The Alaskan Jewel! Welcome Aboard….You don’t Exist!

[sager1969]

Wow - those sculptures were amazing! I get way too nervous around those. There was a show here in Dallas but my son was young and too full of boy energy to take that chance. I appreciate you sharing your pictures. I can't even imagine what it would be like in person!

 

[bcwife76]

What a gorgeous exhibit! For me I think it would be well worth our time to drive down to Seattle to see it, I'm going try and make it happen!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm glad Siri got you to the airport on time!

Too funny about the popcorn Nazi! If I'm not mistaken, that's even more expensive than Disney popcorn!

And Earl of Sandwich at the airport? Now you're just rubbing it in.

Great shots outside the window of the mountains! I love seeing interesting terrain below.

I had some trouble connecting with the free TV on our last SW flight too..... with the same android phone I had no trouble with in December. Not sure what was up with that.

Yeah! on seeing Mt. Rainier out your window! Very cool! Even cooler that you were on the right side of the plane to see it!

So wait..... Earl of Sandwich AND Cheesecake Factory all in one day??????? Heaven.

LOVE the shots around Pike Place Market. What a photographer's dream! You did a great job capturing the sights and feel of the area. The fish are WILD! Too funny that they had a button to make them move. I had never heard of that and they would have definitely made me jump.

So did Skip think you were shopping for a sailor?

Great shots of the Space Needle against that gorgeous blue sky. I would have taken a few hundred as well.

My WORD, what a stunning place the Chihuly Museum is! And you're right, the lighting really does make it. What another photographer's dream! You probably could have ended the trip after that and the Pike Place Market and been happy. Well, sort of.

Stunning shots of the Space Needle reflection!

 

[mom2rtk]

My laptop... A virus plus some connection in Windows was disrupted causing my documents and eek! My pictures not to open!
I got it back yesterday and my pictures are safe! All 151,000g of them! I got the back up and clean up my pics lecture.


Mmm, Cheesecake Factory. We ate there last month in Milwaukee after visiting the Zoo. And on National Cheesecake Day! All cheesecake was half price. Sooo good.

I'm so glad you got it fixed and the photos are safe!

So happy to see you posting here. I hope the girls are doing well.

 

[DisDance]

You tell skip I loved your artsy pictures of the food! OMG those king crab legs, I'm drooling looking at them

How lovely people seemed so friendly, really adds to the whole experience

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you so much for taking those amazing photos of the glass sculptures. Right here in Atlantic City, one of our casinos, the Borgata has a chandelier by Dale Chihuly. I wish I could see that whole garden in Seattle.

 

[Angeejoe]

Beautiful exhibit & pics!

 

[jenseib]

Wow - those sculptures were amazing! I get way too nervous around those. There was a show here in Dallas but my son was young and too full of boy energy to take that chance. I appreciate you sharing your pictures. I can't even imagine what it would be like in person!

My son was the same way...he literally was bouncing off walls and I could have never taken him either. LOL.

What a gorgeous exhibit! For me I think it would be well worth our time to drive down to Seattle to see it, I'm going try and make it happen!!

It was amazing. Check out the train to Seattle. I am not sure if it is faster or not, but I know a lot of people use it. Many people doing Disney cruises fly into Seattle and spend a day or 2 there then take the train up to Vancouver.

Too funny about the popcorn Nazi! If I'm not mistaken, that's even more expensive than Disney popcorn!

It was really expensive and I was shocked Skip paid it!

And Earl of Sandwich at the airport? Now you're just rubbing it in.

It's in the Southwest terminal and I try to hit it when we fly SW. MMM!

Great shots outside the window of the mountains! I love seeing interesting terrain below.

I love looking out and see the differen terrain. So different than what we see going to FL.

I had some trouble connecting with the free TV on our last SW flight too..... with the same android phone I had no trouble with in December. Not sure what was up with that.

They seriously need to fix this. We had issues with everything except the iphone going down. The family across the aisle (and also had some in front of us too) could never get it on any of their devices and the mom was so mad.

Yeah! on seeing Mt. Rainier out your window! Very cool! Even cooler that you were on the right side of the plane to see it

For once luck was on my side. I swear when we fly to and from MCO I always hear someone on the other side of the plane saying they can see Epcot.

LOVE the shots around Pike Place Market. What a photographer's dream! You did a great job capturing the sights and feel of the area. The fish are WILD! Too funny that they had a button to make them move. I had never heard of that and they would have definitely made me jump.

That place is really fun and a great place to take pictures.

So did Skip think you were shopping for a sailor?

I kept thinking a single girl would be in heave then! hahaha

Great shots of the Space Needle against that gorgeous blue sky. I would have taken a few hundred as well

It was like each time I would see it I would think...oh that would be a great picture....even if it was just like the one I took before!

My WORD, what a stunning place the Chihuly Museum is! And you're right, the lighting really does make it. What another photographer's dream! You probably could have ended the trip after that and the Pike Place Market and been happy. Well, sort of.

The Chihuly exhibit was just stunning. I was so happy we got the chance to go. I will admit, the next day I thought "If we had to go home today, I have already had a great vacation"......which jinxed me!

Stunning shots of the Space Needle reflection!

Thanks. Once I realized it I kept taking picture after picture of it. It was really cool.

You tell skip I loved your artsy pictures of the food! OMG those king crab legs, I'm drooling looking at them

How lovely people seemed so friendly, really adds to the whole experience

I was determined to get crab legs in Alaska and it was almost a miss!
We laughed how people would just start talking. One guy kept telling me how he loved my hair.

Thank you so much for taking those amazing photos of the glass sculptures. Right here in Atlantic City, one of our casinos, the Borgata has a chandelier by Dale Chihuly. I wish I could see that whole garden in Seattle.

thanks for enjoying it. If you ever get a chance to get to Seattle put it on your list.

Beautiful exhibit & pics!

Yes, it really is. Thanks

 

[jenseib]

I'm glad Siri got you to the airport on time

And yes Me too. I did have a pang of worry we wouldn't have much time to get a bite to eat...or worse yet, not sit together.

 

[tekaye]

Subbing...cruising on the Jewel next summer.

 

[jenseib]

Subbing...cruising on the Jewel next summer.

You are going to LOVE Alaska!!!

 

[jedijill]

Those are some stunning photos! His work is amazing. Glad I got to see the show here in Denver last fall.

Jill in CO

 

[jenseib]

Those are some stunning photos! His work is amazing. Glad I got to see the show here in Denver last fall.

Jill in CO

He really does some amazing stuff!!!

 

[jenseib]

Day 2, Aug. 1, 2015, Boarding the Jewel

I always wake up on vacation fairly early and with a time zone change it was even harder to sleep in, but I did OK. But finally I couldn’t make myself sleep any longer so I got up and ready to start the day. Of course I let Thing 1 and Thing 2 sleep longer. Claire was in her element. She has ALWAYS been one to go to bed late and sleep in late….even as an infant. I have always teased her that she was on California time.

I was antsy and not much to do in the room with 2 people sleeping so I headed downstairs to explore. Stupidly I only grabbed my phone. I am not sure why I didn’t grab a camera or external charger for my phone…..but I didn’t.


This is my first picture, so I must’ve gone outside for a bit.


plaza1 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

I then went and looked around on the 2nd floor where the restaurant is. It was pretty pricey so we never ate there.


plaza2 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


plaza3 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Looking down at the Lobby.


plaza4 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


And then back outside after looking around. Over by the fountain across the street on a bench there was a pile of stuff and I think someone was sleeping there. I guess that is where a homeless person makes camp for the night? I tried to make sure I didn’t get him/her in my picture.


plaza5 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


As I am standing out there I kept looking down towards the waterfront. I couldn’t tell how many blocks it was, but I knew it wasn’t too far. And I bet the Jewel is in port now too! One reason I wanted to stay at the Marriott was because you could see the ship right there. Oh heck! I am going to go see if I can see it. I debated going back to the room to grab a camera, but I just didn’t feel like wasting the time to do so, so I headed on my way with just my phone in hand. I really wish I would’ve went back and gotten a camera to go with me.


walk1 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


As I walked down down down…I was messaging my friends Brook and Deb. They are on the East coast so they were up and ready to chat!


It ended up being a bit further than I expected it to be, but it wasn’t bad. The bad thing was I knew my whole trip back would be uphill. And I even had to go down a flight of stairs at one point to get closer to the waterfront.


This picture was to help me remember where to turn back towards the hotel.


walk2 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

walk3 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


No ship in sight from here….but here is the Seattle Great Wheel. No wants or urges for me to ever ride that….I call them death traps!


walk4 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I went up closer by the Great Wheel and was looking around and then I spotted her.


walk5 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Oh and look at the Navy ships…No wonder so many sailors were in town.


I went up closer to the Great Wheel to get some shots.


walk6 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Then I moved on. This area had a ton of joggers going back and forth. I assume because it is a flat surface here it makes for easier jogging.


walk7 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk8 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


There were a lot of steel sculptures all over the place and I took a few pictures here and there.


walk9 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Getting closer to the ship!

walk10 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk11 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

I loved that the name of the road was Alaskan Way.


walk12 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


There she is!!!!!!!


walk13 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


And she was bigger than I expected. I swear this always happens though. You just forget how big these ships are till you get close to them.


I think this was a homeless guy in my shot. They were a lot of them walking up and down here as well.


walk14 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Pier 66!


walk15 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


This area is so different than any other port I have been too. I could get pretty close to the ship.


walk16 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


My friend Brook told me to take a selfie in front of the ship, so I did. I am the world’s worst selfie picture taker. I am trying to get me, the ship and smile….and I can’t do all three at the same time and of course I am looking at the screen, so you can tell I have a forced smile.

walk17 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk18 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Under the glassed in area up there next to the life boats I could see people getting off the ship.


walk19 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk20 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I then went and walked around the front of the terminal.


walk21 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


There is the Shuttle Express tent…good to know since we will be using them to go back to the airport.
walk22 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Various buses out front, I assume NCL transfer buses.


walk23 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Going around to the other side I wasn’t able to see the ship any better so I turned back around.


walk24 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk25 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


This is where the baggage drop off is.


walk26 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


And I took a quick peek inside where people were coming through after getting off the ship.


walk27 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Back around the other side I took a picture of the gangway.


walk28 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


This was much different than any other ship I had ever boarded. You actually board the ship on the Promenade deck outside and then go in. Now I had seen pictures that this is how it is done for this ship, but it still seemed weird to me.


Brook and Deb told me to find my room and take a picture.


walk29 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I am the 2nd balcony down on the aft…right on the corner.


walk30 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I have to admit I was now super excited. Seeing the ship makes it much more real. I also felt better seeing the port area and having an idea of how it looked now. That makes me a bit nervous when I am not familiar with the area.


It was neat to see people getting off the ship and I wondered how their experience was. I also wondered how cold it had been as it was pretty hot here already in Seattle, but most people were getting off wearing jeans or long pants.


My phone was getting low on battery and I had never told Skip where I was going, so I figured now was a good time to head back and get ready for all the fun in store for us.

 

[jedijill]

How fun to have a preview of the ship!

Jill in CO

 

[linetbo]

Following, we were on the July 20-27 Disney wonder and after we took the Amtrak to Seattle. We left Seattle July 31st. We stayed at Inn at The Market.

 

[DisDance]

Wow you were able to get SO close to the ship! How crazy, I would think it would be blocked off for security reasons. I don't remember the port in Seattle very well as I cruised out of there in 08

Looks (so far) like your embarkation day has nice weather

 

[CraftyMommy]

Those Chihuly pictures were awesome! I just love his work.

I can't imagine seeing your cruise ship for the first time. It must be so exiting. I guess I'll find out when we take our first cruise.

 

[jenseib]

How fun to have a preview of the ship!

Jill in CO

It was. I am glad I did make the walk that morning.

Following, we were on the July 20-27 Disney wonder and after we took the Amtrak to Seattle. We left Seattle July 31st. We stayed at Inn at The Market.

I wonder if we passed each other at all?

Wow you were able to get SO close to the ship! How crazy, I would think it would be blocked off for security reasons. I don't remember the port in Seattle very well as I cruised out of there in 08

Looks (so far) like your embarkation day has nice weather

It was crazy. I wondered the same thing about security. We had beautiful weather that day in Seattle.

Those Chihuly pictures were awesome! I just love his work.

I can't imagine seeing your cruise ship for the first time. It must be so exiting. I guess I'll find out when we take our first cruise.

I love his work too. Just amazing stuff.

Hopefully sooner than later for you!

 

[jenseib]

I headed back to the Crowne Plaza but even with a low battery I took a few pictures on the way.


walk31 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I had seen a guy walking around with this big white puff ball of a dog and he was getting on this boat, so I tried for a picture of him. I swear the dog was looking at me and purposely hiding his body so I couldn’t get a picture.


walk32 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk34 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Looking back at my ship.


walk33 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I like this picture with Mount Rainier in the background.


walk35 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk36 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


This one is a little odd.


walk37 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Turning to go back up hill…….I liked these buildings.


walk38 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


walk39 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I really worked up a sweat going back!


walk40 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Just as I was almost back, Skip called and asked where I was. I told him I went to see the ship and would be back up very shortly.


Once I got back in the room, I got Claire up and everyone else had showers and got ready to start the day. I had had our bags ready and packed and someone had come to collect them to take them to the ship. I really liked that feature with booking a hotel through NCL.


While we piddled our time away I did get online for the last time before I would be shutting the computer down for a week.


Claire and Skip ate their cheese cakes for breakfast and Skip and I also finished off the food from the left over box. Skip went in search of coffee and also brought Claire and I back some milk to drink.


We were to meet around 10:45 I believe but they told us to be down in the lobby around 10:30 to get checked in. Skip said that during his coffee search many people were already gathered down there.


We made our way down there a little early since Skip thought we would be missing the bus and got ourselves checked in. The man told us the bus wasn’t here but to just hang out.


We went outside for a bit and saw many vans come and go and then this bus arrived.


port1 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Several people were outside waiting for the NCL bus, so I went inside to check and see if that was indeed our bus. It Was! But it was going to pull around the block so we could load from the side of the building.


port6 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port2 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


After a bit it pulled away and we went to the side to wait for it.


port3 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Skip was impressed with his parking skills.


port4 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


We were one of the first on the bus, even though we really didn’t try. Skip and Claire were in the front seat and I was behind them.


port5 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port11 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port12 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Goodbye Crowne Plaza……hello Jewel.


The check in guy was riding with us and he said we had to stop at the Westin as well to pick up a few more people. As we made our way there we saw police motorcycles all lined up.


port14 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Skip asked if this was normal and what was going on.


port13 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


The guy said it was highly unusual and they only usually see this when very important people….like the President…are in town.


port15 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


We pulled up to the Westin and the guy got out and found the people right away and was back literally in 1 minute. He also was telling us that the Presidents always stay at the Westin because the secret service love all the windows and can see all around.


port7 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Off we go again.


port8 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


We asked about the weather and how they survive in the winter. He said when it snows the city pretty much shuts down because no one can handle the roads and ice. I bet! But something we did not know is that Seattle actually doesn’t get a lot of snow, nor does it get that cold. Ohio actually has way more snow and gets much colder…..who knew?


As we approached the port this Duck Boat went by.


port9 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Skip said “what the heck is that?” I told him it was a tour and they go in the water and then out and drive. He did not believe me at all and it was later in the cruise when someone else was talking about them that he actually realized I was telling the truth.


port16 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


We pulled into the port area and were let off the bus and told where to go to get through security. There was a line, but it really wasn’t too bad. Security was painless enough and they didn’t stop Skip for having 2 fake hips! LOL.


As we approached the check in area it was swamped. The lines were long and the whole area was just full and I heard Skip groan. I told him to never fear, we are suite guests so we get to bypass all of this. I got a “Thata girl” from him. He was pretty darn happy to be a suite guest at this point.


I found a gal directing people and told her that we were in a suite and where do we go to check in. She asked for our room number and pulled out her list.


10164!


She looked at the paper…and held it up so we could all see it. The room number was there…no name next to it. My heart did a little jump…..what the heck is going on?

She said “Oh! You don’t exist!” and giggled. I giggled too but I really wasn’t feeling my giggle. She looked at my paperwork and said, oh well, I’ll take you back…sometimes when you are upgraded late your name doesn’t make it to the list. Um, no, I moved to this room in May. Everything I have done/had has had this room number on it. She didn’t seem too worried and led us to the lounge.


We had to wait for another girl to finish with another family and then girl number 1 told her how our names were not on the list but we had the correct paperwork. This girl did look a bit more concerned, but was cheery. She looked at my paperwork too and then said we were next to sit at the desk to get checked in and all would be fine…..it better be.


Of course Skip keeps asking what is going on and why our name isn’t on the list. I kept calm and told him I had no clue, but I know what I booked and I know it was all right on my end.


Soon we were checking in with the next girl. She typed away and made small talk. Asked for our passports and credit card, etc. And then she said….I’ll be right back, I have to go ask a question. Now I am not stupid….I know this is NOT normal protocol. In the meantime, Skip and Claire are eyeing the goodies that have been set out, so they went over to get something to eat.


port17 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Since the girl was gone longer than a few minutes, I went and moseyed over to take some pictures and grab a cookie and some juice.


port18 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port19 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port20 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port10 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


The gal came back and told us that all was fine and finished checking us in. I then asked what was going on.


She was cheery and never looked too concerned, but I knew this was not normal. She said that for some reason NCL NEVER sent our info to the ship. Often that can happen when you upgrade last minute……Once again I told her that we were not upgraded. I had booked this room in May. She said not to worry and concierge on the ship would help us with any issues we come across.


She took us to a table where we would be getting our room keys….except none had been printed up for us, so we had to wait for those to be done. Also at this table one of the photographers was there and she said that normally she would give us a packet with a photoshoot time and some other stuff, but since we weren’t listed, she didn’t have one for us. Never fear, it would be delivered to our room later today…..FYI ….It never showed up the whole cruise.


Finally our keys arrived and I looked at them. Sure enough neither our beverage package nor our dining package was listed on them. I mentioned this and was told that Concierge would print us up new keys. This made me nervous. Things were not going smoothly and there was no reason for this to happen.


We were told we were going to be led onto the ship with the other family in the lounge in just a few minutes. Once we were all gathered we headed behind a guy who had the personality of a gnat.


port21 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I am pretty sure he never cracked a smile once and barely said a word unless he was forced to.


We stopped so each family could get a boarding photo.


797765 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


797766 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

Up nexr...Are our troubles over?