palmyrafan

Thank you for that, i am looking more for gem or dawn. We are going summer 2014, schedules arent our yet but assuming those ships will be doing the bermuda and bahamas/florida. Thank you, will go check out youtube right now.[/qu

 

The 2 bedroom Haven we have been in has a bed that sleeps 2, a sofa in the living area that can sleep 1 and a tiny bedroom area that will sleep 1 or 2. You can also request a cot for your room if they have them to provide. Sure hope y'all are fond of each other because it will be quite cozy even with 2 bdroms and 2 bathrooms.

DH and I both take various Rx meds. We would never consider taking them in anything but their original bottle.

Reason? We don't know what controlled or "illegal" drugs look like. But we don't want to get in trouble with the customs, etc. who may question what a certain drug is. Without Rx bottle, we have no proof of what the meds are.

Also, we make copies of the Rx or have our doctors give us a copy of the Rx for the cruise just in case the meds get lost or stolen. At least that way, we have a way to get them refilled.

Just returned from a week on the Epic which was excellent, to say the least. One of the best holidays I've ever had, and I really couldn't find any faults at all with the ship, the staff, or NCL in general.

 

Except.......................their reluctance to put a stop to underage drinking aboard their ship!

 

I spoke with 2 Officers in full view of girls as young as 14 years old drinking cocktails and bottled beers about how this can be, and none of them seemed too bothered about it. One of them even said the staff don't like to upset the guests in case they attract guest complaints, which they can't afford to do!

 

Now don't get me wrong here. I did this sort thing myself in my younger days, and I'm NOT having a go at the kids. But NCL need to address this problem before it escalates, word spreads, and adults start to avoid the Epic due to this problem.

 

As I said, the only thing I found wrong throughout the whole week onboard the Epic. But something I feel is seriously wrong.

I am sorry to hear this has happened. I am also surprised that they would get served. We thought that the younger crowd had a color coded key that would warn the bartenders and servers of their age and they wouldn't be served. We have also seen people get asked for their I.D. when they looked too young to be served on NCL.

I would send a letter in writing, either email or snail mail to NCL and notify them of what you have seen and who you talked to. Perhaps it isn't NCL's policy and the officers you spoke to didn't want to upset the parents.

Good luck.

I just got home from a trip on the Pearl to Alaska. I've completed a full review which will hopefully be posted soon. I just realized I should have been smart and done a cut and paste, but I'm not that smart. So this will be a brief, brief version.

 

We were in a minisuite on deck 11 aft (11628). We loved the room, particularly the larger bathroom. It was well worth the extra money.

 

The entire cruise was great and the staff of the Pearl is outstanding from top to bottom. Special shout out to the Group Services coordinator (Raquel) and the 2nd Officer (Heriela) who arranged and conducted the CC members bridge tour.

 

Glacier Bay is beyond words. So beautiful and awe-inspiring. That day alone made the whole trip worth it and that doesn't include whale watching in Juneau, the White Pass railway in Skagway, or the beauty of Victoria.

 

I know food is a hot topic here and we found the food to be quite good. The only average meal was in the Blue Lagoon. It was fine, but just average.

 

That's all I've got at the moment - it's been a long day. If anyone has any specific questions, I'll be glad to answer them.

 

Oh . . . and here's a picture of the Marjorie glacier.

Thank you for your post about Alaska, the Pearl and your experience.

DH and I cruised on the Pearl 3 years ago to Glacier Bay and it took our breath away. We agree that it was the highlight of the trip and are looking forward to when we can go back.

Looking forward to reading your review.

I believe NCL names its suites in categories AB and above. These names are, for the most part, not noted on NCL's deck plans, and I've read in the boards that many NCL reservations staffers are also unaware of the suite names.

 

I figure it might be nice to post the suite names here for anyone who is interested. I only know the suite names on the Norwegian Star and one on the Norwegian Pearl. They are posted below...

The Haven Suite 14514 is named the Magnolia Suite on the Pearl.

Does anyone have an idea what you tip these guys? I have no idea what would be considered high or low since there are no guidelines. Any suggestions would be appreciated.[/q

I've been on the Star three times with a dryer and a straightener and, security-wise it's been no problem. However, between hot tubs and humidity, it's been a leiotrichous lost cause (see photo below) ;)

Been on the Pearl with a curling iron and a hair dryer and found that their hair dryer worked just fine and took up too much space in my bag. Had no problem with either piece and security. Would have to agree though, that for windy itineraries, unless you are going to use them before dinner, kind of a waste of luggage space, at least it was for me.

I am so very sorry about the loss of your beloved father. You are very strong to be able to come on here and write about what happened.

DH and I love NCL, wouldn't consider cruising with any other line. What happened with your father and your family just re-iterates that fact.

Again, I am so sorry for the passing of your father. You are in my prayers.

They will if you ask, but we have never asked because we don't want to spend all week trying to find where they put things and because we are very private and don't like people going through our things.

Thank you for such a great review, the Pearl is our favorite ship :D

On a side note, I've read in quite a few posts that Cagney's is the only one who serves real eggs, the other restaurants serve freeze dried or something like that, hence the runny eggs.

Look forward to reading your port reviews!

Wow......thank you so much for posting these pics. We have never sailed on the Star, but after these pics we will certainly be happy to give it a whirl :)

I would also bring:

1) Zip loc (2 or 3) for small trinkets or sea shells from the beach for the kids to take home.

2) Safety pins and/or a travel size sewing kit. Great for when you pop a button (and you may if you keep eating like crazy). Notice how the buttons are always popped from the most "inconvenient" places? :eek:

3) Extra hearing aid batteries. We were cruising Alaska a couple of years ago and DH hearing aid batteries went "kerplunk". No matter where we went in any of the ports, we couldn't find hearing aid batteries. Luckily he can still hear without his hearing aids, but still......

4) Repair kit for glasses.

5) Extra shoelaces (1 pair for everyone)

These are now the first things that go into our carryon. But as newbies? Live and learn....

We stay in the Haven suites and we usually tip the Concierge $250 a 7 day cruise (husband and I). The concierge works very hard to ensure that we have a great cruise and besides the normal things they provide they have given us great advice on what to do in port, etc.

We took my parents to Alaska 2 years ago on the Pearl (both Haven suites, them on oneside us on the other) and we requested and received a great sendoff for them in their suite. Special cheese and deli tray, specific fruit, decorations, specific champagne, etc. and the Concierge went over and above what we thought my parents would get.

We usually tip the butler $150 and our room steward about $200.

I used to wait tables at some very nice restaurants and got used to being stiffed. So if we receive great service, we tip accordingly.

Not sure if that is correct, We usually book a balcony with an interior room for the kids across the hole way from us and we got the same color keys one cruise and different colors for the same cabin last year.

I think the color of the cards depends on if you are Haven (Courtyard) level suite or higher. We cruise in the Haven level because we like the privacy and perks it affords us. We cruise once every year or two instead of many times a year like others do, so we save up for the Haven level. I do know that the Haven level key cards (in past years at least) are different then other levels. Not sure if mini-suites, balconies, etc. have their own color coded key cards or not.

We sail on NCL, usually the Pearl. The first year, they had us on deck near our life boats with life jackets on and did a roll call (1992).

On our next trip in 2008 (Cozumel), we did the muster station near our life boats, without our life jackets on (still had to bring them) and they called out by Cabin / Suite #.

In 2009 (Glacier Bay Alaska) we met in the Cagney's lounge, no life jackets and they did roll call by Cabin/Suite #.

In 2010 (Sawyer Glacier, Alaska) we met in one of the lounges, no life vests, no roll call.

At no time were we told which life boat was ours or given any instructions on how to board them.

Seems they are getting lax as time goes by with no "major" incidents. Hopefully, this will wake up the Cruise Industry. The good thing about NCL is they do the Muster Station Safety Drills about 30 minutes prior to sailing.

If you or anyone in your family takes Rx meds, briing a copy of the Rx in case your meds get lost or stolen.

Same for Rx eyeglasses, in case you lose or break yours. You might be able to get a replacement on land when you dock.

Make sure you bring phone # of doctors, dentists etc., in case they are needed in an emergency (need info from them while on board or in port)

Small portable 1st Aid kit.

Small portable table top fan - cabins can be somewhat dry especially at night and he extra breeze can help (or a sm. portable humidifier).