On the 6th of September I was playing online and noticed how cheap the cruise prices were, so we booked and left Seattle on the 16th. This was our second cruise and first on Norwegian and to Alaska.

We were on the ship less than half an hour after arrival and disembarkation was even quicker. We decided to spend our money on our cabin rather than booze or excursions so we got a balcony near the stern on the starboard side. This provided us with multiple hours of enjoying the landscape and wildlife of British Columbia and Alaska. Our cabin was not huge, but it was kept extremely clean. If you bring a clock, make it battery-powered. We had an electric one and it gained two hours the first day. Showing up for breakfast before the restaurant opens doesn't work. The weather was excellent. There was a brief shower off Vancouver Island for a couple of minutes and that was it for the trip. Temperatures were in the 60's in Juneau and Skagway.

We were impressed with the cleanliness of the ship. The food can improve--especially the buffet. With some experimenting, we found how to get good meals in Tsar's and O'Sheehans. Remember that most restaurants have food and beverages not listed on the menu so don't be afraid to ask. We did speak to people that paid for the "fancy" meals and they had mixed experiences. Read more