Pearl to Bermuda

[mackfam]

Haven’t cruised with NCL for about 8 years, since then we’ve mainly sailed with RCCl, Celebrity, and MSC. Considering a family cruise on the Pearl to Bermuda next April, mainly because we can drive to Boston from where we live in Canada. Ages range from 23 to 60. Wondering what the general vibe of the ship is and how full the ship is likely to be this early in the season. Also will there be entertainment that will appeal to the younger age group. Was also considering the Prima but it seems the reviews are mostly meh.

[laudergayle]

I have not sailed Prima (doing so in May ‘23).  Did sail Jade, sister ship to Jewel.  IMO, if you’re under 45…Prima.  So much more to engage your interests.  

[cruiserbear55]

4 hours ago, mackfam said:

Haven’t cruised with NCL for about 8 years, since then we’ve mainly sailed with RCCl, Celebrity, and MSC. Considering a family cruise on the Pearl to Bermuda next April, mainly because we can drive to Boston from where we live in Canada. Ages range from 23 to 60. Wondering what the general vibe of the ship is and how full the ship is likely to be this early in the season. Also will there be entertainment that will appeal to the younger age group. Was also considering the Prima but it seems the reviews are mostly meh.

 

  As you probably already know, if anyone in the group is looking for go-karts, mini-golf,ropes courses,water slides, etc., the Pearl is the wrong ship. What you will find is a ship in excellent shape, with a crew second to none. Entertainment includes comedians; aerialists; piano/ guitar playing singers; duos; house band;a big variety show; a 60s show ( Aquarius); The Pearl's featured entertainment, Legends in Concert; Deal or no Deal, bingo, art auctions, etc,etc,etc. Enough to keep everyone entertained. Forgot to mention the casino, to try your luck!

    Cruises departing on March 31 and April 7,14, and 21 are Boston to Bermuda to Boston cruises. You leave Boston on Friday, arrive in Bermuda Sunday AM. Ship departs Bermuda Wednesday 7:00AM and arrives back in Beantown Friday morning.

   Cruises departing on or after 4/28 are Boston to Bermuda to Bar Harbor to Boston cruises. The ship leaves Bermuda on Tuesdays at 3:00PM and arrives in Bar Harbor Thursday morning at 10:00AM. Then back to Boston Friday AM.

   Massachusetts school vacation is the week of April 14-21, and New Hampshire's vacation week is April 21-28. Historically (pre-covid) ships have been at full capacity these weeks. Tons of kids! As they say, to be forewarned is to be forearmed!!

   I have no idea how full the ship may be early April. We sailed the Pearl April of this year and the ship was at 45% of full capacity; again in October/November and the ship was at 75% of full capacity.. NCLs third quarter report states most ships are sailing around the 80% mark.

  

[phoenix1181]

We cruised with a large group of family & friends ranging in age from 21 - 75 and we all had a great time.  We all did our own thing & got together for several meals & excursions.  Overall, no complaints & we plan to do it again next year.

 

Any cruise, or vacation, is what you choose to make it.  The kids had as much fun as us old timers so I expect you'll all be just fine.

[mackfam]

Thanks for the replies, we don’t need bells and whistles so sounds like it would be fine. Just hoping all the families with kids on school break opt for the bells and whistles on the Prima!

[1025cruise]

I cruised the Pearl this year in April on its first "regular" sailing from Boston. It was relatively quiet on board.

[Mlake09]

We just did this short cruise this past weekend and it was full capacity, but it bumped up onto Veteran’s Day and kids/teachers had the day off. If you’re looking at the school vacation week it will also likely be full (dates listed in above post). The ship is lovely but does not have the features of the larger ships.  Personally I like the smaller ships!

[latebloomer56]

On 11/17/2022 at 12:43 PM, 1025cruise said:

I cruised the Pearl this year in April on its first "regular" sailing from Boston. It was relatively quiet on board.

How was the weather in April? Were you able to swim in Bermuda, or was the water to cold? We have gone in the fall several times and it was great. This will be our second time in the spring but the forest time was only for a few hours on a TA cruise.

Thanks for any info you have going to Bermuda this time of year 2023 is approaching fast.

Laura

[1025cruise]

1 hour ago, latebloomer56 said:

How was the weather in April? Were you able to swim in Bermuda, or was the water to cold? We have gone in the fall several times and it was great. This will be our second time in the spring but the forest time was only for a few hours on a TA cruise.

Thanks for any info you have going to Bermuda this time of year 2023 is approaching fast.

Laura

I'm not a beach person so I can't answer about swimming. The weather was cool. The purpose of the trip for me was to decompress after some stressful weeks at work. I only got off the ship for a couple of hours to wander the mall.

[njhorseman]

5 hours ago, latebloomer56 said:

How was the weather in April? Were you able to swim in Bermuda, or was the water to cold? We have gone in the fall several times and it was great. This will be our second time in the spring but the forest time was only for a few hours on a TA cruise.

Thanks for any info you have going to Bermuda this time of year 2023 is approaching fast.

Laura

Typically the ocean water is too cold for most people to swim until late May, but given that you're from Massachusetts you may be more accustomed to colder ocean temperatures than many. 

 

[cruiserbear55]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

Typically the ocean water is too cold for most people to swim until late May, but given that you're from Massachusetts you may be more accustomed to colder ocean temperatures than many. 

 

 

  Grew up in Mass., as a great majority of we Newhampshirites did. As a kid, my Mother always had us swimming at Nahant/Lynn Beach in Mass. by early May. The water in Bermuda in April is like a bathtub compared to growing up!!

[thespiritmovesme]

I  was just in Bermuda. Our guide said that Bermuda citizens don't get in the water until June. YMMV, especially if you are a Canadian! They swim in SC coastal waters in Oct. and Canada Week is in March. Brrr!!!

[DaisyGoldberg]

We took the Pearl to Bermuda this past April - temps were low 70s in Bermuda. Extremely pleasant for walking, wouldn't have wanted to swim (and a lot of the swim stuff was closed anyway). 

 

Overall at sea the weather was cool/rainy (of course that may vary). Not a lot of sunbathing going on, though the hot tubs were going no matter the weather unless it was super rough. On the way back we stopped in Maine and it was about 5 degrees that night.

[cruiseny4life]

We sailed to Bermuda in April of this year. We went to Tobacco Bay and I got in the water for a few minutes as it was an overcast day. We went to Clearwater Beach two days later and truly enjoyed being in the water. It was my husband and I, plus one other couple. We had plenty of space to be alone and enjoy ourselves, while hanging out in the water. 

 

 

We didn't go out past our bellies as we had to keep an eye out for Portuguese Man 'O War. Didn't really want to bump into one of those. 

 

[laudergayle]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We didn't go out past our bellies as we had to keep an eye out for Portuguese Man 'O War. Didn't really want to bump into one of those. 

 

Beautiful sea creatures…BUT Oh My…another reason to just get my feet wet.  I was already afraid of stingrays and sharks..now this.  Lol.  

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Beautiful sea creatures…BUT Oh My…another reason to just get my feet wet.  I was already afraid of stingrays and sharks..now this.  Lol.  

They are! We actually didn't see any in the water. Just these less fortunate creatures. Don't worry though, there will be plenty of warnings if they are around. Everyone told us not to go swimming or we'd get stung. Well, I was able to swim for a good couple of hours without the creatures coming close (we were watchful though).