Pearl Hints

[DieHard]

Most of this has been said a hundred times but will repeat them in case anyone missed them.

1. Refrigerator--As soon as you go to your cabin look for your steward to

to unlock your fridge and empty it as it will be locked.

2. Nite lite--If you are going to use a nite light in the bathroom take a

small extenstion cord as the outlet is on top of the light near the

ceiling.

3. Shampoo/moistenizer--Take some as there is only regular shampoo in

the shower.

4. Murder Mystery Dinner--Sign up is first night at 7:30-8:30PM although

we signed up the next day at the purser's desk. This was a joke. The

crew member in charge left everyone in the dinning room and no one

knew what to do so peeked at the end to see who the murder was.

5. Balcony cabin--This was a waste of our money. Neighbors on one side

was a chain smoker and the other side smoked cigars. They was out

there all the time blowing smoke our way and there is not a damn thing

you can do about it. If you don't smoke, beware. Next time I will take

chewing tobacco and spit the juice their way.

6. Tender--This was a total disaster. You pick up numbered tickets and

suppose to wait out of everyone's way until the numbers are called.

We had 49 and 50 and figured we would be close to the front of the

line in getting off. They called numbers 1 to 300. When you have 300

people shoving and pushing plus numbers 301to 1000 jamming the

stairway it looked like a lynch mob.

7. Taxis--The fixed rate from the ship to Miami Airport is $24. If you plan

on catching one do not stand in the middle and try to flag one down

as they are full at that point. Go to the front where they enter the

taxi zone.

8. Plane Boarding Passes--It cost us about $14 to print them.

9. Tours--2 hour tours by taxi run about $25 per couple (That is for 2

couples and you can always find someone to share with). A 4 hour

tour at Samana cost us $40 per person.

10. Chair Hogs--The world famous chair hogs were numerous on the 2/22

sailing. Saw one woman grab 10 chairs and about 30 towells. Chairs

were empty until about 10:30AM. Saw a man save a chaise lounge,

table and 3 chairs by the pool. After awhile you saw the same people

doing this every day. They would save chairs then go ashore or back

to their cabins. On the last day just to get even, I went upstairs at

5:30AM (I know an awful hour). I saved two chaise lounges, table

and three chairs by the pool. It was worth getting up early to see the

looks on the regular chair hogs. Naturally I didn't plan on using them

and gave them to people other then the hogs. So, my advice is to

go upstairs about 5:30AM if you want a chair.

[mcmarya]

If you are flying American out of Miami, don't bother to print your boarding passes on the ship. They have tons of check in kiosks at the airport. I don't know about the other airlines.

[DieHard]

1. Medical--Wife had a bladder infection and had to see the doctor.

They charge a $75 fee up front plus extra for tests and pills. You

have to file a claim with your insurance company when you get home.

2. You can make restaruant reservations outside La Cucina starting at

7:00AM. Get there about 15 minutes early to avoid the line.

[coffeebean]

I bring a small (it's about 2" in diameter) LED tap light to use as a night light in the bathroom. No need for an extention cord...just place it closest to the bathroom door on the sink vanity. It works out great.

[snow1]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

Can you make dinner reservations by phone....and how far in advance can you make them?

We're on the Pearl to Alaska this July and can't wait!!!

[weloverunning]

There is a light inside the closet. We use it as a nightlight. Just close the doors and only a little light shines out onto the hallway.

Also, after you get your breakfast at the action stations, take it into the Italian restaurant for a nice quiet place to eat. They have a cart set up with extra coffee, hot water, juice etc.

[lovesublime]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

Can you make dinner reservations by phone....and how far in advance can you make them?

We're on the Pearl to Alaska this July and can't wait!!!

 

Yes, you can make reservations by phone. You can do it either with your cabin phone or the phones located by the stairwells. You may have to look for them a little, but they're there. At the time we sailed (last May) we made reservations the day before. I don't know how they do it now.

[avabro]

:) We discovered on the third last night that capuccino is free in the dining rooms and the Blue Lagoon---we've alway had to pay for it on other cruise lines. there is also a cuppucino machine deck 12 aft, just before you go outside. Also, La Cucina is a great place to eat if you are getting food from the buffet at breakfast and lunch.....

 

We were quite surprised at the how delicious the food was...Only had 1 problem and that was with the pre-cooked steak, so we sent it back until it was medium.....