Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Pearl / Norwegian Cruise Line
1 of 8
Pool
Pool / Norwegian Cruise Line
2 of 8
Kids' pool area
Kids' pool area / Norwegian Cruise Line / Michel Verdure
3 of 8
Courtyard Villas
Courtyard Villas / Norwegian Cruise Line
4 of 8
Bowling Alley
Bowling Alley / Norwegian Cruise Line
5 of 8
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki / Norwegian Cruise Line / Michel Verdure
6 of 8
Bar Central
Bar Central / Norwegian Cruise Line
7 of 8
Oceanview Balcony Stateroom
Oceanview Balcony Stateroom / Norwegian Cruise Line
8 of 8
Cruise Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Pearl

Our Ship Review
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruise Line
by Aaron Saunders
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

Norwegian Pearl first set sail in 2006 and carries a modest 2,394 guests. Although the line’s ships have gotten vastly bigger and infinitely more elaborate, Norwegian Pearl and her Jewel-class sisters continue to be popular, thanks to their vibrant public areas and manageable size that strikes the right balance between mega ship amenities and a small-ship atmosphere. Wintering in the Caribbean, Norwegian Pearl sails in Alaska during the summer months, operating voyages from Seattle and Vancouver.

What We Love

Views from the Spa: Norwegian Pearl’s forward-facing spa has floor-to-ceiling windows that provide guests with the same view that the captain and officers would be seeing just one deck below. The beautiful common area has a hydrotherapy pool, heated thermal loungers, and relaxing loungers positioned overlooking the ship’s bow.

Garden Villas: If you like your suites on the elaborate side (and who doesn't?), Norwegian Pearl’s 4,252-square-foot Garden Villas are the accommodations to book should your pocketbook allow. Situated in the Haven complex, these are spaces bigger than most people’s condos and are the opposite of tight shipboard quarters.

Best Known For

Bowling at Sea: When she was launched back in 2006, Norwegian Pearl was most notable for her bowling alley in the aft-located Bliss Ultra Lounge. While she’s not the first ship to ever feature a bowling alley at sea, she was the first modern cruise ship to do so.

Who It's Best For

Families and Couples: Norwegian Pearl offers 16 dining options and 13 bars and lounges, plus a host of activities and nightly performances that are more than enough to keep family members of all ages busy for at least one week or more.

Weekend Cruisers: This ship offers mini-cruises for those short on time or who want to sample a night or two at sea.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

There’s No Covered Pool: In Alaska, this means things can get wet out on deck. You may want to head for cover.

Entertainment Is Not as Dazzling as Newer Norwegian Ships: Shows may seem toned down compared to the razzle-dazzle spectaculars of Breakaway-class ships.

Expect Additional Charges: Factor in a budget for specialty restaurant charges, drinks, shore excursions, and other onboard extras; you'd be surprised at how much they can add up.

Aaron Saunders
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger
After a career editing animated television shows, Aaron Saunders pursued his love of ships and the sea. He writes regularly about the cruise industry for the Vancouver Province newspaper, Canadian Traveller, Avid Cruiser, River Cruise Advisor, and USA Today. He is the author of two books on maritime history: Giants of the Seas (Seaforth Publishing, 2013) and Stranded (Dundurn Press, 2015). When not at sea, he makes his home in the land-locked city of Calgary, Canada.