Traveller20074 Posted August 27, 2010 #101 Share Posted August 27, 2010 Regarding weather.....when we cruised this year, on May 9th in Seattle where we started...I did NOT expect the weather we had! It only sunshines in that city usually in July and August, and sometimes not even then :p It was beautiful weather the whole cruise, except for Skagway was a bit cool and windy, and we had a small amount of rain......I hope that the end of May NEXT year is as beautiful as it was this last time. Didn't even use ANY of the rain stuff I brought LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 28, 2010 Author #102 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Regarding weather.....when we cruised this year, on May 9th in Seattle where we started...I did NOT expect the weather we had! It only sunshines in that city usually in July and August, and sometimes not even then :p It was beautiful weather the whole cruise, except for Skagway was a bit cool and windy, and we had a small amount of rain......I hope that the end of May NEXT year is as beautiful as it was this last time. Didn't even use ANY of the rain stuff I brought LOL I like surprises like that. We also were prepared for anything. We expected rain and colder weather. It was cooler, overcast, foggy, and drizzling at times in Juneau. We still had a great day and it was one that we were outside most of our time in port walking around Mendenhall. It was a blast actually! Also, I would have still gone out on the decks all day in Glacier Bay if it was cold and rainy. I would have had less company for sure. We were lucky and I am grateful :D! I hope you enjoy your return to Alaska as much as you did before. We are planning on going back someday as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welove2cruise232 Posted August 28, 2010 #103 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Great review Jim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 28, 2010 Author #104 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Great review Jim! Thank you:) I will be trying out the Gem for the first time next August. I know you have been on her several times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welove2cruise232 Posted August 28, 2010 #105 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Thank you:) I will be trying out the Gem for the first time next August. I know you have been on her several times! The Gem is a beautiful ship -- we will be on her AGAIN in January! But it just won't be the same without Prem...:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 28, 2010 Author #106 Share Posted August 28, 2010 The Gem is a beautiful ship -- we will be on her AGAIN in January! But it just won't be the same without Prem...:( Enjoy your winter escape! I do hope it is a great cruise anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InternetAgeTraveler Posted August 28, 2010 #107 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Here are 2 more from Glacier Bay. Jim if you click on the yellow picture of the mountain icon in the menu bar, it will ask you for the url, which allows you to see the picture inline in your post like this For comparison, this is our picture from about the same place as above from the Pearl in May... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 28, 2010 Author #108 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Jim if you click on the yellow picture of the mountain icon in the menu bar, it will ask you for the url, which allows you to see the picture inline in your post like this For comparison, this is our picture from about the same place as above from the Pearl in May... Thank you for that tip. I really appreciate it:) I was trying to figure that out. I am slow in getting up to speed with the picture/computer technology. Wow, I like to see the comparison shots too. Looks like the same sky but lots more snow in May. This is really great. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewrit Posted August 28, 2010 #109 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Jim, Thanks for the superior acount including pictures. Our first cruise was to Alaska five years ago on NCL, and we share your feelings about Glacier Bay and the Mendenhall (where we had to dodge a mama bear and cub.) Too bad you gave Victoria a pass, however; it is one of our favorite places. High tea at the Empress is more than worth the trouble of getting to town from the cruise dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJLVW Posted August 28, 2010 #110 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Jim what a wonderful review. I always thought about going to Alaska just seems that living in the Massachusetts I tend to want to go away in the winter and end up going to the Caribbean. I will say your pictures are beautiful. I thank you for sharing. Norma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #111 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Jim,Thanks for the superior acount including pictures. Our first cruise was to Alaska five years ago on NCL, and we share your feelings about Glacier Bay and the Mendenhall (where we had to dodge a mama bear and cub.) Too bad you gave Victoria a pass, however; it is one of our favorite places. High tea at the Empress is more than worth the trouble of getting to town from the cruise dock. Thank you very much. I guess missing Victoria means that I have to go back again:)! We do hope that our next trip to Alaska will mean a longer time in that area of the world. It sounds like bears are active at Mendenhall. I am told that there was a bear up in a tree when we were nearby. I did not know this until after though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #112 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Jim what a wonderful review. I always thought about going to Alaska just seems that living in the Massachusetts I tend to want to go away in the winter and end up going to the Caribbean. I will say your pictures are beautiful. I thank you for sharing.Norma Thank you very much Norma. I felt the same way you do about vacation travel to the warmer climates to get away from the New England weather. I have really changed my mind about this for possible future destinations although next year we will be on the Gem to Bermuda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coka Posted August 29, 2010 #113 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Jim what a wonderful review. I always thought about going to Alaska just seems that living in the Massachusetts I tend to want to go away in the winter and end up going to the Caribbean. I will say your pictures are beautiful. I thank you for sharing.Norma Norma, I agree with that! Even so....Alaska remains as the best cruise ever...majestic, spiritual, unforgettable, amazing. My husband and I did it for his retirement many years ago. Definitely worth saving for, worth crossing the country for, and worth giving up one week of summer in New England for! coka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJLVW Posted August 29, 2010 #114 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Norma, I agree with that! Even so....Alaska remains as the best cruise ever...majestic, spiritual, unforgettable, amazing. My husband and I did it for his retirement many years ago. Definitely worth saving for, worth crossing the country for, and worth giving up one week of summer in New England for! coka It is actually on my bucket list of places to go along with Bermuda & Europe. Hope to someday get to cruise to all my destinations. January is the 1st time I am taking this much time out of work at once. Haven't told the boss yet...Bermuda would be so easy for us. Hmm maybe I need to buy 2 cruise rewards this time. Norma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #115 Share Posted August 29, 2010 It is actually on my bucket list of places to go along with Bermuda & Europe. Hope to someday get to cruise to all my destinations. January is the 1st time I am taking this much time out of work at once. Haven't told the boss yet...Bermuda would be so easy for us. Hmm maybe I need to buy 2 cruise rewards this time. Norma That is what we do since you now have 4 years to use the Cruise Rewards. Enjoy your cruises and this heat wave we are now experiencing:D! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #116 Share Posted August 29, 2010 OK, I am trying to post a few more pictures but this time in the post. Lets see how successful I am. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_h6IwYMSs6kI/THqdbcOtHiI/AAAAAAAAAFI/FZDMLC08wmk/s680/Alaska%20August%202010%20028.JPG Not so successful. I will keep working on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #117 Share Posted August 29, 2010 This one was in Skagway. http://lh6.ggpht.com/_h6IwYMSs6kI/THqexv2xt8I/AAAAAAAAAFY/nc7FR7R9RJo/s680/Alaska%20August%202010%20127.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 29, 2010 Author #118 Share Posted August 29, 2010 We met this little guy in Ketchikan http://lh4.ggpht.com/_h6IwYMSs6kI/THqgcElZk4I/AAAAAAAAAFw/5oY6Rnzl14U/s680/Alaska%20August%202010%20018.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeforadaiquiri Posted August 30, 2010 #119 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thank you so much for that wonderful review and for all of the tips about the Pearl. My sister and I will be aboard in March and look forward to seeing everything you talked about on the Pearl. The pictures were amazing. I never thought I might like to cruise Alaska, but your review has got me thinking.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted August 30, 2010 Author #120 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thank you so much for that wonderful review and for all of the tips about the Pearl. My sister and I will be aboard in March and look forward to seeing everything you talked about on the Pearl. The pictures were amazing. I never thought I might like to cruise Alaska, but your review has got me thinking.... You are welcome. I hope you enjoy the Pearl as much as we did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joiedanslavie Posted September 10, 2010 #121 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Thanks so much Jim for a wonderful look into your trip. Please keep them coming, I am packing right now for my cruise on the Pearl on Sunday!! First cruise and can't wait! I'm really enjoying this - I can envision Jim & his family truly enjoying themselves. And his "gratitude" really touches me...so many people forget to add up their blessings! One of my upcoming blessings is the trip of a lifetime, aboard the Pearl as we explore the Eastern Caribbean, this coming November. Looking forward now to reading the rest of Jim's adventure & story on this memorable family cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted September 11, 2010 Author #122 Share Posted September 11, 2010 I'm really enjoying this - I can envision Jim & his family truly enjoying themselves. And his "gratitude" really touches me...so many people forget to add up their blessings! One of my upcoming blessings is the trip of a lifetime, aboard the Pearl as we explore the Eastern Caribbean, this coming November. Looking forward now to reading the rest of Jim's adventure & story on this memorable family cruise! Thank you very much for reading :)! I appreciate the kind words. I hope you enjoy every minute of your cruise on the Pearl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammydan Posted September 12, 2010 #123 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Jim, Thanks for the review. My boyfriend and I are doing the Pearl in October, headed to the warm weather. I noticed that you ate in the Specialty restaurants. Do they work like the main dining room in terms of what you can order? If my boyfriend wants two steaks from Cagneys in one sitting can he order that? Also you mentioned wearing jeans to dinner? I noticed shorts are not permitted for dinner. Can you tell me if there was more of a dress code? Could we wear jeans to any of the restaurants or we have to be dressed up? Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted September 15, 2010 Author #124 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Jim, Thanks for the review. My boyfriend and I are doing the Pearl in October, headed to the warm weather. I noticed that you ate in the Specialty restaurants. Do they work like the main dining room in terms of what you can order? If my boyfriend wants two steaks from Cagneys in one sitting can he order that? Also you mentioned wearing jeans to dinner? I noticed shorts are not permitted for dinner. Can you tell me if there was more of a dress code? Could we wear jeans to any of the restaurants or we have to be dressed up? Thanks for your help. Hi Sammydan, We did eat in the Speacialty restaurants and did on occasion wear jeans. This was actually the first time that I actually wore jeans to a speciality restaurant. One of the main dining rooms did allow jeans as well. I will quote the freestyle Daily from our sailing, "What to wear: You'll always find a place for your style, no matter what you want to wear. Resort casual, including jeans, is welcome in any of our restaurants, except the Summer Palace, our designated "dress up" restaurant. No shorts or hats are permitted in any of our restaurants (except Garden Cafe) after 5:00 pm. I actually do not know the answer regarding ordering 2 entrees in the Speciality Restaurants. I have never tried this. However, I have ordered 2 appetizers and this was not a problem. Maybe someone else has experience with ordering more than one entree and can chime in. Enjoy the Pearl and your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InternetAgeTraveler Posted September 16, 2010 #125 Share Posted September 16, 2010 When we did the Pearl in Alaska, the no jeans rule wasnt enforced even in the Summer Palace although it said it was. They moved us there from Indigo once and we were concerned and they said don't worry about it. I'd say it was split half and half between those in jeans and those dressed up. They might get a bit more strict in October, that I can't say (but they seem to take freestyle seriously). What you can do in the specialty restaurant varies a bit from one to another. In ones like La Cucina and Mambos, we had no problem ordering 2 but did not see anyone ordering multiple entress in Teppanyaki, although I did ask for scallops in addition to the entree with no problem (although there was so much food, not sure I could have eaten a second). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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