Interesting Places to Visit, but maybe not with Norwegian

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cherywk

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

14 Night Panama Canal Partial Transit (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 25, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Cruising has become popular due to the overall cruise expereince - the interesting places you visit which you wouldn't normally go to, the other cruisers you meet whom you would never meet anywhere else and the shipboard experience - the food, drinks and the events. And it is the latter where Norwegian Pearl disappoints. For 14 days, the food was pretty much the same, same. Complimentary dining options have decreased with fixed menus, which is tiresome after 14 days. If Norwegian are hoping to entice more $ out of their passengers using the mediocrity of the food to force passengers into the paid restaurants, then these have to be worth it, and they were not. Bars were closing some nights as early as 8pm (!!) with many disappointed cruisers searching for a nightcap. Many passengers who were seasoned cruisers could not recall another cruise where this has happened. Also puzzling was why when at port, the events on ship were more interesting than what was what offered on days at sea. Jodie, the Cruise Director, has a pretty cruisy job, offering very little of real entertaintment. Would I recommend a cruise through the Panama Canal? - yes. Would I recommend Norwegian? - No, look for a cruise line where they still appreciate that you as the customer.