Return to the Pearl!

This was my seventh cruise in two-and-a-half years, but the first time I returned to a ship I've sailed before.  I sailed on the Norwegian Pearl in April 2008 on a Caribbean itinerary, shortly before NCL implemented the Freestyle 2.0 upgrades.  On this Alaskan cruise, I traveled with the same friend as before, and we were eager to see what has changed.  (You can read my earlier review of the Pearl here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=41919)

Just like last time, my friend and I booked only two weeks before the cruise.  We chose an Inside Guarantee (category N), and booked via an online agency.  We did not receive our stateroom assignment until two days before departure, and we found ourselves upgraded to a category H Oceanview (porthole window).  More about the cabin later... Read more