After reading many Alaska reviews from various cruise lines, we decided to sail on the NCL Star a couple of months back. I can tell you at the beginning of this review, we do not regret our decision.
We arrived a day early in Seattle via Alaskan Airlines from Denver, Friday 8/22/2008, and stayed at the Sheraton Convention Center Downtown. This hotel is very nice and the rate is very affordable. It is within walking distance to Pike's Market and the shopping zone. The hotel staff was very friendly. The hotel has two huge towers and was recently remodeled (the gym is still under construction, but they have a temporary gym in the Union Tower - no pool or sauna). We stayed in the new tower, called Union Tower, on the 23rd floor and the view of the city was very nice. Catching a cab to the cruise terminal was a breeze as many are waiting in the valet area.
On Saturday, we arrived at the Pier 66 cruise terminal at 11:30am. There were no lines to enter the building. We were given a boarding number and proceeded directly to a huge counter with many employees checking-in guests. The check-in process took all of five minutes. We then waited in the lobby area (chairs, coffee and juice provided) of the cruise terminal for our boarding number to be called - No more than a 15 minute wait.
Small Balcony - two is a crowd if you get my meaning. Small toilet area and always felt cramped in bathroom. Cabin has good closet space and many places to store and tuck your belongings.