Trying to decide on a cruise line to Alaska. We are thinking of sailing out of Seattle on NCL Pearl. My husband wants the freestyling, I don't really care, we want a balcony to be sure. We are going with 2 other couples and one couple is ok with the Pearl and now the other couple is hearing bad things about it like bad service, lots of kids in July, waiting in line for dinner, and mosquitoes that are big as birds on land. They are wondering about the Princess line? I am looking for lots of opinions. I wanted to book this already for July 08 because I hear that the balcony rooms sell out fast. Oh and they also are looking for the least expensive. We are more in the moderate range. What do you think?

Sorry, but your "negative" reports by the other couple, are enhanced.

There are NO where near the number of kids on Alaska cruises overall, on ANY line. It is the luck of the draw, if one sailing is overloaded, but not the norm.

I've sailed NCL to Alaska twice this year. NEVER any waits more than 5 minutes for dining.

The "mosquitoe" potential has nothing to do with the ship. And no problem in ports. It may be a potential issue on a few tours, but the main bug problems are interior Alaska.

In my opinion, Princess has a poor itinerary round trip Seattle, and the Pearl is definately a WINNER with Glacier Bay, although it doesn't sound like you know this??? Tracy Arm is extremely iffy getting all the way in and within view of the Sawyer Glacier.

I do suggest you make your booking now with an agency that has no cancelation fees, making it easy to cancel if need be. It may be this other couple is waivering anyway on their decision and making excuses??? (no flames please, but it does happen pretty frequently).

I strongly suggest you get a port side balcony cabin. This is the side you want for Glacier Bay.

I did sail on the Pearl this year on it's first Alaska trip in a cheap inside cabin, still greatly enjoyed the trip. I also sailed the NCL Sun last month- for a spectacular routing by the cpt out of Vancouver, which is my preference. But no Glacier Bay.

So, in my opinion of having sailed Alaska 15 times on 5 different cruiselines- you have made an excellent choice for round trip Seattle. Every cruise is going to be a compromise. Go with what fits your priorities, I suggest.

Thanks for your response BudgetQueen, I was hoping that you would. I did know about Glacier Bay, that's why I chose the Pearl. I am hoping to book the trip today or early next week. I think the Pearl it's going to be!!

BudgetQueen...I thought I read that the best side of the ship for viewing Glacier Bay and the inside passage was the starboard?

Starboard is great when you're heading north and port is wonderful when heading south.

BudgetQueen...I thought I read that the best side of the ship for viewing Glacier Bay and the inside passage was the starboard?

Sorry, absolutely not, ALL views and commentary are on the PORT side. IF you plan on ONLY viewing Glacier Bay, and/or College Fjords from your cabin, you need a port side cabin.

Realize, however, most often the best views are from outside public decks, with wider range of viewing.