We went on this cruise after sailing Dec. 3rd on the NCL Epic. It was our second cruise on the Epic and we were not impressed. In fact, we did not think we would sail NCL again. We are so glad that we went on the Pearl. Embarkation was fairly prompt and would have been better had we known we were eligible for priority. From the minute we boarded the ship we could feel the difference. The crew seemed genuinely happy beginning with the Mexican dancers and the Summer Palace wait staff where we enjoyed a great meal and excellent service while we waited for cabins to be cleared. We had a midship port balcony and our cabin seemed huge after being on the Epic. The color scheme was a pleasing tropical blue on the doors and bright tropical fish on the rug. The bathroom was ship shape and again seemed immense after being on the Epic.
My first trip was to the Spa to sign up for the week pass to the thermal suite. It is a great way to spend a portion of the week for about $100. The hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, and, most of all,the heated ceramic beds are wonderful. The spa is open until 10pm and I used it for a couple of hours each day. I highly recommend the 14-day no-chip pedicure and the hot stone massage by Myroslav Markov. The lock systems on the lockers were often difficult, though, and often had to have someone open them for me.
I was not impressed with the Garden Cafe and particularly not impressed with the chocolate buffet. The Cafe was often busy, loud, crowded, and the fare was common. On the other hand, the crab eggs benedict in Cagney's for suite guests was the best! We celebrated our anniversary at LeBistro. The food was far superior to LeBistro on the Epic in the previous week and the service was infinitely better. The escargot was wonderful and hot, some of the best I have ever eaten. The Onion soup was good but rather luke warm, and the duck great. The staff sang to us, too. Cagney's had the best food and staff on the ship. My favorite was shrimp with cheddar polenta. My husband loved the fried with truffle oil and parmesian. The freshly made guacamole in Mambo's was excellent, made-to-order. I liked the lobster tacos. Often people miss the little restaurant/coffee bar across from there, but the chicken wings there are not to be missed. The menu tended to limited in the main dining rooms and for two weeks in a row, it could have had a little more variety in my book.
Great location, quiet, near elevators, and mid ship port