Trip Index
- Preparations, pre-cruise stay in Seattle
- Embarkation, Day at Sea, Ketchikan
- Sitka, Endicott Arm, Juneau, Victoria, disembarkation
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Embarkation day! Cruises from Seattle usually leave from two piers - the first is Pier 66, located downtown, which would have been a very convenient 20-minute walk from our hotel, the Kimpton Monaco Seattle. The second is Pier 91 (also called Smith Cove), which is where our ship, Quantum of the Seas, was docked. Normally, we would have taken a rideshare for our 5-mile journey to Pier 91, but since it was just the two of us with carry-ons, let's try taking the bus!
Seattle's public transportation is run by King County Metro. Fares can be purchased using the Transit Go Ticket app. There is a trip planner on it, but too clunky for speculative searching - best if done in real-time. For initial research, I recommend using Google Maps (select the transit option). After we checked out of the hotel, I used the app's trip planner and found that Bus 24 would be the next available service to get to Pier 91.
The 3rd Ave & Madison St bus stop was a few minutes' walk from the hotel. There was an electronic signboard letting riders know which bus was arriving next, which was helpful. After entering our credit card info in the app's settings, we purchased an adult fare ($2.75) on our phones to show the bus driver upon boarding.
I kept an eye on Google Maps as the bus continued through the city. I don't recall if there was a display or an announcement for next stops, but somehow, we managed to get off at the Magnolia & Pier 91 bus stop, which was unexpectedly on an overpass. It was reassuring to see a small sign indicating "Walk to Cruise Terminal". We took some stairs down and made our way under the overpass and through a metal gate towards the pier. At no point was anything sketchy during our 10-minute walk.
We got there a little after noon, so it took about 45 minutes to take the bus, compared to perhaps a 20 minute car ride. It certainly was cost-effective at $2.75 per person and offered a new experience. I don't recommend the bus if bulky luggage is involved or if there are more than four people in the traveling group.
There was a long snaking line to enter the cruise terminal, and got even longer when multiple airport transfer buses arrived.
With Covid protocols still in place, passengers had to show a negative result to board, but it was more lax in the fact that the test could be taken within the past 3 days.
It took us about two hours to get into the terminal, check in, go through security and then board in groups. Whew!
Our cabin was an ocean view balcony, with contemporary decor. I'm always happy to see a solid shower door versus a curtain. Due to having Platinum status, complimentary cookies and bottled waters were delivered to the room.
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First order of business - specialty restaurant reservations! Fortunately, we could make them all at one restaurant (we had gone to Wonderland), so we didn't have to go to each location. There are four specialty restaurants, so there would be repeats. Our dinners for the next 7 nights: Wonderland, Jamie's Italian, Chops Grille, Izumi, Chops Grille, Jamie's Italian, Izumi.
Famished, we headed to the buffet for a late lunch. I was surprised to find lobster in the paella.
Afterwards, we explored the ship, and then it wasn't too long before we would eat again at Wonderland. I'd been here before with my parents on a New England cruise on Anthem of the Seas, sister ship to Quantum. Remembering how much food was served, I made sure to let the server know not to bring so many dishes.
The decor was just as whimsical as before. This time, I got to sit in a throne chair. The introduction was a bit different - we had to "paint" our menu to make it appear.
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Watch the menu appear! (19-second clip):
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Our server brought a bunch of small bites, followed by two more substantial dishes.
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He didn't hold back on dessert...three beautiful masterpieces! (81-second clip):
Kaleb and I were pleasantly full and everything tasted great! I don't mind coming back to Wonderland for the fun atmosphere and good food.
Despite having a satisfying dinner, we're on a cruise ship, so we couldn't help visiting Cafe Promenade later in the night for a cup of tea and munchies to bring back to the room.
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Quantum of the Seas had been previously outfitted with a couple of Asian eateries as Shanghai was its home port prior to the pandemic. After post-pandemic restart, Royal Caribbean decided to move the ship to Alaska, starting this season. Deck plans were still listing a noodle place, but when we got there, it was now "Splashaway Cafe". There was still an remnant of Asian fare on the menu - beef and chicken satay. What we ordered was fresh and hot.
I had eaten here before on Anthem as well. The food seemed improved, taste-wise. The lamb chops were excellent.
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25-second clip of screens:
30-second clip of violinist:
The ship docked in Ketchikan the next day. We had done a hike the last time the two of us were here, so we just explored the town in the morning and returned to the ship before lunch.
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Tonight's dinner was at Chops Grille. Can't go wrong with steakhouse favorites!
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We enjoyed picturesque views outside our balcony as the ship sailed towards its next destination.
Tomorrow, Quantum of the Seas docks in Sitka...stay tuned!
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Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at kat (at) yellowdogtravel (d0t) com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy repeat clients - references always available.
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
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