Norwegian Pearl Review

First Timers 40th Birthday Celebration Cruise

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Pearl
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purplegoose
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Oct 2009
Cabin: Mid-Ship Mini-Suite with Balcony

I wasn't going to write a review because I felt it had already all been said. However, after reading a few of the recent negative Pearl reviews I could no longer keep my mouth shut. While it is true I have to other cruise to compare this to, I am well travelled (both upscale and budget) and feel I have reasonable expectations with regard to service and food.

As previously stated, this was our first cruise. We were excited, but a little wary of encountering crowds and being treated like cattle. For the most part, it was fine, but I am still unsure whether cruising is for me. I found the pool decks crowded, many people loud and rude to the staff and unattended kids roaming around. However, I also felt the staff (with only 2 exceptions) fantastic and the food (with 3 exceptions) good to very good. There were also many, many fabulous people onboard. The negatives I encountered could be found on any vacation.

Much has been written about the food on the Pearl. Our experiences in MDR were, with the exception of embarkation lunch in SUmmer Palace, very positive. Food was tasty, well presented and the correct temperature. Service was also always pleasant (with the exception of two hostesses). Our experiences in the speciality restaurants were mixed. I enjoyed my lobster tacos at Mambos, however my friend found the steak fahitas very poor. In Lotus Garden, my spicy fish was tasteless and drowning in sauce, however my friends enjoyed her sesame chicken. We both enjoyed Cagneys (although I thought my salmon in the MDR was better than the salmon in Cagneys - I don't eat meat) and the shrimp cocktail fantastic! We enjoyed soft serve ice cream, brownies and cookies, but found ALL other desserts very poor - strange texture and no taste. Loved, loved, loved the salad bar and the pizza in the buffet.

Cabin Review

Mid-Ship Mini-Suite with Balcony

Cabin MA
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