of planning. I have the advantage of having cruises to AK 4 times already; it really can be a repeatable destination for those who love it. This is my first NCL trip.

Are you departing from Pier 66 area (NCL) or on Princess (pier is further north)?



Cedarbrooke Lodge is a lovely, peaceful resort that truly deserves to be a destination. I arrived late and left early when I stayed. I felt that didn’t do it justice. They have a lovely car service (complimentary) for the airport.

I am cost-driven for planning, so any recommendation I make has that bias. Then I compensate and throw that out the window on other aspects.

1. if you haven’t bought airline tickets, drop everything and do that now. Prices for September just jumped while I was looking at the Delta site two days ago. All news reporting has been saying to buy as early as possible.

Southwest still shows decent pricing. Great if you live near a city they service. I fly Delta due to loyalty and schedules. I’m close enough to Atlanta that connecting thru it is only a short hop from my hometown. We don’t fly AA due to a family history of plane issues nearly every trip. But I love DFW for dining options. I digress.... but seriously, buy your tickets now.

2. High-end hotel, mid-range...? I am booked at the Hyatt Regency. One night king bed, AAA rate for $177 total for a Friday night. I am sleeping, showering, and getting on the ship the next day.

Thanks posters regarding the current safety issues in Seattle. I picked this hotel due to walkability from the Westlake light rail station (ride from SeaTac).

I am planning on going to Pike Place, walking.

3. My niece and I did the Space Needle + Chihuly exhibit (Combo ticket). We were already Chihuly fans from the original chandeliers on the Magic and Wonder.

.... Seattle is a hilly city. Somewhat like San Francisco.

I would have called the entire pier area sketchy. But there are reputable restaurants along the water.

Going back to your original post to see what you were asking...

I should qualify my response - the restaurants and stores themselves downtown Seattle aren’t sketchy. I don’t want to hurt any of their businesses because you can certainly find some fantastic meals and unique gifts downtown, especially around Pike Place Market. I’d just walk with purpose in the areas around Pike/Pine and 3rd. Restrictions are lifting in Seattle soon, so I’d expect our great weather will bring back more of the office/tourist crowds. I don’t want to scare anyone away, but also wouldn’t personally walk around alone after sunset and usually avoid walking down 3rd.

 

[auntlynne]

I should qualify my response - the restaurants and stores themselves downtown Seattle aren’t sketchy. I don’t want to hurt any of their businesses because you can certainly find some fantastic meals and unique gifts downtown, especially around Pike Place Market. I’d just walk with purpose in the areas around Pike/Pine and 3rd. Restrictions are lifting in Seattle soon, so I’d expect our great weather will bring back more of the office/tourist crowds. I don’t want to scare anyone away, but also wouldn’t personally walk around alone after sunset and usually avoid walking down 3rd.

Thanks for that. I always figure tourist areas are places to be on alert.

It is interesting to hear of places where COVID truly changed the everyday. I live in a suburban town with a small official downtown. Life did not seem to change much in many respects - masks, yes. Lots of takeout instead of dine-in, but we are a driving town, not a walk-around place. And now, you would never know there had been a pandemic.

On vacation last month - Savannah, GA, last month - chock full of people!


... Normally, is there advice regarding the area down by Pier 66 and south to the restaurants?

Would it be easier to stay up the hill nearer Westlake Center to do walking / monorail to Space Needle, Pike Place?

We stayed at the Arctic Club (closed for COVID until Next January, sigh) near Pioneer Square one year; I remember riding the city bus up hill to do our tourist stuff.

 

[auntlynne]

I can’t imagine a first-timers visit pre-Cruise without visiting Pike Place Market and Space Needle + Chihuly.

 

[auntlynne]

Icy Strait Point - this year will be my first visit. I am excited to do the ZipRider. It may only last one minute, but it looks super fun.

I can’t tell if we are doing tenders or docking. And whether the gondola to the mountain will be finished and running.

Another option for whale watching.

 

[auntlynne]

I think we used this company for Photo safari, glacier, and rainforest trails:

 

[auntlynne]

SeaTac is not close to city center if you are hoping to do some sightseeing the day before your cruise. I’d just try to get an early flight, drop off bags at city hotel, and see some sights.

I think you could do a walking + monorail sightseeing trip in the afternoon. Perhaps visit Pike Place Market in the morning Pre-Cruise. Starbucks fans might enjoy seeing where it all started. See some fish throwing. Eat clams, oysters, chowder. Hope to see Mt Rainier in the distance. Wear a raincoat.

 

[auntlynne]

In the garden, every ball reflected the Space Needle.

 

[auntlynne]

American Airlines - just watched a video about cruising out of the Bahamas. AA flights were oversold, possibly by 20%. It can affect even those with ticosts, as those with standby/ unassigned seats slow your time waiting in line if

 

[MillauFr]

Seattle is not a very safe city currently.

Seattle is far safer than the suburbs in South King County. The areas around the airport are sketchy. I would avoid the southern suburbs if you are concerned about crime.

 

[kelymo]

Thanks for that. I always figure tourist areas are places to be on alert.

It is interesting to hear of places where COVID truly changed the everyday. I live in a suburban town with a small official downtown. Life did not seem to change much in many respects - masks, yes. Lots of takeout instead of dine-in, but we ate a driving town, not a walk-around place. And now, you would never know there had been a pandemic.

On vacation last month - Savannah, GA, last month - chock full of people!


... Normally, is there advice regarding the area down by Pier 66 and south to the restaurants?

Would it be easier to stay up the hill nearer Westlake Center to do walking / monorail to Space Needle, Pike Place?

We stayed at the Arctic Club (closed for COVID until Next January, sigh) near Pioneer Square one year; I remember riding the city bus up hill to do our tourist stuff.

Pre-covid I used to recommend Fairmont, Hotel 1000, and Paramount. Now, I'd probably tell friends to do Cedarbrook Lodge and just Uber into town when you want to sightsee...at least until more of the downtown office staff returns. A lot of the tech/government employees that work near Arctic Club are still remote, so I've heard the area is pretty dead. That may change in the coming weeks as restrictions are lifted, but I know for sure many of the government/tech workers haven't been recalled back to the office yet. I never used to have a problem walking up 1st from my office around Hotel 1000 to Pike Place Market. I also always felt safe walking towards Westlake on 5th near the Fairmont Olympic. As a general matter, a lot of trouble seems to happen around the bus stops on 3rd, so I just avoided that street. I also recommended people take the Bainbridge Ferry for an inexpensive boat ride with a great view. There is/was a great little ice cream spot and some nice restaurants on Bainbridge that are an easy walk from the ferry landing.

 

[mrp4352]

Now for the Bestest (sic) excursion - Flying in a sea plane from Juneau over 5 glaciers to Taku Lodge for lunch. The BEST Salmon we have ever had. And as a bonus the day we were there there was a Grandma, Mom and two bear cubs in a tree on the property - along with a couple of guys with long stick to encourage them to stay in the tree while we were there.

1000% agree!! This is a fantastic excursion and well worth every penny!

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I think we used this company for Photo safari, glacier, and rainforest trails:

View attachment 582605

SO funny I was just on their website yesterday! This is the company Disney uses and they encourage you to book with them but I want to contact them and see about booking directly with them next year. I like how this excursion gives you extra time at Mendenhall for a hike. Really nice to hear someone on here had a great time on this excursion! Do you remember what time you started and if there were any kids on it?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

SO funny I was just on their website yesterday! This is the company Disney uses and they encourage you to book with them but I want to contact them and see about booking directly with them next year. I like how this excursion gives you extra time at Mendenhall for a hike. Really nice to hear someone on here had a great time on this excursion! Do you remember what time you started and if there were any kids on it?

We had the photo safari tour booked through DCL in 2014 but it was canceled due to lack of participants. We were able to get onto the science tour by the same company and it was great even as two adults with no kids

 

[auntlynne]

SO funny I was just on their website yesterday! This is the company Disney uses and they encourage you to book with them but I want to contact them and see about booking directly with them next year. I like how this excursion gives you extra time at Mendenhall for a hike. Really nice to hear someone on here had a great time on this excursion! Do you remember what time you started and if there were any kids on it?

I can’t help with info on this; I can remember the boat’s being great, riding a shuttle to Mendenhall and walking along the trails. Time, other people - not so much. I must have been admiring the beauty.

 

[Kathy1628]

Be aware that Seattle has passed a rule, Fair Share Plan, requiring uber and lyft drivers earn a minimum $16.39 per hour plus costs (gas, tolls, tabs, insurance, etc.,). Reports of significant increases in fares have been reported equivalent to cost of taxis or more.