Saturday, August 10, 2024

Alaska Cruise - My exoerience and tips for future travelers

Alaska Cruise - Holland America - Zaandam (July 24th to July 31st)

Vancouver - Juneau - Skagway - Glacier Bay - Ketchikan

General Tips:

  • Smooth Sailing: The Alaska Inside Passage is mostly close to shore, so the sea is generally not rough.
  • Navigator App: Download the Navigator App and familiarize yourself with it a week before the cruise. It will show the menu and other details. You might need to log off and back in occasionally to get it to work properly.
  • Special Requests: If you want something specific, like a particular type of food, call the cruise line in advance. We requested Indian food, and while it was provided the next day, it involved a lot of confusion and uncertainty because we didn’t think of it beforehand.
  • Room Essentials: I requested a charging strip extension cord a few days before the cruise, and it was in the room when we boarded.
  • Room & Amenities: The room and bathroom have sensor lights strip on the floor, which I loved. The provided shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion (Elemis) were good enough: Robes, beach towels, and thin blankets were provided in the closet.
  • Water: Don’t forget your own water bottle. You SHOULD NOT drink water from the sink. We filled our bottles in the Lido daily. Zaandam is a plastic-free ship, possibly like the entire Holland America fleet.
  • Library & Internet: There’s a library on the ship if you prefer paper books. There was also one computer with internet access in the library area. I enjoyed being away from social media on the days we were at sea but it was helpful to know there was internet if needed.
  • Phone Service: We had pretty good phone service in Alaska (we use Verizon).
  • Room Key: Bring a lanyard for your room key or buy one for $5 at the ship.
  • Backup Battery: Bring a backup battery for your phone.
  • Room Temperature: The room was too warm for me; I wished I had brought a portable fan. I heard you can ask for one.
  • Medications: Don’t forget your usual medications, including those for body aches, fever, diarrhea, sleep, and motion sickness. Acid reflux can be an issue with the rich food and lack of sleep. If you're Indian, bring Saunf and Ajwain.
  • Comfort: The ship was small enough to walk around easily. Remember to bring flip-flops as the pool/deck area can be wet.
  • Luggage: Check out the Port Valet service for your big bags. There are also a few hotels in the area that offer luggage storage for $10 per suitcase. The airport has this option too. There’s an all-day luggage storage service at Canada Place Cruise Terminal. If you are in Seattle use Port Valet https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free
  • Clothing: Pack layers and a light raincoat, as the weather can change quickly.
  • Phone Mode: Keep your phone on airplane mode when on the ship and at sea.
  • Room Layout: The ship has odd-numbered rooms on one side and even-numbered rooms on the other. The maps/diagrams on the elevators were very helpful.
  • Storage: The room was big enough for two people, with plenty of storage. It could work for four people too since we spent most of our time in the Crow’s Nest, Lido, bow, pool, and Exploration Café.
  • Workshops & Seminars: There were many free workshops and seminars. I tried a couple but didn’t enjoy them much. We were a big group, so we didn’t have much time for other activities.
  • Sleep: Keep track of your sleep. The long days, fun activities, and rich food can lead to sleep deprivation. I was very sleep-deprived when I got back.
  • Dress Code: I didn’t pack fancy clothes, but you can dress up for dinner if you enjoy that. I wore sarees on three nights when we didn’t go out. Bring a backup pair of dressy sandals—mine broke on day three.
  • Mini Bar: I had the mini bar emptied on day one (it had two Cokes and one sparkling water).
  • Snacks: Bring some ziplock bags—they’re handy for late-night snacks if you don’t want to bother room service.
  • Dining: I overate in the dining room, often ordering two appetizers or entrees. Must visit the Explorer Café and library area, even just to sit and watch the world I or sea) go by.
  • Daily Itinerary: The itinerary for each day, including the program/show details and the dining room menu, is left in your room the night before. Pay attention to it.
  • Arrival: Fly in a day early, spend the night, and board the ship at noon. Boarding usually starts around 11:30 AM.
  • Afternoon Tea: Don’t miss the afternoon tea. Sit with new people each day.
  • Dress Code: There are two dressy nights; business casual is fine. No need for a suit or tie—a simple shirt/polo and pants/khakis/jeans work well.
  • Orange Night: There’s an “Orange Night” where you can wear something orange, but it’s not necessary.
  • Excursions: Read up more on the excursions ahead of time.
  • Tipping: You can reward the staff through the "Let Us Know" tab on the Navigator App.
  • Pics - If you buy anything from ship’s photographer make sure to download right away on the ship, You cannot once you are out of the ship.
  • Lava Cake: Don’t miss the Lava Cake in the main dining room. Have an extra one for me and remember to have fun!



















Sunday, August 4, 2024

A dream vacation - My Tips for Traveling in Switzerland

 I originally posted on my other blog - Lot of Pics there 

http://momlovesanand.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-dream-vacation-my-tips-for-traveling.html


Tips for Traveling in Switzerland - I will keep adding 

  1. The SBB App is Your Best Friend: Even if your trip is a month away, download the SBB app and get familiar with it as soon as possible.
  2. Swiss Pass and System Map: The Swiss Pass and the system map available at the SBB office are the best visual planning guides. 
  3. First and Second Class on Trains: SBB is the train company in Switzerland. We found second class to be perfectly comfortable. Make sure you sit in the right compartment.
  4. Tickets: Always have your ticket ready. Fines for not having a valid ticket are steep, and inspectors will check your passport and travel fare card. We kept a screenshot of our pass just in case. We did see conductors checking in most of the trains, specially the long distance ones.
  5. Join Facebook Groups:  to understand the bests and the worsts. have your questions answered by fellow travelers.
  6. Cost-Effective Calculation for Travel card: Visit the SBB office staff for assistance in planning cost-effective travel routes.
  7. Check Gondola/Cable Car Schedules: Always verify the operating times for gondolas and cable cars to avoid missing your ride. You don’t want to wait another 30 mins for the next cable car. At Every cable car/Gandola  tickets are checked in.
  8. Carry one Tote bag/grocery bag always in your bag- Grocery stores sometime charge you for a bag, Switzerland discourages waste in a big day. A foldable grocery bag and some Ziplocks. That half eaten cheese  and chocolate will thank you later.
  9. Coop -You best friend in Switzerland - my to go place for everything needed and the best part- they are right outside almost every station.
  10. Information Centers: Make good use of the information centers; they are incredibly helpful for tourists. They have some wonderful maps.
  11. Keep Track of Time: Many shops and attractions close early. For example, shops in Gruyères close by 5:30 PM.
  12. Sundays: Sunday is family day in Switzerland, and many places close early or are closed. Plan accordingly..
  13. Carry a Water Bottle: Bring your own water bottle and fill from the fountains. And always carry a bottle of wine. You can drink publicly.
  14. Check Events: Look out for local events. We were in Interlaken during the busiest weekend in June, expensive accommodations and too busy..
  15. Carry some coins - Stations and many places charge 1.50 Chf for use of restroom. Not always but often enough.
  16. Charging Essentials: Carry a charging strip or multi-charger adapter.  Buy one adopter and it will work for various devices.
  17. Weather: Don’t stress too much about the weather; it can change anytime .
  18. Essentials: Sunglasses, comfortable shoes, Raincoat and layers are all you need to be prepared for various weather conditions.
  19. Punctuality: Be punctual. Swiss transportation is known for its schedules.
  20. Guest Card: Don’t forget to get the Guest Card from your hotel, which offers free bus rides in the local area.
  21. Weather App: Don’t rely on the iPhone weather app. Use MeteoSwiss for more accurate forecasts.
  22. Connectivity: You can reach anywhere in Switzerland in a very short time. Lucerne and Interlaken have the best connectivity.
  23. Train Travel: There’s no need to book or plan your train travel in advance. We usually bought tickets at the station right before boarding the train, using the app. Unless it is Bernia or Glacier Express. Some trains have special coaches for children to play. 
  24. Payment Methods: Cash is rarely needed as cards are widely accepted. Check your bank charges though; Apple Card doesn’t charge any fees. We used Capital One Visa and Apple Card.
  25. App Connectivity: Make sure your travel pass and credit card are connected to your app. My husband and I both had the same accounts on our phones.
  26. Use Lockers - Wish I knew lockers were this easy to find and affordable. https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/stations/services-station/lockers/lockers.html 
  27. Car Travel - Many towns are car free so if you are driving check first - Zermatt and Wengen are two towns I know don’t allow cars.
  28. Make plans according to weather, have back up plans . Be flexible, leave early and enjoy. Always check the webcam for any mountain trip 

When planning it is important to understand the geography and key locations and make a list of what is important for you.

If you want Cities then Zurich, Geneva and Luzern are your places. If you want real Switzerland then Jungfrau is your region.

Interlaken east and Luzern are the best stations for  accessing various regions efficiently.

If you want alpine scenery, outdoor activities, hiking, skiing, mountain villages. Then Stay in Jungfrau Region:

You can choose any accommodation depending upon your budget.We stayed in Interlaken west, full of tourists and busy area. Next time I will stay in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren or Wengen.


Costs - I dont think Switzerland is off the chart expensive. I live in Boston and can compare the costs of lodging and food. I am not commenting on travel cost, we took the Half fare card and didn’t think twice for travel expenses. Didn’t drive ( Thank goodness- those narrow roads and hills- So glad we didn’t even think of it). We are so spoiled by train system that I would prefer that over driving anyway in Europe.


The food sticker price may be shocking at first but always remember you pay what you see. We pay variety of taxes and minimum 18% tip here in Boston.

To give you an example - Here in Boston.- we can pay anywhere from $50-$100 for two people depending on kind of restaurant you are going, Drinks add up pretty quickly again depending on your drinks.

We had breakfasts in hotel or ate at the local cafes ( Such an experience)  bought sandwiches ( CHF 10-12)/ Salads (CHF 8-10) from Co-op/Migros and a meal out in restaurant. That was usual plan but changed the order sometime. The Hot sandwiches bought in local cafes were some of the best I have ever eaten.


Fondue meal is 30CHF per person usually and you must buy for two.  In Wengen we could request Fondue and Raclette , ordered two wine and asked for water ( mistake :) we paid around 100 including 10% tip. Tip is usually not expected.


But in average I found it to be very comparable to Boston costs. 

We bought wine and carried with us. Usually our lunch was a picnic sandwich/cheese and wine. It was an experience as we cannot drink in public here in Boston. I found wines to be very light and refreshing, they were easy to drink and I didn’t get any acid reflex which I usually do . I don’t like drinking in the evening so that kept the restaurant costs down. I found everything fresh and preservative free. I only wish they were calorie free too.

I strongly recommend carrying your snack and wine for the day trips.


Some sites to check 

https://lauterbrunnen.swiss/en/

https://wengen.swiss/en/

https://muerren.swiss/en/

https://grindelwald.swiss/en/

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/interlaken-1/

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/corporate/jungfrau-railways/jungfraubahn-holding-ag/wengernalpbahn-ag/



Trains 

Italian Border - Trenord https://www.trenord.it/en/

Southwest Switzerland - MONTREUX OBERLAND BERNOIS - https://journey.mob.ch/en/

Local Trains Transports MVR -Montreux–Vevey–Riviera - https://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/Z12461/access-transport 

Boat rides -https://www.cgn.ch/en/

Train BLM in Murren to Lauterbrunnen area 


We didnt do many hikes, will go back again- this is my wish list. suggest your favorites. 

Wengen to lauterbrunnen Wengernalpbahn walk 2.2 mi. Walk. 41 min 

Murren to Lauterbrunnen - 4.5 mi. Walk. 1h 25m. 






Monday, July 8, 2024

Flying back home - Day 10 - Sunday

 Like every vacation, this one had amazing memories, some incidents, and a few regrets. I’ll always wish we could have done more. Our trip began with a flight cancellation and ended with a delayed flight and last-minute anxiety about whether we would make it. It turned out we weren’t the only ones; thousands of other passengers in Switzerland were experiencing the same.

We flew back on Father’s Day, leaving early in the morning for Lausanne Station, then taking a train to Geneva. We arrived early enough to grab a nice breakfast. However, our flight had an issue, leading to a last-minute change of plane and gate. We boarded the new flight but were delayed without explanation. When we finally reached Zurich, we had little hope of making our connection.

Upon disembarking, we rushed to the gate/terminal for international flights, only to encounter the longest line I had ever seen at any airport. There was a summit in Zurich that day, and delegations were leaving, causing delays for all flights at Zurich airport. After over an hour's delay, we finally departed as the last passengers to board.

One thing I admired about the Swiss system was its precision and efficiency. Even with a short layover, there’s no need to panic; they know what they’re doing. Through our flight cancellation experience, I learned that in Europe, airlines are obligated to either refund 100% or get you a new flight within a few hours. If your new flight arrives at the destination more than three hours later, you’re eligible for compensation. (Read more about it.)

So, I didn’t panic at all, thinking I might spend Father’s Day in Zurich at the most. The flight back home was relaxing, and I was welcomed by the boys at the airport. I end this Switzerland saga with the hope of making it back again soon to do things I couldn’t this time. 



This made my day - perfect Father's Day sight. 

Dunkin' in Switzerland :) Who would have thought.