We recently took a cruise to Alaska June 2011 on the Pearl. We have been on other cruise lines before and thought we would take a chance with NCL - we will not go on one again. No one was friendly, staff seemed to be put out if you asked for anything, had to ask every night for an extra towel, no one smiled in dining staff, food plates were hot to the touch, almost too hot to touch or carry food, not enough bowls several days, when you put cold food on hot plates it is not good, get more dinner ware. It took so long to find a place to several mornings for breakfast that by the time we found a table my food was cold. - no one seem to care. Felt like it was a flea market atmosphere, always something on sale, everyone trying to sell you something. Was told there was a bowling alley on board, which we were excited about, come to find out there is an extra charge per person to do that. Wanted to exercise and take a spin class, or yoga class, but there was an extra charge per day to do that. Spa was nice but when I booked my second appointment I was told "guess you like the specials" - to me implying I didn't want to pay full price. Not how I want to cruise - Won't cruise again with NCL.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
If you like buffet style food, then this cruise is for you. Food was below average for buffet, the same thing is served for breakfast and lunch and after day 2 it gets old. Dinners were good in speciality restaurants if you want to spend an extra $25, $20, $15 or $10 extra per person every evening for dinner.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
4 Seasons singing group was excellent, other's were OK
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
No customer service, when I complained about charging me for suvenior glasses I did not receive and then taking them out of my stateroom, the customer service desk just said "I'll tell a supervisor" after she told me I probably put them where they would be thrown out -
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Nice staterooms, plenty of storage, nice roomy bathroom!!
I wasn't sure about this excursion as I thought how nice can a garden be....OH MY was I wrong. This is a beautiful place, a must see. We got there on a Saturday night and it was the first weekend of fireworks so it was extremely crowded. Also, since we had to be back on the ship and the bus was a 45 min ride each way, we did not get to stay for fireworks. For the money, I wish we could have stayed longer, but it truly is a beautiful site to see!!!
Wasn't sure about the price of this excursion but TOTALLY worth the money. Staff is amazing - was taken by boat for an hour to island where 8 people live - along the way we saw seals and waterfalls and a small glacier. You are loaded on a bus were everyone is enthuestic and happy and gives great directions - you are put in rain attire and then have a short walk through the woods to get in your canoe's - I can't say enough good things about the guides - they all ROCK!! Nothing like getting up close and personal with Alaskan wilderness. You take a 30ft canoe to Davidson Glacier, where you can ask questions, take pictures, admire nature. Get a very nice boxed lunch on the way back (sandwich, carrots, chips, cookie, bottled water) The best excursion I have ever taken!!!!!! A MUST DO! Even my 13 year old son was impressed!!
Went on the Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest - staff was friendly, nice and got to see 18 Humpback whales bubble feeding - totally awesome time. Saw eagles, waterfalls - a MUST DO!!!!
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