Prior to our cruise we spent 4 days in New Orleans. Very fun city. Restaurants we would recommend are: The Joint (BBQ) Katies (one of the best meals I have ever had) and the Cafe Cakery for breakfast.
We chose the cruise based on the itinerary through the Panama Canal. We enjoyed Belize and the private island. We were looking forward to Costa Rica and Guatemala that were also on the itinerary. We were disappointed when Guatemala was removed, and would have much rather they removed Nicaragua.
We chose an inside room, because we do not spend time in our cabin. We like to be out and about, and the only thing we use our cabin for in sleeping, and showering. We have had balconies in the past, but by doing inside we can usually add one more cruise per year.
Our cabin was just fine. We did end up splitting the bed into two twins to give more room.
The Pearls has been refitted, and the one thing they did was take away drawer space by the table. Like all cruise ships, the rooms are small. But as I said before, we don't go on a cruise to spend time in the room