New to NCL...can you guys answer some questions??

[Noblarneyimirish]

Hi everyone!

I've never sailed with any cruise line other than Royal Caribbean. While I love RCCL I'm ready to try another line and I love the itineraries that NCL offers.

Currently I'm thinking of the Pearl...is this one of the newest ships currenly sailing with NCL?

We are a group that ranges in age from 18 - 75. Is there something for everyone?

My biggest concern is dining. What restaurants are extra and what restaurants are included?

Those that are extra what kind of charge are we talking about?

We love RCCL's new big ships. Can you suggest another ship other than the Pearl that sails the Caribbean?

What about the dinner dress code?

 

Any other advise is greatly appreciated!

 

 

Thanks everyone! Cruise Critic boards are always such a great resource!

 

Stephanie

[2Cruise4Ever]

Hi everyone!

I've never sailed with any cruise line other than Royal Caribbean. While I love RCCL I'm ready to try another line and I love the itineraries that NCL offers.

Currently I'm thinking of the Pearl...is this one of the newest ships currenly sailing with NCL?

We are a group that ranges in age from 18 - 75. Is there something for everyone?

My biggest concern is dining. What restaurants are extra and what restaurants are included?

Those that are extra what kind of charge are we talking about?

We love RCCL's new big ships. Can you suggest another ship other than the Pearl that sails the Caribbean?

What about the dinner dress code?

 

Any other advise is greatly appreciated!

 

 

Thanks everyone! Cruise Critic boards are always such a great resource!

 

Stephanie

 

OK, I can answer some. 2 years ago, we sailed the Dawn with my in-laws. So, we had an age range of 4 to 85. We all had fun with lots of activities. The in-laws liked Dazzles the best. They played older music and it's very relaxing. DH and I loved the casino and the shows.

 

OK, restaurants: all have a surcharge except Aqua, Venetian, Blue Lagoon, and Garden Cafe (buffet). The prices range from $10 per person up to $30 per person. we've eaten at all restaurants except Salsa. All are excellent. But, Cagney's, Teppanakyi, and Impressions of Italy are our faves.

 

Yes, the Pearl is one of NCL's newer ships. We've never sailed on her, but heard great things.

 

Many people love the Dawn. So, if you're planning to sail during the winter months, definitely try the Dawn (not sure the exact itinerary, but it's the Caribbean).

 

The dress code is one of the things we love about NCL. No formal wear is required. Dockers and golf shirt for men, slacks and a blouse for women is perfectly acceptable. I usually wear a pants-suit or a sun dress. DH usually wears what I just mentioned. And, we love the fact that we don't have to be anywhere at any time. We can choose to eat where and when we want. Freestyle Rocks!!

[Ms belp]

We did the Pearl last year to Alaska. Had a great time. She is one of the newest ships in the fleet. There is plenty for all ages to do, including bowling. That was fun!

 

Plenty to eat without going to specialty restaurants. Cagney's and Le Bistro are good, prices vary. Check it out when you board and make decisions then.

 

Eastern and Southern Caribbean are great. I'll find out about Western next week.:)

[Cruz-On]

DH and I took the Pearl for our first NCL cruise to Alaska. The Pearl was fabulous. 2cruise4ever answered most of your questions. The one thing I will add is DH and I enjoyed the freestyle the most because neither of us like dressing up while on vacation nor do we like having to be at dinner at night at a specific time so freestyle is for us.

[gkrnjlr]

Not sure when you're looking to sail, but another ship option next year will be the Epic, which will be doing the Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries!

[CC Help Michell]

For several years now on CC (an eternity in internet time) the Dawn has been the "favorite" NCL ship. Recent polls indicate nearly a dead heat between the Dawn and the Pearl (which has moved the Pearl up a LOT in my decision-making).

 

Regarding your specific questions:

 

1) The Pearl is newish but not newest. Both the Jade and the Gem are newer.

 

2) I think there's something for EVERY age on an NCL ship

 

3) Other than the main dining rooms, buffet, room service, and Blue Lagoon (in other words, the same dining venues offered on most other lines within the cruise price, plus the "diner" type Blue Lagoon), all specialty restaurants on NCL now carry a surcharge. It ranges from $15 per person to $30 per person at my last check. That said, I've never, ever, been disappointed with a main dining room meal on NCL.

 

4) The Pearl (and her sisters the Gem, Jade, and Jewel) are the largest ships NCL currently offers. They are not as large as the Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Carnival Dream, or the new Norwegian Epic. Bigger may or may not mean better -- it's a very individual thing.

 

5) Dinner dress code. Bottom line is in every restaurant onboard, every night, a pair of slacks and a collared shirt is sufficient for anyone. Depending on the maitre'd, shorts may be admitted, etc. Jeans are okay every night in all but one of the main dining rooms.

 

To the OP, we book cruises for 1) itinerary and 2) price, in that order. That means we've sailed lots of lines. One we haven't sailed recently is RCI -- not because we didn't like them (we did, a lot) but because their prices indicate they really think a LOT of their product -- more than we did (liked them, but not enough to pay $400 - $900 more per person to sail RCI). Having sailed so many lines, my overall opinion is that they are more alike than different. You might disagree -- but why not find out for a good price?

[terrymtex01]

Im just going to chime in with the others and say that the Pearl, while not our favorite NCL ship, is VERY beautiful and very clean. Still looks brand new. We are just partial to the Star, but there is not one thing wrong with the Pearl and I do have to say we are NOT buffet people at all, however we loved the buffet on the Pearl. It is the best designed buffet I have ever seen on a cruise ship and the food was EXCELLENT on the buffet. Was not typical buffet quality food at all.

[Noblarneyimirish]

Thanks everyone for all the information. This has been very helpful. After reading the information that I received from NCL I wasn't even sure that there was a main dining room. I was afraid it was just specialty restaurants.

 

What other things do you pay extra for onboard besides things like shore excursions, beverages and the spa. Are most other things included?

 

Thanks again everyone!!!

[CruisnGram]

Thanks everyone for all the information. This has been very helpful. After reading the information that I received from NCL I wasn't even sure that there was a main dining room. I was afraid it was just specialty restaurants.

 

What other things do you pay extra for onboard besides things like shore excursions, beverages and the spa. Are most other things included?

 

Thanks again everyone!!!

 

I don't think you will find that NCL charges for anything that other lines do not. On the Pearl however, there is a charge for bowling.

 

As others have said, when it comes to dining, you will not have to pay to eat in the specialty restaurants unless you want to try them. There will be 2 main dining rooms, a buffet, 24 hour room service (limited menu) and a 23 hour "diner" type place that serves "comfort food"...all included in the price of your cruise.

 

CG

[mississauga]

The Jewel is a sister ship to the Pearl and also cruises in the Caribbean in the winter months ( goes to Europe for the summer ).

 

The Gem ( also a sister ship ) is the only ship newer than the Pearl but it sails out of NY and the ports are more Bahamas than Caribbean.

 

Besides the bowling ( fee ) that someone has mentioned, the Pearl also has rocking climbing and a court area for basketball, tennis or soccer ( no extra charge ) that would be of interest to the younger/ more active members of your party.

[dinoman]

I've booked a 12-day Baltic Cruise on NCL Jewel and three of us is sharing one inside stateroom, would it be too crowded for us? I am thinking about upgrading to balcony because the locations of the OV rooms are no good. I am yet to ask about the price difference but would like to gain some insight from you fellow cruisers first. Pls advise.