roger001

At the risk of sounding completely stupid here, first I laughed at "booze police", then had to look up the commented "smuggling" & then I laughed some more! To each their own but that all sounds like ALOT of trouble to go to in hopes of getting away with something.

 

Anyhow, thanks for the answers. I'm a big water drinker (my hubby says I drink enough water to drown a fish ;-) so just wanted to check guidelines on how much I can bring & if I had to count it as luggage.

 

Have a good day all

Something to consider....the ships' water is as good or better than bottled water. Many guests just take a couple of bottles and refill them.

I agree. I've never not been able to get any time I want by making a reservation on the morning of the evening we want to have dinner.

You won't be disappointed with either. We've done both. Both ships are excellent, scenery great.

NCL doesn't enforce any baggage rules. We carry on two 12 packs of soda. Then we might replenish at port stops. Some ports will accept the soft drink packs as luggage, others will not. What ever you hand carry on will need to go through the security scanner, similar to an airport.

We have a 28". The only problem we have with it is it quickly becoming very heavy. If you fly, you can exceed 50 lbs easily. Although NCL doesn't enforce the 50 lb weight limit, do be aware that this heavy luggage has to be hand delivered by the sometimes not very big cabin stewards. I carry baggage scales now to monitor the weight.

Going to depend on the ship. If it has a Great Outdoors, I always like grazing through their selections about mid afternoon. Otherwise, Blue Lagoon can fix you up with some snacks, and the buffet is usually only down about an hour or maybe two between the three meals served there each day. On sea days, there is frequently grilled food being prepared out by the pool deck sometime during the day. You'll never be at a loss as to finding something to eat.

I would think the logistics of having the ship there or not, for the total Super Bowl considerations, would be one of the minor concerns. To move the date either way, the hotel room issues, airline flight cancellations, re bookings, etc would be an unsolvable nightmare.

If that's a 7 day cruise, seems reasonable. However, check what each policy offers. Could be big differences. Price alone isn't everything.

Hi all I am a newbie to NCL and although I will be on a charter on the Pearl and I know the activities are all different and we won't be taking advantage of the rest., spa, and amen., as I would normally. Can you give me other tips and tricks of the Pearl and NCL?

I am cruising at the end of Feb.

Thanks so much!

M

Spinnaker lounge up top and forward, the Great Outdoors rear deck 12, bridge observation room forward port side deck 11, bowling alleys in the Bliss lounge. Mostly, it's the super nice crew. Treat them with the super respect that this super hard working group deserve and just enjoy the pleasure they will give to your cruise experience.

I guess that's what those 1 and 2 night shakedown cruises are about. Sounds like the crew took the problems seriously. And problems are what they are looking for....to make a list and fix it. As you say, hope the fixes are there by the first cruise out of Miami. I think that is the first one where I would have expectations. Will be anxiously awaiting reports of cruises further along the schedule. I have a family member sailing on that first Miami cruise. Thanks.

Sorry 'bout that. Happy to report though that every time we've used the laundry service, it's been great.

Yes there are chairs. Not a lot though.

Yes. About like a hotel mini bar. No, I don't ever use them (we do bring our own sodas). Cabin steward will be happy to remove them if you wish to use the refridge for something else.....or I actually just do it myself and tell the steward I have.

Been on her three times, and next to the Pearl (five times), our favorite ship. She's certainly a smaller ship than what your have cruised. But for us, that small is very nice, comfortable.....and a wonderful crew....but all of the NCL crews we've met are that. Try one of her mini suites. The bath and dressing areas are super. We also like the forward observation lounge, same as the Spinnaker lounge on some of the other ships. We like her Great Outdoors rear grill outdoor eating area. Just like all of her.

Is the downtown Punta Langosta pier the better place to dock? I'm just walking around site seeing.

 

Does all the tendering go to Punta Langosta pier?

Yes. Punta Langosta is the downtown pier/dock. You leave the dock area and are immediately there. If you tender, the tender unloads at the ferry pier which is next to the Punta Langosta main docks. So again, you are right downtown.

That list shows the Jewel docking at Punta Langosta I believe every week. However, keep in mind that is not a promise. It can change last minute. Punta Langosta is the dock that is what is considered downtown. The ferry pier is a few hundred yards next to it. The International pier, where you frequently see a bunch of Carnival and other ships is about 3 miles the other direction from the ferry pier. Punta Langosta is the most convenient.

In all the usual Caribbean/Mexican port stops, the merchants take US dollars. Not sure if they would be familiar with other currency. Personally, I'd get a pocket full of US dollars before the cruise.

That is a standard type balcony cabin, although in a bit of a weird location as the ship's design goes. You are forward of the area above the atrium where the Blue Lagoon and Modernos is located. Personally, and for no good reason, I would rather be on deck 9 or 10, both of which are full length of cabins. If you do book now, this far out, be sure your TA has no problem changing your if you see a better price later or decide on a different cabin or location. If booking through a TA, there should be no additional cost to you and should probably include a small OBC to you from your TA. After you book (if you do) every so often look at the NCL web site and check the price for that category cabin on that cruise. It usually goes up instead of down, but it might go down some. If before you make final payment, your TA should get you the better price.

Breakfast is my favorite meal. Where is the best place to have a big breakfast.

We like breakfast in the Great Outdoors. Their grill will cook eggs, omelets any way you like. All the rest of the usual breakfast items are there waiting for you, rolls, pastries, meats, potatoes, coffee, juice, etc. And if you don't want to sit out in the open, you can walk through the sliding door and sit in the Italian restaurant where seating is available for breakfast.

Pearl, a year ago, long and complete tour, about 2 1/2 hours. However, after having done that tour, I haven't felt the need to do another one. Everything will look pretty much the same on the other ships I would imagine. So, I'm not sure platinums will be filling additional tours frequently after they have already done one.

Here's a link that does one week at a time.

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/CRUISESHIPS

However, we've once been scheduled to tender and once to dock down at the international pier. Both times, last minute we docked in Punta Langosta.

Also was on the 12 nt Breakaway cruise that just returned. Couldn't agree more about the Oh What A Night show. Absolutely great. There were two standing ovations at the show I attended.

I wonder if the Oh What A Night show is just temporarily on the Epic while the Pearl is being used for music charter cruises? That show has been on the Pearl for several years now, and I even saw it on the Star about 4 years ago. It is a great show though.

Cell phone service while on the ship, as mentioned, is $2.49 a minute. However, NCL has dropped the price for using the ships' phones now to, I believe, $1.99 a minute, which makes it a better deal than using you own cell.

Does the Getaway have space large enough to do the bronze latitudes party? Or...is the Getaway doing that?

I can't think of anything. The terminal and check in process is very similar to all the other ports we've used. There will be porters ready to take your checked bags and they can direct you towards the correct terminal check in door.