Eastern Mediterranean from Athens, 4 October 2025 (11 nights)

This is our second time with NCL. We love the international feel and the informal experience onboard. The Norwegian Pearl followed the same NCL format, combining relaxed bars and dining with waiter service in others, and a dress code in some speciality dining restaurants. The entertainment was first class, with a variety of shows each evening. All crew go out of their way to help and are all very good in their roles. The ship was a little tired in some aspects but more than adequate for our needs. My husband loved the climbing wall and we tried the golf net too. Overall, some great cities visited and a fabulous holiday cruise. We'll definitely be back soon.

Great itinerary, port intensive but sometimes not enough time in the port when you arrive late afternoon or leave mid afternoon. Crew very friendly, professional and happy to make your stay as perfect as they can. We had an inside cabin as thought in May we wouldn’t sit on the balcony as early mornings it would be too cold and we were correct the sun didn’t really warm till late morning which was perfect timing to leave the ship. The room was fine with plenty closet space and under bed storage for cases. The bathroom showed signs that this was an older ship, you couldn’t fill the sink, one shelf was loose and awkward to use but the shower was great with a sliding door and liquid soap & shampoo. Bed wasn’t too comfortable due to the mattress topper not zipped into position and moving all over the bed making turning over very very uncomfortable. Mattresses not the best either, I’ve had much better nights sleep in a Premier Inn. Restaurants were all exceptional especially the specialty ones. We preferred the Indigo to the Summer Palace main dining rooms for dinner. More intimate and staff were more attentive. Food was exactly the same but more efficient all round. We mostly had breakfast in the main restaurant (Palace) and this varied each time with regards service and getting our correct order but maybe lost in translation! The food in all areas of the ship was of a great standard and what ever time you returned to the ship after an excursion there was somewhere open to eat. The entertainment from the resident theatre troop, singers and dancers was exceptional and very professional indeed, their ‘Extravaganza’ last show would give Strictly Come Dancing’ a run for their money! The resident 4 piece band ‘Funky Boots’ were amazing playing in venues across the ship and one night in the theatre. We were out of the school holidays so only saw one or two children on the cruise but the other guests seemed to be American or Australian only a few British guests in comparison. This isn’t a problem but and for us it was a big but, the Americans generally prefer a casual dress code and I think in the dinning rooms during the evenings they were dressed for lunch. Although listed as smart casual with no caps or flip flops this was not the case. Disappointed that the standard of dress for evening meal in all restaurants was not adhered to. Saw flip flops base ball caps beach shorts & t-shirts and generally quite scruffy turnouts. There is the buffet option on an evening if, quite frankly guests don’t want to make a little effort. There was probably an average age for this cruise of about 70-80 which I found strange given the amount of port days and access in and out of the port areas needing a good pair of legs or ability to get on and off a coach. Staff were great with disabilities and had plenty of access to wheelchairs. Embarkation and disembarkation was flawless and very quick due to pre check-in before arrival at the port.

Chose an outside cabin, was not disappointed, plenty of storage and a decent size room, also a very quiet area, no noise from outside room. Good choice of bars and restaurants, excellent buffet with good choice of food. We particularly enjoyed the outside bar at the back of the ship and also had our breakfast there too, the range of food was good and an added bonus was staff bringing around fresh coffee and pastries while we were sat at our table. Overall a great cruise itinerary.

A very enjoyable cruise, crew were very attentive, food in all restaurants we tried was excellent, and the entertainment was very good apart from one act who we found very boring,( not only us as when she was on the venue was rather sparse of audience members