Cruising with a Pearl of a Spa

Passengers enjoy extensive choices among a dozen restaurants, and entertainment is scheduled as it is in the real world rather than by rigid groups around the dining rooms seatings.

orwegian Cruise Line s new Norwegian Pearl is all evolution, from its gracious spa to the extension of the individualistic Freestyle cruising experience and the ship within a ship concept.

Like the ship itself, the Mandara South Pacific Health Spa & Beauty Salon on board was originally conceived as a twin sister to Norwegian Jewel, but in both cases the improvements are very successful.

Instead of the often seen labyrinthine spa design that requires the use of guides to find a treatment room, the Pearl s spa radiates from a large central thalassotherapy area, making the whole complex very easy to navigate. The thalassotherapy center itself is beautiful and very refreshing, with saltwater and heat combining to produce bliss for sore muscles and stiff joints. Access for a full day is $15 and for an entire seven-day cruise, $63.

Along the hallways radiating from the pool are 17 treatment rooms, including five couples rooms, according to spa manager Angela Garrod.

You ll really love this, she said as she led me to the Spa Bar, an interactive counter in the front of the spa. It s being brought in here and at Nordstrom s.

It is a system that showcases products from companies including Elemis and La Therapie, with each item on display. When you pick up a product, a flat-screen monitor gives you information about it, and you can test it on the spot. That s by no means the end of unusual technology: their Skin Lab gives clients a chance to have an image created of their own skin below the epidermis, allowing therapists to recommend precisely customized treatments and products.

In addition to a huge menu of wraps, exfoliation, facials, massages, etc., the spa offers GOSmile Teeth Whitening at a lower rate than most shore-side facilities. Steiner has also added acupuncture for pain management, facial rejuvenation and weight loss, administered by a doctor of Chinese medicine. Relaxation and recovery areas are particularly beautiful in this spa, with heated ceramic loungers, ocean vistas and unusually lovely art.

The attendant Body Waves Fitness Center has two steam rooms, ample treadmills, stair steppers and other resistance equipment, all with television monitors. The aerobics room has plenty of space for guests to sign up for Pilates, spinning, kickboxing and more.

The spa fits beautifully with Norwegian Cruise Line s successful Freestyle philosophy. Passengers enjoy extensive choices among a dozen restaurants, and entertainment is scheduled as it is in the real world rather than by rigid groups around the dining rooms seatings. The idea of individual choice has been taken even further on the Pearl, with varied shows 180 degrees from the neutral fare of cruising a decade ago. Along with Vegas-type productions, one show in the tri-level Stardust Theater, Tubez, features motorcycle and skateboard daredevils and a rap singer; another, Garden of the Geisha, is an Asian romance using martial arts, Kabuki action and Tai Chi with a background of taiko drums and shamisens. Sea Legs is a modern take on the traditional showgirl and the Second City comedy troupe provides set pieces and improvisation during a seven-day cruise.

 A floor to ceiling television screen in the atrium attracted dozens of sports fans, who threatened to wipe out the goodies in the atrium s Java Caf with its pastries, frozen coffees, espresso and cappuccino.

The ship s highly promoted first bowling alley at sea and its attendant lounge are more exciting in reality than they are in description. Bliss is a fantasy experience with tecchie bowling accompanied by far more than beer. The alley itself, stocked with colorful balls, good bowling shoes and digital everything, is separated from the lounge seating area by a wrought iron chest high fence. The cost, including shoe rental, is only $5 and the atmosphere is upscale and very hip. The seating area uses brilliantly colored, outsize stuffed furniture. A second stage on the other side of the seating (or lounging) area becomes a disco at night, when the bowling alley is bathed in color.

A volleyball/basketball court, golf driving nets, mini-golf, ping pong, paddle tennis and a running track are accompanied by another new feature for NCL: a 30 by 18 rock climbing wall at the back of the ship s funnel.

For less strenuous outdoor activities NCL has recently upgraded its poolside loungers and sun beds around the Tahitian Pool, which becomes a center of activity on the Pearl by day. The ship has an electric hoist to enable guests with disabilities to use pools and hot tubs.

Dining options include the redesigned casual Garden Caf , which Klaus Lugmaier, NCL s traveling hotel director who brings out each new ship, calls an action station restaurant rather than a buffet, since so much of the food - from eggs and salads to Asian soups - is prepared to order.

The crowds preferences on my cruise followed no apparent pattern: one night the French Le Bistro was jammed; the next night it was the Teppanyaki room. Mambo s Latin/Tapas was very lively at night with cooling drinks and Tex-Mex cuisine. La Cucina, the Italian restaurant, pleased diners with attractive figured dishes against rustic textured long wood tables with pastas, chicken, seafood and beef served alongside pasta, wines and sinful desserts. The 24-hour Blue Lagoon, Cagneys and Lotus Garden respectively cater to those who want premium beef and those who crave Japanese, Thai and Chinese cuisine.

NCL s ski resort-inspired displays show availability for various sized parties in the numerous restaurants, making dining simple for those who don t want to make reservations. Beepers are available for those who are seeking last minute tables at the most popular dining spots are exactly like those on shore.

Of course, there is always room service for the weary (and the lazy), and ordering in is encouraged by the colorful, well-planned staterooms.

The ship within a ship philosophy at NCL has created luxury suites and villas with private facilities and service but retaining access to the large ship entertainment, dining and lounging options.

Two new Deluxe Owner s Suites were introduced on Norwegian Pearl: the Black Pearl and Golden Pearl. With large private balconies and postcard views down to the pool area, the 928-square foot suites have access to the private courtyard shared with Garden Villa and Courtyard Villa guests with pool, hot tub, gym equipment, steam room and sundeck. The new suites have private bedrooms, king-sized bed and flat screen TV with CD/DVD player and a BOSE entertainment center complete with a CD/DVD library. The baths have whirlpool tubs and separate showers. Both Garden Villas at 4,390 square feet have three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The 10, 572-square foot Courtyard Villas with butler and concierge services also attract upscale cruisers; eight of these have s
eparate bedrooms for children.

NCL caters heavily to families with a large share of cabins, including suites and mini-suites, that can interconnect to create multiple bedrooms. In addition to the sports facilities there is Aqua Kid s Club with programs for younger cruisers from two to 17, and the spa has a teen program. The children s section of the Garden Caf with quite a bit of pilfering from adults has kid-size tables and chairs and burgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and ice cream sundaes. A Kid s Soda package providing unlimited fountain sodas costs $16 for a seven-day cruise.

Norwegian Pearl offers alternating five-night Western Caribbean and nine-night Southern Caribbean cruises until April 22, 2007, when the ship is scheduled for a 14-day Panama Canal cruise followed by coastal cruises out of Los Angeles and Vancouver. The ship will then sail a full Alaska season of seven-night cruises sailing roundtrip Seattle.