Norwegian Pearl

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Norwegian Pearl during her final stages of construction in Papenburg, Germany
Career
Name: Norwegian Pearl
Owner: Norwegian Cruise Line
Operator: Norwegian Cruise Line
Port of Registry: Nassau, Flag of the Bahamas Bahamas
Builder: Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Laid down: 3 October 2005
Launched: 15 October 2006
In service: 30 November 2006
Status: In service
General characteristics
Class and type: Jewel Class cruise ship
Tonnage: 93,500 gross tons
Length: 965 ft (294.13 m)
Beam: 106 ft (32.31 m)
Draft: 27 ft (8.23 m)
Decks: 15
Speed: 25 knots
Capacity: 2394 passengers
Crew: 1100 crew

Norwegian Pearl is a cruise ship of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Contents

[edit] History

Construction began October 3, 2005, and the Norwegian Pearl was floated out of the Meyer Werft Shipyard covered building dock on October 15, 2006. She then spent a couple of days in Holland where workers and their families could spend some time on board.

On November 30, the ship stopped in Southampton, England, to celebrate her entry into service. She made her first voyage with paying passengers on December 2, from Southampton to Miami, Florida, where the ship will be based for her first season.

As with the rest of NCL's fleet, Norwegian Pearl utilizes the "Freestyle" cruising concept, which allows guest to dine in any number of restaurants, in casual attire, at times of their own choosing.

[edit] Vessel Class

Norwegian Pearl is the third of NCL's four Jewel Class ships. She was preceded by Norwegian Jewel in 2005, and Norwegian Jade (originally Pride of Hawaii) in 2006. She was followed by Norwegian Gem in 2007. Each ship has unique amenities, but has a similar exterior and interior design.

Norwegian Pearl has a similar exterior appearance to NCL's Libra Class ships; the Norwegian Star, which entered service in 2001, and the Norwegian Dawn, which entered service in 2002. The interior design and amenities, however, are significantly different and merit Norwegian Pearl a Jewel Class designation. [1]

[edit] Amenities

As with her sister vessels, Norwegian Pearl has a variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment and activity areas. Some of her more distinctive amenities include:

  • Bliss Ultra Lounge, a bowling alley/sports bar/night club complex
  • Courtyard Villas that include a private-access courtyard with pool, hot tub, exercise room, sundeck, cabanas, and more.
  • Two 4,390-square-foot (408 m²) Garden Villas complete with three separate bedrooms, private garden with hot tub, and access to a private courtyard with pool.
  • The ship also houses 12 bars and lounges including the Stardust Theater.
  • Over 10 Restaurants Including:
  • Summer Palace- Traditional Cuisine
  • Lotus Garden- Asian/Teppanyaki- Hibachi-Style Asian/Sushi/Sashimi Bar (with cover charge)
  • Le Bistro- French Cuisine (with cover charge)
  • La Cucina- Italian Cuisine
  • Blue Lagoon- Semi 24-Hour Food Court (only closed during dinner hours)
  • Mambos- Latin/Tapas Cuisine (without cover charge)
  • Indigo- Contemporary Cuisine
  • Cagney's- Steakhouse (with cover charge)
  • Garden Cafe- Open Buffet Style
  • Sky High Grill- Barbecue Style (without cover charge)

[edit] Current Cruises

Norwegian Pearl sails Caribbean cruises out of Miami, and Alaska cruises out of Seattle depending on the time of year. The ship has Panamax dimensions, which make it possible for her to transit the Panama Canal while repositioning between the two ports.

[edit] Trivia

  • Norwegian Pearl features the first bowling alley at sea. Engineering will allow the ball, in most cases, to roll "true".
  • Rosie O'Donnell is Norwegian Pearl's godmother. The christening ceremony took place in Miami's Port of Miami on December 16, 2006.[1]
  • The first attempt of the ship's passage under a power line on the Ems River in Germany is claimed to have been the source for the massive power outage that affected first Germany and then all of Europe on late November 4, 2006. [2]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Building Boom Ushers in New Class System", Cruise Travel, Jan 01, 2001. Retrieved on 2007-10-06. 
Languages