Norwegian Pearl

[sprint180]

My family was on it last year. Here is my review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2082479

[Oldgoat61]

The Pearl is one of our favorite ships. One poster mentioned weather. It is very unpredictable....brings layers of clothes. Not sure about Glacier Bay, but if it is anything like the Tracy Arm, it will be like an ice box.;)

[Rebel_Jedi]

Thanks! Yeah it sounds like she won't be missing much anyway. We're on the Getaway over Christmas and that looks like it has some pretty good slides so this trip she'll just have to enjoy the scenery!

 

I saw in another thread that people are planning their dining reservations around the kid's club. We have 6:30 reservations so I wonder if it wouldn't be better to change them all to 5:30 (if I can).

 

Last, albeit really stupid, question (hey, the fun's in the minutiae, right?). Our luggage tags for the ship say "PURPLE" on them and there are a couple of strips colored purple. Would you suggest a color printer? Our printer at home only has black ink.

 

 

Thanks!

[Kierste]

I saw in another thread that people are planning their dining reservations around the kid's club. We have 6:30 reservations so I wonder if it wouldn't be better to change them all to 5:30 (if I can).

 

Thanks!

 

So, we like to eat with our kiddo, and not subject her to the buffet again for dinner (she was good with it for breakfast, lunch was not her fave.) So, we did move all our ressies to 5:30. Some people like the idea of their kiddo doing the buffet and then the parents go to dinner after 7 while the kiddo is in splash academy. Mine would have been po'd to miss Teppenyaki, Moderno, Le Bistro, La Cucina, and Cagneys... we ate at all of them for dinner... and the Asian food place (which is free now), and they were all sooo very good. And she could order off the adult menu and get what she wanted. So that is why we did dinners at 5:30.

[quercus alba]

Last, albeit really stupid, question (hey, the fun's in the minutiae, right?). Our luggage tags for the ship say "PURPLE" on them and there are a couple of strips colored purple. Would you suggest a color printer? Our printer at home only has black ink.

 

Does your daughter have a set of markers?

Problem solved! :D

[Rebel_Jedi]

Does your daughter have a set of markers?

Problem solved! :D

 

Haha I actually thought about this!!

[eva_marie]

So, we like to eat with our kiddo, and not subject her to the buffet again for dinner (she was good with it for breakfast, lunch was not her fave.) So, we did move all our ressies to 5:30. Some people like the idea of their kiddo doing the buffet and then the parents go to dinner after 7 while the kiddo is in splash academy. Mine would have been po'd to miss Teppenyaki, Moderno, Le Bistro, La Cucina, and Cagneys... we ate at all of them for dinner... and the Asian food place (which is free now), and they were all sooo very good. And she could order off the adult menu and get what she wanted. So that is why we did dinners at 5:30.

 

DS saw my MOULES POULETTE AU PERNOD at Le Bistro on our 1st cruise (age 7) and promptly told the waiter he did not like his starter and wanted mussel soup. We had it again last summer (8). We shall have it again this time (9).

[newmexicoNita]

Hello!

 

I'm taking my family on an Alaskan cruise next month on the Pearl. Does anyone have any experience with this ship? I've been on Princess and Carnival and my daughter has been on Disney (with my parents) but my husband has never done a cruise.

 

Also, this is the first time I will ever be doing Freestyle cruising. Is that much different than traditional cruising?

 

Thanks for your time!

 

ok, here is my experience with the Pearl and everyone has a different idea of course. Hopefully you will get a feel for the ship just be reading what we have to say.

 

We have cruised the Pearly 3 times, the most recent last month. compared to the other lines you have been on you will find the cabins on the small side. Well actually we don't think any smaller than Princess. Princess has a few more sq ft but we think the dressing area is wasted space and we have cruised them 3 times.

Other than the cabins size I can't think of a really negative statement about the Pearl. Your daughter, depending on her age will love the kids program or most do.

For us, the food on NCL overall is a little better than Princess but food is very subjective. I can't compare it with Carnival as it has been many years since we have cruised them. I know Disney has fantastic food. We like the dining choices on NCL and the casual dress. Even though Princess says formal nights are obtional to a degree, we felt very uncomfortable not being dressed to the nines and ended up staying out of the public areas on formal nights.

 

I think, as much as we love the Pearl and NCL overall, Princess ships are a little prettier.

 

Overall the entertainment is better on NCL and we found the service much better. Hope this helps you some and hope others will give you good comparisons as well.

[Rebel_Jedi]

ok, here is my experience with the Pearl and everyone has a different idea of course. Hopefully you will get a feel for the ship just be reading what we have to say.

 

We have cruised the Pearly 3 times, the most recent last month. compared to the other lines you have been on you will find the cabins on the small side. Well actually we don't think any smaller than Princess. Princess has a few more sq ft but we think the dressing area is wasted space and we have cruised them 3 times.

Other than the cabins size I can't think of a really negative statement about the Pearl. Your daughter, depending on her age will love the kids program or most do.

For us, the food on NCL overall is a little better than Princess but food is very subjective. I can't compare it with Carnival as it has been many years since we have cruised them. I know Disney has fantastic food. We like the dining choices on NCL and the casual dress. Even though Princess says formal nights are obtional to a degree, we felt very uncomfortable not being dressed to the nines and ended up staying out of the public areas on formal nights.

 

I think, as much as we love the Pearl and NCL overall, Princess ships are a little prettier.

 

Overall the entertainment is better on NCL and we found the service much better. Hope this helps you some and hope others will give you good comparisons as well.

 

Thanks for your review, that was really helpful! I agree that Princess ships are very pretty, though it's been a few years since I sailed on one!

[jack300s]

This was my mini review of my cruise on the Pearl in May. I did cruise her again in November. I did find in November the buffet food was hotter, but Blue Lagoon warm food and the service was very, very slow.

 

The good

• Was in an aft penthouse, it was great.
  
• Room steward was exceptional.
  
• Butler was great.
  
• Cagney’s was fantastic.
  
• Teppanyaki was fantastic.
  
• Meet and greet was really good; got to meet some really nice folks (the Captain came and actually went around the whole room shaking everyone’s hands).
  
• Hotel Director announced that he wanted to have a recap the last sea day, where cruise critic individuals could voice any concerns, etc….first time I have ever heard of this. Unfortunately, I didn’t go, but will if he offers it on my November cruise on the Pearl.
  
• Hostess for Cagney’s for breakfast and lunch was terrific.
  
• All the staff was very personable; couldn't walk down a corridor without a hello, how are you today or how was your day.
  
• All the casino staff was very friendly and fun.
  

 

The not so good

• Even though I have said that NCL’s buffet was great in the past, this time the food was lukewarm to cold.
  
• Same goes for Blue Lagoon; I ordered the chicken wings and mashed potatoes and neither were hot (wings not spicy hot or temperature hot).
  

 

The bad

• No, nothing with NCL. It was some of the passengers that had no manners. People pushing to get into an elevator without letting others out. One gang of four or five teen or pre-teen boys did this all the time; they thought it was funny. Few others, but won’t go into their lack of manners. Thankfully, it was only a very few rude passengers; the majority were just great.
  

 

The Pearl is my favorite NCL ship.

 

Do you remember the name of your Butler? Also, who was your Concierge?

[NLH Arizona]

Do you remember the name of your Butler? Also, who was your Concierge?

In May the Concierge was Monica and she was awful, in my estimation. Don't remember either the Concierge or Butler's names for November, but both were great. Edited May 18, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[emcelh]

In May the Concierge was Monica and she was awful, in my estimation. Don't remember either the Concierge or Butler's names for November, but both were great.

 

The concierge in November was Elvina and you're right, she was great.

[jack300s]

In May the Concierge was Monica and she was awful, in my estimation. Don't remember either the Concierge or Butler's names for November, but both were great.

 

Thank you for the information...

[wvfrogg]

I wouldn't worry too much about the water slide being gone from a June Alaskan cruise. We went in June and it was really too cool to use the pool at all. But at other times, people have said the pool was open on their Alaskan Cruise.

 

Pearl is my favorite ship -- in fact I like all of the Jewel class ships. The size is great, the crew is terrific and I have always enjoyed the food. Been in The Haven and OV, with everything in between -- liked them all.

[NLH Arizona]

The concierge in November was Elvina and you're right, she was great.

You are right. She was wonderful.

[Tricialy]

You are right. She was wonderful.

 

We had Elvina on the Jewel a while ago, hoping she is on the Pearl in June with us!

Edited May 19, 2015 by Tricialy

[OurDogCisco]

I didn't read through all the comments but we have sailed on DCL 6 times. We sailed the Pearl last June to Alaska. My girls were 13 and 16 at the time of sailing. Compared to Disney the girls were very disappointed. The theater shows were pretty boring to them. The rock climbing wall was closed most of the week. Of course, on our sailing they just removed the slide which ended up not being a big deal as it was way too cold to swim anyways. For some of the indoor things they liked the bowling but that is like a one time activity to do for about 1 hour. The movie selection was pretty poor as well. Now, remember their age. I just felt like for this ship that NCL was catering to an older crowd. The buffet was okay we definitely like Disney better. I thought the food was much better in Disney's MDR than on the Pearl. My kids LOVED the specialty dining on the Pearl. In fact we only ate in the dining room 2 nights and did specialty the other 5 nights. It was nice that kids could go out with us unlike Disney where the specialty restaurants are adult only. Plus, we like the décor better on Disney as it was more appealing to us visually but we are Disney nuts so take that with a grain of salt if you know what I mean. We had a great time on the trip as the purpose was to visit Alaska. We did some great things like fishing for Salmon, taking a boat to Tracy Arm (I highly recommend this tour offered by NCL-- we got pretty close to the glacier), seeing sled dogs, etc... Have a great trip...

 

Edit to add more: The kids club was a bust for them. This sailing was pretty early in June and so, there weren't very many kids on board. We did visit the club and it was just okay. Nothing like what Disney has on their newer ships like Fantasy and Dream. Finally, the movie selection wasn't too great. Luckily, we were staying concierge level and we could check out videos for free. So, we watched a ton of movies. They had one movie Divergent that we watched on their regular TV channels.

Edited May 19, 2015 by OurDogCisco

[cruiseat50]

It's late so not going to say much other than the Pearl is a beautiful ship and it's our favorite for many reasons. We live in Seattle (well just slightly south) and took a drive this weekend and snapped a pic of the Pearl.:D

 

[2red4u]

We will be on her in 12 days!! My kids can't wait. We all enjoyed the Jewel so much last year. Alaska is simply amazing!

[quercus alba]

It's late so not going to say much other than the Pearl is a beautiful ship and it's our favorite for many reasons. We live in Seattle (well just slightly south) and took a drive this weekend and snapped a pic of the Pearl.:D

 

 

Thanks!

61 Days and counting...:)

[Rebel_Jedi]

I didn't read through all the comments but we have sailed on DCL 6 times. We sailed the Pearl last June to Alaska. My girls were 13 and 16 at the time of sailing. Compared to Disney the girls were very disappointed. The theater shows were pretty boring to them. The rock climbing wall was closed most of the week. Of course, on our sailing they just removed the slide which ended up not being a big deal as it was way too cold to swim anyways. For some of the indoor things they liked the bowling but that is like a one time activity to do for about 1 hour. The movie selection was pretty poor as well. Now, remember their age. I just felt like for this ship that NCL was catering to an older crowd. The buffet was okay we definitely like Disney better. I thought the food was much better in Disney's MDR than on the Pearl. My kids LOVED the specialty dining on the Pearl. In fact we only ate in the dining room 2 nights and did specialty the other 5 nights. It was nice that kids could go out with us unlike Disney where the specialty restaurants are adult only. Plus, we like the décor better on Disney as it was more appealing to us visually but we are Disney nuts so take that with a grain of salt if you know what I mean. We had a great time on the trip as the purpose was to visit Alaska. We did some great things like fishing for Salmon, taking a boat to Tracy Arm (I highly recommend this tour offered by NCL-- we got pretty close to the glacier), seeing sled dogs, etc... Have a great trip...

 

Edit to add more: The kids club was a bust for them. This sailing was pretty early in June and so, there weren't very many kids on board. We did visit the club and it was just okay. Nothing like what Disney has on their newer ships like Fantasy and Dream. Finally, the movie selection wasn't too great. Luckily, we were staying concierge level and we could check out videos for free. So, we watched a ton of movies. They had one movie Divergent that we watched on their regular TV channels.

 

 

Thanks for your comments - the good and the bad. My daughter is 9 so I'm hoping she is still entertained by the kids club. I didn't even think about the fact that there won't be many kids onboard since it's an early June cruise. Bergleflickle.

[Rebel_Jedi]

It's late so not going to say much other than the Pearl is a beautiful ship and it's our favorite for many reasons. We live in Seattle (well just slightly south) and took a drive this weekend and snapped a pic of the Pearl.:D

 

 

 

Thanks for the picture, I didn't realize the port was downtown! I am excite.

[Kierste]

Thanks for your comments - the good and the bad. My daughter is 9 so I'm hoping she is still entertained by the kids club. I didn't even think about the fact that there won't be many kids onboard since it's an early June cruise. Bergleflickle.

 

We only had 100 kids on our sailing... I think your daughter will still love kids club with reduced numbers!

[monakayk]

DH, DD and I just returned from the Pearl on our 1st Alaska cruise. Make sure to see the dance/singing production shows in the Theater...they were great and the performers did an outstanding job. Buffet was good....at times almost better than the main traditional dining rooms. Also...they sale day passes to the spa...for $40.00 each---if available which they were on our cruise. Try that on a sea day..wonderful relaxing way to spend a cold sea day! Suggestion: Lunch and breakfast in Blue Lagoon or now called: O'Sheehans is a great alternative to the buffet....Lotus Garden is free now...and has great Asian food for dinner. Make sure to go to Spinnakers Lounge to enjoy sunsets and whale watching!We saw Whales in the bay at Icy Strait Point from the ship...amazing! The Great Outback..has a late breakfast buffet that is very nice...as well as food all day----another nice option to avoid the buffet crowds.

 

Hope you have a great cruise.:D

Edited May 23, 2015 by monakayk

[Rebel_Jedi]

DH, DD and I just returned from the Pearl on our 1st Alaska cruise. Make sure to see the dance/singing production shows in the Theater...they were great and the performers did an outstanding job. Buffet was good....at times almost better than the main traditional dining rooms. Also...they sale day passes to the spa...for $40.00 each---if available which they were on our cruise. Try that on a sea day..wonderful relaxing way to spend a cold sea day! Suggestion: Lunch and breakfast in Blue Lagoon or now called: O'Sheehans is a great alternative to the buffet....Lotus Garden is free now...and has great Asian food for dinner. Make sure to go to Spinnakers Lounge to enjoy sunsets and whale watching!We saw Whales in the bay at Icy Strait Point from the ship...amazing! The Great Outback..has a late breakfast buffet that is very nice...as well as food all day----another nice option to avoid the buffet crowds.

 

Hope you have a great cruise.:D

 

Thanks for the info! Sounds like we'll be spending a lot of time in Spinnakers Lounge. :)