Pearl Tips and Secrets

[Diver2014]

We've been on the Pearl twice and it is one of the most beautiful ship interiors we have ever seen. Check out the gorgeous and colorful tapestries in the hallway leading to the Stardust Theater - peacocks, flowers, they are absolutely stunning. My two favorite places on the ship were Shakers Martini bar and the Great Outdoors cafe on the upper decks aft. I'd go on Pearl again in a nano second! Wait, I think we are next February, depending on whether I can talk DH into it! :D

[A1Texan]

I'm headed to Alaska on September 6th. How is the cell phone reception on the cruise. I'm assuming while in port it will be just like the lower 48 but was wondering about while traveling along other areas. Thanks

[g35girl]

Thanks to all who have contributed great information about the Pearl! As I was reading through the thread, I noticed that many have sailed since the thread was started. Just curious if any of the recent cruisers have any updates, for instance, does the "good" coffee machine still exist, etc...

 

Also, does anyone know which MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day?

 

Thanks everyone!!!

[abbotlex]

As for lunch. I don't know (haven't sailed yet) for sure, but I believe there is a departure BBQ party on the pool deck. So my plan is to have a late breakfast at the hotel and enjoy some burgers while enjoying the view heading out of Seattle.

[shealea]

There should be some reports coming back soon, as the first cruises to Alaska will be sailing this month! Lucky folks! ha!

[oakhollowsiberians]

Hi, can anyone tell me what time the evening show starts on the pearl? Thank you

[Kierste]

Hi, can anyone tell me what time the evening show starts on the pearl? Thank you

 

7:30 and 9:30... We found 7:30 was hard to get to even tho we ate dinner at 5:30. If we went at all it was for the 9:30 show. Living Legends... Especially the girl who played Madonna was very good.

[ute_fan]

It's been a few years since we were on the Pearl (2008), but we've always found that the rear dining room is open for lunch at embarkation. I don't know if it that's changed for the newer, larger ships, but that's the way it's been on the Jewel class and older ships every time we've cruised.

 

We're sailing on the 5/17 sailing, along with g35girl. Let me know if there are any specific questions you'd still like answered and I'll do my best to find out the information.

[NMLady]

On deck 11, forward port, is the Bridge Viewing room. It is a very cozy and quiet area to relax and read. It also has a very detailed model on the Pearl on display.

 

[YOUTUBE]Sf30Qw8BTpc[/YOUTUBE]

 

I am so glad to know that the Pearl has a bridge viewing room. I enjoyed that so much on the Jewel but didn't realize any of the other NCL ships had it since the other NCL ships we've been on hadn't had it.

[Hpcomcom]

First time cruiser. I read a tip somewhere that magnetic hooks for jackets, etc are helpful. Do the Pearl cabins have metal walls?

[phissy]

Yes to the question about metal walls. I bring assortment of magnets to also post notes, Latitude Party invite etc on wall above desk. (Frees up space on desk) .Also bring highlighter for Daily schedule .:)

[phissy]

Had a minute to think....since we live in Seattle, we usually jump on at the last minute to Alaska.

On day of embarkation, staff tries to get everyone to buffet. Ignore them and ask for Summer Palace location. This is the MDR and we usually get a table by the windows for lunch. Very relaxing. Upstairs at the Garden Buffet is chaos.

For sail away we go to Great Outdoors. Aft past buffet . When eating breakfast and lunch at Garden Buffet, we go over to La Cucina to find a table. Most people don't know it is open to all for seating during the day. This is where most of the ships officers and entertainers eat. Evening is specialty dinner service. Great outdoors open for late breakfast buffet. Cookies served there at afternoon snack time(3:00 ) yes, oatmeal raisin are the favorite.

When navigating the ship, look down at the carpet in hallways. Remember the fish always swim forward...it will help if you can't remember if you are going forward or aft.

Central bank of elevators are always jammed. Try to use aft or forward bank of elevators to get around. Casino is closed when in US waters and when in all ports. Final closing before arriving at Victoria on Saturday.

Spinnaker lounge is great place to hang out during the day for whale watching , bring binoculars. It has floor to ceiling windows with lots of seating. Forward on top deck.

Just a few hints...

YMMV

[Hpcomcom]

Thank you so much. And thanks for the Gems also. Every bit of info makes us more excited.

[HappytravellerYVR]

Just came off the Pearl and was disappointed with the food quality (not just buffet but specialty restaurants where premiums are paid), the service (kicked into high gear only the day before disembarking - for tip appreciation I'm sure) and the general overall shape of the ship - needs some updating. We stayed in a mini suite which had some perks we appreciated. Staff could not have cared less that we took food with us to our room - though the steward left the dishes there for a full day before removing. We generally sail with Celebrity and in the future will continue to do so as this ship and line leave a lot to be desired.

[Hpcomcom]

Boarding time for the Pearl at ports of call.

When the itinerary says the ship departs Juneau, what is the latest time we need to be back on the ship?

[g35girl]

Had a minute to think....since we live in Seattle, we usually jump on at the last minute to Alaska.

On day of embarkation, staff tries to get everyone to buffet. Ignore them and ask for Summer Palace location. This is the MDR and we usually get a table by the windows for lunch. Very relaxing. Upstairs at the Garden Buffet is chaos.

For sail away we go to Great Outdoors. Aft past buffet . When eating breakfast and lunch at Garden Buffet, we go over to La Cucina to find a table. Most people don't know it is open to all for seating during the day. This is where most of the ships officers and entertainers eat. Evening is specialty dinner service. Great outdoors open for late breakfast buffet. Cookies served there at afternoon snack time(3:00 ) yes, oatmeal raisin are the favorite.

When navigating the ship, look down at the carpet in hallways. Remember the fish always swim forward...it will help if you can't remember if you are going forward or aft.

Central bank of elevators are always jammed. Try to use aft or forward bank of elevators to get around. Casino is closed when in US waters and when in all ports. Final closing before arriving at Victoria on Saturday.

Spinnaker lounge is great place to hang out during the day for whale watching , bring binoculars. It has floor to ceiling windows with lots of seating. Forward on top deck.

Just a few hints...

YMMV

Thanks phissy for the great information!

[NMLady]

Boarding time for the Pearl at ports of call.

When the itinerary says the ship departs Juneau, what is the latest time we need to be back on the ship?

 

'All aboard' time at any port is usually thirty minutes before departure.

There will be info in day's newsletter as well as sign at gangway as to when 'all aboard' time is.

[Kierste]

Boarding time for the Pearl at ports of call.

When the itinerary says the ship departs Juneau, what is the latest time we need to be back on the ship?

 

Should be a half hour before... Plan on an hour so you aren't "those people" everyone is watching as they run toward the ship because they are late ;)

[nancydow]

I, too, would like to know how people found cell service on and off the boat in Alaska. And Wi-fi? What were your experiences?

 

Thanks in advance!

[2red4u]

We had no problem with cell service off the ship. Our phones stay off while on the ship. The way we figured it, if someone needed to contact us it could wait until the next day when we got to land. There would be nothing we could do for anyone out at sea.

[eva_marie]

Boarding time for the Pearl at ports of call.

When the itinerary says the ship departs Juneau, what is the latest time we need to be back on the ship?

 

From NCL.com

Boarding Time in Ports of Call:

In all ports of call, it is also the guest's responsibility to be back onboard the ship no later than one (1) hour prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. Please be aware that shipboard time may differ from the port of call and it is the guest's responsibility to follow the shipboard time. In the event a guest misses the ship, it will be the guest's responsibility to pay all expenses incurred to rejoin the ship.

[abbotlex]

It's been a few years since we were on the Pearl (2008), but we've always found that the rear dining room is open for lunch at embarkation. I don't know if it that's changed for the newer, larger ships, but that's the way it's been on the Jewel class and older ships every time we've cruised.

 

We're sailing on the 5/17 sailing, along with g35girl. Let me know if there are any specific questions you'd still like answered and I'll do my best to find out the information.

 

Fellow Utahan (Go Aggies!) cruising end of August. You're on the boat now, but when you get home, I hope you had a great trip.

 

I've heard here that the Pearl has undergone some changes recently. What have you noticed that changed since 2008? What's better/worse?

[js4rq]

Another bump for this thread... loved your videos, Squidward Q Tentacles. Thanks for posting!! :D:cool:

[SeahawkSiren]

We were on the Pearl last year to Alaska in the month of May. If you want a quiet place to lay down on a lounger on a public deck sheltered from the wind, the Promenade Deck 7 is a good place to read or just relax and watch the beautiful scenery go by. I was stunned to have that deck almost to myself on numerous occasions during that week. The temperature was in the 50's that week so I guess that is too cold for a lot of people. Granted there will be a lot more people on that deck during the summer months with warmer temperatures so this is really a tip for people cruising earlier in the Alaska cruising season. So bundle up and head out to the Promenade Deck!

 

All alone on the Promenade Deck

 

 

 

Another Pearl tip for the Alaska cruise season is going to one of the bars and ordering your "Glacier Bay Day" drink special. They have a list of special drinks for the day you cruise through Glacier Bay. You can even have the drinks delivered to your room and they come in an insulated mug you get to keep. We had our drinks delivered to our room as we enjoyed Glacier Bay from our balcony. Let me just say, the Alaskan Snow Plow is a delicious drink! Hot chocolate, Bailey's and Crème de cacao. Yum!

[Toliverair]

Thanks to all who have contributed great information about the Pearl! As I was reading through the thread, I noticed that many have sailed since the thread was started. Just curious if any of the recent cruisers have any updates, for instance, does the "good" coffee machine still exist, etc...

 

 

Thanks everyone!!!

 

 

Yes, the good coffee machine is still in existence!! My crew was very happy about this. :)