This review is the second review that I've done on this ship with in the last 24 months. It was our return trip to the Pearl after using NCL's cruise consultant on board last time to pre-book and get an immediate on board credit. If you like NCL this is a great deal since you do not have to leave a deposit other than your $250 and can book any cruise as long as you use it with in 4 years. Our's came with an immediate $100 on board credit. We had no issues booking the trip with our local AAA travel agent, you don't have to book thru NCL to use your cruise reward. This was our fifth cruise and our kids third. (Ages 10 and 8)

We flew from Philadelphia to Miami the night before on USAir. Not my favorite airline but got the job done. Why do they insist on charging a fee to check a bag? I booked the pre-cruise package at the Hampton Inn and Suites - Blue Lagoon. It cost only $119.00 and included a round trip for two to the pier. The kids cost me an additional $5 each. The hotel was a run of the mill Hampton Inn, and you couldn't beat the price. The hotel arranged shuttle picked us up at 11:00am the next morning and it was off to the pier.

The embarkation process for NCL couldn't have been simpler. Once dropped off and thru security (maybe 10 minutes) we checked in via the Latitudes VIP line. No worries here, just a 5 minute wait. All of this was completed before 11:45AM, really fast. The ship wasn't ready for boarding and just as we finished checking in our number was called for boarding..hmm..from the hotel to on board in 1 hour including the obligatory "Welcome Aboard" photo- awesome. Once on board we were met by a smiling waiter and a free glass of champagne. OK that was new and a nice touch. We immediately went to the kids club to get the kids signed in, no worries here either, then off to the Garden Cafe for lunch. Read more