NCL Is Short On the Essentials
Norwegian Pearl Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaska Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: September 14, 2014
Ship: Norwegian Pearl
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 5014
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 10 years ago
Review summary
NCL Pearl is not designed for comfort nor usability. Staterooms are very small - bed entry blocked by furniture - bathroom very small and darn near impossible to use commode if tall or robust. Window curtains not properly attached. TV to small to enjoy. Hot water control in shower could be improved to prevent injury from hot water. Bedside wall lamps could be replaced with small table lamps. Only one bedside stand was provided (steward found another for us). Deck 13 (Observation area) lacks comfortable lounge chairs (chairs with holes to sit in are very uncomfortable and lack proper support. Some attention to wall coverings (found in forward wall below window material not attached and fasteners lying on floor. Garden Cafe severely hinders seating of guests and operation of service employees. At peak eating times getting to and from this area is complete chaos and prone to dangerous conditions especially with older guests and children as well as service personnel. Food lacks variety and shows a trend to favor one ethnic group. Stir fry would be nice. Blue Lagoon should be removed or changed. Food lacks attention (Fish and Chips should not be a hand full of french fries and one piece of fish overcooked and dry along with untasty cold slaw and other entrees ordered by our guests. Our compliments to NCL's staff. At all levels service and attention to guests needs and comfort was their goals especially our room steward and those at the Garden Cafe. The nightly entertainment was a disappointing part of our cruise and to others we talked to. To sell lottery tickets during these nightly gatherings should have not happened and lacks professional standards. We have compared NCL to two previous cruises on Celebrity Ships. Lastly - NCL's program on life jackets was lacking content and importance. Visual aids could have added much more needed information.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Ship tip
"Variety in "free dining" and "Speciality Dining" is a great idea.