danak13

How did you find out? We're on the pearl right after Thanksgiving and Harvest Caye is still on the itinerary. Fingers crossed.

We booked through a travel agency and they just sent us a notice of the itinerary change.

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I’ve been reading about a ton of ships changing these two ports and now mine did as well. I’m on the Pearl over Thanksgiving. I actually don’t mind because I’ve been to Harvest Caye and never been to Belize City. Just wondering why so many itineraries are changing.

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NOLA can be a bit hectic by comparison to other ports since it is right in the city. Not a ton of space out front when people start coming in and out so it gets a bit congested and hard to figure out where to go. We were never approached or could easily find porters so we ended up carrying on what would have been or checked luggage. However, the wait time to check in and get on the ship was standard and everyone was nice so no big deal. A bit hectic or not, don't let it ruin your first cruise day!

Plenty of smoking areas. The casino as always, part of the pool deck as well as a good portion of some of the outside deck spaces along the sides of the ship.

Leaving out of Tampa in November. Would prefer not to pay port parking prices but the only lots I can see around are open air lots. Does anyone know of a parking garage that offers port parking?

Hey all,

I am pretty sure this can be done but before I do it I just want confirmation. I received a $125 Visa gift card and I would like to buy OBC with this to go towards our daily service charge for our cruise in November. I just want to be sure before I purchase this that this would be considered "refundable" OBC and therefore eligible to pay for the service charges?

Thank you!

My mom and I are trying to plan a trip together for Jan 2019 and currently are holding a booking on this ship. I know it is a bit older (which is totally fine) but looking at the deck plans, there does not seem to be a whole lot on the ship itself in terms of bars or entertainment areas. So I wanted some advice from those who have sailed her-is there enough to fill the days? We like to sit by the pools and relax so we don't have to be busy with events 24/7 but do like to have options throughout the day.

Thank you for your input!

Includes two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and an upper Pullman-style bunk bed to accommodate a third guest.

That is what I was afraid of; hope it doesn't take up too much room. But I'm cruising so who cares?! ;p;p;p

Hi- generally it will mean the sofa is a sleeper sofa and can be made up. I believe it’s a full. They are not half bad in comfort wise, and my husband and I stayed on one (gave the queen to my mom for her birthday trip) and were comfortable enough!

Thank you for the reply; I would be more than happy with that but this is an interior room so I do not believe it will have a sofa. I figure the only two options would be that it has a pullmen on the wall or a pull out bed underneath.

Just got my room assignment for the Pearl and it is 5601; the legend (triangle) says it "accommodates three". Will this mean that there will be a pull out bed on the wall?

Hey everyone,

Second time on the Pearl this Thanksgiving and so excited. We bid for a balcony (from interior) last year and didn't get it. I know a lot of it is based on occupancy but I was just curious to know if anyone had their bids accepted on the Pearl and what they bid.

Thank you!

We are booked out of New Orleans right after Mardi Gras on the Pearl. I have read the reviews and they have not been generous of either the ship, crew, entertainment and even the food.

There is a lot of discussion on Breakaway and Epic and some other ships but nary a peep of Pearl.

I realize that often reviews are to complain so I ask those that have been on her since dry dock, what can we expect? Would the entertainment be more jazz orientated since it is out of New Orleans and right after Mardi Gras? Would the food have a bit of Southern flair?

We have never done NCL and are a bit concerned.

I am going on the Pearl next Sunday (I can't believe it is so close!!) and I have read the same reviews as you which worried me a bit. But then I remember that a lot of people do write reviews to complain and some people have unrealistic or perfectionist ideas. Any small inconvenience or perceived slight becomes a problem. There have been a ton of people posting, like in this one, who seem to love the Pearl. Overall, I think anything is what you make of it!

Just off the Gem and answering my own question. There are two options -- hot and cold. They are both acceptable lower priced sake of no particular distinction. Neither is from Japan. Neither is premium, despite NCL frequently promoting the premium sake at the Sake Bar with their on board video monitors. It would be difficult for them to have anything less.

Is this included in the UBP? Thanks!

Don't just wait for an email-I never got one. Also log into your booking and there will be a message there staying "Let's Get You Upgraded" I had read through these boards that some people don't get emails but get messages directly on NCL and that's what happened for me-and it was exactly 80 days out.

As others have said, he will have plenty to eat! I am a vegetarian as well and have never called ahead or added it as a preference (so I don't think you need to worry about that) and have never had any issues on any cruise lines. Buffets always have a ton of veg friendly options and the MDR always has one veg main course (whether or not it is his preferred taste is a different story)

Also, feel free to ask your MDR waiter to modify or see if the kitchen can remove meat from something. On my last cruise, there were a few apps that could be modified. And if all else fails, order more dessert!

Can I ask you how you see how many cabins are available-I have been checking for the cruise I am on (for upgrade bidding purposes) and while I can see that there are cabins open for booking, I have no clue how to see how many?

Going on the Pearl in just a short (or long) 40 days. I know there is a thread about the ship's tips and secrets but it was started in 2014 so trying to get another one going to learn all the fun things about the ship I shouldn't miss.

Also curious what the freestyle dining is like? It's just the two of us; did anyone have to wait for a table? Which MDR would you suggest? Best place for breakfast that is not the buffet? Best food? Best drinks? You get the picture! :D:D

Hmm, we are 86 days out of our December 30 Pearl sailing and MDR reservations are not yet up; specialty dining has reservations up, though. NCL Dining Reservations and Customer Service agents on the phone were not sure why the MDR reservations are not open yet. Check back, they say.

 

Harold

Same here; I am 44 days out of my sailing and checked but there is no way to make reservations online as of now. Chances are on the ship we won't be bothered but it is just the two of us so we can always have a drink while we wait :)

we always make a standing reservation at 7pm. that way we are guaranteed to eat somewhere, at 7, and still make the 9pm show. usually pretty easy to show up earlier if things change, or call and change it to later.

Thank you-one more question-when/where do you make the reservations? Can you do it prior to boarding or do you have to go somewhere on the ship?

Never been on NCL before so I am excited to try the whole free style thing and always have a table alone for my SO and I! We are traveling on the Pearl. Do you need to make reservations nightly or can you just show up? Is there usually a long wait if you just show up?

We're getting on the Oasis on the 17th. We can't wait. We're not sure if the ports will be there to go to, but even just floating at sea for the entire week on that ship will be fine with us. We also know that another hurricane is following Irma, and if by chance we had to extend our vacation, we wouldn't be upset.

Here's hoping your 17th trip goes well but no extending for you! I leave on the 24th ;p;p:'):')

Weather forecasters here in Central Florida say that one is "supposed" to head out to sea

 

Disclaimer- Don't come looking for me if that does not happen:halo:

HAHA! I promise I won't. The logical part of me knows that nothing can be predicted three weeks out so I should just chill, and yet I keep watching the weather obsessively!

We live in Florida also and came from the outer banks area of North Carolina and Va. Beach ,Va and also have been through quite a few. Can tell you for sure will not be Tampa, as Skyway only can accommodate 90,000 ton class . they will keep watching and make sure they can make the turnaround on debark/embark day or will divert for another day if needed before they will divert to another port. We are on the 24th so watching the next that just coming off Africa. Bob & Nancy:):):)

I'm also leaving the 24th...there is another depression off Africa??

Received message 80 days out. Was approved 66 days out.

 

Approved at $125/person to move from an inside/ID to a balcony/BA.

 

Epic transatlantic, Nov 5, 2017 from Barcelona

 

 

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Fingers crossed I have the same experience! Congrats on the upgrade :D

Could someone please explain how it works

Sure! Basically about 80 days out from your sailing, they send you an email or there is a message on your NCL bookings page (this was how I got mine) asking if you want to bid on an upgrade. From there, they let you bid two categories higher than what you have. You choose how much or little you want. Once you submit your bid, NCL decides to accept or decline but they can do this as close to your cruise as 48 hours before sailing so there is a long wait time generally!