Please tell me if there is a difference in the balconies between the Holland America and the
Princess Cruise lines? Covered versus uncovered?

I am wanting to take a Cruise to Alaska and was wondering if one Cruise line is more preferred
than any other. We are in our early 40s with no
children.

My advice is to look into a Royal Caribbean "Radiance" class ship. More glass to look out of that any other ships.

Haven't been lucky enough to have a balcony on HAL, so I can only answer for Princess. The deck above is your cover overhead, they have panels on either side of the balcony. Your door is a sliding glass door, with glass on both sides. It is wonderful to watch the sail-ins and sail-aways from your balcony as well as sunrise and sunset. I love leaving the door open at night and listening to the sound of the waves against the ship as she glides through the water. We've been on the Sea, Sun, and Dawn and the ships have been immaculate, food was wonderful, service was excellent. I don't think you'd be disappointed in Princess. I've been on HAL, the cruise was wonderful, but the food (to me)was much better on Princess. Best Wishes!

The deluxe veranda suite is 550 sq ft including the veranda (huge) - just to give you some idea of the size, I have had cocktail parties (on Maasdam, Statendam, Ryndam and Veendam, back when you could have your own booze in your stateroom) for 25 people with room for more! The standard veranda suite is 292 sq ft. The Oosterdam and Prinsendam (dying to try her) has a "middle" suite called a superior veranda suite that's 389 sq ft. All of the verandas are covered. I've had a suite next door to sailing companions and the cabin steward has opened the connecting doorway between the verandas for us.

Service is always excellent no matter where you go on the ship.

Food on the other hand can be "spotty" - sometimes fab and othertimes just good. It seems to depend on the ship, the on-board chef(s), the length/itinerary of the cruise and the phase of the moon.

we have had both VA and SS verandahs on HAL. They are covered with privacy panels on each side. The doors are not sliding, they swing out. We only cruise on HAL. We've found the food to be wonderful and they have such beautiful, clean ships and friendly crew. We have room service breakfast each morning on the verandah before we do our mile walk on the promenade deck. A great way to start each day!