Has anyone cruised NCL Pearl recently? There are not many reviews posted about the Pearl & a few of those cruisers did not give a favorable report. We are considering a cruise on the Pearl and were wondering if the less than favorable reviews were the exception or the norm? Also if anyone has pictures of this ship it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
Has anyone cruised NCL Pearl recently? There are not many reviews posted about the Pearl & a few of those cruisers did not give a favorable report. We are considering a cruise on the Pearl and were wondering if the less than favorable reviews were the exception or the norm? Also if anyone has pictures of this ship it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
cruiseagain
Anything in particular you are interesting in knowing about? I haven't had time to write a review from our 2/22 cruise. Just a few quick notes:
* The ship is beautiful, but didn't like the use of deck space by the pool. Too much space used up with slide, tables & chairs and poolside casino that I only saw open once. I read a review once that said there were only about 100 lounges on the deck by the pools...they weren't kidding! There were more loungers up above the pools, and many in areas away from the pools, but not much with shade.
* Most of the staff was excellent, especially the pursers desk and atruim bar staff.
* Entertainment was the best we've experienced in our last several cruises.
* Internet is the fastest I've used on a ship. Cabins are wired or you can go to the public areas for wireless.
* Inside cabin was small (can't imagine having 3 or 4 in it) and I didn't like some aspects of it (lack of drawers and the way you have to sit "side saddle" on the toilet) and didn't like the location we had (deck 4). This is where the gangway is, which can get quite busy on a port day. There's plenty of storage, but it's open shelving and the closet. I prefer a few drawers to help reduce the clutter, especially in a small cabin.
* Food was just ok. Didn't gain any weight on a 9 day cruise! Breads, omelets and crepes were my favorites. No mashed potatoes until day 8 in the buffet?!? Not enough variety or creative in use of leftovers, like Princess does.
* Did not eat in any of the specialty restaurants, just Blue Lagoon, Garden Cafe and Great Outdoors.
* Still working out an issue of being incorrectly charged, then credited, then charged again for something we did not conusme from the minibar. I'd rather have an empty fridge than a minibar. Not worth the hassle!
Overall, it was a very nice cruise, but I still prefer Princess. I sure did miss the free internet...cost me about $60 and I had to be very thrifty. I took lots of pics, but due to my son's wedding this week and surgery next week, I'm not sure when I'll get them uploaded and posted.
I read so many negative reviews of the Pearl that I wanted to try it out myself.So I booked a 5 night just in case.I was pleasantly surprised to find out that most things I have read weren't true. Nothing to complain. We were a party of 5 and indeed the inside cabins are small, but they assigned me a handicap cabin that is almost double the size and so was the bathroom. Not my favourite cruise line, but if in the future I get a good deal, I'll definitely go with NCL again. Even made a USD 250 downpayment for a future cruise.
__________________
Enchantment OTS 2007
Serenade OTS
Noordam
Caribbean Princess
C. Destiny
N.Pearl Nov
C.Valor Sept 2008
Ruby Princess
C.Splendor
Independence OTS
Liberty OTS 2009
Carnival Liberty
Eurodam
Radiance OTS
Mariner OTS
C. Freedom
C. Triumph
Navigator OTS(TA)
C.Dream
Solstice 2010
Costa Fortuna
Summit
Norwegian Dawn
C.Glory Sept 2011
Brilliance OTS 2012
Mariner OTS (TA)
Liberty of the Seas
Thanks, Nana & gfleo, for the helpful info!!
We were on the Dawn for Thanksgiving and loved it - I was concerned because of some negative reviews, but we loved the ship. We also did the deposit on future cruise
Our friends are wanting to book an inside cabin, can either of you suggest the best deck for them?
Thanks again!
Thanks, Nana & gfleo, for the helpful info!!
We were on the Dawn for Thanksgiving and loved it - I was concerned because of some negative reviews, but we loved the ship. We also did the deposit on future cruise
Our friends are wanting to book an inside cabin, can either of you suggest the best deck for them?
Thanks again!
Avoid booking on deck 4! That's the deck they use for a gangway on port days. It's a pain to get through the crowd if you want to use the elevators/stairs.
I was sorry that I hadn't booked something closer to the pools and buffet, since we spent most of our time there or on the Promenade deck. Somewhere in between those 2 decks is pretty convenient.
FYI - the insides are very small. OK for 2, but I can't imagine having a 3rd or 4th person in there.
The Pearl is beautiful
The $250 future cruise credit is a great deal because you actually get $100 credited to your shipboard account to use on the cruise you are already on so it only actually costs you $150 . It's like getting $100 off your next cruise and the most deposit you will pay on your next cruise is $250
Can't lose!!!!!!!
Hi Shoreguy: I finally found you. You gave my DH and I wonderful tips when we cruised NCL star in April 2006. Now we are going on the Pearl in Dec 07/08. This time though my DH will be in his wheelchair full time to get around the ship. We didnt book a disabled cabin because he can walk around the room but not long distances. My question is how difficult will it be to get him in and out of resturants espicially the garden cafe which is his favorite. We have a balcony room on the 10th deck which is perfect. And it will be a western carribbean cruise. So if you or anyone on this board has any advice I would appreciate it. P. S I really love your blogs you give very detailed info. I just read the one about "skippy" poor skippy.
Hi Shoreguy: I finally found you. You gave my DH and I wonderful tips when we cruised NCL star in April 2006. Now we are going on the Pearl in Dec 07/08. This time though my DH will be in his wheelchair full time to get around the ship. We didnt book a disabled cabin because he can walk around the room but not long distances. My question is how difficult will it be to get him in and out of resturants espicially the garden cafe which is his favorite. We have a balcony room on the 10th deck which is perfect. And it will be a western carribbean cruise. So if you or anyone on this board has any advice I would appreciate it. P. S I really love your blogs you give very detailed info. I just read the one about "skippy" poor skippy.
The Pearl Garden Cafe should be no issue. With the Action station setup he will have easy access to all the food areas. No long cafiteria like lines behind rails.
I will say the seating is tight and getting a wheel chair to some of the tables a challange. Seating at the Great Outdoors is an excellent option if the weather is good but a long haul back to the main restaurant area. There is a limited food service area outside as well and very good for breakfast.
Thank-you shoreguy. My DH really enjoyed the Garden Cafe last time but I am concerned about getting him around the tables. People tend to forget or not see people in wheelchairs and if it is really busy I would be worried that he will be in a crowd and sort of caged in. I think we will go to the Cafe early in the morning and if it is a sea day and everyone is on the ship I will probably bring food back to the room or get room service.
Speaking of room service how did you find it on the Pearl? I have heard you wait a long time is that true? And does the menu have a good selection? And would you tip the person who brings you the food or is that considered included in your automatic tip? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to solve problems before they become problems. I need this to be a very relaxing cruise for him because of the amount of pain he is in. I want this trip to be worry free at least for him. I can handle just about anything that will go wrong I just do not want him to worry about it.
All the ships have a new room service menu with Freestyle 2.0. Far better then the old one. I have no first hand knowledge of how long it takes. Clearly for breakfast no issue as you can put a card out the night before and get it delivered exactly when you want.
Connect with Facebook
ship info, NCL Pearl
Linear Mode
