Norwegian Pearl in Tortola, BVI

When we went to the Garden Café for coffee this morning we could already tell it would be hot in port. Norwegian Pearl docked at 7am in Road Town, Tortola, but we took our time going ashore. The hot, sunny day really tested my 100 SPF sunscreen as we strolled through the vendors’ market near the piers and then headed into town to check out the wares in the craft market that fronts the water. Tortola is home to some very talented artists.

However, my main mission was something of a tradition for every time I visit Tortola—a stop at Pusser’s Outpost. Before I even asked, “Is it too early for a Painkiller?” I knew the answer would be, “It’s never too early.” Fortified by the creamy rum drink, I had enough energy to return to Norwegian Pearl in the heat. I’ll know later if the sunscreen did its job.

Taxi drivers all along the main roadway were offering rides to the north shore’s palm-fringed beaches—Cane Garden Bay, Brewers Bay, and Smugglers Cove. We are looking forward to a day at NCL’s private island for our beach outing this week so we took a pass. One of the best tours from Tortola is the boat to Virgin Gorda to visit the Baths, which we’ve done in the past and highly recommend.

Our day in Tortola was short as we sailed at 3pm. Tomorrow we’ll be relaxing on Norwegian Pearl during a sea day and it’s probably a good thing because tonight is NCL’s signature “White Hot Dance Party” and I don’t want to miss it.