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Cruise Questions

suzanne

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I am planning to go on my first cruise next year to Alaska. I have read the cruise info on the website for the trip I m looking at, but I still have some questions. So if any of you that cruise can help I would really appreciate it.

1. Cruise says port charges are included. I realize that I will have to pay for my round trip flight to/from Seattle. But what other taxes and fees will I be expected to pay?

2. Tipping, is the amount they show mandatory or left up to my discretion?

3. Will I need an adapter for charging my cell, tablet and camera batteries?

4. What hotel is closest to Seattle Cruise ship port? And what is best way to get from SEATAC Airport to the hotel and port?

I would appreciate anyone's help. I will be traveling alone so at my age safety is an important factor.

Suzanne
 

Passepartout

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Here's a start.
1) extras are not so much taxes and fees, but shore excursions are extra and can be fairly costly. Also drinks, both alcoholic and such things as sodas or 'fancy' coffees.
2) tipping. depending on the line, they automatically tack $12-$14 per day on your bill. You can challenge that if you wish, but we never have. I think they would put a guilt thing on you if you went to the desk to challenge it much.
3) Your cabin will have a normal household power outlet to plug your charger into. (it will also have European 240v outlets)
3) Can't help you there. Inquire on Cruise Critic (see below)
4) the least expensive would be the light rail in to Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is), but you may want to use a shared shuttle direct to a hotel.

By all means sign onto www.cruisecritic.com and go to the 'Roll Calls' and sign on to your exact ship and sailing date. There you will 'meet' people who will be on the cruise with you. You can join discussions on hotels, shore excursions (most at lower cost than the cruise line offers) 'sail away' party, meet 'n' greets aboard that the cruise line really caters to Cruise Critic members and gives them special perks.

Have Fun. Those are fun cruises and a good way to 'get your cruising feet' wet.

Jim
 

dioxide45

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By all means sign onto www.cruisecritic.com and go to the 'Roll Calls' and sign on to your exact ship and sailing date. There you will 'meet' people who will be on the cruise with you. You can join discussions on hotels, shore excursions (most at lower cost than the cruise line offers) 'sail away' party, meet 'n' greets aboard that the cruise line really caters to Cruise Critic members and gives them special perks.
I have found that Cruise Critic roll calls have severely diminished in value the last few years. It seems the tide has changed toward Facebook groups. So I also suggest searching for Facebook groups for the specific ship and sail date. They tend to get a lot more action than the roll calls I am also following.
 

VacationForever

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Regarding transportation, we don't do Uber or Lyft due to safety concerns, there is no vetting of drivers... We use SuperShuttle from airports extensively, and apply our AAA discount. Most hotels have taxis to the port, and some hotels that are close to the ports will usually have shuttles that take you to the port, sometimes for a small fee.
 

PigsDad

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There is more than one pier used for cruise ships in Seattle, so make sure you check w/ the cruise line to find out which one your ship will be at.

Kurt
 

PigsDad

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I have found that Cruise Critic roll calls have severely diminished in value the last few years. It seems the tide has changed toward Facebook groups. So I also suggest searching for Facebook groups for the specific ship and sail date. They tend to get a lot more action than the roll calls I am also following.
Interesting that the role calls are going out of favor; I never use them but I do find Cruise Critic to be a great resource for information about the ship, itinerary, and especially researching the excursions that are available at each port.

Kurt
 

moonstone

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As mentioned you wont need an adapter but if you have a few things that need to plug in (ie;cell charger, camera battery charger...) you might want to pack a small power bar. On the few cruises we've taken there was only 1 outlet in the bathroom (too high for me to reach) and one outlet at the desk, so being able to plug 6 things into a power bar at the desk was handy.

~Diane
 

PigsDad

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As mentioned you wont need an adapter but if you have a few things that need to plug in (ie;cell charger, camera battery charger...) you might want to pack a small power bar. On the few cruises we've taken there was only 1 outlet in the bathroom (too high for me to reach) and one outlet at the desk, so being able to plug 6 things into a power bar at the desk was handy.
Double-check w/ the cruise line first, as some lines strictly prohibit power strips in the rooms (fire hazard). Instead, since almost all of our devices can be charged with a USB charger, I just get a multi-port charger so we can charge up all phones, ipads, cameras, etc. with just one plug.

https://www.cruisehabit.com/power-s...-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

Kurt
 

dioxide45

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Double-check w/ the cruise line first, as some lines strictly prohibit power strips in the rooms (fire hazard). Instead, since almost all of our devices can be charged with a USB charger, I just get a multi-port charger so we can charge up all phones, ipads, cameras, etc. with just one plug.

https://www.cruisehabit.com/power-s...-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

Kurt
Good advice. Royal Caribbean stopped allowing power strips. It used to be you could take one as long as it didn't have surge protection, but now people have reported having any power strip confiscated from their luggage.
 

Passepartout

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Karen G

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The link light rail is an easy way to get from the airport to downtown Seattle, but it will depend on how much luggage you'll have as you'd have to be able to manage it by yourself getting on the train and walking to your hotel. A taxi, Super Shuttle, or Uber/Lyft are alternatives.
 

tiel

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When we need a hotel prior to a cruise (usually depart from east coast), we use a website called buyreservations.com. I looked up Seattle, and one hotel (Radisson) was provided for the date I selected. It was located at the airport, so I assume they have a free shuttle from the airport. They offer a shuttle to the port for $14 pp.

Can’t guarantee they will have something you are interested in, but you can give them a try. We use them all the time for park/fly packages, and have found their prices to be very good, usually lower than anything else we can find.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!
 

pedro47

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Surge protectors are prohibitive on all Celebrity Cruise Line ships
Tipping is a suggestive amount given by you for service on a cruise ship. Ex. cabin steward, chief eng, dinning room server & assistant. Each cruise line will breakdown this information for you on a daily costs.
There are several hotels nears the cruise port. Check Trip Advisor for this information.
Cruise Critic is still a good source for free cruise information. Check cruise critic reviews for the information on your cruise ship and check cruise critics for the Roll Call for the date and of your cruise ship. Example: Celebrity Edge February 10,2019. Roll Call.
I would use a hotel shuttle to the cruise port it is cheaper IMHO.
 
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tompalm

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When we need a hotel prior to a cruise (usually depart from east coast), we use a website called buyreservations.com. I looked up Seattle, and one hotel (Radisson) was provided for the date I selected. It was located at the airport, so I assume they have a free shuttle from the airport. They offer a shuttle to the port for $14 pp.

Can’t guarantee they will have something you are interested in, but you can give them a try. We use them all the time for park/fly packages, and have found their prices to be very good, usually lower than anything else we can find.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

This is probably a good choice, but also check other hotels close to the airport that have free transportation. The Raddison is in a good location because there is a walking bridge across Highway 99 that goes right to the hotel and it is an easy walk from the airport. We went last year and stayed in the Double Tree and the hotel had a service to drive people to the cruise ship which was cheaper than Uber or using the ship’s transportation. I think the rate from the ship was $35 pp and we paid $60 for a big SUV that carried four people and all our luggage. So the $14 rate above is a good as it gets. We spent three nights in town before the cruise and rode the train downtown and Seattle Center. The train was very convenient and an easy walk from the Radison, but it doesn’t go anywhere near the cruise ship. Look at Google maps for more detail.

I bought an extension cord that has three plug receptacles and that works great for travel. I take two of them everywhere we travel.

If you didn’t buy your cruise yet, Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America are the ones you might want. Also, Costco Travel and Vacations to Go have great prices. Princess has coin operated washers onboard that come in handy.

We have done that cruise four times. Let us know if you have any more questions.
 
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isisdave

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I have found that Cruise Critic roll calls have severely diminished in value the last few years. It seems the tide has changed toward Facebook groups. So I also suggest searching for Facebook groups for the specific ship and sail date. They tend to get a lot more action than the roll calls I am also following.

You know, it's funny. We booked two cruises this year, both about March. Regal Princess in June got up to about 30 pages of posts before sailing. Celebrity Reflection, sailing in November, had 40+ pages by then and 113 now! I guess it depends on who's going, and going where.

But at least it's easy to find the "roll call" and I'm sure if there's a Facebook group it will be mentioned there. One thing they're very good for is organizing solo travelers into groups for dining, games, tours, etc.
 

Karen G

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Princess has coin operated washers onboard that come in handy.
Do you know the cost of the washer and dryer? Also, do you need to bring your own detergent? We have a cruise planned on the Pacific Princess next year and noticed the laundromat is on our deck.
 

suzanne

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Thank you all so much for your help. The cruise is on the Holland Oosterdam ship, thru Vacations To Go. It loads from Pier 66. Flying from Tallahassee, Florida I will need to arrive a day prior to boarding the ship and stay over a day after getting back into Seattle, due to connections.

I did not know about the extension cords. I always take a power strip when I travel but never used a USB strip thing. Definitely getting one of those. I will check out the links you all provided as well. Since I am older and traveling alone, I will want to use shuttle service if hotel does not offer transport to and from the port.

Thank you all again for your help.
Suzanne
 

tompalm

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Do you know the cost of the washer and dryer? Also, do you need to bring your own detergent? We have a cruise planned on the Pacific Princess next year and noticed the laundromat is on our deck.

The cost goes up all the time, but if I remember right it was $3.00 to wash and $2 for a dryer and that was a lot more than places charge in town, but way cheaper than paying the ship to wash or bringing an extra suitcase. The ship will give you change and sell you soap. But, call Princess to make sure they still have soap and quarters onboard. I bet they went digital in the last couple years, but maybe not all ships have done that.
 

tompalm

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Thank you all so much for your help. The cruise is on the Holland Oosterdam ship, thru Vacations To Go. It loads from Pier 66. Flying from Tallahassee, Florida I will need to arrive a day prior to boarding the ship and stay over a day after getting back into Seattle, due to connections.

I did not know about the extension cords. I always take a power strip when I travel but never used a USB strip thing. Definitely getting one of those. I will check out the links you all provided as well. Since I am older and traveling alone, I will want to use shuttle service if hotel does not offer transport to and from the port.

Thank you all again for your help.
Suzanne
I recommend you call the hotel you are staying in to get a quote and make a reservation. Also, call Vacations to Go or Princess to buy a transfer should you decide to go that way. One thing about boarding the ship is they tell you to board between 1-3 pm and if you ride with the Princess transfer, they will leave later. I like to depart the hotel around 11 am and get to the ship before noon. They might not let you into your state room until 3 pm, but you can go to the buffet and walk around the ship until your room is ready.
 

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The cost goes up all the time, but if I remember right it was $3.00 to wash and $2 for a dryer and that was a lot more than places charge in town, but way cheaper than paying the ship to wash or bringing an extra suitcase. The ship will give you change and sell you soap. But, call Princess to make sure they still have soap and quarters onboard. I bet they went digital in the last couple years, but maybe not all ships have done that.
I just spoke with someone at Princess and she said it was $3 for wash and $3 for dry, but you can use your ship card to pay so it must be some kind of digital equipment where you insert your card. She said detergent was available for $1.25 but you can bring your own, too.
 

tompalm

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I just spoke with someone at Princess and she said it was $3 for wash and $3 for dry, but you can use your ship card to pay so it must be some kind of digital equipment where you insert your card. She said detergent was available for $1.25 but you can bring your own, too.

Thanks for the update. I will be on a Princess ship Oct 6-13 and will use that. We are just doing a seven day coastal cruise with family out of LA. But, it is nice to have clean clothes before getting off the ship and starting phase three of our vacation.
 

Karen G

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Thanks for the update. I will be on a Princess ship Oct 6-13 and will use that. We are just doing a seven day coastal cruise with family out of LA. But, it is nice to have clean clothes before getting off the ship and starting phase three of our vacation.
We're doing a 12-day Mediterranean/Adriatic cruise followed by an 11-day trip to Israel with our church. Having access to a laundromat onboard the ship is phenomenal!
 

suzanne

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I recommend you call the hotel you are staying in to get a quote and make a reservation. Also, call Vacations to Go or Princess to buy a transfer should you decide to go that way. One thing about boarding the ship is they tell you to board between 1-3 pm and if you ride with the Princess transfer, they will leave later. I like to depart the hotel around 11 am and get to the ship before noon. They might not let you into your state room until 3 pm, but you can go to the buffet and walk around the ship until your room is ready.
Thank you for this info as most hotels have a 10 or 11 AM checkout time. I will try to board early and go to the buffet and relax til my room is ready. The flight from Florida to Seattle is very tiring.
Zuzanne
 

suzanne

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I have one other question, how far in advance should I book my cruise. Its not until August 2019.
Thank you all.
Suzanne
 
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