Norwegian Pearl Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This was their final cruise to Alaska for the year. I've done it before, so knew what to expect...but this was really sub-par. Food was poor, service was lackadaisical, all the staff on the ship were just interested in getting back to warmer weather. They were "out" of everything. We had good "off ship" shore experiences, which was the only positive part. Very disappointed. The buffet food was repetitive and not very creative, the dining food (and I had just been on this ship 3 months before for Panama) was poor, took ages to be served, and just wasn't what we had experienced 3 months before on the Panama Cruise. It was Alaska, and they did not even have the traditional Baked Alaska ceremony, or the dessert itself, no Surf & Turf nite, no crab legs, and the prime rib was not tender. Even the eggs in the am were blah. The activity program had very few "points" activities, and no one seemed to be on the same page as to which activities got points and which didn't, and half of the ones I attended didn't even have staff show up. A few had staff show up, then leave as soon as the puzzle was passed out. "Crossword with the Crew" and "Walk a Mile with the Crew" were really show up and do it on your own. Not good.
Cabin Review
Mid-Ship Oceanview Picture Window
As expected
Port Reviews
Icy Strait
We walked past all the port nonsense and went into Hoonah. Nice walk, about 30-5 min, very safe. went to first tour shop and were told "all sold out". Walked a little further in, found a bait shop, asked if there were local guides and were directed to "phil" a great old hippie type who moved with his family years ago; wife went back to civilization and he and the kids stayed. His daughter now runs a business called "Kennel Creek Excursions" that isn't affiliated with cruise ships because allegedly the cruise co's deal only with first nations groups through Icy straight Point, which, frankly is marketed as a "co-op" of the natives but in actuality is just another port owned by cruise company's that pay a bunch of money to local natives to use their land...kindof like casinos in the US. A "racket" in other words. So, we paid Phil $100 to take us on a bear hunt. It was a hoot. Myself, and my daughter and best friend (ages 63, 33, 33) spent the next 4 hrs looking for bear, learning about local flora/fauna and even being escorted to local shops to buy local wares like picked salmon and Devils Foot salves. We had the best 4-5 hours of fun that I can remember at a cruise port. The same "bear hunt" excursion on the boat was $200 per person. And THEY spend half the time getting on/off the bus or at the kick-back overpriced tourist stores. Phil took us to dinner at "Mary's", the local best place, food was great. We saw 4 bears - a mother with 2 cubs that we followed for about a mile and a boar eating salmon at the river, while the ship excursion saw none. We felt safe and catered to the entire time. If you stop at Icy Straight Point, make sure you cal Phil and the gang before you go to book whatever you want, they do it all.
Juneau
We took the local shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier - catch it right outside the terminal, its about $45 RT, includes entry...takes you right to visitor's center no fuss. Did a couple hikes at the park. It was great. Ended at the Red Dog Saloon just for fun. Touristy but but good for a couple beers.
Victoria
Walked to town (45 min), Visitor Center, and bought tickets for the Butchart Gardens Trolley. About $60 US pp (paid with no foreign transaction fee CC so converted automatically). Ships tour was $200 pp. Was perfect. Closed at 5 but didnt kick us out until 6, ship arrived 1, we took the 3 PM troly out. It was perfect time with ample walking around time. Beautiful place. Thoroughly enjoyed.