Pearl tour today

[cruiseat50]

Today went on a tour of the Pearl which was offered by a local
(Seattle) cruise only TA. For $25.00 we got the tour which started a little late (customs issue I think) and were not able to see the Garden Villa but we were able to see the CV we will be staying in and lunch in the Summer Palace.

We were on the Pearl last January for the western Carribean, so you might wonder why we would take a tour of it today? Well, we will be back on the Pearl for the eastern Carribean in January only this time we will be joined by my mom and sis.

Mom, sis and niece were with us for the tour and it was such a beautiful day in Seattle which made it so much nicer. We loved being back on the Pearl and my mom kept rolling her eyes and teasing us about our excitement. She says we were like kids in a candy store and were all smiles.... ok... mom's right I have to admit. Especially when we heard the bing bong (although I will say that it was sad not to hear Simon's voice afterward). I can't even remember the guy's name and mom said that he had a voice that you could tune out easily. We were pleased to run into Tony Lockett and asked him if he will be on board in January and were happy to hear he would be. I thought I had read here that he was going to the Epic team to help ready it? Oh well, good for us.

We took mom down to the spa and had her try out the stone bed and she fell in love as we did with it. That's all it took for her to say that we will have to sign up when we get on board. Mom checked out the courtyard and we figure that is where she will spend most of her time as it is difficult for her to get around these days.

When talking about our cruise our niece said she would never want to go on a cruise so I was surprised she wanted to go on the tour. About half way through she found out that they go to Hawaii and that was it! She turned to me and said we should get a family cruise together for Hawaii. She is getting married next September and wants to get us all along... wonder how well this will go over with her fiancee? lol

It was a wonderful day on our beloved Pearl. Next week we will be on the Star for a one nighter up to Vancouver. Wanted to at least say we've been on a different ship by the next cruise.

[CommodoreCluck]

$25 a head is quite a bargain for lunch and a half-day tour of the Pearl, which also included plenty of time to explore on our own! Most impressive! There of course was a short sales pitch in the Spinaker Lounge, but it was mostly informational and of interest to anyone thinking of taking a cruise.

Even though we were short-time visitors (and wore badgers to that effect) we were treated by the NCL crew with all of the same hospitality that 7 day + cruisers receive. The only blue-note was that I could not find anywhere to stowaway so I thanked the OD and the TA for a wonderful time and disembarked much happier for the experience.

[cliffd64]

Originally Posted by CommodoreCluck

Even though we were short-time visitors (and wore badgers to that effect)...

OK... just so you know... I realize you meant BADGES... but I had this strange visual of people walking around with badgers on their heads...

"BADGERS??? WE DON' NEED NO STEENKIN BADGERS....."

Wish they could do some of these lunches in NYC once in a while... it would be sweet

[Rstamper]

Does this happen often that TA's offer tours of ships? That would be so much fun to do. Have fun on the Star next week. I am on the Pearl this Sunday for a 1-night cruise, so I will get to see her for the first time.

[BikerAl]

Just curious, did they offer any incentives to book?

[cruiseat50]

Originally Posted by cliffd64

OK... just so you know... I realize you meant BADGES... but I had this strange visual of people walking around with badgers on their heads...

"BADGERS??? WE DON' NEED NO STEENKIN BADGERS....."

Well, they said they were tame and most of them were content to stay put. But when we sat down to lunch that was another story! LOL

Originally Posted by Rstamper

Does this happen often that TA's offer tours of ships? That would be so much fun to do. Have fun on the Star next week. I am on the Pearl this Sunday for a 1-night cruise, so I will get to see her for the first time.

From the talk that the owner and the NCL rep up until recently there were 2 agencies allowed to do this but the other one no longer is around or not doing them.

Originally Posted by BikerAl

Just curious, did they offer any incentives to book?

To tell the truth I was only half listening most of the time as was talking to my niece who got excited when she learned that there was a cruise in Hawaii. I believe he may have but really the reason he was there is to give newbies to a cruise ship a chance to see if they think it would be something they would be interested in. He did say that he had no doubt he could get the best price. I will definately call him after I have done my research with NCL and on-line TA's and give him the chance to meet or beat the price. Quite truthfully I am right in the middle of the road - while I would check out on-line TA's I really prefer talking to a person when booking. I really was impressed with this company but unfortunately can't name a specific agency here on CC.

[Powriv]

while not TA's my fiance and I are inspecting the Pearl in Vancouver next Monday Sept 21 for some advance looksees for our wedding Sept 2010. Looking forward to the recon, although the $275 cost is a bit much but hey we get lunch...hehehe

[Rstamper]

Originally Posted by Powriv

while not TA's my fiance and I are inspecting the Pearl in Vancouver next Monday Sept 21 for some advance looksees for our wedding Sept 2010. Looking forward to the recon, although the $275 cost is a bit much but hey we get lunch...hehehe

We will just be getting off the ship on Monday. Have fun!

[CommodoreCluck]

Wow! Did I say Badgers? I meant badgers! The darling little critters weren't bad until they got a sniff of the Starbucks! Okay, Okay they were visitor badges.

[Barb Nahoumi]

A few years ago, a local travel agency conducted a similar tour of the NCL Majesty while it was docked in Boston. My husband & I attended, along with our friends. There was no lunch involved, only a tour and talk in the Stardust Lounge.

I had been aboard before, and we were already schedualed for a return cruise to Bermuda. The tour was like a "welcome Home."

Soon I will be aboard the Pearl for a two week cruise through the Panama Canal. Can't wait.

Barb

[cruiseat50]

Originally Posted by Powriv

while not TA's my fiance and I are inspecting the Pearl in Vancouver next Monday Sept 21 for some advance looksees for our wedding Sept 2010. Looking forward to the recon, although the $275 cost is a bit much but hey we get lunch...hehehe

WOW!! $275.00 for a tour? I knew ours was a good deal but...

[Powriv]

Originally Posted by cruiseat50

WOW!! $275.00 for a tour? I knew ours was a good deal but...

Yeah for that we get a 30min chat with wedding coordinator, a 30 min tour of ship to check locations for wedding ceremony and the piece de resistence is 30min lunch in buffet.

Jealous aren't ya????