Promised Review of Jewel to Alaska 6/16-6/23 With Pictures and Very long

[auntierobin]

On June 23rd I promised a more detailed review with pictures, well, better late than never.

I’m sorry this took so long, but I had to sort through almost 3,000 pictures.

Of course I’m not going to post them all, but will break this down by days with a few pictures and a link to the rest of the album if you are interested.

 

This is our third cruise to Alaska in 5 years. We have sailed on the Pearl, the Star, and now the Jewel. If we had to pick one itinerary to cruise the rest of our lives, it would be Alaska and one ship it would be the Jewel.

 

We arrived in Seattle on the 13th so we could have 2 days before the cruise to visit friends in Seattle. We stayed at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront in our favorite room, which is a corner room with 2 walls of windows and a balcony. We also stayed for a week after the cruise, we always do this because we really enjoy Seattle, and we figured since we had flown all the way out here from Chicago, why not take advantage of it.

 

Embarkation Day

 

Here are some pictures of the Jewel coming in to port shot veeeery early in the morning, quite an interesting thing to watch.

 

 

It's about 4:50 am and here comes the Jewel, time to throw on some clothes and get to the pier to take some upclose pictures.

 

 

Starting to make the turn into the dock, she sure is pretty all lit up at night.

 

 

Making that final turn into the dock.

 

 

Docked and ready to start the madness that is disembarkation and embarkation day. Time to go back to the room and get ready to embark, in about 5 hours.

 

 

Back in our room and the wonderful view from our balcony. It's now about 5:30 am.

 

 

And the view from our bedroom windows.

 

If you would like to see the whole embarkation day album here is the link:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/583180572JGiPoz

 

Emarkation was unbelievably easy, we walked over to the Pier about 10:30 (the bellman from the hotel walked our luggage over, how great is that, that's why we always stay at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront).

We were on the ship at 11:00 and foregoing Cagneys were sitting sipping mojitos at the Great Outdoors by 11:15. Friends of our that were traveling with us and not in suites arrived at the pier at the same time we did, and were right behind us when we boarded the ship. What better way to start a cruise!

 

I will not have a lot of pictures of the Jewel, because this is not our first time on her and I took a whole bunch the first time (one year to the day in NY), if I find them I will do a seperate post of them.

 

Our cabins were ready earlier than usual, we got the go ahead at about 12:45, which was a pleasant surprise, but cut short mojito time at the Great Outdoors. Once everyone was onboard, we congregated in our suite (aft PH, 10164) for Bon Voyage cocktails and snacks. Before we knew it it was time for Muster drill, and the best news of all - Captain Lars was back on board! That was the icing on the cake and I knew this was going to be a really good cruise. After muster drill everyone went to unpack and we met at Cagneys for dinner that night. This is the first time 4 out of merry band of 6 had cruised and they are all foodies and wine experts and I had been nervous about their, but after the great meal (most had steaks of some sort) and a 6 thumbs up on the wine (it was even the house wine), I could breathe a little easier.

 

Sunday - Sea Day

 

Today was a busy day, Cruise Critic Meet and Greet, Latitudes Party, Veterans Meet and Greet, Captain's Cocktail Party, not much time for anything else. I did not attend the Veterans event, my husband and the other husbands went (even though I am a veteran), one of our group was not handling the waves and large swells very well and needed some down time so the three of us decided to take some quiet time and read a book or in my case work. We met everyone at LeBistro for dinner after the cocktail party, everyone had something different and everyone was raving about their meals. We went to the Star Bar for a quick after dinner drink and then to bed. Tomorrow was going to be an early day - we arrive in Ketchikan.

 

In the interest of not boring you all all at once I will post Ketchikan tomorrow. Lots of pictures for that day.

[auntierobin]

I totally forgot to tell you all that the Jewel was absolutely sparkling when we got on board. If anything she looked better that she did a year ago.

 

When boarding we were greeted by some of the Sr. Officers and a whole bunch of very happy staff, which is a nice touch. It immmediately makes you smile and think that is going to be a great cruise! It is these small things that add up and make the Jewel our favorite ship. They certainly have it all together.

[Journey11]

So glad you had a great cruise. Looking forward to the other pictures and more of your review. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share the experience. I think I may have to persuade my travel companions to try Alaska. It sounds like a great cruise destination. The Jewel is a favorite of ours also.

[debnjoe1438]

Looking forward to more, thanks for posting.

[sailingsister]

Look forward to reading more of your review and seeing

your pictures. We left right behind you the next day on the Pearl. We arrived in Seattle on Saturday in time to see the Jewel leaving. We loved Alaska!

[auntierobin]

Ketchikan

 

We arrived in Ketchikan about 6:30ish and it was cloudy, but no rain, every once in awhile you could see some blue sky peek through, so there was a chance we could see some good weather. The temp was about 60.

 

This was our third trip to Ketchikan, on our other trips we have done the duck tour and the Misty Fjords excursion. I would recommend both, but Ketchikan is a town that you don't really need an excursion, because it is just fun to walk around on your own. There are a couple of interesting little museums, Creek Street, and of course the infamous Dolly's house.

Once you get away from the pier and the jewelry stores there a lot of interesting local stores with a wide selection of locally made items.

For souveniers Tongass is the place to go, be sure and look for their coupons in the coupon book that is available at the pier in Seattle.

 

On this visit we are going on the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour, one of friends is going snorkeling, and others are just exploring Ketchikan.

 

 

I thought that the way that this float plane was stored was interesting, in Ketchikan and Juneau you can't throw a stick without hitting a floatplane.

 

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On the other side of the red bridge is Creek Street and Dolly's House a not to be missed experience, from the end of Creek Street you can go up to see the salmon ladders.

 

 

The charter fishing fleet heading out to sea.

 

 

We were the 1st in a line of 4 ships docked in Ketchikan, plus there was another that was tendering passengers in for a total of 5 ships in town.

 

 

Thought this was kind of amusing - a container barge carrying boats, we also saw one with tractors strapped on the top

 

 

Right at the dock is a sculpture depicting the early settlers, this was donated by the 2nd and 3rd grade classes, which is IMHO remarkable.

 

Next up: Bering Sea Crab Fishermans's Tour

[auntierobin]

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour

 

First of all let me say - Awesome tour! When we disembarked from the ship Derrick Ray from the Aleutian Ballad (also the captain of the Cornelia Marie after Phil Harris passed away) was there to greet us and give instructions to the Aleutian Ballad. We've now met 4 of the Deadliest Catch captain - a total thrill. Last time we were in Ketchikan I had never even heard of DC, but saw the Aleutian Ballad and asked about it, went home rented season 2 of Deadliest Catch and after watching it got the rest and am now hooked on the show. This was a great exursion, we have seen eagles many times in Alaska, but on this excursion we saw many, many them up close and personal - the whole excursion was interesting and fun, but to be honest the contact with the eagles sticks in my mind as the biggest wow factor, thusly I am going to start with their pictures.

 

 

 

Our first eagle sighting was the one perched on the radar of the boat. The eagles were the first stop on this tour.

 

 

 

At this point in the tour the sun started to peek through. This is the first of about 20-25 eagles that came to feed.

 

 

In the upper right hand corner is an eagle coming in to get a fish.

 

 

Coming in for the Catch.

 

 

 

A young eagle gets the fish

 

 

Several going for the same fish.

 

Well, this brings me to my 6 picture limit for this post. I am going to do another 6 of the eagles when we reach our next hotel, hopefully the internet will be faster there. Be back soon.

[Hikini]

Great eagle pictures! And it's nice to hear about the Jewel, since we will be on her in less than 4 weeks.

[sue402001]

Can't wait to hear more about your time in Alaska!

[poffles]

Yay ... a report with pictures. :D

[mijim]

More please...I want more

[sdmike]

Wow! This review is going to look just like mine, but with sunshine instead of the constant rain we had all week on my trip! :D

[ute_fan]

Enjoying your review. I'm in total agreement with you that if I could only do one itinerary for the rest of my life it would be Alaska, but I'd have a really hard time deciding between the Pearl and the Jewel. We thoroughly enjoyed both ships and itineraries.

 

Love your pictures!

[auntierobin]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I am going to post some more eagle pictures, just because there are too many good ones to ignore.

 

 

Different eagle, different time, same spot. If only the Stars and Stripes were on the flagpole behind him.

 

 

This shows how close they actually got to us, I was actually trying to take a picture of an eagle scooping up a fish, when this eagle flew right under my camera.

 

 

Kind of a classic eagle picture.

 

 

How many eagles are in this picture? Hint: it's between 20 and 22.

 

 

BFF's

 

 

Resting after feeding.

 

Ok, I am done with the eagle pictures but trust me there are a lot more in my album. If the internet connection wasn't so slow I would do more today, but this batch took an hour.

 

Next up: the crab fishing part of the excursion.

[camz]

WOW great thread! Keep it coming! Love the Eagle Shots. I am a big fan of Deadliest Catch so I am really looking forward to your next post...... I would love to take a cruise to Alaska, however, the only hesitation is the long flight to get to port. I love sailing out of NY.

[sdmike]

Wow! Great eagle experience and pictures!

[Kelli67]

Awesome Pictures, I can't wait for more pictures and details. I'm obsessed with Deadliest Catch so can't wait for your next post. My absolute dream vacation is a Land/Sea adventure to Alaska.... Some day!!! :D

[crusinpsychRN]

Awesome review and pics! You should get a commission if I end up booking this cruise!