By Marilyn Green

As Norwegian Cruise Line not-so-formally named the new Norwegian Pearl, NCL’s free-spirited cruise concept found expression both in developments on the ship and in the christening itself. The Pearl takes the Freestyle experience yet a little further, from the variety of entertainment to the quality of food and the concept of a ship within a ship.
NCL’s recent branding decisions seem to have sharpened the company’s own perception of the Freestyle experience, and both the christening and the ship made a statement underlining the boldness and variety of the Freestyle cruise. A music video starring executives and crew replaced the speeches typical of a naming ceremony. The idea of retaining the traditional while adding radically different choices is being carried out in food, entertainment and accommodations in a very defined and noticeable way.
The Pearl originally was intended as an identical twin to Norwegian Jewel, even down to the same carpeting. Executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services Andy Stuart said changes to the Pearl’s design came after the chairman of parent company Star Cruises, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, took a 12-day cruise on the Jewel. He came away identifying opportunities for improvement on the new ship.
“He has a cruise scheduled on the Pearl, so we’ll see what changes are coming for the next ship, the Gem,” Stuart added.
One of the most striking differences is the relocation of the shops to a much higher traffic area. In fact, the presentation of goods was particularly attractive — the first thing an embarking guest sees in the atrium is a large case with pearl necklaces displayed.
A number of touches on the Pearl take the Freestyle philosophy further. A floor-to-ceiling television screen in the atrium attracted far more fans to watch sports than the usual secluded sports bar does. Sports addicts threatened to wipe out the goodies in the atrium’s Java Café with its pastries, frozen coffees, espresso and cappuccino.
The Pearl’s highly promoted first bowling alley at sea and Bliss, its attendant lounge, are more exciting in reality than they were in description. Bliss is a fantasy experience with techie bowling accompanied by a lot more than beer. The alley itself, stocked with colorful balls, good bowling shoes and digital everything, is separated from the lounge seating area by a wrought iron chest-high fence. The cost, including shoe rental, is only $5 and the atmosphere upscale and very hip.
The Bliss seating area uses the Alice in Wonderland style, brilliantly colored, outsized stuffed furniture brought in for the Jewel. A second “stage” on the other side of the seating (or lounging) area becomes a disco at night, when the bowling alley is bathed in colors. On the inaugural cruise, Bliss saw action from before breakfast (!) to the wee hours, with bowlers blaming the ocean for gutter balls. Actually, the success of even novice bowlers is a tribute to the smoothness of the Pearl’s ride.
Too enthusiastic new and out of practice bowlers tended to head for the massage tables the next day at the South Pacific Spa, which has a different design from the Jewel’s, featuring a central Thalassotherapy area that made it much easier to navigate the spa. There are separate men’s and women’s saunas, steam rooms, plunge baths and hot tubs. The attendant Body Waves Fitness Center has two steam rooms, ample treadmills, stair steppers and other resistance equipment, all with television monitors. The sizeable aerobics room has plenty of space for guests to sign up for Pilates, spinning, kickboxing and more.
A volleyball/basketball court, golf driving nets, mini-golf, ping pong, paddle tennis and a running track are accompanied by a new feature for NCL: a 30-by-18-foot rock climbing wall at the back of the ship’s funnel.
For less strenuous outdoor activities, NCL has recently upgraded its poolside loungers and sun beds around the Tahitian Pool that became a center of activity on the Pearl by day. The ship has an electric hoist to enable guests with disabilities to use pools and hot tubs.
The casino has a circus theme and childlike bright colors behind a wide range of games from blackjack and roulette to poker and craps, with baccarat available on request. More that 200 video and traditional slot machines take bets from a penny to $100. Select slot machines are certified with a guaranteed 96% payback.
The three-level Stardust Theater houses an even more diverse set of entertainment than previous NCL ships. One show, “Tubez,” features motorcycle and skateboard daredevils, plus a rap singer; another, “Garden of the Geisha,” is an Asian romance using martial arts, Kabuki action and Tai Chi with a background of taiko drums and shamisens. “Sea Legs” is a very modern take on the traditional showgirl and the Second City comedy troupe provides set pieces and improvisation. The theater has dedicated wheelchair positions and is equipped with Hearing Impaired Induction Systems.
The Pearl’s library is spacious, light and inviting with a nice selection of informational and entertaining reading.
The Bar Central concept has been continued on the Pearl, bringing together Shakers Martini and Cocktail Bar, art deco themed Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar and Maltings Beer and Whiskey Pub, with more than 60 whiskeys available. The Corona Cigar Club, in the same area, offers hand rolled cigars along with spirits.
The Spinnaker Lounge has live music, from big band jazz to 50s and 60s sock hops, country and western dancing and disco dance parties.
Dining options include a big change: the Garden Café has been redesigned. Klaus Lugmaier, NCL’s traveling hotel director who brings out each new ship, calls the new setup an “action station restaurant” rather than a buffet, since so much of the food — from eggs and salads to Asian soups — is prepared to order.
Stuart commented, “We think this is going to be a sea change among dining experiences.” Fans of the Jewel were happy to find the Garden Café’s 24-hour machines for lattes, hot chocolate and coffee machines on the Pearl. (To save your clients a search, they are in the very back of the café.)
The clearly defined differences among NCL offerings are underlined in the two main restaurants. The Summer Palace echoes czarist Russia, from the Faberge egg decorations to the elaborate gold frames on the art. Rich and exotic selections dot the menu. Indigo, the other main restaurant, couldn’t be more different, with its pop art decor and emphasis on very modern cuisine, from grilled Mahi-Mahi to marinated roasted pineapple.
NCL’s ski resort-inspired displays showing availability for various sized parties in the numerous restaurants are taken for granted by veterans of the line, and beepers for those who are seeking last-minute tables at the most popular dining spots are exactly like those at shore side resorts.
The crowd’s preferences followed no apparent pattern on our cruise — one night the French Le Bistro was jammed; the next night it would be the Teppanyaki room. Mambo’s Latin/Tapas was very lively at night with cooling drinks and Tex-Mex cuisine. La Cucina, the Italian restaurant, pleased diners with very attractive dishes served on rustic textured long wood tables, with pastas, chicken, seafood and beef served alongside pasta, wines and sinful desserts. The 24-hour Blue Lagoon remains in its more upscale manifestation from the Jewel, and Cagney’s and Lotus Garden which, respectively, cater to those who want premium beef and those who crave Japanese, Thai and Chinese cuisines.
There are surcharges for all alternative restaurants, but not for La Cucina, Mambo’s and Blue Lagoon.
Of course, there is always room service for the weary (and the lazy), and ordering in is encouraged by the colorful, well-planned staterooms.
Agents on the inaugural cruise expressed approval of the warm woods of the new Deluxe Owner’s Suites, the Black Pearl and Golden Pearl. With large private balconies and postcard views down to the pool area, the 928-square foot suites have access to the private courtyard shared with Garden Villa and Courtyard Villa guests with pool, hot tub, gym equipment, steam room and sundeck.
The new suites are on Deck 15 with private bedrooms, king-sized bed and flat screen TV with CD/DVD player and a Bose entertainment center complete with a CD/DVD library. The bath has a whirlpool tub and a separate shower and the living and dining area has an open, spacious feel.

Altogether, these are private worlds, a new development of the ship within a ship concept NCL sells so well, with the exclusive, upscale accommodations and privacy of a small luxury liner along with access to large-ship entertainment and dining options. Each of the two Garden Villas at 4,390 square feet, has three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The 10,572-square feet Courtyard Villas with butler and concierge services also pleased agents very much. Eight of these have separate bedrooms for children.
NCL caters heavily to families by offering a large share of staterooms, including suites and minisuites that can interconnect to create multiple bedrooms.
In addition to the sports facilities, the Aqua Kid’s Club has programs for younger cruisers from two to 17. Four age groups go from storytelling and magic shows to themed parties, video games and campouts. Teens have the Metro Center, a New York-inspired theme club with a plasma screen TV and LCD. Teen discos, themed parties, pool parties and sports are available. The “Teen Passport” program allows teens to buy a coupon book for $34.50 for non-alcoholic specialty drinks and exclusive dance and pizza parties, plus a farewell party.
The children’s section of the Garden Café has kid-size table and chairs and serves burgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and ice cream sundaes (featuring quite a bit of food pilfering by adults!). A Kid’s Soda package providing unlimited fountain sodas costs $16 for a 7-day cruise.
Agents on the inaugural said they were impressed by the breadth of appeal of the ship and the choices for various demographics, including the upscale clients who are intrigued by maintaining their privacy and exclusive turf while enjoying the amenities. All ages and kinds of guests were enthusiastic about the entertainment, the tapas, the French restaurant, the spa and the surreal bowling alley. NCL is presenting its passengers with an increasingly striking collection of choices and grazing has gone far beyond food, as guests sample different cultures and tastes.