Freestyle Eating
Norwegian Pearl 2018
We are true foodies and love trying new things while on a cruise ship as well as enjoying our favorites. The Norwegian Pearl offered a variety of dining options including numerous specialty restaurants. This made for an amazing dining experience throughout the cruise. In addition, the Pearl featured Freestyle Dining in their Main Dining Rooms. Freestyle Dining means you can go when you want and wear want you want on any given night. We had the Ultimate Dining Package which meant we could eat at any of the specialty dining restaurants 3 of the 7 nights we were on the cruise.
I am going to highlight all of the Lido/ Complementary deck offerings, the Main Dining Rooms and the 3 Specialty Dining venues we experienced. Even on a 7 night sailing, it would be hard to experience them all.
Chris and I cruise frequently and enjoy "rating" each menu item from 1-5 with 2.5 being what you would expect from a restaurant on land. We consider a 4.0 to be about standard for most cruise food! I realize that food is VERY subjective but we enjoy reviewing these menu items to help us remember what we do like for future voyages.
RATING SYSTEM
1- awful and would be fast-food level quality (McDonald's or Taco Bell)
2- decent on land offering
2.5- par for land meals (Chili's and Red Lobster)
3- Upscale land restaurant quality
4.0- standard for cruise industry food
5.0- One of the best foods (of the corresponding category) we have ever had
Garden Cafe- Deck 12 Midship
This cruise ship buffet was not the best we have ever experienced but it was not the worst either. However, NCL did a great job of having a variety of options and types of cuisine. This included American, Indian, Greek, Mexican and even German cuisine throughout the duration of the cruise. Tip- Breakfasts in the Garden Cafe featured made to order omelets and eggs as well as a bakery chef warming up your bagels and toast. Also, if you are looking for less people and lesson noise, be sure to go to the aft port side to La Cucina. There were ALWAYS tables and it was a designated "Quiet Zone".
(This was neat because they would build and make the sandwich for you)
The Great Outdoors- Deck 12 Aft
This venue was a continuation of the "main" Garden Cafe but was scaled down. It also featured specialties like international cheeses and specialty desserts. TIP- This location was not well known at the beginning of the cruise so it was a great option to get breakfast, especially.
Topsiders Grill- Deck 12 Poolside
This poolside buffet offered grilled items like burgers and hotdogs. The menu would change daily and feature items like Pineapple Burgers and All-American Hot Dogs.
The salad and "lighter" options at Topsiders!
While I personally did not like the burgers... they did offer variety!
(I swear you cannot beat a GUYS BURGER from Carnival. They have set the standard VERY HIGH)
The accompaniments for the Topsiders Grill.
O'Sheehan's Pub- Deck 8 Mid-Ship
This complementary dining venue had a full menu offering appetizers, soups and salads, entrees and some of the best desserts on the ship. They also had a completely separate breakfast menu. And the best part of this venue... It was open 24 hours a day! Hello late night snacking! We thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant and ate there frequently.
SUPERB in our opinion
Fish and Chips-2.5
Just so so compared to the other offerings.
The Pub Nachos- 3.5
(Bacon? On nachos? Not really my thing and don't even get me started on this "queso" as they called it)
Spinach and Artichoke dip-2.5
It was ok but nothing to write home about!
Buffalo Wings-4.0
Their wings were FANTASTIC and we eventually tried all 6 flavors!
These were my favorite... Get them with Ranch
The Coney island hot dog
It was pretty good but really just a standard chili dog.
It was pretty good but really just a standard chili dog.
The Fajitas-4.5
These were surprisingly good. We will definitely order these on the Breakaway!
The Chipotle Chicken Sandwich-2.5
I was too full... Ate one bite and that was it!
Again... Not a GUYS BURGER so I was not impressed!
The Shrimp Po-Boy I talked about in Day 4- 1.0
THE BIGGEST LET DOWN OF THE CRUISE!
(It was a good cruise... what can I say)
Vanilla Pound Cake-5.0
FINALLY... A Cruise Line gets a basic dessert RIGHT!
Wow... it was SO SO GOOD!
(Offered on Night #1 ONLY)
Made to order omelets-4.0
(I swear they were better than the buffet but Chris disagrees)
The French toast- 4.0
Lotus Garden- Deck 7 Forward
This complementary dining venue was Asian themed and offered noodle bowls, fried rice and Asian entrees. It was full service and an excellent change of pace from the traditional burgers and fries. TIP- This venue was only open for lunch on Embarkation Day and Sea Days from 12-2PM. However, it was open for dinner nightly from 5-9PM.
(basically the same as lunch but offered more variety)
WOW... SO GOOD! We ordered an extra!
(Not as flavorful as I would have liked it to be)
Sushi Bar- Deck 7 Forward (Next to Lotus Garden)
This venue was not complementary but instead offered sushi priced by the roll. It was open the same times as the Lotus Garden. This was reasonably priced sushi (even for a cruise ship) and the sushi we had was FANTASTIC!
It was FANTASTIC and LARGE! Very good value for only $5-6!
Main Dining Rooms Dinner Options
The Norwegian Pearl had 2 Main Dining Rooms, the Summer Palace and The Indigo. Both featured the same menus on the same nights but had different decor, atmospheres and dress codes.
Summer Palace Main Dining Room- Deck 6 Aft
This was the upscale/ formal dining room and required long pants after 5PM. The service was quick but not as personable as I would have liked. The atmosphere was formal and enjoyable.
Summer Palace Lunch
Tip- This aft dining room is open for Embarkation Lunch from 12-2:30PM.
The EMBARKATION MDR menu
The Fried Calimari- 2.5
(Almost as if they over-fried it and then let it sit there a while)
Shrimp Pesto Penne-4.5
(The shrimp was phenomenal)
*Rosemary Chicken Leg- 4.0
The gravy was excellent
*Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake- 4.0
White Chocolate Moose- 4.5
MDR NIGHT #3
Night #3 Menu
NCL Bread Basket
(We felt it was lacking... Especially compared to Royal Caribbean)
Spring Roll- 3.5
Tomato Soup- 4.5
This was better than La Madeline at home and the croutons were incredible.
*Duck Pate- 3.0
*Spaghetti Bolognese- 3.5
*Chicken Cordon Bleu- 4.5
Berramundi Salad- 3.0
This was kinda a weird combination but the fish itself was great.
Fish Cake- 4.0
It was intriguingly good and sweet.
Night #3 Dessert Menu
Tiramisu- 4.5
Warm Bread Pudding- 4.0
The texture was off it seemed.
*Carrot Cake- 3.5
Chocolate Melting Cake- 4.5
Excellent addition of the Cookies and Creme Ice Cream
MDR Night #5
Night #5 Menu
(Same for Summer Palace AND Indigo)
Fried Calamari- 4.0
This was much better than Embarkation Lunch.
Fried Mozzarella- 3.5
This would have been GREAT had it been HOT?!?!
*Sirloin Steak Diane- 3.5
*Veal Zurich- 4.5
Excellent noodles... Much like a beef stroganoff
Linguini with Prawns- 4.5
Once again, the shrimp was outstanding!
Beef Lasagna- 4.5
This was VERY GOOD!
MDR Night #5 Dessert Menu
Snickerdoodle Pound Cake- 4.5
This was excellent and the texture was perfect!
*Pineapple Creme Cake- 3.5
This was a sugar free option but pretty good!
Our quiet, secluded table at the back of Indigo.
MDR Night #7 Menu
Clam Chowder- 4.5
The bacon on top really made it all come together!
*Cream of Broccoli Soup- 3.0
*Vegetable Tempura- 3.0
The squash was good.
Cheese and Crab Souffle- 4.0
This had good texture for a souffle and the sauce was great.
Linguine with Calamari- 3.0
This was weird because I was expected a white "alfredo" sauce and it came with pesto.
Grilled Snapper- 2.5
This was good and flavorful but chewy.
MDR Night #7 Dessert Menu
Bananas Foster- 2.5
Weird. Just weird!
Specialty Restaurants
Cagney's- Deck 13 Mid-Ship
This steakhouse was a tradition steakhouse featuring delicate cuts of meat and extraordinary side dishes such as truffle fries. We did notice this was a little less formal than other cruise line steakhouses but the service was just as good if not better. TIP- This was included in the Ultimate Dining Package and we were able to choose 1 appetizer, 1 soup (or salad) and 1 entree plus a dessert. It came with 2 sides but we ordered additional sides expecting an up charge and were not charged. If not using the Ultimate Dining Package, the cost is a la carte.
Cagney's Menu
This was priced a la carte but included 1 item from each section if purchased with the Ultimate Dining Package!
Baked Potato Soup- 5.0
Some of the best I have EVER had! But be warned... it was VERY filling!
The Shrimp Cocktail (with Jack Daniels cocktail sauce)- 5.0
Easily the best we have ever had!
*Beef Sliders- 4.0
Petite Filet- 4.5+
The flavor was great and it was very tender. You could cut it with a fork.
*Bison Steak- 4.0
This was all Chris could eat... Record Setting!
Gratin Potatoes- 4.0
This was not what I was expecting. It was a piece of cheesy potato pie.
The Famous Cagney's Truffle Fries- 4.0
Ok... They were good!
Mac and Cheese- 3.0
Ehhh... Whatever!
Cagney's Dessert Menu
Creme Brulee- 4.5+
This was superb... Too bad I was way too full to finish it!
Moderno- Deck 13 Mid-Ship
This Brazilian style steakhouse featured unlimited amounts of many different genres of meat from around the world. It was brought to the table on skewers and cut in front of your table. We did not dine here but we hope to on our next NCL cruise. TIP- This venue has a flat charge of $25 per person and is all-you-can-eat.
Teppanyaki- Deck 7 Mid-Ship
This Japanese Hibachi steakhouse had some of the absolute best filet mignon we have ever had. The hibachi chefs were knowledgeable and entertaining. TIP- This venue was included in our Ultimate Dining Package but has a regular flat rate of $30 per person. It included miso soup (the best I have EVER had), seaweed salad and an entree from a specific list. However, we were able to make revisions such as extra fried rice or the addition of udon noodles without paying any extra. It also came with a traditional Japanese dessert.
The place setting at the hibachi table!
teppanyaki menu!
Seaweed Salad
The sauces to accompany the meat.
ASuka (The Filet and Shrimp)- 5.0
The Green Tea dessert.
Let's just say next time I will go back to O'Sheehan's for dessert!
Le Bistro- Deck 6 Mid-Ship
This French upscale restaurant featured unique and enticing dishes with incredible culinary flair. The service was the best we have ever experienced and the atmosphere was just as good and romantic. This became the definition of "Cruise Line Specialty Dining" in our opinion and easily the absolute best food (in every category) we have ever had on a cruise ship. Tip- This was also included on our Ultimate Dining Package but if purchased separately is a la carte.
Authentic French Bread- 5.0
Compliments of the Chef Salmon Bread- 4.5
Wow this was so good!
Escargot- 5.0
Wow, Wow, WOW!
*Steamed Mussels- 5.0
French Cornets- 5.0
These were interesting but SO good!
Mushroom Soup- 4.5+
Wow! This velvet soup was full of flavors and just PERFECT!
*Salad with Duck- 4.0
The walnuts are really what made this salad!
Beef Tenderloin-5.0
The best cut of meat I have EVER had! This is what a steak should taste like!
*Rack of Lamb- 5.0
Le Bistro Dessert Menu
Vanilla Creme Brulee- 5.0
This was exceptional and unbelievably good tasteful!
*Chocolate Napoleon- 5.0
The BEST chocolate dish I have EVER HAD!
La Cucina- Deck 12 Aft (port side)
This Italian family style eatery featured Italian dishes served family style. Tip- This venue has a flat rate of $25 per person. This is also a "QUIET ZONE" area for breakfast and lunch with little to no traffic on most days.
The La Cucina entrance- Deck 12 Aft Port side
Norwegian Bar Menus
(picture taken in the Spinnaker Lounge but most bars had this basic menu)
Thanks for following along!
Until we meet again... Keep calm and CRUISE ON!
God is good... All the time!
The Norwegian Pearl had 2 Main Dining Rooms, the Summer Palace and The Indigo. Both featured the same menus on the same nights but had different decor, atmospheres and dress codes.
Summer Palace Main Dining Room- Deck 6 Aft
This was the upscale/ formal dining room and required long pants after 5PM. The service was quick but not as personable as I would have liked. The atmosphere was formal and enjoyable.
Summer Palace Lunch
Tip- This aft dining room is open for Embarkation Lunch from 12-2:30PM.
(Almost as if they over-fried it and then let it sit there a while)
(The shrimp was phenomenal)
The gravy was excellent
Indigo Main Dining Room- Deck 6 Mid-Ship
This dining room was more laid back and did not require a certain dress code. Instead, passengers could wear shorts and t-shirts as long as there were no bathing suits. The decor was American themed and featured large paintings of landmarks from around the USA. The service was impeccable and the fastest we have ever experienced in 13 cruises.
Main Dining Room DINNER MENUS
We ate in the Main Dining Room on nights 3, 5 and 7. We will include as many menus as possible!
Night #2
(we were in Cagney's)
(we were in Cagney's)
MDR NIGHT #3
(We felt it was lacking... Especially compared to Royal Caribbean)
This was better than La Madeline at home and the croutons were incredible.
This was kinda a weird combination but the fish itself was great.
It was intriguingly good and sweet.
The texture was off it seemed.
Excellent addition of the Cookies and Creme Ice Cream
MDR Night #5
(Same for Summer Palace AND Indigo)
This was much better than Embarkation Lunch.
This would have been GREAT had it been HOT?!?!
Excellent noodles... Much like a beef stroganoff
Once again, the shrimp was outstanding!
This was VERY GOOD!
This was excellent and the texture was perfect!
This was a sugar free option but pretty good!
MDR Night #7
The bacon on top really made it all come together!
The squash was good.
This had good texture for a souffle and the sauce was great.
This was weird because I was expected a white "alfredo" sauce and it came with pesto.
This was good and flavorful but chewy.
Weird. Just weird!
Specialty Restaurants
Cagney's- Deck 13 Mid-Ship
This steakhouse was a tradition steakhouse featuring delicate cuts of meat and extraordinary side dishes such as truffle fries. We did notice this was a little less formal than other cruise line steakhouses but the service was just as good if not better. TIP- This was included in the Ultimate Dining Package and we were able to choose 1 appetizer, 1 soup (or salad) and 1 entree plus a dessert. It came with 2 sides but we ordered additional sides expecting an up charge and were not charged. If not using the Ultimate Dining Package, the cost is a la carte.
This was priced a la carte but included 1 item from each section if purchased with the Ultimate Dining Package!
Some of the best I have EVER had! But be warned... it was VERY filling!
Easily the best we have ever had!
The flavor was great and it was very tender. You could cut it with a fork.
This was not what I was expecting. It was a piece of cheesy potato pie.
Ok... They were good!
Ehhh... Whatever!
This was superb... Too bad I was way too full to finish it!
This Brazilian style steakhouse featured unlimited amounts of many different genres of meat from around the world. It was brought to the table on skewers and cut in front of your table. We did not dine here but we hope to on our next NCL cruise. TIP- This venue has a flat charge of $25 per person and is all-you-can-eat.
Teppanyaki- Deck 7 Mid-Ship
This Japanese Hibachi steakhouse had some of the absolute best filet mignon we have ever had. The hibachi chefs were knowledgeable and entertaining. TIP- This venue was included in our Ultimate Dining Package but has a regular flat rate of $30 per person. It included miso soup (the best I have EVER had), seaweed salad and an entree from a specific list. However, we were able to make revisions such as extra fried rice or the addition of udon noodles without paying any extra. It also came with a traditional Japanese dessert.
teppanyaki menu!
The specialty cocktail was AMAZING!
Shaku Shaku Sake- 4.5
Shaku Shaku Sake- 4.5
Seaweed Salad
The sauces to accompany the meat.
ASuka (The Filet and Shrimp)- 5.0
The Green Tea dessert.
Let's just say next time I will go back to O'Sheehan's for dessert!
Le Bistro- Deck 6 Mid-Ship
This French upscale restaurant featured unique and enticing dishes with incredible culinary flair. The service was the best we have ever experienced and the atmosphere was just as good and romantic. This became the definition of "Cruise Line Specialty Dining" in our opinion and easily the absolute best food (in every category) we have ever had on a cruise ship. Tip- This was also included on our Ultimate Dining Package but if purchased separately is a la carte.
Compliments of the Chef Salmon Bread- 4.5
Wow this was so good!
Wow, Wow, WOW!
These were interesting but SO good!
Wow! This velvet soup was full of flavors and just PERFECT!
The walnuts are really what made this salad!
The best cut of meat I have EVER had! This is what a steak should taste like!
This was exceptional and unbelievably good tasteful!
The BEST chocolate dish I have EVER HAD!
La Cucina- Deck 12 Aft (port side)
This Italian family style eatery featured Italian dishes served family style. Tip- This venue has a flat rate of $25 per person. This is also a "QUIET ZONE" area for breakfast and lunch with little to no traffic on most days.
The atmosphere of La Cucina was laid back and family style!
Norwegian Bar Menus
(picture taken in the Spinnaker Lounge but most bars had this basic menu)
We like to choose our favorites from the trip!
Kellie
Kellie
Favorite Appetizer- Escargot (Le Bistro)
Favorite Entree- Beef Tenderloin (Le Bistro)
Favorite Dessert- TIE Creme Brulee (Le Bistro) and Vanilla Pound Cake (O'Sheehan's)
Biggest Surprise- Lotus Garden Asian Lunch
Biggest Disappointment- Shrimp Po-Boy (O'Sheehan's)
Chris
Favorite Appetizer- Wings (O'Sheehan's)
Favorite Entree- Rack of Lamb (Le Bistro)
Favorite Dessert- Chocolate Napolean (Le Bistro)
Biggest Surprise- Chicken Cordon Bleu (MDR)
Biggest Disappointment- Shrimp Po-Boy (O'Sheehan's) and Udon Noodles (teppanyaki)
We love cruising and EATING on cruises. We use this blog as means for us to know what to order on future cruises and it is fun to look through and get our mouth watering while we are dieting!
Thanks for following along!
Until we meet again... Keep calm and CRUISE ON!
God is good... All the time!
No comments:
Post a Comment