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Norwegian Pearl

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

• Miami (Florida)
• Trieste (Italy)
• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)

Norwegian Pearl current position

Norwegian Pearl current location is at Adriatic Sea (coordinates 45.64535 N / 13.65553 E) cruising at speed of 15.2 kn (28 km/h | 17 mph) en route to TRIESTE, ITALY. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Pearl

Norwegian Pearl current cruise is 10 days, round-trip Greek Isles Santorini, Mykonos Croatia . The itinerary starts on 14 Jun, 2024 and ends on 24 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Pearl

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Norwegian Pearl Itineraries

Norwegian pearl review, review of norwegian pearl.

The 2006-built Norwegian Pearl cruise ship is the 3rd of NCL's Jewel-class liners, together with Norwegian Gem , Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel .

The vessel (IMO number 9342281) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 309653000) and registered in Nassau .

NEWS : On January 5, 2023, NCLH/shipowner announced the new brand “Experiences at Sea”. The new program is a partnership with the NCL's subsidiary "Sixthman Festivals at Sea" and NCL’s CM&I division (Charters, Meetings & Incentives). NCLH's new brand annually schedules several themed B2Bs/back-to-back cruises/consecutive itineraries for Norwegian Pearl which target corporate clients as well as incentive and affinity-focused customers from NCLH's fleet (NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, RSSC-Regent). The new brand is managed by Anthony Diaz (Sixthman's CEO and CM&I's Senior VP). Voyages are usually themed on music (Rock, Country, Pop, Blues, Broadway celebrity performances, etc), also Atlantis Events/LGTBQIA+, Comedy Influencers, Sports, and others. The itineraries are in the Caribbean (roundtrips from Miami) and all visit NCLH's private islands - The Bahamas' Great Stirrup Cay, and Belize's Harvest Caye.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent .

The 2400-passenger ship Norwegian Pearl was built with the idea of Freestyle Cruising - no dress code (no formal attire needed) and no restrictions on when and where you dine. Norwegian Pearl is a luxurious ship, featuring amazing amenities, such as the first bowling alley to hit the high seas.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Pearl staterooms (1197 total, in 36 grades) include 182x Suites, 360x Balcony, 243x Oceanview and 412 Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 140-160 ft2 (13-15 m2). The largest accommodations are the 3-Bedroom The Haven Garden Villa (2320 ft2 / 216 m2, with terrace sized 1035 ft2 / 96 m2).

The boat has 15 decks , of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

A lot of dining options are available with the multiple restaurants onboard Norwegian Pearl. You can eat whatever you want at any time. Traditionalists can have dinner at the same time, in the same place every night, just have to inform the maitre d' in advance. Otherwise, the multitude of dining venues allows for various options. Norwegian has gone back to the reservation system and it allows guests to make plans a day in advance. Some restaurants are included in cruise fare, while others incur additional fees.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Pearl restaurants and food bars.

• Indigo Restaurant (forward Dining Room, complimentary, with Your Time dining)
• Le Bistro (French speciality dinner-only restaurant; reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• Lotus Garden (Asian restaurant, dinner-only, complimentary since 2015)
• Sushi Bar (10-seat Lotus Garden restaurant, a la carte); Sake Bar (inside Lotus Garden)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi speciality, reservations-only restaurant; US$25; open for Lunch and Dinner; features live cooking demonstrations)
• Summer Palace Restaurant (aft-location Dining Room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Blue Lagoon (buffet restaurant for fast food; complimentary)
• Sky High Bar & Grill (complimentary fast food bar); Bali Hai (grill)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (speciality dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialities; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• La Cucina (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations-only, US$15 cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Garden Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant with various cuisine stations); Kid's Cafe
• The Great Outdoors (outdoor buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Topsiders Bar & Grill (poolside, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

There are a lot of bars and lounges onboard Norwegian Pearl to spend your free time, as well as sparkling pools, fitness and luxury spa facilities. Other ships might have surf parks and ice skating, but Norwegian Pearl has bowling: 4 family-friendly lanes flank the Bliss Ultra Lounge on Deck 7, filled with beds and pillows, divans and loungers. It becomes the ship's after-party hotspot at night. Bowling costs $5 per person, per game, which includes shoe rental. There are also the usual shipboard entertainment options, with improv comedy by Chicago's Second City troupe, production shows in the Stardust Theater on Decks 5 and 6, pianists and singers throughout the ship, audience-participation games and some adults-only late-night comedy shows. The ship also has 7 jacuzzis and 3 pools (1 kids pool). Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. NCL Pearl tipping/gratuities (US$12 pp per day). NCL Pearl cruise ship weddings are held in her chapel.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Pearl lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Stardust Theatre (1042-seat; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand shows per night)
• Bar City complex (Maltings Beer & Whisky Bar, Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar and Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar); Corona Cigar Bar; Sugarcane Mojito Bar; Star Bar; Topsiders Bar
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub
• Spinnaker Lounge (394-seat, with floor-to-ceiling windows; serves as disco & night club); Java Cafe
• Crystal Atrium (2-deck midship hub area with a big-size LED screen, dance area and live entertainment)
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (speciality tea & coffee bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour); Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop
• LifeStyles Room; Library; Card Room
• Pearl Club Casino
• Trade Routes Boutiques (tax and duty-free shops); Port O’Call (gift shop)
• South Pacific Spa complex (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, Smile Spa, Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop); Body Waves Fitness Centre; Tahitian Beach Pool; Kid’s Pool
• Aqua Kid’s Club; Metro Center Teen’s Lounge & Disco Club; Video Games Arcade
• The Haven area Courtyard Fitness & Spa complex (Villas-guests only, Steam Room, Gym)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Combined sports court; Jogging Track; Golf Nets; Shuffleboard, Giant Chess.

Itineraries

Norwegian Pearl itinerary program is based on Alaska cruises from Seattle WA in the summer. The NCL Pearl also sails to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean out of Miami FL and on repositioning crossings through Panama Canal.

Norwegian Pearl - user reviews and comments

Photos of norwegian pearl.

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Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

• Norwegian Aqua
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Viva
• Pride of America

Norwegian Pearl Wiki

Pearl is one of NCL's Jewel-class liners, with sisterships Gem , Jade and Jewel . Vessel's construction started on October 3, 2005. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on October 15, 2006, and christened in PortMiami on December 16, 2006. Her Godmother was Roseann O'Donnell (1962-born US comedian actress, author, TV personality). The Inaugural Cruise/Maiden Voyage was on December 2, 2006 (Transatlantic repositioning crossing from Southampton England to Miami Florida ).

An interesting fact is that Pearl is one of 12 cruise liners allowed to discharge their treated wastewater in Juneau, Ketchikan and other main Alaskan harbors. These liners are also permitted to discharge laundry, shower and kitchen runoff (called "grey water").

Fun fact is, that Norwegian Pearl, just like the NCL Jewel ship, was a TV star. In 2009, the CNBC TV channel showed a documentary titled "Big Money on the High Seas" featuring Norwegian Pearl. Pearl is the NCL fleet's first liner with a rock-climbing wall.

Ship's Captain is Paul von Knorring.

Itineraries 2017-2018

For the 2017-2018 season, the NCL Pearl ship will reposition from Miami to NOLA New Orleans . The ship will operate on 7-8-9-day round-trip Western Caribbean cruises (between Oct 22, 2017, and April 1, 2018). NOLA itineraries will visit ports in Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya), Honduras (Roatan); Belize (Harvest Caye). Longer itineraries will additionally visit Grand Cayman and Guatemala (Santo Tomas de Castilla).

NCL Pearl refurbishment 2017 review

Ship's drydock 2017 refurbishment (February 14-26, in  Freeport Bahamas ) resulted in the following deckplan changes, new amenities and renovations:

• All cruise staterooms were refreshed with cool blue hues. All cabins also received new furniture, carpeting, bed headboards, flat HDTVs (infotainment system), USB outlets (for device charging).
• Over 2200 new artworks were installed throughout the ship (including in all cabins).
• The Haven suite complex had its Haven Courtyard refurbished with new finishes on outdoor deck areas, the swimming pool, the hot tubs. New deck furniture and cabanas were added.
• The Haven suites and villas all received extensive renovation - new wallpapers, furniture, finishes, carpeting, drapery, artworks.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse received new carpeting, artworks, upholstery, window treatments.
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) restaurant received new tables and chairs, wall laminates, new granite bar tops, remodeled glass-door entrance.
• O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill was updated with new flooring, refurbished granite-topped bar, new bar back shelves, ceiling, lighting fixtures, wall finishes, furniture (tables and chairs), plus new banquet seating for large groups.
• Pool Deck received new deck flooring and the whirlpools were refurbished. The bars "Great Outdoors" and "Sky High" received new flooring.
• During drydock 2017, NCL Pearl was retrofitted with new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems). The new scrubber technology reduces the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of the poisonous gas Sulfur Oxide. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise company retrofitting with a scrubber hybrid system vessels while in service. The new in-line scrubbers (5 units) are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops.

Drydock 2017 was part of NCL's "Norwegian Edge" program for fleetwide upgrades (2-year project budgeted USD 400 million). Each drydock costs around USD 35-40 million.

A Tour of the Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship

The Norwegian Pearl is perfect for "freestyle cruising" concept. The Norwegian Pearl is a beautiful ship, with contemporary decor. The cruise ship has multiple restaurants of varied cuisines, lively bars and lounges, interesting activities ranging from quiet corners to the industry's first bowling alley, and family-friendly cabins of all sizes and prices.

We attended the naming ceremony for the Norwegian Pearl in December 2006 and then cruised on her for two nights and a day on a cruise to "nowhere".

Here are a few facts about the Norwegian Pearl:

• Length: 965 feet
• Width: 125 feet
• Draft: 28 feet
• Speed: 25 knots
• Tonnage: 93,530 GRT
• Passenger capacity: 2394 (double occupancy)
• Cabins: 1197
• Number of restaurants: 12, along with 24-hour room service for all cabins. Villas, suites, and penthouse passengers also have butler and concierge service.
• Number of bars and lounges: 14
• Other facilities: Atrium, Stardust Theater (1042 seats), fitness center, rock climbing wall, bowling alley , Mandara spa and salon, casino, swimming pools, sports deck, teen center, video arcade, kids club, retail boutiques, art gallery, Internet lounge, meeting rooms, library, card room, lifestyle room, chapel, medical center

Let's take a detailed look at the Norwegian Pearl. 

Varied Dining and Cuisine

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship has 12 diverse dining venues, and passengers can dine whenever and wherever the mood strikes them. You can even dine in a different restaurant each night! The Norwegian Pearl's restaurants feature tables with open seating for two to ten persons, and the two main restaurants are open between 5:30 and 10:00 pm.

The Restaurant Reservation and Management System helps passengers determine which restaurants are busiest and the wait times. This system consists of flat-screen TVs placed in high-traffic areas around the ships and shows each restaurant's availability status. Indicator bars reflect when each restaurant is "full," "short wait," "filling up," or "empty." Screens also show an estimated wait time in each restaurant and the different table sizes available. If you are craving a certain type of food and the restaurant is full, the hostess will give you a wait time and issue a pager that works all over the ship. This allows passengers to relax in a bar until a table is available.

Freestyle cruising dress also applies on the Norwegian Pearl, with resort casual the standard attire. Passengers are always welcome to dress up if they wish.

The 12 restaurants on the Norwegian Pearl are:

• Summer Palace: Main restaurant, seats 558
• Indigo: Second main restaurant, seats 304
• Mambo's Latin/Tapas: Tex/Mex cuisine, seats 96
• La Cucina: Italian restaurant, seats 92
• Blue Lagoon: 24-hour food court, seats 94
• Garden Cafe: Action station casual restaurant, seats 390
• Great Outdoors: Outdoor dining
• Teppanyaki: Asian Japanese grill restaurant, seats 32, $20 pp surcharge
• Cagney's: Steakhouse, seats 160, $15 pp surcharge
• Le Bistro: French restaurant, seats 129, $10 pp surcharge
• Lotus Garden: Asian cuisine, seats 100, $10 pp surcharge
• Sushi Bar: Sushi, sashimi, and Shabu-Shabu, $12.50 pp surcharge

Bars and Lounges Around the Ship

Passengers on the Norwegian Pearl do not have to wander far from their cabins to find a bar or lounge. The bars have a variety of concoctions and decor. For example, Bar Central on deck 6 has a beer and whiskey bar, a martini bar, and a champagne and wine bar. The Bliss Ultra-Lounge on deck 7 is Norwegian Pearl's sports bar by day, featuring the first bowling alleys at sea and sports action on multiple flat screen TVs. By night, Bliss transforms into a high-energy disco, with hip music and a lively dance floor. The seating in Bliss is velvety and comfortable--just divine!

The Spinnaker Observation Lounge on deck 13 has spectacular views, a dance floor, some really interesting seating, and a stage for entertainment. The Sky High Bar and Topsiders Bar next to the pool offer views of the pool and deck areas, and Mambo's Bar overlooks the Crystal Atrium.

Those looking for a specialty coffee need look no further than the ​Java Cafe in the Atrium, and gamblers can stay close to the casino in the spacious Casino Bar.

Cabins, Suites, and Villas

The Norwegian Pearl has a wide range of cabins, and introduces a new concept in mega-ship accommodations--a "ship within a ship". Upscale passengers who expect large, luxurious suites can book one of the spectacular garden villas, courtyard villas, or deluxe owner's suites. Passengers in these amazing accommodations have keycard access to their decks and butler and concierge service. They can eat all their meals in the privacy of the suites; swim or soak in their own pools; and still venture out to go to the shows, lounges, casino, or other "big ship" amenities as they choose. What a life!

The Norwegian Pearl also has many traditional cabin categories including inside cabins, ocean view, and balcony suites. The ship also has many connecting cabins of all grades, which are perfect for family groups.

Onboard Activities - Bowling, Swimming, and More

Let's start with the industry's first bowling alley at sea. This four-lane, 10-pin alley promises to be a big hit, based on our short cruise. The Bliss Ultra-Lounge, the location of the bowling alley, has many TVs for sports watching by day and music video watching by night. Bowling is one of those multi-generational activities that passengers of mixed talents can bowl together and have a great time. We had smooth seas on our cruise, so we didn't get to see how much the wave action would affect the bowling scores. It certainly would not have hurt mine!

The Norwegian Pearl features the cruise line's first rock climbing wall. Located at the back of the ship's funnel, the wall stands 30 feet high and is 19 feet wide, with 5 different vertical courses, each of varying difficulty. For those looking for indoor exercise, the Norwegian Pearl's fitness center on deck 12 has floor to ceiling windows and many of the latest workout machines. You can work out and enjoy the seascapes! The ship also has exercise classes and a Sports Deck with a basketball, volleyball, and paddle tennis court. The Sports Deck has two life-size outdoor chess boards, two golf driving nets, deck games, shuffleboard, and a walking/jogging track.

After exercising, passengers can check out the numerous boutiques located on deck 7 or the casino of deck 6. Alternatively, passengers can enjoy the hot tubs, the swimming pool, or the delightful sunbeds on the pool deck. There is always something to keep you busy on the Norwegian Pearl, but only if you wish.

Mandara Spa and South Pacific Salon

After participating in all the activities described on the previous page, passengers might want to visit the Norwegian Pearl's South Pacific Spa and Beauty Salon for a relaxing treatment or massage. Mandara operates the Norwegian Pearl spa, which features 20 treatment rooms, 3 of which are designed for couples. The spa offers all the standard spa treatments and amenities. The unisex salon includes hair and nail treatments and barbering services.

The Norwegian Pearl spa has Norwegian's first thalassotherapy pool, which combines heat and saltwater for a delightfully relaxing soak. The spa also has separate men and women's sauna, steam room, plunge bath, and hot tub. The unisex relaxation area includes a Hydro-bath and the wonderful heated thermal benches seen in this photo.

Use of Technology

The Norwegian Pearl has most of the technology you would expect from a brand-new cruise ship. We were a little disappointed that the Wireless Internet did not work in the cabin, but the Internet hook-up (don't forget to bring your own standard network cable) worked great. The hookup is a little difficult to locate but is in the cabinet near the TV. Wireless Internet access is available in many of the common areas , although it seemed much slower than the network connection. Passengers not wanting to bring their own laptops can rent one on the ship or use the Internet Cafe. Like most cruise ships, Internet charges are high, ranging from 40 cents per minute to 75 cents per minute, depending on the plan purchased.

Passengers on the Norwegian Pearl can also use their personal cell phones on the ship and be billed by their own carrier at the roaming rate set by the carrier .

For digital photography fans who don't want to wait until they get home to print pictures, the Norwegian Pearl has a photo gallery with kiosk available to instantly print photos just like at home.

Onboard Entertainment

In addition to the participatory activities on the Norwegian Pearl, the cruise ship has some excellent onboard entertainment. The first is the famed improvisational comedy troupe The Second City. This ensemble group performs one night each sailing and also hosts onboard workshops for children and adults. The kids' workshops focus on the important principles of improvisation such as listening to others and working as a team.

Jean Ann Ryan Productions is in charge of the stage shows in the Stardust Theater. We saw two of the shows on our short cruise. The first was a high-energy show called "Tubez" which featured specialty performers on bikes, skateboards, and in-line skates. The music is pop and hip-hop and was a little young for my taste, but I'll bet the under-30 age group will enjoy it. We don't know how the bike and skateboard tricks will work in rough seas, but they were impressive on our cruise.

The second show we had was called "Sea Legs", and is a stage revue featuring ​girls in fabulous costumes similar to what you see in Las Vegas . This show also included two excellent gymnasts (a man and a woman) who performed high over the stage.

The third Jean Ann Ryan show is called "Garden of the Geisha", which features martial arts, Tai Chi, and Kabuki action, all woven into an Oriental love story and performed to the sounds of drums.

The large Spinnaker Observation Lounge also has live performances and dancing in the evening. Some nights have themed parties such as rock and roll, disco, or country and western, which sound like a lot of fun.

Kids and Teens

In addition to the many diverse "freestyle" dining options, entertainment and activities, the Norwegian Pearl has many other features that make it family-friendly. The first (and most expensive) are the large suites with more than one bedroom, which are perfect for family groups. The largest suites total almost 4,400 square feet! Norwegian Cruise Line also increased the number of connecting rooms in all cabin categories on the Norwegian Pearl, which is attractive to many families. You can purchase multiple connecting cabins and/or suites, with 2, 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms (and baths).

The ship has a large "Kid's Crew" area on the Norwegian Pearl called the Aqua Kid's Club. This educational and entertaining program is available to kids from 2 to 17 and is offered year-round on sea days and in the evenings when the ship is in port. In addition to the kids' program, the Norwegian Pearl has a group sitting service for ages 2 and up from 10 pm to 1 am and for certain hours when the ship is in port. Parents need time to have fun, too!

Parents may want to purchase a Kid's Crew backpack package for their kids that include a baseball cap, sunglasses, luggage tags, t-shirt, souvenir cup, and unlimited sodas for the entire cruise. The Kid's Soda package, which includes a cup, telescopic straw, and unlimited fountain sodas has an extra fee, but might be worth it if your kid loves soft drinks.

Teenagers will love the Teen Metro Center, which is a teen-only theme club complete with large TV, disco, theme parties, and an arcade. Teens can purchase a "teen passport", which gives them a coupon book that they can use towards non-alcoholic specialty drinks, pizza parties, and a farewell party.

Families should love the cabins, activities, and programs on the ship.

Caribbean, Alaska, and Panama Canal Itineraries

In the fall, winter, and spring months, the Norwegian Pearl sails Caribbean itineraries round trip out of Miami .

The Norwegian Pearl repositions to Alaska in the summertime, where she sails a seven-day Alaska Inside Passage itinerary out of Seattle with calls in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria. In the fall and spring, the Norwegian Pearl sails a repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal .

In summary, this mega-ship seems to have something for everyone. Lots of action, beautiful cabins, and a variety of food, drinks, and entertainment.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.

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Cruising the Norwegian Pearl Review: Our Favorite Ship Yet

Are you planning a cruise on the Norwegian Pearl? This Norwegian Pearl review will reveal why it’s become one of our favorite ships thus far.

After enjoying our Norwegian Getaway Haven cruise, we were eager to see how the smaller, recently refurbished Norwegian Pearl would compare. With fewer activities and half the passengers, we wondered if we’d miss the luxurious Haven suite or the more intimate setting would enhance our experience.

In this Norwegian Pearl review, we highlight what we loved about our nine-day itinerary, which included six ports and only two sea days. This sailing allowed us to revisit Roatan under better weather conditions and explore three new destinations.

Note: This cruise was taken and reviewed in 2017. It remains one of our favorite sailings. Updates made to this post are for formatting purposes.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

Table of Contents

9-Day Norwegian Pearl Western Caribbean Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart New Orleans, LA Day 2 – Sea Day Day 3 – Cozumel, Mexico Day 4 – George Town, Cayman Islands Day 5 – Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras Day 6 – Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala Day 7 – Harvest Caye, Belize Day 8 – Costa Maya, Mexico Day 9 – Sea Day Day 10 – Disembark in New Orleans, LA

Norwegian Pearl Review

Before starting the detailed part of our Norwegian Pearl review, I’ll share that we had a fabulous time! We’ve learned that nine days is perfect for us—seven days feels too short, while anything longer might be too much.

The first few days featured intermittent rain, but the weather improved halfway through, providing some wonderfully warm days. We met amazing people at a Cruise Critic meet-up , during excursions, and around the ship.

Our days were filled with delicious food, dancing, laughter, and exploration on and off the ship. It was a memorable nine-day adventure. In addition, we spent a few days in New Orleans before embarking. It was our first visit, and while two and a half days weren’t enough to see everything, we had a great time exploring the French Quarte r and enjoying beignets .

Embarkation at Port of New Orleans

Embarkation day proved to be a bit disorganized. We arrived around 11:30 AM and immediately met with a lengthy security line. After checking in, we faced another extended wait to board the ship.

The delay was partly because the Norwegian Pearl had been chartered by the band KISS and their fans just five days earlier, and their disembarkation took longer than expected. Additionally, the port authority chose to conduct a full ship check that day.

It wasn’t until around 1 PM that they began calling groups to board, and we didn’t get on the ship until about 2 PM. Seasoned cruisers we chatted with mentioned that this was unusual.

Remember, patience is essential on embarkation day . Once aboard, grabbing your first cocktail can be a sweet start to your vacation. If you have a drink package, it’s the perfect time to start making the most of it.

Sail Away from New Orleans Cruise Port

Our departure was delayed, so we missed the opportunity to sail down the Mississippi River in daylight as we had hoped. Instead, we left port at sunset. Fortunately, the stunning sunset over the New Orleans skyline was a breathtaking consolation, beautifully offsetting the earlier delay.

Enclosed Balcony Cabin on Norwegian Pearl

We booked a balcony guarantee and were assigned to cabin #10008 on the starboard forward side, featuring an enclosed balcony. This was my first experience with this type of balcony, and I found it wonderfully private compared to regular balconies. With no visual obstructions, a quick lean to the left provides a clear view of the ship’s bridge.

The cabin offered my husband and me a comfortable setup, though it might feel snug for more than two people. Here are some key features:

• Bed: Comfortably sized and positioned.
• TV and USB Ports: It includes a new flat-screen TV with one USB port under it and additional ports under each bedside light fixture.
• Storage: Ample closet space with a hidden light switch in the back.
• Bathroom: The space felt a bit cramped and dark due to wood paneling, with no lighting in the shower area, which could be challenging for taller guests.

The Norwegian Pearl’s recent refurbishments seem to include updates to the cabins. As this was my first time aboard this ship, I noticed that modern amenities like the updated TV area and USB ports contributed to the cabin’s fresh and maintained appearance.

Service on the Norwegian Pearl

Service on the first day was somewhat slow as the waitstaff adjusted to a new set of passengers. However, they quickly found their rhythm, and the service improved significantly for the remainder of the cruise.

Our steward, Albert, did a fantastic job. He was always polite, remembered to use our first names, and kept our cabin in excellent condition. He cleaned our room every morning, provided turn-down service in the evening, and ensured our ice bucket was always filled. Each night, starting from the second day, we were greeted by a different towel animal, which was a fun touch (unfortunately, towel animals have gone away since then) .

My only small critique would be regarding the bath towels. Initially, Albert provided more than two bath towels, which was great since I had a lot of hair. However, as the days passed, he sometimes forgot to maintain that number. Despite this, it was not a significant issue as long as the room remained clean.

Dining on the Norwegian Pearl

O’sheehan’s.

This pub-style restaurant offers room service and is open 24/7, making it perfect for late-night snacks like wings and beer. Our first meal here on embarkation day had slow service, but it improved significantly as the cruise went on.

At this churrascaria, we indulged in an excellent antipasto buffet, perhaps a bit too much before enjoying the meats like bacon-wrapped chicken, garlic filet mignon, and beef ribs. The roasted pineapple and coconut flan were highlights.

Our best dining experience on the cruise. I ventured to try escargot for the first time, and the roasted duck and filet mignon were exceptional. We topped off the meal with fantastic desserts; the crème brûlée was a reminder of our time in Paris, and the chef even visited our table to ensure we enjoyed our meal.

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Compared to our experience on the Norwegian Getaway, Cagney’s on the Pearl was a letdown. The crowded seating near a busy pathway and a lackluster menu made the experience less enjoyable. The filet mignon was notably inferior to Le Bistro’s, though the apple crumb dessert was good.

Lotus Garden

This venue offers standard fast-food Chinese fare similar to Panda Express. It’s decent for a quick meal but not for those seeking authentic cuisine.

As one of the main dining rooms, Indigo impressed us with dishes like spaghetti carbonara, BBQ ribs, prime rib, and basil chicken. The desserts, particularly the opera cake and apple pie, were also memorable.

Garden Cafe

The buffet area was often crowded, especially at the omelet stations during breakfast. However, walking past the buffet to the aft of the ship reveals a smaller section with outdoor seating and less congestion. We frequented this spot for breakfast and snacks up until 11:30 PM. The crepe station and hand-scooped ice cream were our favorites, although the dessert options could be improved.

Entertainment on the Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship

The entertainment on the Norwegian Pearl offered a mix of performances, although it felt like the lineup was assembled just for our 9-day cruise. Not all acts seemed to be regulars, and the variety might differ for future passengers.

Shows and Performances

• Legends in Concert: This is a staple on the Norwegian Pearl, but we missed it due to time spent in the casino.
• Michael Bublé Tribute: A standout performance by a cast member, which, if not already a regular feature, certainly deserves to be.
• Broadway-Type Shows: It appears that full-scale Broadway shows are reserved for Norwegian’s larger ships.
• Karaoke and Dancing: The Bliss Lounge offers nightly karaoke, and the Spinnaker Lounge is perfect for those looking to dance.
• Themed Dance Parties: True to Norwegian Cruise Line’s reputation, each night features a themed dance party, ranging from 80s and 90s hits to music video parties.
• The casino is smaller and suffers from poor ventilation, making the smoke quite noticeable. It could benefit from more varied slot machine options, particularly Wheel-of-Fortune games with smaller denominations than $1.
• Coffee and pastries are available on sea day mornings for early gamblers, with late-night snacks offered most nights.

Overall, while the entertainment was enjoyable, the quieter and more subdued atmosphere compared to our cruise on the Norwegian Getaway last year was noticeable. Depending on your preference, this could be either a positive or a negative aspect of the cruising experience.

Other Observations from Norwegian Pearl

Tip: Follow the fish on the carpet. They will tell you if you’re going forward. The random red fish warns you you’re heading towards the ship’s AFT.

• Ship Layout: Initially, the layout of the Norwegian Pearl can be confusing, but it becomes more navigable with time.
• Staff: The crew was exceptional, always ready to assist with a smile. Their efforts greatly enhanced our experience, ensuring it was both flawless and memorable.
• Maintenance: Maintenance was a constant sight; the crew was diligent about cleaning and upkeep, paying particular attention to details. For example, they refreshed our balcony with new paint while in port, maintaining the ship’s pristine condition.
• $10 Bazaar: Held on the last sea day in Le Bistro, this event was overwhelmingly crowded and poorly organized. The aggressive shopping environment and long checkout lines deterred from the experience. Better organization is needed for future bazaars.
• Beverage Package: Surprisingly, Maker’s Mark bourbon was not included in the beverage package, despite being a relatively inexpensive option. This was a disappointing aspect of the beverage offerings.
• Hotel Director: The hotel director was notably outstanding, showing genuine interest in the passengers’ experiences and actively seeking feedback about the highs and lows of our cruise.

Disembarkation

Our arrival back in New Orleans was delayed due to a barge on the Mississippi River, which disrupted the ship’s speed and schedule. As a result, the port authority conducted a check before allowing anyone to disembark. Fortunately, our flight wasn’t scheduled until early afternoon, so we weren’t particularly rushed.

We enjoyed a relaxing breakfast at the buffet and waited comfortably until they started to call groups for disembarkation. Norwegian offers two options: self-disembarkation or assigned times via color-coded luggage tags. We opted for the latter, choosing to disembark with the last group.

Exiting the ship and passing through customs went smoothly—they simply waved us through. However, the line to exit the port and reach the taxi stand was chaotic. The confusion was exacerbated by incoming passengers for the next cruise, who inadvertently merged into our line.

Overall, while disembarking the ship itself was straightforward, the port area could benefit from better organization to streamline the process for both arriving and departing guests.

Final Thoughts on the Norwegian Pearl

The Norwegian Pearl may lack some of the flashy features found on the larger mega-ships of its fleet, but it stands out due to its exceptional crew. Throughout our cruise, the crew demonstrated a genuine care for both the ship and its passengers, fostering a warm sense of family and pride.

We particularly appreciate Norwegian Cruise Line’s FREESTYLE cruising approach and the appealing “Free at Sea” perks available at booking. Our positive experience on the Norwegian Pearl was so memorable that we purchased Cruise Next vouchers and plan to book another voyage with Norwegian. Should the itinerary align with our preferences, we would happily choose to cruise on the Norwegian Pearl again.

🚢 Book a cruise on the Norwegian pearl cruise

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Cruising the Norwegian Encore
• Cruising the Norwegian Joy Review
• Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review
• Cruising Norwegian Getaway and Staying in the Haven

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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I was on the Norwegian Bliss recently and our embarkation was a nightmare…but overall the Gokarts and food made up for that….imagine embarking at 9pm….

Wow, 9 hours?! That is insane! I honestly do not enjoy the embarkation and debarkation process. Thankfully you forget about it once you’re on the ship.

Happy to hear that you had a great time on the Bliss. I booked its sister ship the Joy for 2021.

The Urban Hang Suite Cruise sets sail on the Norwegian Pearl

Maxwell’s urban hang suite cruise is sold out.

After leading the way in modern R&B and transfixing music lovers for more than two decades, multi-platinum Grammy-award winning artist Maxwell is taking to the sea in the inaugural Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Cruise! This 4-night ocean cruise will feature 2 exclusive performances by Maxwell!

Join Maxwell, Ledisi, Robert Glasper, Sabrina Claudio, Musiq Soulchild, Leela James, Gallant and more to be announced as we celebrate four glorious nights under the Caribbean night’s sky. Setting sail February 10 – 14, 2024 on the Norwegian Pearl, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Cruise will be stopping at two beautiful Bahamian destinations, Great Stirup Cay & Nassau! Join us while we bring concerts, comedy, parties and more out to sea over VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!

JOIN THE WAITLIST !

Sail in Luxury Aboard the Norwegian Pearl

The beautiful Norwegian Pearl will be our home at sea for 4 nights of music, comedy, parties and more.  Home to 17 bars, 14 restaurants, and countless entertainment options, the Pearl offers everything and more to enjoy while not listening to the best names in R&B. Check out everything there is to be offered, by clicking the Explore the Ship link

Ports and excursions

The Urban Hang Suite cruise will sail to our own private island Great Stirrup Cay AND the beautiful port of Nassau, Bahamas. Sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters, the best in Caribbean food and many adventures in the sun await. Check out the itinerary for more info

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Mix It Up with Cocktails by Norwegian

Learn how to recreate your favourite cocktails on board from the comfort of your kitchen. A guest favourite, The Moscow Mule, is simple to make using few ingredients.

Ingredients:

1.25 OZ Vodka

4 OZ Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale

3 Fresh Lime Wedges

Instructions:

Begin by muddling lime wedges. Add vodka and ice cubes and shake it up! Be sure to break up the cubes as much as possible. Carefully pour into a chilled Moscow Mule mug (or your glass of choice) and then fill the rest of the mug (or glass) with ginger beer (or ginger ale). If you're fancy, garnish with ginger candy on a bamboo skewer.

Enjoy! #NorwegianStaycation #CruiseNorwegian