First the good points about our 2011 cruise on the Norwegian Pearl. Some of the entertainment (NOT the ship dancers' productions) was outstanding. The buffet was the best we have experienced on any cruise line. (Just think- they had two kinds of bacon- crispy AND chewy). The ship also made an extra effort to avoid spreading illness.
Now the not so good. Dinner was not very good. Service was mechanical and perfunctory. Why strive to please when you won't see these people at the table again? We wondered how such a thin piece of prime rib could be so tough. There were no special events in the main dining room, nothing to make the meal at all memorable. The various courses prior to the entree were lumped in one category "starters." If you ordered more than one you got a funny look from staff. The dining room music was forgettable.
Passengers voted with their feet to largely ignore the theme restaurants.