This is my review of our cruise to Alaska on the Norwegian Pearl, August 10-17th. Some quick background information - traveling was our family DW (46) DH (44 me), DD (16) DS (10). This was our third cruise, the other two were with Disney Cruise Line. One of those 7 days Western Caribbean on the Magic and the other a 4 day cruise to Nassau. My comparisons are therefore limited only to what we experienced on DCL. We stayed in an AB Penthouse suite on the Pearl - Room 11530. For an Alaskan cruise, this was a great room location as it was aft of the fitness center on deck 12. I'd heard some others in the forward penthouses mention that they could hear the free weights as they were being dropped by people up in the center. Our room was below the ping pong tables so there was some noise but given the cool, wet weather, it wasn't really an issue at all.

I booked the penthouse suite early, due in part, to the NCL agent mentioning the cost wasn't really much more than our original arrangements of two adjoining balcony mini-suites. The advantages of the AB vs. two cabins were well worth the additional cost. We immediately noticed the little differences upon arriving at the Seattle pier. Upon passing security (which completely ignored the two bottles of wine in our carry on, thank you very much) we were escorted up to the private check-in area and waiting room. Having arrived early, we were the second family to arrive. All processing, photos, etc were handled quickly and cheerfully by the staff. They had an area with coffee, tea, water and juice plus some cookies set up while we waited. At this time, we also met our concierge, Carlos, who would prove to be very professional and helpful throughout the week. We made our dinner reservations for Sunday and Monday night while we waited to board the ship.

Once boarding began we were "escorted" on board. The young lady who was assigned to lead our family and two others to Cagney's apparently was not familiar with the ship layout. She led us around deck thirteen looking for Cagney's, taking us first to Spinnakers and then turning around to head midship to the Star Bar lounge. Here, a bit more confusion ensued as the wait staff was not ready for lunch guests. It gave us time to hang out in the lounge - we could hardly believe our trip that we'd been planning for 16 months had finally arrived. Within 20 minutes, we were seated for lunch. All those who've posted that Cagney's is a great benefit of the suites were not doing this perk justice. In fact, we found as a family that this benefit alone was worth the cost of the suite. The times I had gone to the Garden Buffet and seen the crowds, the search for tables, and the hectic feel of the buffet made me truly appreciate the serenity of the table service at Cagney's. Read more