Our May 31, 2014 cruise to Alaska on the Jewel

[brunolvr]

Sandy, Would you also recommend port side for the Jewell? We're in a mini-suite on the Jewel at the end of August but on the starboard side.

 

I don't think it matters on the Jewel. We were on the port side but I wished we had been on starboard side. I like port side when cruising in Glacier Bay but in Tracy Arm Fjord, it really doesn't matter.

[amarvel]

We like starboard on the jewel. You dock facing toward Seattle, and Ketchikan. Leaving Skagway you get beautiful mountains and I think a lighthouse etc.we were told to do starboard and we were glad we did last year.

 

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[brunolvr]

Wednesday, June 4, 2014, Day 5 - Skagway

 

A loud "bang" awoke me at 4AM. I thought the ship had hit something, maybe a whale?? Later we found out from Captain Kenneth Harstrom there had been a 5.8 earthquake (only 7.5 miles deep) near where we were cruising (about 50 miles SW of Haines) at 4AM. So that’s what we had heard.

 

4AM just south of Haines-

 

 

Haines, AK located on Lynn Canal. Lynn Canal is the deepest (over 2,000') and longest (90 miles long) fjord in North America.

 

 

We're the last ones to arrive in Skagway. The Pearl, the Radiance of the Seas and the Coral Princess are already in port.

 

 

Looking back down Lynn Canal towards Haines.

 

 

Backing into the Ore Dock next to the Pearl at 6:20AM.

[Hikini]

We have always (10 times) cruised on the Starboard side, but I've wondered if we're missing anything on Port. When we are in a port, or passing through interesting places we spend the bulk of our time sightseeing from our own deck, but we also go up top to the public deck so we can see from both sides.

 

Sandy, what was it like going through the San Juan Islands on the port side? I love that part of the cruise after leaving Seattle.

[Imasima752]

We like starboard on the jewel. You dock facing toward Seattle, and Ketchikan. Leaving Skagway you get beautiful mountains and I think a lighthouse etc.we were told to do starboard and we were glad we did last year.

 

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Good to know, thanks for the heads up. For some reason I always book starboard without considering port may have nicer views. I lucked out this time but I need to start thinking about sides in the future.

[Linda the Book Lover]

I really enjoyed your review and the pictures. I keep talking up going to Alaska again because we had one of the best cruises on the Pearl. He is thinking he would rather leave from San Francisco since like you can in Seattle we could just drive and park.

[brunolvr]

Yakutania Point. There are some nice trails that take you out to the point.

 

 

The Jewel is backing into the Ore Dock right next to where the Temsco Helicopters take off to fly up to the glaciers.

 

 

We got nice and close to the Pearl.

 

 

Passengers headed off to their excursions.

[brunolvr]

After a delicious breakfast in O’Sheehan’s, we got off the ship about 9AM. We spent the morning shopping and walking around Skagway. Our excursion, “White Pass Scenic Railroad”, was at 12:45PM, getting us back to Skagway shortly before “all aboard” by 5:00PM. The line to get back on the ship was huge! And it was so windy, we could hardly walk and hats were blowing off passenger’s heads!

 

 

My husband had the omelet in O'Sheehan's-

 

 

And I had scrambled eggs-

 

 

Beautiful morning in Skagway with not much people. That's the Pearl docked at the Broadway Dock.

 

 

Beautiful morning for shopping in Skagway with not very many people.

 

That would be a fun way to get back to the ship!

[brunolvr]

The Arctic Brotherhood Hall is the most photographed building in Alaska. Yes, the façade is driftwood. It is now home to the Skagway Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

 

The Pearl docked at the end of Broadway.

 

 

Walking back to the Jewel.

 

 

The Jewel docked at the Ore dock.

[brunolvr]

We have always (10 times) cruised on the Starboard side, but I've wondered if we're missing anything on Port. When we are in a port, or passing through interesting places we spend the bulk of our time sightseeing from our own deck, but we also go up top to the public deck so we can see from both sides.

 

Sandy, what was it like going through the San Juan Islands on the port side? I love that part of the cruise after leaving Seattle.

 

Of our 10 cruises to Alaska, this is only the second time we've been on the Port Side. I guess I really didn't take time to notice the San Juan Islands on this last cruise. :( Either I was busy unpacking or we went to an early dinner.

 

What I have really enjoyed are the 3 cruises (2004, 2007 & 2009) when we went east of Vancouver Island. Sure wish they did this every time!

[zounds]

Thank You! I'm enjoying this very much. We were on the Jewel last Dec. and have taken the Zaandam to Alaska, but didn't stop in Skagway. Maybe next time. Steve

[Linda the Book Lover]

I haven't had a chance to pop into CC today so it was a wonderful surprise to see the aft photo of the Pearl. My heart sang!

[brunolvr]

On the train to the summit of White Pass with the Skagway River in view-

 

 

Long train and we were about the middle car-

 

 

You could look back down the canyon and see Skagway and the ships docked-

 

 

Beautiful scenery and you can see the road into the Yukon down below-

 

 

Tunnel ahead!

Edited July 12, 2014 by brunolvr

[brunolvr]

Top of White Pass! 20.4 miles from Skagway going from sea level to 2,888' in

1 1/2 hours via slow moving train.

 

 

Beautiful scenery and here comes another train.

 

 

Still snow left at the top of White Pass.

 

 

Flags at the top of White Pass--Alaska State Flag, the United States Flag, the Canada Flag, the British Columbia Flag & the Flag of the Yukon.

 

 

Waiting while they move the engines so we can head back down.

[brunolvr]

Trail of 1898

 

 

See the tracks ahead as we head back down to Skagway

 

 

Look at the packed cars behind us

 

 

Nope, we didn't take that bridge!

 

 

You can see the Pearl and the Jewel docked in Skagway and the road from Skagway into the Yukon on the lower right.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Great photos from the train. We took a private excursion to the Yukon, dog sledding, and other stops since my DH was not keen on the train trip. I have to admit the dog sled riding was one of my highlights. Next time the sedate train ride...or we will have to go to Alaska several times until I get to ride the train!

[brunolvr]

Beautiful snow-capped mountain tops

 

 

On our way down

 

 

No luck in spotting bears on our trip.

 

 

Great train ride with beautiful blue skies and scenery galore!

 

 

The Skagway River as we are nearing the end of our journey. By the time we got back in town and off the train it was about 4:30PM.

[brunolvr]

Great photos from the train. We took a private excursion to the Yukon, dog sledding, and other stops since my DH was not keen on the train trip. I have to admit the dog sled riding was one of my highlights. Next time the sedate train ride...or we will have to go to Alaska several times until I get to ride the train!

 

 

 

Thanks, Linda the Book Lover. We did the train ride on our first cruise to Alaska in 2003 and we thoroughly enjoyed the train ride this time.

 

We've done the drive into the Yukon and to Carcross and Emerald Lake numerous times and this was more relaxing and slower paced.

[Hikini]

Great pictures again, Sandy. What kind of camera were you using?

[brunolvr]

Great pictures again, Sandy. What kind of camera were you using?

 

Thanks, Hikini! I have a Canon Power Shot G3 (4 megapixels) that I've had since 2003. My husband keeps trying to get me to get a new camera, but I like this one and it does most of what I want.

[Hikini]

Thanks, Hikini! I have a Canon Power Shot G3 (4 megapixels) that I've had since 2003. My husband keeps trying to get me to get a new camera, but I like this one and it does most of what I want.

 

I'm surprised! I thought you were going to tell me that it was the latest, greatest big name camera. Glad to know the oldies but goodies still do the trick! You certainly have some nice pictures to show for it.

[April7901]

I just rescheduled from 09/15 to 05/15 and I'm dying with jealousy and anticipation!

 

Did you book the rail trip through NCL or on your own? And was your car as full as the others?

[chloemonkey]

We were the 3rd cruise after the Jewel’s dry dock in San Francisco. I guess I was hoping for more in the way of updates and expected her to be in excellent condition, but we found the Jewel to be starting to show her age. There was new carpeting in the heavy traffic areas, but she didn’t seem as in good condition when we were on the Pearl last year—and all the stuff they had up on Deck 14 didn’t help the situation. I guess they were in the process of installing “scrubbers” which are in the smokestack area. But it looked like a “junkyard” and prevented us from being able to leave the Haven’s private viewing deck via the outside stairs or doors at the end of the hallways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certainly agree with you that all of that "stuff" would have been a turn off to me as well! I do have a different opinion though of whether the Jewel or the Pearl is in better shape. We were on the Jewel in October for 16 days and it seemed in BETTER shape (even before the drydock!) than our Pearl experience this May. We were on the Pearl for 14 days right before the Alaska run.

 

And I prefer the top deck of the Haven on the Jewel as you are able to go from one side of the ship to the other - which you are not able to do on the Pearl Especially for a trip such as Alaska - it would make sense to be able to view both sides of the scenery. We were of each of the mentioned ships for the Panama Canal and I found it frustrating to not just be able to walk to the other side of the viewing deck (#16) of the Haven on the Pearl as we had been able to do so on the Jewel.

 

Crews cone and go.....learn to love them all BUT I did NOT love the Concierge on the Pearl either! I am not going to mention any names but we found John De Sousa on the Jewel to be among the best! Although we have been fortunate enough to sail with John when he was still a butler.

 

Just my two cents on our thoughts regarding the Pearl and the Jewel. We are returning to the Jewel in October for a B2B Caribbean run out of Houston...so will let you know if they have gotten rid of all of that "junk!"

 

Again....that "mess" would have been off-putting to me as well! And I agree with fellow posters that your review was stellar! As were your photos!

[Hikini]

The Jewel didn't leave Seattle until 8:50 tonight - almost 5 hours late. It was due to some heavy equipment being loaded on by cranes, and that blocked the way for the other stuff to get loaded on. Important things like booze and food!

 

So, it sounds like the work is continuing on board the Jewel. I hope it is all finished soon, and especially before September 6th. (Selfishly!)

[brunolvr]

The Jewel didn't leave Seattle until 8:50 tonight - almost 5 hours late. It was due to some heavy equipment being loaded on by cranes, and that blocked the way for the other stuff to get loaded on. Important things like booze and food!

 

So, it sounds like the work is continuing on board the Jewel. I hope it is all finished soon, and especially before September 6th. (Selfishly!)

 

Yes, it sounds like they're still working on getting the "scrubbers" installed. I did notice the Jewel was in Seattle facing the big wheel instead of the Edgewater today on their webcam.