Great Lakes Cruise - Pearl Seas

[bluelight]

In two weeks DH and I are taking our first North American based cruise through the Great Lakes with Pearl Seas. This is the sister company to American Cruise Lines (ACL), and has one ship that operates in international waters. This cruise is 15 days from Duluth to Toronto. The ports are a mix between US and Canada. We've previously been on Viking river and ocean, and other mainstream lines ocean cruises. DH is done with flights to Europe, so we're trying this.

So far, it looks comparable to the European river cruises we've done, though twice the price. I've read through the minimal information available to grasp what to expect. Anyone sail Pearl Seas or ACL?

 

[RetiredHappy]

I was on an ACL "cruise" about 20 years ago because my late MIL had never gone on a cruise so we decided to do something locally. Staterooms were large but the whole ship was very worn out, rust everywhere. Food was average. Won't do it again.

 

[G POP]

In two weeks DH and I are taking our first North American based cruise through the Great Lakes with Pearl Seas. This is the sister company to American Cruise Lines (ACL), and has one ship that operates in international waters. This cruise is 15 days from Duluth to Toronto. The ports are a mix between US and Canada. We've previously been on Viking river and ocean, and other mainstream lines ocean cruises. DH is done with flights to Europe, so we're trying this.

So far, it looks comparable to the European river cruises we've done, though twice the price. I've read through the minimal information available to grasp what to expect. Anyone sail Pearl Seas or ACL?

A fellow umpire (retired Coast Guard) is the captain. No further information other than I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

 

[bluelight]

I was on an ACL "cruise" about 20 years ago because my late MIL had never gone on a cruise so we decided to do something locally. Staterooms were large but the whole ship was very worn out, rust everywhere. Food was average. Won't do it again.

I'm hoping that's not the case with our cruise. I'm not a foodie, so there's that. We had a choice of Viking Expedition or Pearl Seas for about the same.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I'm hoping that's not the case with our cruise. I'm not a foodie, so there's that. We had a choice of Viking Expedition or Pearl Seas for about the same.

Maybe you can go to cruisecritic to get reviews for both.

 

[RetMD21]

Sounds like a good trip. I hope you let us know how you liked it.

 

[Lewis Clark]

Maybe you can go to cruisecritic to get reviews for both.

+1

Cruisecritic.com is a great resource.

 

[Aerides]

Since you're two weeks out, now is not the time to go looking for reviews. I'm assuming you can't cancel at this point if you found some news that made you think twice.

Just go, and enjoy!

 

[pacergal]

DH and I are thinking of a Great Lakes cruise along with my siblings&spouses.
Looking forward to hearing about this one when you get back.

 

[bluelight]

Thanks. We definitely aren't cancelling. I guess in the digital age I'm used to more info and comments about Pearl Seas than I've seen. Even cruise critic has very few reviews. I give a trip report when we get back.

 

[DrRoy]

My DSIL did the Great Lakes on Viking and liked that. Not her first Viking.

 

[bluelight]

My DSIL did the Great Lakes on Viking and liked that. Not her first Viking.

My family is doing a smaller Great Lakes cruise on the Viking expedition ships during the same time we will be going. They received a significant credit after issues on a river cruise so they decided to go for the GL cruise. We had already booked our cruise. We've enjoyed our Viking river and ocean cruises, but wanted to try something a little different.

 

[braumeister]

I've looked at ACL a few times, based on my wife's interest in certain trips. We always concluded that they were overpriced for our travel budget, but it's entirely possible that they make their cruises worth the money.
I'll be very interested in your report after the trip, so please post your experience after you get home.

 

[bluelight]

I've looked at ACL a few times, based on my wife's interest in certain trips. We always concluded that they were overpriced for our travel budget, but it's entirely possible that they make their cruises worth the money.
I'll be very interested in your report after the trip, so please post your experience after you get home.

US based cruise lines are a lot more expensive than their counterparts in other countries. The cost of the cruise is pretty much on target with other lines in the US. I assume it has to do with paying US wages. I will post my experience.