Never again in the summertime

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 50

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Pearl

7 Night Alaska Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 17, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10644

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Although I love Alaska and enjoyed our excursions very much, I will never cruise in the summertime again.  There were so many kids, you couldn't get into the swimming pool or even enjoy laying in the sun.  Forget it.  I also didn't appreciate being forced to pay top dollar for the little drinks.  I didn't drink much but had a $400 room bill after the $13.50 per day they tacked on that we weren't made aware of before the trip for tips to service people.  Yet they tacked on tips for every drink you ordered.  You could buy a bottle of liquor in the duty free store but you couldn't have it until the end of the trip.  Why bother?  They say it's for security reasons.  Right!  It's to gorge you money wise.  I'm not even certain I'll take another cruise again based on all the surprises.  It was so crowded, and with my friend who has MD, we often got ran over by people, and of course, the kids.  The staff was extremely courteous which was a plus on the trip.  But there was not much more to enjoy, except for the specialty dinners.  They were very good. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Cabin was clean and we enjoyed the animals created by our attendant with towels.

Ship tip

Get the drink package or you'll pay highly for them.

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

5 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5
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8 Comments

mustang06    8 years ago

There are kids all the time but this was the worst

mustang06    8 years ago

I saw the same thing kids running wild all over the ship my wife is in a wheel chair almost got run over

alaska911    8 years ago

Did you have a beverage plan package & extra $13.50 charged per day. Or just bought drinks one by one whenever & that's what they charge you for tips after purchase?

MrChocoholic    8 years ago

Would you a prefer ship filled with people with their "Mental Health Service Animals?" Not me. I prefer people. That's all children are, small people. Especially mine. Want to avoid kids on cruise ships? Obviously WHEN you go matters. HOW you go also matters. Celebrity, Holland-America, Princess have more grandparents than  kids. Another way: spend a few more bucks and go on Silversea, Oceania, Regent, Azamara. NO ONE with kids take them on those cruise lines. (Unless the kids are a little bit more mature, older and well-bred, like mine)

mustang06    8 years ago

You going to find kids just about any time of the year just deal with it

newtraveler    8 years ago

Yep!!!!! I am going in one week. School just started. I do expect a few kids but not many. I went on a cruise early march and kids everywhere but even though I am 76- it didn't bother me much. Even the other spring breakers- actually were fun and so full of life. Just roll with it!!!

banaford    8 years ago

I am guessing you have never cruised before. And that you did not read one thing. Or your TA needs to be replaced. All the things you complained about, are done across all cruise lines. I hope your next vacation is a better one!

tekmantn    8 years ago

13.50 tips is noted in all the cruise documents for reservations with NCL

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