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This was my first cruise to Alaska and second on a Jewel Class Ship. The scenery was beautiful and we had great ports of call. Pearl was well cared for and always clean. The deck plans of the Jewel Class Ships are well laid out and easy to get around. There was very little of 'you can't get there from here.'
We had stayed next door to Pier 66 at the Edgewater Hotel. On Sunday morning, it was a 100 yard walk next door to the Terminal. We went around 11:00 in the morning and our baggage was taken immediately. We had short lines all the way through and check-in was a snap.
We had a Cruise Critic Meet and Greet with the Ship's Department Heads. It was helpful to hear from them how much they value Cruise Critic Members.
Staff was helpful and did their best to serve. NCL is serious about their wanting to correct issues as soon as possible and does take complaints seriously. We had a service issue with the Blue Lagoon Restaurant. We immediately went to the front desk where the manager of the restaurant was called. The restaurant manager listened intently to our issue and apologized for the problem. He invited to us to return to the aformentioned restaurant, but we chose not to. Within 24 hours food and beverage service contacted us about our problem and made amends to our satisfaction.
Our cabin, although tiny did fit two adults. There was ample storage for all of our clothes between the six drawers, closet and eight cubby holes. The beds were high enough to place our empty suitcases under the beds. The bathroom was large enough for more than one person to be in there, provided one person was in the shower compartment or the toilet compartment at the same time the other was at the sink.
Our cabin was in a short hallway of three cabins, just outside the Medical Center, which allowed for little if any traffic in front of our cabin. On the other hand, at most ports entrance to and from the ship was just a few steps away. Thank goodness only one of our ports was an early morning port. We were awaken that morning at 6:00 AM by the banging of the metal ramps as we docked. (Fortunately for us, we were awaken only a half of an hour earlier than planed.)
We did participate in the unlimited soda pop program, unlike in the Caribbean where all outside bars are open, during this chilly cruise many of these bars were closed making it more difficult to find a place refill your glass.
Probably the best thing we did when we boarded the was to buy the week long pass to the Hydro-Spa. It was the best purchase we made all week, especially with fog, damp chilly temps and light rain. The saunas and steam rooms are single sex. There is also two small single occupant hot tub in the men's relaxation area. The men's relaxation area has loungers and windows facing the bow of the ship, while the sauna has windows facing port and the bow. The tiled heated loungers are in a coed common space along with the hydro-pool and a large hot tub along with non heated loungers facing the bow.
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