It has been two long weeks since we left the Pearl. This was our first Alaskan cruise and we were traveling with my sister and brother in las and friends of theirs. Our adventure began with a flight from Dallas to Seattle. My sister picked us up at the airport in a van we rented and we went to the Red Lion Inn on 5th Avenue. We went to the pier the next afternoon and the guys took the van back and were driven there by the rental company. This made it so easy. Embarkation went easily and quickly. We ate our first meal in the Summer Palace that afternoon and it was practically empty. The food and service was perfect.

Our stateroom was great. The beds were very comfortable. This is something I look for in a hotel first and foremost. The bath was roomier that any other we have experienced(besides one when we had a tub, toilet and bidet!).

The ship was so sparkling clean. We saw crew washing down the walls every day and the public areas looked as if they had been buffed and shined each morning. They must have little quiet elves doing that during the night! Read more