Just got back from the Norwegian Pearl. I have learned you can spend days reading other people's reviews of the ship, but it all comes down to the individual experience. Things that one person thought was a lovely touch, someone else will complain that it is a stupid idea. Two people can be on the exact same ship at the same time and have completely different experiences.
This review I will do my best to stay as objective as I can. We've done RCI and Celebrity in the past. Our last 3 cruises have been with DCL, as we have a young daughter. Trying to compare NCL with DCL is like comparing Hawaii with the Jersey Shore. Both can be great vacations, but they are in two completely different leagues. DCL exists for the children (and the children in all of us), while NCL and other cruise lines do their best to "accommodate" the kids. Having said that, it is difficult not to make some stark comparisons, especially for those who will be traveling with children.
Embarkation:
Clean, roomy, plenty of storage.
Lacks in good lighting.