Norwegian Pearl Review in the Carribean...ehh

[spacepotatoes]

Le Bistro is $25. And i said Tappenyaki equivalents are close to my home in Buffalo. NCL seems more overt than other lines to me, and if the entertainment is similar i am definitely going to skip the Gem.

 

That's interesting...on both NCL ships I've been on, Cagney's was $25 and Le Bistro was only $20. I assumed it was the same fleet-wide, but maybe not. In any case, whatever you choose for your next cruise, I hope it's a more enjoyable one! (I mean that sincerely, not intended to be sarcasm)

[newmexicoNita]

Carnival, Princess and Celebrity allow wine and champagne to be brought on board.

 

Princess yes, and I don't think they question how much, within reason, same with HAL. RCI allows no liquor or wine: CArnival allows 1 bottle but no hard liqour and are very strict about it. Celebrity allows 2 bottles with a $25 corkage fee if taken to the dining room. There are no lines that allow hard liqour at all, the OP claimed other lines do allow it.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Thank you for your review. The only thing that really surprised me was your reaction to Tortola since one of my all-time favorite excursions was out of Tortola. Seeing The Baths at Virgin Gorda on a private charter! Just heavenly!! Lots of ports don't have much to say for themselves if you don't plan something ahead of time.

 

I was a little surprised at that as well. When polls are taken about favorite ports, quite often people put Tortola at the top or near the top. The baths and just the view period as you come down the hill in Virgin Gorda as amazing.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

I will try to answer your questions as best i can.

 

 

 

This is incorrect, carnival you are allowed to bring in one bottle of liquor i believe per person per bag. i am unsure of RCI. Also, NCL charges an insane corkage fee that is usually more expensive than the wine you want to bring.

 

 

 

$57 was the entire bill (two people plus tip). I live in Buffalo, NY there are several places here similar and they even give you alcohol.

 

 

 

I don't remember any specialty restaurants on the Carnival Triumph at all. I don't quite think those numbers of each line are 100% correct, but i do not have them in front of me. Also, Le Bistro is $25 a person and if i wanted the steak (which i did) it was extra.

 

 

 

 

This is a very rude thing to type. My review i believe was slanted toward the negative, but this does not mean i "do not understand cruising". I also gave pros as well as the cons.

 

 

 

Please elaborate, since you say i do not understand cruising, please tell me how i am supposed to feel.

 

I deal with all cruise lines and i will argue most of this with you up one side and down the other: Carnival absolutely does not allow one bit of alcohol to be brought on, they are the strictest of all. They do allow 1 bottle and only 1 of wine or champagne. RCI allows nothing: not any kind of spirits. And they all charge a corkage fee. NCL is the only one that charges it whether you drink it in the cabin or the dining room: some lines charge $25 corkage fee, thus the $15 charge is within the normal range. Most decent restaurants, even middle of the road chains will charge $30 to $40 for a bottle of wine that you can purchase in the liqour store for $10 to $15.00. So even if you have a $10 bottle, pay $15 corkage fee you are still saving a few bucks.

 

I can not argue about how much you pay in Buffalo, but you said it was only $14 for an Habachi dinner there. I can't imagine that but not being in your city, who am I to argue. However now you are saying, the price in similar in Buffalo and you get alochol with it. Well is it $14 or closer to $25? You did say $57 on the ship, now you say for 2 people with tip. That is a little different. Even if you did pay $25 or more in Le Bistro, there are not many land based restaurant with the atmosphere and quality that would be any less expensive. I am having trouble understanding the price of $25.00. Le Bistro was $15 until about 6 months ago and then went to $20, so I wonder where you are getting the $25.00? My husband just paid $9.95 for a scotch on the rocks at a local mid priced restaurant the other night. That same brand and grade was $6.75 on NCL 2 months ago.

 

You did give the good as well as the bad, but saying things like you didn't get toothpaste, isn't that a little nit picky?? As others have already ssid, cruising may not be your thing. It isnt' for everyone.

 

As for knowing how you are supposed to feel? No one can tell you that, but it does appear there are elements of cruising that you are not or were not prepared for even though you were on a cruise about a year ago.

Nita

[Traveller20074]

I think a lot of people expect too much of what is essentially a ship that has to cater to a huge number of people, feed a huge number of people, entertain a huge number of people, and clean up after them. Perhaps they believe those commercials about being catered to all the time. We have taken about 20 cruise on Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity. They all seem to offer the same product as far as I am concerned. It is not an upscale product, but we did not pay for one. Go on Cunard. Go on Windstar. Pay for an upscale experience, and you will get one. Most people can't or don't want to pay for it. That's fine. But don't squawk that you didn't get one. We look at a cruise ship as a bus really, one that takes us to ports we want to go to. We expect average food, average entertainment, an average room-- and we are never disappointed. As a matter of fact, one of the best cruises we took was a Mediterranean cruise on that clunker the Galaxy just before they sold her. The ship was a mess. the seat back even fell off ahead of us in the theater. But we had a super time. Lighten up, people.

 

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!

[McDebbie]

OP, did you eat in the dining room any? Or just the Lido and the specialty? I find the dining room for lunch is great.

 

Other posters, remember this is a 25 year old poster who may have other unknown criteria for what makes a cruise great. Personally I would hate an inside room, wouldn't go to the shows anyway, think the private island is yuck (hoping renovation will improve it) and my idea of a good port and his/her idea will be very different. But I agree with most of you that maybe an AI might be a better vacation bet than the Gem.

[MisterVile]

Food: I had no problems as a picky eater trying to find food to my liking on either the Dawn or the Star, so I don’t see this being an issue for us on the Pearl. And we do try to do one night at Cagneys as an extra special treat. Food is totally subjective so if you were not impressed with your choices on the Pearl I really doubt the Gem will impress you either.

 

Yes, i see what you mean.

 

The ship: I’m sorry I don’t really understand what your issue with here is. I guess I just never paid attention to how big the “common rooms” were. The narrow hallways; yes they are but I would rather have the extra storage space in my cabin than the hallway width. Although I do say, I could see someone having issues with this if they used walking aids, wheelchairs or scooters. Again I’m not seeing the Gem having much different that what you have described as being an issue.

 

Well, i am referring to the common rooms and their functionality. The "main" common room is pretty small and has way too much going on in it to really enjoy it imo. The spinnaker lounge is nice but the sun deck is poorly laid out.

 

Entertainment; I don’t do many of the shows but know I don’t like second city, yet a lot do. I really have no idea what the Gem has for shows, but probably more of the same.

 

Yeah i would figure.

 

Your reference to nickel and diming is what I consider lots of a la carte options and that is what NCL is all about freestyle choosing. Therefore you definitely won’t like the Gem because it is NCL freestyle. As for “NCL is the only line that does not let you bring on your own alcohol”, I’m not sure how accurate that statement is.

 

It is true, trust me, i did my research but feel free to do your own. You can bring wine with the insane corkage fee, but that is where it ends. They take your alcohol otherwise.

 

Ports; I loved the ports on that itinerary. I did lots of research, knew exactly what to expect and what we would enjoy seeing and experiencing. And I wasn’t disappointed in any of it. But I’m glad they have made many upgrades on Great Stirrup Cay since we were there, maybe a little less Robinson Crusoe feeling, but then again that had it’s quaint treasures as well.

The Gem in Dec. does not go to those ports, that problem would be solved. So you are right, perhaps and little more research would probably help with this issues you had there, trying to choose an itinerary that didn’t have as many tendering trips.

 

yeah this is a biggie, i will have to look into it more

 

[MisterVile]

Been on the Pearl, and don't agree with everything you wrote.

 

But David Naster? ¡Caramba! That boy just ain't funny.

 

I still don't "get" what you and others mean by "nickel and diming." Carnival pushed all the same extra stuff on me that NCL did, I saw no difference. What am I missing?

 

thank you, i feel like i am taking crazy pills when people are defending Naster. I don't agree with you on the carnival point though. On Carnival i don't remember being annoyed by Bingo announcements, insane poker rakes (which is still very bad on carnival, just not to insanity), and excursion prices($60 for a similar excursion i paid $40 on CCL). I was asked if i wanted a drink 4 times within 5 minutes once on NCL, so i probably got it worse than most on that occasion.

[MisterVile]

Coming off Epic recently, having a hard time undwerstnading your negatives, but do appreciate your opinions.

 

GF and I loved Teppanyaki restaurant. No way could we dine at a hibachi restaurant for that aount of money, and have it taste so good with exemplary service.

 

Again....a matter of taste but I've hears Louie CK several times, and seen both of his TV shows (one cancelled, the current one about to be cancelled) and he doesn't even make me grin.

 

Maybe because you went during Spring Break things were worse than expected. That's probably the worst time you can cruise.

 

I like traveling during spring break as i am a younger guy myself (not college age though). I would guess hurricane season would be the worst time :)

 

I don't mind if C.K. doesn't make you laugh, but if you really think Leno is better i just can't help you on that one.

[MisterVile]

Rules are constantly changing on cruise lines and Carnival is no exception.

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/faq/default.aspx#q-544510

 

Confiscated Items

• Alcohol (hard liquor)/sealed, unopened bottles

• Beer/sealed, unopened bottles/cans

• Wine or champagne/sealed, unopened bottles - beyond the allowable limit of one bottle (750 ml. size) per adult 21 years of age (brought on at embarkation time only)

 

 

 

While $15 corkage fee for a bottle may seem excessive most restaurants already have a 100 to 200% mark-up on wine. So wine that you pay $15 for in a store may cost $30-35 on board. This is common for restaurants on cruise lines and in my local neighborhood.

 

Sigh, this is depressing. Looks like CCL followed NCL on sticking it to their customers in this regard.

 

 

Every cruise ship I have been on are like this and I've sailed Carnival, Princess, RCI and NCL. Ceilings are low and it can be hard to find a chair right next to the pool unless you get there early. This has been my experience on all lines, not just NCL.

 

There is a huge difference between the pearl and triumph as far as the ceilings are concerned, it is not even close.

 

I am not talking about just a chair next to the pool, i am talking about the same solar system as the pool (dramatic, i know) we had to go to the outer upper deck sides three times.

 

 

It might be best for you to look into a all-inclusive land based vacation that includes all drinks, food etc. You can then know the full price up front and not worry about any extra charges.

 

For myself I find cruising to be the best value around... and I enjoy every aspect of it! To each their own which is the benefit of having so many choices.

 

i am doing this for my honeymoon, so we will see if this is better suited for me. I believe you should have choices without feeling like a sucker for making the choice (which i do when i pay these expensive cover charges). As far as the best value around... Really? you can't find better value than cruising? i find that hard to believe.

[debshomespun]

I have sailed the Pearl twice, and enjoyed both cruises. I don't feel I was nickeled and dimed to death. I went into the cruise knowing what I would have to pay extra for. I will only have a couple drinks the whole cruise, and the 15% gratuity is for the bartenders. Any time I go out to a bar at home, I always tip the bartender. I thought the decor on the ship was interesting. I don't agree with much the OP said about her cruise. Maybe because she has not cruised much. Hopefully, if she cruises again, it will be a better experience and she will know more of what to expect.

[che5904]

Really? you can't find better value than cruising? i find that hard to believe.

 

I will have to agree with both sides on this one for a specific reason.

Cruising and especially NCL work for us the best. I can say this even without crusing any other line because of my choices I have with NCL fit us best in my research, so for what I personally get out of my vacation is totally worth it even in value to me.

 

If I was a huge alcohol drinker or wanted total upscale restaurants or wanted sand between my toes every day or wanted many choices in casinos (ok you get my drift). That would have to be the deciding factor on what my vacation was worth to me.

 

Alcohol seems to be a big thing to the OP so perhaps an all inclusive land vacation may be more his style. I don't know if there are any all inclusive cruises and/or what they would charge if there was one. If you are a big drinker NCL doesn't make the value so good. Also an all inclusive he would know up front what he was paying out with no choices (yes probably comes to the same price in the end) but perhaps he doesn't like to make that many decisions and would like to just pay and take what they offer.

 

The OP seemed to also prefer more upscale restaurants, so perhaps a vacation in a location that offers this would be more value to him.

 

Value can sometimes be the same as worth. Example: certainly the parts to a 60" TV does not cost $2500 to make. And is worth about $400 to someone like me who doesn't watch much TV or movies. But ask your local sports buff with a huge recreation room if it's worth that to them.

[nets33]

Sigh, this is depressing. Looks like CCL followed NCL on sticking it to their customers in this regard.

 

Not sure on the timing regarding who started this policy first. I was on a RCI cruise ~10 years ago and alcohol was not allowed to be brought on board then. In the 10+ cruises that I've taken since 1987 alcohol has never been allowed to be brought on board. (OK, I can't speak for the cruise in 1987 since I was only 18 but you get the idea....)

 

Really? you can't find better value than cruising? i find that hard to believe.

It depends on what you're looking for. Having done land-based all-inclusives I find myself getting bored by being on the same property day after day. I like that a cruise allows me to see two to five different islands without having to pack and move.

 

From a cost stand point Cruising can be very reasonable:

 

• Cruise = Upcoming cruise for two is $1,060 or $530 per person.
  
• Airfare = $0 (using miles) however I have gotten to FL for $150 per person
  
• Ship Included Tips = $12 per day totals $72
  
• Ship Food = $0 never felt the need to use the fee restaurants, but let's say $50 on the high side
  
• Excursions = Varies... depending on what I want to do. I've gone from $0 to $300
  
• Casino = minimal... not a gambler
  
• Alcohol (including tips) = Varies.... could be $100, could be $400
  

So for a week.... price ranges is anywhere from $100 to $215 a day (or $700 to $1,500 for the week per person). I also have a $150 OBC from my TA and I booked using my future-cruise booking from my last NCL trip so that was a $100 savings.....

 

For a full-service, all the food you could want, clean and friendly vacation I think that is very reasonable. I've seen all-inclusives for less than, and I've also vacationed there but didn't feel that they were clean or safe.

 

To each their own, that is the beauty of having so many options.

[newmexicoNita]

Not sure on the timing regarding who started this policy first. I was on a RCI cruise ~10 years ago and alcohol was not allowed to be brought on board then. In the 10+ cruises that I've taken since 1987 alcohol has never been allowed to be brought on board. (OK, I can't speak for the cruise in 1987 since I was only 18 but you get the idea....)

 

 

It depends on what you're looking for. Having done land-based all-inclusives I find myself getting bored by being on the same property day after day. I like that a cruise allows me to see two to five different islands without having to pack and move.

 

From a cost stand point Cruising can be very reasonable:

 

• Cruise = Upcoming cruise for two is $1,060 or $530 per person.
  
• Airfare = $0 (using miles) however I have gotten to FL for $150 per person
  
• Ship Included Tips = $12 per day totals $72
  
• Ship Food = $0 never felt the need to use the fee restaurants, but let's say $50 on the high side
  
• Excursions = Varies... depending on what I want to do. I've gone from $0 to $300
  
• Casino = minimal... not a gambler
  
• Alcohol (including tips) = Varies.... could be $100, could be $400
  

So for a week.... price ranges is anywhere from $100 to $215 a day (or $700 to $1,500 for the week per person). I also have a $150 OBC from my TA and I booked using my future-cruise booking from my last NCL trip so that was a $100 savings.....

 

For a full-service, all the food you could want, clean and friendly vacation I think that is very reasonable. I've seen all-inclusives for less than, and I've also vacationed there but didn't feel that they were clean or safe.

 

To each their own, that is the beauty of having so many options.

 

I agree with you totally:

 

last cruise on the Spirit 3 months ago: balcony cabin for 2: 1358.00

drove to port, but spent 2 days each way sight seeing: 750.00

1 night in New Orleans including food 200.00

room account bill at the end of cruise including booze and

3 dining room meals for 2 each night: 700.00

 

total 3,058.00

 

This is for an 11 night vacation. The cruise itself was barely over $2000.00

 

Nita

[MisterVile]

Been that way for YEARS. I have watched them confiscate liquor bottles for at least 7 years.

 

Probably true in some regard, but i brought two bottle of liquor in our bags and it was allowed in. I did my research before hand too.

[MisterVile]

I oft ask that same question of people who throw that up and have yet to get a legit answer. It usually involves something along the lines of their "perception". AKA, just my opinion and not based in anything close to reality.[

 

ALL the mainstream cruise lines have extra stuff they try to sell. It's a business, it's what they do.

 

A person can go on a cruise on ANY of the mainstream cruise lines and not spend a dime beyond the DSC if they choose and have a fantastic time. NCL is certainly no exception.

 

True but each line has varying degrees of "hocking" and NCL seems to be one of the biggest culprits.

 

I also love how especially Carnival fan bois and gurls love to gloss over that CCL does the same stuff. I actually found it more troubling while eating in the MDR on the Carnival Triumph this past fall to be offered a $15 extra charge to get a better steak than the included "flat iron steak".

Of course their rant will typically include some statement about the food in the MDR on NCL being inedible so you HAVE to pay extra to find something fit to eat. Uhm, what exactly is the message if you tell me in order to get a decent steak in the MDR I have to pay you another $15?

 

Geez, at least stick it in a separate room and call it a specialty restaurant. Of course other Carnival ships have PAY EXTRA specialty venues in the form of their steak house which the same whiners choose to ignore.

 

Sounds like that could be called nickel and diming to me.

 

Bottom line is there is always going to be an element of people that simply refuse to have any objectivity.

 

I really don't hope you are calling me a CCL fan boy because i despise the whole essence of a fan boy. Blindly following what an entity does without objectivity is exactly the type of thing that leads to wars (real and the internet kind).

 

I found the Triumph to be a more "complete" experience, but that doesn't mean it did not have its flaws and i am open to another cruise line jumping ahead in my mind.

[MisterVile]

That's interesting...on both NCL ships I've been on, Cagney's was $25 and Le Bistro was only $20. I assumed it was the same fleet-wide, but maybe not. In any case, whatever you choose for your next cruise, I hope it's a more enjoyable one! (I mean that sincerely, not intended to be sarcasm)

 

Thanks! yes i am 99% certain that is what i paid for Le Bistro on the Pearl. Interesting to hear prices vary from ship to ship.

[MisterVile]

I deal with all cruise lines and i will argue most of this with you up one side and down the other: Carnival absolutely does not allow one bit of alcohol to be brought on, they are the strictest of all. They do allow 1 bottle and only 1 of wine or champagne. RCI allows nothing: not any kind of spirits. And they all charge a corkage fee. NCL is the only one that charges it whether you drink it in the cabin or the dining room: some lines charge $25 corkage fee, thus the $15 charge is within the normal range. Most decent restaurants, even middle of the road chains will charge $30 to $40 for a bottle of wine that you can purchase in the liqour store for $10 to $15.00. So even if you have a $10 bottle, pay $15 corkage fee you are still saving a few bucks.

 

False, i brought on two different bottles of rum the Triumph and received no complaint from CCL. And you do not take into account that if wine is $30 i will not be buying it anyway, so that the $10 plus $15 is saving me $5 is irrelevant because i will not be buying over priced wine, which is okay if could bring rum, but i can't.

 

I can not argue about how much you pay in Buffalo, but you said it was only $14 for an Habachi dinner there. I can't imagine that but not being in your city, who am I to argue. However now you are saying, the price in similar in Buffalo and you get alochol with it. Well is it $14 or closer to $25? You did say $57 on the ship, now you say for 2 people with tip. That is a little different. Even if you did pay $25 or more in Le Bistro, there are not many land based restaurant with the atmosphere and quality that would be any less expensive. I am having trouble understanding the price of $25.00. Le Bistro was $15 until about 6 months ago and then went to $20, so I wonder where you are getting the $25.00? My husband just paid $9.95 for a scotch on the rocks at a local mid priced restaurant the other night. That same brand and grade was $6.75 on NCL 2 months ago.

 

This is absolutely ridiculous fan boy talk at its best. Not many land based restaraunts with the atmosphere and quality that is less expensive... Really? Do you Live in Manhattan? that is the type of drivel i refuse to even argue against.

 

It was $25 what do you want out of me? call NCL if you don't believe me. I don't like to lie about facts on the internet in my spare time.

 

As far as your husband and scotch, that is the biggest tangent i have seen since high school math class. Next time leave Manhattan and order it in a normal bar.

 

You did give the good as well as the bad, but saying things like you didn't get toothpaste, isn't that a little nit picky?? As others have already ssid, cruising may not be your thing. It isnt' for everyone.

 

As for knowing how you are supposed to feel? No one can tell you that, but it does appear there are elements of cruising that you are not or were not prepared for even though you were on a cruise about a year ago.

 

It may not be, but don't act like you know or even could know, that is for me to decide. The tooth paste thing i threw in there before my GF whined about having to buy it. Nit picky or not, it was something that bothered her.

 

I prepared as well as i would care to prepare. I read the reviews and scoured the boards like most of us do. I only had one point of reference (the triumph cruise) and i believe i gave a fair and balanced review.

[MisterVile]

I have sailed the Pearl twice, and enjoyed both cruises. I don't feel I was nickeled and dimed to death. I went into the cruise knowing what I would have to pay extra for. I will only have a couple drinks the whole cruise, and the 15% gratuity is for the bartenders. Any time I go out to a bar at home, I always tip the bartender. I thought the decor on the ship was interesting. I don't agree with much the OP said about her cruise. Maybe because she has not cruised much. Hopefully, if she cruises again, it will be a better experience and she will know more of what to expect.

 

First of all, i am a "he". Second, I knew what i would pay extra for, and it was too much imo. I always tip the bartender too, but it is dependent on their service. (not like it matters because all cruises do this, i was referring to the ridiculous "extra tip" on the bottom they wanted because they opened up my beer bottle for me) What don't you agree with? that is very broad and makes my eye twitch of fan boy talk when you refer to my experience cruising like it is some pre-requisite of having a valid opinion.

[che5904]

It was $25 what do you want out of me? call NCL if you don't believe me. I don't like to lie about facts on the internet in my spare time.

 

.

 

Then I think you best email NCL with a copy of your bill from Bistro and explain to them how you got ripped off.

 

Here is the updated price list for all dining venues on NCL fleet.

 

Bistro is $20 straight across the board.

 

http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/NCL_Dining_Options_05192011.pdf

[Pelican Pete]

Everyone has different opinions. We thought David Naster was great and we thought Second City was awful. :D

 

I have never stayed in a hotel of any caliber that had toothpaste in the bathroom. I'm not sure why you think a cruise line should provide it.

 

Based on your review I would think that cruising might not be for you.

 

David Naster???

 

Is he on the Pearl now? I haven't seen him since the early 80's when he was a regular at a small comedy in Columbia, Missouri...Deja Vu.

[dinoman]

I cruised on Jewel once before and planning to cruise again on the Pearl. I don't have much cruising experience but when I was planning my upcoming 14-night cruise I opted for NCL again for its freestyle and special dining. I am not saying this is very important to me but it's always nice to have some other choices apart from buffet and set dinner during such a long period of time on the ship.

 

I don't think NCL is charging anymore than the average market is doing. When I was on the Jewel they had all the specialty restaurant menus displayed in the lobby with the cover charge clearly printed. If you don't want to spend extra on food then don't, or wait for the 50% off promotion (usually on port days). The reason they charge a high corkage fee is because they want to sell their wine instead of opening yours, which is as far as I know a common practice for many restaurants on land. And you should know that beverage is one of the most profitable items on a restaurant menu so you cannot blame them for upselling but you can refrain yourself from drinking too much if you want to stay on a budget.

 

All in all, you are free to express your own opinion but don't expect other people to agree with you. Likewise I am also expressing my own opinion here and I do not expect you to agree with, or disagree and argue with, me.

[Pelican Pete]

First of all, i am a "he". Second, I knew what i would pay extra for, and it was too much imo. I always tip the bartender too, but it is dependent on their service. (not like it matters because all cruises do this, i was referring to the ridiculous "extra tip" on the bottom they wanted because they opened up my beer bottle for me) What don't you agree with? that is very broad and makes my eye twitch of fan boy talk when you refer to my experience cruising like it is some pre-requisite of having a valid opinion.

 

It's not an extra tip, it's the rules that you agreed to when you signed on. 15% is added to all beverage orders. That's the way it's done on Carnival as well or did you forget that?

 

I don't think cruising is for you with your mindset and at this stage of your life. Maybe you could try it again in20 or 30 years. Meanwhile, maybe a land based all inclusive vacation package would be better for you.

[MisterVile]

OP, did you eat in the dining room any? Or just the Lido and the specialty? I find the dining room for lunch is great.

 

Other posters, remember this is a 25 year old poster who may have other unknown criteria for what makes a cruise great. Personally I would hate an inside room, wouldn't go to the shows anyway, think the private island is yuck (hoping renovation will improve it) and my idea of a good port and his/her idea will be very different. But I agree with most of you that maybe an AI might be a better vacation bet than the Gem.

 

I did eat at Indigo several times, but only for dinner, and the experience was average so i did not have much to say about it.

 

haha the rest of your post is what i really did this for.

[MisterVile]

I will have to agree with both sides on this one for a specific reason.

Cruising and especially NCL work for us the best. I can say this even without crusing any other line because of my choices I have with NCL fit us best in my research, so for what I personally get out of my vacation is totally worth it even in value to me.

 

If I was a huge alcohol drinker or wanted total upscale restaurants or wanted sand between my toes every day or wanted many choices in casinos (ok you get my drift). That would have to be the deciding factor on what my vacation was worth to me.

 

Alcohol seems to be a big thing to the OP so perhaps an all inclusive land vacation may be more his style. I don't know if there are any all inclusive cruises and/or what they would charge if there was one. If you are a big drinker NCL doesn't make the value so good. Also an all inclusive he would know up front what he was paying out with no choices (yes probably comes to the same price in the end) but perhaps he doesn't like to make that many decisions and would like to just pay and take what they offer.

 

The OP seemed to also prefer more upscale restaurants, so perhaps a vacation in a location that offers this would be more value to him.

 

Value can sometimes be the same as worth. Example: certainly the parts to a 60" TV does not cost $2500 to make. And is worth about $400 to someone like me who doesn't watch much TV or movies. But ask your local sports buff with a huge recreation room if it's worth that to them.

 

Nice post, i was referring to another poster's blanket statement that cruising is the best value vacation period, which i find very difficult to believe if you tried many other options. But your examples make it seem like it may be for a select group of people. I do like choices, so we'll see if i like the ones in the IA resort