Back from 2/11/18 Sailing of the Pearl

Not gonna write a huge review and will try to keep my comments positive where I can.

Our cabin 9098 was in an excellent location, right off the elevators. For the most part we had no issues with noise. I really don't understand why people have to let their cabin door slam. Obviously they do this at home as well.

The cabin was clean and tidy. Our cabin steward Komang was most attentive, surprised with a towel animal every night and kept our cabin spiffy.

Bar service was good as most bars. Maltings provided us Wini, she was most delightful. Took very care of us. Matter of fact, I caught a cold the third day, Wini prepared what she referred to as Jungle Tea. It contained orange slices, lemon and lime wedges that she mulled, added fresh mint leaves and poured in hot water. Took it to the cabin, let it steep a bit and slowly consumed it. Felt much better by morning.

Casino was not our friend we left a healthy contribution.

Indigo and Summer Place restaurants were just okay. Indigo very dark, Summer Place bright and lively. The menus have changed and me not being a fussy eater found it difficult to find something that sounded tasty. The carved beef and turkey were both disappointments.

Dined at La Cucina one night, menu looked fine, however I was not feeling well so I had soup and left. The other five in party said the food was good. Dined at Cagney's and have to admit the steak was great as was the service.

Both embarkation and disembarkation went fairly smoothly, no complaints.

Cozumel as usual was Cozumel. Did not get off the ship in Honduras been there many times. Costa Maya I stayed aboard due to illness. My wife and friends went ashore and had a good time. Belize was a big disappointment. There is nothing about Belize at Harvest Caye. This is a built up commercialized money provoking tourist trap. So if you have visions of visiting Belize, Harvest Caye is not it. The joint venture between, Norwegian, Oceania and Regents cruise lines has been opened for just over a year. Google it and read, I was amazed by the $499 per day villa rentals.

The ship was clean and very well kept. The crew and staff most friendly. Daytime activities were very limited. Seemed that many activities have either been discontinued or not advertised.

All in all it was an okay cruise. Very evident of the cutbacks to save bucks.

Thanks for sharing your review with us.

Appreciate the feedback.

Thank you for the review! What kind of day activities did you notice were missing? We look forward to the trivia and other little things throughout the days.

Thank you for taking the time to write this review.

Keith

Thank you for the review! What kind of day activities did you notice were missing? We look forward to the trivia and other little things throughout the days.

Trivia was alive and well, however a bit obscure. At least the questions weren't the normal ones we all know the answers to. One particular session the winners had 7 out 20!!!!!

Did not see any of the usual games, maybe missed them on the daily.

Was on the same sailing. No Name that tune anywhere at all. Trivia was a bit different but still fun, some were really hard, only went to about 6 or so (won movie poster trivia and the landmark trivia which was very much the same as a previous cruise or two) as we were in a group of 6 so time was spent differently then when its just the two of us on the ship. Stayed on floor 10 which was a great spot as we were in between everything on the ship.

We all loved Harvest Caye, it was the perfect beach day. Got out after breakfast, went back to the ship for lunch and loaded up the back pack with beer from our UBP, went back to the beach for the afternoon, sand was good, water was warm, lots of shade to. We were a little choked that no food or drink was included like Great Stirrup Caye and did know this well ahead of time, but given that you dock right at the island it wan't a problem. Did NCL excursions at Cozumel (3 Reef Snorkel which was pretty good) Roatan (Tabyama Beach Party which we had done before and really enjoyed again) and Costa Maya (Salsa and Salsa which was a good time).

First night ate dinner at Osheehans, prime rib night which was ok, not near what we get at home but ok, after that had a couple dinners at each of the Lotus Garden (pot stickers, yum) Indigo and the Summer Palace. We really enjoy the food in the MDR's as we are lucky if we get on a cruise once a year or two for only a week at a time. There's nothing I can think of that I enjoy more then the Lava Cake. Breakfasts at the buffet every morning, ate 6 omelettes. Snacks/ lunch at buffet or hot dogs and wings at Osheehans. NCL must have quit with the poolside cookouts, was really looking forward to Mexican fiesta poolside at Costa Maya Sail Away but didn't happen. Really took advantage of the UBP, though we were never "hammered".

Overall it was an awesome trip which included the Fri and Saturday in NOLA with some really good friends, the wife and I really only travel by ourselves typically and were a little worried what it'd be like with the 6 of us and how we'd all get along aftre a few days but it was good. We really like this class of ship having also bee on the Dawn and Jade over the Epic which we did last winter.

Trivia was alive and well, however a bit obscure. At least the questions weren't the normal ones we all know the answers to. One particular session the winners had 7 out 20!!!!!

 

Did not see any of the usual games, maybe missed them on the daily.

Thanks, we leave on Sunday! Get into NO tomorrow night.