Best AB location on Pearl

[jelbnl]

We'll be sailing on Pearl to Alaska and have decided on getting an AB for the 4 of us. There are only 10 and they all seem to be in the same place forward. I'm leaning towards the aftmost cabin 11530 or 11030. I thought I read the portside is better for the Alaska cruises, so that would mean 11530 would probably be the best in my case. I think that those cabins seem to be almost midway between the forward and midship elevator banks, easier to get around I think. Thoughts?

[kriscruises]

Remember that those port side ABs towards the aft are under the fitness center. I have read here in the past that people have been able to hear noise from above in those cabins. The fitness center is open 24/7, but the free weights are off limits in the wee hours (I can't remember the exact times).

 

On my recent Alaska cruise I was in 11506 (the AB cabin forward on the port side). The cabin is under the spa treatment rooms -- nice and quiet!

 

As for proximity to the elevators, the ABs are all really so close to each other that I don't think it makes much difference.

 

Whichever one you choose, I bet you will love it! The suite life is good.

[4 cruisers]

I understand your thinking. We had the AB right as you get off the forward elevator. We liked taking the elevator to one of the decks that were fun to walk through (like the casino :p) to get to where we needed to go (such as Cagney's for breakfast and lunch each day!:D). To cut down on steps, the AB furthest aft (which as you said is actually still forward) would be better unless you're going to the theatre, or lounge or casino in the front of the ship. There is the issue of passing by room stewards as they clean the cabins.

[tahoeca]

Kriscruises - we will be on the Pearl in a couple of weeks in the AB 11506 - can you tell me about it. I'm glad to hear you can't hear the weights. We were originally in 11524, but read that you can hear the weights so we switched. :)

[kriscruises]

Hi Tahoeca -

 

You will love 11506! I'm not an experienced cruiser so I have nothing to compare to, but we were very impressed with the design of this suite. DH and I were traveling with our two teen sons, so we also had the connecting AF suite. Lots of space and privacy for everyone.

 

The master bathroom is amazing! Double sinks with storage underneath, separate tub and shower (both with windows!), toilet room and large closet. (FYI about those windows -- they are not as opaque as you think. Use the shades when you are in port :eek:). There is a small TV above the tub (this impressed our 17 yo son very much:D). There is a curtain to separate the bedroom from the bathroom, and a pocket door to shut the bedroom/bathroom off from the rest of the suite.

 

The bedroom has a very comfy bed with shelves and reading lamps on each side. There is a TV (with DVD player) and storage cupboards at the foot of the bed. Our large suitcases fit easily under the bed. Several cute towel animals appeared here throughout the week.

 

We spent a lot of time relaxing in the living/dining area. The couch and chairs are not very comfortable, but were adequate for the all too short week we used them. The coffee table had a fresh flower arrangement and a fruit bowl that was replenished regularly. The DVD player in this room did not work. I reported it, so hopefully it has been replaced by now.

 

We didn't use the second bedroom much, but it was nice to have another bathroom when we were all trying to get ready in the morning.

 

Our butler's name was Randy, and he was great! He delivered coffee to us each morning (the ship was out of the pods for the Lavazza machine :eek:). We also ordered food several times and the service was always prompt. One evening we ordered a bottle of wine to drink in the cabin. When Randy delivered it, he also brought a nice cheese and fruit plate for us and a snack for our kids -- he always went the extra mile.

 

We used our balcony a lot more than I thought we would. I am a big sissy when it comes to cold weather, but the balcony was fairly sheltered. The Glacier Bay day was especially wonderful!

 

I know you will have a fabulous cruise!

[tahoeca]

Thank you so much! We can't wait. Our 9 year son will be going with us and he's excited about it. This will be our first time on NCL, we have cruised Carnival in the past.

[brunolvr]

Remember that those port side ABs towards the aft are under the fitness center. I have read here in the past that people have been able to hear noise from above in those cabins. The fitness center is open 24/7, but the free weights are off limits in the wee hours (I can't remember the exact times).

 

On my recent Alaska cruise I was in 11506 (the AB cabin forward on the port side). The cabin is under the spa treatment rooms -- nice and quiet!

 

As for proximity to the elevators, the ABs are all really so close to each other that I don't think it makes much difference.

 

Whichever one you choose, I bet you will love it! The suite life is good.

 

Hey, Kriscruises, did you happen to take any pictures of AB 11506? We have booked that Suite for next year on the May 30th cruise to Alaska. Would love to see some pictures.

 

On our last cruise we stayed in an AB on the Star but would like to see how different (if at all) the two ships are in their AB's.

 

Thanks!:)

[brunolvr]

Kriscruises - we will be on the Pearl in a couple of weeks in the AB 11506 - can you tell me about it. I'm glad to hear you can't hear the weights. We were originally in 11524, but read that you can hear the weights so we switched. :)

 

Hi, tahoeca! I know you'll enjoy your AB to Alaska. We were in an AB on the Star and it was great! We have booked AB 11506 on the Pearl for our cruise next May. If you get the chance, would you take some pictures of your Suite?

 

I took lots of pictures of our AB on the Star and I know they're very similar to the Pearl but I'd really like to see some pictures of the Pearl just for comparison. Thanks!:)

[4 cruisers]

We found the colors on the Pearl even nicer than those on the Star(which we LOVED)! The Pearl's tub isn't a jacuzzi like the one on the Star. It seems that there might be an extra safe on the Pearl...maybe someone else can verify that! Other than that...really no major differences~ An NCL AB has spoiled us forever.

[4 cruisers]

Just thought of one other thing...the furniture on the Pearl's balcony is a little nicer than the Star's. Still, who really cares??? Just to be there in that fantastic suite....ahhhh.

[brunolvr]

We found the colors on the Pearl even nicer than those on the Star(which we LOVED)! The Pearl's tub isn't a jacuzzi like the one on the Star. It seems that there might be an extra safe on the Pearl...maybe someone else can verify that! Other than that...really no major differences~ An NCL AB has spoiled us forever.

 

We had 2 safes in the Star's AB.

[brunolvr]

Just thought of one other thing...the furniture on the Pearl's balcony is a little nicer than the Star's. Still, who really cares??? Just to be there in that fantastic suite....ahhhh.

 

The Star had 2 very confortable loungers with cushions that just barely fit on the balcony along with a little table. I thought I saw a picture of the Pearl's AB balcony, and they were smaller chairs (not recliners).

 

From the info I saw, the AB balcony on the Star is 81 square feet and on the Pearl it's only 54 square feet.

[SaySumthing]

We stayed in the infamous 11524 (Pearl Suite) - the one under the free weights May 17-24 and had no problem at all. I didn't hear anything from above ever, and we were in the cabin A LOT with 2 small kids. I'd heard recently that they believe improvements have been made to make sure that sound in the suite isn't a problem.

 

I agree with the opinion that midway between the forward and mid elevators is a great location. 11524, 11530 and the corresponding starboard cabins would be my choice. I like being near the elevators, just not right next to them.

 

Have fun!

[Pianoman6582]

We'll be sailing on Pearl to Alaska and have decided on getting an AB for the 4 of us. There are only 10 and they all seem to be in the same place forward. I'm leaning towards the aftmost cabin 11530 or 11030. I thought I read the portside is better for the Alaska cruises, so that would mean 11530 would probably be the best in my case. I think that those cabins seem to be almost midway between the forward and midship elevator banks, easier to get around I think. Thoughts?

 

You make a good point that midway between the midships and forward elevators is a central location. However, consider this: 11512. Portside, just a hair forward of the forward elevators. My Lee and I had the pleasure of this cabin on the Gem (Pearl's Sister). There is nothing like coming off an excursion, going up the elevator and essentially falling into your cabin. AND in terms of getting around the ship, we would just either take the elevator up or down to decks 7 or 12. Not that you CAN'T walk across the cabin decks, but it's a lot nicer to walk on 7 or 12 when walking the length of the ship (IMHO) with the promenade and the pool.... Anyway, that's just my 2 cents....

And I Thank You

JWK: The closer to the elevator the better, for me:D

[jelbnl]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We ended up booking 11024. I figured we wouldn't stay the whole day on our balcony watching the sights, so port/starboard really didn't matter, though I think the captain does turn the ship so both sides get the view. I really wanted to be a little further away from the elevators, though 11512 did look GREAT, not under the gym. I didn't like 11506 or it's mirror 11006, too far forward for my tastes. I'm happy with our location and can't wait to sail her in 2010!!!!

[snowmom]

We loved 11006, as it was completely quiet. I think it is under the hair salon, or something that is quiet all the time! Also, the hall doesn't go anywhere so there is absolutely no foot traffic! The port side has people going to see the bridge viewing room, so a lot more foot traffic. I thought it would bother me to be so far forward, but it didn't at all. Now we always choose forward, and also try to avoid the elevator.

[davidnkim]

We are in 11506 for our Thanksgiving cruise on the Pearl with my DD and DM. Can you tell me if the couch pulls out or if we are going to have to get a roll away? My mom snores horribly and so someone is going to have to be in the living area.

 

Thanks!

[jimd909]

I found this link from another post. Don't remember which one.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/573276408FRtBas

 

This is an AB on the Star. Exactly the same as the Pearl.