Live Review: Explorer Alaska Cruise May 25th to June 1st (by a disabled vegetarian wi

[CatLadyFemme]

I am thrilled actually, given how hot it was yesterday. I have some chronic issues triggered by the combo of heat and humidity, so today is great :)

Thank you for taking the time to post about your cruise. Much appreciated. Sorry we are not giving you a particularly nice weather day here in Seattle.

 

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[Thisisj0lie]

Following! I'll be on this sailing in August and eager to read your review!

[dreadpirate3]

Loving your review! I will be going to Alaska at some point in the next decade.

 

My close friend is Celiac, so I will pass on your experiences to her.

[CatLadyFemme]

Just got to check out the Amazon Spheres (a living biosphere) courtesy of a friend who works for Amazon. So beautiful and had a lovely lunch inside. Then stopped my AmazonGo, which is a grocery store that is all app based and you don't pay anyone; you just take what you want and it bills you later.

 

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[CatLadyFemme]

This afternoon, we went to Seattle Center. CatDad hit up the Space Needle while I opted for the Chihuly Greenhouse/Garden/Museum, as I am in love with Chihuly's work (and scared of heights). The museum and garden was absolutely stunning, and plenty of benches for me to sit in between walking and standing. Due to current construction, CatDad told me the needle was much less accessible, in case that is an issue for anyone.

 

Then we headed to the Armory, an indoor food court (and Children's Museum) for Bubble Tea, and are heading back home to tackle some emails and work before dinner and tomorrow's embarkation.

 

I have to say, while I cannot speak to the port yet, Seattle is definitely my fav port city I have been to so far (compared to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Galveston, and Orlando/Port Canaveral), given food, places to see, and ease of getting around.

 

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[Beachiekeen]

So glad to have found this review. We loved Seattle when we visited last year. I can’t believe it has been a year already since we went to Alaska. I’ll enjoy relieving it again through your review!

[TishGiggle]

Loving your review so far! Thank you for taking the time to share! (heart emoji)

[rockmom]

Following! I'm on this same itinerary (and same Juneau and Skagway excursions) 2 weeks from tomorrow. I've been in Seattle all week this week for work, great weather. Hoping for more of that same weather when I head back up on the 6th to spend a couple nights downtown before sailing on the 8th. Thank you for doing the 'live'. Oh, and the Northwest is VERY vegetarian, vegan and GF friendly.

[JamesEM]

Following along.

[little britain]

Space Needle

 

I was just about to hit “buy” on Space Needle tickets when a friend who is on Explorer this week told me about the construction.

 

“We did not go up, just to the park by it. I don’t know if the renovation effects views or not. One thing we did learn is that the tallest building in Seattle is Columbia Center. It’s taller than Space Needle and more in town - and a fraction of the cost to go up ($14.75 for a whole day pass to its Skyview Observatory). Our walking tour guide said it’s a much better deal - you can see farther, get photos of the Space Needle from it and you can go back up and watch sunset if you want. We didn’t give it a try but just giving you the information in case it’s something you might want to consider.

 

http://skyviewobservatory.com

 

So I have booked there instead!

 

 

 

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[redwings1958]

Following along; This is our same cruise in July; except we will be doing 2 days POST Cruise in Seattle

[TimeToGetNauti]

This afternoon, we went to Seattle Center. CatDad hit up the Space Needle while I opted for the Chihuly Greenhouse/Garden/Museum, as I am in love with Chihuly's work (and scared of heights). The museum and garden was absolutely stunning, and plenty of benches for me to sit in between walking and standing. Due to current construction, CatDad told me the needle was much less accessible, in case that is an issue for anyone.

 

Then we headed to the Armory, an indoor food court (and Children's Museum) for Bubble Tea, and are heading back home to tackle some emails and work before dinner and tomorrow's embarkation.

 

I have to say, while I cannot speak to the port yet, Seattle is definitely my fav port city I have been to so far (compared to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Galveston, and Orlando/Port Canaveral), given food, places to see, and ease of getting around.

 

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I learned something today!!!! I saw Chihuly work in the Bellagio years ago. That amazing glass ceiling. I remember just standing there staring at it and my mother pulling me away. As soon as I saw your pics I remembered, and had to go to google and look it up to confirm. I would have loved going there also. Now it's on my list to see. Thank you.

[alexkrn46]

Looking forward to your upcoming review.

 

One question, could you note if a Naturalist will be on board, thanks

[Megdgr8]

thank you for the great Seattle info, I will be visiting Seattle the end of June and am looking for things to do & places to eat! Alska cruise is on my bucket list for when my daughter is older

[CatLadyFemme]

Last night, we did Kati Vegan Thai. Very tasty, esp their cocktails, and good happy hour deals. This AM, Portage Bay where I got AMAZING gluten free Swedish Pancakes with lots of lingonberry action. Highly recommend. Then our friend drove us to the port. Update shortly!

 

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[Jana]

I'm sure you're onboard now and soon will make your way to your room. I think you'll LOVE it! It's like a Jr. Suite without a balcony (and zero suite perqs) and a funky bathroom. The grab bars in the shower were everything to me.

 

It sounds like you don't have a mobility scooter or rollator? That will make access to the room easier. The doors are not self-opening and they are HEAVY. Plan accordingly, and enjoy.

 

Jana

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[CatLadyFemme]

Oh. My. Gosh. Boarding this ship was the easiest thing I have done on any cruise ever. Maybe easier than 90% of most if my flights. I would move through this port anytime.

 

My local friend was dropping us off. It eas hard to figure out where to go, until we got on to thr Mariana bridge, and then there were signs (and eventually, people giving directions) EVERYWHERE! We pulled up to the curb, and by the time I got my purse, backpack and cane out of the car, our luggage had already been picked up. We walked towards the entrance, and asked a very kind random port person about a wheelchair. She noted that the ADA services were back where we had dropped off the luggage, but rather than sending us on a wheelchair goosechase (I am talking to you Miami!), she jusy flagged down a chair and put me in it. They took us inside, to the (negligible security line; they said it is the reverse of most Caribbean ports, where it is empty on the early end, and then gets super crowded around 1pm. They had us switch to a Royal chair after getting our seapasses (with plenty of chairs for waiting in, although it turned out we didn't have to wait), and whisked us on board. Literally less than 20 min from pulling up to being sat in the R Bar, and I didn't have to stand for 99% of it. Plus great signage. Well done Pier 91!

 

On board, we decided to checm out the ship. It was just after 11am, so not food time for us yet, given the yummy breakfast we had at Portage Bay. We checked out the awesome bow deck in front of the fitness center, the hot tub inside the fitness center (thanks tips from CC!), and I tried to book a leg revitalization treatment at the spa. I basically wanted it any time after Skagway, as I know my feet/legs swell after excursions. She was so meh and blase. I have never had such trouble booking something where I wanted to give people $$. I eventually gave up. Not worth fighting someone to pay them.

 

She was the only meh person so far. Dining room had a line, but took an actual note of my celiac/vegetarian needs. People in front of us were SO rude, both one group aboit not being able to get a 5:30 seating, and the woman in front of me about being Celiac. I mean, if people mess stuff up or make you sick, then yes, be firm, but theu had literally just boarded. No reason to be nasty.

 

Grabbed some mint infused water at Cafe Promenade while CatDad picked up some meh coffee (the free one). I was pleased to see they had a labeled GF mousse, plus a sign that guests with food allergies should ask for a supervisor, as there are GF pizzas and sandwiches. Super impressed so far; we'll see how it plays out!

 

Stopped by Shore Excursions to double check our glacier/whale watching excursion was physically do-able for me (it is! We can wait in the visitor's center, or CatDad can home a short trail while I do), stopped by the Voom table to get our internet package codes (which we weren't given when we boarded like usual), and guest relations to make some change for tips.

 

Overall, this ship feels much more relaxed than our previous Bahamas, Mexico and Caribbean cruises. Less sales pressure, less frenetic people, many less children. CatDad remarked everything felt a bit more elegant or refined, at least so far.

 

Next stop; up to Windjammer.

Send gluten free vegetarian thoughts and prayers!

 

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[lovelife]

Following. I'm on next week for my fifth Alaskan cruise - second on Explorer. Will be anxious to hear if you go to Tracy Arm. Two years ago on Explorer there were too many ice flows the first of June to travel there. Instead we went up Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier and it was just as magnificent, so don't be alarmed if you can't go to Tracy.

[CatLadyFemme]

Windjammer was fantastic! Special section for disability seating, a gliten free section of the buffet (though not as separate as it was on Enchantment, so hoping non-GF folks don't use it and cross contaminate), and even a funny GLUTEN sign. Least stressful Windjammer trip ever!

 

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[crusinot]

following! We hope to take an Alaska cruise in 2010!

[CatLadyFemme]

Room is lovely! We haven't had an accessible OV with both a couch and a chair. Our last cruise was on the Enchantment, and this room feels much nicer with a better layout. I like the blue more than the green. Wiped it all down with a Clorox wipe, and no grime, not eve, in the vent. Nice work from the cleaning staff!

 

 

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[CatLadyFemme]

We are also super pleasantly surprised to find a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of brut chilling on ice. I turned to CatDad to tell him this was a sweet surprise, but he was just as shocked. A letter was from Royal thanking me for my loyalty and hoping we have a nice cruise! O.o

 

I am a lowly Gold (will finally hit Platinum on this cruise), so was NOT expecting this, but it really has served to set the right tone for this trip. So thankful to everyone so far making this a wonderful Day 1, and hope the rest of the trip is even half as smooth and enjoyable.

 

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[kse2dive]

I'm loving your review so far. We will be on the July 6th sailing.

[CatLadyFemme]

Night one menus:

 

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[CatLadyFemme]

Here is the general MDR sea day lunch menu, as well as the night two menu (I get it a night early, so I can order a special meal that meets my veggie and celiac/GF needs).

 

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