Courtyard Villa/Pearl/Eastern Carribean ?? and info. request

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

DH and I are going on the Pearl to the eastern Carribean in January and are going to be in a Courtyard Villa. We are trying to decide if we should get one that would be big enough for mom and sister to join us or should they get a balcony room. Does anyone have any information or pics of their Villas like this that would be helpful to us? We have been on the Pearl before and absolutely loved it but were in an AE in western Carribean.

If we don’t have them join us can my mom and sister join us for meals if not in the courtyard could they in our villa?

I will look in the ports of call but if anyone has any tips about eastern Carribean that would be appreciated.

[noreddye]

I think you would like the A3 since it has a second bedroom. Here is the description:

 

The A3 and A4 have a separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, private bathroom with whirlpool tub, separate shower, floor to ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony, (category A3 has a second smaller bedroom with bathroom and shower), living and dining area, CD/DVD library, refrigerator, safe, phone, music console, hairdryer.

 

Both have access to exclusive concierge lounge and private courtyard area with pool, hot tub and sundeck. Butler service and concierge available.

 

Avg sq ft cabin: 487 Balcony: 85

Category A3 is 487 square feet stateroom plus 85 square foot balcony. Category A4 is 380 square feet stateroom plus 60 square foot balcony

 

From what I understand, your family will not be able to join you for meals in the courtyard but they can inside of your cabin.

 

I hope you and your family enjoy your "suite" cruise.

[runnerandme]

The door to the bedroom/bath area in the CV allows privacy.You can't see thru it. The second bedroom is small with a dinky closet and a few drawers. My sister stayed in the small bedroom and had room for all of her tihings. (we had a 15 night cruise) We did hang a few long dresses in our closet for her. She had no trouble sleeping on the fold down (futon style) bed. If two slept on it one would be against the wall and have to climb over the other one to get out. There is a bunk also.'

We also did a CV on Pearl for a week. We booked an A4 and an A3. DD and SIL in the A4 and grandkids and dh and me into the A3.

 

I would book all into one CV. There is so much space in the courtyard. You will have plenty of room to spread out. We spent more time on deck 15 than our own balcony. My sisters and I usually travel in a suite together and share a bath, If we go NCL it will now be Courtyard or nothing. I would hate to have family on board and have them in a room that did not have courtyard access.( unless I was not planning on spending time with them on the trip)

You will love the area.

Google Andreas Depping. It is something like www. deppingdesign.de

He has wonderful pictures of this area.

Connie

[beachchick]

Yes, they could join you in your own villa for meals and visiting. You would have to go escort them into the Courtyard level and to your villa because access is limited to authorized pax only by use of special coding on your ship card. They wouldn't be allowed to use the Courtyard or Courtyard Sundeck, but they absolutely could spend time in your villa, including meals.

 

beachchick

[insidecabin]

If the second small room is not enough then you can double book for the suite perks and courtyard access, when the specials are on with $99 3pax+ it is not that expensive.

 

We have stayed in the small room and it is a bit tight for two adults, but more than adiquate for sleeping, the bathroom is a regular one so no issues there. With the rest of the space in the cabin and courtyard as long as you are happy with the sleeping arrangments it is a steal on value with 4pax.

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

Thank you all for the replies. I have also read on another thread about the pricing of adding the 2 extras and I think it is the way we will go so that they (mom & sis) can join us. I do have a question about the bed in the guest bedroom if you can help. DM & DS wouldn't have a problem being in the same bed if it isn't too small but so far I haven't seen an actual pic of the bed and runner mentioned a bunk bed? That might even be better as DS could jump up to top. My biggest concern is DM she is 77 and has a lot of aches and pains so want her to be comfortable. Anyone have any first hand knowledge of an A3 on the Pearl? I am leery of taking what I hear from an NCL employee as that info. can very from one to another.

[insidecabin]

We were in a Jade A3 so might be relevent.

 

We had it made up and left as a bed all the time.

 

The bed is across the room, so one is against the wall, not that practical unless very friendly, the bunk and bed would probably be a better option.

 

It was hard so we had to have the topper, two toppers or one folded would probably be even better.

 

Closet space is very limited so a share of the ample space in the main room needs to be considered as an option.

 

The bathroom is standard and there is the courtyard which has extra facilities which are hardly ever used so plenty of options

 

 

Another option to consider is a swap over part way through, take the small room and give the master to DM&DS for a few days.

[Diamonds Mom]

Here is a pic of A3 on the Pearl back in Dec. My son stayed in it and he is a big fellow. The right side with the X looking thing on the wall is the drop down bed. they move the little end table against the wall and open the couch to a bed. there is also a small tv in this room. The closet space is very limited but there is plenty in the other room to share. You will have a wonderful time in the courtyard suite...thats the problem cause then thats all you will want...lol. I have a few other pics of the suite if you are interested.

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

Here is a pic of A3 on the Pearl back in Dec. My son stayed in it and he is a big fellow. The right side with the X looking thing on the wall is the drop down bed. they move the little end table against the wall and open the couch to a bed. there is also a small tv in this room. The closet space is very limited but there is plenty in the other room to share. You will have a wonderful time in the courtyard suite...thats the problem cause then thats all you will want...lol. I have a few other pics of the suite if you are interested.

 

Yes I would like to see whatever pics you have. How would someone get up on the bunk? Is there a ladder or would you just step on the bed below?

[insidecabin]

Yes I would like to see whatever pics you have. How would someone get up on the bunk? Is there a ladder or would you just step on the bed below?

There is a ladder, stored behind the main door in the closet

[Diamonds Mom]

Sorry pics are late...was out of town at graduation.

Hope these are helpful

[Diamonds Mom]

here is one more. You will absolutely love this suite. Wish I could afford to cruise this way all the time. We were blessed by the upsale bunny 3 days before the cruise.

[familyof4cruising]

Check out all my pictures in my signature. Here is a picture of the second bedroom:

[nyflush]

Check out all my pictures in my signature. Here is a picture of the second bedroom:

 

Great pics! Thanks for sharing:) I love the pop-up sofa I think I read they put these in the AB as well, It's about time:)

[luv that cruise]

nyflush... been posting asking about pop up bed on the pearl and i can't find anyone to confirm those. familyof4cruising pics are of the jewel. look at pearl pics posted by diamonds mom - that sofa is not a pop-up sleeper. we are cruising late june and desperately need pop-up or roll away bed. if you know please post.

 

insidecabin... we went round and round with NCL about double booking and they said it is a cruise myth. the same person can not be booked into more than one room. we are in A3 but felt it would be cramped for 5 (3 adults, 2 older teenagers) so wanted to book an inside room also. While we could do it, that person booked into the inside room would not have suite perks. They could visit our suite, but could not dine breakfast and lunch with us in cagney's and could not use the courtyard area. that info straight from NCL, verified on another date with different NCL rep. so we are going to try A3... just hope we can get a roll away bed if the living room sofa is not the pop up type.

[Diamonds Mom]

Check out all my pictures in my signature. Here is a picture of the second bedroom:

 

This is the same sofa bed in the second room on the pearl. My pic was with the bed closed. As far as the living room unless they have changed the sofa since Dec it is only designed for sitting on. And not very comfy either.

[cruisewmn]

Here's a link to my photo album of our Pearl Courtyard Villas:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/570246375EPDtTT

 

We've sailed on the Pearl twice, both times in Villas. We're hooked. Technically, there is enough room for you all to be in one A3. The second bedroom is VERY small. Not a lot of closet space. The second bathroom would be fine for them. If they use the bedroom just for sleeping, it'll be fine. There is plenty of room for everybody in the living area. Plus, you'll spend a lot of time in the courtyard.

[NoPiratesPlease]

I've never seen or heard of guests of Villa folks being asked to leave the Courtyard. We've had friends up, friends of ours had friends up ALL THE TIME on the Jade on the Xmas / NYears cruise and using and enjoying the facilities. That's in two cruises each on the Jewel, Pearl and Jade, and one O/N CTN on the Gem. The Courtyard Butler will be HAPPY to serve your guests.

 

One, of course, presumes the guests are accompanied, mostly, and certainly behave appropriately.

 

Of course, OS, DOS and Garden Villa guests have full usage privileges in the Courtyard as well. In fact, the BIG advantage the Jewel-class has over the Dawn-class is the Courtyard and the ability to meet and mingle there without being overrun by hoards fighting over deck chairs and hot-tub space.

[zetachi]

So I'm a little confused. We are looking at the Courtyard Villa for 5 in Feb on the Pearl. 3 adults, two children 8,4. It would be my wife and I, my sister and my 2 kids.

 

I have seen mixed reports as to weather there is a 2nd, sleep-able couch in the room.

 

I'm thinking wife and I in master BR, and either 2 kids in small BR and sister on convertible couch or one kid on couch, sister in 2BR and 2nd child in fold down. But the requirement would be for that 2nd couch or roll away.

 

any definite confirmation? I guess I could call NCL and ask them.

[cruiseat50]

So I'm a little confused. We are looking at the Courtyard Villa for 5 in Feb on the Pearl. 3 adults, two children 8,4. It would be my wife and I, my sister and my 2 kids.

 

I have seen mixed reports as to weather there is a 2nd, sleep-able couch in the room.

 

I'm thinking wife and I in master BR, and either 2 kids in small BR and sister on convertible couch or one kid on couch, sister in 2BR and 2nd child in fold down. But the requirement would be for that 2nd couch or roll away.

 

any definite confirmation? I guess I could call NCL and ask them.

 

We just took a tour of the Pearl yesterday and we went into an A3 which we will be in on the Pearl. I did check and the couch was a hideabed (not sure how comfortable but...) which would be good for your sister. The small bed room has a fold down couch/bed which 2 kids could sleep in or there is the fold down from the wall one could also sleep on.

[zetachi]

We just took a tour of the Pearl yesterday and we went into an A3 which we will be in on the Pearl. I did check and the couch was a hideabed (not sure how comfortable but...) which would be good for your sister. The small bed room has a fold down couch/bed which 2 kids could sleep in or there is the fold down from the wall one could also sleep on.

 

 

Now the question remains if I can convince my sister that the couch will be fine...maybe the fact that I'm paying will convince her :D:rolleyes:

[odblnt]

Now the question remains if I can convince my sister that the couch will be fine...maybe the fact that I'm paying will convince her :D:rolleyes:

 

For the suite life on the Pearl, that would do it for me. ;)

[beemergal]

What does being in the courtyard feel like? Do you feel conspicuous or less private than on the main decks? Do you feel you have to mingle with others with access to the courtyard? I am wondering if it is better if you are more social in nature or more private in nature?

[Elde]

What does being in the courtyard feel like? Do you feel conspicuous or less private than on the main decks? Do you feel you have to mingle with others with access to the courtyard? I am wondering if it is better if you are more social in nature or more private in nature?

 

You do get a lot of odd looks in the elevator when you put your card in the slot to acess deck 14, or when you are the last one on an elevator up bound from 13... Nobody ever said anything around me however.

[hat776]

I'm always surprised how often folk have to resort to CC for up to date info. NCL staff don't seem too helpful/efficient - at least from what I'm gathering from these boards.