Pearl Transatlantic - Shoreguy Blog - 2 December 2006

[dcfargo]

This is getting silly. I like this virtual tour so much by shoreguy that I am not sure if I am more excited to be on our first cruise onboard Pearl on January 14th or if I am more excited by the fact that Shoreguy mentioned me in his blog. I am 36 years old and am acting like I just met Michael Jordan as a 15 year old.

 

I can see why you people get hooked on this stuff.

 

Thanks:)

 

Chris

[familyof4cruising]

This is getting silly. I like this virtual tour so much by shoreguy that I am not sure if I am more excited to be on our first cruise onboard Pearl on January 14th or if I am more excited by the fact that Shoreguy mentioned me in his blog. I am 36 years old and am acting like I just met Michael Jordan as a 15 year old.

 

I can see why you people get hooked on this stuff.

 

Thanks:)

 

Chris

 

It is funny you said that. My excitement is that I enjoy cruising so much ( I am so elated when I board a ship ) that when SG writes and brings me to that place - you get excited that someone else feels the same way and you want to share and read on!

[CruisinMatt]

Woo hoo....I've coined a name! I'm amazed at the uptake in this thread...I guess it really IS a tribute to celebrity (or infamy) :eek:

 

You didn't coin "SG" - he's been referred as that for a long time. :rolleyes:

[Stillfloatin']

You're certainly entitled to your opinion of Shoreguy and his temperament. But I didn't say he threw anyone under any bus. He said that. And I agree, Shoreguy is a fountain of information and he's helped probably thousands of cruisers. He's an asset to the community. However, that doesn't mean I can't disagree with how he handled a situation. What I know is there was a conversation with a staff member. The answers weren't what SG wanted so he told Klaus so Klaus could give the guy a hint. As stated, the situation also resulted in a solution to the problem. However, I disagree with how that situation was handled. I'm not sure how that's lead to all the nastiness directed at me by over a dozen members except that no one wants me to disagree with Shoreguy. Be that as it may...I still disagree. I don't apologize for feeling that way and I won't be bullied. So everyone can keep commenting on me and saying mean things but I stand by my opinion of the situation.

 

I'd like to understand why when you post a negative comment it is just an opinion, but if anyone responds with a negative comment, it's "mean" and "bullying?"

[FundyGirl]

I'm going to try this one more time...

 

I think both Shoreguy and Cecelia are valuable contributors to these boards.

 

And if I were a talking monkey I'd say " Shoreguy, we are enjoying your blog. Keep it coming"

 

Now back to our regular programming!!!! :D

[greenie]

This is getting silly. I like this virtual tour so much by shoreguy that I am not sure if I am more excited to be on our first cruise onboard Pearl on January 14th or if I am more excited by the fact that Shoreguy mentioned me in his blog. I am 36 years old and am acting like I just met Michael Jordan as a 15 year old.

 

I can see why you people get hooked on this stuff.

 

Thanks:)

 

Chris

 

LOL, Chris.

 

And I think comparing Shoreguy to a 15-year-old Michael Jordan is a darn fine compliment!

:D

[flowerchild]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion of Shoreguy and his temperament. But I didn't say he threw anyone under any bus. He said that. And I agree, Shoreguy is a fountain of information and he's helped probably thousands of cruisers. He's an asset to the community. However, that doesn't mean I can't disagree with how he handled a situation. What I know is there was a conversation with a staff member. The answers weren't what SG wanted so he told Klaus so Klaus could give the guy a hint. As stated, the situation also resulted in a solution to the problem. However, I disagree with how that situation was handled. I'm not sure how that's lead to all the nastiness directed at me by over a dozen members except that no one wants me to disagree with Shoreguy. Be that as it may...I still disagree. I don't apologize for feeling that way and I won't be bullied. So everyone can keep commenting on me and saying mean things but I stand by my opinion of the situation.

 

Personally, I thought the tone in your initial remarks rather sharp, but tone is very easy to misunderstand in this forum. I certainly never meant to be mean to you, or to anyone, on CC. We should all be polite to each other, at the very least...

 

But I AM curious...how WOULD you have handled the same situation that Shoreguy found himself in? The attitude from the staff member would not have ilicited a response from you?

 

How wonderful we live in a society where we can all have opinions and agree to disagree?

[shoreguy]

12 noon 12/6 – wind 25 knots – seas 4-7 feet – Temp 68 – warm bright sun

26 09.86 N 031 32.72 W

Bits and bites

No window in the AB from the tub to the balcony – solid wall a good idea

Francis Denny replaces L’Occitane for the bath products.

Spent the morning on the balcony soaking up the sun with my ipod and a little Jimmy – we be cruising now.

Port side cabin decision a smart one – those with starboard balconies will never see the sun.

The mob scene in the Garden Café is getting relief now that the other 100 or so tables of the Great Outdoors can and are being used.

Need a personal Assistant onboard to manage the calendar. Bowling at 3, VIP Reception 6 PM. I was sorting thru the piles on paper on the dinning table found another unopened envelope this morning. It seems we have dinner with the Captain after the reception. Would not have been good to have been a no show. I believe this is with the 4 other Platinum Latitudes members onboard.

General opinion of many a single stop on this crossing would have made it better. They may have been the direct result of the weather and the desire to put you feet on something that is not moving even for a few hours.

Off to Cagney’s for lunch – at least there we will not have to search for an open table at peak time.

4:45 pm

Bowling was a blast in Bliss – 36 CC members – 6 teams – The Champs were the Bombers led by SnorkelingBarb. Runner ups Shoreguy’s Strikers lost in the play off.

Colleen the GSC onboard did a brilliant job. She hab made up a easel with the rosters select by her. Keep track of the scores and laughed along with everyone there.

Highlight of the event the first ever bowling Concierge. Many pictures to follow of the honorary team captain Ruth. She rolled the first ball of the event for the bombers and got six pins. Rolled the second ball of the event for the Strikers still in her street shoes and landed flat on her backside and fouled. If we had broken Ruth then Klaus would have dragged me behind the ship the rest of the way to Miami.

I prefer to post the professional Ruth preparing to take on a new challenge.

[cruisingfromMN]

Oh my! No more L'Occitane Products :( , whatever will we do. We always get our fix on-board. Now, we will have to buy it for $6.00 a bar...:eek:

[watchdiva]

Dear SG:

 

Keep the posts coming - I'm storing up every tidbit about the AB and dreaming of April......

 

Hope that we are lucky enough to have Ruth on our sailing....who is "butling" you?

[Suesan Jean]

Oh I LIKE your new "Handle"......:D

 

Our friends on the "Bummer Busters" will be confused now....."Am I talking to "SJ" or "SG".......;) :)

 

I have been enjoying your "Blog", I ALWAYS DO....!!!

 

It sounds as if you are having a TERRIFIC TIME....!!! Keep those posts coming....!!! (ALL THAT LOOT you have won at the Casino, can pay for your Internet bill....!!!):D

[lastingtouch]

SG,

Love the bowling! What were the scores/ averages like? Did you notice a difference from land-based bowling? :confused: How many bowling balls do they have? 8 lbs. up to 16 lbs.? I can't imagine the finger holes. And shoes? :confused: How are they manageing that? Do we bring our own? Inquiring minds!

diane

[KCat]

No window in the AB from the tub to the balcony – solid wall a good idea

Is there still a full picture window looking out from the tub to the sea, with a TV (gotta have my TV)?:confused:

 

 

Port side cabin decision a smart one – those with starboard balconies will never see the sun.

But this is because of your particular itenerary right? It's too late to change to port side, AB's are sold-out on our sailing, but am anxious to know.

 

 

 

Off to Cagney’s for lunch – at least there we will not have to search for an open table at peak time.

Does Cagney's charge a surcharge for breakfast or lunch, when you are in an AB Penthouse?

Thank you so much, I know that your time is valuable.

[Dolphins]

Agree with shoreguy that the cruise would have been better with one port in the middle. I always wished that NCL would offer a round the North Atlantic cruise out of New York. It could go to Bermuda, the Azores, Lisbon, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and back to New York. Regent (formerly Radisson) offered a similar round the Pacific cruise out of L.A. My kind of trans-Atlantic cruise (no flights involved).

[Stillfloatin']

I agree with Dolphins, a trans-Atlantic without any stops is just too many sea days. But for folks who love the cruise itself, nothing but sea days is probably pure bliss. Well, maybe a few less 40 foot waves!:D

[coka]

Shoreguy, if I learned anything on my last cruise....open and read ALL letters delivered/found in cabin! Which famous NCL Captain received the honors of breaking in the Pearl? Keep on blogging...we are all with you! Thanks,

Coka

[Birdnutty]

Did I read earlier that there are no soft serve ice cream machines? They were such a fantastic, wildly popular staple on the Jewel! DH will be crushed....

 

Keep up the good work. I love tuning in several times each day to hear the latest and greatest.

[Cosmopolitan]

Oh my! No more L'Occitane Products :( , whatever will we do. We always get our fix on-board. Now, we will have to buy it for $6.00 a bar...:eek:

 

I love them also.

 

Wonder if it's too late to put on my Christmas list:eek:

[Cosmopolitan]

Agree with shoreguy that the cruise would have been better with one port in the middle. I always wished that NCL would offer a round the North Atlantic cruise out of New York. It could go to Bermuda, the Azores, Lisbon, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and back to New York. Regent (formerly Radisson) offered a similar round the Pacific cruise out of L.A. My kind of trans-Atlantic cruise (no flights involved).

 

I'll book it...just what I want:)

[electricron]

Agree with shoreguy that the cruise would have been better with one port in the middle. I always wished that NCL would offer a round the North Atlantic cruise out of New York. It could go to Bermuda, the Azores, Lisbon, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and back to New York. Regent (formerly Radisson) offered a similar round the Pacific cruise out of L.A. My kind of trans-Atlantic cruise (no flights involved).

 

That's the type of cruises Orient does with the Marco Polo. An around the Atlantic cruise like that would take at least three weeks. You have 10 ports on your wish list, it could take four weeks. It would have to be done the summer to sail that far north, during NCL's prime Florida/Bahamas weekly sailings. I don't think it would be wise financially.

 

Regent could do so, but they would charge $5,000 for an Inside cabin. I shutter to think what a Garden Villa would cost on a cruise that long, $100,000+. That's two to three years of wages for most folks.

Come on guys and gals, get real, NCL isn't an upscale cruise line, they're a mass market cruise line.

[familyof4cruising]

Did I read earlier that there are no soft serve ice cream machines? They were such a fantastic, wildly popular staple on the Jewel! DH will be crushed....

 

Keep up the good work. I love tuning in several times each day to hear the latest and greatest.

 

Maybe they will install in Miami???

 

FING OUT SG!!! thanks

[shoreguy]

Dec 7 11am – cloudy and seas 4-7.5 feet. Sunny and 30C tomorrow.

Ground Hog Day - I know there is a roll call for ground hogs but this could be Ground Hog’s Day – another day at sea and the movie Ground Hogs Day playing day on a continuous loop on one channel. Feel asleep to it and woke up to exactly the last scene I remember from last night. Just as a note we lost live TV – ESPN, BBC, CNN one day out. We now have 5 movie channels and no idea what is happening in the world.

Halfway point today as we head to Miami

One by one the shipyard crew is fixing the balcony doors that were sliding open during the storm and would not lock.

Dinner last night was outstanding as you would expect with Captain, Klaus, Prem Kainikkara the AHD. Just a handful of CC Platinum members - Barb, Laurel and Cha, and us. Everyone is delighted with the ship it is up and running at full speed.

Get ready for the new Freestyle inline with the marketing program. Nothing final but don’t expect to see formal nights in the daily. You want to dress up any night feel free. My bet (get ready for the food fight) jeans will be perfectly ok and any restaurant. Those that really want the formal experience in the futer or their cruise will be ruined shop around. Those that want a relaxed vacation will be lining up to book and that is the intent of the New New NCL.

Time for lunch – more later.

[DragonflyCruiser]

Does Cagney's charge a surcharge for breakfast or lunch, when you are in an AB Penthouse?

 

Thank you so much, I know that your time is valuable.

 

It's one of the perks with a suite! We had a suite on the Jewel last trip...our favorite perks were the wonderful coffee machine and being able to eat a quiet and enjoyable meal at Cagney's or Bistro for breakfast and lunch! No extra fee!

[SailAways]

No idea what is happening in the world.

 

Still the same-o stuff - The entire populus is waiting anxiously for your next post!:D :D

[alaska2007family]

SG, were the seas already heavy when you did your life boat drill on Saturday or were you close enough to Southhamton that it was relatively calm? If it was rough, what was the reaction from the crew and shipmates as you went through the drill? I just can't picture getting into lifeboats being tossed around in 30 foot waves.