Dawn1004

i think you'll really enjoy the Pearl in Alaska.

We were on her in 2012 in May (we sailed on Mother's Day) and it was fantastic, we too had really good weather, only a little light drizzle when we were leaving Ketchikan.

We have just paid our deposit for NCL Pearl for Alaska leaving Vancouver on the 7th May 2015 and sailing to Seattle, we have two additonal stops on this cruise to the last one, being Icy Strait Point and Sitka - so we are rapt about this.

The only complaint, no more a disappointment than a comlaint, was the time spent in Ketchikan on that cruise wasn't very long compared to the ports.

Have you got a whole day in Ketchikan or half a day? I seem to remember something along the lines of arriving at 7 or 8am but having to depart at 1pm or 2pm.

There so many things to do in Alaska and it can hurt your hip pocket.

Our to do's this time will be a float plane, we def want to do a whale watching, and we didn't get to Menendall Glacier so we will do that this time. And hubby wants to do the Aleutian Ballard thing, but this is not actually fishing or crabbing, you go out on the boat, and they pick up pots that are filled with an assortment of ocean life and they show that to their guests. This one doesn't go out in the rough seas, I believe just in the inlet.

What we did do last time and really enjoyed was the Whitepass Train - the scenery was lovely, especially for us who thatwas our first time seeing snow and ice in real life.

No matter what you pick to do, you will have a ball, it's a real magical place to visit, and while last time was our 'once only' cruise of Alaska - like so many - we 're returning - wonder if you guys will too?

Am I right in thinking you can get mini aft suites on Pearl also? Or are they only classed as aft balcony cabins.

They had Noro on the Radiance cruise before ours in Nov also. Glad to say on our cruise there didn't seem to be a Noro issue - we found it strange though that they ran out of batteries in the hand sanitiser stations at Wind Jammer at least twice on our cruise, thought they'd have worked it out for 17 nights.

I wish that cruiseships would have automatic doors in the bathrooms, and toilet seats that popped up and down automatically - so you don't have to touch these areas and pick something up, but I guess the washing and sanitising and using paper towels on handles does assist.

Touch wood haven't had this bug before and really don't ever want to have it.

Hope you enjoy your cruise and no further outbreaks of this bug.

We were on this cruise too, and I think you gave a very realistic review.

We loved the ports in NZ having never toured there, we did some of the same tours as you but with different options.

Our fav stops were Picton - we too went to Blenheim, what a delightful stop that was, really liked it, wish we had a little longer in Picton as we would have loved to tour around the town also and check out those markets.

We also really enjoyed Akaroa, which was a bustling little town, love the small wooden houses, complete with the small wooded caravan.

We too got all the usual souvineers, love the ulu knives - we didn't get salmon firstlynas we don't really eat it, and secondly we were flying back to OZ.

But I did pick myself and son up some pj's from a store in Ketchikan, I can't rememver the store, but I be.ieve it was near the Harley Davidson store, got hubby a Harley shirt.

We find that even 3 years later we are wearing these items, and they always take us back to Alaska. My pj's are cute red ones with little brown moose on them, and the words Chocolate Moose (Mousse). I remember the blonde lady who served us was so lovely and we had a lovely chat, amd she gave me one those lovely carry bags with the orcas on them, as I was asking where everyone was getting them from as I would like one (happy to buy).

Happy shopping in Alaska - Alaska is my favourite cruise destination of the all.

We weren't that taken with Radiance.

There is little seating inside available, all the seating inside seems to be on one side of the ship, and only the dining rooms had views of both sides of the ship in the one area. And they take the chairs away for setting up photo events and shopping events.

And the Star Quest area is lovely to sit and gaze out to sea, but over half the time, they stick the art up there and take away the seating - ridiculous to do that on the scenic cruising days.

Probably on the warmer cruises - not an issue as there is lots of seating outside.

We were really interested to see what Radiance would be like as it is raved about for Alaska cruises, but we were left with a poor review of that ship, and will stick with NCL Pearl for our Alaska trips (just love their disco/lounge area with huge windows, with views to both sides of the ships, and lovely comfy chairs and beds!)

We would welcome any new ships to Oz and hopefully some varied cruise routes. Cruising is still a lovely way to travel and we would be open to travelling Royal again, but not Radiance again.

We change as quick as we can - not into dirties - into clean clothes, we're odd though in that we hate dressing up, and feel much better in just casual clothes (not ratty tarty ones). I don't think badly of anyone not dressed up, nor of anyone who is ponced up - although on our last cruise Radiance of the Seas Freo to NZ to Sydney, we had come off deck in casual clothes, had a quick drink in Star Quest and were popping down to cabin to change for dinner - and rude pompous cow of a woman (waving 2 fingers to you if your a cc poster), who was dressed in glittery top showing off to her hubby and friends from the diamond club, Oh look It's So Nice To See some People Don't Feel The Need To Dress up!

I could've slapped her! We'd come off the deck for goodness sake, really are you dressed to nines walking around the decks outside at 6pm?

Think she thought she would be 'the man' in front of her friends, but it backfired on her, as hubby and I didn't take her rude comments and condescending manner to well and responded as such.

It really put a damper on the cruise, as I really took those comments to heart. And she was the rudest 'b' I have had the misfortune to be in contact with on a cruiseship.

So my advice to you would be, you change when you want, you pay your way to cruise and are entitled to be comfy, if you want to be casual - be casual, if you want to lash out and dress to the nines, then do so

We were on Bobby's final cruise in Nov, he and the Captain were going on leave, he never mentioned that he was finishing, in fact he said he'd return, and the replacement cd said she was only there for a few weeeks. Captain has 10 weeks off do the cd's too?)

I guess that Bobby could have left that ship and not said anything to passengers.

Didn't hear about a Becky on our cruise, so she may have already departed.

Gosh what happened in that cabin for the blood and hair? Some kind of sacrifical scalping? Black market operations? That would freak me out big time seeing that in my cabin.

Hope you get some answers and the rest of your trip is enjoyable.

Oh forgot to say, the Novotel at the airport you can hire a day room, the hotel is literally right outside the entry doors of the airport, and we found it to be totally sound proof.

The Air Nz lounge at the airport is lovely too, they had chairs you can sleep on, hammocks etc, showers and wifi.

We flew Air NZ from Perth, Western Australia to Auckland (economy unfort.) then Auckland to LAX premium economy - loved it, we found them very spacious, the best part for us was the chair in front cannot recline into your space.

We didn't really sleep too well on the way over, think that was more about be excited about the month long trip, but I tell you on the trip back, we didn't even wait until dinner had been through and we went fast asleep.

We're going back again either next yr or the following, and we wouldn't hesitate in flying Air Nz prem econ again.

I don't have anything to compare it too, but everytime we fly we end up with the people who have to recline all the way back into our laps, having a bad back, I can't put my chair back, I have to have it straight otherwise bad aches for me, and it was heaven to not have this happen on such a long trip.

The one thing I didn't enjoy much is the silly beanbag footrest.

oh and you do get a cute little toothbrush and paste, some lip balm, moisturiser and purple socks. We got some nice Nz water Auckland side, but not LAx return side. There was a pillow and blanket and you get comfy headphones to use the personal entertainment unit, this unit is also where you can order drinks and snacks from.

We flew last April (2012), which was after the cabin was modified and the row taken out to give more space.

Great review, enjoying the photos too.

Can 100% verify that not everyone who owns a small dog is wealthy... We had a very small dog and unfortunately didn't have a big bank balance! ;)

Keep in mind cruiseships leave from Fremantle not actually Perth.

Freo is, I'd say an hour or so taxi ride, but you catch bus or train.

We generally stay at what was Burswood International Hotel or the Holiday Inn (At the same location, as they are one of the closest 'nice' accommodation to the airports (domestic and international).

Have a great cruise and stay in Perth and/or Fremantle

Lol, the most entertaining review for some time, thank you.

Nearly spat my drink onto my ipad when I read about your cephlapods and azipods ! Lol hilarious.

I'm off to read your other reviews as was suggested on page 2 or 3.

Loved the review, thanks for sharing.

Hope you're not having any nightmares from your flowrider experiences!

Silly question - was that a real alligator or a imitation one?

Thoroughly enjoyed the review and the photos.

:)

I'm sure your holiday will give you all many fantastic memories, and I find the planning stage and countdown stage prior to the cruise to be heaps of fun too.

Personally, I couldn't stand being in a room with my extended family, but that is because they aren't terribly nice people, I doubt I would even enjoy being on the same cruise different cabin with them! Lol

Have always taken our adult son in our cabin and its worked out fine - but as others have said parent/ child is a different scenario.

I think you guys will work it out to best suit your needs, and lets face it, you won't all be in your cabin 24/7 so there will be additional space on the ship, places you guys can spread out, and you may also be able to get away if you need a breather from each other.

Have you considered your luggage? As you will be short on space, so you may need to limit your cases to enable enough space for you all.

Have a great time, think your mum and sis will be smiling and ever so excited for the next few months.

Very interesting, this site says that it is illegal to wear camoflage clothing whilst in these countries, unless you are in the military.

http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Trinidad+and+Tobago/Visa

Now I'm not sure, Spain does not, but looking on the web for Port of Spain, flight centre advise you do need to apply for a visa, although this is not cruise specific.

Can DFAT help?

Happy cruising!

Has the New Posts button disappeared again? i'm looking but can't find it....

Loving this review. Thanks for sharing.

All the best with the new bub.

Sorry to hear of your loss of your nan.

Those cabanas look fantastic, reckon I'd go to sleep and sleep through the last call bell to get back on board!

This is really one ship that looks like a city, love Johnny Rockets from our stay in the USA earlier this year.

Gorgeous photos .... Loving the review.

I too am sitting here with tears welling, my condolences for your loss, and my respect for the way you have dealt with what happened.

It is nice to know that NCL and all others who were involved treated you all so well, and I loved that part when you that the crew members tipped their hats in honour of your dad

I second the Spike Walker books, by gosh he writes in a way that you just keep turning the pages to see the outcome was good or not, I wished the books were longer!

I really did enjoy those books, which were hard to come by in Australia.