gottacruisemore

Terrific pics and info....you answered a lot of questions for future Pearl cruisers!

Thank you!

 

Wine question: you posted a wine list from O'Sheehan's. I assume the fleetwide list (many more options by the glass) is available elsewhere on the ship?

yes, there was a wine list available at all restaurants. and it appeared to be the one that i saw on here.

this is the stand that throws the fish. i saw it a couple of times, but never got a photo. they were very nice guys. the circled fish is the one they throw for tourist.

Today I got up early and explored the market

We decided to do the Ride the Ducks tour and headed out to the monorail.

the beginning of the monorail at Westlake Center.

getting on the monorail at Seattle Center to go back to Westlake

We flew in 2 days early to enjoy Seattle. We stayed at the Thompson Seattle on 1st and Stewart. It was a short walk downhill to Pike Place Market, unfortunately it's a steep uphill walk.

Looking down Stewart into the market

We got in early, so they held our bags so we could grab some breakfast at Lowell's in the market.

View of the waterfront from Lowell's

Came back around noon and was able to check in.

Room 905

Answers are below.

Thanks for all the great information! I will be sailing on the Pearl on July 10. Just a couple of questions:

 

 

1. You said you did a taxi tour in Ketchikan. Was this something you booked in advance or can you just book one at the pier? This was just something i did at the pier. One cabbie told me $75 for an hour or $40 for 30 minutes.
   
2. I believe you said you checked your luggage at the pier. In another review, someone said they had to walk it through security themselves and lift it on the conveyor belts. I would want to have to do the latter! Is there a particular place one needs to be to check it through? I used a porter that was walking the drop off lane. Or you can walk to the luggage drop off line.
   

 

 

Thanks!

Wonderful review and thank you so much for sharing! I'm going on the Pearl July 24th with my wife and 2 other couples! Should be lots of fun :)

 

I love seeing the daily's to get an idea of what to expect...and am glad to see that many of the entertainment shows I had hoped for will likely happen again in about a month. We went on the Pearl back in January 2013 but at the time she was in the Caribbean, so looking forward to sailing on her out of my backyard here in Seattle to Alaska.

 

For the cruising the Glacier Bay day, what time do you recommend we get up to the Lido deck/12 area to take in the sights and sounds to hear the Rangers speak? We saved a little bit of $ and booked an Inside room, mainly because we are rarely in the room, lol. Thanks!

I thought about it and I like the promenade deck (7) better for viewing. With the exception of the very front (which has no view but is walkable) you can walk completely around the ship and take photos. The railings are regular height with no plexi shields. And there are loungers available.

Wonderful review and thank you so much for sharing! I'm going on the Pearl July 24th with my wife and 2 other couples! Should be lots of fun :)

 

I love seeing the daily's to get an idea of what to expect...and am glad to see that many of the entertainment shows I had hoped for will likely happen again in about a month. We went on the Pearl back in January 2013 but at the time she was in the Caribbean, so looking forward to sailing on her out of my backyard here in Seattle to Alaska.

 

For the cruising the Glacier Bay day, what time do you recommend we get up to the Lido deck/12 area to take in the sights and sounds to hear the Rangers speak? We saved a little bit of $ and booked an Inside room, mainly because we are rarely in the room, lol. Thanks!

The ranger boarded at 7, I think. And that was the only morning I did the buffet and I believe it was around 9/9:30 that he started.

I answered what I could below.

Thanks to both of your for sharing! I will be on the Pearl on the July 24 sailing--getting very excited! It will be my first cruise (since a blah 3 day Greek Isles cruise as a teen as part of a Europe Tour).

 

I have some more questions: sharing a mid-ship mini-suite with my two sons (ages 12 and 15). You both commented on rooms being small--is there a little more room to pass around the sofa bed when extended in a mini? Or does the mini only afford more length not width to the room? I am a little worried about us being in such a tight space--we are used to spreading out when we travel. My brother and his wife and my dad will have cabins nearby, so we can spread out during the day at least (or if someone wants to go to sleep early).

 

I have heard the Pearl can be a loud ship--a lot of activity and noise (a lot of it fun). For those who want/need some quiet time, where are the best quiet areas (other than our own balconies)? The card room and library come to mind, they are on 12 next to the spa. Spinnaker is good during the day, if there are no events. And if you get the spa pass, the coed area is nice, and the separate men's and women's areas are quiet.

 

My younger son also has allergies--peanuts and tree nuts. He eats at restaurants and has eaten off breakfast buffets--we would want to avoid pancakes, crepes, etc, if not made in separate pans. Did you notice a lot of nuts/nut items on the buffet? There will be times when we need to grab a quick(er) meal--I hope this will be possible. I know if I ASK NCL, they will just give a blanket statement that the buffet isn't safe--of course they have to do the CYA--I just hope to get a little more data so I can decide for myself.

 

Second poster--did your 15-year-old try the teen club? If so, what did he think of it?

 

Any tips/tricks for getting off the ship quickly in Juneau? I am guessing everyone wants off at the same time with the afternoon arrival time in port.

If you have a NCL excursion they will get you off first, for everyone else it's a crapshoot. We made it off by 2:30ish. If people hang out in the stairwell or the lower deck halls the delay is longer.

 

Favorite spots for glacier viewing?

Your balcony as they turn the boat in slow circles or move around deck 7. I didn't go to any other spots and I got great photos. Will post with my review tomorrow.

 

Did you need reservations for the shows? not that I'm aware of.

 

Was the "good" coffee machine on 11 still there?

 

Thanks much--sorry for so many questions!

Thank you so much for all the dailies and info and great pictures. I do have a few questions: We're sailing on 7/31 and there is too little info about Pearl, Alaska, non-suite experiences and just general ship info. We're in a balcony on Deck 10. Did you see any shows, magicians, musical acts that stood out? Any particular food you would or would not recommend? How was the weather on your cruise? I plan to bring layers but I'm praying for some sunny days as I really hate rain. What excursions did you do and what did you see? Thanks so much for sharing.

I was in an aft balcony on deck 9, the rooms are small, the bathrooms are tiny, and storage is adequate. Don't get me wrong, the room was fine, my last room on the Pearl was the 2 bedroom suite in the Haven. I only went to the Duo Balskatt, which was excellent. Food is subjective, however, I will say I was happy with the main dining rooms, La Cucina I could have done without. O'Sheehan's was good, although I preferred to order wings off the menu versus the buffet they had set up at noon. The Breaded Cajun Shrimp and Braised Beef Short Ribs were beyond delicious, I seriously wished I ordered another plate. Weather varied from low 50s to low 70s. At glacier bay the wind felt cool off the glacier, but I had on a pullover and a long sleeve t-shirt and was fine. If you take a whale watching excursion it can vary, take a jacket, gloves, and hat.

Juneau - private whale watching with Rum Runners Charter

Skagway - train then bus with Chilkoot Charters (booked independently, cheaper that way) a bear walked right pass my window!

Ketchikan - got a tour from a cabbie, 30 minutes for $35

Victoria - booked last minute NCL Orca excursion

that's all for today.

i have to photograph the last daily when i get home.

i don't have a menu for Victoria (day 7) as i was on an excursion.

Summer Palace dinner menu

had to show a couple of photos

Summer Palace dinner menu

Summer Palace dinner menu

O' Sheehans

Summer Palace dinner menu

i think i thought the dessert menu was the same every night, so i missed some. Sorry.

I also noted the movies that were running on tv.

there were two channels running movies and they would show the title of the movie about to play and what was next.

Everest

Ride Along 2

Daddy's Home

The 5th Wave

Zootopia

Jurassic World

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Ant Man

Finest Hours

Self/Less

Pawn Sacrifice

Concussion

Pixelated

Ricky and the Flash

The Perfect Guy

Interstellar

Bridge of Spies

Creed

Hail Caesar

Pan

Our Brand is Crisis

Goosebumps

Norm of the North

Spectre

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Heart of the Sea

Spongebob

Minions

10 Cloverfield Lane

Salem

The 33

Risen

There was also a 50% off pressing package the first day

The pass didn't go on sale just packages. So you won't be able to use the spa unless you get a treatment and then just for that time. No in/out privileges.