jayseadee

We enjoyed the Moderno on the Pearl during our cruise to Bermuda last June.  The servers brought various cuts of meat to the table.  If I recall, you could request something more or less cooked, but would need to wait for it.  I prefer rare, hubby more cooked and I remember us both leaving happy and full.  There is also an amazing salad bar to enjoy.

2 hours ago, tokidoki said:

When I was offered non stop flights from ncl, if I paid $300, I posted to c if this was new or not.  No one seemed to be familiar, but they didn’t offer me these flights guaranteed so I just let it go by.  Then shortly after at the 110 day mark, I got a much better flight back to nyc from Seattle.  I could’ve thrown away money to get a latter flight at 9:40pm back home.  I actually got a 1:36pm flight which is so much better.  

Thanks.  I think I will pass.  The flight offered isn't a great schedule and as long as I get there in time for the cruise, I'm good.

2 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

There multiple threads on the NCL flights.

I'm curious, how does the cost of the NCL flights including the $150 PP compare to flights  you could have booked yourself.

I'll search again, but didn't see a good response.  When I checked when booking, we were saving a few hundred dollars.  

Hello,

We are taking the Norwegian Sun in August to Alaska, with a one night stay in Seattle before the cruise.  I received an email today to make an early request of  direct flights.  This is at a cost of $150 pp in addition to what was already paid for flights.

What is your experience with flights coordinated with Norwegian?  If you did not take the early offer, how were your flights?  If not direct, did you have more than one stop?  We will be traveling from Boston.

thanks,

Janet D

2 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

Since you may order two drinks per card each time (while not always the solution), you could ask for your drink and a shot of (your choice) to "strengthen" your drink.

Oh, I was fine with the weaker drinks 🙂 

From what I remember, the menu only had martinis and specialty cocktails, not standard cocktails, but you can ask for anything.  Sometime during the week, I had tequila sunrise, Aperol Spritz, dark & stormy, black russian, seabreeze, ... Free at Sea was fun 🙂  That said, other than martini's most drinks were on the light side.

On a recent cruise to Bermuda, I saw the gamut of attire.  From jeans/tee shirts to sequined gowns/jackets and ties.  Wear what makes you comfortable.  We stayed fairly casual.  

5 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Hi @jayseadee!  What made you pick this one, and what are you most looking forward to?

 

 

Wanted more than 7 days and the cruise with the Denali land tour was a bit over budget.  Coming from the east coast we'll spend a day or 2 around Seattle since I've never been in that corner of the states.  Looking forward to glaciers.  

I'll be following as we are getting ready to book our first Alaska cruise next summer - 9 days on the Sun.

One thing I forgot to mention.  I had inquired about beach towels before we left and was told that "yes" they are provided, but many said that nobody does close tracking of the returns.  At both the pool and the terminal, we were asked for our cabin number when we picked them up and also when we returned - and watched the attendant find it and check it off.  So, it may be different per ship, but towels were checked in and out on the Pearl.

10 minutes ago, PFK56 said:

 

10 minutes ago, PFK56 said:

Bar Harbor - Back to one of our favorite towns after a 2 year absence (we spent a week there last visit). We had a lobster roll and bowl of clam chowder at the Thirsty Whale, browsed the shops, and walked down the the Ivy Manor Inn to have a drink on the lawn and watch the fog roll over the mountain top. 

 

Unfortunately, on the way back my husband tripped on one of the shop raised threshold and injured his arm. We thought at first it was broken and there was quite a bit of blood. We were able to get a bag of ice from the restaurant and by the time we got back to the ship the swelling was down a lot. They did x-rays to be sure, then cleaned and dressed the would and gave us supplies to change the dressing in 24 hours. They even called us later that night to follow up on his condition.

 

 

Oh, I hope your husband is healing.  Bar Harbor is one of our favorite towns, as well.  We spent a week there last June, just about the same days as the cruise.  We recommended the Thirsty Whale to a few people that were interested in Clam Chowdah and Lobstah Rolls.  

3 hours ago, tntcardz said:

Thanks for the report.  I am going on this exact cruise this coming Friday the 16th.  Did you visit the casino at all? 

How was the night life?  

We visited the casino bar (we had a goal to visit all the bars) for a drink and played the poker machine and lost $5.

Most of the time our night ended by 11pm.  There was always music or some game being played in most of the lounges and bar areas.  Funky Roots did a great "Throwback to 1969" in the Spinnaker lounge; we stayed for both shows.  Otherwise we hangout at the Atrium Bar or Magnums and listened to whomever was playing.  Never made it to the Spinnaker for the Dj dance party.  Did start many mornings in the Spinnaker lounge for the Morning Fun Fitness 🙂  Enjoy your cruise.  

Since i got such valuable info from this forum, I thought I'd share our experience. 

Embarkation - we bussed from Cape Cod to South Station and grabbed a taxi to the terminal.  Our check-in time was noon, eDocs in hand.  The porter had our luggage on a cart before we paid the driver and showed us the way.  We were directed from line to line, got our keys and then ushered to a seat.  Shortly after, they started to board based on seat section.  We were onboard and enjoying lunch at the Garden Cafe before noon. No one asked our check-in time and no one asked for our eDocs. Waiting for our room, we tried to get our bearings on the ship and visited a couple of bars.  I think rooms were finally ready by 4pm.  It was a very smooth operation.  They are quite good at herding cats.

Dining - We loved the freestyle dining.  No set place, no set time, no eating with strangers.  Everything was delicious and we found the wait staff to be excellent.  Although, we moved around from place to place, some of the hosts and staff remembered our names.  Our favorite complimentary was Indigo.  If you sit in the rear on the left side, it's quieter.  Our specialty restaurant was Moderno.  It was excellent.  Breakfast was Garden Cafe on days that we wanted to get an early start; O'Sheehans for days when we didn't start so early.  We rarely ate lunch, but would have an afternoon "snack" at the Great Outdoors buffet.  Dinner was Indigo and Lotus Garden (twice each), Summer Palace, O'Sheehans and Moderno.   We ate between 5:30p and 7pm.  We only had to wait once at Lotus Garden and were given a voucher for a glass of bubbly.  

Bars - we hit them all at some point - Goals!  

Bermuda (we have visited Bermuda via plane many times)- Day 1 - Mini-bus to Horseshoe Bay and spent the day at the beach.

Day 2 - planned to go to St. George's, but woke up to pouring rain.  So, we took the ferry over to Hamilton for some shopping.  The rain subsided and it turned into a nice afternoon.

Day 3 - cool and cloudy, but we ventured over to St. George's.  Since it was the last day in port, we had only about 2 1/2 hours, so we skipped the beach and just strolled around town visiting a couple of museums and unfinished church (and more shopping).  

Immigration day - again, a good job of herding cattle.  We were off the ship and on a tender ~11:30am.

Bar Harbor - took a 2.5 hour trolley tour through Acadia National Park with Oli's Trolleys; booked it when we got ashore..  It was very informative.  Unfortunately, the fog rolled in as we hit the top of Cadillac Mountain. 

Shore excursions - We took the Rum Swizzle Catamaran sunset cruise (first night in BDA).  It was a lot of fun and they kept the Rum Swizzles on the light side, so no one was out of control.  They ended the night with "Sweet Caroline".

Sea days - the weather was wicked windy most of the sea days.  Sad to say, we never spent anytime at the pool.  We did wine tastings at LeBistro on both Sea Days.  One paired with Chocolate and one paired with Cheese - $22 each.

Entertainment - nothing exciting.  Julie Barr (a comedienne) a couple of nights and JP Parent (magician) a couple of nights.  A lot of games show type entertainment.  I know we missed some nights. There were other musical acts that played around the ship  Seaside Duo, Andy Gardell, Ricardo, Funky Roots

Weather - not the best.  Partly cloudy and cool-ish and half day of rain.  Still a great time!

Cabin - inside cabin on Deck 8.  Yes, it was tiny, but it worked.  Of course, since there were no windows, we never knew what kind of day we were waking up to.  So we turned on the TV to "The Bow" channel.  

Disembarking - Had breakfast at O'Sheehans and then waited in our cabin until our color was called.  We were off the ship at ~9:30, easily spotted our bags and cabs were ready and waiting.  Back on Cape just about noon.

Misc - the ship internet is terrible, except when using the app.  It was nice having the Daily Freestyle on the app and not have to carry around paper.  We did tip some, but did not feel that we had to.  

We would cruise on NCL again.  We would do this itinerary again.  Leaving from Boston was such a breeze.

I know with the Freestyle dining, we can decide when and where to eat.  Is it possible to have the main meal in a restaurant and then go back or somewhere else later for dessert?

I'll be following - we leave a week from today 🙂

I did read the link above and the code for formal dining rooms is a bit different.  We have reservations in one of them.  I did chat with an agent and was told capris would be OK.  

Complawyer - I am taking my dressy joggers 🙂 

Sailing on the Pearl to Bermuda.  

Can capris be worn in the dining rooms (dinner)?  Are some dining rooms more formal than others?  

thanks!

janet

Thank you all!  

Hello,

Cruising on the Pearl in June. Does the ship provide towels for beach days or should we bring our own?  

Thanks,

janet

HI,

If we hit the free 150 minutes of WiFi, are we charged for any overage or does it just shut-off?  

Great, thank you!

First time on NCL (Pearl), so used to knowing where and when to eat meals.  I have made reservations for the Specialty restaurant because we wanted a specific day.  Do most passengers make reservations at the complimentary restaurants.  Or are there enough options so that there is not a long wait at anytime? 

Thanks for taking us along.  We sail the Pearl out of Boston in early June; first time on NCL.

How is the parking situation at the dock?  Do you know if NCL does transfers from South Station?

Also, if you have a chance can you post a pic of the drink menu?  I'm reading that not many drink under the $15 "Free at Sea" limit.  

Have a blast!

Thank you for posting such great information.  Just booked for June.