booked jewel & maybe I ruined my bf 50th bd !

[luv2gamble]

Me and my best friend (since 4 yrs old) are going to celebrate our 50th BD. Prob is she has been saving for an Alaska Cruise for 10 yrs now. She is disabled from a car accident 25 yrs ago, so she left me to make all the decisions. 4 weeks ago the Jewel & Pearl were exactly same price and I picked Pearl. I asked NCL rep 2 hld room 4 me for 24 hrs while I ck w my friend. She said she could not. The next day I called back to reserve it and the Pearl went up $500 for the two of us and then I found out NCL rep was wrong she could have held it for me. I wa so upset but I booked the Jewell bec $500 diff in price. Now, all I am reading is the Pearl is much better for the glacier and its even possible the Jewel cannot go to the glacier bec of depth of water. OMG! I Dont want to disappoint her. She is so excited even bringing tears. I cant tell her this. Does anyone know if this is true? Is there that much of a diff? This is her life savings. We already went past budget bec I had to change flight bec we decided to go 1 day b4 in case airline delay. That cost another $475 to change tix. HELP! Did I ruin everything? Im so upset. Sorry for long story here, trust me, there is more:confused:

[tsio360]

The Jewel & the Pearl are sister ships and almost identical. I have sailed on both and had an awesome time. I think you and your friend will enjoy the Jewel very much.

[Twinpp]

We went on the Jewel last September to Alaska and we had a great time. We went all the way up to the glacier and the ship did a complete circle so all could get a good view. We had an aft balcony. Our Mom was with us and said it was a trip of a lifetime. I have not been on the pearl, so I cannot compare for you, but I think you and your BF will have a great time. By the way, my twin and I were 51 at the time of the trip.

[suometar]

4 weeks ago the Jewel & Pearl were exactly same price and I picked Pearl. I asked NCL rep 2 hld room 4 me for 24 hrs while I ck w my friend. She said she could not.

 

I'm sorry that the NCL rep gave you wrong information, but unfortunately that seems to be par for the course. However, if you book online NCL allows a 24 hour courtesy hold. I am shocked that the rep you spoke did not know this.

[luv2gamble]

Wow, thank you all for your advise. I dnk if im supposed to respond to all in one message but I want to thank everyone. I feel better now. We are going May 17th and my friend (who was hit by a drunk driver and now partly brain damaged/i should say slow) is looking forward to passing the glacier by ship and the helicopter dog sled. Sorry but was so concerned when I read the Jewel might not be able to pass due to water depth. Now, I hope I at least pick out the right dog sled. Either Juneau or Skagway. this trip is so important to her. Its both of our 50th and my husband is letting me go w/her. Bec of accident she never got married and her life was ruined. I want this to be the very best. I really appreciate the advise. And yes, I will CALM DOWN, LOL...Trying for perfection. thanks again

[Sauer-kraut]

Wow, thank you all for your advise. I dnk if im supposed to respond to all in one message but I want to thank everyone. I feel better now. We are going May 17th and my friend (who was hit by a drunk driver and now partly brain damaged/i should say slow) is looking forward to passing the glacier by ship and the helicopter dog sled. Sorry but was so concerned when I read the Jewel might not be able to pass due to water depth. Now, I hope I at least pick out the right dog sled. Either Juneau or Skagway. this trip is so important to her. Its both of our 50th and my husband is letting me go w/her. Bec of accident she never got married and her life was ruined. I want this to be the very best. I really appreciate the advise. And yes, I will CALM DOWN, LOL...Trying for perfection. thanks again

 

Go on over to the PORTS OF CALL boards for Alaska, and read the reviews and advice people over there have given about all the ports, you can decide if you want to do private tours. Also JOIN YOUR ROLL CALL !!! You will get to meet ship's officers and have a chance to meet other Cruise Critic members you are sailing with. Have a wonderful time :D

[jdvmd]

What a wonderful friendship you have! Hope you have an amazing trip. And come back here with any questions you may have.Happy birthday to you both!

[valleyvillage]

First of all, you didn't ruin anything. You are a wonderful friend. You will love this cruise. There will be plenty of glaciers, including Sawyer Glacier. To echo previous great advice, JOIN YOUR ROLL CALL, it add so much to a cruise.

[luv2gamble]

valleyvillage...jdvmd & sauer-kraut....thank you so much for advise. I did join roll call but learning to navigate around c.critic.. everyone is so nice on here. i guess most people would be as they are lookn forward to a cruise lol. I can only do the best I can and like you said, I will go to the ports and see what they have to say. Great idea. Thanks again.

[luv2gamble]

Thanks for the birthday wish. My friend is so excited but I will have to watch her closely. She becomes a little confused but otherwise she is good. Have to have patients but I would never trade our longtime friendship for anything. Many of her family and friends bypass he or no longer stay in contact with her. She is a loyal friend and just bec she was unfortunate, you never give up on a true friend. Thats why I want it to be special. Thanks again and I will take any advise from anyone out there..

[meatball_nyc]

Good luck with everything, I'm sure it will all work out for the best.

Your friend is lucky to have you. Happy birthday to the both of you.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Edited February 9, 2014 by meatball_nyc

[mitsugirly]

We have been on both the Jewel and the Pearl and they are almost the same ship with just a few differences.

 

I have reviews from both ships listed in my signature line if you are interested in seeing both ships.

 

What ever you do, go and have fun! :) You are an awesome friend and I'm sure it will be appreciated.

[bonvoyagie]

You have not made an error - both ships see the same ports and traverse the same waters - the only difference is the day of the week they leave and Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier vs Glacier Bay. If AK were only about glaciers I would agree that GB trumps Sawyer - however in May you may not even go to Tracy Arm but go down the fjord next door and see Dawes Glacier instead - the whole idea is to be able to see a tidewater glacier - which is nice but there is more to AK - there are whales, gold, and native culture as well as fantastic scenery to see.

 

For more ideas on what to do in port check out www.cruiseportinsider.com

 

Enjoy your cruise - it is great that you can share it with an old friend.

[luv2gamble]

You have not made an error - both ships see the same ports and traverse the same waters - the only difference is the day of the week they leave and Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier vs Glacier Bay. If AK were only about glaciers I would agree that GB trumps Sawyer - however in May you may not even go to Tracy Arm but go down the fjord next door and see Dawes Glacier instead - the whole idea is to be able to see a tidewater glacier - which is nice but there is more to AK - there are whales, gold, and native culture as well as fantastic scenery to see.

 

For more ideas on what to do in port check out www.cruiseportinsider.com

 

Enjoy your cruise - it is great that you can share it with an old friend.

 

Thanks, I will ck out those sites. when you say in May they might go to fjord or dawes, what do you mean. Are you saying because its may there is some reason for that? Too cold or the waters? I didnt know they can change that?

[conniejb]

Best friends on any cruise is a blast. :)

 

 

 

 

 

I can't stand the grammar police!:eek:

Who checks for spelling, paragraphs and correct grammar then calls people out on it? That is just rude. Who cares!

 

Oh, and all caps IS YELLING! Hehehe

[dredawg]

I think celebrating a 50th birthday on a cruise with someone who has been my friend for 40+ years is the best thing I could ever hope for. You two will have so much fun and be so awed by everything you see that you that you won't regret a thing and will cherish the week probably for the rest of your lives...relax and enjoy

[Tricialy]

I've cruised both ships and you and your friend will have an excellent time on either one. I can't even describe Alaska - we enjoyed it so much after our 2012 trip on the Pearl that we flew back this summer to see the interior. I have to say an Alaskan Cruise is a trip of a lifetime. What a great friend you are! Don't question yourself for another second. Flying in a day early is a good idea - you never know when you will have mechanical or weather problems with the airlines.

[PGBSAB]

What a great friend you are. Brain injuries are tough on everyone...they look the same...but they are not the same person and people have a hard time understanding. Go and enjoy your friend and your trip. Take plenty of pictures and put them in a special album for your friend that she can look and remember this fabulous experience with you for years to come. Perfection will not be achieved no matter how hard you try so just go and enjoy the experiences you have together.

[bonvoyagie]

The question about Tracy Arm comes up so often on this board I forget that some people are not aware that the Fjord is very narrow and as the glacier calves the icebergs clog up the narrow passage - also it takes more time for the ship to try and navigate around the smaller ones that they eat up most of the allotted time trying to get to the glacier. Usually by late May to early June the ice floes ease and the ships can make full transits with ease.

 

There are also instances where the captain attempts Tracy Arm, fails and then tries Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier) and then runs out of time and heads for the next port - again this is most likely in May.

 

The only other tour that is not running in early May is the White Pass and Yukon Trains to Carcross aka the Lake Bennett excursions. You will still be able to make it to Fraser and have the bus take you the rest of the way - or do the summit roundtrip - unless the road to the Yukon is snowed shut.

[luv2gamble]

thanks for the comments. I looked at your pearl review, very nice. However, I cannot get into the Jewel. It just says NCL Jewel but there is no link under it? thanks for your help

[luv2gamble]

great points! Thanks. What is tidewater glacier? Is that a diff kind of glacier? Never heard of that.

[luv2gamble]

What a great friend you are. Brain injuries are tough on everyone...they look the same...but they are not the same person and people have a hard time understanding. Go and enjoy your friend and your trip. Take plenty of pictures and put them in a special album for your friend that she can look and remember this fabulous experience with you for years to come. Perfection will not be achieved no matter how hard you try so just go and enjoy the experiences you have together.

 

Wow, you really understand. You sound as if you are speaking from experience. she is not the same person. Exactly right. Her sisters will not accept her and they want nothing to do with her. Yes, she looks the same and you cannot see her injury. You have to hold your breathe a lot, bite your tongue, and accept. Its a shame more people are not as understanding as you. Anyway, Great idea w the photo album. Im going to make 2 duplicates. She is also a photo nut LOL so its great. Photos also help her to remember things. She writes down stuff a lot too 2 remember everything. All she has left is her two elderly parents who do their best to help her and me. So, a photo album will cheer her up when she is sad. Wonderful idea! Thank you so so much. If anyone else has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

[mitsugirly]

thanks for the comments. I looked at your pearl review, very nice. However, I cannot get into the Jewel. It just says NCL Jewel but there is no link under it? thanks for your help

 

 

You click on the part that says "NCL Jewel". There's nothing under it. The word NCL Jewel takes you right to the review. :)

[luv2gamble]

You are full of info and I appreciate it. We are going May 17th. I'm just starting to explore what excursions and the ports, etc. This was an unplanned trip for me and decided to go w my friend just 1 month ago. I didnt want her to go alone so here I am. Also, very clueless about Alaska so this is a learning process for me to figure all this out. What I gather you are saying is that the glaciers seem to calve more often in May and the ship sometimes has to divert to another location if possible. I dont understand why its easier late may or early june and on. I would think the opposite that it must calve more due to warmer weather? the white pass and Yukon trains are at what port? And what port is Fraser & summit ? The train we were going to go on was the White pass in skagway for 3 1/2 hrs. So confusing what ports to do what and when to book them. NCL says book all before but I was thinking about waiting for weather report. The weather can change all, especially the helicopter dogsled exc. Thanks for your help and thoughts!

[luv2gamble]

What a great friend you are. Brain injuries are tough on everyone...they look the same...but they are not the same person and people have a hard time understanding. Go and enjoy your friend and your trip. Take plenty of pictures and put them in a special album for your friend that she can look and remember this fabulous experience with you for years to come. Perfection will not be achieved no matter how hard you try so just go and enjoy the experiences you have together.

 

You click on the part that says "NCL Jewel". There's nothing under it. The word NCL Jewel takes you right to the review. :)

 

when I click on NCL Jewel I saw your written review and then i must have read it wrong as if a video or pics were next. Sorry, I thought there was more. The bottom said...

 

o that’s my story and the basics about me…now on the FUN!!! THE REVIEW!!! I hope you enjoy. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.