Jennifer is a doctor and journey blogger who has been touring the world for 20 years. Whether cruising turquoise waters or trekking jungles for gorilla sightings, journey is her gas. Her weblog, Jennifer’s Path (jenniferspath.org), is your one-stop store for charming tales and savvy journey ideas, assured to spark wanderlust and encourage your subsequent journey!
We discovered an amazing deal on a tremendous itinerary on the Norwegian Pearl for a 9-night Greek Islands cruise from Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece for simply over $3100 per individual in a household balcony stateroom. This worth included the “Free at Sea” program (More at Sea as of 2025), giving us a restricted beverage package deal, 2 specialty eating meals per individual, $50 shore tour credit score per day per stateroom, and 150 minutes of free wifi.
We had by no means sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line and had been excited to offer them a attempt! They have unbelievable itineraries and an honest popularity. We are Diamond stage with Royal Caribbean and have cruised on a number of different traces, so we have now loads to check NCL to… did they measure up? Read my Norwegian Pearl overview to seek out out!
My Norwegian Pearl Review
After trying out of our lodge in Venice, we took a non-public water taxi to the St. Lucia practice station. A direct practice experience from Venice to Trieste took roughly two hours, providing scenic views alongside the best way. Upon arrival in Trieste, crowds made it troublesome to catch a cab or uber, so we walked the mile or so to the cruise terminal. From there, a shuttle bus transported us to our embarkation level for the Norwegian Pearl, at pier 57.
Unfortunately, our journey began off on the flawed foot. Embarkation was chaotic, with a whole bunch of passengers milling about outdoors the terminal. Despite paying for precedence entry, we skilled no noticeable advantages.
Nonetheless, we boarded the ship with an open thoughts. We had been able to expertise NCL for the primary time and all of the superb ports of name alongside the best way.
The Norwegian Pearl is a mid-sized ship which might maintain as much as 2344 passengers and 1072 crew members. It was refurbished in 2021, however it didn’t really feel significantly new or trendy.
The ship’s Crystal Atrium, although stunning, lacked the grandeur of bigger cruise ships. Its open-air design and glass sculpture created a nice environment. The Atrium Bar, Starbucks, and comfy seating areas made it a central hub for socializing and leisure. The Chihuly glass sculpture and handy location of visitor providers added to its enchantment.
Dining on Norwegian Pearl
When it involves eating on Norwegian Pearl, there are a variety of complimentary spots together with a number of specialty eating places. We tried a mixture of the 2 throughout our 9 days onboard the ship. Some had been wins and others had been letdowns.
Complimentary Restaurants
Garden Cafe
Overall, I used to be upset with the meals on this Norwegian Pearl buffet. On different cruises I’ve taken, the buffet is a gathering place filled with a wide array of worldwide dishes. Typically, the meals on the buffet is nice however not nice, however you possibly can at all times discover one thing you want.
On Norwegian Pearl, there was a restricted choice, and what that they had was not visually interesting or flavorful. Though, I’ve to offer credit score the place credit score is due- the desserts not solely appeared stunning, however they had been scrumptious! We haven’t discovered this to be true on different cruise traces.
Further, the house itself was poorly designed and at all times felt crowded. The meals was crammed into one elongate room, leading to traces, hordes of hungry folks, and an total feeling of grumpiness. During peak meal instances, I’d simply swoop in and seize a slice of pizza so I may get out and keep away from elbowing anybody. When I did dine in, I spent a lot time prowling for a desk that my meals could be chilly by the point I sat down.
O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill
O’Sheehan’s was the one 24 hour eating choice, and take away was usually not allowed. The menu consisted of bar meals and, whereas the choice was restricted, the standard was usually fairly good. The burgers, fries, and appetizers had been stable, even when unhealthy decisions. Breakfast was persistently good, and we loved ours on the bar seating overlooking the Crystal Atrium.
The Lotus Garden
The Lotus Garden is a complimentary Asian fusion restaurant that additionally has sushi at an extra surcharge, and a sake bar. We are connoisseurs of Asian meals (my husband’s household is from Vietnam), and this meals missed the mark fully sadly.
Summer Palace
Summer Palace was one of many most important eating rooms. This was your typical grand, cavernous cruise ship eating room. The decor was apparently primarily based on a neoclassical Russian palace. It was opulent with work of stern girls and proud czars donning the partitions.
Indigo
Indigo was the second most important eating room and, for my part, was superior to the Summer Palace. The vibe was extra intimate, extra like a superb eating restaurant and fewer like a cruise ship most important eating room. The decor was elegant however extra cozy, in tones of navy and lavender. The partitions had been adorned with artwork deco photos of American landmarks and cities.
Yet, the meals and repair may have been higher.
Specialty Dining
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki is at all times enjoyable. The meals tends to be comparable throughout the board and is persistently good. We didn’t dine right here throughout our cruise, however the cooks appeared to placed on an amazing present, and the folks we talked to had been more than happy.
Le Bistro
We had been very excited to attempt Le Bistro after studying opinions and skimming the menu on the NCL web site forward of our cruise. Our appetizers and desserts had been excellent, however we had been upset in the principle programs. I had the ocean bass, which I usually love, however it was dry and overcooked. Still, the decor and atmosphere had been good, and the service was good.
Cagney’s Steakhouse
Cagney’s is Norwegian Pearl’s upscale steakhouse, and we did take pleasure in our meal right here. I had the thick lower bacon as an appetizer and the filet mignon with chimichurri, and each had been fairly good.
Moderno Churrascaria
Moderno is Norwegian Pearl’s churrascaria, or Brazilian steakhouse. This was an total wonderful expertise! Waiters flow into with meat on a stick, serving friends rodizio fashion. They had all of the favorites, from picanha to pork stomach, and the meats had been cooked and seasoned to perfection. The “salad bar”, just like different Brazilian steakhouses we had visited, was huge and contained chilly cuts, cheeses, cooked greens, salad, and extra.
Further, the service right here was attentive, heat, and pleasant. This was our greatest expertise onboard Norwegian Pearl!
La Cucina
La Cucina, the Italian restaurant onboard, was one other win! With a collection of Italian favorites and nice service, I extremely suggest eating right here throughout your cruise. Their carbonara was a household favourite!
Norwegian Pearl Bars and Lounges
Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar
Shaker’s Martini and Cocktail Bar
Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar
The Corona Cigar Club
Sugarcane Mojito Bar
Sky High Bar and Grill
Topsiders Bar and Grill
The Bliss Ultra Lounge
Spinnaker Lounge
While distinct, Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar, Shaker’s Martini and Cocktail Bar, and Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar shared a standard house. Each centered on a particular sort of drink, with the whiskey bar providing a notable choice. The whiskey bar had a separate seating space, whereas the opposite two bars featured a bigger, open house with comfy seating and a dance ground.
Located out of the best way within Moderno, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar provided a collection of mojitos, caipirinhas, and different attention-grabbing cocktails to utilize your drink package deal.
The Bliss Ultra Lounge house was a standout for me! I liked the format of the principle night time membership onboard. The coronary heart of the lounge was a big dance ground, with a stage at one finish and many cozy seating on the different, with the principle bar behind that. Flanking this most important space had been bowling lanes! More lateral to the bowling lanes had been cozy dialog areas and partitioned off extra non-public seating areas. I liked the vibe of this house, and we loved a number of nights of horrible (and typically much less horrible) karaoke right here. The bartenders had been attentive, immediate, and artistic.
The Spinnaker Lounge was one other venue with a dance ground, stage, seating, and bar. Shows had been held right here, and the house reworked right into a dance membership within the evenings. I liked the arrange of this lounge too. There’s a central, spherical dance ground with a stage on one aspect and cozy seating round the remaining.
Entertainment
We loved the leisure onboard Norwegian Pearl as properly. The Stardust Theater was good and by no means felt crowded. The performers had been expert and well-trained, and the sound high quality and lighting had been high notch. We significantly loved the magician, and caught each of his exhibits.
Onboard Activities
While not as in depth as among the newer ships within the NCL fleet, Norwegian Pearl has plenty of onboard actions for adults and youngsters alike. There are mountain climbing partitions, shuffleboard, a sports activities courtroom (volleyball, basketball, tennis), a jogging/strolling observe, and extra. More of an inside sort? There’s a library, a card room (the “lifestyle room”) which is stocked with board and card video games, an artwork gallery, a on line casino, an arcade, a chapel, and an web cafe.
The Gym
We attempt to maintain it collectively and maintain our health on observe when cruising, and the Norwegian Pearl made this straightforward for us. The fitness center was fairly spacious and had a cable machine, dumbbells, a couple of weight machines, and quite a few cardio machines lining the home windows. A big health studio provided courses for an upcharge, together with yoga, spin, and physique sculpt. Personal trainers had been out there for personal bookings as properly.
The Spa
The spa employees was heat and pleasant. They provided a broad collection of remedies which had been priced across the trade commonplace for cruise ship spa providers. The services had been stunning, serene, and stylish. As is typical of cruise ship spa employees, they upsell you arduous, even whereas getting a therapeutic massage.
Further, you should buy passes to the thermal suite in case you want an escape from the crowds, the place you possibly can calm down in heated stone loungers, benefit from the sizzling tubs or thalassotherapy pool, and sweat it out within the sauna earlier than chilling out within the icy plunge pool.
The Pools
The swimming pools are positioned on deck 12. There are two, and one is designated as “adults only”. Each has two sizzling tubs, and there’s a lined spherical stage by the adults’ pool. There is ample seating across the swimming pools, and we by no means had hassle discovering loungers which is usually a problem on cruise ships. Along the lined sides, you’ll discover daybeds and dialog groupings. Additionally, plenty of eating tables are positioned on the finish of the pool closest to the bar and grill.
I favored the arrange for the swimming pools. Although they had been a bit small, that they had shallow edges for seating, and you could possibly discover spots within the solar or shade.
Kids’ Activities
There is one thing for teenagers of all ages onboard!
Deck 15 hosts an open play house known as “Guppies”, the place dad and mom can play with their 6-month to 3-year outdated kiddos.
Splash Academy is supposed for teenagers age 3-12 years, and you’ll be able to drop them off.
Entourage is for teenagers age 13-17 and has video games, films, sports activities, and events at their devoted dance membership.
Registration is important for all youngsters applications.
Norwegian Pearl Review – Staterooms
Norwegian provides a variety of staterooms to fit your wants and price range. From cozy inside cabins to luxurious penthouse suites, there’s an choice for everybody. If you’re touring with an enormous household, you would possibly wish to take a look at the 3-bedroom household suite that may accommodate as much as 8 folks!
Want to expertise the final word in luxurious? The Haven is Norwegian’s unique space for suite friends, providing a non-public pool, sizzling tub, restaurant, lounge, and solar decks. Haven friends additionally take pleasure in devoted concierge service and 24/7 butler service.
We opted for a household balcony stateroom throughout this journey. While it wasn’t as fancy because the Haven, it was nonetheless a cushty house for our household. The room had two twin beds that may very well be pushed collectively, a settee mattress, and a pullman mattress.
The room was a bit slender, which made it really feel a bit cramped. The rest room was an honest dimension, with a big bathe and a separate rest room. There was additionally an arrogance space with a mirror and cabinets.
The balcony was small, however offered a pleasant out of doors house for us to observe the world go by.
Overall, we had been proud of our stateroom. It offered us with a cushty place to calm down and luxuriate in our cruise.
Norwegian Pearl Review – Ports of Call
Norwegian Cruise Line shines with its itineraries! During my 9-day cruise, we visited eight ports of name. This port intensive itinerary is what most appealed to my household.
Trieste, Italy
This cruise started in Trieste, which is close-ish to Venice. We stayed in Venice and took the two hour practice experience to Trieste on embarkation day. Trieste is a stunning city, so you might take into account spending an evening or two right here earlier than the cruise.
Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna is gorgeous. Walk across the medieval village, take within the gorgeous mosaics, or head again to Venice, Murano, or Burano.
Rijeka, Croatia
Our unique port was Koper, Slovenia. We had been upset till we realized there have been comparable tour choices from Rijeka. We booked a tour via Shore Excursions Group which took us to the Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle. It was an enormous bus coach tour, which isn’t superb, however the tour was good. The websites had been distinctive and beautiful, and the countryside very scenic.
Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is a fairly cool city, with a more moderen space and a walled outdated metropolis. We booked the tuk tuk tour via the cruise line. While the novelty of using in a tuk tuk was enjoyable, we actually didn’t study or see loads. I might counsel going additional afield and seeing the panorama, presumably doing a hike at Krka National Park.
Kotor, Montenegro
We booked a motorbike tour via Shore Excursions Group, and so they by no means confirmed up. So, we discovered a tout on our manner out of the port who bought us a non-public boat experience to see the foremost sites- the blue cave, the submarine tunnel, and our Lady of the Rock. It was a tough experience, however plenty of enjoyable. It was good to have our personal boat. The city of Kotor was very cute, and value exploring.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
My household opted for the Game of Thrones tour via the cruise line. They loved it, though it was a bit tacky. The metropolis itself was beautiful. Get out and discover, whether or not you’re taking a strolling tour or get out of city for water sports activities or wine tasting.
Corfu, Greece
We booked the 4X4 tour of Corfu via the cruise line and had a blast! They had been Suzuki Jimneys, and so they had been comfy and superb to drive. Most of the driving was on paved roads, so the outline was a little bit deceptive. The surroundings and small villages had been gorgeous and idyllic, and the snacks we had alongside the best way flavorful.
Santorini, Greece
We booked a non-public tour of Santorini via Shore Excursions Group and had a good time! Our information was unbelievable, and the tour itself was pleasant. We visited a vineyard, museum, and among the island’s most important sights.
However, the island is overwhelmed by cruise ship crowds, and the cable automotive and site visitors may be chaotic. If you ever go to Santorini, I’d counsel a land-based tour or a non-public catamaran journey to keep away from the crowds.
Mykonos, Greece
This port was the spotlight of our cruise. Neither the cruise line nor Shore Excursions Group had excursions that us, so we went with Mykonos Kayak. I can’t suggest these guys extremely sufficient! They had been punctual and took us for a stunning kayak tour, together with snorkeling, snacks, and an training concerning the tradition, flora, and fauna of Mykonos.
Disembarkation in Piraeus, Greece
We disembarked in Piraeus, simply outdoors of Athens. I extremely suggest arranging a tour or driver, quite than relying on a taxi or uber. There had been hordes of individuals ready for each, whereas our driver stood within the heart of the arrival plaza with an indication bearing our identify, and whisked us away for a shoreline drive to the Temple of Poseidon.
Overall Impressions: Norwegian Pearl Review
In abstract, our cruise on Norwegian Pearl was a combined bag. The meals was bland, uninventive, and sometimes troublesome to entry. The service was lackluster, and the ship felt crowded in lots of locations, significantly the buffet.
However, we did benefit from the Churrascaria, La Cucina, the onboard leisure and actions, and the ports of name.
We did pay for the “Priority Access Pass”, which supposedly offers you precedence embarkation, spa credit score, precedence tender boarding, and precedence disembarkation. However, you might be restricted on which spa providers you should use the credit score for. Priority embarkation and disembarkation had been additionally useless- embarkation was a large number and who needs to get off extra-early?? Priority tender entry was good. Worth it? Nah.
Overall, I doubtless gained’t journey with Norwegian once more except I discover an irresistible itinerary or a screaming deal on a set within the Haven!
However, you will need to be aware that Norwegian Pearl is an older ship, and the cruise line has many more recent ships that will enchantment to households with sights like waterslides and go-karts. NCL additionally provides a extra versatile “Freestyle” method to cruising which some vacationers could take pleasure in.
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