Jewel of the Seas to Alaska! May 29, 2015 Pictorial Review!

[DarthGrady]

We were on this exact same cruise the week following you, and our Sawyer Glacier experience was stunning! My absolute favorite part of the entire trip! We were able to get quite close to the glacier and spent an hour and 45 minutes just slowly rotating near it before heading back out again.

 

It makes me curious as to what the difference was just a few days prior for your trip. From the pics you posted, it doesn't appear to be an over abundance of ice in the water. What reason did the captain give for not being able to make it further in?

 

They never directly said it was because of the ice, but they did say over the PA that there was a lot more ice in the water versus the week before. I'll be posting the glacier pics next, maybe its a close as they ever get to it. It just seemed much further away than we got in Glacier Bay.

[DarthGrady]

Sawyer Glacier, taken with my cell phone, so this would be the un-magnified viewing perspective

 

Sawyer Glacier, using my DSLR's zoom

 

 

A waterfall near the glacier

 

Excursion boats that get much closer to the glaciers

 

[dacsmom]

Looking forward to another wonderful review. Your pictures are beautiful.

[DarthGrady]

The Top Tier(s) party on the helipad

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Looking forward to another wonderful review. Your pictures are beautiful.

 

Thank you! :)

[DarthGrady]

Day 6, At Sea:

 

Our Second and last sea day was pretty sedate. We slept in late and stopped into the main dining room for lunch. Like all RCI ships, they set up a really nice, made-to-order salad bar.

 

Later in the day we stopped by the Seaview Café for snacks. The evening activities were well attended. They had the 70’s Dance Party in the Centrum, which was packed with people. After it was over many folks made their way up to the Vortex. Most of our group did a late night in there as well; it was nice having a big party together before the cruise started to wind down.

[DarthGrady]

Day 7, Victoria BC:

 

There were no formal plans for our day in Victoria. A few from our group paid for the hop on/hop off tour bus that takes guests around the city to the various attractions. We opted to simply walk from the ship and make our own way.

 

Our first stop was at the Fisherman’s Wharf area of the waterfront. There are several seafood and regular restaurants set up on the piers. A float home (houseboat) community is also one of the interesting sights there.

 

We all continued walking down the waterfront, eventually making our way over by the B.C. legislature building and the visitors’ center. After heading back toward the ship we also took a walk down the breakwater. It gives a nice view of the harbor and the ship. Even though we didn't have any structured excursions, I had a nice time in town. Victoria is an absolutely beautiful city. If I were Canadian I would love to live there.

 

We had one last visit to the Seaview Café before saying goodbye to it forever. In the evening the whole group ate together in the main dining room. We only ate in the MDR three times throughout the week, but service and food quality were both good.

 

Later on we made one last trip up to the DL and said goodbye to Hector, Maria and Diego. The past guest experience on Jewel was top notch, I can’t say enough about how great the three of them were.

 

The Vortex was sparsely populated on the last night, but we made the best of it. The bar staff, Noe, Gary and Wayne were great guys and took good care of us throughout the week.

 

 

 

The Fisherman's Wharf

 

 

 

Some of the float homes

[DarthGrady]

More Victoria shots

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

 

From the breakwater

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2015 by DarthGrady

[Aussiegrlfl]

Grady you know I always love your reviews.....and Mikey and I loved our Jewel cruise way back when, for a Canada fall cruise.....she was beautiful and still looks the same........it's funny we were the youngest onboard at the time...and somehow the small group of youngish 40 somethings found each other and stayed together the entire cruise.......the nightclub was never hopping and the casino....was like a hush zone at 10 pm but we still had a ball.......my dream is Alaska and hopefully next year it will become a reality...and although I HATE TO FLY...I know I have to do the helicopter tour...those pictures were breathtaking to me...and I can't wait to try it.......I know the cost is almost the same as the entire cruise....but well worth it..........again thanks I can't wait to see the rest...........I'm going to have many questions....so be watching your email...........:)

[DarthGrady]

Debarkation:

 

We had breakfast in the Windjammer on our last morning, and then headed off the ship. We didn’t check any baggage, so we just walked off when we were ready. Getting off the ship was easy, no lines or problems. The terminal was a different story.

 

As with embarkation, debarkation was very congested and slow going. The biggest problem is that they use one building to embark and debark two large ships (Celebrity Solstice was again pulled up next to us). This creates huge crowds in the baggage and Customs area that they both share. It took far longer to get clear of the terminal than almost every other cruise I’ve been on, save for our horrid experience in West Palm Beach on the Bahamas Celebration.

 

Once we were clear of the building our shuttle took us back to the SeaTac Hilton with no issues. We settled into our rooms and got ready to head out into the city for some post-cruise sightseeing.

[DarthGrady]

Grady you know I always love your reviews.....and Mikey and I loved our Jewel cruise way back when, for a Canada fall cruise.....she was beautiful and still looks the same........it's funny we were the youngest onboard at the time...and somehow the small group of youngish 40 somethings found each other and stayed together the entire cruise.......the nightclub was never hopping and the casino....was like a hush zone at 10 pm but we still had a ball.......my dream is Alaska and hopefully next year it will become a reality...and although I HATE TO FLY...I know I have to do the helicopter tour...those pictures were breathtaking to me...and I can't wait to try it.......I know the cost is almost the same as the entire cruise....but well worth it..........again thanks I can't wait to see the rest...........I'm going to have many questions....so be watching your email...........:)

 

Thanks Lee! I hate flying too, but Alaska is worth it. I know you and Mikey will have an awesome time. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask!

[DarthGrady]

Post Cruise, Seattle Day 1:

 

Having the light rail station right by our hotel was very convenient. It’s very cheap compared to taking a taxi or shuttle into town. The ride from SeaTac to downtown is about 45 minutes. We got off the train and walked down to the Pike Place Market to see some of the sights there. I went by the original Starbucks, but the line was down the sidewalk. I don’t need coffee that bad.

 

After Pike Place we walked to the Space Needle and went to the top. We had done it on our last visit, but the weather was bad. Luckily, we had perfect weather this time and the view of the city was excellent.

 

After the Space Needle we rode the monorail back to the light rail station (they are conveniently in the same building) and started back to the hotel. A friend of ours loves Taco Bell (who doesn’t really?), and luckily for him there was one near one of the light rail stations. After a snack we made it back to the hotel and enjoyed the rest of the evening relaxing at the hotel’s hot tub.

 

Mt. Rainier, as seen from the light rail station

 

 

 

 

 

I could make a joke about this find at the Space Needle, but I'll take the high road

[DarthGrady]

The view from the top of the Space Needle

 

 

 

Then came this depressing sight. That's the Jewel, leaving without us.

[DarthGrady]

Post Cruise, Seattle Day 2:

 

Our second day in Seattle began with another trip on the light rail into the city. The last few stops were closed, but they arranged for the city buses to carry passengers the rest of the way. We first made our way into the Capitol Hill area for lunch at the Unicorn Bar.

 

We then walked to Pioneer Square for the Seattle Underground tour. Rather than try to explain all of the history about how the Seattle Underground came to be, I’ll just post this link for those that are interested:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Underground

 

Yes, the tour is “touristy”. But no more so than Pike Place or the Space Needle. I enjoyed it a lot because of the history involved. I always like learning about the history of the places that I visit. For those that have never been to Seattle, or have never done the Underground tour, I recommend it. The whole area in and around Pioneer Square is very rich in history. It is heavily linked to the gold rush, which of course links it to Skagway, White Pass and the Yukon.

 

After a few more miscellaneous stops we returned to the hotel to get ready for the flight home. We booked a red-eye on Alaska Airlines that went directly from SeaTac to Orlando. Check in was easy, and the flight went smoothly. I got not a wink of sleep on the plane, so I was exhausted and grouchy the next day. The trip was excellent, and well worth the jetlag! I cannot wait to get back to Alaska; we’re going to try to go back every five years. That seems like a plan worth sticking to!

 

Our first stop, the Unicorn for brunch

 

 

My Showstopper Eggs Benedict

 

Next stop was Pioneer Square, the wrought iron pergola and totem pole are historical fixtures in the area

 

 

[DarthGrady]

More shots from Pioneer Square

 

 

Heading down for the Seattle Underground tour

 

A former storefront which is now in the basement

 

 

[DarthGrady]

More underground pics

 

The former butchers shop, once at street level

 

This would have once been the view along the sidewalk

 

The city built skylights into the new sidewalks to let light into the Underground

 

Another view of what was once the sidewalk and store fronts

 

[DarthGrady]

Well folks, that's it! It was an excellent trip that I hope to do again someday. I will leave you with a few randoms that didn't really fit in anywhere. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks for reading!

 

The gum wall in Seattle, it's as nasty as it sounds and looks.

 

 

 

mmmmm.......beer

[Clarea]

Outstanding review Grady! Really enjoyed it.:)

[DarthGrady]

Outstanding review Grady! Really enjoyed it.:)

 

Thank you Bob!

[Luv2Kruize]

Then came this depressing sight. That's the Jewel, leaving without us.

 

Hi Grady!

That would be us leaving on the Jewel!!! Thanks for the great shot of her!

Also, thanks for the tip on Hector! He's the best!!!

[MiMiMurrieta]

This as fantastic, Grady! It came at the perfect moment as we leave for Seattle on Wednesday and cruise with our family on Friday, June 28. I was so happy to read about Jewel of the Seas! We have cruised mega ships (the Breakaway) and we have been to Alaska once before on Celebrity in 2005. Three other cruises too during our 46 years of marriage. I know Jewel is an older ship but I love the way she looks! And, the fact that she is mid sized. Your trip looked wonderful. I imagine "PVD" has set in ( post vacation vacation) as it does for me when I return from a long anticipated adventure. Time to begin planning your next trip! Right?[emoji3]

[elcydcruiser]

Great review and pictures. This will be my 1st cruise on Jewel OTS so I very much enjoyed a tour thru your pictures. Also, loved seeing the Underground Tour pics. That is a definite to-do in Seattle. Thanks for posting.

[DarthGrady]

Great review and pictures. This will be my 1st cruise on Jewel OTS so I very much enjoyed a tour thru your pictures. Also, loved seeing the Underground Tour pics. That is a definite to-do in Seattle. Thanks for posting.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

This as fantastic, Grady! It came at the perfect moment as we leave for Seattle on Wednesday and cruise with our family on Friday, June 28. I was so happy to read about Jewel of the Seas! We have cruised mega ships (the Breakaway) and we have been to Alaska once before on Celebrity in 2005. Three other cruises too during our 46 years of marriage. I know Jewel is an older ship but I love the way she looks! And, the fact that she is mid sized. Your trip looked wonderful. I imagine "PVD" has set in ( post vacation vacation) as it does for me when I return from a long anticipated adventure. Time to begin planning your next trip! Right?[emoji3]

Definitely PCD! We've got a very short two-night cruise booked for next month, it'll be a little taste until our next big one in October. Hope you enjoy your cruise on Jewel! If you get by Hollywood Odyssey, tell Hector I said hello, maybe he'll remember me. I was the one who tried to drink all of his Miller Lites. What can I say? It's not great beer, but I love the retro cans.

Hi Grady!

That would be us leaving on the Jewel!!! Thanks for the great shot of her!

Also, thanks for the tip on Hector! He's the best!!!

Hope you guys had an awesome time! Did the weather stay clear for you?

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the review and photos.