Pearl to Bermuda this week (June 17-25). Questions?

[TenForward]

On 6/20/2022 at 3:03 PM, aloha_DC said:

 

So I'm not sure what you mean since I've never been here before, but these might be the inflatables others have mentioned,? I've not seen anyone on them

 

Thanks for the pic!  That's where the pirate ship used to be.  I guess the boat I had seen in another picture was just a boat and not connected with inflatables.  Looks a little sad & lonely now. 

 

[aloha_DC]

On 6/20/2022 at 9:32 AM, AmbitionatBay said:

We are going on the Pearl in early August!  
 

How was embarkation in Boston? We have never sailed out of there and are looking forward to a change from departing NYC and their slow embarkation process. Also, can you let us know how it goes in Bar Harbor with customs and tendering in?

 

Thanks!

Bar Harbor: customs was super smooth. Starting calling  A little before 10, the order of the groups was the order of your muster area, A to H. However then something went wrong after the 1st set of tenders and there was a huge bottle neck before the 2nd set could go, or so it seemed. Took me an hour from waiting in line to getting ashore. Almost missed my shore excursion. (They told us to allow 45 minutes, it took an hour+) .

 

[aloha_DC]

On 6/19/2022 at 12:58 PM, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

Following......we will be on her to Bermuda in less than 2 months!  Yay!  So ready!

 

If you go to any caves, would love to hear your experience.  We missed them 1st trip there, so want to catch them this time around.

Also, will be interested in your Bar Harbor experience.  We are thinking of just going out on our own.

Bar Harbor: if you just want to look around the little town and explore, that's super easy to do, the tender drops you right there and the town is really only like 7 blocks long and 2 blocks wide. 

 

However, if you wanted to see Acadia national park, I think that would be hard to do without an organized tour. 

[GeezerCouple]

On 6/20/2022 at 3:03 PM, aloha_DC said:

 

So I'm not sure what you mean since I've never been here before, but these might be the inflatables others have mentioned,? I've not seen anyone on them

 

Okay. so what *is* this?

 

Looks like an obstacle course for... seals?  🙂 

If for people, how do they get there, or is that the first obstacle?

 

GC

 

[Momofpuppy]

On 6/17/2022 at 4:53 PM, TenForward said:

I'm curious about the "inflatables" that have replaced Calico Jack's pirate ship in the Dockyard.  I saw a distant picture and was surprised it looked so big.  There was a ship/boat parked next to it that may serve as a bar??  I'd be interested to hear about it if you see it.  We are headed back next month and the pirate ship had always been one of our stops.   Thanks and enjoy your cruise!

I believe I have seen "Floating Fun Park" which has inflatable slides when looking at the port Bermuda webcam.  I searched for Floating Fun Park Dockyard Bermuda and  found this:

 

Spend a day in Dockyard aboard the 'Longtail Floating Fun Park'! Equipped with 2 Water slides, 2 Diving Platforms and a full cash bar, for a family friendly fun day!
 

Includes: 

• Floating Fun Park with 3 Water Slides and Swimming
• Full Cash Bar available on-board (Cash only accepted)

Restrictions: 

• Minimum 5 Years Old to use the water slides
• Not suitable for persons with neck, back, leg, shoulder injuries and/or other physical limitations
• Use of the water slides is at the guests own risk
• All participants using the water slides must be strong swimmers and able to swim without flotations
• All minors must be accompanied on the boat by a parent or guardian

Cost: $25 Per Person + 10% Port Fee
Duration: At your leisure
Operates: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Check In: Island Tour Centre, Dockyard; For Wrist Bands & Waivers
Excludes: Gratuities for the crew

[mkshearer74]

I’m on this cruise next week. When you were docked in Bermuda, what time did you have to be back on the ship at night? I’ve never done a cruise where we stayed more than one night in a port. Is there a specific time that you have to be back on board?

[cruiserbear55]

5 minutes ago, mkshearer74 said:

I’m on this cruise next week. When you were docked in Bermuda, what time did you have to be back on the ship at night? I’ve never done a cruise where we stayed more than one night in a port. Is there a specific time that you have to be back on board?

 

   You are free to come and go at any hour, night and day, until the ship is ready to depart.Then if you're not on the ship at that point, it's a long swim home!!

[latebloomer56]

How do you like the Pearl?

How was boarding in Boston?

[cruiserbear55]

17 minutes ago, latebloomer56 said:

How do you like the Pearl?

How was boarding in Boston?

  

    Are you asking the OP, or Boston Pearl cruisers in general. Sometimes, you hate to chime in and rain on someone's parade. That is why if I'm responding to a specific individual or post,I always use the quote option. Just saying!!

[latebloomer56]

3 hours ago, cruiserbear55 said:

  

    Are you asking the OP, or Boston Pearl cruisers in general. Sometimes, you hate to chime in and rain on someone's parade. That is why if I'm responding to a specific individual or post,I always use the quote option. Just saying!!

We haven't sailed on the Pearl yet was asking how the OP liked it, but anybody who has sailed on this ship could be helpful. Same goes for the port of Boston. We have sailed three times from here but the last was in 2019 all pre covid.

[aloha_DC]

4 hours ago, latebloomer56 said:

How do you like the Pearl?

How was boarding in Boston?

I thought the Pearl was great! Though it was my first time on NCL, I'm not sure what to compare it to, but it was a beautiful ship, I thought the food in the MDR was great and  Was shocked how empty the summer palace usually was, given that the food was so good and it's such a pretty room. Pool was crowded, but you'd expect that these days. My biggest issue was the hot tubs in the thermal spa area that I'd pay extra to be at, were broken half the time.

 

As boarding, um, well I had 

major flight issues and got to the port at 2:15. (4:00 departure), so I didn't have a normal boarding  experience. 

 

 My flight adventure:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2860045-help-canceled-flights-means-i-might-miss-cruise/

[latebloomer56]

12 minutes ago, aloha_DC said:

I thought the Pearl was great! Though it was my first time on NCL, I'm not sure what to compare it to, but it was a beautiful ship, I thought the food in the MDR was great and  Was shocked how empty the summer palace usually was, given that the food was so good and it's such a pretty room. Pool was crowded, but you'd expect that these days. My biggest issue was the hot tubs in the thermal spa area that I'd pay extra to be at, were broken half the time.

 

As boarding, um, well I had 

major flight issues and got to the port at 2:15. (4:00 departure), so I didn't have a normal boarding  experience. 

 

 My flight adventure:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2860045-help-canceled-flights-means-i-might-miss-cruise/

Thank you for your reply, glad you made your cruise.

I have seen pictures of the ship but you get a better feel from those who have been there. The MDR looks lovely can't wait to go there for dinner.

[1025cruise]

Keep in mind summer palace has a dress code. Indigo does not. That might explain why it wasn't full. I had reservations in indigo the other night, but they were sending people  dressed appropriately to summer palace of they didn't have reservations.

[aloha_DC]

4 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Keep in mind summer palace has a dress code. Indigo does not. That might explain why it wasn't full. I had reservations in indigo the other night, but they were sending people  dressed appropriately to summer palace of they didn't have reservations.

Yes! I was surprised that what I thought was a pretty manageable dress code made for such a difference in the crowds for the 2 restaurants. 

[1025cruise]

On Saturday night, there seemed to be a bit of screaming at indigo due to the waits. Fortunately, we had a reservation. Decided tonight to just eat in summer palace. Our concierge reminded us of the need to be wearing pants.

[putchky]

On 6/18/2022 at 11:18 AM, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

Would you know the casino hours while in Bermuda? Previously was 9 p.m. but supposedly changes were approved by Bermuda. Wondering if NCL is taking advantage of increased gambling hours?

we were on the Pearl last week, Casino hours in Bermuda 9pm to 5 am 

[putchky]

On 6/19/2022 at 12:49 PM, cruiserbear55 said:

 

   Are those shots from your home? If so, you must have had great front row seats for the America's Cup back in 17!

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by putchky

[jwinrich]

Did you check out the St. George Ferry? Do you know the schedule? We go out on the Pearl 8/12 and want to visit St. George/Tobacco Bay the day we dock. We have a group of 6 adults, so want to do a bit of pre-planning. We don't want to get to St. George and be unable to find transportation back to the ship later that evening. 

 

Thanks!

[aloha_DC]

1 hour ago, jwinrich said:

Did you check out the St. George Ferry? Do you know the schedule? We go out on the Pearl 8/12 and want to visit St. George/Tobacco Bay the day we dock. We have a group of 6 adults, so want to do a bit of pre-planning. We don't want to get to St. George and be unable to find transportation back to the ship later that evening. 

 

Thanks!

I never did it but this was the schedule they gave us

[GeezerCouple]

On 6/27/2022 at 1:20 PM, 1025cruise said:

On Saturday night, there seemed to be a bit of screaming at indigo due to the waits. Fortunately, we had a reservation. Decided tonight to just eat in summer palace. Our concierge reminded us of the need to be wearing pants.

 

Screaming... due to waiting!?

😱

 

GC

[jwinrich]

On 6/17/2022 at 4:05 PM, aloha_DC said:

Hi!

 

I'm on the Pearl from Boston to Bermuda and Bar Harbor this week. I didn't buy wifi but should have service in ports so let me know if you have any questions about the ship or these ports!

Thanks so much for continuing to answer questions about your cruise! I have one more - Was there a Glow party/White Hot party on the ship? I see that there is a "White Hot" party excursion in Bermuda. As a past NCL cruiser, I loved the White Hot parties and don't want to miss it. But if there is one during a sea day I'd rather go to that than pay for a Bermuda excursion when I could be doing something else in Bermuda.

[BudapestLady]

I'm just curious to know if the Bermuda authorization email is received well before sailing.  Can anyone shed light on this.  Thanks.

[njhorseman]

22 minutes ago, BudapestLady said:

I'm just curious to know if the Bermuda authorization email is received well before sailing.  Can anyone shed light on this.  Thanks.

Per recent reports the Travel Authorization approval is being sent out about a week prior to the cruise's embarkation date.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

On 7/18/2022 at 4:45 PM, jwinrich said:

Did you check out the St. George Ferry? Do you know the schedule? We go out on the Pearl 8/12 and want to visit St. George/Tobacco Bay the day we dock. We have a group of 6 adults, so want to do a bit of pre-planning. We don't want to get to St. George and be unable to find transportation back to the ship later that evening. 

 

Thanks!

Hey @jwinrich!  We are on the 8/12 Pearl to Bermuda, too!  We're your neighbors in TN, Clarksville, near Nashville & Ft. Campbell.  I am also planning to catch the ferry over to St. George, but wanting to buy ferry/bus passes for the rest of the trip, so won't be dependent upon the NCL ferry and can get back to ship via one of the other routes, since the regular ferry doesn't run on Sundays (and looks like it only runs on 8/15 between Dockyard & St. George's.)