There are other caffeinated coffee brands available like Starbucks, Kauai Coffee, Peet’s, and more, but my all around, go-to choice is missing. Hopefully, this is just a temporary outage, not a sign of permanent changes to come.

My personal go-to drink, the Caramel Macchiato (hot) came in at a disappointing #33 with the iced version ranking at #25. I don’t drink Refreshers or any teas so I have no opinion on these.

I’ve rediscovered my current favorite, the Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice. Freshly made, this drink can’t be beat. It tastes great, is relatively inexpensive, and is low on calories. You gotta be ready for the caffeine kick though, and sadly once the drink starts getting watered down as the ice melts, its flavor profile changes. The recently added Flat White is surprisingly way up there on the ranked list although I don’t disagree. It must be the whole milk that smooths everything out.

Anyways, it’s a fun list to look at and see where your favorite Starbucks drink falls.

But if your Starbucks did set up their Holiday display just a tad early, it may look like this…

Or you could go to starbucks.com/shop for a preview as well. You can say this much, Starbucks is going all out with its Dot Collection for 2014. I lost count on all the cups, tumblers, and travelers offered, but I am liking the Black Stripes tumbler.

Sounds worse that it was, but it’s the truth. Upon my first sip of a cold Chestnut Praline Latte, I sucked in a praline crumb (which I wasn’t expecting) and coughed and hacked it out. I just wasn’t expecting a hard item in my CPL so it caught me off guard.

The drink itself isn’t bad. It’s very nutty and kinda vanilla-ish (to me but I guess that would be the caramelized chestnut and spice flavors). It seems like I’ve tasted a variation of this drink before in the past. Not overly sweet like the Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Salted Caramel Mocha. I haven’t tried the hot version and not all stores are selling the CPL before the official November 12 launch.

When you take your first sip of a CPL, watch out for them praline crumbs.

Say what?! Another east side Starbucks getting a Clover? That doesn’t seem fair. But wait, there’s more. How about Clovers in Kaneohe and in town? We’re talking Windward City and the Airport Trade Center locations.

Check out the official Starbucks map (as of October 15, 2014).

Thanks again to @yoda808 for the pictures.

Update: I stand corrected. Wayne’s World said the Ka`u reserve is still available online, and he is correct. I must have been using an old link or product code. Anyways, I updated the link in the post.

Sadly, showing the above graphic means nothing if the Starbucks location is not participating in the #firstpsl giveaway.

Luckily, I did manage to get a real early #PSL last week Friday.

Have you encountered this scenario? Say you’re at work one afternoon, want a break, and decide to make a quick trip to a nearby Starbucks. You ask if any coworkers want to come along. The caffeine addicts duly agree needing a post lunch hit. Then there’s the tea drinkers who don’t want all the caffeine and coffee brown-ness, but they come along for the Teavanna drinks like the Shaken Iced Blackberry Mojito Tea. Lastly, there’s the non-coffee drinkers. Yes, they really exist and have no reason to visit Starbucks with their fellow peers. Until the Fizzio.

See, with the Fizzio, the non-caffeine drinkers have a valid option at Starbucks. They can join the social circle of Starbucks fans and can avoid awkward peer pressure. They don’t have to go along with everyone else just to get a cup of water or a non-appreciated drink. They too can enjoy a sophisticated drink that won’t make them feel guilty with an abundance of calories or cost. It’s an all-around win.

Walked into my favorite Starbucks this morning and was greeted by this interesting sign accented by the sunlight. Hmmm, a Vanilla Macchiato now joins caramel and hazelnut. I had to try it, and yes, it is good, similar but different from the other two. I ordered my VM (not virtual machine for you techies) non-fat, stirred, hot, and short.

I didn’t take the lid off before taking a sip, so I don’t know what a fresh VM looks like. Flavor-wise, the depth of the vanilla hits you right away. For me, the Caramel Macchiato is sweet then the aftertaste follows with the richness of caramel. The Hazelnut Macchiato is more mild with the hazelnut undertones, and I prefer substituting a few pumps of vanilla for mocha to waken this drink up. But the Vanilla Macchiato is more balanced from beginning to end. Flavorfully deep with a matching level of sweetness. The new drink for spring? Yes, indeed.

So what if the Vertuo-made coffee features a crema top? And so what if the new hardware has a single button operation using lasers to detect what kind of drink to make? The Nespresso U is still good. I mean it has a positionable water reservoir, right?

You did capitalize on discounts and bonuses for your U purchase, right? You got those 200 Grand Cru capsules at a discounted price right? Because, the Vertuo uses a whole different capsule format and flavor lineup.

If you wanted coffee, you still have your coffee maker right? And really, the Aeroccino frother is still the same as what you got with your U bundle. So don’t head to Williams-Sonoma in Ala Moana to hear the demo and sample a full cup of crema-capped coffee. The Nespresso U is still good.

Do you really need the latest and greatest of caffeinated creations?

Well if you don’t share the sentiment that the Nespresso U is still good, let me tempt you…

Now that’s a way to kick off 2014! Starbucks first Star Dash of this year is a doozy with the possibility of earning 20 stars! Of course, you need to earn 25 stars on your own to get the 20 star bonus in the span of less than two weeks (January 27 to February 9, 2014). That’s hardcore, 25 stars in 13 days.

This is definitely going to promote the irritating behavior of making individual purchases. You know the type of customer, ordering four drinks for the office but paying for them one by one to get four stars. Good for your star generation but sucks for those in line behind you as four separate transactions are rung up, especially when all you want is a cup of brewed coffee. Now if the store is empty, and there’s no line then knock yourself out. But in the early morning crush, don’t be pulling this obtuse impertinence.

If you earn seven less stars (18 stars), your Dash bonus will be halved to 10. I wonder if this Star Dash is continued indoctrination for those who bought the free coffee or espresso tumblers for January. Now that they’re addicted to the caffeine from multiple visits to Starbucks on a daily basis, this promotion might continue the behavior.

Naturally, I signed up for the dash, but I doubt I’ll make it.

I know “expresso” is one of those mistakes you commonly hear people say instead of espresso. But as a gift this year, why not give an express way of making espresso? There’s the popular and moderately priced Nespresso U. From what I’ve learned, the U and the Aeroccino frother is a killer combo.

If you want to give a coffee addict an even fresher experience, you must look into the Bonaverde Roast-Grind-Brew coffee machine. This Kickstarter project will turn fresh green coffee beans into a fresh cup of coffee. Yes, it roasts the beans then grinds them to brew a cup. While backing this project is done, keep an eye out on the Bonaverde web site to pre-order the machine.

Me, I’m a varied coffee drinker. Mochas are my “safe” drink when trying out new places. You can’t really mess up a mocha, and if you do, I’m not coming back. Americano in the moring, and iced coffee or iced macchiato in the afternoon. It’s all good!

Mocha Java Cafe in Windward Mall is now closed. I’m not sure when they closed, having bought a drink in August. I’m guessing the temptation of the SBUX siren came with a cost of not having competition a few scant yards away. So sadly, Mocha Java’s Windward run is over lasting nearly two years. They opened shop during a coffee drought in the mall and right before the holidays so shopping excursions were always caffeinated. I sincerely thank Mocha Java for chancing expansion outside of Ward.

But yet, after a few scant hours, all 600 of these Swarovski keepsakes were purchased. Coincidentally, eBay has them with bids ranging from $300 to $700. Besides resale value, I don’t see the appeal. The crystals are sorta cool, but I can’t imaging holding the cup with the crystals biting into your hand. The ombre hue is nice but alone not worth the $150-price tag.

And that green crystal circle. I’m guessing it’s supposed to represent the Starbucks mermaid logo, but it’s so abstract, I wouldn’t recognize it unless you told me this was a mug from Starbucks. I’d rather order $150 worth of PSL to drink, but that’s my cup couture-less opinion.

On the Disney Wonder

Did I mention that brewed coffee onboard the Disney Wonder is free and always available. Let’s repeat that, free and always available. Whoa.

This espresso bar is happening. From the outside, it appears deceptively simple. Step inside and let the luxury enfold you.

The baristas can make all kinds of drinks, but again, for a price. Be prepared to wait since some days are slammed with caffeine addicts. There’s plush outdoor seating or you can go upstairs to the posh Outlook Cafe. I opted for outside whale watching while drinking my mocha.

Skagway

So staying caffeinated at sea is easy to do, but what about in Alaska. Now that’s a different story. First port of Skagway, Alaska with a population of 800 locals. Four cruise ships in dock, each transporting at least 2000 passengers and 900 crew members. So roughly 12,000 visitors crushing into this “city.” Could the coffee keep up? If you’re a business entrepreneur like the Excelsior Coffee Cafe, you see a definite opportunity.

Located inside of a jewelry store (and what is with all the jewelry spots in Alaska?!?), this cafe serves Starbucks but is NOT a Starbucks. But really, when you see that green mermaid logo in the window, do you really care? The menu is, not surprisingly, more expensive, and due to the constant flow of visitors, they ran out of cup sleeves, but it’s all good when the coffee enters your bloodstream. Walking around the blocks of Skagway and checking out the shopping spots is just a little more fun holding a cup of coffee.

Juneau

Our cruise’s second port was the capital of Alaska, Juneau. Of course I’d find coffee places in the capital, right? Yup, but with our activities and limited transportation, squeezing in a coffee pit stop was too tough. But after visiting the sights of the Mendenhall Glacier, we had enough time to check out the area around the dock. That’s when we came across Tracy’s Crab Shack. Featured in a Top Chef Quick Fire Challenge, this place is really a shack, a very, very crowded shack that serves the hugest crab legs you’ll ever see.

But wait, we’re talking coffee, not crabs. Luckily for me, a few shacks down from Tracy’s is the Crepe Escape. Where there’s crepes, there’s coffee, and sure enough, their full menu offered coffee options.

Did I have a mocha? I forget already, but that is my “safe” drink. If you screw up a mocha, you don’t belong in the espresso game. A mocha with king crab, crab cakes, and crab bisque? Sure, why not?

Ketchikan

A private fishing tour with Captain Jerry for four hours will make you thirsty as well. Or maybe it was from reeling in 40 salmon? Maybe it was just the salt of the Pacific Ocean, but after some great fishing, I needed a pick me up. At 3:45pm, that shouldn’t be a problem right? Hold up there, visitor of Ketchikan. Things work differently here. The Yelp app helpfully listed many coffee spots. I headed to the closest one – open but no longer brewing for the day. Headed to another location. Closed. Did more shopping and came across another closed cafe. What’s with that?

The Disney Wonder was in port for several more hours and other cruise ships were also docked so people were aplenty. But why all the early closures? I guess that’s the way Ketchikan rolls?? Did more shopping and spied this garage-looking space with people in it. And they were drinking coffee! I hurried on over and yes, the Good Coffee Company was open, even after their posted closing time. The workers said they go with the flow so if there’s business, they stay open. I had another “safe” mocha but should’ve gotten a larger size since it was so good.

So coffee addicts, there you have it, my coffee tales in Fresno, Vancouver, and lastly, Alaska. After writing three installments, I’m tired. I think I need some coffee.

Don’t forget about Part 1 and Part 2 of Coffee While Cruising.

Ketchikan on Dwellable

What did I see when entering a Canadian Starbucks? A scene not much different from that in America, but Starbucks CA is promoting their True North Blend. True North is a blonde roast that’s “named by Canadians for Canadians.”

While I’m not sure if True North is merely a Canadian-version of the regular Starbucks blonde roast, I had to pick up a bag just because. I also got a Canadian Starbucks card featuring the iconic maple leaf.

Not a bad introduction to Starbucks Canada, eh?

And although we stayed in Vancouver for less than three days, I managed to go back to the Robson location for yet another Clover brew.

But Starbucks definitely isn’t the only coffee game in town. There are independent cafes and coffee bars on each city block, and I came across many Blenz locations. While hiking back from Stanley Park to the hotel, I had to take a pitstop for an iced mocha. Damn good stuff I must say.

That’s it for Part 2. My Coffee While Cruising series will conclude in Part 3 as I stay caffeinated in Alaska and onboard the Disney wonder.

Vancouver on Dwellable

The only real way to start time off is with good coffee and good kicks. That means a cup of Kati Kati Blend from Starbucks while wearing (gasp!) New Balance MO673.

From HNL to SFO and stuck there for a bit due to continued delays from the Asiana Airlines accident, I partook of a Peet’s Iced Coconut Latte. I didn’t take a pic of this sweet (and airport-overpriced) concoction though. From SFO, we flew to FAT to spend a few days in the scorching heat.

I have my usual coffee sources in Fresno but changed it up just a bit, visiting Barnes and Noble (remember bookstores?) and its cafe.

From FAT, the next vacation leg was to YVR in Vancouver. Did I mention FAT now has two Starbucks locations? There’s the one in the forest check-in area and the newer location is inside of the security gate, making it easier to stay caffeinated while waiting for your flight.

This location still seems new with newbie employees. While the workers were courteous, asking each other to how assemble a sweetened iced coffee was a little disconcerting for me. But if you’re still looking for that limited edition wooden Starbucks cards, I found a cache for you!

Hmmm, I have more coffee pictures from my trip than I originally thought, so I’m gonna break this up into a series of posts. Part 2 will cover coffee in Canada, but here’s a peek of my pictures without all the backstory.