Norwegian Pearl Review in the Carribean...ehh

[MisterVile]

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....)

 

I have brought rum on the triumph in 2010, no problems.

 

 

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.

 

Thanks for this break down, i mean it. another one of those "it depends" answers but i think for the most part cruising can not be considered a "cheap" vacation. Reasonable, with your break down, for sure. I like how you backed up your opinion with good guesswork and the points about full-service and food.

[MisterVile]

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

 

Good thing i left the 1%, i must have tipped them well because i distinctly remember over $50 spent there.

[che5904]

. 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

 

Yes of course it is, as is life in general. They obviously fill many different itineraries on many different ships on many different styled cruise lines for a reason. On the other hand cruising itself isn’t for everyone.

Good luck in your quest in finding the perfect styled vacation that you can thoroughly enjoy, just remember to enter everything with an open mind and an open heart. And chalk everything in between to either a laughable memory in the future or to experience building.

[MisterVile]

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.

 

 

When i said "extra tip" I am referring to the "additional tip" line at the bottom of the receipt AFTER the 15% is added. Did you forget that?

 

Thanks for the opinion as far as the all inclusive comment. But the other comment is worth ignoring.

[BurtonRiderT6]

MisterVile,

 

I think your best value vacation bet is to buy a tent and go camping. You can spend $100 on beer and be set for the week.

 

If you think you want to go on another cruise and are worried about drinks then cruise on Celebrity they have a $44/day and a $54/day alcoholic drink package. That may suit your style a little better.

[jakenashleysmom]

a. nobody is doubting that you brought alcohol on your cruise with you. it wasn't and isn't allowed, you just didn't get caught.

 

b. where is the tepanyaki restaurant in Buffalo that charges $14 including alcohol because I'll go there tonight.

 

c. toothpaste, really?

[Pelican Pete]

MisterVile,

 

I think your best value vacation bet is to buy a tent and go camping. You can spend $100 on beer and be set for the week.

 

If you think you want to go on another cruise and are worried about drinks then cruise on Celebrity they have a $44/day and a $54/day alcoholic drink package. That may suit your style a little better.

 

Methinks Master Vile speaks duplicitously...

 

He books a cruise on a mega-ship with 3,000 other people then complains about not having enough space.

 

He books the cheapest cabin on a discount cruise, then complains about being nickeled and dimed.

 

He complains about being nickeled and dimed with the auto-gratuity of 15% added to all beverage orders, then nickels and dimes himself by trying to sneak a couple bottles of rum on board. Apparently he got lucky and was able to sneak booze onto a Carnival ship (if he really has cruised before) and appears angry he was busted for boolegging on NCL.

 

He feels David Naster is beneath is sophistication as entertainment and brings up Louis CK. I'm not sure if he expected top headliner entertainment on a discount cruise or he is trying to impress us with his sophisticated palate.

 

There are just so many contradictions with his expectations and behavior I'm not really sure what his intent is on this board.

[BurtonRiderT6]

Methinks Master Vile speaks duplicitously...

 

He books a cruise on a mega-ship with 3,000 other people then complains about not having enough space.

 

He books the cheapest cabin on a discount cruise, then complains about being nickeled and dimed.

 

He complains about being nickeled and dimed with the auto-gratuity of 15% added to all beverage orders, then nickels and dimes himself by trying to sneak a couple bottles of rum on board. Apparently he got lucky and was able to sneak booze onto a Carnival ship (if he really has cruised before) and appears angry he was busted for boolegging on NCL.

 

He feels David Naster is beneath is sophistication as entertainment and brings up Louis CK. I'm not sure if he expected top headliner entertainment on a discount cruise or he is trying to impress us with his sophisticated palate.

 

There are just so many contradictions with his expectations and behavior I'm not really sure what his intent is on this board.

 

 

Pete, don't forget he was upset he had no toothpaste to brush his teeth. :D

[Pelican Pete]

Pete, don't forget he was upset he had no toothpaste to brush his teeth. :D

 

I mean, who travels without toothpaste?

 

I'm reading between the lines here, but I get the impression Master Vile has never cruised before his experience on the Pearl. I'm guessing his girlfriend is the one that cruised on Carnival and this whole cruise idea was hers, but he didn't really want to do it so he came on board prepared to find fault and things to complain about.

 

I found it interesting throughout all of his posts it was "I, I, me, me" and never "we."

[BurtonRiderT6]

I mean, who travels without toothpaste?

 

 

Those people with dentures. :D

[dasmonkey]

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

 

 

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.

 

Just for background I have sailed multiple times on 4 different cruise lines, Celebrity, NCL, RCI and Carnival in the last 18 months.

 

I gave an example of what I felt was "nickel and diming" in the form of offering me an edible steak in the Triumph MDR for an extra $15.

 

I am really curious, what ways exactly did you find you were more nickel and dimed on NCL than on Carnival or any other line for that matter?

 

I am sorry but I keep asking this question and have yet to get an answer that differs from what any other main stream line is doing.

 

I enjoyed the Triumph, I really did and will likely sail on her again. If you found that to be a more "complete" experience that is where you should sail. You need to do what makes you happy.

 

Wasn't calling you specifically a fan boi but I do feel that Carnival has a great number of such cruisers. Here is an entire thread basically lamenting that they tried something, gasp!, other than Carnival.

 

"Dear Carnival sorry I strayed!!!"

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1424436

 

In reading the different boards the NCL crowd in general seems to view NCL as one of their options without exhibiting blind loyalty.

[mkad1109]

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.

Not sure when you went but Le Bistro was $20 in November......

[newmexicoNita]

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

I am not going to bring this up again, but you are being unfair by telling people last year you brought rum onto the ship, this is just not so or if you did, somehow it went undetected. That is possible. So don't let people think Carnival allows booze, read the alcohol rules for Carnival if you don't believe me. I have enough clients who have cruised Carnival lately to know what I am talking about. Or better yet, don't believe me, wander over to the Carnival board and see what people are saying.

 

If you paid $25 for Le Birstro you are the only one that has ever paid that much. Maybe you had just had too much to drink that night and thought you were paying $25. Oh wait, didn't you say you paid more cause you ordered a steak, which was it? Was you bill $50 for two and no steak or was the extra charge your steak?

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

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.

 

again, most lines add the auto tip all bar bills. At least, RCI, Celebrity, Princess and HAL do. This has been standard for a few years. i hope you enjoy your AI, it obviously appears to be a better choice for you. It is for some people.

[newmexicoNita]

When i said "extra tip" I am referring to the "additional tip" line at the bottom of the receipt AFTER the 15% is added. Did you forget that?

 

Thanks for the opinion as far as the all inclusive comment. But the other comment is worth ignoring.

 

no one expects you to add an extra tip. That line is there for the few who do think the wait person has gone above and beyond. some wait until the end of the cruise and will add a certain amount for a wait person they have used all week. This is the same in all resorts. They add 15 or 18% to the bar bill and have a place for an additional tip if people choose. I do think, at this stage in your life, you are going to enjoy AI much better.

Cruising is a wonderful value, no matter how you see it, but it isn't for everyone.

 

Nita

[MisterVile]

MisterVile,

 

I think your best value vacation bet is to buy a tent and go camping. You can spend $100 on beer and be set for the week.

 

If you think you want to go on another cruise and are worried about drinks then cruise on Celebrity they have a $44/day and a $54/day alcoholic drink package. That may suit your style a little better.

 

good tip, thanks.

[MisterVile]

Methinks Master Vile speaks duplicitously...

 

Nope, i am a straight shooter

 

 

He books a cruise on a mega-ship with 3,000 other people then complains about not having enough space.

 

Nope, i said the state room hallways and ceilings made me feel claustrophobic, not the whole ship.

 

He books the cheapest cabin on a discount cruise, then complains about being nickeled and dimed.

 

Last time i checked everything i mentions was the same price for everyone, are you trying to discredit me? not working.

 

He complains about being nickeled and dimed with the auto-gratuity of 15% added to all beverage orders, then nickels and dimes himself by trying to sneak a couple bottles of rum on board. Apparently he got lucky and was able to sneak booze onto a Carnival ship (if he really has cruised before) and appears angry he was busted for boolegging on NCL.

 

No i did not. You cannot read. I said THE ADDITIONAL TIP not the AUTOMATIC tip. I never brought alcohol on the NCL ship, you are making stuff up and are really looking stupid.

 

He feels David Naster is beneath is sophistication as entertainment and brings up Louis CK. I'm not sure if he expected top headliner entertainment on a discount cruise or he is trying to impress us with his sophisticated palate.

 

I expected someone who was remotely funny which you agreed with.

 

There are just so many contradictions with his expectations and behavior I'm not really sure what his intent is on this board.

[jennygirlmt]

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

 

Disney actually allows liquor (probably because after paying for the cruise you might not be able to afford to buy it on the ship ;))

 

We just had to buy the plastic versions.

[RYMOMA]

i needed giggle this thread gave me

 

what a way to end the work day :)

[Pelican Pete]

When i said "extra tip" I am referring to the "additional tip" line at the bottom of the receipt AFTER the 15% is added. Did you forget that?

 

Thanks for the opinion as far as the all inclusive comment. But the other comment is worth ignoring.

 

Oh, I see...Why would you find that objectionable? It's strictly optional and you don't have to put anything there.

 

If I get good service, a good joke or whatever I tip at least 20%, especially to the folks that work on a cruise ship 7 days a week for 6, 8 or 9 months at time for very low wages.

 

I find it odd this bothers you.

[judipa]

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.

 

 

Alcohol was being confiscated on a Carnival cruise last year. They only allowed wine. No toothpaste in the bathroom and the specialty restaurant was $35.

[Pelican Pete]

Nope, i am a straight shooter

 

Nah...I'm not buying it. You do tell half truths, though.

 

Nope, i said the state room hallways and ceilings made me feel claustrophobic, not the whole ship.

 

Don't forget your complaints about the common areas.

 

Last time i checked everything i mentions was the same price for everyone, are you trying to discredit me? not working.

 

This didn't make any sense to me.

 

No i did not. You cannot read. I said THE ADDITIONAL TIP not the AUTOMATIC tip. I never brought alcohol on the NCL ship, you are making stuff up and are really looking stupid.

 

Dude...Reality check...I think it's pretty much a consensus who is looking really stupid and it ain't me.

I expected someone who was remotely funny which you agreed with.

 

I did? Where?

 

There are just so many contradictions with his expectations and behavior I'm not really sure what his intent is on this board.

 

I agree!

[che5904]

Oh, I see...Why would you find that objectionable? It's strictly optional and you don't have to put anything there.

 

If I get good service, a good joke or whatever I tip at least 20%, especially to the folks that work on a cruise ship 7 days a week for 6, 8 or 9 months at time for very low wages.

 

I find it odd this bothers you.

 

OK I'm going to give the OP a little leniency here due to the fact I am assuming the OP is a young adult and lacks experience in travel (I appologize if I am wrong on this assumption)

 

OP this is totally normal practice at a lot of places. This is not to make you feel that a further tip is required.

Here's the reason why.

At any place that allows you to sign purchases back to you room account, a cruise ship, a lot of hotels, resorts, even probably AI's (not sure on that one as it has been years since I have been to an all inclusive). This is so you do not have to carry around a lot of small bills, that you can sign the tip back to your room account to be paid with your other charges. As you can see from one of the above post some people do choose to tip more than the standard 15% and they would have to drag around small change all over the ship.

[newmexicoNita]

OK I'm going to give the OP a little leniency here due to the fact I am assuming the OP is a young adult and lacks experience in travel (I appologize if I am wrong on this assumption)

 

OP this is totally normal practice at a lot of places. This is not to make you feel that a further tip is required.

Here's the reason why.

At any place that allows you to sign purchases back to you room account, a cruise ship, a lot of hotels, resorts, even probably AI's (not sure on that one as it has been years since I have been to an all inclusive). This is so you do not have to carry around a lot of small bills, that you can sign the tip back to your room account to be paid with your other charges. As you can see from one of the above post some people do choose to tip more than the standard 15% and they would have to drag around small change all over the ship.

 

He is young and yes, he does seem to lack travel knowledge.

[clarkg]

OP you have started a bit of a rukus here.

 

I was on the Pearl in 2008 and I will tell you the entertainment was great. They had Sharkbait, a comedian juggling act that was just wonderful. Dancers and Acrobats, a great comedian, 2nd city. A show called fountains, and the best cruise director at sea, don't recall his name. Maybe things have changed, I will see in September when we sail on the Pearl for the third time.