Norwegian Pearl Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,403 reviews

Not what it used to be

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Norwegian Pearl
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Boudreauxcruises
10+ Cruises • Age 50s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2018
Cabin: Mid-Ship Mini-Suite with Balcony

This is our 10th cruise with ncl and we all noticed a change for the worse with regard to customer service, dining, activities and general ship maintenance. From embarkation, which was disorganized and had 2000 people standing room only without water or chairs for two plus hours, to disembarkation, also unorganized, we found the cruise lacking from previous times. We were a party of 5 and all felt a lack of concern from the entire crew, who frequently complained about their job. It seems we waited in lines for 30 minutes for anything we needed from guest services to shore excursions and even dining (felt like we wasted a lot of our vacation time waiting). And when we did get to our turn they seemed rushed and unable to accommodate our needs. Also, seems that their budget is really cut for customer service, food quality, and activities and entertainment. Feel like it is time to try royal Caribbean or princess next time. Enrichment activities were origami, and watching officers compete in towel folding? Again, no budget for something really interesting. Casino just okay, again budget conscious and hit and miss with service. Also, I think this lower quality of service put other cruisers in a bad mood, people seemed a little rude to each other. Our room steward changed the towels and made our bed but otherwise not very friendly. Ports of call okay, some so impoverished and just constant solicitation. Enjoyed Cartagena and costa maya and Panama Canal even though we didn’t get off ship in colon (only 3 hours there and Didn’t seem like somewhere to go out at night)

Cabin Review

Mid-Ship Mini-Suite with Balcony

Cabin MA

Nice linens, updates, but small balcony and intermittent water temperature in bathroom. Plumbing leaked. Paint chips on balcony scattered every day. Technology lacking for phone and tv, cannot read phone and it’s old, tv doesn’t have ability to read room charge or look at excursions, etc. also, NO FOOTBALL channels!

Port Reviews

Grand Cayman (Georgetown)

Nice island, always go to 7 mile beach

Falmouth

Nice but could only stay in port, seemed sketchy to go out of gate into town

Colon (Cristobal)

Advised to only stay on Main Street across from terminal, I would check out travel warnings from state department.gov before going into any of these ports.

Puerto Limon

Seemed beautiful, we just shopped at the port store.

Harvest Caye

Really enjoyed this island, able to snorkel zip line and dine in private from the locals. Beautiful water and amentities there.

Santo Tomas de Castilla

We took the trolley town tour. It was interesting but a little scary with the traffic and crime awareness.

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