Norwegian Pearl by Captain Ron June 15-22 Alaska

I have read most of the NCL Pearl Alaska reviews, so I will offer new advice. DW and I thoroughly enjoyed this our 3rd "Inside Passage" Alaskan cruise. Two years ago, we took the 3-day Alaska Railroad's "most popular" trip from Anchorage to Denali NP, so we believe we've now seen all the Alaska we need to see. This was our 10th cruise and 4th with NCL, including Hawaii and Western Mediterranean. NCL is about as perfect as can be. Folks who are complaining just have unrealistic expectations, and would probably be miserable anywhere.

I managed somehow to book 1st class seats on Delta using "SKYMILES" by ordering them about 331 days in advance of our return date. 1st class is especially nice on LONG flights (Ft. Myers, FL to Seattle...via Atlanta). Flew on Saturday, and stayed at Sleep Inn, SEATAC, for only $79 via Travelocity. The 4-floor motel seemed very new or well-maintained. To get such good rates, it pays to reserve WAY in advance. They were booked solid. I heard the desk lady quote $99 on the phone. Sleep Inn sent shuttle van to pick us up. The next morning they provided a very nice breakfast, then shuttled us back to the airport. Then we rode the Seattle city bus #194 (#174 seems to have same route) for only $ 1.50 PP (yes, with all our rolling luggage) the 14 miles to downtown Seattle, getting off near Pike St. Market on 4th Street. Heard shipmates talking about $45-50 taxi fare. We walked probably 8 city blocks, mostly VERY downhill to Pier 66, wandering through Pike Market, and actually saw them throw some fish! (After the cruise, we did likewise, without witnessing fish-throwing. However it IS a good workout pulling the luggage back up to 4th Street. Stayed post cruise at the same Sleep Inn, utilizing their airport shuttle.) Read more