Alaska on Norwegian

[runner2013]

Thinking of changing my reservation from Princess to Norwegian for next year now that the no food in your cabin situation has been reversed.

There are two ships leaving Seattle Sept of 2016. The Pearl and the Jewel.

Looking for opinions from those who have sailed on both ships(to anywhere) as to which one may be more enjoyable, are they pretty much comparable to each other, or would I be better off staying with Princess?

 

If it makes a difference, I'm a woman, 47, sailing solo. I enjoy sailing solo so that's not an issue at all :D

 

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[2red4u]

I'm in your age age range but married. We sailed the jewel last year, fell in love and will be sailing the Pearl next week. We found people to be friendly, for the most part( we actually blocked an elevator to help an elderly women get on that was on a scooter, my daughters may be petite but they play basketball like they are 7 ft) we shared tables at the buffet a few times when people asked( I guess we look friendly....or nearly finished, lol) casino was busy with people always striking up converstation. We also had fun in the bars( more mixed ages). I love the size of the ship it doesn't feel crowded.

[wimsikl]

How do you feel about kids by the pool? The Jewel has fabulous waterslides and thus lots of kids. The Pearl has no waterslides and thus kids in that 6-12 age range lose interest.

[www3traveler]

I have done 3 Alaskan cruises 2 on The Pearl and 1 on The Jewel. I have been home 10 days from The Jewel and wish I go again. Met some people who had previously cruised on Princess and said they would never go back to Princess. they liked the Free Style cruising. Thought the food was better and loved The Jewel's staff. The two ships are very similar. I cruised as a solo passenger in an inside cabin and had no problems at all. Being September, you probably will not have very many kids on board. My favorite port of call is Skagway- very old Russian settled community.

Have a great time. You can not go wrong with either ship.

 

Mandy

[2red4u]

We sail end of May so many kids are still in school( mine skip the last day😱) so not many kids, compared to end of June or July. Add that with cooler weather = less by pool, however there always seemed to be people/ kids in hot tubs, but it wasn't packed like sardines. And to be honest that slide on the Jewel was kinda lame, sorta slow.

[rnargo]

To me it's an easy choice...go on the Pearl! I say that because it is the Pearl that gets to go to Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay is unbelievable, and IMHO not to be missed!

 

I went on the Pearl in September 2013 and loved it!

 

Here is my review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923666

 

Please excuse all the photos that I accidentally deleted. I reposted them all farther down in the review. Photos of Glacier Bay are on the second page.

 

It was certainly an experience I will never forget.

 

Have fun planning! :)

[jenseib]

To me it's an easy choice...go on the Pearl! I say that because it is the Pearl that gets to go to Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay is unbelievable, and IMHO not to be missed!

 

I went on the Pearl in September 2013 and loved it!

 

Here is my review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923666

 

Please excuse all the photos that I accidentally deleted. I reposted them all farther down in the review. Photos of Glacier Bay are on the second page.

 

It was certainly an experience I will never forget.

 

Have fun planning! :)

 

Your photos aren't showing up!

[Sauer-kraut]

Pick the itinerary over the ship for Alaska!

[rnargo]

Your photos aren't showing up!

 

Hi jenseib-

So I just double checked again. My photos start showing up at post #13 of my review. When I was doing the review I had my photos on Photobucket. I didn't realize when I deleted photos on Photobucket it would delete on CC. When I realized that, I reposted them starting at post #13.

 

Hope you can find them!

[camarodrivenrs]

Yes, for Alaska the itinerary is more important than the ship. Also depends on what ship you have booked with Princess. If you are on the Island or Coral they are hard to beat.

[Out to sea!]

Hi jenseib-

So I just double checked again. My photos start showing up at post #13 of my review. When I was doing the review I had my photos on Photobucket. I didn't realize when I deleted photos on Photobucket it would delete on CC. When I realized that, I reposted them starting at post #13.

 

Hope you can find them!

 

What the poster is saying is that even the pics from post #13 onwards do not show up. Might want to check your URLs.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Out to sea!

[runner2013]

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

After thinking about everything and doing more research I've decided to go with the Pearl. I really wanted to see Glacier Bay so I'm very excited to have something booked.

Now the waiting begins...:)