Jana

Be careful though, because the info is on their site. It does take a bit of digging, but it is there.

How do you get to it? NCL's site is pretty, but so frustrating. I can't find FAQs about anything except family travel.

Thanks!

I had avoided this post thinking it was just another whiner...oh my gosh, I had to stop and laugh my hiney off after each sentence! Ever do stand-up comedy or write for one? Are you allowed to say which Captain hit the barge?

Coka

I read that the barge line snapped off the tug and actually ran into the Dream! I couldn't find the article again, does anyone know? It made it sound as though it was unavoidable and not the fault of the Dream's captain...

Jana

I knew I was hooked when I got to the part of the warning in German about the small shower and the sexy wife. I was laughing; my daughter had some Christmas Eve chores for me but I wouldn't leave the screen. So she did them while I read it aloud to her.

Thank you for brightening the evening for both of us. Fabulous!

Merry Christmas.

Jana

The gym on the Pearl is open 24/7, and is free. It is in the same area as the spa, but with a tottaly separate entrance. Yes, there are small locker rooms in the gym, Men's and women's; each has lockers, sinks, toilet, shower and a small STEAM room.

WHOO HOO! Thank you so much for letting me know!

I saw the gym and all the shuny new equipment (FYI for those sailing, it's on port side, or to the LEFT of the spa entrance) but I didn't use the bathroom on that side so I had no idea.

Jana

Wendy,

I took the spa price list with me. If you e-mail me at jana at sleeping-around dot com, I'll scan it and send it to you.

There were specials on shore days, too. One was three treatments for $89, you got to pick which three. For the thermal room, it's $15 per day, or $10 per day if you buy the cruise-long pass.

When I am short $$$ (which is usually) I treat myself to the Frangipani in the spa, a neck and scalp massage that's the cheapest thing they offer ($26 - $29, depending on the ship) and pure heaven.

Jana

WOW!, Jana!!! That sounds AWESOME!!!! I may have to scrounge up some $$$ for that!!!!!

 

That eucalyptus room sounds incredible. :cool:

Since you're on the 9-day (OMG, OMG, OMG I wish I were boarding with you!!!) I'd recommend doing the daily purchase. $10 a day is a real deal, but I only used the room four times so it cost me $30 more than it would have if I had paid the $15 a day. The 9-day cruise is so filled with activities that it's hard to schedule a daily visit; it isn;t like a massage appointment, where you go in for an hour and leave. It's a commitment to quality time. ;)

Have a fabulous, wonderful cruise. I'm suffering withdrawal.

Jana

yes and no.... I was on the Jewel last year, there is a small steam room off of the womens bathroom near the gym that is free.

Uh oh. I didn't see that. The Pearl IS configured differently than Jewel even though it's the same class. Does anyone know for sure if there's a steam room near the exercise room? They may have eliminated it on Pearl to boost revenue...

Jana

It's not free, but it's worth every penny of the daily fee. (I did the cruise-long pass and actually lost $$ since I didn't use the facility every day.)

There are three "thermal" rooms. One is co-ed, with ceramic heated loungers looking over the bow, a central hot tub and a thelassotherapy (salt water) whirlpool. then there are the men's and women's sides (I can speak about the women's :p )

There are lockers and fluffy towels. Two private (not PRIVATE, but single) whirlpool baths with a bubbler feature and a jet feature (yum). There's a eucalyptus-smelling steam room, really hot and steamy, and a dry sauna with a full-on ocean view. There's a cold plunge pool and several padded loungers looking out to sea. There are rainhead showers in the middle of the room and private showers in another room. Juice and water are available as are lotion and shower caps near the lockers and of course there's soap and shampoo in the wall-mounted pump containers in the showers.

You can go in as often as you'd like, all day. If you want Zen peace and don't want to lay out in the sun with the crowds, bring a book and make a day of it. I wish I had even part of that facility here... I didn't have a single treatment but my skin never felt so soft and my aches melted away. Now I'm back to cramped muscles and alligator-winter skin. Ugh.

It will be the happiest $15 you spend on the whole trip!

Jana

They were selling the Dam Ships tees at the shop (outside the shop) on Volendam. I was going somewhere and didn't want to get one then, but they were all gone when I went back.

Hopefully they'll have them on Westerdam in November.

Jana

You can order from the restaurant menu for room service.

Everyone in an outside gets a robe.

The best standard bathrooms afloat.

TILES!

Ginger and dates as you leave the restaurant after dinner.

(Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, less than six weeks before it's my turn again)!!!

Jana