We just returned from the NCL Pearl. Really quick, the ships public areas were very nice, and clean, although not a great layout. Our cabins, 2 adjoining with balcony to accommodate a family of 5, were not the cleanest. There were "brown" smudges on the bathroom door and wall in one room, the floor had not been vacuumed, and there were finger or toe nail clippings left on a chair on the balcony. Gross!! A friend had suggested I bring a can of lysol and spray down all surfaces, thank goodness I did. Our adjoining door was locked and took quite a while for our cabin steward Jake, or atleast that was how he introduced himself, to come and unlock it, I had been told to tip your steward well and often, so I thanked him and gave him $20. Come to find out at bedtime, when Beth and Edgar came and introduced themselves as our cabin stewards, I asked where Jake was, and they told me today was his last day, he was switching ships. I was not impressed so far!!

As far as the restaurants, if you don't mind eating in a cafeteria for every meal I suggest you pack long pants for every male over 12 years old. Coming from Chicago and going on a "free style" cruise my 13 year old and my husband packed only nice, Tommy Bahama, golf shorts and shirts for dinners. Why on earth would a young family bring long pants on a Caribbean cruise? We were turned away in all the other restaurants, we are country clubbers, so we know how to dress, basically you could wear sweats and a tee shirt but not ever a nice pair of shorts. Finally on Thursday evening I went to reception and complained, they said sorry that's our policy, but we have pants to lend out. Now, wouldn't you think the first night when they asked my husband to go change and we said he didn't bring anything that they might have told us this little tip? I mentioned that to reception but, of course, they were sorry. So we at least got to go to 2 of the other restaurants.

Mambos is by far the best value for the $10 cover charge. We also ate at the Cucina, which was good. Everything you can do, bowling, rock wall, bingo, etc. will cost you extra. We usually play bingo at the local church, so when it was $140.00 per bingo event,it adds up fast. We paid it because it was fun for all of us to do together. You could do it for $60, but then only one person gets to play. Read more