 |
|
Chihuly Sculpture Graces
The Crystal Atrium
|
Norwegian Pearl
December 16, 2006
Christening Preview
by Linda Coffman
The Art of the Pearl (part 2)
Public Areas
All that gleams aboard Norwegian Pearl isn't a precious gem—her artwork is worthy of the world's finest museums. Famed glass sculptor Dale Chihuly created a piece for her Crystal Atrium and soon Le Bistro will gain two of Norwegian Dawn's impressionist masterpieces, a Renoir and Van Gogh.
The Crystal Atrium is the bustling hub of activity where guests can enjoy specialty coffee at the Java Café, shop in a boutique, and discuss tour options with the Shore Excursion staff while background music fills the air and a floor to ceiling big screen television shows not only events onboard, but important sporting events as well. A second, and smaller atrium is surrounded by Lotus Garden on deck seven, while a deck below, Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar, Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar, and Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar comprise "Bar Central"—a concept introduced by NCL on the Jewel-class vessels. The three distinctive areas flow nicely into one another and are anchored by generous seating, a piano-bar atmosphere, and the adjacent Corona Cigar Club (for cigar aficionados). Bar Central also serves as a pre-dinner gathering spot for the nearby Indigo Restaurant and Le Bistro French Restaurant.
 |
|
Bliss Ultra Lounge, Double Lounging "Bed"
|
 |
|
Bliss Ultra Lounge, 10-pin Bowling Alley
|
Other places to freestyle the nights away should appeal to a wide array of tastes... the hip South Beach meets Vegas-style Bliss Ultra Lounge, which houses the bowling lanes ($5 per player, per game, including shoes), the stylish Star Bar (our choice for a nightcap accompanied by piano melodies), and the Spinnaker Lounge for cabaret entertainment and dancing. Tempting "lady luck" in the Pearl Club Casino is a popular pastime.
Stardust Theater continues the Jewel-class tradition of theater style seating offering good sightlines throughout, with the exception of the last row of the top balcony. It's a grand setting for the lavish production shows presented on its proscenium stage.
Finally, there are meeting rooms, a nicely appointed library, card room, reading room, small chapel, cinema, and a Bridge Viewing Room—a treat for anyone who relishes the chance to check out the navigational bridge and try their hand at "back seat driving " the ship.
For Active Lifestyles
It isn't often that I'm as impressed as much as I was by the South Pacific Health Spa & Salon. Styled in a South Pacific motif and staffed by Mandara Spa, it boasts a full menu of salon treatments and spa indulgences, including couples treatment rooms, but that's the ordinary part. What's extraordinary are the facilities. Separate areas for men and women each feature a thermal suite with sauna, stam room, plunge bath, and hot tub. For sheer serenity, there is a huge unisex hydrotherapy pool and heated thermal chaises. And... access to this blissful personal pampering is a bargain at $15 per person, per day (package pricing is available for the entire cruise).
Norwegian Jewel's 24-hour fitness center boasts state-of-the art equipment and a wide range of classes taught by certified instructors. For a freebie, locker rooms adjacent to the gym have complimentary steam rooms. If joggers slow down long enough, they are sure to appreciate the wide, uncluttered Promenade Deck.
For sun worshipers, the Tahitian Pool has ample padded deck loungers. In the shade you'll find additional seating and chic double "Tahitian" lounge beds.
 |
|
Rock climbing on Norwegian Pearl*
|
High atop the ship is a first for NCL—a 30 feet high (by 19 feet wide) rock climbing wall with five climbing routes, each requiring varying degrees of skill. There is no charge for attempting to scale the wall.
The Norwegian Pearl Experience
From the sophistication of Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar to the rattan casual of the Sky High Bar, Norwegian Pearl's Freestyle Cruising should satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating passenger. Whether you choose to do it all, or nothing at all, there's a little something to tempt everyone. When you're not ashore exploring the ports of call, if scheduled activities don't appeal to you, there's always your private balcony, a quiet corner to read a book from the library, or a deck chair from which to contemplate the sea. Freestyle Cruising is whatever you make of it... leave your watch at home, it's your cruise vacation.
Parents can relax while their children are entertained with fun and educational activities in the "Kid's Crew" Program at the Splashdown Kids Club. Their own special menus are designed to suit even the finickiest junior passengers.
Teens can hang out at Metro Center, the teen disco, or in a video arcade with dozens of the latest machines.
Families have the flexibility to dine together at their own table or mom and dad can indulge in a "Night Out" while their youngsters are having a pillow fight at a pajama party. Teenagers, always difficult to please, can opt to participate in a wide range of sports, dance parties, and entertainment options or simply "do their own thing" with new-found pals.
What You WILL Find:
- Abundant choices
- Tasty meals, creatively presented
- Service by an attentive staff
- Activities to suit a wide range of interests for all ages
- Freestyle Cruising lifestyle & enrichment programs, including personal finance seminars, cooking, mountain biking and computer classes, and genealogy discussions
- Well stocked duty free shops
- A chapel for weddings, marriage renewal of vows ceremonies, and religious celebrations
- Numerous connecting staterooms and suites for families
- Huge, well-equipped areas for children and teens, including Splashdown Kid's Club and their own Sapphire Kid's Pool with water slide and adjacent whirlpool where parents can join the fun
- An adult-free Metro Center Teen's Club
- Duvets on supremely comfortable beds
- Children under two sail at no charge with two or more paying guests
- Concierge and butler service for suite guests
- The very best entertainment afloat, presented by the Jean Ann Ryan Company and guest performers
- Self-service laundry rooms
- Service charges are automatically added to all accounts
What You WON'T Find:
- Structured dress codes
- Rigid dining schedules
- Boredom
Fast Stats
- 93,530 tons
- 965 feet long
- 106 feet wide
- Speed 25 knots
- 2,394 guests, double occupancy
A Carefree Style Permeates Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Pearl sails alternating 5-night and 9-night Caribbean cruises from Miami in spring and winter months and offers Alaska itineraries during summer seasons.
