NCL, Norwegian Pearl - Caribbean - 1/10

You can view PICTURES OF NCL PEARL at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Tantam8unt/NCLPearl#

It was my first cruise with NCL and certainly NOT the last! I’m already researching my future cruise with NCL again to Europe!!!

Okay, back to my story…  I made my reservation via the #800 number, I got my receipt momentary after that (you can prepaid your mandatory “service charge” here- $12 pp/per day for restaurant staff and stateroom stewards)-. I was able to locate my eDocs on NCL.com. Here I was able access to my tickets (make sure you print this out-you will need it at check in at the port) cruise summary details, luggage tags and other important documents required for the trip.

Embarkation-the port of Miami is located on South America Way in downtown Miami.  You can hand in your checked luggage with the attendant (they got extra luggage tags –in case you didn’t print your out; we got our luggage that evening and everything was in order). We went through security check and on our way to check in. Check in was quick, they took a picture of us, issued our key cards (you will need this card every time you get on and off the ship) and on our way to go aboard! (Check your embarkation “check in” time, NCL suggests that you DO NOT arrive earlier than 1 hour to the embarkation time printed on your receipt. You must be on board the ship no later than 2 hours prior to the departure time.)

Once on board… get ready to be sanitize (get use to it! You will need to do it every time you eat and get back on the ship) ! and then… “Bahamas Mama” ! It’s only $10 and you get to keep the souvenirs cup (better if it’s complimentaryJ) and all you can eat food! and it’s free! Where do I place the dishes/cups?....Anywhere! Aren’t they spoiling us or what!? Oh, yeah you have to attend mandatory life boat drill.

Follow the fishes (on the floor that is-follow the direction of the fishes and it will lead you to the front of the boat) to our ocean view state room. The bed could only fit one person, but it was spacious for all three adults (bunk bed used). Amenities in the room-drawers, closet, safe, cable TV (19 inches-commercial free), 2 tables, hairdryer, bible, life jacket, towels (regular and beach-you can trade your used towel near the pool and yes you can take it with you to the beach just don’t lose it or else $25 to your folio).  In the bathroom-shampoo/conditioner, standing shower, sink and a toilet.  You can borrow the iron from the reception desk.

Activities/Foods on Board- Foods are included (buffet, a la carte & room service).  The only time you have to pay for food is for the specialty restaurants (Mambo $10/La Cucina $10/ Lotus Garden $15/Shabu $15/Sushi Bar-$15/Le Bistro $15/Cagney $25/Teppanyaki $25). Room services and Blue Lagoon Cafe are always open 24hrs..And did I mention.. it’s FREE?!?

Activities that was offered on our cruise (all for free): Comedy with Sam Fedele/Jeann Ann Ryan Company/The second City/Sharkbait (jugglers)/White Hot Dance Party/ Chocoholic Buffet /Intl Crew Show/ Public Area ship tour/Weakest Link Game Show/Gathering of LGBT Guests/Ladies night/Sailing Solo & Ready to mingle/Oh What a night/No so Newlywed game show/Bingo/70’s Disco party/Photo with the captain/Towel folding & Juggling demo and the list goes on! Make sure you pick up your complimentary Bonus Buck Coupons at the Pearl Club Casino.

Sport Court (basketball & tennis)/Rock Climbing/Bowling Alley ($5 pp/per game)/Golf/Shuffleboard/Ping Pong

Two medium size pools, three hot tubs, a water slide and a kiddie’s pool.

Port of calls & Excursions-All shores excursions offer online are the same (price) as the ones offered on the ship. Book early before you they are sold out! And don’t worry about exchanging your money to the island’s currency. They’ll accept USD on the islands.

Samana-to get ashore, you will have to take the tender (a boat) since there’s no pier. We participate in the “Cayo Levantado Beach Escape$ 50”.  Beautiful white sands beach with complimentary beach chairs and BBQ food for purchase as well as parasailing kayaks for rent. The price is too high for me.

St. Thomas-the ship may drop anchor or dock at at of the pier (we docked at Havensight Mall Pier) if you want to shop, this is it! You will NOT find as many stores on any other island! Our excursion is “Downtown shopping & Beach-$40”- shopping at downtown Charlotte Amalie and two hours at Maegan’s Bay. Hints-the cigarettes on St. Thomas is cheaper than on the ship! Taxis are available near the ship!

Tortola-we docked at the terminal, there were shops nearby. We participated in “Island Break Break-$30”. The beach that we were taken too is not as nice, and the beach chair is $5 to rent.  Nice view of St. Thomas (yes, you can see St. Thomas from Tortola). OMG the ride to the beach is scary b/c you you’re going downhill and their infrastructure is not that great.

Great Stirrup Cay-NCL’s private island! There’s no pier, we took tender to the beach.  Clear water, the beach is free, free BBQ foods, music, restrooms, volleyball, and alcohols for purchase and could be charge to your room! I recommend renting the gigantic “party raft” for $25 for the entire day! Souvenirs could be purchase at the Straw Market.

Disembarkation- our bill was delivered in the morning of the disembarkation and our customs form filled out (purchased up to $1600 pp/ 5 cartons of 200 cigarettes/100 cigars (NO Cubans cigar)/5 liters of alcohol). Since everything was correct with our bill we grab a bite at the buffet (pool/hot tubs were opened).

If you need luggage assistance, you can place your luggage outside your room the night before. We used the “easy walk-off” which we carry ALL of our bags off the ship at our leisure time between the designated times. After immigration, taxis were readily available.

The staff were extremely friendly and the courteous! Dress up or down (no shorts allowed in some of the restaurants in the evening), eat anytime. Before our departure, we were offered a deposit of $250 deposit for a future cruise and get $100 credit toward the excursions, too bad we didn’t take advantage of it! I love the freestyle cruise! I can’t wait to cruise with NCL again!