troyphoto

Thanks everyone. Wanted to make sure there wouldn't be an issue.

As my TA said: NCL wants EVERY qualified cruiser on board. They don't want to pass up the chance to collect more dollars from us. 

6 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

They’ll just have to complete the check in at the pier if none of the info is registered.  Will just

take longer at the check in desk.

I wasn't sure if they'd be allowed in without the cruise docs in hand. Do we just show their paid receipt to get in?

We're sailing tomorrow with Sis in Law and her friend. They're first time cruisers... with passports only a year old or so. Neither has ever been out of the US before.

We sat down last weekend and finally got ourselves through the online check in process. I sat with them at my computer and walked them through the process.

Of course, wife and I, with a dozen cruises under our belts, and on our 2nd passport each, immediately moved into the completed status on NCL website.

Our travel buddies, though, seem to be stuck. It was that way on the day we did the online check in. Everything is filled in. Nothing blank. We've gone back in and double checked... but they're still hovering in the not-complete status.

Our TA called NCL rep, and they couldn't see any problems, but we're in the lock-down period when we cannot change anything in the docs.

That means no cruise docs, no luggage tags to download and print. And we sail tomorrow (Sunday 4 Dec). Has anyone dealt with a similar situation?

Anyone ever had to go to the terminal with only a reservation number? How does that work?

Out of curiosity, how do the shows in the main theater work? Is there a different show each night, like on the jewel class ships? Or just the SIX and BURN? What about the other shows (Headliners and the Circus area?)

We love the Jewell Class ships are this is our first venture (Jan 30, 2022) on the Breakaway. And we're taking cruise newbies, so I'm supposed to have all the answers about a ship I've never been on. 😁

6 hours ago, roger001 said:

Here are way too many pictures of the Getaway.  They are about 6 years old so some things have changed a bit.  However, they will give you a good idea of what those two ships are like.  We are Jewel class fans also.  The Getaway, we've sailed on her twice, very nice and beautiful ship.  However, for us just way too large and we just don't use all that she offers.  Also, balconies are really small, except for a few on deck 8.  

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vls9lJ7ii1nmkOxq2

Nice pics. Thanks!

Yep. Those are small balconies. We're switching to inside cabins to maximize the excursion potential. Esp since we're traveling with cruise newbies this go. Their budget is tight until they learn what is most important to them about cruising.

21 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

Looking in your signature, I see you have been on the Jewel, Pearl and Sun, and I had a look in NCL.com for January 2022 cruises ...

 

There is one on the GEM (sister to Jewel and Pearl) and one on the SKY (sister to Sun) ... both these have Great Outdoors aft and walk-around promenade.

 

Both Sid and Keith are correct about the Breakaway's Waterfront. It's great to walk around. Spice H2O is great too. But no Great Outdoors aft.

 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks.... but....  prefer not to do NYC... Been there for other vacations. Then I rubbed elbows with other tourists, not NYCers.

My TA said the last couple from Indiana he sent to NYC almost walked away from the cruise and stopped cruising at all. Something about Midwestern sensibilities vs NYC attitudes.

And, I don't want to lose a day of the cruise each to the chilly/choppy North Atlantic in January. 

Isn't the Sky Bermuda only? That wasn't on the list of ports the wife and her sister wanted to go on.

Sounds like I can make do with spice H20 if I avoid the smoking side.

Others have suggested balconies, but I find the railing cuts right across where my line of vision falls. So I don't get the horizon. Just a steel and wooden bar. And, I'm a writer, so cafe table with chair is best. Need to keep the word count up each day.

28 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

...

On sea days, I often walk for up to 10 miles round the promenade deck or waterfront. Given the choice I would rather do that on the Waterfront over the older ships Promenade decks.

Keith:

is the walking area wide enough for two people abreast each direction, or is it tighter? Thinking back to how wide the promenade was on the Jewell class ships when the chaise loungers were in place. Similar?

Hi Gang! Been a while... 🙃

We're in the process of trying to reschedule a cancelled cruise. Up til now, we've loved the Jewell class. Whenever I'm not on one of those, I get grumpy due to the lack of the quiet aft open air, no wind, shaded cafe. (AKA, the Great Outdoors bar and extension of the Garden Cafe). I want to be out, enjoying the open air, staring at the ocean going by, with bar staff, breakfast, and lunch (and cookies) a few steps away. Best part of the Jewell class right there, IMO.

Well, since we're looking at sailing Jan 2022, there's not much open for the Caribbean right now except for the MEGA ships that we don't have any interest in.

BUT... there's the breakaway out of NOLA.

When I look at the deck plans for Deck 15 on the Breakaway, looks like there is some space behind the pool area, in front of the Garden Cafe labeled "Open Air Garden Cafe". Just from the location, I wince. 

What are those areas like?

Any pics?

Also: Walking the promenade. Is there a similar walking area on the ship? The wife walks every morning and evening, even on port days. She needs to get a good 5 miles in that isn't on a treadmill. (Again, enjoying the outdoors)

Thanks! If anyone has links to a good post or gallery with lots of pics of the Breakaway, please feel free to add a link.

Great review and pics. Since you seem like you enjoy a good party, wondering if there are any musicians or shows that you loved or hated. Thanks again, your review has me even more excited. Especially the Glacier Bay pics.

Normally, since I don't dance, wife and I spend a lot of time lounge hopping and finding the various musicians to listen to.

We didn't do that this trip. Wife and Travel Buddy #2 were dance nuts - so we almost alway finished in Spinnaker to watch them dance.

Main dance company is good. Legends of Rock show was excellent, except for the muffled sound. Talking with some of my sound engineer friends, we've decided that they probably had the feeds for the band one notch too high, and had to bump the vocals up to compensate. We were toward the back of the main middle section, before the walkway that cuts between the lower and upper sections. So, we should have been in the prime listening area.

BTW: My ears were ringing when we left that show. Wish I'd remembered that I had a sound meter app on my phone (which was with me).

The other show by the company was good. Wife and travel buddies went to that on the last day.

Travel Buddies made it to the "adults only" with the comedian. They said it was very good.

The Acrobatic show "Angels" is also recommended highly.

Energy Plus (house dance band) did a great job. The 1969 Rock show with the house show/jazz band and the singers was good as well. Seating is limited in Spinnaker. Get there early. -- While we waiting on one of the game shows in Spinnaker on a different night, the House Band did a jazz set. I was happy. I love jazz.

Lace was the guitarist/singer. Caught his show in the Atrium once while we were drinking Bushwackers in O'Sheehans. Decent, what we saw.

The Juggler/Commedian was decent. But, his show was low energy. I've been spoiled with jugglers who have high-energy (Romano Fredianni). Show was good, but at a slower pace.

BTW: he also does a very informative lecture the next day in the theater about the life and time of Charlie Chaplin. If you know little to nothing about Chaplin, it's VERY informative. Same low key style as his show.

Side note: I'm a docent at the Santa Monica Pier. In this show, he sounded like I did when I first began giving history tours. I'm still learning how to personalize each set of facts I tell into a series of stories with punchlines or hooks. His lecture could benefit from such an approach. It was on the dry side, but very informative.

Final Update: Ketchikan (the Liquid Sunshine town), Vancouver BC, and Seattle:

One of my breakfasts in the Great Outdoors. Yes I had bacon! We moored right next the Aleutian Ballad of Deadliest Catch fame. I wanted to go out on her for the Crabbing show, but we had already spent our excursion budget on the train ride.

A crewman makes sure the Pearl is shiny!

The "Employee Motivator, Josh" can be seen in the Tongass trading post #2, kitty-corner across from the first Tongas you get to off the pier. Note: Josh makes sure that store #2 has free coffee (in the pot - back by the chocolate bar. If you want a bag to take home, you still have to purchase that).

This trip gave a weird sea day... Half of it was on Friday when we left Ketchikan, and the other half before we got to BC. It was suitably foggy and drizzly most of the way.

My camera does Panoramas when I tell it to: Here's the harbor side, the Emerald Princess docked next to us in V:BC, and the view off the bow of the ship (Scenic car park).

We did express disembark and parted ways with travel buddies briefly. Wife and I walked a mile to Pioneer Square, dropped our bags at the Best Western (thumbs up for the hotel). Travel Buddies were spending some more time in Washington on and Oregon, we were flying back home on Monday. So travel buddies picked us up for one more day together.

We went to the Space Needle and Chihuly Glass Gallery. Since we had to say goodbye to our favorite crew members, the Washy-Washy guys, I had to substitute with my little bottle of hand-sani. They wouldn't let me sing the washy-washy song though. Something about "tone-deaf" and "Strangle a cat" were the mutters I heard.

Glacier bay... nuf said.

Well, really good and informative stuff from the rangers. Go see them.

Hint. It's CHILLY up there. Dress in layers. Grab a beach towel off the pool deck if you need a cover up.

Otherwise, we just sat on Deck 7 and watched. Those little orange dots in the upper left photo... those are 2 person kayaks. We were about 1 mile away from this glacier, according to the Ranger.

Then we had lunch in Lotus Garden. That was confusing. We couldn't figure out if the parts after the appetizers were a full course, or if you needed to select one from part B and one from part C... Got more food than we needed but made a valiant effort to eat it all.

Later, we got Bushwacked up in O'Sheehans. I think the drinks were happy to see us.

And we're in Skagway today! (well this day last week).

Started the morning sitting in the Great Outdoors as the Pearl slowly eased into her berth, and I saw a familiar ship about to join us in Skagway harbor. Yep, the Jewell. She and the Pearl are my two favorite ships. (Also pictured, Energy Plus, the ship's party band, and some pasta.)

Wife found her favorite breakfast, waffle with banana compote (I had bacon again). Then we headed off for the train ride through White Pass.

The train ride is a good little jaunt. Once you're clear of town, you're allowed out on the platforms to either end of the cars. Just don't stand on that little "apron" between the cars. Doing so is a good way to see the tracks close up if it comes loose. Just don't do it!

This is Alaska (and Canada eventually) it's chilly. So each car has a stove heater, as well as a toilet. Pull and push handle to flush. The car was comfortable. Don't worry, those in the back, become those in front. Look at the bench seats (left bottom of the pic above) and you'll see the backs flip up and over. You keep the same row when you get to the end of the journey - but switch to the seat across the aisle. The train does not actually turn around, you do! The engine decouples, then switches tracks, runs to the other end, and re-couples to pull you in the other direction.

Remember, when photographing through glass, turn OFF the flash. Try to shoot at an angle, and get the camera as close to the glass as possible. Even then, I still ended up with some glare and reflections when I photographed through the windows. But, it's warmer in the cars.

We made it to just across the Canadian border! We were honorary Canucks for a few minutes while the engine did it's swticheroo. The path in the photo lower left is the old trail that the prospectors heading into Yukon had to walk as many as 30 times back and forth to get their one-ton Grubstake banked before Canadian officials would allow them into look for gold.

The tour guides on the train will come through and sell some caps, DVDS, and photobooks of the train ride. Wife let me buy a hat. I was happy. Have cash. Hats were $10 US and the combo of the Hat + DVD + PhotoBook was $20. they won't sell the photo book separate. It's only part of the combo.

After the ride, we went back to the ship to sleep. Travel Buddies explored Skagway, and got more free trinkets after suffering through the jewelry sales pitches. Ended up back in spinnaker for music and to watch our ladies dance.

I'm a day behind... pretend I told you all about an exciting sea day of napping, walking the deck and eating more food.

Now, onto Tuesday!

Wife and I awoke to celebrate our 30th anniversary on the Pearl! Can you believe she put up with me that long! :hearteyes:

I had a card for her hidden away (our gifts to each other was the cruise), and snuck it on her pillow after breakfast (yes, in the great outdoors). That earned me a kiss.

We then went up to Spinnaker to watch the ship slide into port at Juneau. Fancy little dance occurred there. The Jewel was already docked, but almost ready to leave. We came into Juneau harbor and waited for the Jewell to back out. We then rotated and slid into her berth.

Lunch in O'Sheehans. While we were waiting there for our Travel Buddies to join us, we asked the bartender (Amir? - awesome guy!) for a couple of Bushwackers. We wanted to try something new in drinks and that sounded good. Unfortunately, he was out of the banana stuff for the drink. We said we could wait until staff brought him another mixer of it.

Instead, he made us two mudslides (never had them before) and were instantly hooked. Once we finished those, he had the Bushwackers ready for us. They were YUM too!

We took Travel Buddies into Juneau for shopping, and they learned about the high-pressure jewelry sales just to get their free pendants. Some things you just have to let them experience for themselves.

We debated riding the Mount Roberts tram, but decided $33/per person was a bit steeper than we wanted to pay.

From where NCL berths at Juneau, there are shuttle buses running into town (where the Mt Roberts' tram is). On the drive back, our driver shared a little story with us... a poem about a hard rock miner. No one else tipped him, but I figured if he had a story like that to fit into a mere 5-minute drive, he deserved a fiver from us!

Dinner that night was back to Summer Palace. But, we brought along our bottle of bubbly for being Silver Latitudes members.

NOTE TO NCL REPS READING THIS: Wife and I don't normally like sparkling anything (soda is good, but not wine or juice) - Wife isn't a wine drinker, and I prefer reds. What can we get instead on future cruises? Two liter of diet Pepsi? A bottle of Red Wine? Anything? Otherwise, it may sit unopened in the room. Or passed to a random stranger in the hall.

But, we had travel buddies, so we brought our "sparkling wine" and had it served at our dinner table for our special occasion. (it's ok, but not enough that we want to have any again outside of a social function). If there hadn't been four of, would have just ignored the bottle and gotten a mudslide or Bushwacker from Amir in O'Sheehans. Staff was great, food yummy. Much toasting and burping was had.

Headed up to Spinnaker afterward (did this most nights) and watched the game show (if there was one) then watched our ladies dance. Once we headed back to the room, well... the towel animal on our bed isn't telling and neither are we.

Our Travel Buddies took an inside cabin. They ended up sleeping better than we did.

No sunlight in their cabin.

Sun rose early and set late, especially on the northern end of the journey. Wife and I had a difficult time sleeping past 6 am most days (we're usually up around 5:30, and hoped to sleep later due to VACATION - but the extra daylight was difficult to overcome)

Pearl Upgrades:

Here's a brief update to tide you over until I get some more photos edited. Let’s begin with a look at the Pearl herself. She was in dry dock earlier this year for a refurbishing. Some of the changes I like, one not so much.

First: the cabins themselves have been refreshed. New flat panel TVs were installed, as part of an upgraded com center. This gained the cabin (at least in the oceanviews) an extra square foot or two of floor space.

Of course, I forgot to take a photo of the new TV area in our cabin.

The other change that stuck out right away was the art painted on the walls around the promenade deck (deck 7)

Inset is the old art on the Promenade deck. Background is the new outer wall, sans art.

Here’s an image of before and after the “upgrade.” Not sure I like the new clean white look, but it’s sure to be easier on the maintenance.

Maintenance chief: You, crewman, go touch up the paint on the exterior walls on deck 7.

Old Crewmember question: “What colors will I need for all of the art there?”

New Crewmember question: “Where did I put the white paint I used yesterday?”

(I’m sure he put the white paint in the same storage locker in the paint room… but, you get the point)

In general, there was some sprucing up throughout the ship, but with a five-year gap in between our sailings on the Pearl, we were hard pressed to say “That’s changed” beyond what was mentioned above.

My favorite spot is still sitting in the Great Outdoors, even when it’s chilly. I was there every morning. There are areas that are sheltered from the breeze, so it’s a decent and quiet spot until about 9 am or so when the late risers come in for breakfast.

If anyone is looking for Menus or Freestyle Dailies, there is an awesomely good write up with cool photos here: so I'll skip those.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2520396

" the three staircases are coded: With different colors on the carpet, as well as different artwork "

 

 

Could someone elaborate about the stairs?

I actually only took one stairway photo this time (I'll look again and see if I might have one or two tucked away in the 1200 images I took.)

The MID ship staircase usually has a light teal (aqua blue-ish) color - and the artwork on the in-between floor landings are all paintings (prints of).

The FORE staircase (IIRC had purple carpet on the landings ????) and Animal photos on the in-between floor landings.

The AFT has photos of places/architecture (there's a construction photo of the Pearl on one landing) and IIRC more purple on the carpet.

Also, in the hallways outside the staterooms, there are fish on the carpet. All the fish (except the red rebellious fish) swim toward the FRONT of the boat.

Not quite a thriller for the rest of the cruise. Here's a quick recap of the rest of day 1 and our sea day:

DAYS 1 & 2

The rest of Embarkation day went smoothly. We used our unlimited beverage cards in the Great Outdoors. Wife got a rum punch, and I had my first glass of wine.

We sat out on the aft deck for the sail-away, until we decided to change for dinner. Travel Buddy 1 shifted into slacks with his aloha shirt. I added my khakis. The ladies did whatever ladies do to prepare for dinner, and off to the Summer Palace.

We educated Travel Buddies on the napkin game. Trying to get seated at the table, and put the napkin on your laps before the waiters have a chance to grab them and drape them for you. They only forgot a few times. Fortunately, the ladies got the attention first, so we gents always had a reminder if one of the ladies forgot her napkin. As soon as we saw the waiter reach for the napkin, give it bit of wave as the let it unfold then draped it across one of our wife’s laps, we would remember and get our own napkins in place. We’re smart like that.

Travel buddies were impressed with service and the variety and quality of food (with one exception – not bad, just not how they make it – later in the cruise). Although he was tempted, Travel Buddy 1 never actually ordered two desserts.

They had already explored the ship, so we didn’t have to worry about showing them the ins and outs. But, as we wandered the decks after dinner, we pointed out how the three staircases are coded: With different colors on the carpet, as well as different artwork. Eventually, we ended up in the shops, where Travel Buddy 2 had to get a new visor. That meant we got to spend some time shopping, tasting liquor, and looking at coffee cups. Wife doesn’t let me buy many coffee cups now that we moved from a spacious Midwest home, into a west coast LA tiny apartment. I’m not allowed to add a coffee mug to the collection unless it is super special, ultra-cool, type. Moose mugs from Alaska would have counted under the old system, but not with the new “No Room in LA apartment” system.

We finally ended up in Spinnaker for Music with Energy Plus, the ship’s party band. Good musicians and worth a listen.

I’ll have more on this later, but the theme for me on this cruise was “too loud.” The audio levels across the ship were all just an extra bump too loud. Some of the vocals up in Spinnaker got muffled because of the volume.

But, a good time was had by all. We hung around Spinnaker for the Welcome Aboard Party with our assistant CD, Celso (“Selso”). Travel Buddy 2 and my wife hit the dance floor. Travel Buddy 1 and I are the type of people that can’t hear the beat.

Seriously. While we might be able to tap our food if there is an extra loud drum or bass beat, if there are any other notes, we go off on tangents and lose the beat. The CD staff tried their best to get us up. Finally, the wives had to tell them “Those two, they’re not allowed to dance!” Still, one of the CD girls kept trying to get us up the rest of the cruise. She would accept the first “no thanks,” but she felt she needed to ask.

There are three types of people on the dance floor:

-People who like to dance

-People who think they know how to dance

-People who just want to be out with the others dancing.

There are two types of non-dancers:

- Those waiting for encouragement (the wallflowers)

- People like Travel Buddy 1 and I…

If we tried, we wouldn’t enjoy it. We know. We’ve been forced to try often enough. When our brains and our feet don’t follow the music, and we know we’re way off, the disappointment sets in. So, thanks for being inclusive CD staff, but we’re content to just sit here and enjoy watching our wives get their grooves on. We’ll watch their purses, and order a few drinks. Trust me, we’ll enjoy that far more than trying to wiggle the wrong way on the dance floor.

The next night (sea day) found us back in Spinnaker for the evening. (typical sea day occurrences occurred before that… Breakfast, walking the deck, Lunch, napping, Snacks in the GO, more Napping or walking, and supper).

The Not So Newlywed game show was the usual highlight of the cruise. Names were drawn for the first two couples, and then to make sure that the real newlyweds, complete with bridal gown and suit, got into the game, the CDs asked for volunteers … about 8 couples rushed the dance floor. Each had to show their romance with a passionate kiss. Audience noise would select the winner and occupants of the third set of chairs.

Should be an easy win for the new bride and groom. Right?

But they didn’t count on a couple I’ll call “The Fireworks”

Mr. and Mrs. Fireworks were a feisty older couple. Married well over 4 decades, they came to the floor with Mrs. F’s rolling walker. Mr. F looked pretty fit, but it was his wife that was the friskiest.

The poor newlywed bride never stood a chance against her. The crowd noise was overwhelming for the Fireworks couple. So, Jasper the CD and host of the show made an executive decision and added a fourth set of chairs to include both Mr. and Mrs. Fireworks as well as the Newlyweds.

I wish I could remember all of the questions and answers. Let’s just say that our favorite couple lived up to their name in all but one question. Evidently, their first night in bed on the ship was more like sleeping with the dead than like the Fourth of July!

Following the game show, we stayed in Spinnaker and watched our wives dance some more.

That seemed to be our theme for the cruise. Laugh, listen, and watch our wives dance. A good time was had by all.

(Current Post-Cruise post)

I'm technically off the ship now. I just figured I'd do a one a day blog post of a recap. Tonight (Sunday) we're in Seattle. Flying back to LA tomorrow (Monday) - We Hope!

The internet plans on the ship matched what I saw on the NCL pre-purchase page on their website.

NOTE: I was going to do a live blog, but the internet gremlins on the Pearl wouldn't load Cruise Critic. Rather than waste my precious internet minutes watching a site not load, I decided to do an Almost Live Blog. I'll try to post once a day this week, even though I got off the ship today. I still have a bunch of images to edit, and recaps to write up. Just pretend I'm still on the ship, and we'll all have fun with the thread.

Below is the story of how we almost missed the ship on day 1. Enjoy!

---------

The apartment was locked up tight. We’d made the sure that Loko Kitty had his buddy Maggie, our infamous pet sitter, locked and loaded for a week of excitement. Mail was stopped for a week. We were ready for vacation to begin.

This was a special vacation for us. Wife has been blessed (or cursed, take your pick) with me for 30 years of wedded… well… we’ll say bliss. At least on my end. She’s probably cussed quite a few times in regret for marrying a journalist/photographer. But, she’s put up with me for this long. She deserves a cruise. Alaska beckoned us for this milestone.

I tapped the Lyft app at 5:15 am on Sunday. Within five minutes, our Lyft driver, Valerie was in front of our building. Two suitcases and two people went into her grey Hyundai (Loko Kitty stayed behind), and our vacation had begun. Or, so we thought.

This wasn’t usual for us. We’ve been firm believers in leaving a day early, and staying overnight in a hotel, then getting a ride to the port the morning of the cruise. Wise ideas when one lives where inclement weather can shut down airports.

But, this time, we were going from Los Angeles to Seattle. As long as a Typhoon didn’t blow in unexpectedly, or Mount Olympus didn’t erupt, we’d be fine.

Right?

Within a few minutes of being on the road the morning of our cruise, my wife’s phone buzzed. Delta Air was telling us that our flight was ahead of schedule, and we’d be into Seattle by 10:30 that morning. We already had our NCL transfers set up. The big bus from NCL would meet us at Seattle Airport and whisk us away to our eagerly anticipated vacation.

Getting through the line at the terminal, and seeing the ever-exciting WASHY-WASHY crew was almost upon us. Sneaking past the photographers and trying not to get our photo taken (9 cruises, haven’t bought a photo yet).

A few minutes later, wife’s phone buzzed again. That buzz signaled anxiety and the beginnings of what looked like a severe bout of depression.

Our flight was delayed two hours past the original time.

And thus, began a morning of nightmares.

Checking in with the Delta folks, the only flights left to get to Seattle earlier would only shave a mere 10 minutes off our already delayed arrival time. And, we’d be on stand-by for the new flight. Not good. Who know where our luggage would go, if we went on one plane, but the bags were on the other? A week at sea with just the clothes on our backs?

After a leisurely breakfast of hotcakes, bacon and big side of worry we decided to start making some calls. I did the math, and realized that we wouldn’t be arriving in time to catch our NCL Shuttle to the ship.

A quick call to NCL got our panic kicked into high gear. The agent at NCL HQ confirmed that not only were we arriving too late to catch the NCL shuttle, she also said that we needed to make the port by 2 pm, because the ship was scheduled to sail at 4. Eeep! NO week of hearing WASHY-WASHY! OH CRAP!

I called my awesome travel agent. He began his own string of phone calls. He confirmed with NCL that we’d miss our shuttle, and, because we had not booked our Airfare through NCL, we’d get no refund of the fees. I suspect that the price differences in what we can book air for vs what NCL would book for us would make up for the $44 (2 people) shuttle fees.

Now, however, we’re in panic mode. What if they won’t let us into the terminal. Will we ever see the Washy-Washy crew? How will we be able to try to sneak past the Green Screen Photofroggers? What about our glass of sparkling bubbly as we ascend the gangway into our home away from home? Will life go on without experiencing the Sardine Drill (AKA Safety Briefing)?

Fortunately, we had travel buddies who were on a different flight out of different airport. Unfortunately, this was their first ever cruise. We wanted to meet up with them and help guild them through the new adventure. Now, they were adrift on their own to navigate the friendly attitudes of NCL’s embarkation program. At least we knew they’d get a good vacation.

Sitting at the airport, Wife and I debated several times: go to Seattle on the delayed flight, try our best to make the ship – or throw in the towel, and head back to the land of work and drudgery for our 30th Anniversary? Our Travel Agent was firm that we continue and give it the Old College Try to get on board.

Wife was biting back nerves the entire flight. The captain let us know after the shut the door, that the earlier flight had a mechanical problem. Delta did the right thing and pulled the plane. LAX didn’t have a spare on hand, so a crew had to fly in an empty plane from another airport. That was the delay.

We both tried to keep our nerves under control at 3,600 feet as we sat in row 27 or the replacement aircraft. I loaded up on Cuban Jazz. Wife found her own music and tried to get lost in a library book. We landed at just after 1 pm in Seattle. Wife and I had our phones back on immediately upon landing. She exhaled heavily with a smile creeping into her cheeks.

Travel buddies were on the ship in my favorite spot in the Great Outdoors. They’d been asking the gate agents, as well as the folks at the Pearl’s front desk. They were told that customs/security usually didn’t close the departure terminal until after 3. We could make it! Maybe.

After we got our bags, and negotiated Seattle Airport’s confusion of where to find a taxi (level 3 of the parking garage… but the skyway takes you to level 4), we hopped into a Prius with our Pakistani driver. His eyes got wide when I told him to head to the cruise terminal. He knew we were cutting it close.

Once he learned we were natives of Indianapolis, despite our recent transplant to the West Coast, he found his inner Mario Andretti. The supposed 45-minute commute to the port seemed to be flying by as he pushed the Prius as though he were running his qualification laps for the big race.

And then, we found the drawbridge. The other side was already up… The gates were down on our side. “Mario” had to stop. We watched the bridge rise. About minutes later, it began to drop. Once the gat was up, “Mario” came out of the pits strong and had his race face back on. We passed the Ferris wheel as he hit the exit ramp from the freeway, and there, along the port’s shoreline. We spied her. Our destination. Vacation Joy! THE PEARL!

A few twists and turns through Seattle’s port district and we could see the ship close up… on the other side of the slowly … moving … freight … train… I didn’t want to try to jump between the train cars, so getting out on foot wasn’t an option.

Mario looked back at me.

“Your call boss. We can wait on train, or I know another way. It goes slow, but we’d be moving.”

Keep moving, I told him.

We crept our way through the through the tourist section around the markets, but he got us to the other side. I passed the credit card and a Twenty his way for a job well done.

We jay-ran across the street from where he pulled up. One of the NCL Cruise ladies smiled and waved us in.

“Hope we’re not the last ones?” I said.

“Probably not, there’s still time.

We made it in, showed out boarding docs and passports and were waved into a security line.

My wife almost lost it.

We found the trainee running the x-ray scanner. With my computer, camera, and other vacation gadgets, I expected to be the one they found problems with.

Nope. New girl on the scanner, must have been her first day tried to figure out what that thing in wife’s suit case was. Turned out it was my camera, in the bin before her suitcase.

Ok… gotta keep moving… we don’t have our key cards. No washy-washy stewards and their squirt bottles. Come’on… We gotta MOVE IT!

Wait… trainee girl says. What’s that metal stuff in wife’s suit case?

Turns out, she has large metal buckles on her dressy flat shoes.

Whew… we’re through! Through the hallways, get our medical check off forms… We’re next to get up to the counter, get our ID photos taken and get our key cards. Finally!

And the guy in the ship’s white uniform behind the check in agents starts folding computers and searching them as each agent clears the passenger in front of them.

What about us! Hello!!!!! We’re right here… There are two other families behind us in line.

Took another five minutes or so, but the guy in white uniform let an agent keep her computer open. Whew!

Once we had our key cards in hand, only one thing lay between us and bliss of our first Washy-Washy experience. The long trek to the gangway.

As we wound our way through the terminal, following signs past the empty waiting area, where our travel buddies had gotten their group number, their cup of juice or water, past the empty spot where the photofroggers had long since dropped their green screen, we charged up the empty metal maze of the gangway.

But no Washy-Washy guys.

We handed our cards the security guys, got swiped and were officially on vacation.

Just in time for the lifeboat drill.

Here’s a pic of me right after that in my happy place.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go find a washy-washy steward to get this vacation officially started.

I just got the online survey from NCL - Filling it out I marked a few things less than "Excellent" - but there wasn't an appropriate question or comment box to explain those things, so I want to address them below in hopes that it will filter up.

1. Room/Steward - our guy wasn't bad - but I wonder if he was newer, or just over-worked.

On Embarkation day, there was an empty plastic cup on the table in our room - no biggie - we can toss it. But it was missed.

Because we're married and actually sleep together (unlike the Ward and June Cleaver) the bunks were pushed together to make a double bed. That uncovered some crumbs (not little ones) near the wall from someone's past munching in bed when the beds were separated.

Both of these go to the point I made above that our first sailing on the Jewel in Dec 05 - there were more stewards covering the same number of rooms. Now, I get the feeling that the stewards are just getting by on covering their rooms due to being understaffed.

Our guy was also a tad late with things like the Dailies (missed one day entirely), and the customs forms didn't show until after we put our luggage in the hallway. (I had already got one from the front desk area)

2. Cruise Staff - Is it just me, or have past cruises had more informative announcements via ship speaker. I spend a LOT of time out on deck during the day. I know... BINGO! - but also things like: "Don't forget to get your customs form filled out - there's an information seminar on it today in Spinnaker..." I notice those have been dropping off.

Yes, there's a balance of too many announcements - we get the Bingo, we get the shopping, photos etc to get us to spend $$ on board. I like the Capt's announcement every day for weather and ocean depth etc. But, perhaps a tad more information that isn't just trying to get us to spend more money.

The following is entirely on me, but, one I feel that I need to share to help the staff understand:

I wear hearing aids. Not a bad hearing loss, but enough of one. Unfortunately, when on deck, the loudspeakers are difficult enough to understand. Add in any kind of unfamiliar accent, and the hearing aids don't do well with the tinny quality of the speakers.

Context really helps me understand what is said, despite the accent. The capt gives ships speed, heading position, etc. The cruise staff give event times, tender ticket numbers.

Unfortunately, our fun Cruise Director, Sin, has an accent I'm not used to. He's also the primary voice from the ceiling for all things not about the Ship's position/heading (or BINGO! - that was Asst CD Tom's job)... When Sin was sharing some of that info I requested above, I had difficulty understand. This wasn't because of his accent - but because his accent was coming through a tinny sound system, and getting "pushed" through by my hearing aids, which only amplify certain frequencies.

In the theater, when Sin was on the mic, I had no problems understanding him... but those ship speakers on deck... not good.

3. the Ship/Schedule - Wife's BIG complaint: Walking in the morning on Deck 7

Impossible she says, and that's the primary activity she enjoys.

Sport's deck track, too narrow, too often, and you'll get run over by the joggers. She likes deck 7 for getting her 5-7 miles (not laps, miles) every morning before breakfast.

But, the most she got in was three laps one day. Most days was one lap, then start the back and forthing as the maintenance guys came out at first light to rope off a section and start cleaning something.

She'd like to know what hour(s) in the morning each day that the deck will be open for walking laps - and she'll plan her day around that. One morning the entire starboard side was shut down for washing as she went out at about 7-ish... back to the room, shower and head to breakfast. Didn't want to shower again, so skipped exercise, skipped bread and dessert at dinner to make up for no exercise.

We understand the need to maintain the ship, to drop lifeboats for tendering, for medical emergencies, etc. We'd just like the communication (print it in the Dailies) of when the walking area on deck 7 will be available for the non-runners. We'll plan tomorrow's exercise times IF we know when is best.

4. Bar Staff and the UBP - First, we always had great experiences with our bar staff/waiters. They were overworked with all of the UBP plans on board, but were always friendly and helpful.

Wife and I, and most of the experience cruisers we talked to said the bonus UBP promotions seemed to have caused NCL to drop a waiter here and there. They appeared understaffed. Perhaps they were just overworked with everyone wanting drinks.

But, even in the theater, we noticed less staff, not less attention. Once we caught their eye, they were responsive and polite. Nothing but good stuff to say about the staff... just wondering if there were less bar staff???

Other than picking up a head cold (based on incubation times - I was exposed to it in LA a few days before the cruise) - it was good cruise. The items above were the bits that could have been better - but nothing major ... although keeping the wife happy about her exercise is key to getting her back on board. :D

As for the UBP as a promo... Meh. Wife and I would go for (pay) the soda card next time. She drinks enough soda, and I like ginger ale enough to at least drink enough to pay for the card. But, we didn't drink anywhere close to enough booze to have actually pay for the UBP. - But, I won't say no to free booze if that's what the promo is. I just won't pay for an UBP in the future.

Was it warm once you got to Cabo?

Shorts and sandals all day!

Great LIVE review Troy!! It was wonderful to meet you and your lovely wife, and enjoy some good conversation along with all of those drinks!! I'm going to have to track down a recipe for that Lavender Patch Martini.

 

Love the group shot from the pub crawl -- would you be ok with sharing a printable quality version with the group? I know I would love to have a copy for my scrapbook :-)

I'd be happy to post a high res image for the group on FB, folks can grab it from there in a day or two.

Until then, I'm struggling with my head cold (still) - flying 4+ hours with a cold is never fun... oh, and Indiana got ice, then snow, and tonight/tomorrow, we get another 2-4 inches of snow.

I miss California already!:D

Those coming in the next few weeks... be sure to pack warmer clothing for sea days.

I had to put on what LAers would consider a winter jacket for my nap on a deck chair on deck seven - I already had a turtleneck shirt, a fleece pullover, and long pants on.

That wind was darn chilly on sea days.

Probably no update today.

I've managed to pick up a head cold (as has another CCer) - so I'm going to take it easy and watch the ocean go by... and nap. There's definitely a nap in my future.