Norwegian Pearl or Star Princess

[Tapi]

I'm posting on the Princess board to give them a chance to reply as well.

 

I'm planning on cruising to Alaska (finally!) departing September 2009 and have narrowed it down to either the Norwegian Pearl or the Star Princess. Both sail roundtrip Sundays from Seattle which is my main driving force. I am looking at an oceanview stateroom (no balcony). Rates are very similar.

 

I have never cruised on Norwegian or Princess, but I've had the chance to sail on other major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Costa, Cunard, etc).

 

From those of you who love Norwegian, why should I pick the Norwegian Pearl? What keeps you coming back to Norwegian? Thanks for the input!

[2tnts]

I have never sailed on Princess. But I did sailed on the Pearl last November. The ship is beautiful, excellent service, cabins well kept. The Pearl is a new ship. I have not sailed to Alaska - yet. However, we are booked to sail to Alaska on the Pearl departing 9-6-09. I can't say anything about sailing Alaska itself. We choose NCL over other lines we have sailed (Carnival and RCL). I say join us Sept 2009.

[CRUZIN TOM]

We have been on both the Pearl and the Star Princess. I hate to say it you are really missing something by going to Alaska and not having a balcony cabin. On the Pearl goi for a Port side cabin in any case. I don't know the route of the Star as we took her out of LA to mexico. Both ships are pretty much equal. I liked the buffet better on the Star, but with the new changes in store, The Pearl would be my choice.:)

[wrp96]

I just want to point out that for Alaska, itinerary is a big deal. You really need to consider what you want from an Alaskan cruise, especially what you want in glacier viewing. The Pearl visits Glacier Bay while the Star Princess goes to Tracy Arm. By all accounts, Glacier Bay is much more spectacular in terms of glacier viewing than Tracy Arm.

[Tapi]

We have been on both the Pearl and the Star Princess. I hate to say it you are really missing something by going to Alaska and not having a balcony cabin. On the Pearl goi for a Port side cabin in any case. I don't know the route of the Star as we took her out of LA to mexico. Both ships are pretty much equal. I liked the buffet better on the Star, but with the new changes in store, The Pearl would be my choice.:)

 

 

I would love to do a balcony. We compared pricing and the difference in price was $510pp ($1,020 for the two of us). That's a quick weekend getaway!