Pearl May 20-27, 2007, Glacier Bay Alaskan Cruise

This was our 5th NCL cruise. We have previously been on the Star, Jewel, Dream, and last February, the Pearl. While on the Jewel last year, we brought what was then called "Latitudes Bonus Rewards", whereby you would pre-pay for future cruises. (This program is no longer offered.) We paid the amount that would make us temporary Platinum Latitude members, but we have now been advised we have permanent Platinum status.

Embarkation Day: We decided to fly to Seattle one day prior to our cruise since we nearly missed the last one when we had air delays. We reserved a suite at the Holiday Inn Express SeaTac using an Entertainment Card discount for less than $50. We flew SWA and had no problem with connecting flights, meeting fellow cruisers in Salt Lake City. We shared the cost of a van with them, thus having transportation to a local restaurant and giving them the opportunity to purchase sodas and water to bring aboard. The HIE offered a decent breakfast and we took a leisurely ride to the seaport, arriving at 11:00 or so. We had a rapid check-in and settled in to wait for boarding to begin. We were on board soon, leaving our carry on bags in our BD balcony stateroom and enjoying a lunch at the Garden Cafe. Our SLC traveling friends suggested the chilled soups were special, so we made it a point to try the banana soup and it was delicious. Our stateroom was ready for us when we returned and picked up our life vests for muster drill (held in the Stardust Theater). The only problem was our door was marked with one muster station location and our vests said another. A comment card was left for the cabin attendants. Our luggage was received quickly with our boxed wine intact. Read more