ACL or Pearl Seas?

[MOcruiserman]

We greatly enjoyed our recent cruise on the ACL Serenade and are thinking of our next one.  But we're torn between the Columbia/Snake River cruise and the Great Lakes cruise on Pearl Seas, the other line in the ACL family.  I would appreciate any input from people who've had experience on both.  Thanks. 

[BaumD]

Both lines run their ships in a very similar manner. The biggest difference is the crew. On American, the waiters, housekeepers and deckhands are mostly young inexperienced Americans, who work for ACL for one, maybe two seasons. On Pearl, the waiters, housekeepers and deckhands are mostly Filipino. Many have been with Pearl for 10 years, since the ship first sailed. They are a lot more experienced than the crew on American.

[twototravel]

The Pearl Seas ship has recently been redecorated - that had been a criticism in the past. On the other hand, the American Cruise Lines are mostly all knew, and the Columbia/Snake River cruise gets high marks.

[Globalfish]

The Pearl Mist (Pearl Seas Cruises) has better food than ACL by far.

[bob brown]

On 5/11/2024 at 11:45 AM, MOcruiserman said:

We greatly enjoyed our recent cruise on the ACL Serenade and are thinking of our next one.  But we're torn between the Columbia/Snake River cruise and the Great Lakes cruise on Pearl Seas, the other line in the ACL family.  I would appreciate any input from people who've had experience on both.  Thanks. 

Do both, if you can!  You will not be disappointed by either…😉

[bob brown]

On 5/11/2024 at 1:53 PM, BaumD said:

Both lines run their ships in a very similar manner. The biggest difference is the crew. On American, the waiters, housekeepers and deckhands are mostly young inexperienced Americans, who work for ACL for one, maybe two seasons. On Pearl, the waiters, housekeepers and deckhands are mostly Filipino. Many have been with Pearl for 10 years, since the ship first sailed. They are a lot more experienced than the crew on American.

Good points.  I am on my first Pearl Seas cruise, and the experienced crew is absolutely wonderful.  They are both a very happy cohesive bunch, while at the same time display the proper decorum I am used to experiencing on most ocean cruise ships.

 

I have not sailed ACL as yet, but have been on the former AQV three times.  Difference is very evident.  The young, American crews are nowhere near as cohesive, some are obviously not happy in their jobs, not trained in proper service protocols.  While many are friendly, sometimes overly so, and will speak to you more like a “buddy”, than as a customer.🤷‍♂️

[ez_gene]

Bob Brown,

We've done the Columbia River Cruise and it was fantastic on ACL.  We're doing the Hudson River Fall Colors in 2 weeks looking forward to it.  We're looking at the Portland, ME to Toronto Hudson River Cruise for next May.  Sounds so great and looking to experience Pearl Cruises trip/trips.  Would like to hear from others about their experiences.  This will be our 4th cruise with ACL/Pearl Seas.