ikoolu

we spent 16 days on the Pearl - Panama Canal -

first best vacation ever =

we had spa passes - i think maybe once we had to wait for a lounge chair to look out front and most of the time we had it to ourselves

the hot tub it huge with these high speed water falls that provide instant massage - the therapy pool is cool- hint take a towel for a head rest- they don't care

i would get a bucket of beers every day - just ready - swim - take a steam etc the staff was very cool and did not complain -

best view on the ship

we always get the spa pass - nobody uses it - its a great place to get away from the crowds when you need too - huge separate gym areas with whirlpool tubs- great shows - i would rather spend my money on this that tours or booze

i think for the 16 days it was $240 each - we used it a lot the first 10 days or so then once in a while latter part of the cruise -

best part is that 75% of the time it was just me and wife- i would grab a bucket of beers - book and set there read and watch -

FYI - we just got off the Pearl Sat from the Panama Canal trip - first the suite life is really really bitchen - if you can would recommend - we were in 9172 aft suite -

it was a handicap room so no bath but a huge shower room and lots of storage space = the deck was big enough for two loungers - just had to ask the butler and she got it the first day - with a suite you get private dinning for breakfast and lunch - with a great selection of entrees and a great fruit bar in the AM - we also got the UDP - that we eased every nite except for 2 so we could get the pot stickers and spring rolls and sushi -

it was with out a doubt the best vacation we had - the crew was absolutely outstanding - we did not meet or even hear one bitch from any of the crew- the rooms were cleaned 2 -3 times a day, we had 7 pillows to choose from - even the coffee machine was cool - i get up early like at sunrise every day so it was great to had hot joe without having to wait for room service of get dressed -

we also had the spa pass for the 2 weeks and it was great especially on those hot humid days - just got my bucket of beers - book and relax looking out the bow picture window

Food - i thought was outstanding - the shows so so - the seating was the only real complain i have - JG and i are 6 foot and 6-4 and the chairs we just awful they slopped down and were real low - we stood for 1 show - we were so uncomfortable we passed on most every event in the stardust room

cigar room was great most times it was just me in there

the aft views just can't be beat - with the tv set showing the bow and sitting on the lounge chairs on the deck in the rear - was awsome -

Stops - Cartagena was great we used dora tours

Costa Rica was great we used Gio tours best stop

Guatemala - real poor country tour was by Carlos - good not great

Puerto Chiapas - we stayed on the boat not much there

Huatulco -went fishing caught 7 dorados in 3 hours! and its a resort town small and quite - i would got again there

Puerto Vallarta - wow its grown since were there 20 yrs ago went to the john huston house tour - bitchen - i would do that again in a heart beat

Cabo - a big newport beach - we just walked around and drank 3 buck beers

Ensenada we stayed on the ship -been there done that

anyway ask your questions and i will help - all i can say is wow - what a trip

and thanks to the CC members who helped with all the tours

what sailing date

3 - Pearl Panama Canal

i have interest in going on vacation with 4000 other people - - the smaller the better

10 days Panama Canal

its so funny reading your comments about this fee- i bet you don't bitch half as much when the grocer raises the price of bread or milk- or hamburger

its a private for profit company- they have the right to raise prices change menus or what ever as they see fit.

its real simple if you dont like it cancel your sailing -yet i don't see very many of you doing that - just like you won't give up mike or bread'

too funny -

you just made my point - room service takes more resources away from the other operations and thus causes the need for more employees - thus creating more operating cost which means lower gross profit per sailing

thank you -

its takes a lot lower expenses to serve the meals in a large setting where a waiter can serve 10 -20 -30 people in a hour than running back and forth serving just a couple in a room

first of all the room service charge is for only two ships and it does not effect suites or above - these big new ships are expensive to operate with 4000 plus passengers aboard and like all businesses - that's for profit businesses like NCL they have to cover expenses and have an ROI to the stockholders -

I bet on these huge ships more and more people are using room service to avoid the long waits for tables or buffets and this strains the limited resources they have- my guess its to discourage room service to a point as well as cover costs -

as a stock holder I want to see the stock and dividends go up - period that's why we invest and that's what they are in business for - to make money

knock knock

its real simple - I take my crap - leave it by the edge of the pool or someplace - swim and frolic - and when I am done if I see a chair that's not being sat it after a while - I sit in it -

I have NEVER been told that's my chair - as the chair hogs know what they did was wrong and the will not make a issue -

going in April on the Pearl - looking forward to the reviews of the ports -

thanks for the review - we will be in the same room for the Panama cruise in April - my wife gets sea sick so I will make sure we have the medicine -

Question - was the soot every morning and just h bad was the trash issue - thanks again

Ikoolu

we have 10168 for the april 16 sailing - the aft cabins are the best location - there are several threads about our vantage point -

i live in LA and will be on the same trip - May 2nd is Sat - so freeway traffic won't be too bad- however if there is any activity at LAX at all- i have seen where ti takes 1 hr just to get inside the drop off street -

with the required 2 hr check it you are cutting it close - since its LAX there going to a lot of flights - personally look for one a little later-

do the spa suites have the same perks as the Haven suites? Thanks

real simple just transfer your tickets to me i will worry for you

unless I have not heard - tobacco is still legal, legal to own, legal to use. NCL needs to provide a space to use the legal product - or completely ban it - and let the market place work -

unless you change the law- smokers have rights too - so ban it and see what happens- my guess = a real drop in bookings from outside the US

Also a fine cigar after a great meal- is wonderful

i will make it real simple- we were on both- Celebrity is top shelf- from food to entertainment- beautiful ship - a bit high brow - formal - best thing was the adult only private pool - perfect for Alaska

NCL - shorts and flops=- decent enough food- no rush - not formal - relaxed

we are in our late 50's enjoyed the heck out of both - Celebrity a lot more money

this time we decided on NCL for Panama trip - saved 4 k and for us it works-

if you like the formal atmosphere - Celebrity is the way to go

we went 2 years ago- took the tour bus - we looked at private coaches, taxi etc- and the tour bus just worked out great- only regret was wish we had more time

lots to see - there are tours inside the center too -