Our Fabulous Alaska Cruise Picture Review!! NCL Pearl - June 2016

[VegasChic]

Really enjoying your review! We've been on two Alaska cruises (including one on the Pearl) and are going on our third next year on the new NCL Bliss!

 

I am also really enjoying all the photos of Seattle, the city where I was born and raised, and still live nearby. One of my New Year's resolutions was to really get out and about in the city more often. I work within walking distance of Pike Place Market and have been wanting to go back there for quite some time. Your review is inspiring me to get back there soon!

 

Thanks again. I will be following along.

Thank You!! I'm planning on going back in 2018 or 2019 on the bliss too. Haven't decided yet which year might be doing a group trip. I loved Alaska and felt that I didn't have enough time the 1st time around. Seattle is a great city I have many more pictures of Seattle from after the cruise.

 

It's great that you work in the area, the food in Seattle was soooo good you are lucky!!

 

Thanks for following along!!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Forums mobile app

[hugocruiser]

I cannot wait to hear more!!! I am booked on the Jewel this coming june and was wondering about the weather in Alaska, Did you need winter clothes? what was the temperture? Were people ever in the pool?

 

So glad you got to do this cruise it has always been a dream trip for me also,cant wait

 

We are booked on the Jewel in June as well, and I was wondering the same thing. Were heading out on the 17th

[VegasChic]

Sorry for the delay, I had to work! But I'm back now and hoping to continue posting daily until I'm done with the review.

 

I have to warn you though I have a ridiculous amount of amazing pictures from Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. However I cannot say the same for day 2 of the cruise, I barely took pictures on this day but I will more than make-up for that for the remainder of the review. For now, here are the Freestyle Dailies from cruise day 1...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimsig]

Love the review and can't wait to read the rest. We were on the Pearl about a month after you. My trip report is in my signature line below it you want to check it out.

[VegasChic]

Monday, May 30, 2016

At Sea

 

In all honesty, if it weren't for pictures I would have no clue what I did this day:eek:. With that said, I have very little pictures of this day I guess I was saving it all for the thousands I took on port days. It was overcast and chilly outside and we had a little follower behind us....

 

 

No issues getting a lounger today, lol!! Pool action day 2 (maybe a little chilly at 53 and windy)

 

 

I don't have evidence but I recall that at some point in the night the time changed an hour back because after breakfast I headed to bliss for the cruise critic meet and greet and remember sitting there talking with another couple for awhile. The meet and greet was scheduled for 11:00 am and it was past that (according to my time). The other couple and I were surprised no-one showed up not even the staff!! At about 11:30 am, I left. On my way out, I see NCL staff rolling a cart of goodies into bliss. I stopped them to ask if that was for the meet and greet and they said yes but stated that it didn't start until 11 am. I asked what time was it now and they said 10:30. Well, that explains it I have a hard time keeping up with the days of the week on a cruise let alone the time.

 

The meet and greet was the same as usual! I love that Norwegian's has their Captain and Directors come to meet us. They urged us to come to them with any issues we had while we were still onboard not to wait till we got home to complain. Something really atrocious has to happen for me to complain online to thousands of people. I mean come on, the crew really goes above and beyond for 6 to 9 months at a time away from their families, putting on a smile and trying to make thousands of people happy. They really work hard and if anything I want to try to make their life easier and if I can, put a smile on their face.

 

Captain Stefan Nordberg and his crew...

 

 

 

After the meet a greet, some of us went to check out two of the suites in the haven. I believe it was the Owner's suite and the Two Bedroom Family Villa (correct me if I'm wrong).

 

Owners Suite...

 

 

[VegasChic]

2-Bedroom Family Suite....

Love the bathroom in this one!!! I can imagine myself in that tub with lavender bubbles, wine in hand, music in ears and enjoying the view!

 

 

This is the haven courtyard area, I was so jealous, they had their own viewing area and quiet retreat!

 

 

 

After drooling at the haven for an hour, I decided I had enough torture and headed to topsiders for a yummy afternoon delight...

 

 

We had lunch somewhere at either O'Sheehans or the buffet then ended up at "Deal or No Deal" at the stardust theater. It's Olivia's favorite activity on sea days besides the pool. It was memorial day and we were representing showing respect for our veterans and military...

 

 

Eddie purchased our game cards and some more yummy Alaskan beer. The game started and Eddie's card was chosen to play. He threw the card at me and told me to go. I really did not want to I had really bad luck at these games and did not want to be the sucker. However, the look on Olivia's face made me do it, ugh. I initially wanted to pick briefcase #9 for Olivia but I ended up choosing 12 for my birthday thinking that would be more fortunate (huge mistake). 9 had the $1000 and mine had $5.00!!! I was humiliated on that stage I was convinced the banker was some NCL employee hiding behind the scenes, pressing random buttons, laughing and messing with me. I couldn't even win enough to pay for the game cards! Oh well, que sera sera! It was fun for my girl to watch her mommy on stage my husband though kept teasing me, saying "that was aweful!" Walking back to my seat was like the walk of shame!

 

[maggieq]

Wow beautiful pictures and review. Thank you!

[VegasChic]

Feeling nervous but hopeful....

 

 

What did I do???

 

 

Drinks please (pronto)!!

 

 

All I can say is that if I would have gotten an offer over $200 I would have taken it but we never got there:mad:

 

I went to the cabin, grabbed my novel and headed to the spinnaker lounge. Laid down in the lounger/bed with some white wine reading for two hours.

 

Dinner tonight was at Cagney's, it was good but... nothing compares to the Cagney's on the Epic and the Escape. I don't know if it's that I went on these ships when they were new but it left a lasting impression. I just recently got off the dawn and I was excited because they had just upgraded their menu to the Escape menu and it just wasn't the same in taste nor quality. Not saying that it was bad in any aspect but not as good.

 

 

Everything tonight was good except the mac-n-cheese. It was way too dry! As usual, the service was on point (perfection!) I must have forgotten to take a picture of the raspberry creme brulee:D.

 

Day 4 is a wrap - I cannot remember what happened after dinner, I know we didn't see the show maybe the casino or sleep??

 

Next Up:

Behind the scenes ship tour

Juneau

Mendenhall Glacier & Falls

Whale Watching

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Juneau, Alaska

Arrival: 2:00 PM

All Aboard: 9:30 PM

Weather: 56 with light rain

 

Up bright and early ready to get this day started. After breakfast, I headed straight to the Cruise Next desk to meet the group doing the “Behind the Scenes” tour. Children are not allowed so my husband went to drop Olivia off at splash academy it opened at 9 am same time as the tour. The tour was an hour and fifteen minutes and participants need to be able to climb stairs, walk and stand unaided for the entire time. Still photographs are fine but no video. Closed toe shoes are required. We received a complimentary tour because of our Latitudes platinum status but it’s also available for purchase.

 

First stop was the bridge…

 

Many interesting facts about the bridge and the people who work here, none of which I can remember. I do remember asking what were they looking at with the binoculars I think our guide said, wildlife and small boats. There was a man wearing regular clothes looking all important when we asked about him I’m pretty sure she said that he was the one who really navigates/controls the ship. He is a local and very familiar with the area his contract is for 1-3 months.

 

Next, we went to the laundry room…

 

 

 

 

Last stop was the theater. This was the area of most interest to me, loved hearing about all the action that happens behind the scenes.

 

 

We also went by I95 the busy corridor where the employees live, I kind of felt like I was invading their privacy. We didn’t see their rooms or anything else just the main hallway. I thought we could see the Galley but that was not part of the tour. They were supposed to take us onto the stage in the stardust theater but there was a Jewelry presentation in progress.

[VegasChic]

After the behind the scenes tour, Eddie went to pick-up Olivia from splash meanwhile, I waited at Shaker’s bar with a glass of wine as we approached our arrival in Juneau. Enjoying the scenery…

 

 

 

 

This is such a treat for us, we live in a flat state and rarely have a chance to see this type of scenery up close.

 

[VegasChic]

Arriving in Juneau….

 

 

 

Our sis, the Jewel was parked in our spot. We had to wait for her to depart.

 

 

 

The Jewel sailing away, while we take her parking spot…

 

 

 

[jeffw67]

Thanks so much for the extensive review and pictures. We are doing the Alaskan Cruise in June of 2017 on the Jewel and finding so much helpful info. Thanks!!

[craiginoregon]

You take AMAZING pictures!

[VegasChic]

 

Juneau (named after Joe Juneau who found gold here back in 1880) is the capital of Alaska and is the 3rd largest city in state, it can only be reached by plane or boat.

 

 

We got off the ship promptly when the announcement was made that we were clear. Once off the ship, there were three options, take the free shuttle to downtown, walk there or meet with the tour booked through the ship. I’m not certain if all the tours booked through the ship leave from here but there was a man directing people. We took the free shuttle to the main town. I would say it was about a mile away (idk maybe ¾ of a mile).

 

This is a view of where the pearl and the jewel were parked in relation to the downtown area…

 

 

I knew I wanted to visit Mendenhall Glacier and go whale watching but hadn’t officially booked anything for this port. Once we arrived at the drop-off location in town, there were tour booths selling excursions. We booked a tour at the middle booth (pictured below) and was directed to the area where we needed to catch the first shuttle to Mendenhall. I believe we paid $85 per person I wish I would have taken notes.

 

 

The shuttle to mendenhall glacier was a large school bus and there was a long line formed for a ride I guess this was the main transportation to mendenhall. To avoid waiting for the next bus we got on a full bus and Eddie and I stood for the entire ride (20 mins/12 miles). We would only have about an hour and a half at the glacier before we had to get on the whale watching shuttle.

 

 

The goal was to get as close to the glacier as possible which meant taking the Nugget Falls Trail about a 0.7-mile hike (20 mins each way). The Glacier is part of the Juneau ice field and it measures about 12 miles long, 1.5 miles wide and 100 ft. tall.

 

View of Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Lake and Nugget Falls….

 

[VegasChic]

Sights along the trail…

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

Once we got to the falls, we only had about 20 minutes for pictures. I was so annoyed with the weather, I wanted a beautiful day but my pictures look so dull. Either way, I set up my tripod in this are to get a decent family picture.

 

 

These two always give me such a hard time for taking pictures it’s truly depressing. I’m obsessed with photography and I should be the one tired of taking pictures!! My husband was rushing me saying we had to go or we were going to miss the whale watching. So here is probably the only family picture we have of this trip….

 

 

[MandyMommyof2]

I am loving your review! My dream is go on an Alaskan cruise. Every year, I plan on it and then the islands just call my name. Excited to see what excursions you and your family planned for the week. You have a beautiful family!

[Beachiekeen]

These pictures dull?? Not at all, they are gorgeous and are making me so excited! I've read every Alaska review on this board so it's so nice to have a new one!

[maryisme]

Thanks for the great review. Really enjoying all your photos. What camera are you using? Thanks!!

 

 

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[VegasChic]

I am loving your review! My dream is go on an Alaskan cruise. Every year, I plan on it and then the islands just call my name. Excited to see what excursions you and your family planned for the week. You have a beautiful family!

 

Thank you!!! I practically live in the Caribbean (Miami, FL). I've been to almost every island even the ones that the cruises don't visit. So I've craving to visit different destinations. Alaska was worth it on so many levels, really hoping to go back soon you should too!

[VegasChic]

Thanks for the great review. Really enjoying all your photos. What camera are you using? Thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you for reading! I use the Sony A7RII but any of the Sony Alfa cameras are great!

[Son of a son of a ...]

We are on the same cruise with literally the same dates this year. Looking forward to your future posts!

[VegasChic]

My husband standing in front of the massive nugget falls…

 

 

The bus was picking us up at 5:30 by Juneau Tours and Whale Watching. There were about 27-30 people waiting. Once we arrived at one of the marina's of Auke Bay, the group was divided in two. Half of us went to one boat and the other half went on another boat.

 

 

I spotted a few of these guys hanging around the marina….

 

 

Our captain took us to various locations in the bay in search of whale activity. We spotted two of them and unfortunately, I didn’t get the show I was hoping for but it was a neat experience. I didn’t realize that there were such strict guidelines to whale watching but I know it’s for their safety. The boats need to stay 100 feet away from a whale and not disrupt their normal activity. I know we were a lot further than that. I had my lens zoomed into 200mm and these photos are cropped in…

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

It was challenging taking these photos. Being on a moving boat, zoomed into 200mm, trying to protect my gear from the rain and holding the camera steady without putting it down so I don’t miss anything.

 

 

 

 

After our whale watching adventure, we headed over to see the sea lions:)!

Scenery in Auke Bay….

and there’s a piece of Mendenhall glacier….