Questions - New to NCL & Sailing on the Pearl After a Charter

[cruisinmama!]

We are totally new to NCL and the Freestyle Cruising concept. We normally sail RCCL and try to get on board as early as possible, usually arriving at the port around 10:30 or so and are typically on board by 11 or 11:30. Given that this cruise will be directly after a music charter for KISS, is there anything we should be aware of or do any of you have recommendations on when we should plan on arriving to the port?

 

We also have only used the traditional dining on our cruises rather than the My Time style. So what do we need to know about the Freestyle Dining? And what specialty restaurants do you recommend we try on the Pearl?

 

Any other tips or things you think we should know about the Pearl or about NCL in general?

 

Thank you SO much in advance :)

[gooch47]

I doubt the charter would delay boarding, but you might want to be aware that on NCL boarding the ship and getting to go directly to your cabin isn't necessarily the same thing. Usually it is 1:00 or after before the cabins are ready. So getting there too early means longer lines but not access to your cabin.

 

We like Le Bistro best.

[CRUZIN TOM]

What port are you sailing from? Makes a big difference. So does you cabin if its a suite or not. Suites will be ready early. Otherwise, 1 or after. Luggage could get to your cabin between 4-6.

[fshagan]

Just remember that dining on NCL is more like dining on land. For the main dining rooms you can show up and ask for a table of X number, and you get that. Other free options work the same way. I really like this method because I don't like sitting at a table with people I don't know. So sitting with my wife at a table just for us, near a window, watching the sea go by ... I really like that.

 

The disadvantage is that you aren't met at the door by a waiter and escorted to your table, met by the same drink waiter you have seen all week and gotten to know, then have the assistant waiter you have had all week bring you bread, and then finally have the head waiter assigned to you come for your entree orders. The Freestyle dining misses this experience by a mile, because you may see a different set of wait staff each night. (In practice, we often see the same wait staff, and don't miss the more formal presentation of traditional dining).

 

My impression is that traditional dining is a bit faster than NCL's Freestyle because everything is served at about the same time ... water then drinks then appetizers then salads then entrees then desserts. I have never timed it, to be honest, so it's just an impression. The person waiting on you can be bringing bread to one table, appetizers to your table, and the entree to another table.

 

The specialty restaurants are a bit different because usually you reserve them but you don't have to; we have often gone and walked in after a short, five minute wait. It all depends on how busy they are. You pay a per person charge up to $30 and NCL tacks on an 18% gratuity. Cagney's is the steak house and many people love it (it's the $30 cover charge, and I think its over-priced at that rate, but others don't think so).

[cruisinmama!]

What port are you sailing from? Makes a big difference. So does you cabin if its a suite or not. Suites will be ready early. Otherwise, 1 or after. Luggage could get to your cabin between 4-6.

 

 

Hi Tom,

 

We will be cruising out of Port of Miami

[versuco]

We sailed on Carnival Conquest out of Miami after a music charter cruise. We arrived at the port about 10:30 and did not board until 1:30. The delay was getting all the extra sound equipment off the ship (at least, that's what we were told). Maybe Norwegian will be more efficient as the Pearl does lots of charter cruises.

[Ocalapat]

We sailed out of Miami last month on the Pearl right after a concert cruise (Kid Rock I think) and boarding was delayed about an hour so they could get the stage removed from the pool deck with a crane and get all of the extra crew off the ship. It looked like there were also a lot of late departing passengers! After that all went smoothly. We started boarding a little after 12:00, not bad at all.

[Oldgoat61]

We just got off the Pearl this last Thurs.. Can't give any info about how long it will take to get on the ship, but I doubt it would be much of a difference than you would normally experience.

 

Freestyle dining is very much like a land based restaurant (as mentioned before). You go to the restaurant you want to, but you may, and probably will have to wait depending on when you want to eat (MDRs'). I strongly suggest making a reservation a day or two in advance if you chose a specialty restaurant. We tried to get into La Cucina the same night and it couldn't be done. NCL has displays around the ship that give you an idea of the wait time for each restaurant....take advantage of those.

 

If you need to eat quickly so you can make a show, let your waiter know, they will accommodate you. This advice was given to us by one of our waiters, otherwise they let you eat at a much slower pace. ;)