3rd Times the charm. Pearl to Alaska 6/21 review with pictures

[jenseib]

What an absolutely amazing day.

Was the crab good at the Twisted fish? How much was your meal? I would like to get some crab legs while there but my husband and daughter don't really care for them so much.

 

Ooops I see another day posted..gotta go back and read more

Edited July 9, 2015 by jenseib

[jenseib]

Another amazing day! Horse back riding looks like a lot of fun.

[FraudBroad]

What an absolutely amazing day.

Was the crab good at the Twisted fish? How much was your meal? I would like to get some crab legs while there but my husband and daughter don't really care for them so much.

 

Ooops I see another day posted..gotta go back and read more

 

The crab was AMAZING!!! But expensive :(

 

It was $63 and we each got two large legs. Also included a side and a declicious garlic butter roll. I couldn't even finish both of my legs. Probably because I was exhausted after cracking Jordan's crab then mine! Some of the sweetest crab I've ever had!

 

There is also Tracy's Crab Shack (It's right next door to the Mt Roberts Tram). We didn't go there because they only had crab. From everyone I spoke with it was also excellent!

[lizziez00]

Hurry...Hurry!!!!!!! We leave in the morning!!!! lol :D

[FraudBroad]

I woke up EARLY on Thursday...it was THE day...Glacier Bay! I was so excited. I dressed quickly and ran up on deck and the weather was....COLD...and foggy...and YUCKY!!! My heart sank a bit...oh well, the other days had been perfect...Seattle, Juneau, Skagway..even our day at sea was PERFECT...guess you can't have everything in life :)

 

Had my usual breakfast at Moderno and then just pretty much camped out on deck. Cold or not...I was going to enjoy the views even if it killed me. As luck would have it...the fog began to burn off and the temperatures began to warm. Rob, Jack and myself pretty much camped out on deck 13 and just enjoyed the beauty of Alaska. Even when it isn't pretty weather the scenery is gorgeous! We saw a lot of bald eagles and once the Park Ranger on board even told us where to see bear...okay...they were just brown spots on the sand but she said they were bear....

 

Some pictures

 

 

 

 

 

[FraudBroad]

Before we knew it we'd arrived at the highlight...Margerie Glacier! The views were stunning. The ship is at the glacier for quit some time..it keeps turning around so no matter where you are on deck you get a magnificent view! And the best part? As we were at the glacier the sun FINALLY decided to make an appearance. The weather turned out to be beautiful!!!!

 

The pictures I'm posting just to show how the overhang got in the way!!!

 

Can you see the sun peaking through?

 

 

Can you see the reflection of the glacier in the windows?

 

 

FINALLY SUNSHINE!!!!

[FraudBroad]

More pictures of the day

 

 

 

 

[FraudBroad]

As we left the glacier it was time for Rob and I to get ready for the behind the scenes tour (Platinum perk). Jordan had no interest in attending so Rob was game to go with me! We met a member of the Cruise Director's staff at the Future Cruise Consultants officer at 11:00. We were told we'd be seeing the Galley, Recycling area as well as the laundry and theater. First stop was the Galley.

 

One of the assistant Chefs gave the tour. It's amazing how much goes into preparing all of the food we devour on those ships. And they make EVERYTHING fresh. Here are some highlights that we saw.

 

The menu is displayed in pictures...that way each server knows what the dish is supposed to look like before it's delivered to the table:

 

This is the "Soup" room...yes...seriously...this is where they make the soups!

 

More soup...

 

I have NO idea what's been going on in Skagway but this sign on the Executive Chef's office window was interesting....

 

Not to mention finding out they all have to have their cabins inspected! Glad nobody inspects my house!!!

 

Pictures to show how each crew member is supposed to look!

[FraudBroad]

More areas of the kitchen

 

 

The assistant Chef telling us all about how they do what they do!

 

 

[FraudBroad]

After the kitchen it was time to head to the recycling area. Man...was I IMPRESSED! It is actually unbelievable the amount they are able to recycle on the ship...plastic, glass, paper, electronic...just amazing! They showed up how they compact the stuff, crush the glass, etc...

 

 

All of the crushed glass

 

This is the stuff they have ready to unload

 

Plastic to be recycled

[jenseib]

Beautiful glaciers and what a great tour!

[FraudBroad]

Next on the list was my favorite area to see (don't laugh)....but it's the laundry!!! If you've ever been then you know why...they have these AMAZING machines (and no ladies, they aren't called husbands) THAT IRON AND FOLD ALL OF THE SHEETS FOR YOU!!!! I can't even begin to describe how they work...but it's awful cool to see in person!

 

 

Clean sheets ready to be pressed and folded

 

Putting the sheets in

 

 

And here's how they come out!!!

[FraudBroad]

We then headed to the theater...what I should mention that getting around the ship was so much fun...they have a HUGE passageway that runs the entire length of the ship (they call it i95). I think it must be on deck 3. I was pretty turned around the entire time and had NO idea where I was!

 

The theater turned out the be a big disappointment to me. I thought we were going to get to see backstage but all we got was to see the inside of the theater and the stage director came and spoke with us.

 

Here are a few pictures of the theater. They had a rehearsal going on so we were not allowed to take pictures of the performers.

 

 

 

When the tour was done Rob and I met Jack and Jordan at Moderno for lunch.

Jordan headed to the teen club after lunch and I went and took a nap :) We were meeting Jack and Rob back at Cagney's for dinner later that evening.

[CruisnDeb]

Next on the list was my favorite area to see (don't laugh)....but it's the laundry!!! If you've ever been then you know why...they have these AMAZING machines (and no ladies, they aren't called husbands) THAT IRON AND FOLD ALL OF THE SHEETS FOR YOU!!!! I can't even begin to describe how they work...but it's awful cool to see in person!

 

 

I have to admit, I find this fascinating as well! :cool:

[mompus]

We are also doing the dogsledding excursion. So excited after reading your review! Trying to decide what to pack because we are also going on the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour and Ocean Wildlife & Orca Exploration. Would you recommend winter boots? I know we will need gloves and hats but what about snow pants? Leaving for the Pearl in less than two weeks!

[FraudBroad]

We are also doing the dogsledding excursion. So excited after reading your review! Trying to decide what to pack because we are also going on the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour and Ocean Wildlife & Orca Exploration. Would you recommend winter boots? I know we will need gloves and hats but what about snow pants? Leaving for the Pearl in less than two weeks!

 

You should be just fine without the snow pants and boots!

 

They give you boots that go over your shoes when you do the dog sled adventure so it would be pointless to bring your own.

 

When we went the weather was so beautiful that most days I didn't even wear my fleece jackets. I was actually warm in the sweatshirt I had on.

 

We had hats and gloves when we went dog sledding but honestly, we didn't need them...keep in mind...we are from Chicago...so for us we didn't think it was cold at all!!!!

 

Regards,

Natalie

[mompus]

Natalie, Thanks for your reply! I live in Buffalo Grove now and know what you are talking about! After today I am looking forward to some cooler weather! I hope the weather in Alaska is just as nice for us.

[MandyMommyof2]

Loving your review Natalie, as Alaska is on our list for next year!! :) I am deciding between the Jewel and the Pearl. Leaning more towards the Pearl now since I discovered your review!!! We love dogs too and of course I have jotted down about your dog sledding excursion. The White Pass Railway ride too!! I'll have to research that one. The biggest thing for us is that we are used to cruising to warmer, hotter place in the summer, so Alaska will be so different for us. Can't wait to read more about your and Jordans trip!!

[FraudBroad]

Natalie, Thanks for your reply! I live in Buffalo Grove now and know what you are talking about! After today I am looking forward to some cooler weather! I hope the weather in Alaska is just as nice for us.

 

We are practically neighbors!!! I used to work in Riverwoods and I live in Crystal Lake :)

[FraudBroad]

Loving your review Natalie, as Alaska is on our list for next year!! :) I am deciding between the Jewel and the Pearl. Leaning more towards the Pearl now since I discovered your review!!! We love dogs too and of course I have jotted down about your dog sledding excursion. The White Pass Railway ride too!! I'll have to research that one. The biggest thing for us is that we are used to cruising to warmer, hotter place in the summer, so Alaska will be so different for us. Can't wait to read more about your and Jordans trip!!

 

This was my 3rd time on the Pearl and I just LOVE that ship! The crew is fabulous! I can't comment on the Jewel because I've never sailed her!

 

Last year my mother and I did a huge excursion through Chilkoot Charters. We took a bus ride into the Yukon territory all of the way to Emerald Lake. The bus then brought us back down to the border where we boarded the train back to Skagway. It was phenomenal! You would LOVE it!!! It's for sure a "don't miss!!!"

 

Good luck with you planning!!!

[FraudBroad]

Before meeting Jordan for dinner (Jack and Rob opted for Sushi) I headed to the casino for a bit. Before leaving to go up to dinner I turned on my phone and found 30 messages from friends and family asking if we were okay. I was a little confused (ummm, yeah, I'm on vacation...on a ship...I'm excellent)...and then I found out about the tragedy in Ketchikan. A float plane carrying 8 passengers from a HAL ship had crashed. We'd find out the next day that 9 lives were lost.

 

When I met Jordan for dinner I asked what she wanted to do the next day. We were scheduled for a float plane ride to a lodge for a crab feast. We agreed that we weren't worried about the safety and decided we'd go ahead and go. We found out later that night that many on our ship had their float plane excursions for the next day cancelled - it was reserved with the same company that owned the plane that crashed.

 

Cagney's for dinner on Thursday night was as always, excellent. I know I should try something else but I always go for the same thing...filet with corn and mac and cheese on the side. This time though, I asked them to throw in some pineapple, bananas, and cheese bread from Moderno. Since they share the same kitchen now I didn't think it would be a problem and they were happy to oblige. Dinner was heaven!!!

 

We both made it an early night as we had to be off the ship by 8:00 to meet for our excursion the next day. As I said before we were headed for a float plane ride to a lodge for a crab feast!

 

I don't know what made us go to breakfast that morning but we did and I'm telling you now that was the DUMBEST idea I've ever had! What was I thinking??? All you can eat dungeness crab was waiting and I needed breakfast???? I should have my head examined!!!

 

We headed off the ship and met the excursion in the parking lot. We got on the bus then headed to the other pier to pick up more passengers. We make it to the place to get the plane and had to watch a short safety video before we headed to the plane.

 

Here's our plane

 

Even though the weather wasn't the greatest (overcast and drizzling) the views were outstanding. I don't even have a word to describe the scenery in Alaska...majestic maybe? Here are some pictures from the plane ride to the lodge. I was lucky...even though I ended up in the back seat I was by myself so was able to take pictures from both sides of the plane!

As we were taking off!

 

 

 

 

Passing by the ship

 

 

[FraudBroad]

 

 

The lodge:

 

 

 

View from the Lodge

 

The flight to the lodge was only about 20 minutes. In 2012 when I'd been to Alaska we did the full float plane ride over the misty fjords so this time I wanted CRAB!!!!

[FraudBroad]

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Lodge. Like I said, ALL YOU CAN EAT DUNGENESS CRAB!!!

 

We started with a salad (honestly, I skipped this, bring on the crab)

 

 

And then, they brought out the crab...it was DIVINE!!!

 

 

We ate and we ate and we ate and we ate....we finished with a wonderful cheesecake topped with fresh Alaskan blueberries...and I forgot to take a picture!!! Probably because I was so FULL!!!

 

We walked the property for a few minutes, picked up a tshirt for Jordan and the gift shop then took the van to the top of the VERY large hill to catch the bus back to Ketchikan. Here are a few more pictures of the property:

 

 

 

 

 

The bus ride back to Ketchikan was about 25 minutes. We were dropped off right at the port. Jordan and I did a bit of shopping in "Sockeye Sam's" (the shop right at the port) before heading back on board.

[FraudBroad]

Once back on board I had to drop my stuff off at the cabin before heading to Le Bistro for the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet "Re-Group" that had been scheduled.

 

When I arrived I found I was the ONLY person there...with all of the officers!!! And to be honest...I really had NO feedback for them at all. It had pretty much been a PERFECT vacation!!!!

 

Finally a few others arrived and we sat down for an informal chat. Some of the feedback folks provide were things like:

 

Include in each sailing a get together for college age teens. They are too old for the teen club and too young for the bars. There's really no great way for them to meet. Dingo Dave, the Cruise Director, said that he was going to be including this going forward on the rest of the sailings for Alaska.

 

Dumb down the information regarding the Unlimited Beverage Package. We talked about how that's been such a subject of discontent on the boards and how there are so many questions! Provide an easy to read resource for passengers to know up front what's include and what's not.

 

Change the Moderno breakfast/lunch menu. That menu has been the same since 2011. I don't even need to look at it anymore...it never changes! The F&B mentioned that HQ is looking into menu modifications.

 

Big wish...skip Victoria, give us more time in Ketchikan. The HD's response was "We won't ever see the dissolution of the Jones Act in our lifetime." Oh well, you gotta ask :)

 

In other words, there really wasn't a lot of feedback directed at the crew for the Pearl itself. Most of what was talked about were things that have to come from the top down!

 

Anyway, it was really nice of them to take the time AGAIN to meet with all of us. We all agreed that we'd had a GREAT trip!!!!

 

Went back upstairs and took a few more pictures before we sailed away from Ketchikan.

 

 

 

 

Before we knew it it was time to set sail for Victoria!

 

I went ahead and started packing and then had to get ready. The Gold/Platinum Latitudes party was scheduled for 6:00 on Spinnaker. As I'd missed the regular Latitudes party on Monday and wanted to make sure and go to this one.

 

When I got to deck 13 I knew something was wrong. There was no line to get into Spinnaker and the doors were open. I went in and found another 10 or so people standing around, all there for the party...and there was no party...the bartender then told us nothing was scheduled!!!!

 

I went outside and called the front desk. The Future Cruise Consultant was not in her office so they took a message for her. I then tried to call the Hotel Director (after all, he did give everyone his number and say to call if we had any issues) and he was in a meeting.

 

The bartender was nice enough to give us all a free drink. We visited for a bit before we all went our separate ways!!!

 

Jordan and I met Jack and Rob in Le Bistro at 7:30 for dinner. Le Bistro has always been one of my favorites but to be honest I wasn't feeling well at all. While the dinner was fantastic, I can't recall what I had. I ended up heading back to the cabin right after dinner...not even getting dessert! But my amazing daughter made sure I had my favorite dessert on the ship...she had them sent it to the room for me!!!

[FraudBroad]

I couldn't believe when I woke up the next day and it was already Saturday...last day of the trip...always makes me sad!!!

 

Breakfast at Moderno followed by a lot of roaming around. I wanted to share some pictures of the Pearl I took on the last day.

 

Internet Cafe

 

Art Gallery

 

Bliss Lounge...I still don't get these beds!!!

 

 

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