jenniferandwhatnot

We did not have any noise from the public deck below. However, on our Baltic Cruise the outside areas below our room were rarely used because of the cooler May temperatures.

 

I assume the balcony would hear some noise from below if patrons were outside socializing. I don't think you will hear much inside your room as the balcony door is very sound proof.

 

The angled balcony is great. Our boys had a regular balcony and ours was much bigger and provided great views looking forward.

This is great info - thank you! I think we will keep the angled balcony on Encore unless it turns out a nightclub will be situated below. Thanks again!

Hello! I found your review through a search of angled balconies. I have a similarly angled balcony booked (aft, 9th deck), and it appears that it's going to be over a public area, did you have any trouble with noise coming from below?

I don't know exactly which public area is going to be underneath as it's on the Encore and plans are yet to be shown on the deck plan, but on the Bliss, Moderno's is right under.

Thanks!

Following along! Your last review gave us some great tips for our April 29th sailing out of Seattle on the Pearl. Great to see you back at it!

The Jewel is identical to the Pearl, the only difference is the venue names are changed. It's making me feel so nostalgic!

Moderno - oh man, the seasoning on those lamb chops. I think about them all the time...

Oh - we are taking a little weekend vacation from Los Angeles to San Diego this weekend and your stop at Old Spaghetti Factory has inspired our dinner plans (we don't have one locally here in L.A.), after seeing all the delicious food pics.

Looking forward to reading about the remainder of your cruise. Cheers!

I’ve never gone solo but I do usually spend a bit of time doing my own thing (because 7 days in close quarters can wear on even the best roommates) and no one ever cared or noticed when I was solo at a table. I’m a bit shy and reserved so it can be something that causes me worry.

Anyway my suggestion is to mix it up. One day, eat at the bar at Osheehans, next day eat outside by the aft buffet. Then try out a specialty. It doesn’t always have to be the main dining room. And even then as others have mentioned, there’s options there too as far as seating arrangements.

You have options and can see what works for you to be comfortable.

Have a great time!

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I booked onboard a couple weeks ago and the extra perk was an upgrade to the highest in the category booked. Example: I paid for the lowest balcony room category and got booked in the highest balcony category (midship). It ended up being about $400 difference were I to have paid straight up for that midship balcony room.

You can only use two certificates to book one room if you are more than six months out from the cruise you are booking. Otherwise you can only use one certificate per room.

I bought one certificate for $250 and $100 credit was immediately applied to my onboard account. So I paid net $150 when all said and done, and had $250 to put down on my next cruise.

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I was on the Pearl last week and received straws roughly 50% of the time. They were available if requested.

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Another great Live with Doug. I booked the Bliss last week while buzzed on the Pearl. After finishing this thread I realized there’s no Moderno on Bliss. Moderno had the tastiest lamb chop I’ve ever had.

Womp wommmmmp

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Aww I think I saw you at the whiskey bar that night while we were walking past to go to dinner. Honestly I was so hungover on glacier bay day I was miserable and didn’t have much else to drink the entire cruise. I missed a lot based on your photos of the day. Kris got a few shots from the balcony and caught the calving.

It was great to meet you during the pub crawl and thanks for being a good sport with Kris’s tequila shot with pineapple back! We both do shots the same: one sip at a time.

Enjoying the review as I get back to reality.

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I just returned and basically lived in my nice collared fleece zip-up sweater. The fanciest I ever got was throwing a pair of boots over some leggings. He got away with a nice collared shirt and nice jeans for Le Bistro, and we never felt out of place.

I also carried a pashmina scarf around with me for the moments I could use a bit more coverage (such as popping outside on deck for a minute).

Another great review!

Yay for the $600 win in the casino! All the food looked great. Moderno especially - I love those fried plantains.

I was really interested in your train journey home. I live in LA and wanted to take the train up to Seattle for our upcoming cruise. The boyfriend said no way - he thought he'd get bored. So the compromise was to splurge on first-class tickets on Alaska Air - thanks for sharing the details on the lounges in SEATAC. I will have to look up the details on the LAX Alaska Air lounges.

I’m a little late but what a great review! I spent all weekend popping in and out to read it. Lovely pictures and you and your wife seem so friendly and fun.

I loved all the food pics! That’s too bad about Le Bistro. Our cruise on the Pearl is in a little less than two weeks and we have reservations there. Anyhow, I’ll look for your Mexican riviera review as I try to get through these last couple of weeks of work before Alaska! Thanks again!

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I leave in 2 weeks and 6 hours.

 

 

I mean, but who's counting, right? :D:D:D

I remember the balcony doors slamming that really started to grate on my nerves.

Thanks for the info everyone!

I know some might say that wearing your card is a little nerdy, but I like cruising without carrying my purse around, all you need is your card!

Thanks for the review! Too bad to hear about the bed issues and the crowds at the bar. I plan on sleeping and drinking a lot on my upcoming cruise :)

Glad you had an enjoyable week all in all.

Do they poke a hole in the cards like they do on Carnival? I’m shopping for a lanyard and want to do away with the clear card holder if possible.

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I'm bummed because I want to do the Cruise Next certs on my next cruise in May for a sailing in October, and we will have just missed the 6 month mark. I guess we will just have to buy one and miss out on the additional discount. Oh well!!!!

we arrive late Friday night, have the entire day Saturday, ship sails Sunday.

 

no kids.

 

i thought about checking out Venice, but isnt it very high crime at the pier?

 

also, can anyone tell me about the TMZ Tour? worth it?

You'll be fine at Venice on a Saturday afternoon. There's just a big homeless population. My office is down the street and I regularly walk to my car alone at night.

Check out the South Bay cities: Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo. Santa Monica is a nightmare to drive on Saturdays. If you're staying near the ship in Long Beach, check out the Pike area. Touristy but fun. Get some Mexican food from a divey place. And of course, In-n-out.

The thing is, most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA. It's just a dirty tourist trap that's away from the beautiful areas. My friends came into town and insisted on going to the walk of fame. It was too crowded to really enjoy and we wasted most of the day fighting crowds. I wish I could have taken them to the south bay instead.

Anyway - feel free to message me with any specific questions!!!

Great review - loved all the photos!

I love cheese. But breaded and fried cheese dipped in ranch? That's life. ;p;p

Oh cool - I just finished your cruise that went to Russia like a week ago - good to see another up!

Oh gosh, those curries. Makes me want to order Thai tonight! Thanks for the photos.

It's great to hear that so far all of the food has been to your liking!

Also wanted to mention, should you choose to Uber to the cruise port: at LAX when you arrive and have collected your luggage, you will have to make your way to the upper level (departures level), as that is where the ride-share pickup spots are located. They are big signs with letters on them, the app will ask you to indicate which letter you are standing near so that your driver will know where to pick you up.

I've taken a cab home from the Long Beach port to my house which is fairly close to the airport (6 miles), and it was right about $90.

Uber is usually cheaper than cabs.