tampagirl2

http://tampamomtravels.blogspot.com/2024/03/icon-of-seas-general-thoughts.html
 

http://tampamomtravels.blogspot.com/2024/03/st-thomas-port-icon-of-seas.html

http://tampamomtravels.blogspot.com/2024/03/st-maarten-port-icon-of-seas.html
 

http://tampamomtravels.blogspot.com/2024/03/sailing-icon-of-seas-eastern-caribbean.html
 

I did a write up of our time on Icon and what we did in ports. We loved the ship and trip!

Would love to hear what you did in each port. We have also booked a rental in each port. Any problems with rental experience?

Any food choices on board that you loved?

Thanks for your review. I had read somewhere else that the port side sees the Napali coast first, then starboard, but it seems it was opposite for you? Is it not always the same?

14 hours ago, MEcruzr said:

The whales migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. So there's a good chance of seeing whales from May to October. A clear day with calm seas is your best time to watch for them. Look for the blows. 

Thank you!

5 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

Dear tampagirl2,

Forgot to mention in previous posting, we viewed the whales heading down from Boston and along Cape Cod coast.

 

 

Thanks!

9 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

Dear Tampgirl2,

Funny you bring this subject up.

 

On our last several trips during the Independence Day 4th of July sailing we did see whale present off the side of the ship.

 

On our way up to Halifax at the beginning of the sailing normally we experienced on our trip heavy fog which made the ship travel show.

 

But the last several times up to the year before last we experienced whales off the side of the ship. To the point that the area was so heavily present,  that from 830AM to about 2PM the ship sailed at quite a reduce speed with caution. That's how much whales were present. Many just sat on the Deck 7 Promenade Deck chairs to watch the sea world show. Yes, and whales did jump out of the water and blow water into the sky.

 

Captain Wells, our captain on the sailing, announced the event several times just to inform why the Queen Mary 2 was not sailed at normal daytime speed. This attracted people to the railings. 

Awesome! Thank you!

9 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

I've seen a few by the pool and a few at the buffet, but not many out at sea. 

 

In seriousness though-- you'll be right in the middle of the season. Typically there are a bunch that hang outside of Boston harbor. They are not as prevalent as they are on Maui, where you see several breachings every few minutes, but there is a reasonable chance you might see one. 

Funny about the pool!

My 7 year old son was just thrilled to see a whale off the ship last year. We will keep a look out! Thank you!

We cruised Alaska last summer and had a few whale sightings. One was very close to the ship as we left Glacier Bay.

Has anyone seen any whales on a Canada/New England cruise? If so where?
 

We Cruise late May/early June. NYC-sea-Halifax-Saint John-Bar Harbor-Portland-Newport-NYC

We are going on NCL this summer with a 6 and 7 year old to Canada/ New England. Just throwing out another line (it’s a 7 day).

Thanks

Would like to try to book a Statue of Liberty tour after we get off NCL Pearl in June. What time do you think we can make it? Our current hotel Booked is New York Hilton Midtown. We would need to drop off luggage (family of 4 with then 6 and 7 year old). Looking at platform tickets. Thanks for the help.

10 hours ago, shadowmeboy said:

The Statue of Liberty will be visible on the Starboard side of the boat as you sail out of New York City. Use deck 7 on the Pearl to view the sail away, as there is no wind screens to block your picture taking. the port side gets you city views. Better yet, go to the great outdoors on deck 12 aft, and take pictures there. you will be able to see port, starboard, and aft and take pictures of the whole sail out. Just head there immediately after your muster drill to claim a good spot!

 

The port side is good for sailing into Portland, ME, as you will be able to get pictures of Portland Head Light as you sail in. Just wake up early that day, and enjoy the view from the balcony!

 

hope that helps!

 

Look on my Smugmug page (my photo storage site) for pictures from the Pearl

Link:https://shadowmeboy.smugmug.com/

Thank you so much!!!

Thanks so much for this review! We just booked NCL Pearl for May 2020 on a similar itinerary. We did Jewel in Alaska last summer and loved your review then. That was our 1st NCL Cruise! I’ve made notes of your excursions.

We are booked in a port side Mini Suite (family of 4). Do you remember what was able to be seen port side? I think you were aft for Statue of Liberty? Do we need to go up top for that? Thanks again!

Thank you for this!

We ended up booking a private excursion to Pisa and Florence. It was not a “tour guide” but a private driver. We went to Pisa first and had some free time to take photos in front of the leaning tower. Then we went to Florence and stopped at Piazzale Michelangelo for photos of the city. He then dropped us in the city center for free time and gave us a time he would pick us up. We had a leisurely lunch and then shopped. On the way back to the ship, we stopped at a winery for a quick look. 

1 hour ago, lindaler said:

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HAL-Kids-Menu.pdf  

 

Found this for kids.

Thank you!

38 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

 

Roger Jett (Crew News) was recently on the Westerdam and has a copy of the Children's menu -- it is the same on all ships.

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/

 

 

 

/1

 

 

Thank you! I can’t seem to find the kid’s menu on his site? I’ll keep looking. Thanks for the link.

5 hours ago, Moriah said:

 

There is a kids program for all ages up to 17 (different groups)- no arcade.  Not sure if there are video games up in the kids' space, but they would have to sign into the program to use them.  Yes, the lido pool is completely indoors when weather doesn't allow for opening the roof.  (And when weather does permit, it's still "indoors", but open to the sky.)

Thanks

Sorry, one more question. Is there a kids menu for the MDR? And do you have a copy by chance? Thanks!

Thanks for this review. We are thinking of booking this ship next year for New England/Canada. Is there an arcade ( video games for kids)?

Also is there an indoor pool?

Thanks

7 hours ago, Italy52 said:

Weird.  If the Jewel was able to get close to Hubbard, it seems odd that the excursion would be cancelled.  Did NCL give a reason? 

It was totally weird. The shore excursion desk was closed of course. We found a worker and asked him. He said it had been cancelled on Monday. I said I booked it on Tues and received my excursion tickets on Wed?? He said, “that’s impossible”. Then I showed him my excursion tix. He said they cancelled it on Monday bc it wasn’t safe and they put safety first?! Totally confusing, but maybe they didn’t sell enough tix? It was not well advertised - not online under excursions. It was quite expensive ($299/person) and I was having a bit of buyers remorse, so all worked out in the end. Just thought I’d share for other NCL passengers that the only place this was advertised was at the excursion desk. It may be an option on your ship.

So we are currently on NCL Jewel. This excursion was not online, but they did have a brochure for it and a form to sign up on ship. We booked it while on the cruise and went to meet today at 8:30am and nobody was there. Apparently it was cancelled, but nobody bothered to tell us. Oh well, we saved some money and our ship was able to get quite close today.

Thank you!

Has anyone gone yet?