Jennifer is a doctor and journey blogger who has been touring the world for 20 years. Whether or not cruising turquoise waters or trekking jungles for gorilla sightings, journey is her gasoline. Her weblog, Jennifer’s Path (jenniferspath.org), is your one-stop store for fascinating tales and savvy journey ideas, assured to spark wanderlust and encourage your subsequent journey!
We discovered an incredible 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 particular person in a household balcony stateroom. This worth included the “Free at Sea” program (Extra at Sea as of 2025), giving us a restricted beverage bundle, 2 specialty eating meals per particular person, $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 provide them a strive! They’ve implausible itineraries and a good popularity. We’re Diamond degree with Royal Caribbean and have cruised on a number of different strains, so we’ve got lots to match NCL to… did they measure up? Learn my Norwegian Pearl assessment to search out out!
My Norwegian Pearl Assessment
After trying out of our lodge in Venice, we took a personal 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 tough 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.
Sadly, our journey began off on the fallacious foot. Embarkation was chaotic, with tons of of passengers milling about exterior the terminal. Regardless of 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 may maintain as much as 2344 passengers and 1072 crew members. It was refurbished in 2021, nevertheless it didn’t really feel significantly new or fashionable.
The ship’s Crystal Atrium, although stunning, lacked the grandeur of bigger cruise ships. Its open-air design and glass sculpture created a nice ambiance. 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 companies added to its enchantment.
Eating on Norwegian Pearl
In relation to 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 Eating places
Backyard Cafe
Total, I used to be dissatisfied with the meals on this Norwegian Pearl buffet. On different cruises I’ve taken, the buffet is a gathering place stuffed with a wide array of worldwide dishes. Sometimes, the meals on the buffet is nice however not nice, however you’ll be able to at all times discover one thing you want.
On Norwegian Pearl, there was a restricted choice, and what they’d was not visually interesting or flavorful. Although, I’ve to provide credit score the place credit score is due- the desserts not solely seemed stunning, however they had been scrumptious! We now have not discovered this to be true on different cruise strains.
Additional, the area itself was poorly designed and at all times felt crowded. The meals was crammed into one elongate room, leading to strains, hordes of hungry individuals, and an general feeling of grumpiness. Throughout peak meal occasions, I’d simply swoop in and seize a slice of pizza so I may get out and keep away from elbowing anybody. After I did dine in, I spent a lot time prowling for a desk that my meals can be chilly by the point I sat down.
O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill
O’Sheehan’s was the one 24 hour eating possibility, and take away was typically not allowed. The menu consisted of bar meals and, whereas the choice was restricted, the standard was typically 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 Backyard
The Lotus Backyard is a complimentary Asian fusion restaurant that additionally has sushi at a further surcharge, and a sake bar. We’re connoisseurs of Asian meals (my husband’s household is from Vietnam), and this meals missed the mark utterly sadly.
Summer season Palace
Summer season Palace was one of many most important eating rooms. This was your typical grand, cavernous cruise ship eating room. The decor was apparently based mostly on a neoclassical Russian palace. It was opulent with work of stern ladies and proud czars donning the partitions.
Indigo
Indigo was the second most important eating room and, in my view, was superior to the Summer season Palace. The vibe was extra intimate, extra like a fantastic 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.
But, the meals and repair may have been higher.
Specialty Eating
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 incredible present, and the individuals we talked to had been very happy.
Le Bistro
We had been very excited to strive Le Bistro after studying critiques and browsing the menu on the NCL web site forward of our cruise. Our appetizers and desserts had been excellent, however we had been dissatisfied in the primary programs. I had the ocean bass, which I sometimes love, nevertheless it was dry and overcooked. Nonetheless, 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 minimize 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 general glorious expertise! Waiters flow into with meat on a stick, serving visitors rodizio type. That 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.
Additional, 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 choice 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 Membership
- Sugarcane Mojito Bar
- Sky Excessive Bar and Grill
- Topsiders Bar and Grill
- The Bliss Extremely Lounge
- Spinnaker Lounge
Whereas distinct, Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar, Shaker’s Martini and Cocktail Bar, and Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar shared a typical area. Every centered on a particular kind 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 area with comfy seating and a dance ground.
Positioned out of the best way within Moderno, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar supplied a choice of mojitos, caipirinhas, and different fascinating cocktails to utilize your drink bundle.
The Bliss Extremely Lounge area was a standout for me! I cherished the structure of the primary evening membership onboard. The center of the lounge was a big dance ground, with a stage at one finish and many cozy seating on the different, with the primary bar behind that. Flanking this most important space had been bowling lanes! Extra lateral to the bowling lanes had been cozy dialog areas and partitioned off extra non-public seating areas. I cherished the vibe of this area, and we loved a number of nights of horrible (and generally much less horrible) karaoke right here. The bartenders had been attentive, immediate, and inventive.
The Spinnaker Lounge was one other venue with a dance ground, stage, seating, and bar. Reveals had been held right here, and the area remodeled right into a dance membership within the evenings. I cherished the arrange of this lounge too. There’s a central, spherical dance ground with a stage on one aspect and cozy seating round the remainder.
Leisure
We loved the leisure onboard Norwegian Pearl as effectively. 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 Actions
Whereas not as in depth as among the newer ships within the NCL fleet, Norwegian Pearl has numerous onboard actions for adults and children alike. There are mountaineering partitions, shuffleboard, a sports activities courtroom (volleyball, basketball, tennis), a jogging/strolling observe, and extra. Extra of an inside kind? 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 Fitness center
We attempt to preserve it collectively and preserve our health on observe when cruising, and the Norwegian Pearl made this simple for us. The fitness center was fairly spacious and had a cable machine, dumbbells, a number of weight machines, and quite a few cardio machines lining the home windows. A big health studio supplied courses for an upcharge, together with yoga, spin, and physique sculpt. Private trainers had been accessible for personal bookings as effectively.
The Spa
The spa workers was heat and pleasant. They supplied a broad choice of therapies which had been priced across the trade customary for cruise ship spa companies. The amenities had been stunning, serene, and chic. As is typical of cruise ship spa workers, they upsell you laborious, even whereas getting a therapeutic massage.
Additional, you should purchase passes to the thermal suite should you want an escape from the crowds, the place you’ll be able to chill out in heated stone loungers, benefit from the scorching tubs or thalassotherapy pool, and sweat it out within the sauna earlier than chilling out within the icy plunge pool.
The Swimming pools
The swimming pools are positioned on deck 12. There are two, and one is designated as “adults only”. Every has two scorching tubs, and there’s a lined spherical stage by the adults’ pool. There’s ample seating across the swimming pools, and we by no means had hassle discovering loungers which is commonly a problem on cruise ships. Alongside the lined sides, you’ll discover daybeds and dialog groupings. Moreover, numerous eating tables are positioned on the finish of the pool closest to the bar and grill.
I favored the arrange for the swimming pools. Though they had been a bit small, they’d shallow edges for seating, and you would discover spots within the solar or shade.
Children’ Actions
There’s something for teenagers of all ages onboard!
- Deck 15 hosts an open play area known as “Guppies”, the place dad and mom can play with their 6-month to 3-year previous 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 Assessment – Staterooms
Norwegian affords a variety of staterooms to fit your wants and finances. From cozy inside cabins to luxurious penthouse suites, there’s an possibility for everybody. Should you’re touring with a giant household, you may need to try the 3-bedroom household suite that may accommodate as much as 8 individuals!
Need to expertise the final word in luxurious? The Haven is Norwegian’s unique space for suite visitors, providing a personal pool, scorching tub, restaurant, lounge, and solar decks. Haven visitors additionally take pleasure in devoted concierge service and 24/7 butler service.
We opted for a household balcony stateroom throughout this journey. Whereas it wasn’t as fancy because the Haven, it was nonetheless a snug area for our household. The room had two twin beds that might 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 lavatory was a good dimension, with a big bathe and a separate bathroom. There was additionally an arrogance space with a mirror and cabinets.
The balcony was small, however offered a pleasant outside area for us to look at the world go by.
Total, we had been pleased with our stateroom. It offered us with a snug place to chill out and revel in our cruise.
Norwegian Pearl Assessment – Ports of Name
Norwegian Cruise Line shines with its itineraries! Throughout 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 beautiful city, so chances are you’ll contemplate spending an evening or two right here earlier than the cruise.
Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna is gorgeous. Stroll across the medieval village, take within the gorgeous mosaics, or head again to Venice, Murano, or Burano.
Rijeka, Croatia
Our authentic port was Koper, Slovenia. We had been dissatisfied till we realized there have been comparable tour choices from Rijeka. We booked a tour by Shore Excursions Group which took us to the Postojna Caves and Predjama Fort. It was a giant bus coach tour, which isn’t splendid, however the tour was good. The websites had been distinctive and lovely, and the countryside very scenic.
Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is a reasonably cool city, with a more moderen space and a walled previous metropolis. We booked the tuk tuk tour by the cruise line. Whereas the novelty of using in a tuk tuk was enjoyable, we actually didn’t be taught or see lots. I’d counsel going additional afield and seeing the panorama, presumably doing a hike at Krka Nationwide Park.
Kotor, Montenegro
We booked a motorbike tour by Shore Excursions Group, and so they by no means confirmed up. So, we discovered a tout on our means out of the port who offered us a personal boat experience to see the key sites- the blue cave, the submarine tunnel, and our Woman of the Rock. It was a tough experience, however numerous 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 Sport of Thrones tour by the cruise line. They loved it, though it was a bit tacky. Town 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 by the cruise line and had a blast! They had been Suzuki Jimneys, and so they had been comfy and fantastic to drive. A lot of the driving was on paved roads, so the outline was slightly 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 personal tour of Santorini by Shore Excursions Group and had a good time! Our information was implausible, and the tour itself was satisfying. We visited a vineyard, museum, and among the island’s most important sights.
Nonetheless, the island is overwhelmed by cruise ship crowds, and the cable automotive and site visitors may be chaotic. Should you ever go to Santorini, I’d counsel a land-based tour or a personal 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 not suggest these guys extremely sufficient! They had been punctual and took us for a beautiful kayak tour, together with snorkeling, snacks, and an training in regards to the tradition, flora, and fauna of Mykonos.
Disembarkation in Piraeus, Greece
We disembarked in Piraeus, simply exterior of Athens. I extremely suggest arranging a tour or driver, fairly than relying on a taxi or uber. There have been hordes of individuals ready for each, whereas our driver stood within the heart of the arrival plaza with an indication bearing our title, and whisked us away for a shoreline drive to the Temple of Poseidon.
Total Impressions: Norwegian Pearl Assessment
In abstract, our cruise on Norwegian Pearl was a combined bag. The meals was bland, uninventive, and sometimes tough to entry. The service was lackluster, and the ship felt crowded in lots of locations, significantly the buffet.
Nonetheless, 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. Nonetheless, you’re restricted on which spa companies you should utilize the credit score for. Precedence embarkation and disembarkation had been additionally useless- embarkation was a large number and who needs to get off extra-early?? Precedence tender entry was good. Value it? Nah.
Total, I seemingly gained’t journey with Norwegian once more until I discover an irresistible itinerary or a screaming deal on a set within the Haven!
Nonetheless, you will need to word that Norwegian Pearl is an older ship, and the cruise line has many more moderen ships which will enchantment to households with points of interest like waterslides and go-karts. NCL additionally affords a extra versatile “Freestyle” strategy to cruising which some vacationers might take pleasure in.
Feedback
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