fragilek Posted October 17, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I am about to one of these cruises - This will be my first NCL cruise - I have done 2 royal Caribbean and 2 carnival cruises in the past. My choice is between 10 night on the pearl - Aruba, Caratenga, Colon, Panama lake Gatun , Puetro Limon. 7 night Jade- Rotan, Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel (I have been to all bar Costa Maya) Both cruises are in April and in the same cabin with drinks and specialty dining 5 and 3 respectively The difference in price is about - $1300 Any one got opinion on the ships and the stops - Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark with a laser Posted October 17, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I'd go with the 10 night on the Pearl. The ports are a little more exotic and it's a longer cruise, plus you've been to mist of the ports on the Jade sailing. The Jade and the Pearl are the same class of ship, so the differences between ships should be minimal and primarily cosmetic. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted October 17, 2016 #3 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I am about to one of these cruises - This will be my first NCL cruise - I have done 2 royal Caribbean and 2 carnival cruises in the past. My choice is between 10 night on the pearl - Aruba, Caratenga, Colon, Panama lake Gatun , Puetro Limon. 7 night Jade- Rotan, Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel (I have been to all bar Costa Maya) Both cruises are in April and in the same cabin with drinks and specialty dining 5 and 3 respectively The difference in price is about - $1300 Any one got opinion on the ships and the stops - Thanks Pearl. It's a longer cruise and better itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastalbreezes Posted October 18, 2016 #4 Share Posted October 18, 2016 My vote is for Pearl also. Not only is it a better itinerary, but it will be post drydock and the ship will be updated throughout. Tracy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted October 18, 2016 #5 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Hands down I would sail on the Pearl. It is a nicer ship in my opinion in addition the itinerary is much better. Good luck with your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrentD Posted October 18, 2016 #6 Share Posted October 18, 2016 My vote is for Pearl also. Not only is it a better itinerary, but it will be post drydock and the ship will be updated throughout. Tracy Jade will be post drydock, too. It goes in the month after the Pearl. Both will be newly refurbished ships in April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted October 18, 2016 #7 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Jade will be post drydock, too. It goes in the month after the Pearl. Both will be newly refurbished ships in April. I don't suppose you have any info on what's being done in dry dock? Sailing the Pearl in July. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrentD Posted October 18, 2016 #8 Share Posted October 18, 2016 I don't suppose you have any info on what's being done in dry dock? Sailing the Pearl in July. Nothing more than anyone else here really. To quote the Cruise Critic page on upcoming dry docks, "Public areas, including restaurants and lounges, will be redecorated. Staterooms will get a modernization." http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=521 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgoat61 Posted October 18, 2016 #9 Share Posted October 18, 2016 We took a similar cruise this last Mar. on the Pearl. The only port that was not desirable was Colon....but if you do an excursion off the ship once you get to Lake Gatun you only experience the port for an hr or two, which is still to much IMHO. Hope this helps. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlelulu01 Posted October 19, 2016 #10 Share Posted October 19, 2016 If you intend on using the spa, I think the spa on the Pearl is nicer than on the Jade. Love both ships equally otherwise and would go with the itinerary/price you like the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted October 19, 2016 #11 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I don't suppose you have any info on what's being done in dry dock? Sailing the Pearl in July. Sent from my iPad using Forums Best guess is to look at what was done on Epic as a starter but more recently POA and Dawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted October 19, 2016 #12 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Thanks folks. If the photographs on the NCL website are anything to go by then I'm glad it's getting a revamp. It looks very cheap and gawdy which is surprising. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted October 19, 2016 #13 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Thanks folks. If the photographs on the NCL website are anything to go by then I'm glad it's getting a revamp. It looks very cheap and gawdy which is surprising. Sent from my iPad using Forums Guess you are talking about the Jade? It was originally the Pride of Hawaii and only lasted there a couple years before going to Europe for quite some time - they left most of the decor intact up to this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted October 19, 2016 #14 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Guess you are talking about the Jade? It was originally the Pride of Hawaii and only lasted there a couple years before going to Europe for quite some time - they left most of the decor intact up to this point. No, The Pearl. Some of the photos on the UK website make it look awful. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragilek Posted October 20, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted October 20, 2016 No, The Pearl. Some of the photos on the UK website make it look awful. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app OP here- from Largs lol. I you tubed both and thought the Pearl looked better on the clips than on the UK web site, however the colour scheme on the Jade is something else. Thanks to all the responses - As yet I am undecided- dates of the Jade are better for us (after Easter, thus can spend easter with family grown up /student daughters and parents ). And would be away for DH 50th Bday which would we good . But the Pearl itinary looks so good - Decisions....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcdds6 Posted October 20, 2016 #16 Share Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) NCL went with the aqua and purple color schemes on the Jewel class ships with some gaudy brass accents thrown in. Check out photos of the Pearl's sister ship the Gem, after her 2015 refurb. The new designs and color schemes are a lot more contemporary and a lot calmer. It will be very similar on the Pearl and the Jade for your cruise. Edited October 20, 2016 by jpcdds6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted October 21, 2016 #17 Share Posted October 21, 2016 I sailed The Gem in 2010 (my first cruise) and don't remember it being too bad. Since then it's been Epic, Breakwawy and Escape, which have all been tastefully done in my opinion. Largs? I'm in Irvine. [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now