Norwegian Pearl Review
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Since we disembarked the Epic from an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Saturday morning we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express Doral overnight. It was $25 from the dock by Taxi to the hotel; it was extremely hard to get a ride if not going to the airport. The hotel staff was very helpful, the hotel was clean but if your room is facing the front it will be noisy early, internet connection horrible. There is a grocery store a mile away thru a neighborhood; not a bad walk for water to take on the cruise.
Rising early we ate the free breakfast which is limited to the normal fare. We sat outside waiting for the van to come costing $10 pp to the dock. We rode with another group who were going on Carnival Cruises. Our driver dropped us off and the luggage man appeared and tossed our cases up on the metal carrier and waited for his tip. We then joined the long but fast moving line thru security. Once thru we saw the V.I.P. lounge for suites on the left where our ship card was issued and we joined the group departing to the next lounge since we were too early too board. This new area was up the escalator and larger with beverages, cookies, and chocolates.
About 12:30 p.m. we were escorted up to Cagney's and offered lunch but we declined having packed our suits in the carry-on we went down to the public restroom and changed then put our carry-on's by our chairs and headed for the hot tub, ahhhh so nice. Many folks were sitting in the shade eating burgers and hotdogs since the cafe was now open along with the pool area eatery. When we had our fill of the hot tub we took turns getting our food. Had our hunger satisfied and now, 1:30 p.m., it was time to see if our room was open. Sure enough it was ready and in comes the butler to introduce himself; Roland. We make our requests for three cartons of milk each day to make cappuccino using the room coffeemaker, and asked for fruit instead of meat/fish snacks. Roland was outstanding especially when we ordered the in room pizza (16 inch across) delivery at the cost of $5, cheap for how great it was, also one day after walking in the heat, sandwiches were waiting for us in our room. Next we met the concierge, Anoop, he was very helpful in changing out one of our pre-booked excursions and ordering two more. Anoop is the person you contact to get priority disembarkation in all ports and when tenders are used, unless you have an excursion booked and must meet in the theater. We didn't do this on one port and we were very sorry standing in the long hot line, going down the stairs for nearly an hour. Anoop takes you down an interior freight elevator and takes you right to the scanning podium. This is what makes NCL stand out above all the other cruise lines in suites, in our humble opinion. Randolph was our room steward and he kept the place in good order with a few animals to boot.
Cabin Review
Courtyard Villa with Balcony
I love this style of Courtyard Villa it is so cozy, the bed is sectioned off with a thick curtain to block the light. There is so much space to store things many were left empty and we had three packed suitcases. The bathroom is very spacious and love, love, love the multi jet shower with floor to ceiling window. There is an oval shaped tub with small TV over it but we never used it (would be nicer if it had hot tub jets). There are two sinks with plenty of counter space. There is no way to improve on this design; I wish it was on the Epic. The toilet area is a bit smallish with telephone that I clipped repeatedly with my elbow until I accidentally hit the panic button and a voice started talking to me from the ceiling asking if I was alright. There is a pocket door that latches open and can be closed at night for privacy from the living room.
The living room is a bit tight but comfy and we enjoyed a couple of movie nights since movies are free for suites. There is a nice sized balcony but sadly there is an awning below this room that blocks the water view so you do not see the wake from the ship. Also while sitting outside you constantly hear voices below under that cloth awning since it is the main walkway. We could hear noise from above from the public sundeck and one night at 11:30 p.m. someone was jogging around in circles, note always take your earplugs.
The dining area has a good sized table with four chairs, two of which we stored in the spare bedroom. Each time they serve you a meal they put down a white table cloth and set the table so nicely. Much easier than sitting in the noisy dining room waiting for 90 minutes for lukewarm food. Next, the counter which has all your glassware and cups albeit small ones, we brought our old NCL mugs. They use capsules in the "Lavazza Blue" Coffee machine, if you like foo foo coffee, such as cappuccino, ask the butler how to steam the milk or look it up online and print off the instructions. There is a small fridge, items are NOT free in here but they leave enough space to store items like yogurt if you take them in the morning at breakfast and eat them at night.
Spare bedroom was good sized had a bed and a pull down bed on the wall someone said a child has to be ten to use it. The bathroom was good sized in this room and there are three drawers and two hanging areas for clothes, also small TV.
There is a foyer from the entry door to the small bedroom and dining area so you can close the separate doors inside to make it quieter from hallway noise or privacy if two couples using the two bedrooms.