traciie Posted October 13, 2015 #1 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Going to book the PEARL today for 11/3-11/7 I have only cruised the Sky before. I'm debating ocean-view vs balcony room. Anything special about this boat i need to know? Where is smoking on this ship? Thanks so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffd64 Posted October 13, 2015 #2 Share Posted October 13, 2015 If I were you I would do the balcony... there's nothing like having a cup of coffee in the morning, or a cocktail in the evening on your balcony... But beware... you mAy never go back to a simple outside cabin... There is smoking in the casino, as well as on the promenade deck (deck 7). On one side of the pool deck as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traciie Posted October 13, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted October 13, 2015 thanks Cliff Ive been on the balcony room. this is our 5th trip this year and we are on a budget for this one. DC 2x this year. Bahamas cruise in June and Key West for a week in April. Trying to make the best decision for this one. Is the coffee better on this ship LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ7 Posted October 13, 2015 #4 Share Posted October 13, 2015 I was on Pearl this past summer. We had an ocean view while my parents had a balcony - the OV was rather small with very limited space between the walls and the bed - bed was directly under window so it basically let light in but was not good for viewing anything else. Balcony room was an ok size with much better layout as compared to OV. Had small love seat sized seating which converted to 3rd person bed. Note that when used as a 3rd person bed - the bed extends into the room parallel to the main bed - making it more difficult to maneuver around the room or get to the balcony. Even still the balcony seemed better laid out in addition to the obvious perk of having a balcony. Smoking areas include one side of the pool deck (deck 12 - seating available - bar nearby) the Sky bar (deck 13 - seating available - bar right there), one side of outdoor space on deck 7 (ashtrays placed on exterior walls - no seating), and the casino on deck 6. Overall we really enjoyed the Pearl - the ship was very comfortable and had some great public spaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffd64 Posted October 13, 2015 #5 Share Posted October 13, 2015 thanks Cliff Ive been on the balcony room. this is our 5th trip this year and we are on a budget for this one. DC 2x this year. Bahamas cruise in June and Key West for a week in April. Trying to make the best decision for this one. Is the coffee better on this ship LOL Coffee was better in the MDR than on the buffet... Of course nothing was as good as the french press coffee in Cagney's every morning... but you wont get that unless you're in a suite... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellbelle28 Posted October 13, 2015 #6 Share Posted October 13, 2015 There is a coffee maker at the back of the buffet on the Pearl (Other side of the wall as you go towards the rear doors) that is a fresh ground, cup at a time brewer. It is worth hunting down if you like better coffee. Room wise, I would say it's your call on spending the $$. Balcony might be worth it to get some outdoor space without crowds. Pool deck is not very big. I'd go with starboard side if you are a non smoker. We smelled cigarette smoke on our Aft, Port side, deck 9 balcony sometimes. Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted October 13, 2015 #7 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Go for the balcony. Nothing beats a good cup of coffee and a smoke on the balcony when first waking up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traciie Posted October 13, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Your too funny!!! I took ocean view on deck 8. I'm hoping for an upgrade. My ncl agent said the come out about 10 days to sailing. I'm guessing some smoking **** will have something to say about balcony smoking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellbelle28 Posted October 14, 2015 #9 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Your too funny!!! I took ocean view on deck 8. I'm hoping for an upgrade. My ncl agent said the come out about 10 days to sailing. I'm guessing some smoking **** will have something to say about balcony smoking Maybe you can sneak a coffeemaker and grinder on board in your suitcase. [emoji56] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronandannette Posted October 14, 2015 #10 Share Posted October 14, 2015 (edited) Maybe you can sneak a coffeemaker and grinder on board in your suitcase. [emoji56] The Pearl has coffee makers in all the cabins. The coffee packs they provide actually made a pretty fine cup - much more like anything you'd brew at home than what's served in the dining venues. Bringing your own coffee (and some small, 4-cup sized filters) is actually a great idea though. Edited October 14, 2015 by ronandannette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drvalo Posted October 14, 2015 #11 Share Posted October 14, 2015 (edited) Of course everyone is going to say book a balcony. Who wouldn't want a balcony? Book what you can comfortably afford and be happy. You're on a cruise!!!!! There is nothing wrong with an ocean view! You can't smoke on balconies anyway. Maybe you will get away with it, but maybe your neighbors will complain. Or maybe you were simply trying to avoid the smoke. Either way, there are designated places to smoke (casino, section of the pool deck, and section of the promenade). Easy to find and easy to avoid. Edited October 14, 2015 by drvalo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellbelle28 Posted October 14, 2015 #12 Share Posted October 14, 2015 The Pearl has coffee makers in all the cabins. The coffee packs they provide actually made a pretty fine cup - much more like anything you'd brew at home than what's served in the dining venues. Bringing your own coffee (and some small, 4-cup sized filters) is actually a great idea though. I was kind of "meh" about the Lavazza in our suite on the Pearl last month. The coffee could be made as strong as desired, but it still seemed thin and without body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanDreaming2 Posted October 14, 2015 #13 Share Posted October 14, 2015 There are some obstructed oceanview cabins on the Pearl on deck 8. They have a sideways orientation so the head of the bed is against the wall not the window. 8592 is one example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traciie Posted October 14, 2015 Author #14 Share Posted October 14, 2015 We got 8124. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted October 14, 2015 #15 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Going to book the PEARL today for 11/3-11/7 I have only cruised the Sky before. I'm debating ocean-view vs balcony room. Anything special about this boat i need to know? Where is smoking on this ship? Thanks so much You will like the ship I am sure. She is one to the ships with the most repeat clients. As for balc versus outside; it just depends on whether it is worth it to you to spend the extra money and how much time you think you will use the baloney. We go either way, depending on price and location. As for smoking, there is a cigar bar, the casino allows smoking and there is one outside area. I am no longer a smoker so can't remember for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchdiva Posted October 14, 2015 #16 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Your cabin makes perfect sense! Enjoy your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanDreaming2 Posted October 14, 2015 #17 Share Posted October 14, 2015 We got 8124. It's the traditional layout, but I've read where some people rearrange the beds so they have access to the window. Sideway cabins (obstructed view category OK) on the Pearl are: 8102, 8100, 8093, 8096, 8094, 8092, 8090, 8066 and 8602, 8600, 8598, 8596, 8594, 8592, 8590, 8566 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronandannette Posted October 14, 2015 #18 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I was kind of "meh" about the Lavazza in our suite on the Pearl last month. The coffee could be made as strong as desired, but it still seemed thin and without body. The coffee maker in a balcony cabin is NOT Lavazza, just a standard 4-cup drip pot with pre-packaged coffee packs supplied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted October 14, 2015 #19 Share Posted October 14, 2015 The coffee maker in a balcony cabin is NOT Lavazza, just a standard 4-cup drip pot with pre-packaged coffee packs supplied. She said in her 'suite'. Non-VIP's don't get the good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xers Posted October 15, 2015 #20 Share Posted October 15, 2015 My husband brought his own coffee and grinder from home. We took a case of waters onboard, and he enjoyed coffee like home in our balcony room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellbelle28 Posted October 15, 2015 #21 Share Posted October 15, 2015 My husband brought his own coffee and grinder from home. We took a case of waters onboard, and he enjoyed coffee like home in our balcony room. I seriously considered packing a jug of my favorite Coffeemate flavored creamer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted October 15, 2015 #22 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Go for the balcony. Nothing beats a good cup of coffee and a smoke on the balcony when first waking up. Smoking is no longer permitted on balconies. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted October 15, 2015 #23 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Smoking is no longer permitted on balconies. Yup, and won't find anyone smoking on a balcony anywhere......:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted October 15, 2015 #24 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Yup, and won't find anyone smoking on a balcony anywhere......:D Well I am a smoker but I follow the rules. Didn't want your comment leading people on thinking that it was allowed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traciie Posted October 15, 2015 Author #25 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Well I am a smoker but I follow the rules. Didn't want your comment leading people on thinking that it was allowed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Im a smoker as well and the NCL agent just told me just smoke quick. I was like your kidding me right? I dont want a $250 cleaning fee! I went over the places that people told me we could smoke and looked at decks and then figured out what would be easiest to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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