cruise_alot123

Does anyone know if there are any exercise classes offered on the Pearl like Spin or Yoga?

The last 10 NCL cruises I've been on they always offer a spin class for 10 bucks. I am sure this will also applied to the Pearl.

Ship returns to port at 7:00 and our flight isn't until 2:15. Ideas on what we can do for that time? We will not have our own car so will need shuttle/cab from the port. Would it be feasible to shuttle to the airport and check our luggage and then take a cab somewhere from there? Never cruised from Baltimore so don't know much about area/distance from airport to any areas of interest.

Thanks for any ideas!

There's nothing around the port and to get to the inner harbor of Baltimore, you need a cab because no public buses or metro. From the cruise port to BWI airport is about 20 miles and again no public buses or metro so it could be costly to go from from the cruise port to BWI. My best advice is to stay on the ship as long as you can because there ain't a whole lot to do in Baltimore besides the aquarium and some shops.

I'll be checking the place out in about two weeks! I have two questions:

1) Is there free Wi-Fi anywhere on the island? I'm guessing no because it is private and there's no independent businesses, but I figured it is worth asking.

2) I understand they have a buffet for lunch; I'm assuming it is very similar to the fare on the ship and not really anything unique or native?

3) Again, given the nature of the island are there any businesses there like a CVS, or is it pretty much the same $$/selection as the boat?

Thank you!

Wild Bill

They don't even have TVs let alone wifi. Just bring an ebook and pretend that's your wifi under the palm trees:D.

Any other vegetarians recall whether they throw some veggie burgers or something on the grill for the beach barbecue lunch, in addition to the meat selections? Wondering if I should plan to bring peanut butter crackers or something for some protein. I have read that there are plenty of cold salads and the like. Thanks!

I've been to GSC many times and will be doing again this weekend on the Breakaway and they never have veggie burgers. Eat on the ship or bring some nuts from the buffets to the beach for protein.

Booked a cruise on April 23 to Western Carribean and found out the price was reduced drastically. Called customer service and they were pretty rude about not being able to do anything. Made the decision to go on this cruise because the agent I spoke to said there will not be any sales in the near future of this cruise. Has this happened to anyone and had a different result? After this, I do not think I will ever sale with NCL.

 

*Lesson: Don't make early reservations, because it may most likely go on sale, because they want to pack the ship.*

Always book a week before you sail for the lowest fare. Same as hotels never book to early in advance.

Hello

 

I am a first time cruiser. We have never been to the Bahamas. I am wondering how long does it take to get from the Port in Nassau to Atlantis? Is it worth it?

It's not worth it besides the 10 mins taxi ride there. There's nothing to do in there unless you plan to gamble or spending bucks to use their water slides or the beach. I'd rather spend my time strolling the straw market and walk to the local Junkanoo Beach and hang out there for few hours.

Very safe done it so many times and will do it again when we set sail on 4/2 on the NCL Breakaway. Easy walk just keep walking when you pass the straw market and just loop around to the right about 15 to 20 mins and the beach right there. We usually find a palm tree and put the stuff there and soak in the beach. No need to rent beach chairs so bring a beach mat and that should do it. Do bring bottles of water with you because it can be very hot since the walk to the beach has no shade. Just follow the people when existing the port keep right all the way.

They don't want you to relax and they want you to off the ship ASAP so they can get ready for the next cruise. This is our 35th cruise and 10th with NCL and I recall last time they were in our room cleaning while we were having breakfast @ 7 AM on debark day. When we came back from breakfast the bed was made and it seemed they don't want you in there at all.

Ok. Thanks everyone for the great info. I think we'll do the easy off around 8:15ish and should be at Penn station for the 10:30 ride back to DC. Any gold lat. member here? If so, do you get priority boarding or debark? We are gold member and booked a mini suite mid ship deck 12 for less than $ 1500 for 2 people. This was an upgrade from the free inside casino comp.

So if we get off by 9 AM, we should have plenty of time to taxi to Penn Station by 10:30?

What exact time does the Breakaway gets to NY? It says 8 AM does it get in before that? We need to get to Penn Station by 10:30 AM would that be enough time? Thanks.

Hello all,

We need help in deciding should we stay the whole week in Amsterdam or split half Amsterdam and half Rotterdam since our HAL cruise will be departing from Rotterdam on May 13th? Also, where to stay that are close to the center of everything with public transportation? We are looking at hotel price range from $200 to 300 and how do you get to the Rotterdam cruise port if we stay in Amsterdam?

Thanks.

Tony

There's nothing wrong for spending few days extra in Bermuda. You can easily swim from Bermuda to NY if you are in good shape. I think the people who were left behind just wanted to spend more time in Bermuda so is a no big deal :D.

Our last cruise was very low key - no excursions. We did walk around a couple ports, including Nassau, just to take in local vibe and shopping.

 

Once off the ship in Nassau we were absolutely bombarded by locals pushing excursions, cab rides, tours, you name it. Every 20 feet we were approached. I do have two young kids so I get a little nervous about these things. Walking on the main street a man started walking beside me and my pre-teen daughter and gave me a funny look. That made me nervous.

 

Also walking down the main street a lady stopped us and welcomed us by putting yarn bracelets on each of our wrists and said it was a gift but asked for a donation for "handicapped" children. Well by the time she has them on your wrists, you feel obligated to give her something. She asked for $10 each. I gave her $10 for all 4.

 

We went to the straw market and it was vendor booths one on top of another selling the same trinkets. Bought a few things. I bought a leather necklace and got a rash from it. My wife tried it later and also got a rash.

 

I will stay on the boat next time.

Lol. You think Nassau is bad then you need to come to DC where you have homeless people blocking your path in every block begging for money. I'd rather be in Nassau doing shopping and taking a dip in the emerald green water then being in DC any day.

The lotto Korean super market in my hood was selling Lobster 4.99/LB. These are whole lobsters and NCL only gives u the tail so who cares that they don't have lobster night.

Hi does anyone have experience of this?

 

We are in HaLong bay on 13th November & considering the Celebrity tour as we sail at 13.00 & have a full on day in Hanoi the day before.

 

Do you definitely get to see the Karsts? Is it very crowded? etc etc

 

We always go on private tours but when I posted for a private 1/2 day cruise there was very little interest due to it costing more than ships tour.

 

Any information gratefully received

 

Regards

 

Kevin

Hey Kevin,

I've been on the junk in HaLong bay and is never crowed. The best way to see Halong bay is to book one of the half day or full day junk with http://sinhcafe.com/Halong/Halong%20tour.htm. We used a lot of their tours throughout Vietnam and the prices are reasonable. The Halong bay tour shouldn't cost more than $ 25 per person if you have a group of 6 and that's a lot cheaper than the ship's tours. I think you can book the tour at the pier and lunch is also provided on the junk. You do need to get there early in the morning like 9 AM and get a full day tour concluded by 3 PM. Our tour took us to the cave, a school on a boat, yep, kids are going to school on a boat in the middle of the bay, also a fish market on the boat. Our captain anchored in the middle of the bay and we just jump from the junk into the bay for a quick swim and the water was a cool 68 degrees. keep in mind the bay is very deep so make sure you know how to swim before diving in. They do serve you a good lunch with fresh made egg rolls etc...and the view is priceless. It'd be helpful if you get the Google Vietnamese translation before you go.

We've been on 30 + cruises so far and just off the NCL Gem last week and I can tell you the best and cheapest fare is to book two weeks before your cruise. That's right, if you are flexible, always book in the last minutes which we've done for the last 30 + cruises and we've always got the best and cheapest with the best cabin. You always pay more when you booked in advance and all you have to do is just look at a few cruises that you'd like to go on and check the prices before the departure dates and you'll find the fares are always lower. They have to fill the ship or else they'll lose money when the ship is empty.

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_041614

Norwegian Cruise Line Expands East Coast Motor Coach Program

Six New Departure Cities Now Offer Faster and More Convenient Service to Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Miami - Apr 16, 2014 --- Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that the line has expanded their motor coach program throughout the eastern United States, to offer additional ground transportation routes to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal from six new Mid-Atlantic and New England departure cities. The additional transportation options also provide a more convenient schedule for guests on existing routes.

In partnership with Academy Bus, more guests of Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Gem will now be able to purchase transfers right to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, without having to worry about driving into the city or finding and paying for parking. These new routes are in addition to the line's current program with Yankee Trails World Travel.

Beginning May 3, guests from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire can enjoy direct motor coach service from 11 New England departure cities, including Warwick, RI; New London, CT; New Haven, CT; Bridgeport, CT; Braintree, MA; Worcester, MA; Springfield, MA; Hartford, CT; Woburn, MA; Framingham, MA and new departure city, Salem, NH. As of May 31, guests will be able to purchase motor coach service direct to the port from the following five new Mid-Atlantic departure cities: Arlington, VA; Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Philadelphia, PA; and East Brunswick, NJ. The transfers are offered for $110 roundtrip per adult and $75 per child.

Guests who select Norwegian's expanded motor coach service will also be able to take advantage of more convenient departure and return times. Transfers will now depart for the Cruise Terminal one to two hours later than previous schedules and returning transfers will depart at 10 am, saving up to two hours.

Cruisers can set sail from the Big Apple to Bermuda on board Norwegian Breakaway, the ship that brings the best of NYC to Sea. Norwegian Breakaway will sail seven-day cruises to Bermuda, from May 4 through September 28, 2014, offering guests three full days to explore in King's Wharf, Bermuda. Fares start at $599*.

Vacationers looking to cruise from NYC to the Bahamas & Florida can set sail on board Norwegian Gem on a seven-day itinerary from May 3, 2014 through September 6, 2014, with ports of call including Orlando & Beaches (Port Canaveral); Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; and Nassau, Bahamas. Fares start at $549*.

To book transportation to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, guests can contact their travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

We would have to catch the MegaBus in Pittsburgh and for the Amtrac, we were thinking of spending the night at my friends house in Lancaster (3 hours from our house) and catching the 7:55am train to NYC arriving at 10:49am. We didn't want to stay in NYC the night before due to the price of hotels and also my mom can't walk to far (COPD) and I am sure there would be lots of walking if we wanted to sight see. I will have to look into Greyhound and flying is out.

 

Sounds like my best bet would still be the train --- thanks all!!!

If you guys get to the port before 1 Pm you should be okay.

Hi -- me and my 73 year old mother will be on the Breakaway on Oct. 5th -- neither of us want to drive so we are looking into the Megabus or Amtrac.

 

The Megabus leaves on the 4th and gets us into NYC at 6:45 am on the 5th (8 hour bus ride) which neither of us are looking forward to

 

The earliest Amtrac would get us into Penn Station is 10:49am on the 5th -- would that be enough time to get off the train, find our way through Penn Station, find a cab and get to the Port and be on the ship by 1pm??

 

Also when the cruise is over - would we be able to be off the ship and get to Penn Station by 10:30am? or would 12:30 be better??

 

Thanks for all the help -- I would really hate to see my mom trying to run so we wouldn't miss the boat even though that would be pretty funny hahaha:eek:

You should have plenty of time to get to the port during pre-cruise when you arrived at Penn Station by 11 AM. Penn station to the port is about 30 mins max. As for post cruise, we did the walk off from the Breakaway around 8:30 am and you can walk off as early as 7 am so you'd have plenty of time to get to Penn station by 10:30 am. Also, since it's on the weekend, traffic is light so you should be okay.

The draw back here is that you guys would be too tired to enjoy the first day of cruising.

All well and good, but wiil it be enforced?

If you are caught, they'll throw you off the balcony and where the sharks are waiting for their dinner so don't do it. Don't say I didn't warn you....:D

Fox News :eek:.........That explains it! :):):)

Hello neighbor. I used to live across from the old Walt Whitman High back in the early 80s. Go Vikings :).

The 7 days forecast is high 70's at night and low 80's at day.

 

80% chances of rain ...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

Although I won't be cruising with you guys, however, I am impressed the amount of efforts that you've put together in the Meet and Greet page. You do take this cruising business more serious than many others .

Excellent travail!!

It's not going to be in the 40s in Bermuda next week. You must have stumbled on a drunk weather person. If there is rain hopefully just pop up thunder shower.

I thought I saw it from fox news.