​Solo Cruise Ep. 5: Is Staying Onboard in Kotor, Montenegro a CRAZY Idea?! | Norwegian Pearl

​Welcome back to Episode 5 of my solo cruise series aboard the Norwegian Pearl in the Aegean Sea! Today, we arrive at what I consider to be one of the most breathtaking cruise ports in all of Europe: Kotor, Montenegro. ​The sail-in through the Bay of Kotor is magical, but you have to plan ahead! In this episode, I share essential advice on how early you need to wake up to catch these views and why timing is everything. Kotor is primarily a tender port with only one main berth, meaning most ships anchor out in the bay. ​Surprisingly, Norwegian Cruise Line didn't really highlight just how special this port entry is—unlike other cruise lines I’ve sailed with where captains, cruise directors, and daily newsletters make a huge deal out of it. ​I also share why I decided to do something controversial today: I stayed onboard the ship! ​Having visited Kotor before, I reflect on my past experiences—including a fantastic speedboat tour to Our Lady of the Rocks and the UNESCO-listed village of Perast. Kotor’s Old Town is quite small, and with four cruise ships in port alongside land tourists, it gets incredibly crowded. I also break down why I passed on the new Kotor Cable Car after researching long wait times, potential wind shutdowns, and the fact that tender boats today were taking 45 minutes each way. ​Instead, I used this port day as a sea day to explore the Norwegian Pearl! With such a port-intensive itinerary, this was my first real chance to explore. I check out the sports facilities and find that the Pearl dpesn't compare to NCL’s newer ships (no race tracks or massive waterslides here!), and head to the Garden Café for lunch. ​Pro-Tip: The main buffet gets packed fast when guests return, but I share my favorite hidden gem—the Great Outdoors buffet at the aft of the ship! It has a slightly smaller selection, but the peaceful outdoor seating is unmatched. ​The absolute highlight of the day? The Sailaway. Instead of talking over it, I let the footage speak for itself set to music. Make sure to catch my tip on why heading to the top open decks gives you a far superior 360-degree view compared to staying on your balcony! ​To wrap up the day, I take you along for my evening onboard. ​NEXT UP: We are heading to the stunning walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia! I’ll be sharing tons of practical tips and advice on how to spend an unforgettable day there on your own. ​If you enjoyed this video or found the tips helpful, please hit that LIKE button! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you don't miss Episode 6 in Dubrovnik. Thank you so much for watching! ⚓️🇲🇪🚢 ​Timestamps: ​00:00 - Welcome to Kotor, Montenegro! (Opening & Early Sail-In) ​00:35 - NCL’s Surprise Omission 05:58 - NCL Room Service Breakfast ​06:43 - Why I’m Staying Onboard Today (Past Excursions & Cable Car Review) 07:07 - Things to do in Kotor 09:15 - Water shuttle troubles ​12:45 - Exploring the Norwegian Pearl (Sports Deck & Ship Features) ​15:20 - Garden Café Lunch Hack: Avoid the Crowd! ​16:36 - Scenic Kotor Sailaway (Cinematic Views) ​18:33 - Evening Onboard: O'Sheehan's & Theater Show Review ​19:47 - Next Stop: Dubrovnik, Croatia! (Subscribe & Like) #SoloCruise #NorwegianCruiseLine #NCL ​#NorwegianPearl #NCLPearl #MediterraneanCruise ​#Kotor #KotorMontenegro #VisitMontenegro ​#CruiseTips #TenderPort #KotorSailAway