Norwegian Pearl is the third of NCL's four Jewel-class ships. She was preceded by in 2005, and in 2006. She was followed by in 2007. Each ship has different amenities, but has a similar exterior and interior design. Norwegian Pearl has a similar exterior appearance to NCL's ships;, which entered service in 2001, and, which entered service in 2002. The interior design and amenities, however, are significantly different and merit Norwegian Pearl a Jewel-class designation.
In February 2008, Norwegian Pearl became home for the Cayamo "A Journey Through Song" 7-day cruise featuring Americana and bluegrass artists from around the world. As many as 42 musical groups provide passengers with special on-board experiences, activities, guest jams, unique collaborations, and multiple performances from each artist. Past artists include Emmy Lou Harris, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Earl Klugh, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller and Kris Kristofferson. Norwegian Pearl was featured on the 2009 CNBC documentary Cruise Inc.: Big Money on the High Seas. Norwegian Pearl has been used by the rock group KISS for their annual KISS Kruise since 2012. In March 2014, American rock band Paramore embarked on a special three-day event entitled "Parahoy!". The event saw fans embark on a cruise with the band members and featured activities and two concerts. In February 2015, the ship hosted the annual "Shiprocked" cruise headlining Limp Bizkit, Black Label Society, Buckcherry, and a pre-party headlined by Chevelle. Many other artists and events took place during the cruise both on the ship and on the private island of Great Stirrup Cay. In January 2016, Norwegian Pearl took to the Caribbean with a ship full of Walker Stalkers, fans of Robert Kirkman's/Skybound Comic's "The Walking Dead". With Sixthman Ninjas leading the way, the first ever "Walker Stalker Cruise" made its maiden voyage from Miami to the island of Freeport Bahamas with celebrity guests from AMC's, The Walking Dead. A second Walker Stalker Cruise took place in February 2017 which called at NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay and featured Norman Reedus, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Greg Nicotero, Tom Payne, Michael Cudlitz, Chandler Riggs, Katelyn Nacon, Michael Traynor, Alana Masterson and Ross Marquand. The entire Impractical Jokers episode "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'" including all of the challenges and a double punishment of Murr and Joe were filmed on board Norwegian Pearl. The episode aired on May 7, 2015. The ship was chartered for a Star Trek-themed cruise in January 2017. The six-night cruise had port calls in Mexico and the Bahamas. Two further chartered Star Trek voyages were planned in January 2018. In February 2019, American singer, Kesha took the ship for a four-day cruise called, Kesha's Weird and Wonderful Rainbow Ride. The cruise started in Tampa, Florida and ended in Nassau, Bahamas. In January 2020, the ship held Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea, a 4-day professional wrestling and rock music-themed cruise hosted by Chris Jericho. In partnership with All Elite Wrestling, the January 22 episode of AEW Dynamite was taped aboard the ship on 21 January while it was docked in Nassau, Bahamas. In February 2020, she hosted the Outlaw Country Cruise 5, sailing from Key West to Falmouth, Jamaica, with multiple country music artists aboard.
Current cruises
Norwegian Pearl sails Caribbean cruises out of New Orleans, 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. From early May to late September, Norwegian Pearl does a one-week cruise to Alaska. In the fall/winter, Norwegian Pearl cruises around Panama, the Caribbean, and Miami.
