Ex-Calgarian

You will receive an email confirming approval of your visa.  I printed that confirmation and have it ready to go in my travel portfolio.

That's my best guess as to what Norwegian is suggesting.

No AARP, one MORE reason to sail with NCL.

I'm envious. Wish I was in such a fortunate financial position as not to appreciate a 5% discount.

No AARP. One less reason to sale with NCL again.

Unfortunate, we just made platinum.

Be prepared. Contractors were put on board in Huatulco and negatively impacted the last few days of what was supposed to be a memorable cruise. I suspect that, is there are empty cabins, contractors may still be on board during the first cruise post dry dock.

We left the ship early in LA because of the workers who, in my opinion, viewed the passengers as impediments to getting their tasks done.

My friend and traveling partner keeps insisting I give this a try so here I go. We (2 couples) will be traveling on the Pearl May 5, 2016 (28 Days away!!!) We will be in a mini suite. Any suggestions regarding weather or anything else I might need to know. This is my FIRST CRUISE!! So Excited

You will love the Pearl. Could not have picked better for your first cruise, IMHO. However, lest ther be any confusion, a mini-suite is a bigger balcony cabin. It is not a suite in which you will receive the perks.

We sail on the Sun in one week. She may need a refurb after. ;)

Same applies to water but be prepared to carry it on the ship before stocking up. Have had the cases refused as checked baggage and had to carry them with me on the ship until cabin was ready

Yes. Call NCL before your cruise, or call room service during your cruise, or stop by any bar and ask about buying by the bottle. You can see the on-board prices and selection here. Remember they will add 18% and possibly a room service charge if you purchase a bottle on board. It used to be that the service charge was lower if you ordered a bar set-up ahead of time by contacting NCL, but the selection was also more limited. You should call to get current info.

Yes, only $3 / bottle charge before cruise. 18% uplift on board.

Is it possible to order a bottle of vodka to drink in your stateroom

Most definitely. A search of "bar set-up" will reveal lots of posts along with the number to call. Prices have gone up but still a bargain and convenient.

Wow 700 days is a long time. We booked our next cruise 440 days out and we are down to 33 of course I had two short cruises in between I couldn't stand waiting over 400 days lol

It's been torture but all is forgotten now. Feet are starting to twitch getting ready to do the happy dance. :p

Some one told me Issac will be one of the bartenders and Julie is the new cruise director.............:):)

I'm getting too old. I totally got that. Too bad Gopher went into politics.

Booked our upcoming cruise 700 days in advance of sailing. Down to 14.

Never ever ever thought we would get this close.

Love the Pearl. Three cruises on her - so far - and looking forward to #4 in the fall if the stars and planets align.

Reliving our cruises with your review. Thanks for the smiles:)

Check out this video. It's dated, but offers an interesting perspective. Andy Stuart talks about the profitability of a Pearl sailing as it comes to a close, right at the 38min mark...

 

[YOUTUBE]AQw2AX0LWpY[/YOUTUBE]

 

The ship sailed at 92% occupancy, and it essentially broke even for the week. He considered this a win for an off-season sailing.

Off topic but thank you for providing that link. Have had 3 fabulous cruises on the Pearl with the 4th booked for this fall. I remember watching this show with interest while working on my MBA. Cruise ships are a study in operations management.

Thanks everyone! Well darn! It is a small, but nice perk, on RCI and Princess!

Hope NCL takes note

I concur with Suzie, 100%. Monica is Excellent. I believe she was trained by Ruth.

Also agree that Monica attended to our requests, as limited as they were, with a smile and results. She took us under her wing and saw that we did not stand in lines unnecessarily. She offered assistance rather than waiting for us to ask.

Some of us who have been around a while came up on the Jewel class as the "original haven or courtyard", wharever you want to call them. I love the space. It CAN be quiet, intimate and relaxing.

It can be when there are no children in the hot tub or pool or running from chair to chair.

I plan my next one. [emoji847]

This ^^

My next cruise is almost always booked within 1 week of coming back to reality. Usually get great ideas from the talk on the ship. Go into withdrawals without something booked. :p

Will be on the Sun in 4 weeks. Does anybody know who the concierge is?

Thanks in advance for your response

Probably because most people associate the word haven with "a refuge from a place of storm or consternation" and as far as quiet and calm are concerned the Haven doesn't live up to it's name.

Norwegian advertises their Haven suites as private and tranquil. Perhaps as much of a misnomer as the mini-suite which is nothing more than a big balcony.

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New to NCL, so is a mini suite a suite with perks? Who can eat breakfast and lunch in Cagney? And are there other things like laundry that comes with suites?

Unfortunately not. A mini-suite is a glorified balcony. Suite perks are not available to mini-suites.

But be prepared for the views and the noise.

Views are of the pool and noise from the parties at night on deck are pretty loud if you are craving some quiet time. Actually slept in the Haven for a while because the noise from the pool party kept us up.

Your chances get better if ya keep her drunk till breakfast ! :D

OK, the wine almost came out through the nose when I read that one.

Hilarious!

Once you join the ship's wifi, you can use the app to see what's happening around the ship (like an improved daily), book shows, excursions, spa things, and specialty restaurants, look at menus, look at your bill, and several other things. All of this is free. For $7.95 (one time fee per trip per device), you can also use the app to make calls and send texts to others who have the app and paid the $7.95.

Ugh - the primary reason for taking a cruise is so that I can get away from phones, texting, and messages from others. Phone goes in the safe as soon as we are in international waters and doesn't come out until we're back. Guess I'm a luddite when it comes to my cruises.