Pearl Transatlantic - Shoreguy Blog - 2 December 2006

[smeyer418]

at almost 2.00 per pound, even McDonald's must be a fortune! Go see the Churchill War Room if you get a chance...

 

BTW the dollar to the pound may be the lowest(highest) its been since WWII. i.e the pound will buy more dollars and the dollar will buy less pounds.

[Host CMLA]

Since when are well wishes a bad thing?

I did not say well wishes were a bad thing. Other members voiced concern and asked me a direct question which I answered.

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

Jim,

 

Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself this side of the pond before making your way back over stateside.

Sorry to hear about the Holiday Inn internet charges. When we were in NYC (CP at the UN), it was free wireless in the lobby, you just had to ask for the access code at reception. At the Holiday Inn at JFK there was free wireless in the room too. So welcome to ripoff Britain.

 

Have a great trip, looking forward to your posts and pics. Don't forget the electrical socket photos to add to your collection. You know us Brits like to know whether there is a UK outlet.

 

Tony

[Ask4Jay]

Yo Jim -

wish you and your son a beautiful voyage.

Maybe a bit less windy than on the Jewel last year.

[gregandamy]

Jim, I figure you've been on the ship for a little while now soaking it all in. Can't wait to hear the review. Have a martini for us.:D

[shoreguy]

Seas tonight forecasted to be 6- 9 METERS

Sail away in a few minutes – I am back 4:45 – First impressions of the Pearl – WOW

I am totally surprised so many of the early pictures made it look a lot like the Jewel and parts do but far more is different. Snorkeling Barb and I toured the ship today and got lots of different pictures. Our impressions were similar.

First the ship is nicely decorated for the holidays.

I really don’t know where to start – once I resize some pictures it will be easier. Bliss Ultra Lounge is off the wall. Private areas with giant bed like sofas, unique seating areas all thru the center, surrounded by bowling alleys and great lighting.

The main atrium with the two story TV screen is impressive without having to be 7 stories.

The Garden Restaurant – Yes I said restaurant - is totally different – They call it an action station restaurant. Walked thru at lunch. First the seating is restaurant like. No more long tables but nice chairs and individual tables as well as back rounded booths like Impressions. The Islands of the Jewel are gone replaced by action stations with staff serving food. Italian station, carving station, fruit station, Ice cream station (no soft serve) .

Warning – those going to Alaska – the chair hogs will be out in force – not grabbing poolside chairs but the comfortable window tables and chairs in the Garden Restaurant.

Great outdoors no longer a cave buffet but a miniature of the action stations inside.

Don’t call it a buffet they will correct you this is the first in a new onboard restaurant option. More to follow

The fixed the cigar bar – it is very nice and completely enclosed unlike the Jewel.

Bistro – earlier pictures that indicated they were the Bistro were in fact Indigo with bright art on the walls, great window seating, A real step up from Aqua on the Dawn. We had lunch there today. If that was any indication of the new menus I am all in. The lunch was great.

All new deck furniture – a real upgrade – even tables surround by fake hedges near Topsiders on the pool deck

Overall first impressions – take the Jewel remove a couple of rough edges, use the same carpets for the most part, upgrade the fabric and it’s textures, take the furniture color down a notch, add some real innovation and you have the Pearl.

I am looking at a Cisco WIFI access point in the corner of the AB.

Ok nothing is perfect.

I did not see the nifty espresso machine in the Garden Café – I will check again as I just did a quick pass thru.

None of our keys work for the second bedroom, The cabin stewards or mine. I have called it in and no response yet. Chris the Butler stopped by at 5 to introduce himself. His key card worked so at least we got into the space after 5 hours.

The tub in the AB is very nice but appears to longer be a whirlpool just a soaking tub.

I will tomorrow add some details to the day if anyone is still standing. Force 10 winds and 30+ foot seas will make for an interesting night.

Off to the Star Bar for Martini sail away with the Mad Mariners.

[gregandamy]

Hold on tonight, you're in for quite a ride.:D

[seahorse]

Hi Jim,

 

The Garden Restaurant sounds like the one on the RCI Freedom Ships that I like very much.

 

IMO looks like NCL is incorporating a lot of RCI in their new concepts. That large TV sounds tacky:eek:

 

Hang on tonight.........sounds like a rocky ride;)

[SailAways]

Remember what they told you during the Muster Drill!:eek: :eek: :)

[LEET44]

Sound's great.Thanks for posting

 

Did Laurel and Charlie make it?

 

I hope the weather forecast is wrong but if not it should make for good reading:eek:

 

 

Take Care

 

Lee

[maja]

Shoreguy...

Have a wonderful trip...

I'm looking forward to reading all about it!

Mary Ann

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

I was thinking of you when I saw today's UK weather forecast. We have really bad weather, storms with 80mph winds forcast for the night.

 

The atlantic seas look really heavy. I bet they put those fake hedges on the pool deck away!

http://www.oceanweather.com/data/

 

 

Have a safe night.

[seahorse]

I was thinking of you when I saw today's UK weather forecast. We have really bad weather, storms with 80mph winds forcast for the night.

 

The atlantic seas look really heavy. I bet they put those fake hedges on the pool deck away!

http://www.oceanweather.com/data/

 

 

Have a safe night.

 

YIKES:eek: Looks like they are heading into 30/40 ft. seas........oh my:(

[Dolphins]

Glad they enclosed the cigar room. I'm sure Pamala Stanley and Snorkling Barb will be happy. Give them my best.

[kataiga]

Hope you enjoy the rocing and rolling!! We also had a little bit during our transatlantic,but not as much as you now. The Pearl souns intresting. Somwhere I saw she should have a stopover here in Palma the Mallorca but sadly I never found out exsactly when, now it is to late, but maby we can sail with her someday.

Happy sailing!!!!

[Stevie17]

I'm completely glued to this thread. Thanks Shoreguy...and hang on tight tonight. Sounds like you're going to have one heck of a ride!:)

[shoreguy]

1:45 am force 12 winds gusting to 92.5 knots as seen on TV – waves washing onto the balcony deck 11 – all is well. Great group onboard – drinks at the Star bar and off to dinner. Who needs reservations? We walked over to Cagney’s table for 8 please. No problem. Great meal, great wine, great company.

I really need to spend some time in the morning after the meet and greet to really capture today.

Casino very bad to me.

Enjoyed Pamala Stanley this evening, requested theme from the Titanic and she almost fell off her bench. Telling the story of how someone asked over and over for her to play that on the Dawn. She has been told by Klaus no songs about weather ….lol Eilleen I told her you were sorry. She loves the sound system on this ship. Dolphins I asked her to join the Gem in NYC . As long as it is like this ship she would love to. Keep you fingers crossed.

Onboard also some other favorites Flex, Trio los Amigos, Modal Magic, Peter James. And tonight from America has Talent – Rudi Macaggi.

Posting and rocking to not go well together – talk to you all in the morning. !0:30 am will come way to soon for the CC Meet and Great in the Bistro.

[shoreguy]

Sound's great.Thanks for posting

 

Did Laurel and Charlie make it?

 

I hope the weather forecast is wrong but if not it should make for good reading:eek:

 

 

Take Care

 

Lee

 

Yes they did - looking great after a very long day.

 

Have to go - the vodka bottle just fell - must save it..lol

[EileenN]

Jim, sounds like you are having a rough trip. Awesome, isn't it!! Is Klaus on board?

Keep those bottles upright and stay dry.

Eileen

[LEET44]

Yes they did - looking great after a very long day.

 

Have to go - the vodka bottle just fell - must save it..lol

 

Thanks Give them Hugs

 

It sounds great .I hope the Gem will be just like her .Will be our new ship once the Dawn leaves:(

 

 

Stay safe

 

Lee

[Nilla]

Hey glad to here the ship is lovely! Stay safe! Yes say hi to La and Cha from us as well! Have a great trip!

[bmwman]

Jim, sounds like you are having a rough trip. Awesome, isn't it!! Is Klaus on board?

Keep those bottles upright and stay dry.

Eileen

 

Yes klaus is there and he is better than ever. They said it was going to be rough - good luck to them all.

[Galley Girl]

Jim,

 

Sounds like you guys are having a quite a time.I would just sit back let the vodka flo where it may( hopefully in some sort of glass)and think of it as a giant roller coaster ride.

Can you ask Klaus when the Web Cam will be up? Also can you tell Sean Wurmhoeringer (FBD) that Joanne sends a BIG hello.

Have a Great Time.

Thanks Joanne

[shoreguy]

Update - 12 noon – we gained an hour last night.

The good news the sun is shinning – temperatures mid 50s.- winds down to 47 Knots sustained. We are traveling at a reduced speed of 11 knots.

The bad news seas are currently 11 meters – 35 feet – peak winds last night 162 Knots. – perfect for shake down cruise and things did shake, rattle, creak, and come down. Woke up today with a ceiling panel with paging speaker hanging by the wires in the bathroom.

Cabin is squared away now. Electrician just departed. Key cards working for all doors as well. Egg crate on the sofa bed.

CC meeting this morning was crazy. In the Bistro ( Star Bar is closed until 6 pm since it is now the Concierge lounge during the day and Cagney’s serves breakfast and lunch for penthouse passengers)

We had over 50 of the folks from the roll call show up. Great turnout from the staff. The Captain who had been on the bridge all night in the storm still made a brief appearance. Klaus and the team. Sean F&B director, Ruth, ACD, Bar Manager, Restaurant Manager, Hotel Manager and not to forger Colleen the Group Services Coordinator.

We enen had about a half dozen that showed up but never figured out how to log on CC. Tour the Villas – both of them – thanks to Snoopy2 and Flying Pirate.

Many took the time to report problems with their cabins. Banging shower doors and balcony dividers that were swinging in the wind. The still have a crew onboard from the shipyard fixing the little things.

Speaking of balcony dividers at least on deck 11 there are two doors that open between the AB and AF making for a more wide open arrangement for those want to share the balcony space.

Report for the Garden Café. 4 action stations open for omelets 8 chefs. Eggs Benedict this morning. Ignore my earlier report as I FOUND THE ESPRESSO MACHINES in the Garden Café.

As reported American power only in most cabins. The suites have both. Since most on this cruise are from the UK it is a bit of an issue.

Took some pictures of the Great Outdoors a little while ago. Looks like there was a bar fight last night with tables and chairs turned over and it piles from the winds and seas last night.

Those booked in ACs my fell like they booked an inside for a while. A design change post the “wave” they now have covers for the windows that they put up for stormy conditions.

Everyone at the CC meeting delighted with the food so far. Don’t expect Choc. Fondue on this ship in the Bistro. It was removed on all menus because they could no longer use sterno and serving cool fondue was not working. The older ship you may as reported still get it since the have the equipment – fondue pots. Not on the menu so not part of the kitchen equipment ordered and stocked on the Pearl.

Off to Cagney’s for lunch. I will resize some pictures and post later.

The ship is a rock in these conditions. Sea legs are strong.

[szdiver]

Shoreguy: Thanks for the blogs - can't wait to get on in January. We hope you get better seas for the rest of your cruise. No more high seas.....say Hi to Ruth for us....