Allison & David's Babymoon: Norwegian Pearl 11/3/15

[boopsahoy]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

We headed upstairs and saw La Cucina to the right, so we walked through on our way to the Great Outdoors. If you are going to eat in the buffet on the first day and want a nice quiet spot with loads of tables...this is your place. It's opened as an overflow and nobody seems to realize this. It seemed to be always open for lunch as an overflow on our cruise. As you can see, very few people in there.

 

It's very confusing walking on "stone" carpet... hehe

 

Next tip....lunch time if you want to avoid the madness of the buffet just go to the great outdoor which is a great covered area. The buffet there is the same as inside, but abbreviated. A fraction of the crowds and drink station right there.

 

Loads of tables and there is also a bar. This is a fabulous spot on the boat to eat al fresco, just relax, or to set up for sail away.

The birds were also enjoying the buffet.

 

Something that I thought Norwegian was a genius with which I hadn't seen on Carnival.. Putting the utensils wrapped with the napkin on the table along with the condiments. Many times I've forgotten and had to go back to the grab the napkin/utensils on prior cruises with Carnival.

 

It's especially useful since there are no buffet trays Norwegian. About the buffet trays... I didn't like not having one. For me it was pretty impossible to to juggle a plate and a drink (didn't want to risk it since I'm a bit klutzy. I always had to put my plate down and then grab a drink.

 

During main dining times in the buffet they did have staff walking around and passing out the complimentary drinks (which I also thought was very nice). However, David and I liked to make our own little concoction. I can't take any of the credit, it was David's idea right away. Just put a little bit of the strawberry/kiwi (25% or less) in the glass then fill up the rest with the lemonade. Tasted just like pink lemonade.

 

Was a little frustrating when the staff would sometimes be barricading the drink station. We would usually have to walk around till we found one open (never came out right when they did it).

 

I like the ice tea mixed with the lemonade! The Great Outdoors has great snacks around 3? I love the scones and clotted cream and jam on the Gems Great Outdoors. Wonder if the Pearl has it?:D

[herdingdogmom]

I was on this cruise too. And just about 4 doors down from you. I really liked that location. I'm enjoying your review and pictures!

[ucfalli]

I like the ice tea mixed with the lemonade! The Great Outdoors has great snacks around 3? I love the scones and clotted cream and jam on the Gems Great Outdoors. Wonder if the Pearl has it?:D

 

 

We were never by the great outdoors at 3pm...but did see the late night snacks at 10-11pm ......that were a whole bunch of unique items. We were always napping at that time :)

[ucfalli]

I was on this cruise too. And just about 4 doors down from you. I really liked that location. I'm enjoying your review and pictures!

 

 

Thanks! Talk about a small world :D

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

While up at the Great Outdoors we got some soft serve and were delighted to see rainbow and chocolate sprinkles (it's the little things that count). We then checked out the views around the port of Miami.

 

Where the Pearl was docked, it was more industrial on one side and had prettier views on the other.

 

View of the bar at the Great Outdoors:

 

Industrial side:

Pretty side:

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

More views of Miami:

Couple of quick snap shots around the Great Outdoors buffet:

Then we headed into the Garden cafe (the main buffet area)......HOLY CROWDS!

This was after 2pm!...... David gave me one look and that's all it took to say, "Thank you for not bringing me to the buffet.... Eating at the Summer Palace was brilliant".

 

During this peak time was when the horrible design of the buffet truly showed. The buffet is set up as one long counter with multiple repetitions of some areas. So with heavy crowds you are unable to just jump in (unless you want to make some people angry) and grab the one thing you want. I'm sure the repetitions were set up to help disperse the crowds, but when it's really busy it just became one long line.

 

On the past couple of Carnival ships we have been on, the buffet was much more logical. There are different sections instead of just one long buffet counter. I greatly missed Carnival's Deli station (where you can have a sandwich custom made) on this cruise. On the Pearl there would be two different pre-made sandwich's out, which I didn't personally care for.

 

Also I don't understand how Norwegian seems to be one of the few major cruise lines without a 24 hour pizza station. They had pizza out during lunch/dinner, but not the true pizza station like you get on Carnival/Royal.

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

I had read about free ice cream on Norwegian, but I couldn't find clear information before leaving that it was on the Pearl. I had all but forgotten about it till I saw it! A great light shinned up the ice cream..... I couldn't believe it...... FREE ice cream/yogurt?!?!?! Even though David and I had just ate some soft serve, we couldn't pass it up. I got strawberry and vanilla. David got banana and chocolate. The sprinkles were the along with chocolate/strawberry/butterscotch. So on top of free ice cream.... you could make a sundae!

 

Please note that the area by the ice cream was almost always slippery. I started sliding on the floor a couple of times during the cruise.

 

Norwegian just scored extra extra bonus points in my book with the free ice cream. There would be a couple of flavors that would change out during the cruise. I don't remember them all, but I do remember that rocky road was one of them, along with a blueberry yogurt that I didn't care for.

 

After our ice cream interlude, we started exploring the ship.

 

Full size basketball court above the Great Outdoors:

Then right besides the basketball court were bleachers to watch the action and the rock climbing wall.

 

This was also something that I wondering as well before the cruise....would the rock climbing wall open?? I couldn't find any confirmations of it. I am happy to report that it was open. Times that it was open were in the Freestyle Daily. The line never looked really long.

 

 

The Haven area was up this way:

This is the first ship we have been on without a mini golf area. When I told David there wasn't one I almost thought it was a deal breaker for him. We always have our own mini golf tournaments.

 

Instead all they had were these little golf driving areas:

 

 

View of the main pool:

Another thing unclear for this cruise.....would both pools be open? There was no certainty that Norwegian would bother taking down the concert stage for this cruise. As you can see, yes both pools were open.

 

At first I was amazed that that there were two pools in the main deck area, but then I realized that there were no other pools elsewhere. No adult pool. No quiet pool.

 

Negative points on this. Your only pool choice on the Pearl is loud and loaded with kids (unless you go very early or late). I don't go on a cruise for the pool (most of the time we don't go in). But with how it was set up on the Pearl, I was most certainly not interested. This is coming from someone who doesn't have children yet.

[GrooveInWhichWeMove]

Fascinating review so far! Thanks for putting it together.

[lax19]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

 

During this peak time was when the horrible design of the buffet truly showed. The buffet is set up as one long counter with multiple repetitions of some areas.

 

On the past couple of Carnival ships we have been on, the buffet was much more logical. There are different sections instead of just one long buffet counter.

 

Also I don't understand how Norwegian seems to be one of the few major cruise lines without a 24 hour pizza station. They had pizza out during lunch/dinner, but not the true pizza station like you get on Carnival/Royal.

 

Thank you for your observations.

Buffet layout must vary from ship to ship. NCL's Jewel has a better layout with different sections as does the Dawn and the Star. Was there 24 hour pizza delivery anywhere ($5) available? I really liked this on the Dawn.

[GoAndHaveFun]

Thank you for your observations.

Buffet layout must vary from ship to ship. NCL's Jewel has a better layout with different sections as does the Dawn and the Star. Was there 24 hour pizza delivery anywhere ($5) available? I really liked this on the Dawn.

 

For me, I actually like Pearl's buffet layout more than Jade/Jewel' as Pearl's layout reminds me of Epic's layout.

[ucfalli]

Thank you for your observations.

Buffet layout must vary from ship to ship. NCL's Jewel has a better layout with different sections as does the Dawn and the Star. Was there 24 hour pizza delivery anywhere ($5) available? I really liked this on the Dawn.

 

I don't remember the room service menu, but I'm sure if they still have the $5 pizza delivery they probably charge the now "convenience fee" on top of that.

 

But in all honesty it wasn't the best ship pizza I've had. I don't know if the delivery pizza is any better...

[ucfalli]

Fascinating review so far! Thanks for putting it together.

 

 

Your welcome, trying to squeeze in updates whenever I can :D

[ucfalli]

For me, I actually like Pearl's buffet layout more than Jade/Jewel' as Pearl's layout reminds me of Epic's layout.

 

 

Oh goodness! I can't imagine a buffet set up worse (my personal opinion) ;)

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

More of the ship tour:

This is the kids splash pool. It wasn't operational anytime we went by it. Not sure why? Was in an odd location, one flight up for the main pool area.

The Spinnaker Lounge was our next stop. Lots of different activities were held in here during the course of the cruise. The main orange lounge chairs are hands down the most uncomfortable seats I have ever encountered on a cruise ship and the movable chairs aren't any better.

 

Seating gets taken very quickly up here, so get here early for any events you want to attend. There are some really cool seats by the windows for relaxing (unfortunately because of the many events there isn't much time that lounge would be quiet). I don't believe I got any photos of them.

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

The stage at the Spinnaker:

The chapel is right besides the Spinnaker. Very tiny, but pretty.

The lounge at Moderno when you first enter the restaurant.

The rest of the restaurant is very nice looking. We would eat here on our 3rd night. You'll see more photos then.

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

 

Cagney's steak house is right across from Moderno. The decor was also very nice. When you got to check in for reservation both restaurants share the same desk. On the left for Moderno and right for Cagney's.

Then we briefly visited the arcade before had to attend the muster drill. The arcade was a bit cramped but they fit a wide variety of games in there.

Our Muster station was in the Summer Palace. People were very slow with getting to their muster station. Thanks goodness we didn't have to line up outside and had seats (which we have had to do on half our cruises).

 

We didn't even rush there and we were one of the first people there. People were still showing up right as it ended. If you blinked you missed the muster drill (not complaining). They showed you how to put on your life jacket.

 

But most importantly, we got our first rambling announcement from the captain. Both David and I immediately imagined him looking like the Dos Esquis guy ;).

 

This captain made me and David crack up. It was like he was always leaving a rambling voice message that would never end. Every time he would come on the loud speaker later on in the cruise we would look at other passengers and we all start cracking up together.

Edited November 17, 2015 by ucfalli

[MrsPhoenix91]

Wait a minute...NONE of the NCL ships have a 24 hour pizza station?? Oh boy...

Edited November 18, 2015 by MrsPhoenix91

[boopsahoy]

Wait a minute...NONE of the NCL ships have a 24 hour pizza station?? Oh boy...

 

24hr room service pizza and the buffet has pizza most of the time

[MrsPhoenix91]

24hr room service pizza and the buffet has pizza most of the time

 

Okay, that makes me feel better LOL - thank you.

[solorizor]

24hr room service pizza and the buffet has pizza most of the time

 

 

You pay for pizza delivery so make sure it's a big one lol

[cruiselife4me]

Great review so far! We were on the Jewel, sister ship. Looks like you were having fun. I love your detail!!

Mary

[ucfalli]

Wait a minute...NONE of the NCL ships have a 24 hour pizza station?? Oh boy...

 

You pay a "convenience fee" of $7.95 for anything you order for room service.....so like solorizor said...."make sure it's a big one". Might as well order salad and desert! :D

 

The only late night snack past 11pm is O'Sheehan's restaurant.....no quick grab and go.

[ucfalli]

Great review so far! We were on the Jewel, sister ship. Looks like you were having fun. I love your detail!!

Mary

 

 

Thanks! :)

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

 

After the muster drill we finished our tour of the ship. First up was the Bliss Ultra Lounge. We had no problem with any loud noise in our room (we were one flight below and not directly underneath).

 

Besides begin freezing and dimly lighted, the Ultra Lounge was nicely decorated.

 

The bowling alley is located inside the lounge on both sides for a total of 4 lanes. There is a desk right up front to pay and rent the bowling shoes. Of course remember your socks as they are required.

 

The lounge doesn't become "adult only" until I believe 11pm. There were specials on most days for bowling that were listed in the Freestyle Daily. We never got the chance to bowl. The specials were always times that were inconvenient for us. The bowling did seem very popular with families.

 

There was a couple of casino slot games located inside as well and an air hockey table.

 

[ucfalli]

Day: 1 Embarkation Continued

11/03/15

 

Adjacent is the art gallery:

To the left is the internet cafe:

Nearby the atrium was this painting of the Pearl which I thought was very pretty on the wall.

OMG .....the line is back again at guest services!!!!! I still have no idea what is so important.....

The Java cafe....which I never saw people drinking Java at (maybe that's only in the AM)

Tides store...I never explored it. I'm not really sure why this stand alone store is here in the atrium.