Apart from my poor cabin choice, we really enjoyed our first NCL cruise to Alaska. We enjoyed the MDR, Le Bistro, Cagney's and La Cucina. I wouldn't have been disappointed if I only had to eat in the MDR, though the menu was a bit repetitive for 11 days. The majority of our food choices were good or excellent with a few, mainly desserts, that I wouldn't choose again. On the few occasions we had to go to the buffet, MDR was closed, we didn't enjoy the experience at all. Difficulty finding tables and far too crowded for us. It was like a zoo so why people would choose to eat like that is beyond me but each to their own. There was a lot more variety there though but not worth the experience for me. We had the drinks package, though we are not heavy drinkers. It wouldn't have bothered me if I didn't have it. Entertainment on the ship was enjoyable, though the cruise director, Philly Joel had an annoying accent which made it difficult to understand what he was saying, especially when he was giving out information. I wasn't impressed by him at all. The girl assistant to him was way more fun as were the rest of the entertainment staff. He seemed to be the weakest link and he was in charge!

We booked Helicopter & glacier trek in Juneau and the white pass railway and rain forest trek in Skagway through NCL. Helicopter excursion was an amazing experience. The guide was great and the weather amazing which only enhanced the experience. There were 2 young American couples with my partner and I and they were great fun to do the trip with. In Skagway it rained the entire day but we were well prepared for that and the trip was good too, despite this. There were 12 on this excursion and 9 of us managed to walk through the forest right onto the glacier. The guides on the trip were very good. In Ketchikan we walked around the town which was pleasant enough. Glacier Bay was amazing and Astoria pretty dull.