North to Alaska, Shadowmeboy's Jewel Shimmering Pictorial Review

Alaska is a truly remarkable state. Scenery, wildlife, and a chance to get away. Each day a new opportunity. Maybe that is why we chose to sail to Alaska again.

Let's get this journey started and go North to Alaska!

My wife, Susan, and I, Matthew, love to cruise and do it any chance we can.

In 2016 we sailed the Norwegian Sun on a Southbound Cruise from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. You can read the review here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2529761

The Norwegian Sun is pictured below in Sitka, AK.

In June of 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Escape to the Western Caribbean. Review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2516206

The Norwegian Escape pictured below in Costa Maya, Mexico.

In December 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Star to the Mexican Riviera over Christmas. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2581330

The Norwegian Star pictured below in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

About us: My wife, Susan, is a school teacher and I work for a grocery store. Susan and I have been married almost 11 years! Due to her school schedule, we cannot sail as much as we would like.

We live in the Pacific Northwest, along the Columbia River on the "dry" side of Washington State among the Apple and Cherry Orchards.

Most of the pictures in this review are taken with my Canon Rebel T5 DSLR, My Iphone, Susan's Samsung Moto G5 or our Fuji waterproof camera.

Originally we were booked on the Norwegian Sun for this itinerary, the Norwegian Jewel was a vessel change. I originally wasn't happy, but I made the most of the chance to visit Alaska again. This cruise would take us from Vancouver, BC, Canada to Seward, AK

The Jewel pictured below in Juneau, AK from the Mount Roberts Tram

We also took our friends Jenny & Jenner along for the journey.

Please feel free to ask questions along the way! I will try to answer them as quickly as I can. This review will be very picture heavy, but I love to relive my journeys through my pictures! I hope you enjoy them as well!

- Matthew

Susan hugging our "child" Theo, a Deer Legged Chihuahua. He knew something was happening.

On our Star cruise in December, we made little stockings with chocolate, a small gift, candy cane, and a small tip. They were a huge hit, so we did something similar.

We worked together to make up the bags.

Theo had to Supervise.

Susan hand painted each bag with puffy paint.

The final pile, ready to get packed!

Departure day finally came!

We still don't know how it all fit?

Jenny and Jenner were amazed!

Leaving our small city, we headed towards Seattle, our first stop on our way.

Jenny and Susan with the bags!

Jenner took the wheel!

We drove through orchards with almost ripe cherries.

The little red splotches are cherries.

Along the Columbia River we drove.

We made a quick stop in Wenatchee before heading on our way.

Rock Island Dam on the Columbia

The BNSF Cascade main runs through Wenatchee. This freight is headed towards Wenatchee.

more orchard land.

Susan enjoying her Starbucks drink!

farmland near Quincy, WA

We hopped on Interstate 90 at George, Washington.

Heading down the hill to cross the Columbia at Vantage.

Climbing the Vantage hill on the other side of the Columbia we passed a small convoy heading towards the range at Yakima.

They are growing windmills here!

The scenery starts to change as we get closer to the Cascade Mountains.

Traffic is moving on this Saturday.

I catch a quick picture of a BNSF on the Stampede Pass Mainline.

the widening project continues near Snoqualmie Pass.

The clouds kept getting thicker as we got closer to Seattle.

We stopped in Issaquah and met up with Cruise Critic Member Alainamarie. She had just gotten back from Alaska on the Jewel and picked up the shirts she had bought for me. We were going to use them as giveaways at the Meet & Greet I was organizing. (Alaina's latest review can be found here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2642510 )

Alaina is was really nice to meet you in person!

A quick lunch at Chick-fil-a

I love their grilled chicken nuggets. It was hard to get pictures of lunch due to driving at the time.

We checked into the hotel near Seatac. We always stay at the Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel.

I am going to stop here for the evening. More tomorrow!

 

The clouds kept getting thicker as we got closer to Seattle.

 

We stopped in Issaquah and met up with Cruise Critic Member Alainamarie. She had just gotten back from Alaska on the Jewel and picked up the shirts she had bought for me. We were going to use them as giveaways at the Meet & Greet I was organizing. (Alaina's latest review can be found here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2642510 )

 

 

Alaina is was really nice to meet you in person!

Nobody sent me an invite :(

Great review so far!

Nobody sent me an invite :(

 

Great review so far!

Thanks. I’ll send you one next time!

We stopped in Issaquah and met up with Cruise Critic Member Alainamarie. She had just gotten back from Alaska on the Jewel and picked up the shirts she had bought for me. We were going to use them as giveaways at the Meet & Greet I was organizing. (Alaina's latest review can be found here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2642510 )

Alaina is was really nice to meet you in person!

It was great meeting you & Susan! Your review is off to a wonderful start and I can’t wait to relive Alaska with you!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Nobody sent me an invite :(

 

 

 

Great review so far!

Y’all let me know if you want to meet in the PCC parking lot sometime soon! Matt, bring some Rainier cherries with ya!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I can't wait to read more of your review!

Exciting! I'm looking forward to more. We leave next Monday, for the southbound itinerary on Jewel.

As always, a great start! I absolutely love reading your reviews :)

Y’all let me know if you want to meet in the PCC parking lot sometime soon! Matt, bring some Rainier cherries with ya!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Lol! Too funny!

Matthew --

Great picture of you, Alaina & Susan. Johnny & I will be following your review. We love to show off our beautiful state & we'll be headed out on the Jewel in September, Vancouver to Tokyo.

Cheers -- Von & John

I so happy, you are doing another review. I can't wait

follow, read your other reviews, they are all great, thank you

I can't wait to read more of your review!

Thank you!