Fun time with good friends. The Pearl was nice and the crew were really great. We tipped everyone extra for daily services as they all were wonderful and really helped the trip be even more fun. Also, we had "the package" which meant no charge for alcoholic drinks, if you like to have a drink or 2 this is a nice perk.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
There was a group of 9 retirees with varying arrival times to the cruise terminal. We all went there at 10:30 am and all boarded at the same time. The check-in process was smooth and even though we'd read bad reviews regarding the boarding process, it was fine and we were on board by noon.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We had a dining package and visited Teppanyaki for a birthday dinner, which was great. We visited the Lotus Garden several times and it was good. We ate at the Summer Palace and it was very good. On a day to day basis we ate lunch on the Great Outdoors as the weather was so nice and it was great to be out there and watch the ocean flow by.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Entertainment
5 out of 5
About half of our group played either the slot machines or the table games. I enjoyed the craps table the most and we did well there on most nights. The only draw back in the casino was that during casino hours, smoking is allowed. The casino were very nice and very professional.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
We visited the theater several evenings and watched: a couple who preformed a very physically demanding show that was awesome, a couple comedians, the vintage rock and roll show, which was fun and an Norwegian employee talent show, which was also fun.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Excellent staff, seriously.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The layout was good. We didn't feel to crowded anywhere with the exception of the pool area which was usually crowded as, as I've said, the weather was so nice, 80s and 90s once we got to Mexico.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin was not huge but we knew what to expect and it wasn't an issue. We were quite far forward on the starboard (right side as you face the front) side. The balcony was really enjoyable and we spent mornings there drinking coffee and watching whatever there was to see at that time. For my money, it's worthwhile to pay the extra money to have this bit of private solitude at whatever time of day (or night) you happen to go out there. The balcony cabins have a one cup coffee maker and each day we would get 2 regular coffee packets to brew 2 cups. We brought instant coffee and used the coffee maker to heat water for that second cup we like to have...just fyi.
We arrived in NO during Marti Gras and stayed at the Ace Hotel there. It was really enjoyable to watch the whole Marti Gras thing happen. We stayed after we got off the ship and took a tour of NO that we booked through the Norwegian Pearl. The tour was great and they took care of loading our luggage on the bus, we took the tour, which was interesting and informative and then they dropped us off at our hotel. I think the tour cost us $60/each and was 3 hours long.
Visited Tulum on a ship booked excursion. It was a tour and the leader pushed photos and the like but that's the way they make some extra money. The tour was fine, I've had wanted to see Tulum for several years and finally made it. I think that tour was $159/each.
We booked the Beach Break Party and Snorkeling ( or something like that) and it was awesome! The lunch was good, the beach was really nice but the snorkeling was really, really great. The staff took us out to show us the ropes (so to speak) and once they knew we were competent, we were cleared to snorkel as much as we wanted without escort. The coral reef there is only about 50 feet from the beach and it is beautiful, sea fans, fire coral, razor coral, lots of fish, we even saw 2 barracuda and a couple sea turtles.
Nice place, pool, beach, bars, shops, swim-up bar. We rented the electric boats and that was kind of fun. We got in the pool and in the ocean. We didn't eat there but instead went back to the ship once we were done with the island. I heard it was expensive to eat and drink there.
Fun. We got off the ship and walked into the area at the end of the dock. There were lots of stores selling T-shirts and the like. Then we walked to a place where you could take a tram to the Village of Mahahual, which was a typical Mexican tourist town. There we bought food, cigars, medications and drinks. We were approached by lots of hawkers but everyone was polite and left as soon as we said "no thanks". Then back to the dock by taxi and back to the ship.
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