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Norwegian Pearl

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Refurbished in 2021, Norwegian Pearl shuttles 2,394 passengers and 1,072 crew members to a variety of destinations. With its diverse selection of onboard offerings, Pearl has something for cruisers of all ages.

Families can spend quality time playing basketball, video games or playing cards. Alternatively, parents can send their youngsters to age-appropriate youth clubs while they enjoy some grown-up time at the Mandara Spa or the casino.

As far as lodging goes, the Inside and Oceanview cabins are comparable to many other Norwegian ships, ranging from 138 to 278 square feet. Cruisers can find more room in the Balcony, Club Balcony and Suite staterooms or The Haven, which offer between 200 and 4,252 square feet.

Norwegian Pearl boasts seven complimentary eateries and six specialty restaurants. Passenger favorites include the specialty Cagney's Steakhouse. 

Norwegian Pearl departs from ports in Miami , Boston ,  Quebec City , Venice and Athens . It sails to destinations in the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Europe and Canada and New England.

Pros & Cons

Convenient weekend cruises between Miami and the Bahamas

Half of the ship's dining venues require an extra fee

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 3.8
• Health Rating » 5.0

Norwegian Pearl ranks # 6 out of 19 Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

• # 6 in Best Norwegian Cruise Line
• # 38 in Best Cruises to the Mediterranean
• # 46 in Best Cruises to Europe
• # 46 in Best Cruises to the Caribbean

Norwegian Pearl offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Norwegian Pearl contains 12 decks. Find out which features are available on each Norwegian Pearl deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 2028 guests have reviewed Norwegian Pearl , giving it a rating of 3.8 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Cruising the Norwegian Pearl Review: Our Favorite Ship Yet

Are you cruising the Norwegian Pearl soon? This Norwegian Pearl review shows why this is one of our favorite ships thus far.

While I had read great Norwegian Pearl reviews, I wasn’t sure how we would like it compared to our cruise last year on the mega-ship, the Norwegian Getaway.

The Norwegian Pearl is a smaller ship with fewer activities and half the number of passengers (a plus), and this time, we didn’t live the suite life as we did on the Norwegian Getaway .

Would we miss the Haven or love cruising the Norwegian Pearl without it?

The Norwegian Pearl is an older ship, recently refurbished in February 2017. It usually cruises in Alaska during the Spring and Summer, but this time of year, it positions elsewhere and can offer a variety of itineraries.

When we cruise, we mainly cruise for the itinerary 1st and the ship 2nd, and this itinerary won us over. Total of 9 days, six ports, and only two sea days!

It’s an exciting itinerary! It meant a do-over in Roatan (last time, the weather did not let us explore) and three new destinations we hadn’t been to.

And, the transportation from city to city is part of the cruise fare we don’t take for granted.

This post was originally posted in 2017.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

Table of Contents

9-Day Norwegian Pearl Western Caribbean Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart New Orleans, LA Day 2 – Sea Day Day 3 – Cozumel, Mexico Day 4 – George Town, Cayman Islands Day 5 – Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras Day 6 – Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala Day 7 – Harvest Caye, Belize Day 8 – Costa Maya, Mexico Day 9 – Sea Day Day 10 – Disembark in New Orleans, LA

Norwegian Pearl Review

Before I break down my review, I will summarize that we had a fabulous time.

We learned that nine vs. seven days is the perfect number of cruise days for us.

Seven-day itineraries feel too short, but nine days is enough; anything over may be too much for us.

It rained on and off the first few days. It cleared up midway through the cruise -not the ship’s fault- and we were blessed with beautiful warm days.

We met a wonderful group through the Cruise Critic meet-up , on excursions, and the cruise ship.

We ate our hearts out. Danced. Laughed. Mingled. Explored on and off the ship.

It was an amazing 9 days. Before embarkation day, we spent a few days in New Orleans – our first time! It was great. However, 2 1/2 days is not enough time to do everything New Orleans offers.

Enough time to explore the French Quarter and eat our weight in beignets . We wrote another post covering our time in New Orleans and the Western Caribbean ports .

Embarkation at Port of New Orleans

Embarkation day was slightly disorganized. We arrived there at about 11:30 AM, and there was a long security line. After checking in, there was another long wait to get on the ship.

The ship had been chartered to the band KISS and their fans 5 days beforehand, and they took longer than expected to disembark the ship.

On top of that, I believe the port authority had also decided to do a full check of the ship that day.

It was around 1 PM when they started calling, and we didn’t board until about 2 PM. According to experienced cruisers we spoke to, this was not the norm.

Patience is key on embarkation day . Remember once you’re on the ship you’re on vacation.

Once you’re on the ship and grab your first cocktail, take advantage of that drink package if you have it ! You’ll soon forget about the long lines and wait to embark.

Sail Away from New Orleans Cruise Port

We were behind that day, so sail away didn’t take place until long after the initially scheduled time. We had looked forward to sailing down the Mississippi River during daylight; however, we didn’t leave port until sunset.

The spectacular sunset we experienced over the New Orleans skyline made up for it.

Enclosed Balcony Cabin on Norwegian Pearl

We booked a balcony guarantee and were assigned starboard forward cabin # 10008, an enclosed balcony. I had never stayed in a cabin with an enclosed balcony and didn’t know what to expect.

I ended up loving the balcony. The enclosed part made it feel more private than a regular balcony. There are no obstructions; if you stick your head out, look towards your left to see the bridge from there.

The cabin was great. It had enough room for hubby and me. More than two people and it would probably feel a little snug.

• The bed was comfortable.
• There are 3 USB ports – one under each light fixture on the sides of the bed and another under the TV area.
• There is a new flat-screen TV.
• There is more than enough storage space in the closet area for our things,
• And there is a light switch in the closet that you will probably miss if you don’t reach into the back.

I felt the bathroom was a little claustrophobic. The wood paneling makes it dark, and there is no lighting in the shower area.

I’m not tall. I can imagine someone 6ft+ hitting their head on the shower ceiling or sitting in the toilet area and hitting their knees against the wall – something to keep in mind if you are tall.

There are also sliding doors to separate both the shower and the toilet from the wash area.

Recently, the Norwegian Pearl underwent a refurbishment, which included the rooms. It was my first time on this ship, so I can’t make a comparison.

The TV area and USB ports seem new to me. The room was in fine shape.

Service on the Norwegian Pearl

Service on the first day was slow. The waitstaff was working hard to get into the swing of things with a new set of passengers. We only experienced this on the first day. Throughout the rest of the cruise, the service picked up.

Our steward’s name was Albert, and he did a great job. He was polite and always called us by our first names. He cleaned our room every morning, turned it down, and cleaned our room every night. Our ice bucket was always full of ice. We had a towel animal waiting for us every night after the first.

I only wished he had provided us with more than two bath towels in the bathroom every night, as I have a ton of hair. He did the first couple of days, but then he’d forget.

No big deal, though, as long as my room was clean.

Tasty Itinerary: Food on the Norwegian Pearl

O’sheehan’s.

Besides room service, this pub-style restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the place for late-night snacks! Wings and beer, anyone? We had lunch here upon embarkation, and it was the only day I can say we had slow service. Throughout the rest of the cruise, it was great.

We enjoyed Norwegian’s version of a churrascaria. We loved the antipasto choices at the buffet and probably ate too much from it before they came around with the meats. The bacon-wrapped chicken, garlic filet mignon, and beef ribs stand out the most. The roasted pineapple is delicious.

Loved: Coconut Flan. 

Our dining experience here was excellent and by far the BEST of our entire cruise. I was adventurous, and with the waiter’s encouragement, I tried escargot for the first time – they reminded me of garlic mushrooms. The roasted duck and the filet mignon were delicious.

We ended our meal with the most amazing desserts from our entire cruise. The crème brûlée was amazing and reminded me of our time in Paris. Hubby’s chocolate dessert was mouthwatering.

To our surprise, the chef visited our table, and she was gracious and happy that we enjoyed everything. Our entire meal was outstanding.

Cagney’s Steakhouse

On the Norwegian Getaway last year, we had the pleasure of eating at this establishment and had a fabulous meal. This time, on the Norwegian Pearl, we were underwhelmed by the service and the food quality.

For starters, the layout and seating of the restaurant are cumbersome. Waiters from Cagney’s and Moderno’s (it’s right next door) scurried back and forth from the shared kitchen across the narrow space between tables.

If you are sitting in this part of the restaurant, like we were, it makes for an uncomfortable seat as you pray that the waiters darting by don’t knock you or your drink over.

The menu was different from the Getaway, and we noticed some items missing. I’m not sure if the menu varies from ship to ship or if they are changing it ship-wide. The food was subpar. The filet mignon at Le Bistro superseded the one served here.

Good : Apple crumb dessert.

Lotus Garden

We had dinner here one night. This is your standard fast-food Chinese fare. It was fair, but do not expect it to be authentic. It’s more like Panda Express.

This is one of the main dining rooms. We had dinner here a few nights. Standouts: Spaghetti carbonara, BBQ ribs, prime rib, basil chicken, opera cake, and apple pie.

Garden Cafe

The buffet was always crowded for breakfast, and the omelet stations had long lines. Finding a seat was difficult at times, but not impossible. If you walk past the buffet, outside to the aft of the ship, you will find a smaller buffet section with plenty of outdoor seating.

This is also where you’d find food between meal times and at night’s end after the main buffet closed. Up to 11:30 PM, you could always find a snack to eat here.

We had breakfast here every morning, and after returning from an excursion, we’d hit the buffet. We only had dinner here one night. The food was decent. The dessert section could be better, but we always find something. The crepe station was delicious. The hand-scooped ice cream is always a win.

Entertainment on the Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship

While we enjoyed most of the shows, it seemed as though they scrounged up entertainers for the 9 days of this cruise. A few acts were on the ship for that week alone. I will not mention every act because you will find it completely different if you stepped foot on the ship today.

Legends in Concerts is the usual weekly entertainment on the Norwegian Pearl, and we, unfortunately, missed it because we were busy in the casino.

A cast member on the ship sang a Michael Bublé tribute, which was excellent. Alas, I do not know if this show is a weekly occurrence. If not, Norwegian Pearl should promote it to a regular performance.

We did expect to see a Broadway-type show, and from what I understand now, the Broadway shows are only on Norwegian Cruise Line’s mega-ships.

Every night, you can find karaoke at the Bliss Lounge or dance the night away at the Spinnaker Lounge.

One thing Norwegian Cruise Line does right is their dance parties – every night, there is a theme, whether the 80s or 90s party or a music video party.

There is always something, but I did find this cruise quieter and the vibe slightly subdued from our Norwegian Getaway cruise last year – this could be a plus or a negative. 

The casino was small. Better ventilation is needed because of all the smoke. I would love to see more Wheel-of-Fortune machines with smaller denominations than $1.

Good to know: Sea day mornings, coffee, and pastry items are placed out for early gamblers. Late-night snacks are available most nights.

Other Observations from Norwegian Pearl

• The layout of the ship was confusing. After a while, you do get the hang of it.

• The staff was terrific. Always ready to help you with a smile. They work hard to make your time on the ship flawless and memorable.
• The ship was constantly being worked on. We witnessed them cleaning the ship daily. They especially took care of the small details. And a couple of times while we were in port, they worked on our balcony, chipping away any old paint and repainting it with a fresh coat.
• The $10 bazaar was insanely overcrowded. It occurred on the last sea day in Le Bistro, and there wasn’t enough room for everyone. Once you stepped in, it was survival of the fittest. Some people played the sale like a sport. Everyone was pushing, shoving, grabbing, and snatching items as if they’d never seen some items for $10 or less . They were selling the same t-shirts that were 2 for $20 at the gift shop all week. I looked around, saw the ridiculous line to check out, and then left. They need to organize this bazaar better.
• Makers Mark is premium alcohol and not part of the beverage package… seriously? It’s a cheap bourbon.
• The hotel director on this ship was outstanding. Thank you for caring, wishing, and being willing to hear the highs and lows of our experience during our time on the Pearl.  

Disembarkation

We arrived late in NOLA because a barge stopped in the Mississippi River and did not allow them to continue at full speed ahead and on schedule. This meant that the port authority had to check the ship before anyone could start to disembark. Our flight wasn’t until early afternoon, so we weren’t worried.

We grabbed breakfast at the buffet and sat around until they started to call groups. Norwegian allows you to do self-disembarkation or provide color luggage tags that coincide with group times. We chose to disembark with the last group.

Getting off the ship wasn’t a problem, nor was customs. They waved us through.

The line to exit the port to the taxi stand was a mess. Passengers arriving early to check in to embark were confused and accidentally kept merging onto our line.

We eventually made it, but this port could use some organization.

Final Thoughts on the Norwegian Pearl

The Norwegian Pearl is a fantastic ship. It may be missing some of the bells and whistles from their sister mega-ships, but the crew on this ship impressed me. They care about the ship and its passengers.

There was a sense of family and pride amongst the crew, which was conveyed throughout the cruise.

We enjoy Norwegian Cruise Line’s FREESTYLE cruising and love the Free at Sea Perks they offer upon booking. And because we had such a great time on the Pearl, we purchased Cruise Next vouchers and plan to book another Norwegian cruise.

If the itinerary works for us, we will choose to cruise with the Norwegian Pearl again .

🚢 Book a cruise on the Norwegian pearl cruise

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Cruising the Norwegian Encore
• Cruising the Celebrity Solstice Review
• Cruising the Norwegian Joy Review
• Cruising the Celebrity Equinox Review
• Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review
• Cruising Norwegian Getaway and Staying in the Haven

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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I was on the Norwegian Bliss recently and our embarkation was a nightmare…but overall the Gokarts and food made up for that….imagine embarking at 9pm….

Wow, 9 hours?! That is insane! I honestly do not enjoy the embarkation and debarkation process. Thankfully you forget about it once you’re on the ship.

Happy to hear that you had a great time on the Bliss. I booked its sister ship the Joy for 2021.

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Norwegian Pearl Deck Plans & Reviews

Norwegian Pearl

Activities & entertainment

• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Basketball_Tennis Courts
• Behind the Scenes Tour *
• Body Waves Fitness Center
• Pearl Club Casino *
• Bliss Ultra Lounge
• Spinnaker Lounge
• Bridge Viewing Room
• Climbing Wall
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Fitness Classes *
• Gaming Lessons *
• Corona Cigar Club
• Hair Salon *
• Whirlpools (5)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Internet Cafe *
• Jogging Track
• Late Night Dancing
• Poolside Games
• South Pacific Spa and Beauty Salon *
• Thermal Suite *
• Shuffleboard Court
• Sports Court
• The Library
• Video Arcade *
• Wine Tasting *
• Aqua Kids Club
• Medical Center
• Comedy Performances
• Onboard Movie Screenings
• Stardust Theater
• Live Nightly Music
• Sports Games Televised
• Indigo Main Dining Room - Main
• Summer Palace Main Dining Room - Main
• Lotus Garden Asian Restaurant - Asian
• Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar - Beer & Whiskey *
• Garden Cafe - Buffet
• Magnums Champagne and Wine Bar - Champagne and Wine Bar *
• Le Bistro French Restaurant - French *
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
• Teppanyaki - Japanese *
• Sake Bar - Japanese Sake *
• Kids Cafe - Kids Fare
• Shakers Martini and Cocktail Bar - Martini Bar *
• Topsiders Bar - Pool Bar *
• Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• Sushi Bar - Sushi *
• Sky High Bar - Hot-Air Balloon-Themed Bar *
• Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
• Atrium Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Room Service *

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• Excellent 50
• Very Good 35
• Terrible 20
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Norwegian Pearl

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

• Miami (Florida)
• Trieste (Italy)
• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)

Norwegian Pearl current position

Norwegian Pearl current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 44.63697 N / -63.56392 W) cruising en route to REYKJAVIC,ICE LAND. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Pearl

Norwegian Pearl current cruise is 14 days, one-way from New York to Southampton . Prices start from USD 849 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 25 Apr, 2024 and ends on 09 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Pearl

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Norwegian Pearl Itineraries

Norwegian pearl review, review of norwegian pearl.

The 2006-built Norwegian Pearl cruise ship is the 3rd of NCL's Jewel-class liners, together with Norwegian Gem , Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel .

The vessel (IMO number 9342281) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 309653000) and registered in Nassau .

NEWS : On January 5, 2023, NCLH/shipowner announced the new brand “Experiences at Sea”. The new program is a partnership with the NCL's subsidiary "Sixthman Festivals at Sea" and NCL’s CM&I division (Charters, Meetings & Incentives). NCLH's new brand annually schedules several themed B2Bs/back-to-back cruises/consecutive itineraries for Norwegian Pearl which target corporate clients as well as incentive and affinity-focused customers from NCLH's fleet (NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, RSSC-Regent). The new brand is managed by Anthony Diaz (Sixthman's CEO and CM&I's Senior VP). Voyages are usually themed on music (Rock, Country, Pop, Blues, Broadway celebrity performances, etc), also Atlantis Events/LGTBQIA+, Comedy Influencers, Sports, and others. The itineraries are in the Caribbean (roundtrips from Miami) and all visit NCLH's private islands - The Bahamas' Great Stirrup Cay, and Belize's Harvest Caye.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent .

The 2400-passenger ship Norwegian Pearl was built with the idea of Freestyle Cruising - no dress code (no formal attire needed) and no restrictions on when and where you dine. Norwegian Pearl is a luxurious ship, featuring amazing amenities, such as the first bowling alley to hit the high seas.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Pearl staterooms (1197 total, in 36 grades) include 182x Suites, 360x Balcony, 243x Oceanview and 412 Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 140-160 ft2 (13-15 m2). The largest accommodations are the 3-Bedroom The Haven Garden Villa (2320 ft2 / 216 m2, with terrace sized 1035 ft2 / 96 m2).

The boat has 15 decks , of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

A lot of dining options are available with the multiple restaurants onboard Norwegian Pearl. You can eat whatever you want at any time. Traditionalists can have dinner at the same time, in the same place every night, just have to inform the maitre d' in advance. Otherwise, the multitude of dining venues allows for various options. Norwegian has gone back to the reservation system and it allows guests to make plans a day in advance. Some restaurants are included in cruise fare, while others incur additional fees.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Pearl restaurants and food bars.

• Indigo Restaurant (forward Dining Room, complimentary, with Your Time dining)
• Le Bistro (French speciality dinner-only restaurant; reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• Lotus Garden (Asian restaurant, dinner-only, complimentary since 2015)
• Sushi Bar (10-seat Lotus Garden restaurant, a la carte); Sake Bar (inside Lotus Garden)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi speciality, reservations-only restaurant; US$25; open for Lunch and Dinner; features live cooking demonstrations)
• Summer Palace Restaurant (aft-location Dining Room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Blue Lagoon (buffet restaurant for fast food; complimentary)
• Sky High Bar & Grill (complimentary fast food bar); Bali Hai (grill)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (speciality dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialities; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• La Cucina (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations-only, US$15 cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Garden Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant with various cuisine stations); Kid's Cafe
• The Great Outdoors (outdoor buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Topsiders Bar & Grill (poolside, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

There are a lot of bars and lounges onboard Norwegian Pearl to spend your free time, as well as sparkling pools, fitness and luxury spa facilities. Other ships might have surf parks and ice skating, but Norwegian Pearl has bowling: 4 family-friendly lanes flank the Bliss Ultra Lounge on Deck 7, filled with beds and pillows, divans and loungers. It becomes the ship's after-party hotspot at night. Bowling costs $5 per person, per game, which includes shoe rental. There are also the usual shipboard entertainment options, with improv comedy by Chicago's Second City troupe, production shows in the Stardust Theater on Decks 5 and 6, pianists and singers throughout the ship, audience-participation games and some adults-only late-night comedy shows. The ship also has 7 jacuzzis and 3 pools (1 kids pool). Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. NCL Pearl tipping/gratuities (US$12 pp per day). NCL Pearl cruise ship weddings are held in her chapel.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Pearl lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Stardust Theatre (1042-seat; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand shows per night)
• Bar City complex (Maltings Beer & Whisky Bar, Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar and Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar); Corona Cigar Bar; Sugarcane Mojito Bar; Star Bar; Topsiders Bar
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub
• Spinnaker Lounge (394-seat, with floor-to-ceiling windows; serves as disco & night club); Java Cafe
• Crystal Atrium (2-deck midship hub area with a big-size LED screen, dance area and live entertainment)
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (speciality tea & coffee bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour); Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop
• LifeStyles Room; Library; Card Room
• Pearl Club Casino
• Trade Routes Boutiques (tax and duty-free shops); Port O’Call (gift shop)
• South Pacific Spa complex (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, Smile Spa, Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop); Body Waves Fitness Centre; Tahitian Beach Pool; Kid’s Pool
• Aqua Kid’s Club; Metro Center Teen’s Lounge & Disco Club; Video Games Arcade
• The Haven area Courtyard Fitness & Spa complex (Villas-guests only, Steam Room, Gym)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Combined sports court; Jogging Track; Golf Nets; Shuffleboard, Giant Chess.

Itineraries

Norwegian Pearl itinerary program is based on Alaska cruises from Seattle WA in the summer. The NCL Pearl also sails to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean out of Miami FL and on repositioning crossings through Panama Canal.

Norwegian Pearl - user reviews and comments

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Norwegian Pearl ship related cruise news

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Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

• Norwegian Aqua
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Viva
• Pride of America

Norwegian Pearl Wiki

Pearl is one of NCL's Jewel-class liners, with sisterships Gem , Jade and Jewel . Vessel's construction started on October 3, 2005. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on October 15, 2006, and christened in PortMiami on December 16, 2006. Her Godmother was Roseann O'Donnell (1962-born US comedian actress, author, TV personality). The Inaugural Cruise/Maiden Voyage was on December 2, 2006 (Transatlantic repositioning crossing from Southampton England to Miami Florida ).

An interesting fact is that Pearl is one of 12 cruise liners allowed to discharge their treated wastewater in Juneau, Ketchikan and other main Alaskan harbors. These liners are also permitted to discharge laundry, shower and kitchen runoff (called "grey water").

Fun fact is, that Norwegian Pearl, just like the NCL Jewel ship, was a TV star. In 2009, the CNBC TV channel showed a documentary titled "Big Money on the High Seas" featuring Norwegian Pearl. Pearl is the NCL fleet's first liner with a rock-climbing wall.

Ship's Captain is Paul von Knorring.

Itineraries 2017-2018

For the 2017-2018 season, the NCL Pearl ship will reposition from Miami to NOLA New Orleans . The ship will operate on 7-8-9-day round-trip Western Caribbean cruises (between Oct 22, 2017, and April 1, 2018). NOLA itineraries will visit ports in Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya), Honduras (Roatan); Belize (Harvest Caye). Longer itineraries will additionally visit Grand Cayman and Guatemala (Santo Tomas de Castilla).

NCL Pearl refurbishment 2017 review

Ship's drydock 2017 refurbishment (February 14-26, in  Freeport Bahamas ) resulted in the following deckplan changes, new amenities and renovations:

• All cruise staterooms were refreshed with cool blue hues. All cabins also received new furniture, carpeting, bed headboards, flat HDTVs (infotainment system), USB outlets (for device charging).
• Over 2200 new artworks were installed throughout the ship (including in all cabins).
• The Haven suite complex had its Haven Courtyard refurbished with new finishes on outdoor deck areas, the swimming pool, the hot tubs. New deck furniture and cabanas were added.
• The Haven suites and villas all received extensive renovation - new wallpapers, furniture, finishes, carpeting, drapery, artworks.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse received new carpeting, artworks, upholstery, window treatments.
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) restaurant received new tables and chairs, wall laminates, new granite bar tops, remodeled glass-door entrance.
• O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill was updated with new flooring, refurbished granite-topped bar, new bar back shelves, ceiling, lighting fixtures, wall finishes, furniture (tables and chairs), plus new banquet seating for large groups.
• Pool Deck received new deck flooring and the whirlpools were refurbished. The bars "Great Outdoors" and "Sky High" received new flooring.
• During drydock 2017, NCL Pearl was retrofitted with new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems). The new scrubber technology reduces the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of the poisonous gas Sulfur Oxide. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise company retrofitting with a scrubber hybrid system vessels while in service. The new in-line scrubbers (5 units) are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops.

Drydock 2017 was part of NCL's "Norwegian Edge" program for fleetwide upgrades (2-year project budgeted USD 400 million). Each drydock costs around USD 35-40 million.

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Norwegian Pearl

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Cruise to the breezy islands of The Caribbean , or simply sit back and sail through the world's greatest shortcut on a Panama Canal cruise . Whatever you choose to do, we invite you to experience the wonders of getting there aboard Norwegian Pearl. Her 16 chic dining options, 14 bars and lounges, dazzling casino, tranquil spa, and spacious Garden Villas are just a few things that make this Jewel Class cruise ship a destination of her own.

• Ship 93,530 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,344 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Length 294 m Overall Length
• Width 38 m Max Beam
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2006
• Crew 1,072 Ship Crew

Norwegian Pearl CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

NEW! Starlink High-Speed Internet

Starlink provides fast Internet service at sea and is now available on Norwegian Pearl. Using advanced low earth orbit satellites, SpaceX's Starlink delivers industry leading broadband internet connectivity, which will improve the capacity, speed, and reliability of Internet on board.

Extraordinary Dining Options

Sit down to a multicourse meal with a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Go French, Italian, Brazilian, Asian - you name it. With various dining options, your taste buds will always be in for a thrill.

World-Class Spa

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 30 speciality treatments offered. Then splurge on a precious stone of your own in a duty-free, designer boutique. There's nothing better than a day of indulging.

Unforgettable Nightlife

Join the party at the liveliest nightspots on the ship. Have a dance party in Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club, or settle into a comfy lounge chair with a whiskey in hand at Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar. Looking for a more casual evening? O'Sheehan's is your spot - and it is open 24 hours a day.

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Image Gallery

• The Haven Sundeck
• Stardust Theatre
• Mandara Spa
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar
• Haven Courtyard
• Pearl Club Casino
• Cagney's Steakhouse
• The Great Outdoors bar

Discover Her Unique CRUISE DESTINATIONS

Bahamas Cruises

See famous theme parks, bustling straw markets, lounge in the sun or just take it easy.

Caribbean Cruises

Turquoise water and white sands shimmer in The Caribbean. Experience the sublime colourful architecture of these breezy, tropical ports.

Extraordinary Journeys

Set sail from one destination and end in another. It's the ultimate way to experience it all.

Greek Isles Cruises

Explore Greece as you stroll through sun-bleached, winding streets. Experience lively Santorini as you wander through its picturesque, winding streets.

Mediterranean Cruises

Travel through Italy whilst indulging in traditional flavours and admiring iconic landmarks. Discover Barcelona's unique Catalan identity whilst taking in its stunning architecture and delectable dining.

Northern Europe Cruises

Experience incredible history, famous landmarks and unique culture in grand style.

Panama Canal Cruises

Take the short cut that made history and make some unforgettable cruise memories.

Transatlantic Cruises

Leisure days at sea, exciting moonlit nights, and nothing to distract from the journey ahead.

Weekend Cruises

Leave your worries behind and slip away. Enjoy dinner, dance and take in a show.

See Pearl STATEROOMS

• Club Balcony Suite

Located at the top of the ship, The Haven features the most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations on board. Enjoy 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck.

A true experience of luxury and privacy. Enjoy spacious suites accented by only the finest touches throughout. And enough room to make a lifetime of amazing memories.

Our spacious Club Balcony Suites feature a sitting room, giving you extra room to spread out. Sliding-glass doors open to your balcony, and amazing views. Includes luxury bath and shower.

See the world like never before. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your very own private balcony. Stylish and sophisticated appointments enhance these modern rooms.

Experience stylish decor in a comfortable oceanview stateroom. All come with nice, smart touches enhanced by a large picture window with clear views of the sea.

Cruise in cozy comfort and smart style. Modern inside staterooms are accented with appointments like a TV, sitting area and more.

Experience WHAT’S ON BOARD

• Speciality Dining
• Bars & Lounges
• Entertainment
• Onboard Shopping

Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.

Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Sip your favourite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Angus Beef at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoy delicious pasta made with the freshest ingredients inside our rustic and chic Italian eatery, La Cucina. Or savour French cuisine at Le Bistro. No matter what you choose, our speciality dining options feature the tastes you'll crave.

With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days. Pop some bubbly and toast to the good life inside Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar. Kick back with a cocktail then dance it out at Spinnaker Lounge. Or work on perfecting your tan as you relax poolside at Topsiders Bar. Whether you're looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there's always an opportunity to mix it up.

When it comes to the entertainment on Norwegian Pearl, there's never a dull moment. Pay homage to legendary stars in the music industry with Legends In Concert Live. Celebrate dance parties from 50s and 60s Rock 'n Roll, 70s Disco, Country, Today's Top 40 and everything in between. Or don your best attire and dance the night away during Norwegian's Night Out. It's showtime. All the time.

From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Norwegian Pearl has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Indulge in a refreshing swim in the pool or a relaxing dip in one of our covered hot tubs on the pool deck. Wanna get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®. And when all is said and done, enjoy a pamper session at the spa. With so much to do, we'll always have you coming back for more.

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco.

Read THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

Sit Back, Relax, and Breathe

Why not spend this sea day at the spa? The views from the sauna and lounges are breathtaking.

Cruise Norwegian App

Download the Cruise Norwegian app. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise holiday every step of the way.

Which Caribbean Island Should You Cruise To?

Planning a tropical getaway? Find the perfect Caribbean Island for you!

The Language of Travel

From shopping to exploring, learn these simple phrases in French, Spanish and Dutch.

Dining On Board

From casual buffets to exquisite speciality restaurants, learn everything there is to know about dining on board.

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Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship Review

July 1, 2019 by barb

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned or linked to in this post, including Amazon Affiliate links.

I recently returned from a 14 day British Isles itinerary on the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. We choose this ship due to the itinerary which was one of the few things we ended up happy with. Although we personally had a wonderful time visiting all these ports this is the first cruise ship I have left in a very long time without purchasing a future booking and have made a point to tell people I absolutely do not recommend sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line when asked about our trip.

Norwegian Pearl June 8, 2019 Itinerary:

• 3 stops in the Norwegian Fjords (Flam, Geiranger, Haugesund)
• Scottish Highlands (Inverness)
• Paris (Le Havre)

Norwegian Pearl Massive Price Drop

We booked initially in December of 2018 a mini-suite for my son and I. Two weeks after final payment the price on our trip dropped by more than 60%. I was offered a $250 on board credit as a consolation to the almost $7000 drop. Not ever cruising NCL prior I was baffled. I have never seen a cruise line struggle to fill cabins to the extent they created such a massive drop. That should have been our first clue! Since NCL was of very little help I took matters into my own hands and used our “Cancel for any reason” clause in our private insurance (never ever buy cruise line insurance) and rebooked the cruise with two balcony cabins (one each) and paid less than my initial booking.

Greeted With a Filthy Room on Norwegian Pearl

We boarded the ship in Amsterdam and there was a fairly big wet brown stain on my carpet that the room steward tried to cover with the ottoman. The sheets were stained in three places and the mirror had two large handprints in the middle of it. The couch even had a stain on the seat. After calling housekeeping the sheets were replaced and the mirror cleaned.

Housekeeping and front desk told me they would replace the carpet in two days. Three days later they finally did cut out a square and put in a new one. Nothing was ever done about the couch.

Not So Fine Dining on Norwegian Pearl

Norwegian Cruise Lines does something called “freestyle dining”. This means you choose where you would like to eat each night. On the plus side it provides lots of casual choices, on the negative, you don’t establish a relationship with your waiters… something we love about Disney , Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

For this booking, one of the “perks” was a 5 Specialty Restaurant Dining package for each passenger. That meant of the 14 nights we were able to eat in the up-charge restaurants 5 nights for “no charge”. We went to La Cucina, their Italian offering, on the first night and were told my sons dining and drink packages were never paid for. They were part of our fare and I had the receipt with detailed booking confirmations. Even though NCL gives them to you for “free” you still have to pay a service charge (beverage charge was $277.20 and dining was $21.80 per person) for these perks. They refused to acknowledge the receipt I had with me saying they had to make contact with the mainland. For 5 days they could apparently not make contact with the mainland and it took me having to have my husband call from the US to Orlando to have this fixed. It was their mistake. They somehow dropped it from his booking. No apologies from anyone. No response to date to the 3 emails I sent our “personal cruise consultant” either. They told us to charge his drinks and dinners to his onboard account while they worked it out. This resulted in us having to call numerous times closer to the end of the cruise to have these charges reversed. All totaled we spent hours of frustration on this mistake of theirs. I am POSITIVE upon showing Disney a receipt I would have been met with, “I’ll fix this right now”.

La Cucina was a huge disappointment and we barely ate our food. When the waiter picked up our plates he asked how it was and we said “honestly, not very good”. He then proceeded to say OK and took our food away…never once asking how he could fix it. I’ll admit that taste in food is subjective so I will just post two pictures of a meal we had at Indigo one night. The orzo dish had shaved iceberg as garnish and mushy baby scallops I didn’t touch. I wish I had a picture of the corned beef and cabbage from O’Sheehans. The waiter warned me not to order it and he was right. It was a soup I couldn’t even imagine the prisoners in the Tower of London eating.

If you do sail Norwegian and have a dining package Cagney’s, Le Bistro and Teppanyaki were all good. In fact, I would just get a package and rotate between the three.

On one of our At Sea days I attended a presentation on how a cruise ship functions. An audience member asked why Norwegian Cruise Line no longer serves lobster. I honestly had to stifle a laugh when the Food and Beverage director actually said “We prefer to leave the lobster in the sea where they belong. All the other cruise lines serving four ounce rubbery tails to their guests are performing a disservice and we refuse to compromise.” Funny enough, cod was served all over the ship which is historically overfished. Nice try NCL, just admit you do food as cheaply as possible and move on.

That seemed to be the theme throughout the cruise-we had exactly 4 crew members on the cruise that made our trip enjoyable and I will make a point to send a card to NCL about them because the rest of the crew just did not seem to care about anything.

Disappointing Excursions on Norwegian Pearl

Their excursions are marked up beyond belief. We just were flabbergasted that they charged $199 for a Flam railroad ticket when you can walk right off the ship and take 50 steps to the ticket counter (or better yet book ahead of time) for less than 1/2 of that! We paid roughly $69 for the tickets ahead of time. High excursion markups are standard in the cruise line industry and why I am a huge proponent of booking your own plans either directly or using Viator but this just seemed above and beyond what I have seen on other lines. It went right along with how at every turn we felt nickled and dimed on NCL.

The only NCL excursion we did was Paris on Your Own. Our 6 hours in Paris was reduced to 2 1/2. No apologies. They really didn’t care. They left over an hour after the ship cleared for no apparent reason and made us get back to the bus at least an hour before necessary.

The ship itself is in good condition and we did enjoy and make use of the thermal suite everyday. It was too cold for the pool but I saw a few brave souls attempt the jacuzzis.

The Mojito Bar is a bright spot. If you dare to cruise with them head there and hang out with Roberto and drown your sorrows that you didn’t pick a better cruise line for this amazing British Isles itinerary.

The most fitting end to the cruise? The last night the sliding door in the shower fell off! I was done!

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July 1, 2019 at 3:14 pm

What a nightmare! I can’t help but agree with with you that Disney would’ve met it with a “we can fix that” attitude. I guess that’s why they charge more. Thanks for the heads up though… looking at itins for that route. I will avoid NCL now.

July 3, 2019 at 5:50 pm

I’m really surprised to hear these negative experiences on other NCL ships. My BF and I just returned from a 7 day Mediterranean cruise on the NCL Epic and we had an amazing time. We did book most of our excursions on our own, I’ll agree there. But the food everywhere, including all the freestyle dining buffets, was amazing, and every staff member we encountered was incredible! With over 4,000 passengers on board, we were shocked they remembered our names every time we saw them. The entertainment was so much fun too. I’m disappointed others haven’t had the same experiences :/

August 1, 2019 at 6:11 am

I am glad you had a good time on the Epic. I have a friend thinking of that same ship/itinerary and was hoping it was nothing like the Pearl. The Pearl had a major issue the sailing after ours and ended up having to have those passengers disembark in Barcelona early and then cancelled the next cruise after them so there were definitely major issues going on with the ship.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/norwegian-cruise-line-pearl-passengers-stuck-barcelona-rome-a8985311.html

Norwegian Cruise Line food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board

Norwegian Cruise Line has always been a bit of a rebel when it comes to food.

Back in 2000, the company introduced the concept of Freestyle Cruising, and with it, the idea of Freestyle Dining. Guests no longer were assigned to traditional early or late dinner seatings in the main dining rooms on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships, but rather could decide when they wanted to eat and with whom.

The cruise line also began to roll out specialty restaurants — smaller, cuisine-specific dining venues such as the French-themed Le Bistro and Cagney's Steakhouse — that passengers could reserve for an additional cover charge.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Today, passengers will find more than three dozen dining options, including 21 that require a cover charge or feature a la carte pricing, on board NCL's 17 ships. While the cruise fare covers a number of restaurants, specialty restaurants requiring an extra charge are popular, and new specialty restaurants are introduced with each class of ship.

The onboard restaurant lineup also varies by ship, with those in the Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes having a larger selection than the line's older, smaller ships.

How do you make sense of it all? We've compiled a rundown of all the Norwegian Cruise Line food options, from coffee and gelato shops to a la carte restaurants where the tab can easily top $150 for two. Here's what's included, what you'll pay extra for and the ships that feature each dining venue.

American Diner

Included; lunch and dinner

This 1950s-inspired diner featured on all six ships in NCL's Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes offers quintessential midcentury comfort foods — from cheeseburgers and meatloaf to chicken pot pie and spaghetti and meatballs. Desserts include bread pudding and carrot walnut cake. The food is now all free (Norwegian made this change in early 2024), but if you want to wash it down with a milkshake, you'll need to pay up.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway and Joy

Atrium Cafe

A la carte; coffee and snacks

Atrium Cafe is a coffee and cocktail bar that serves hot and cold beverages along with a selection of cookies, pastries and other snacks. Alternately, some NCL ships feature Starbucks cafes.

Available on : Norwegian Escape, Jewel, Spirit, Star and Sun

Cadillac Diner

Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner

You'll have to head to Hawaii to enjoy the barbecue pulled pork sliders, pretzel bites, Reuben sandwiches and more served up retro-style in the Cadillac Diner. This venue, with its funky black-and-white checkered floor and vinyl booths wedged between two sections of a vintage red sedan, is found exclusively on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. It's open 24 hours a day, and everything is complimentary except for the milkshakes.

Available on : Pride of America

Cagney's Steakhouse

A la carte; dinner

One of NCL's most popular specialty restaurants, Cagney's features a classic steakhouse menu with plenty of options for seafood lovers as well. The stars are the cuts of aged certified Angus beef (rib-eye, filet mignon, porterhouse and New York strip) with a choice of sauces and side dishes such as truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed garlic mushrooms. Other options include cedar-plank steelhead trout and double-cut Australian lamb chops. Save room for the OMG Caramel-Butterscotch Cheesecake.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Sky)

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

Chinese restaurant

Included; dinner, plus lunch on select days

If you're craving shrimp dumplings or a bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, a number of older Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature a complimentary Chinese restaurant where you can get your fix. Names vary by ship — you'll find Bamboo on Dawn, Shanghai's on Epic, Orchid Garden on Gem, Jasmine Garden on Jade, Chin Chin on Jewel, Lotus Garden on Pearl, Silk on Spirit, Ginza on Star and East Meets West on Pride of America — but the menus are similar.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Pride of America, Spirit and Star

A la carte; snacks and treats

A cross between an ice cream parlor and a candy shop, Coco's features an array of treats — chocolates from around the world, milkshakes, crepes and more — to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss and Encore

Dolce Gelato

When it's midafternoon and the sun in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is blazing, you can head to this takeaway counter on Deck 8 for a cup or cone of irresistibly creamy gelato.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape and Getaway

Food Republic

A la carte; dinner and lunch on sea days

This globally inspired specialty restaurant with an Asian-Latin fusion theme remains popular almost a decade after its debut on Norwegian Escape. You'll want to order multiple dishes to share family-style from Food Republic 's menu sections: Sushi Bar (eight different rolls), Hand Helds (everything from pork belly bao buns to kanpachi wonton tacos), Sharing Is Caring (grilled shishito peppers, spicy Korean fried chicken, salt and pepper calamari and more), Noodles/Rice/Soups (shrimp pad thai to Vietnamese Pho Tai) and Sugar Pump (desserts featuring green tea, chocolate and ginger caramel).

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape, Joy, Prima and Viva

Garden Cafe

Sometimes, the buffet is the answer. It's perfect when you get on board the first day and need to grab a quick bite before you explore the ship or when you arrive back after a daylong shore excursion and want to refuel right away without having to change clothes. Garden Cafe offers plenty of options, including carved meats or grilled fish with assorted side dishes, a salad bar, soups, pasta, burgers and fries, and desserts. Most items are precooked and kept warm under heat lamps, so it's not the freshest option, but it's usually packed at breakfast and lunch with guests who like the all-you-can-eat portions.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Prima and Viva)

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Cover charge; dinner

This is a slightly more elevated version of NCL's Teppanyaki restaurant. You'll be seated with other guests around a grill, and as you dine on edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad, the chef will prepare your entree (a choice of chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with great flair. These fresh-from-the-grill proteins are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables, and the dessert that follows is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi.

Available on : Norwegian Prima and Viva

This circular, light-filled space debuted on Norwegian Prima in 2022 as a new main dining room option. It features the same daily rotating menu as the second main dining room, the Commodore Room, but what sets this venue apart is its bright-and-airy ambience, courtesy of 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows.

Indulge Food Hall

This new casual dining concept, also introduced on Norwegian Prima, quickly became a popular alternative to the Surfside Cafe buffet (see below) for both lunch and dinner; at breakfast, it serves a similar but more limited menu as Surfside. The appeal of Indulge Food Hall is the variety — there are more than four dozen menu items from seven vendors: Tapas, The Garden, Nudls, The Latin Quarter, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie and Tamara — served in small-plate portions. You can enjoy chicken korma, pad thai, pulled pork, crispy fried okra, a mushroom tostada and bacon-wrapped medjool dates, all ordered from your table via a tablet.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, 4 days: I tested every eatery at Norwegian Cruise Line's new Indulge Food Hall so you don't have to

La Cucina was Norwegian's sole Italian specialty restaurant until the launch of Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore in 2018, and the two restaurants are quite different. La Cucina is the more traditional, featuring classic Italian favorites — caprese salad, fried calamari, spaghetti carbonara, pizza, chicken cacciatore and osso buco alla Milanese — while Onda's menu focuses on more finessed modern Italian dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Joy, Pearl, Sky, Star and Sun

Like Cagney's, NCL's French fine-dining restaurant is a longtime favorite that's featured fleetwide (it's called Jefferson's Bistro on Pride of America). Popular with couples for special occasion dinners, Le Bistro features everything from steak tartare and escargot to braised lamb shank and roasted duck breast. With its a la carte pricing, this is among the richest (and costliest) dining experiences on board, especially if accompanied by a bottle of Champagne or other French wine. Le Bistro restaurants on Norwegian Prima and Viva are especially atmospheric, with dramatic large-scale chandeliers and elegant ivory-and-blue decor.

Available : Fleetwide

Vibrant decor and sophisticated Mexican cuisine that goes beyond the usual Tex-Mex fare make Los Lobos an appealing option if you're sailing on one of the six ships that feature it. The guacamole, made fresh tableside, is a must. Other menu options include Mexican-style shrimp ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi tacos, nopales (cactus) salad, chicken mole enchiladas and cochinita pibil (slow-braised pork). Top it all off with a tres leches cake with coconut cream.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Dawn, Encore, Prima, Sun and Viva

Main dining room

Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature at least two main dining rooms, and sometimes even three. Names vary by ship — although the six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships all feature the Manhattan Room, plus Savor and Taste, and Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva have the Commodore Room and Hudson's. Menus change daily throughout the cruise and feature a selection of American and international dishes.

Moderno Churrascaria

Carnivores can devour their fill of a variety of meats the traditional Brazilian way as gauchos carve and serve cuts of beef, lamb, pork, sausage and chicken right at the table. Those who prefer to limit their meat intake can fill up instead at the salad bar, which features 43 items. White rice, black beans, sauteed mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, fried yucca and Brazilian cheese bread are also served as side dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Star and Sun

Nama Sushi & Sashimi

Another new restaurant to debut on Norwegian Prima, Nama Sushi & Sashimi doesn't veer too far from its name, serving six different sushi rolls (from yellowtail to rock shrimp), three sashimi options and a variety of appetizers, most of which feature raw fish. Even the dessert — pineapple carpaccio — is uncooked.

Ocean Blue is an elegant seafood restaurant featured on NCL's six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships. (It's known as Bayamo by Ocean Blue on Norwegian Escape.) Guests can savor appetizers such as crabcakes, pan-seared scallops and an ahi tuna and avocado tower, followed by steamed or grilled lobster, seafood linguini or simply grilled fish (salmon, tuna, cod or sea bass) served with a choice of sauces. All Ocean Blue restaurants are located on Deck 8 and feature indoor and outdoor seating on The Waterfront.

Onda by Scarpetta

Modern Italian cuisine is the centerpiece of Onda by Scarpetta, another of NCL's elevated specialty dining options and the sister restaurant to land-based Scarpetta. Introduced in 2019 on Norwegian Encore and more recently rolled out on the line's newest ships (plus at least one older vessel), Onda by Scarpetta indulges with antipasti starters such as burrata, short ribs and braised octopus, a half dozen pasta options (including pappardelle Bolognese and Scarpetta's famous spaghetti with tomato and basil) and finally gets around to secondis such as veal Milanese and grilled branzino. The main question will be: Do you have room for dessert?

Available on : Norwegian Encore, Prima, Spirit and Viva

O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill

Included; 24-hour dining

This lively and social pub-style eatery overlooks the buzzing three-deck Atrium on Breakaway Class ships and is also featured on seven older NCL ships. It's open 24 hours a day and serves comfort classics such as burgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, beef chili and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl and Star

One of NCL's newest dining venues, Palomar celebrates the Mediterranean with a menu featuring lots of Greek influences. Seafood dishes outnumber meat options and include tuna crudo, grilled prawns, Mediterranean sea bass with chickpeas and saffron puree, and sea scallops with prosciutto, le puy lentils, clams and pistachio pesto. Desserts include Greek yogurt sorbet with orange custard pie.

Pincho Tapas Bar

This unique Spanish-style tapas bar is found on only one ship in the Breakaway Class and fits in with the ship's overall Miami/Latin-influenced theme. Head to Pinchos if you're looking to enjoy small-plate dishes such as blue crab salad and bacon-wrapped dates, as well as chorizo, calamari, shrimp, scallops and more served a la plancha. Wash it all down with a Spanish red, a glass of sangria or a signature Matador cocktail.

Available on : Norwegian Escape

Included; casual lunch

Three Norwegian ships feature a pool grill (all with different names) that's open for lunch and late afternoon snacks. The venue serves casual fare such as burgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Gem and Pride of America

Q Texas Smokehouse

This barbecue eatery debuted on Norwegian Bliss in 2018, and its menu features smoked meats (pit classics like brisket, pulled pork and beef short ribs), as well as calorific sides (loaded fries, crispy fried okra, onion rings and macaroni and cheese). You can also enjoy live country music and even sweat off the excess calories by dancing (before ordering pecan pie or peach cobbler for dessert). A more limited menu is available for free as part of Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva — but you'll need to dance elsewhere.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore and Joy

Savor (and Taste)

These two restaurants on all six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships are essentially smaller-scale main dining rooms. They are located across from each other on Deck 6 and feature lunch and dinner menus that change daily.

Shanghai's Noodle Bar

This casual dining venue serves a selection of freshly prepared and wok-fried Asian noodle and rice dishes, from pork pot stickers and steamed vegetable dumplings to Singapore-style rice noodles and udon noodles in broth.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Epic and Getaway

Included; casual pub fare

While most NCL ships, with the exception of Pride of America, have a pub-style complimentary eatery — either O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill or The Local Bar & Grill — one older outlier has Sports Bar. Like the other eateries, this venue is free and features comfort classics such as Reuben sandwiches, chicken wings and fish and chips.

Available on : Norwegian Sun

A la carte; coffee, breakfast and snacks

NCL wasn't the first cruise line to feature the well-known coffee chain (that would be Royal Caribbean), but it now has the most Starbucks cafes on board its ships. Guests can purchase frappuccinos, lattes, cold brews and many of the other coffee, tea and breakfast and pastry items that are available on land.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Joy, Prima, Sky and Viva

Surfside Cafe & Grill

With the debut of Norwegian Prima, NCL evolved its buffet-style restaurant (known as Garden Cafe on most ships) to Surfside Cafe & Grill. The Deck 17 space is notably smaller, though, due to the fact that Prima Class ships also feature Indulge Food Hall and The Local Bar & Grill as complimentary casual dining options. The reduced size does result in some overcrowding, especially at breakfast, with overflow guests directed to find seats in the adjacent Food Republic space.

All but three NCL ships feature Teppanyaki , a Benihana-style Japanese restaurant where the live-action preparation is integral to the experience. You'll be seated around a grill as your chef prepares your entree (either chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with dramatic flair. You'll start with miso soup and seaweed salad, and all entrees are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables. Dessert is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi. Hasuki replaces Teppanyaki on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Joy, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

The Bake Shop

A sugar rush is practically guaranteed at The Bake Shop, a Deck 8 confectionery selling assorted bonbons (with fillings from passion fruit to praline), cupcakes (more than a dozen options, including red velvet, chocolate-pistachio and lemon merengue) and French macarons in a dozen flavors.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore and Getaway

The Great Outdoors

Included; lunch

This outdoor casual buffet on seven Norwegian Cruise Line ships has a come-as-you-are dress code and serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and other items for guests who want to enjoy some ocean scenery with their lunch.

Available on : Norwegian Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Sun

The Haven Restaurant

Included for guests booked in The Haven; breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you book a suite in The Haven, the exclusive ship-within-a-ship enclave found on every new NCL ship since it was introduced on Norwegian Epic in 2010, you'll enjoy access to The Haven Restaurant. Open only to Haven guests, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus here do not change, but there are generally enough options (a dozen appetizers and 10 entrees at dinner, for example) that you can dine here multiple times without repeating a dish or running out of interesting dishes to try.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy, Prima and Viva

The Local Bar & Grill

The Local Bar & Grill is a favored hangout for sports telecasts and trivia contests, as well as a go-to for guests when anytime-hunger strikes. Like its comfort food sibling O'Sheehans's Bar & Grill, its 24-hour menu features breakfast, all-day and late-night items that include omelets, cheeseburgers, chicken wings, fish and chips and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Joy, Prima, Sky, Spirit and Viva

The Raw Bar

Located adjacent to Ocean Blue, this casual option with counter seating serves oysters, clams, shellfish and crudos (salmon tartare, black sea bass ceviche and more), as well as wines by the glass and a selection of desserts.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway

Topsiders Bar & Grill

Included; casual pool grill with varying hours

Five older NCL ships feature Topsiders Bar & Grill, a poolside venue serving burgers, hot dogs, french fries and other takeaway items.

Available on : Norwegian Gem, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Star

Wasabi (or Sushi)

This contemporary sushi bar — called either Wasabi or Sushi, depending on the ship — is the spot for cocktails, sake and Japanese specialties that include sesame seaweed salad, sushi and specialty rolls, nigiri, sashimi and yakitori. On Prima Class ships, you'll find Nama Sushi & Sashimi with a different menu.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

FAQs about NCL dining

Is norwegian cruise line's food free.

You can dine for free during your cruise at any of the complimentary dining venues on board NCL ships. There are typically four to six included dining venues per ship, several of which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Is there a main dining room?

Yes, all NCL ships feature a main dining room — some have as many as three — and Freestyle Dining means you can choose when to dine (within the specified breakfast, lunch and dinner hours).

Do I need to make reservations?

You do not need to make reservations for the main dining rooms or casual venues like O'Sheehan's or the buffet. However, you can make reservations for the main dining rooms if you'd prefer to eat at a specific time and wish to avoid long wait times during the most popular dinner hours.

Sit-down specialty restaurants always require a reservation. The sooner you can make one, the better. You can book specialty dining online via the cruise line's website or app or by calling Norwegian reservations. You can also reserve when you get on board, but you risk that the more popular eateries will already be fully booked, especially during the peak summer and holiday periods. Walk-ins are permitted if space is available, but you'll likely need to show up early or late to snag a table.

Does Norwegian offer room service?

Yes, NCL offers 24-hour room service, but you will be charged a convenience fee of up to $9.95 per delivery, with the exception of morning coffee, continental breakfast and orders placed by guests staying in The Haven. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will also be added for noncomplimentary beverages and special occasion items delivered to your room.

How much does specialty dining cost?

It varies by restaurant. At venues with a la carte pricing, such as Cagney's, Ocean Blue, Onda by Scarpetta and Le Bistro, it's easy to rack up a bill of $80 per person, not including beverages. NCL's sushi restaurants are also a la carte, as is Food Republic. Two people with an average appetite can dine at both for around $50 to $60 per person, not including beverages. Other venues, such as Teppanyaki and Moderno Churrascaria, feature a set cover charge of $59 per person.

Does NCL offer specialty dining packages?

Yes and if you like a variety of cuisines and plan to dine at two or more extra-charge restaurants, purchasing a specialty dining package makes sense.

These range in price from $99 per person for a two-meal package to $469 per person for a 14-meal package. The price per meal gets lower the more meals you purchase — from $49.50 per dinner on a two-meal package to $33.50 per dinner for 14 meals. Even the four-meal package at $169 per person is a good deal at $42.25 per dinner, given the a la carte pricing greatly exceeds that (for three courses) at most specialty restaurants and eateries with cover charges are priced at $59 per person.

Also, a select number of specialty dining meals are typically included with NCL's Free at Sea booking promotion .

What about service charges?

A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will automatically be added to the cost of your specialty dining package when you purchase it or to your onboard dining charge if you pay a la carte or a flat cover charge.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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