digitalcajun

I'm about to sail on the Pearl and am looking for tips on scenic runs at the port stops. I'll also be looking for segments/heat maps on Strava but figured there might be other runners or triathletes who have found good spots and might be willing to share them.

I'm taking my first NCL cruise in two weeks on the Pearl, along with 12 other family members. It looks like my Internet options are:

• don't buy any and use the Internet cafe while underway plus wifi or cell data while in port. This is what I've done on previous cruises (but the last time I was on one was in 2011 so that was more due to technical limitations than a conscious desire to unplug)
  
• buy the social media package, which includes FB Messenger, WhatsApp, and iMessage. Mixed reports on this: looks like some users are able to post videos and pictures (but not view them) on FB Messenger. I don't know if Signal (which I prefer) is supported or not
  
• buy the "unlimited wifi" package, which would allow me to send and receive email and (hopefully) use Microsoft Teams, which I use heavily at work, but which costs double the social media pckage
  
• buy the "premium wifi" package, which is only $4/day more than the basic package and is, presumably, faster. I don't need to stream Netflix etc so I'm not sure this is worth it.
  

The day after we return to port, I am presenting at a large industry event where my company's exhibiting , so I'm a little nervous about not having any connectivity in case a work issue pops up. On the other hand, I love the thought of being disconnected.

For those who have recently sailed on the Pearl, how's the connectivity? For those who have recently cruised in Alaska, how good is T-Mobile service in port? How well does the social media package actually work?

Best to just give them a call and ask.

Mrs. DeAnne Gibson

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

People-to-People Unit

P.O. Box N-3701

Nassau, Bahamas

Phone: (242) 356-037/8

Fax: (242) 326-0166

E-mail: peopletopeople@bahamas.com

I've done everything I can think of to get signed up. I registered on the web site and sent e-mail on 11 December. I've sent follow-up e-mails; I called and left a message on the 23rd. And yet, despite my efforts, I still don't have a People-To-People booking for tomorrow. I'd hate to miss it, but I'm not getting a good feeling about the odds at this point. Time to call them again...