Norwegian Cruise Line·Norwegian Pearl

Norwegian Pearl - Western Caribbean from Miami

3.8(2,113 reviews)
via U.S. News & Cruise Critic · Jun 2026
|5 Nights|2 Ports|2 Sea Days

A 5-night Western Caribbean sailing aboard the classic Norwegian Pearl, visiting Cozumel and NCL's private island Great Stirrup Cay. This shorter itinerary is ideal for those who want a taste of Mexico and the Bahamas without committing to a full week at sea.

Weekend GetawaysBudget TravelersFirst-Time Cruisers

Price Range

$

Budget

DepartureMiami, FL
Dress CodeFreestyle
MealsIncluded
WiFiPaid

*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Norwegian Cruise Line before booking.

Ship Details — Norwegian Pearl

View full Norwegian Pearl details
Norwegian Pearl cruise ship

Year Built

2006

Tonnage

93,530 GT

Passengers

2,394

Crew

1,072

Decks

12

Class

Jewel

Itinerary & Route Map

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Where this cruise calls, day by day

4 ports and 2 sea days over 5 Nights.

  1. Day 1

    Miami, FL

    United StatesDepart

    PortMiami is the busiest cruise port on earth and behaves like it: a lettered row of terminals strung along Dodge Island - A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, C for MSC, D through F for the Carnival brands, V for Virgin. Traffic funnels in over the Port Boulevard causeway or through the tunnel under Government Cut, and on a Saturday with six ships turning around, both back up.

    • Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district in South Beach, 20 minutes across the causeway
    • Wynwood Walls and the warehouse murals around it
    • Calle Ocho in Little Havana - a cortadito and the domino tables at Maximo Gomez Park
    • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a 1916 bayfront villa in Coconut Grove
    Getting ashore
    Terminals A-G and V sit on Dodge Island, reached by the Port Boulevard causeway or the PortMiami Tunnel; Miami International is about 8 miles west, usually 20-30 minutes but longer on a heavy turnaround morning.
    Best months
    Nov-Apr (Aug-Oct is peak hurricane season and August ashore is punishing)
  2. Day 2 · At sea

  3. Day 3

    Cozumel

    MexicoPort

    Cozumel is an island 12 miles off the Yucatán that runs almost entirely on cruise traffic - three piers, up to six ships at once, and a downtown built to absorb them. Which pier you draw matters more than anything else: Punta Langosta puts you in San Miguel on foot, while Puerta Maya and the International Pier sit a few miles south and need a taxi. The reason to come is underwater, on the Palancar and Colombia reefs.

    • Snorkel or dive Palancar Reef
    • Chankanaab Park's lagoon and shore snorkelling
    • A beach club day at Mr. Sancho's or Nachi Cocom
    • San Gervasio Maya ruins in the island's interior
    Getting ashore
    All ships dock; Punta Langosta is a walk into San Miguel, while Puerta Maya and the International Pier are 3-4 miles south, about 10 minutes by taxi.
    Best months
    Dec-Apr is driest and calmest; Jun-Nov is hurricane season, and sargassum can wash ashore May-Aug
  4. Day 4 · At sea

  5. Day 5

    Great Stirrup Cay

    BahamasPort

    Norwegian's Berry Islands beach is the oldest of the private-island calls - the line has used it since 1977. It was a tender operation for decades, which made short calls miserable, until a two-ship pier opened at the end of 2025 and ships began tying up. Bertram's Cove is the main swimming beach. The buffet lunch is included; cabanas, the Silver Cove villas, watersports rentals and the spa are not.

    • Bertram's Cove, the main beach
    • The included beach barbecue buffet
    • Snorkel gear, kayaks and floats for rent (extra cost)
    • Private cabanas and the Silver Cove lagoon villas (extra cost)
    Getting ashore
    Ships dock at the pier that opened in December 2025 - older trip reports describing a tender ride no longer apply.
    Best months
    Nov-Apr for calm seas and reliable calls; summer is hotter with afternoon storms
  6. Day 6

    Miami, FL

    United StatesArrive

    PortMiami is the busiest cruise port on earth and behaves like it: a lettered row of terminals strung along Dodge Island - A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, C for MSC, D through F for the Carnival brands, V for Virgin. Traffic funnels in over the Port Boulevard causeway or through the tunnel under Government Cut, and on a Saturday with six ships turning around, both back up.

    • Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district in South Beach, 20 minutes across the causeway
    • Wynwood Walls and the warehouse murals around it
    • Calle Ocho in Little Havana - a cortadito and the domino tables at Maximo Gomez Park
    • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a 1916 bayfront villa in Coconut Grove
    Getting ashore
    Terminals A-G and V sit on Dodge Island, reached by the Port Boulevard causeway or the PortMiami Tunnel; Miami International is about 8 miles west, usually 20-30 minutes but longer on a heavy turnaround morning.
    Best months
    Nov-Apr (Aug-Oct is peak hurricane season and August ashore is punishing)

Onboard Amenities

Pool Deck
Mandara Spa
Casino
Fitness Center
Specialty Dining
Kids Club (Splash Academy)
Sports Court
Theater
Bowling Alley
Hot Tub
Four-lane bowling alley
Three swimming pools (one with waterslide)
Mandara Spa with thermal suite
Pearl Club Casino
Cagney's Steakhouse and specialty restaurants
16 dining options
Freestyle Dining
The Haven (Suite Complex)
Stardust Theater
Kids and teens clubs
Multiple bars and lounges

Cruise Highlights

Cozumel snorkeling and Mayan ruins excursions
Great Stirrup Cay private island beach day
Compact 5-night itinerary perfect for shorter vacations
Recently refurbished in November 2025

About the Ship

What Travelers Say About Norwegian Pearl

Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Norwegian Pearl sailing. Based on 2,500 discussions.

Norwegian Pearl is a 2006-built, Jewel-class ship that carries about 2,344 guests and made history as one of the first cruise ships with a real bowling alley - four lanes flanking the Bliss Ultra Lounge on Deck 7. A 2021 refurbishment freshened the cabins and public rooms, but the Pearl is unmistakably an older, mid-size vessel that trades the bells and whistles of NCL's newest builds for an easier-to-navigate layout and a more classic Freestyle Cruising feel. Its reputation is solid but mixed.

What People Love

  • Onboard four-lane bowling alley is a genuine novelty families and groups love
  • Freestyle Dining lets you skip fixed seating times
  • Strong specialty dining, with Cagney's Steakhouse a repeat favorite

Common Complaints

  • The ship shows its age in 2026 with dated decor and finishes
  • Buffet food draws frequent criticism for being repetitive and uninspiring
  • Multiple reviews report a persistent sewage odor on Deck 9
See the full Norwegian Pearl ship page — all 16 pros & cons, review & FAQs

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