roger001

Yep. His reentering rehab was in today's Nashville newspaper.

I don't know. I'm trying to weigh the amount of "harm done" so I can then judge the amount of apology that would be sufficient. For me, we all being subject to making errors frequently, a "oops" or a "sorry 'bout that" , for what damage was done, as I do my weighing (I can't see any actually), would be more than sufficient for me. But, my life is mostly an open book it seems. As another mentioned, I don't recall any personal info being on those statements. But then, I'm not really a fanatic about "ooh...oooh...ooooh, he/she saw my social security number". I'm probably dumber than dirt, but my VISA card number is floating around every business both locally and in cyber space....including it having been seen by every minimum wage store/liquor store clerk around. In conclusion, I don't know what to say, really.

Personally, I think it could become an issue not worth it. As others mentioned, it could rightfully be suspected to be other than wine. It would then be confiscated and held until the end of the cruise...or if not considered to be a full and sealed bottle, poured out. There are many guests, including some who brag about it on here, that do make every effort to smuggle alcohol onto the ships. Therefore, NCL crew at check in are in the suspicion mode when they see something like you would be carrying. If you want to bring wine on board, I'd just get some commercial products that you like and avoid the hassle.

MDR. Main dining rooms

NCL food.

http://s241.photobucket.com/user/roganderson60/library/Food?sort=2&page=1

My wife has really bad knees and can't stand long or walk far. This last time in Miami, the lines were long. However, I just had her go to a position up at the front of the line where some chairs or benches were located ,and there she just sat and waited for me as I moved forward in the line. She then joined me going into the security area and scanner. Then after passing through there and into the processing area for boarding, she again did something similar while waiting for me. Also, there were elevators available if you didn't want to use the escalator.

Tell me more about spinnaker lounge...is it similar to the observation lounge on the Sun? We loved that area!

Both the Sun and the Pearl are our favorite ships of those we've sailed. The Sun is slightly smaller than the Pearl, and has a very unique interior design (like, it took me my third Sun cruise to figure out where most thing were). And as another said, Spinnaker is like the Sun's observation lounge, just slightly bigger. We make it a stop every evening. Also, the Pearl and the Sun's Great Outdoors are very similar.

I love the omelet stations in the Garden Cafe.

And in the Great Outdoors.

A couple of other thoughts. The Pearl has probably the best buffet of all the NCL ships, although I do like the Jewel's also. The Pearl has several bowling alleys in the Bliss Lounge. You can frequently get popcorn in the Bliss lounge. There are also some slot machines back by the bowling alleys. That is a smoke free area, unlike the casino. And, assuming it's still there, if you walk back through the Garden Cafe (buffet), as you approach the kid's area in the buffet before exiting into the Great Outdoors, there is a coffee machine that grinds the beans and dispenses espresso. Look carefully because it looks about like the other regular coffee dispensers. There is a soft serve ice cream machine out in the Great Outdoors. Although shut down some hours, it is serviced and working most of the day. The Pearl is just a super nice ship.

Great Outdoors, Spinnaker Lounge, bridge viewing room all the way forward deck 11, the crew. And I'm looking at the Pearl 10 or 11 day cruises myself. Been on her 5 times with another already scheduled.

In the MDR, I usually leave $5 for evening meal, $3 for breakfast or lunch if we eat there. As others have said, only leave a tip if you feel like you want too. Certainly not required or expected. I try to, at the end of the meal, hand the tip to the person who has served us rather than leaving it on the table.

I usually just keep it simple with a double scoop of ice cream or sherbet.

Not really secret. It's right there in the bathroom area associated with the gym.

We did a 10 day on the Sun recently. If you ever do the Sun again, try one of their mini suites. Great. And the bathroom/dressing area super great. If you're not ready for a mega ship yet, and liked the Sun, try the Pearl. She's equally great and just a small step up in size from the Sun. Otherwise, I think I'd wait for some reviews soon to come on the Getaway. Glad you had a good cruise. We like the way NCL does things also.

Roger, I do not know the number yet, but a large number of The Getaway's staff have the Pearl in their backgrounds. It will be interesting to see how many staff members I will know already. I KNOW that Captain Rune comes from The Pearl as does the Food and Beverage Director, the Assistant Bar Manager, the Cruise Director (Julie) and at least one Chief Engineer. There are many more I know.

That's good for the Getaway. But we'll miss them on the Pearl.

Yes, Roger The number I heard was around 2,000, one of which is ME. There are doing a one nighter out of Rotterdam and a one nighter out of Southampton. At 5 P.M. London time ( 9 A.M. West Coast Time), we set sail out of Southampton for New York City.

 

Mandy

Excellent. Have fun, fun, fun. I'm always interested to hear how a "shakedown" cruise with the first load of guests goes.

Will her transatlantic voyage have paying passengers/guests?

Done them both. Loved them both. But for the first time, probably the Pearl. You won't go wrong with either though.

Yes. The Freestyle Daily

I always book through a TA and accept what ever insurance she recommends. Reading the policy, it sounds just fine and is cheaper than the NCL ins. However, I can't remember the company name. Shop around and check what each provides for the price.

In reality, no restriction on how many pieces of luggage you wish to bring. It is not weighed either. However, keep in mind the luggage has to be sorted, hand carried, and delivered to you room by the room stewards. Some of these guys/gals are small. Do keep in mind they have to pick up and handle your luggage.

No boxed. $15 per 750 ml bottle. All you wish.

Beats me. I get one after most cruises. It's long but I get to the end of it...unless I just get tired of answering and quit.

That above post says it well. Take your time when boarding the tender, if you feel uncomfortable. The crew does not want you to hurry or get hurt. If you have an issue, like my wife does with bad knees, just mention to the crew helping you and they will help you as much as you need. Sometimes the tender might be rocking up and down against the side of the ship. The crew will help you time a smooth step into the tender.

For us, it's balcony....or no cruise. We love sitting out morning, evening, anytime, or just hanging over the balcony railing while in port and watching all the happenings. A balcony is our personal and quiet escape. Also, although all the ships are well stabilized and the seas are generally smooth, the top/forward area of the ships, if there is motion, have more motion than the other parts of the ship. The front of the ship tends to pitch up and down more while the back just seems to settle in.