Norwegian Pearl Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,402 reviews

NCL Pearl

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Pearl
User Avatar
Daveydolittle
First Time Cruiser • Age 20s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Oct 2009

This was cruise #7 for us and it had been 10 years since we did a cruise. Cruises are priced cheap and we thought it be a good time to take advantage of the discount pricing. We choose an Eastern Caribbean itinerary and choose the NCL Pearl. I can say that getting registered at the port went smoothly and fast, we were on the ship before we knew it. We walked around and checked the ship out and it seemed to be very clean and well kept. We opted for a balcony room and it was a little cozy but nice, but the balcony was smaller than our last cruise on a Princess ship. You could get any sun, cause the deck above was the roof of our balcony. Our first port was Samana,, A very poor area of the Dominican Republic. I can tell you those people need the tourist industry and everyone there was friendly. We decided to take a $59 NCL tour called the "bike, hike and Kayak tour. OMG,, it was adventure, a 1 1/2 hour ride one way over the roughest roads. Here we are, 19 of us in the back of a truck heading out of town. We finally got to the bike and hike spot and we walked maybe a 1/4 of a mile, then there were these old bikes with balloon tires and most didn't have working brakes. Most of the ride was on a slight downhill grade, so it was a 5 mile ride to nowhere, pretty much the road we came in on. Then they transported us to a hidden beach. It was a really nice beach, there was about a half dozen two man kayaks and all you had to do is grab one, throw on a life vest and paddle out in to ocean. If we would have know this was all there was to this tour,, we would have brought our snorkeling gear with us, but we didn't, but wished we did, cause at the end of the cruise we were supposed to hit Great Stirrup Cay and didn't,, this another mark against this cruise, but more on the cay later. We then left the beach and rode the truck ride to hell, back to the port. The bike, hike, kayak Tour,, well over priced and poorly run,, but I can say it was an adventure I always remember. LOL. The next day we ported at Tortola BVI, We didn't think the baths looked that great or interesting so we didn't take any tours,, just walked around town. Nice people,, lame port. The next day we hit St Thomas, my wife's favorite jewelry shopping center. It's the only place on earth where my credit card company wanted to talk to me and see if we were who we were using the credit card. Which is good. LOL. The next day at sea, then Friday to Great Stirrup Cay, which got canceled due to the tender operator thought the sea looked to rough for them to come out to the ship and bring us to the island,, which we thought was a load of crap!!! The sea didn't look that bad, but no stopping there,, just another day at sea. Saturday were back to Miami. Over all, the ship was nice,, Dining in the main dining rooms were just OK. I personally think that since they have went to precharging everyone for tips,, the service has dropped big time. We had to ask all the time for coffee, more bread and all the little stuff that we never had to before. I'm from the old school, I liked controlling my own tip. If the wait staff was good,, they got a good tip, that is back when we sat at the same table and had the same waiters. This freestyle dining sucks. The deserts in the main dining rooms lacked,, they all pretty much have no taste. We didn't go to any of the "pay for" dining rooms. I think that's crap that you have to pay more for a better meal on a cruise ship. Our room steward was great! And we tipped him above and beyond. The entertainment on board was great. Drinks were really high priced, too high. This stopped us from buying and we watched what we spent on drinks. I'm not one to have a $1000 plus bar bill at the end of a cruise anyway. Over all, I don't think I'd do another NCL cruise. I'll be looking to another cruise line, that is if I ever do another cruise anyway.

Cabin Review

There were 3 of us in one balcony cabin. At night the room looked like nothing but bed. LOL. The couch unfolded into a single bed, very hard, but the person sleeping on it liked hard beds,, so it worked out. Balcony was small and no sunshine. Balconies were under the balcony above, so,, no sun. The balconies on past cruise and different lines all had balconies open to the sun, kind of stair stepped up the side of the ship. Otherwise,, the room was nice. Bathroom was very nice. enough room to get what you needed done. If your a large person,, it could be tight for you. Closet was big and plenty of drawers. Everyone had plenty of storage space

previous reviewnext review

Find a Norwegian Pearl Cruise from $409

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.