Norwegian Pearl Review

Wonderful Christmas and New Years cruise

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Pearl
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cigarboo
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Dec 2014
Cabin: Family Oceanview Picture Window
Traveled with children

Just got back from another fabulous vacation on the Pearl. This was our 2nd NCL cruise, both on the Pearl. We loved her and her crew so much when we went to Alaska 7/14 that we booked her again for the Christmas/New Years cruise. The only complaints I have is perhaps the 2hr debarkation, but even that was more because we weren't in a hurry and waited for the line to die down before trying to get off. Another thing was I smelled something bad(sewer?)at the New Years party at the pool deck, but that came and went depending on how the wind was blowing. I could have moved, but I had a good seat, so not a big deal.

Prior to NCL, we mainly(hubby, ds14, ds 11 and me) cruise Disney. We are very simple, laid back people, so freestyle works well for us. We like packing light and not messing with the whole dress up thing. We like going to dinner whenever we want and we don't always want to deal with eating with other people. I like socializing, but I'm not always in the mood to make conversation with people I don't know, at dinner. So that in itself makes NCL a good fit for us. If you enjoy more traditional cruising with formal dinners and tablemates, then NCL may not be the product for you. If other people going casual bothers you, then it's best to choose another cruiseline. Also no lobster, so don't think you will find it in the fee free eating establishments. They have a pasta that's suppose to have lobster in it, but finding the lobster is a game in itself. On Alaska, we had escargot, but i did not see it offered in the MDR this time around. None of that was an issue for us, but I figure this kind of info might help other cruisers decide if NCL is right for them.

We did not go to any pay restaurants and ate every night in the MDRs. The menu was fine. Most nights dinner took 1 1/2hrs, but we allot 2hrs before we have to be anywhere. I always looked forward to trying the chef's special. My husband's favorite was the chateaubriand and prime rib. My 14yo had 2 entrees every night and the servers brought him whatever he wanted. My 11yo has multiple food allergies so we pre-ordered his dinner the night before and never had a problem. One evening, they did not find his order and the maitre'd got involved to get the meal done quickly and made sure she herself took the order for the next day. I brought my own desserts from home for him because I knew allergy friendly desserts were extremely limited. I'm not much of a red meat eater, so it was usually the seafood pasta or indian or vegetarian option for me. The fish choices where probably the most blah of the bunch.

Cabin Review

Family Oceanview Picture Window

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