NCL Pearl- June 26, 2016- The Suite Life

[Lulubelle45]

I have an odd question. Do you recall what deck you boarded onto??

 

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[spidybabe]

We initially boarded on deck 7.

Safe sailing

[Lulubelle45]

Thanks. I just like to get my bearings. Our cabin is on deck 8

 

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[jimsig]

Great review!!!

 

Thanks cbtravel, glad you enjoyed it.

[jimsig]

I have an odd question. Do you recall what deck you boarded onto??

 

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As Spidybabe, deck 7. As we got on the ship in Seattle they swiped our cards on deck up near the front and we walked down the deck a bit and entered via the Crystal Atrium. In the ports I believe it's deck 4 for getting on and off.

[donaldsc]

Day 1- Fri June 24th

 

After having to cancel our 10 year anniversary Alaska trip 2 years ago due to my wife's health issues with-in the 30 day mark to boot, we decided to give Alaska another go this year, thank goodness for trip insurance. Two years ago we had planned a cruisetour starting in Anchorage to Denali and then the OW on the NCL Sun to Vancouver. This year we decided to do the Sunday to Sunday round trip from Seattle on the NCL Pearl and bring are almost 7yo daughter with us. We didn't book until this March and only had 2 weeks from booking until final payment. We booked a mini-suite with the 4 meal specialty dining plan and the shore excursion credit. When I started looking at shore excursions I started second guessing my choice of the $75 per port credit as I was seeing that I could get the excursions I wanted so much cheaper if I just booked on my own. On one excursion alone I would save $150 total booking on my own. The day before final payment was due I noticed that NCL had started offering a $140 OBC but had lowered the SDP to 3 meals. To me it was a no brainer and I changed my booking to the 3 meal SDP and picked up the 250 internet minutes along with the $140 OBC.

 

We decided to spend a little time in Seattle pre and post cruise so we flew out 2 days early on Friday afternoon and back on Monday. We looked at the JetBlue non-stop but they wanted outrageous money so we ended up booking our flights on United from Boston to Seattle via Houston (each flight about 4 hours) on the way out and through Denver (2.5 and 4 hours) on the way back. My wife and I both have TSA Pre-Check so the security lines for us were pretty much non-existent in Boston, though the main line had at least a couple hundred people in it. Having Pre-Check also allows you to bring children 12 with you which is a nice benefit.

 

 

We have brought our DD 3 times to Disney and knew she was good on airplanes but we figured the 2 shorter flights each way might be better off then a much longer non-stop. We packed the carryons with an iPad, kindle, portable DVD player, and an old iPhone I use now as an iTouch to make things easier. The flights out were both on 737-900's and had wifi and Direct TV, though you had to pay for both. I didn't really pay attention and it wasn't until we were in the air that I realized you had to pay for the direct TV as they were showing it while we were on the ground for free, I am used to JetBlue. It wasn't until we were up in the air that I also realized it you wanted track your location on the flight map you also had to pay for the Direct TV, I mean really, they can't throw that in free???? . We decided that we would probably get the Direct TV option on the second flight as we had enough to keep busy for now. The plane for the first flight had a Continental Airline heritage paint scheme which was pretty cool.

 

 

 

We left the gate in Boston about 45 min late while waiting for the pilot and co-pilot to arrive from Newark but still had time to connect in Houston, even with having to change from Terminal C to E. We had hoped to be able to sit down for a meal but ended up buying sandwiches and a couple fruit cups and we bought some snacks on board. Both flights were very uneventful but the second flight I had the most uncomfortable seat I have ever had while flying. It felt like there was no cushion on my seat what so ever. After less then 2 hours in I got to a point where I had to get up and stretch my legs as I could not take that seat anymore. The last 30 min or so of the flight were amazing with the views of what I was later told were Mts Shasta, Hood, and Rainer.

 

 

 

 

We arrived around 820p, waited for luggage and we headed to the parking garage to the Downtown Airporter. Checked in and waited maybe 15 min until we were called. We ended up being the only ones in the van. It was a nice quick ride to the hotel. We stayed at the Renaissance on Madison and 6th. I was able to get the room with Marriott points, though I had to buy some points as I was a little short, it still ended up being cheaper then having to pay 2 nights anywhere else in the city. I would have loved to have picked the Marriott Waterfront but they did not have any rewards nights left when I booked. I had used the Marriott app to check in the day before so when we arrived at the hotel all I had to do was supply a credit card for incidentals and was handed an envelope that had the room keys ready to go. Now being about 10pm in Seattle and 1am back at home I figured my daughter was ready to crash until she announced she was hungry. My wife mentioned something about room service and my DD says "yeah room service, wait, what's room service?" We told her what it was but we found a Subway a couple blocks away and brought it back to the room. My wife said she was all set and was asleep by the time we got back to the room. DD ate her entire small sub along with a bag of chips!! She wasn't kidding about being hungry. Needless to say we crashed right after that.

 

A picture of your boarding pass plus 3 nearly identical pictures of a mountain??

 

DON

[jimsig]

A picture of your boarding pass plus 3 nearly identical pictures of a mountain??

 

DON

 

People had been asking on different threads about TSA Pre-Check so I figured I'd pot a pic to show them how it looked on a boarding pass. As for the pictures the bottom pic was supposed to be something else but by the time I realized it was almost identical I could no longer edit my post.

[SilverFox61]

Hi, can you provide any info on the Pearl's cigar lounge & their smoking policy? Thanks

[spidybabe]

Hi, can you provide any info on the Pearl's cigar lounge & their smoking policy? Thanks

 

The Pearl has a nice cigar bar - right next to Le BISTRO on the 6th floor, near the casino. It's a large room, pretty decent ventilation, nice leather chairs, couches and large TV. Open 24 hours. Bring your own cigars (kinda expensive )

Safe sailing

 

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[jimsig]

Thanks for the help Spidybabe. I did not partake in the cigar bar, though it looked nice.

[Dale's gal]

Your review was wonderful & the pictures were amazing! We will be on this cruise 7/30/17 & I'm just starting my research now. Thank you so much for taking the time to post!:)

[jimsig]

Your review was wonderful & the pictures were amazing! We will be on this cruise 7/30/17 & I'm just starting my research now. Thank you so much for taking the time to post!:)

 

I'm glad you enjoyed. It was my pleasure.

[TheCalicoCat]

 

If you want to follow along the easiest way is to click on "Thread Tools" and then chose from the options to be notified of updates.

 

 

Hope you enjoy and find it useful.

 

I never knew about thread tools before, I'm already excited to read your report. (I'm travelling with my son.)

[jimsig]

I never knew about thread tools before, I'm already excited to read your report. (I'm travelling with my son.)

 

I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. Let me know what you think.

[AlaskaorBust!]

I loved your review. Very helpful as we plan for 2017. What company did you use to book your excursions?

[jimsig]

I loved your review. Very helpful as we plan for 2017. What company did you use to book your excursions?

 

 

I'm glad you liked it.

 

We did Juneau on our own. We took the shuttle bus from the pier to downtown and purchased tram tickets. We then went to one of the booths that were set up and did the tour to Mendenhall Glacier that also gave an over view of the city. I think we used Last Chance Tours but can't remember.

 

In Skagway we booked the train with Chillkoot Charters, we liked that they usually (not guaranteed though) got the last car on the train. Chillkoot guarantees passage to your next port if they are responsible for you missing your ship, but they have not missed a ship yet.

 

In Ketchikan we booked the Aleutian Ballard Deadliest Catch tour right with the Aleutian Ballard on their website.

 

Hope that helps

[springtxcruiser39]

Very interesting and knowledgeable thanks. Do you remember the name of the tour company to Mendenhall Glacier park?

[springtxcruiser39]

Thank you!!! I'm in the process of soaking up any Haven info. on the Pearl.

Here goes:

Any pics of the Haven area??

Where is the concierge desk located?

Is bar service available in the Haven area?

 

So enjoying your pics of Alaska. It's on my bucket list when work is done and we can travel in summer months!

 

Hello, I'm a TA and my family and I are cruising May 2017 we cruise in Haven because were addicted. This ship doesn't have a specific Haven area yet, but they do a great job with separate dining, concierge service and private sun decks, from what my co-workers say. I can let you know for Sure after May 25th when I get home.

[jimsig]

Very interesting and knowledgeable thanks. Do you remember the name of the tour company to Mendenhall Glacier park?

 

We went with one of the booths they have set up out side of the Mt Roberts Tram. I thought it was Last Chance Tours as I saw something that said LCT on something we were given, but I just checked my bank statement and it said Liquid Alaska. It was a combo city and Glacier tour.

[AF-1]

Jim I just read your awesome review. Great pics and narration. Did you like the Rennassance Hotel in Seattle? I am booking two night pre cruise and am looking at both Rennasance and Hilton Seattle.

[jimsig]

Jim I just read your awesome review. Great pics and narration. Did you like the Rennasance Hotel in Seattle? I am booking two night pre cruise and am looking at both Rennasance and Hilton Seattle.

 

Thanks AF-1, greatly appreciated.

 

We did like the Renaissance in Seattle and would not hesitate to stay there again. Friendly staff and nice clean hotel in what we felt was a good location for our needs.

 

Hope that helps

[AF-1]

thanks for the reply

[holidayhelen]

Just caught up reading this review - fantastic. Amazing photos. We are looking at something similar later in the year. Could you please give me details of the train tour you took in Skagway.

 

Any any other tours you can recommend.

 

Thanks in advance

 

H

[AF-1]

holidayhelen; go over to the Alaska port thread; there are lots of info on all the different excursions in the Alaskan ports.

[bambilin]

Just caught up reading this review - fantastic. Amazing photos. We are looking at something similar later in the year. Could you please give me details of the train tour you took in Skagway.

 

Any any other tours you can recommend.

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

Hi Hellen

 

We sailed to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Victoria BC in August on the Pearl. We did not take the train but free to email me and I will give you info on our tours in case you might be interested.

 

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