NCL Pearl Hull Cabin

[shealea]

I have a hull cabin on my upcoming cruise to Alaska -- 5/14/17.

 

I booked Guarantee Balcony and was assigned my hull cabin right away.

 

If you have stayed in a hull cabin, how did you like it?

 

I'm thinking that it will work well for us on an Alaska cruise. It looks like there will be more protection from the wind and rain?????

 

It looks like the view from inside our cabin won't be as large a sweeping view, though. But the hull cabin looks comfy and private.

 

We are doing Glacier Bay, and they start heading in the Bay at 6 am. I doubt I can get hubby up that early to go out on deck with me. I think this will be perfect, as I can view from our balcony while he's still in bed.

 

I know the Ranger will be providing a commentary. Will I be able to hear him as I watch from my balcony?????

[mamasylvia]

Do you mean the hull balcony? I agree you'll probably have more protection from the wind.

 

My understanding is that the ranger commentary can be heard over the ship TV, so it would likely disturb your husband if he is still asleep, and I don't know if you could hear it from the balcony anyway. However, I also believe it takes a while after you enter Glacier Bay before you actually get to any glaciers, maybe he will be awake by then. Hopefully someone who has done this cruise will pop in to offer some experience.

 

Please don't break the ship, we are on the cruise after you. ;)

[shealea]

I promise I won't beak the ship! ha!

 

Yes, I mean Hull Balcony.

 

The Ranger's commentary over the tv won't bother husband. He'll probably be awake and listening, but I doubt he'll want to get up and get dressed and get out on deck as early as I do.

 

We've been to Glacier Bay twice before but have always been out on the upper decks. I had a hip replacement not too terribly long ago, so I don't want to be getting crammed in with the crowds. That's all I need is to fall over! yikes!

 

I don't know if you have been to Alaska before. If not, you are sure in for a treat!!! We've always cruised there in July & August, so May will be different. I've heard it's so very beautiful with more snow showing in the mountains!!!!

[mamasylvia]

I've never been to Alaska at all, neither cruise nor land. I can't wait! I'm with you on the crowds, I didn't like them even before my hip replacement. I am definitely looking forward to setting up camera and tripod on our balcony and watching in privacy. Won't matter if I'm dressed or not! lol

 

I wonder if there is a way to listen to the TV commentary via Bluetooth headphones. I don't want to wake up my family but I don't want to miss any of the commentary, either. I think I'll go ask on the NCL board.

[GeezerCouple]

I've never been to Alaska at all, neither cruise nor land. I can't wait! I'm with you on the crowds, I didn't like them even before my hip replacement. I am definitely looking forward to setting up camera and tripod on our balcony and watching in privacy. Won't matter if I'm dressed or not! lol

 

I wonder if there is a way to listen to the TV commentary via Bluetooth headphones. I don't want to wake up my family but I don't want to miss any of the commentary, either. I think I'll go ask on the NCL board.

 

Um, this *is* the NCL sub-forum :)

[shealea]

mama - You are in for a treat with your Alaska cruise. When is your cruise date? Maybe you said above, but I don't remember now.

 

I'm not going to be able to get around as well on this cruise. I'm used to being able to run here and there, back and forth, all over the ship. I will be slow this time, for sure!!! For once, I guess I will be forced to slow down and stay in one place for awhile and relax!!!! I think my dearest husband will love it!!!!! he, he!!!

 

You enjoy your cruise!!!!!

[mamasylvia]

We are on the cruise right after yours. (It's in my autosignature, below.) Maybe we can wave as you disembark. ;)

 

If finances permit, you may want to consider renting a scooter for the cruise since you're not back to 100%. If you don't need it, you don't have to use it, but do you want to miss activities because you aren't up to getting there? Of course, since you are an old hand, maybe you've already seen/done what you really wanted to. But at least think about a scooter.

[Jewelly]

Does anyone have a picture of the hull balcony? 8526?

[Notnewtoit]

FWIW, on my sailing last year (Pearl), the ranger(s) set up in the Spinnaker lounge, which has sweeping views and is warm/dry (if required)! They had relevant books and stuff for sale also. Although you enter Glacier Bay early AM, it does take an hour or two (iirc) to get to the real fun stuff. We were escorted by a couple of whale pods on the way which we watched from our balcony just fine.

 

The sun was certainly well above the yard arm by the time we got to the head of the bay and THE place to be was on the foredeck (which they open especially for this purpose); it's a bit of a trek forward but worth it. While the 'main' ranger was talking over the loudspeaker system throughout the ship there was actually another ranger out on the foredeck taking questions and generally being helpful.

 

The 'ballet' that the Captain has the ship do at the head of the bay is in itself something to behold, especially from that forward vantage point, where you really feel part of it. That said... if you just sit on your balcony, Alaska and the glaciers will still come to you courtesy of Captain Stig and his little joystick.

Edited February 5, 2018 by Notnewtoit

[zdcatc12]

I was in a hull balcony (8026) in 2015 on the Jade. I regretted booking it when I did and tried to change it, but never did. We ended up loving it!! It seemed a lot more private than a regular balcony and it was not as breezy. I would book one again without an issue.