LAFFNVEGAS LIVE From the NCL Pearl Heading North Up The West Coast

[PathfinderEss]

Hi Lisa, thanks for the great reports as always, also glad you enjoyed your cruise. I have some questions. Did your concierges have an office that you went to or did you just have access by phone to him? Your Butler, what did he do for you besides bring you snacks in the afternoon? We had one on both Crystal and Celebrity, it was nice but I much prefer the Neptune lounge type set up. Did they do hot appetizers in the bars at night like Hal?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Melodie, Ryan our Concierge was wonderful. In all honesty there was really no need for anything like the Neptune Lounge like on HAL. Ryan was available by just calling him, he always answered. During the day there is sort of a Lounge for Suite guests that is the Star Bar across from Cagneys Steak House. Both he and Jaremar were always calling or stopping by checking on us to see if we needed anything but oddly it was not the least bit obtrusive. Because we were traveling with 4 others they would include them in as well in almost everything we were invited to. The night we were invited to dine with the Captain, Ryan escorted our friends to a great window table they set up for them in the Summer Palace which is one of the Main Dining Rooms but is the one that is a bit more formal. Many time Ryan would great us when we went to dine because he had set up all of our reservations.

It was just a totally different feel than HAL with far more attention to detail.

Now that it has been 3 weeks since we came home from the cruise I cannot tell you how much we are still impressed with the Suite Life on NCL. Our next cruise is on the Solstice and we have Concierge Class (who knows I may move up to a Full Suite at the last minute) but my concern is that after NCL treatment how will Celebrity treatment be. I have the feeling we may not be as impressed :o

[dchang]

Lisa,

 

Thank you for a well written cruise review on the NCL Pearl. I was very impressed with your review and have read many of your posts on the HAL board last year when we were preparing for our first cruise. We took our first cruise ever on HAL's Zaandam to Alaska last September. It was a great first cruise and have wondered frequently if any other cruise line could compare to the service we received from HAL on the Zaandam. Since our first cruise was a group cruise that we completely enjoyed, we have booked our second cruise with the same group for a Halloween week cruise next October. Our next cruise will be on the NCL Spirit departing from New Orleans. I was unsure how well NCL would compare to our HAL experience. On the Zaandam we had a Verandah Suite. (Mini Suite) It was an aft handicapped cabin which we enjoyed and experienced excellent service from our stewards.

 

For our next cruise on the NCL Spirit, we have booked an Aft Penthouse Suite. (SG under the new suite codes). I have been wondering what to expect and after reading your review, I am now looking forward to our second cruise and am less apprehensive about our decision to book the aft Penthouse Suite. We are booked in 9710 and even though our cruise is still a year and a half away, we are now eagerly planning for this next cruise. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[spirit rev]

Lisa,

 

Thank you for a well written cruise review on the NCL Pearl. I was very impressed with your review and have read many of your posts on the HAL board last year when we were preparing for our first cruise. We took our first cruise ever on HAL's Zaandam to Alaska last September. It was a great first cruise and have wondered frequently if any other cruise line could compare to the service we received from HAL on the Zaandam. Since our first cruise was a group cruise that we completely enjoyed, we have booked our second cruise with the same group for a Halloween week cruise next October. Our next cruise will be on the NCL Spirit departing from New Orleans. I was unsure how well NCL would compare to our HAL experience. On the Zaandam we had a Verandah Suite. (Mini Suite) It was an aft handicapped cabin which we enjoyed and experienced excellent service from our stewards.

 

For our next cruise on the NCL Spirit, we have booked an Aft Penthouse Suite. (SG under the new suite codes). I have been wondering what to expect and after reading your review, I am now looking forward to our second cruise and am less apprehensive about our decision to book the aft Penthouse Suite. We are booked in 9710 and even though our cruise is still a year and a half away, we are now eagerly planning for this next cruise. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

We have sailed both the Zaandam in Alaska and the NCL Spirit - always in a penthouse suite. We had 9172 (middle aft suite) on the Spirit. There is no comparison to what this suite offers when compared to what we experienced on HAL. There is nothing like sitting out on your private balcony and enjoying the wake as you sail.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa,

 

Thank you for a well written cruise review on the NCL Pearl. I was very impressed with your review and have read many of your posts on the HAL board last year when we were preparing for our first cruise. We took our first cruise ever on HAL's Zaandam to Alaska last September. It was a great first cruise and have wondered frequently if any other cruise line could compare to the service we received from HAL on the Zaandam. Since our first cruise was a group cruise that we completely enjoyed, we have booked our second cruise with the same group for a Halloween week cruise next October. Our next cruise will be on the NCL Spirit departing from New Orleans. I was unsure how well NCL would compare to our HAL experience. On the Zaandam we had a Verandah Suite. (Mini Suite) It was an aft handicapped cabin which we enjoyed and experienced excellent service from our stewards.

 

For our next cruise on the NCL Spirit, we have booked an Aft Penthouse Suite. (SG under the new suite codes). I have been wondering what to expect and after reading your review, I am now looking forward to our second cruise and am less apprehensive about our decision to book the aft Penthouse Suite. We are booked in 9710 and even though our cruise is still a year and a half away, we are now eagerly planning for this next cruise. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Thanks dchang:) If you enjoyed your Verandah Suite on the Zaandam you are going to be WOWed on the Penthouse Suite.:D First off I love the aft of the ship I would say that at least 75% of all the cruises we have been on our cabin has been toward the aft and many facing the wake on the aft. Up till we had cabin 10666 our favorite cabin was the deck 5 corner aft on HAL Vista Class ships but we have a new favorite ;)

 

I am now just trying to see when I can fit in our next NCL cruise. I have a Future Cruise deposit just itching to be used:D

[Susie51]

Lisa, I just found your thread today. Your previous threads on HAL have encouraged me to try some of the cruises you have done with HAL. For instance, "O" from San Diego, and Westerdam from Seattle. I can tell right now when I finish on CC, I will booking a cruise on Pearl.

 

In the past, I have been in the owners suite on NCL Majesty and definitely experienced the delightful pampering you have described. That suite had two complete rooms. A large area for the dining room table and built in 6 ft. buffet and a big living room which had a large sectional, two chairs and another 6 ft.long cabinet. The separate bedroom was also a good size with a big walk-in closet and a nice size bath.

 

This past January, I was in a Sky Suite on Celebrity Century. There was a nice dining table and our butler brought us breakfast each morning. He put on a tablecloth and set up everything for us. He kept our fresh fruit bowl continually filled, and delivered our afternoon tea. You will appreciate the suite life on -x- as well. I assume the CC suite has a butler, also.

[judipa]

Hello Lisa' date='

I'm having withdrawal symptoms after being taken along day by day on your fantastic Pearl cruise! I've been on the Pearl 3x and agree she is a superb ship with an even better staff of officers & crew. We've never sailed HAL but have tried Celebrity, Cunard & Windstar in addition to NCL and it is the friendly special crew on NCL that keeps us coming back every time. It all starts at the top and it sounds like HD Denis Prguda and his team have set a very high standard. Reading your travelogue certainly gives the impression of a happy crew, happy passengers!:)

 

Can't wait for your "wrap up" comments. It's always interesting to let the dust settle when you get home & then reflect again on the cruise. You can really tell if you'd like to repeat a particular cruise line or ship and it sure sounds like NCL has gained a new customer.;) Any ideas where you're going to use your future cruise award? (Tip: You can buy up to 4 of them per person next time.;):D)

 

As a platinum member of NCL I sure enjoy some of the special things like dinner for 2 in Le Bistro with wine, etc. I do feel like NCL appreciates my loyalty and treasure all the special people onboard over the years who have made every cruise memorable & fun (like concierge Ryan Rabe - isn't he just superb?) Loved reading about your meeting up with the exec. chef who had worked for HAL.

 

I'm glad NCL now has a separate website dedicated to suites & villas because your review sure illustrates how NCL excels in that area. Now you're spoiled for life!:D

 

Thanks again for "taking me along" on your cruise and hope to see you around these boards often!![/quote']

 

Hey Barb-how are you. Have not heard anything from you on here lately. I still rave to people about the TA cruise (eve with the high seas). Have had lunch with Suzanne and Barbara once since the trip. Going to California with them in June and visiting Helen, Frank and Lorraine. It seems that we all made wonderful friends on that cruise.

Did you put your apartment on the market yet? I hope to be up in the city to visit my brother 4th of july weekend.

 

Take Care- Judi Hecht

 

(Judi and Patsy on the cruise)

My email: judith.hecht@comcast.net

[judipa]

Lisa, I'm glad you had such a good time on your cruise. You certainly enjoyed your perks.

 

I'd love to read a similar comparison from someone who sailed in a regular cabin and ate at the all-inclusive restaurants. That would make comparisons much more meaningful for those of us who must sail in the "cheap seats". I realize that since the base prices on NCL are lower, it makes sense to use the savings to upgrade accommodations and dining. However, if I booked NCL, it would probably be to save money....so wouldn't do many upgrades.

 

 

 

I did a 13 day Transatlantic cruise on the Gem last december in an inside cabin. I thought the main dining room dinners were excellent and i believe NCL excels in desserts! We did the pay restaurants a few nites in the 13 days but service was good in every restaurant. My cabin attendants were very attentive and did learn our names the first day and also came to know our schedules and when we would leave the cabin in the morning. On our med days they had plenty of time to clean but on the 6 sea days they still managed to get it all done twice a day without our being inconvenienced.

The NCL staff is exceedingly friendly and CD Andy, who is now on the Pearl, was so entertaining and friendly to all.

 

I think the service is fine in whatever cabin you choose altho certainly more exclusive in the suites.

 

 

[PathfinderEss]

Hi Melodie, Ryan our Concierge was wonderful. In all honesty there was really no need for anything like the Neptune Lounge like on HAL. Ryan was available by just calling him, he always answered. During the day there is sort of a Lounge for Suite guests that is the Star Bar across from Cagneys Steak House. Both he and Jaremar were always calling or stopping by checking on us to see if we needed anything but oddly it was not the least bit obtrusive. Because we were traveling with 4 others they would include them in as well in almost everything we were invited to. The night we were invited to dine with the Captain, Ryan escorted our friends to a great window table they set up for them in the Summer Palace which is one of the Main Dining Rooms but is the one that is a bit more formal. Many time Ryan would great us when we went to dine because he had set up all of our reservations.

It was just a totally different feel than HAL with far more attention to detail.

 

Now that it has been 3 weeks since we came home from the cruise I cannot tell you how much we are still impressed with the Suite Life on NCL. Our next cruise is on the Solstice and we have Concierge Class (who knows I may move up to a Full Suite at the last minute) but my concern is that after NCL treatment how will Celebrity treatment be. I have the feeling we may not be as impressed :o

Thanks Lisa for the response, but you didn't answer my other question about the butler service. Could you please tell me what he did for you? Still curious. You will find the same kind of service on the Solstice that you had on NCL. We once had a dinner on board Celebrity with the captain and our friends that were not in a suite got invited also because they were traveling with us. It was kind of fun, just like your experience on NCL.

[mommyto2girls]

Thanks for all the comments, cannot beleive that tomorrow will be a week since we disembarked and it feels like months :o I guess that is what a week back to work will do to you.

 

 

The Spa pass for the week was just $99.00 and I can honestly say was worth every penny. I spend that much on Princess it it was worth more like $29.95 ;) I want to say a full week on a HAL Vista Class ship is more money and definitely does not offer nearly as nice a spa as the Pearl. I wish we were cruising to Alaska that view from the Sauna would be smashing :D

 

I have followed your threads on HAL and was thrilled to find this one on NCL. My husband and I just booked the 10 day Jewel out of NY for January and had alot of mixed feelings about it until reading your posts. We just came back from a Carnival cruise a GS suite on the miracle. I have no clue what we were thinking! Our HAL experience has been Westerdam adn Eurodam cat SA. Needless to say we got spoiled. After reading your review I am hoping that the Jewel can even come close to the Pearl. Your review has pushed us forward to keep this reservation. Is there anythinl like the Neptune Lounge or does it really not matter? We booked an AE AFT and I am a bit nervous since I always sail midship. It is a huge plus for us to sail out of NY we are 15 minutes from the port...I guess we are going to proceed with this reservation and hope we enjoy it as much as you did!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi :) I think you areg oing to love that aft Suite. When we first started cruising we stayed mid ship as well then we tried that corner aft suite on the Oosterdam and found really loved the location and even in rough seas found the ride to not be anything like being far forward.

If you enjoyed the SA Suites on the Westerdam and Eurodam you will love you Suite on the Jewel. NCL really takes Suite Life to another level. Truly there is not need for a specal lounge like the Neptune or at least we did not miss one. Between our Concierge and Butler we were well taken care of. What I do recommend is do go to the alternative restuarants. Le Bistro is my favorite, have your concierge make reservations and try several of them.

I am glad I helped convince you:D I am sure you will be quite surprised.

Now I just wish I could figure out when our next NCL cruise will be :o

[mommyto2girls]

Hi :) I think you areg oing to love that aft Suite. When we first started cruising we stayed mid ship as well then we tried that corner aft suite on the Oosterdam and found really loved the location and even in rough seas found the ride to not be anything like being far forward.

If you enjoyed the SA Suites on the Westerdam and Eurodam you will love you Suite on the Jewel. NCL really takes Suite Life to another level. Truly there is not need for a specal lounge like the Neptune or at least we did not miss one. Between our Concierge and Butler we were well taken care of. What I do recommend is do go to the alternative restuarants. Le Bistro is my favorite, have your concierge make reservations and try several of them.

I am glad I helped convince you:D I am sure you will be quite surprised.

Now I just wish I could figure out when our next NCL cruise will be :o

 

LOL...join us in January! We were planning on doing the alternative restaurants. I think on HAL we made it to the dining room twice we always ate in the Pinnacle, the Lido or in our Suite..thanks!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

LOL...join us in January! We were planning on doing the alternative restaurants. I think on HAL we made it to the dining room twice we always ate in the Pinnacle, the Lido or in our Suite..thanks!

I wish I could join you but right now I am kind of booked up with cruises. My next will be our first Celebrity and we are trying the Solstice in September and Yes I will do another Live from thread. Then I am trying to sneek in the week after Thanksgiving to stay here on the West Coast and go on the RCI Mariner of the Seas before she leaves the West Coast, then we return to HAL March 20th on the Nieuw Amsterdam for the Yum Yum Man Worshipper 3 Cruise. Before the end of this year I should have a better idea of what the remaining 2011 cruises will be. I feel fortunate that depite the fact I just started a new job first part of July last year we have still managed to take these cruises. I just have to wait to see how the staffing is going to be. What I really want to do is sail on the Epic so hopefully that will be in later 2011 :)

[mafig]

Lisa, if you go on the Epic will it be in a suite?

 

:)

[Susie51]

Lisa, I didn't realize Marineer was leaving the West coast. I'm going to see if my family can go for Thanksgiving week. What ship is replacing Marineer?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa, if you go on the Epic will it be in a suite?

 

:)

 

Right now I am thinking NOT :( The prices are much higher than I want to pay but who knows. It will probably be a Mini Suite but I would love to get one of those S6 Spa Facing PH Suites ;)

 

Lisa, I didn't realize Marineer was leaving the West coast. I'm going to see if my family can go for Thanksgiving week. What ship is replacing Marineer?

Yes Mariner leaves in January and RCI claims they are not replacing her.(I hope they change their mind down the road) So with both the Star leaving and the Mariner us West Coasters are having fewer options :o

[Susie51]

Thank you for your quick reply.

[PathfinderEss]

Yes Mariner leaves in January and RCI claims they are not replacing her.(I hope they change their mind down the road) So with both the Star leaving and the Mariner us West Coasters are having fewer options :o

But now we'll have Disney coming into SD in 2011.:D

[kazu]

Hi Lisa,

 

Really enjoyed reading your thread. I am still trying to figure out some of the logistics of NCL. If you are still checking, did you have to pay to eat at Cagneys at night? I know it is free for breakfast and lunch for suites.

 

Trying to figure out why it is superior? I know I am missing something here. Trying to figure out what I would use the concierge for.

 

If you want you can email me off board at catjack@nbnet.nb.ca

 

You were so enthused about how much better these are than HAL, perhaps you could share more info on the differences? on or off board. Thanks so much.:):)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Lisa,

 

Really enjoyed reading your thread. I am still trying to figure out some of the logistics of NCL. If you are still checking, did you have to pay to eat at Cagneys at night? I know it is free for breakfast and lunch for suites.

 

Trying to figure out why it is superior? I know I am missing something here. Trying to figure out what I would use the concierge for.

 

If you want you can email me off board at catjack@nbnet.nb.ca

 

You were so enthused about how much better these are than HAL, perhaps you could share more info on the differences? on or off board. Thanks so much.:):)

Hi, I always check m check my User CP to see if there are any posts on threads i have posted on ;)

To answer you questions. If you dine at Cagneys at night or if you have Cagney's dinner menu delivered to your Suite for in Suite dining at night Yes you will be the additional charge.

I have to admit, I had no idea what we would use the Butler or Concierge for but trust me they know what you were use them for and make themselves available. Ryan our Concierge would call us daily to see if we needed anything and I had given him the list of what time and where we wanted to Dine in the evening, he took care of everything. Our Butler, would bring us appetizer in the very later afternoon, he learned the first night that we loved the strawberries in the Fresh Fruit so every evening when we got to our cabin there would be a big bowl of fresh strawberries. That would be our morning snack before we left the cabin and our late night snack before bed. Both just seemed to anticipate our needs with out ever asking them for anything. Trust me you will be surprised what a wonderful experience it is to have both of them attend to you needs.

[mommyto2girls]

Thanks to all of your great reviews as I posted earlier to you we are doing the Jewel out of NY in January..got a great deal on an AB using my Union Discount. Thanks for all the info you have posted and I am sure that we will enjoy the Jewel Suite life even more than HAL. My 27 year old daughter is joining us and the AB seems perfect for 3 of us since it has the extra small bedroom and bath. Thanks again for all your great posts!

 

Andrea

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thanks to all of your great reviews as I posted earlier to you we are doing the Jewel out of NY in January..got a great deal on an AB using my Union Discount. Thanks for all the info you have posted and I am sure that we will enjoy the Jewel Suite life even more than HAL. My 27 year old daughter is joining us and the AB seems perfect for 3 of us since it has the extra small bedroom and bath. Thanks again for all your great posts!

 

Andrea

Andrea, that is great, you will definitely enjoy it. :)

We too got the Union Discount which is a nice discount that unfortunately other cruise lines do not offer.

[kazu]

Hi, I always check m check my User CP to see if there are any posts on threads i have posted on ;)

 

To answer you questions. If you dine at Cagneys at night or if you have Cagney's dinner menu delivered to your Suite for in Suite dining at night Yes you will be the additional charge.

 

I have to admit, I had no idea what we would use the Butler or Concierge for but trust me they know what you were use them for and make themselves available. Ryan our Concierge would call us daily to see if we needed anything and I had given him the list of what time and where we wanted to Dine in the evening, he took care of everything. Our Butler, would bring us appetizer in the very later afternoon, he learned the first night that we loved the strawberries in the Fresh Fruit so every evening when we got to our cabin there would be a big bowl of fresh strawberries. That would be our morning snack before we left the cabin and our late night snack before bed. Both just seemed to anticipate our needs with out ever asking them for anything. Trust me you will be surprised what a wonderful experience it is to have both of them attend to you needs.

 

 

Thanks Lisa, I have to admit that last cruise our concierge quickly understood our wishes and passed them on. sound like you had a very special service and I will have to take a new look. but it isn't it kind of funny that you book specialty restaurants and pay extra for most of the cruise to avoid the MDR? Don't misunderstand. I am all for specialty. We have three booked for our 20 day. But three is the limit. If you have to eat in the specialty to avoid the food in the MDR which was my main concern, isn't that kind of defeating the purpose?

 

thanks againl;

[Cruise_More_Often]

Thanks Lisa, I have to admit that last cruise our concierge quickly understood our wishes and passed them on. sound like you had a very special service and I will have to take a new look. but it isn't it kind of funny that you book specialty restaurants and pay extra for most of the cruise to avoid the MDR? Don't misunderstand. I am all for specialty. We have three booked for our 20 day. But three is the limit. If you have to eat in the specialty to avoid the food in the MDR which was my main concern, isn't that kind of defeating the purpose?

 

thanks againl;

Kazu, I think Lisa will come along and answer your question, but I just wanted to throw my two cents in. I, too, enjoy the specialty restaurants onboard all the NCL ships, but it's not because I want to avoid the food in the MDR. I just don't like huge restaurants -- on ANY ship. And, since NCL has so many alternative places to dine, why not? Each one has food completely different from all the others, the decor is different and they are intimate.

 

I actually couldn't remember Lisa saying she went to the alternative restaurants because she wanted to avoid the MDR, but I did find where she said:

Good Morning from rainy Astoria, Oregon.

 

I personally think the best way to really enjoy NCL is to try a different restaurant every night and the extra cost I consider in advance part of the cruise cost.

I certainly agree with her!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Adele, you hit the nail on the head :D

We love cruising and I do not mind and actually enjoy the main dining room but NCL is very unique in that it has all the different dining options. My feeling is NCL is giving me the opportunity to do "What Ever" so that is what we will do and we totally enjoy checking out all the different dining options. When I plan a NCL cruise I plan ahead budget wise for what I will spend for the speciality restaurants and for what night I want to dine where. I found the meals in the main dining room to be good but why not make the cruise experience even more special and checking out all the different options. We actually need to go on a longer NCL cruise because I still have not tried them all :o