Cruise of a Lifetime to Alaska

Item: Norwegian Pearl
Rating: 4.3
Author: billyyank1865

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

billyyank1865

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

7 Night Alaska Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 13, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9548

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We had a wonderful time. The Pearl is a smaller ship compared to some we saw in port but it was our first cruise so it was perfect. Bathroom is tiny but sufficient. Lots of great dining. Not huge amounts of entertainment like on the big ships but we were there for the scenery of Alaska. Highly recommend a balcony room. We saw many whales, porpoises, sea lions etc right from our balcony. You can't go wrong with Alaska!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We were toward the beginning of the process and it was very smooth

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

While the specialty dining venues were great, the two main dining rooms (complimentary) were fantastic! We ate there about 2/3 of the time.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Looked like everyone was having fun doing them. We did not partake.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our steward was good. The wait staff in the main dining rooms were superb! Sometimes 2-3 taking care of us at once.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

While the rooms and the ship were clean, it was hard to navigate past all the cleaning carts left day and night in the hallway.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

It is free style cruising which means casual dress. We WAY overpacked. Check the weather in Alaska. We had 70 degree temps.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

2 out of 5

No excursion. We stayed in a hotel two nights prior and one night after the cruise. This city is super expensive everywhere.

Thumbs Up 4

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Beautiful city. We did the whale watching excursion. It was fun and we saw about 15 whales.

Thumbs Up 18

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Take the White Pass Railway up into the mountains. Breathtaking scenery.

Thumbs Up 24

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Lots of great older buildings, homes and stores. We just walked around and it was great.

Thumbs Up 16

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Gorgeous city but we did not have a lot of time there. We took horse drawn trolley ride and saw great architecture

Thumbs Up 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

8 Comments

cmfrank 6 years ago

I love hearing the positive reviews of the Pearl and Alaska! We are 94 days and counting!!

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renaedave 6 years ago

good to hear

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terriesanchez 6 years ago

We are going to Alaska next May. I can't wait!

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CathyE998 6 years ago

loved the Pearl to Alaska....made us NCL fans for sure

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66gt350ps 6 years ago

We did that cruise on the Pearl in late Sept. five years ago and agree with your excellent review though we did more on board activities. While the ports are exciting they are way more busy with so many large cruise ships at the same time than fifteen years ago. Still worth it though.

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harleychick421 6 years ago

We're doing Alaska in 2019! Can't wait!

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14Cruzdude 6 years ago

Great. Thanks

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IkeDeb 6 years ago

Very nice

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