Built at Germany's Meyer shipyard, the 2,400-guest capacity vessel boasts an industry first - a four-lane bowling alley; and two NCL firsts - a rock-climbing wall and two Deluxe Owner's Suites. Norwegian Pearl features all the elements of NCL's dynamic modern Freestyle Cruising fleet including multiple restaurants, bars and lounges, boutiques, luxurious accommodations, family friendly areas and the latest in relaxation and fitness.
Guests enter the foyer with its glimmering icicled motif. In the lobby, across from the reception area is a vast, ceiling-to-floor LED screen - the second largest installation of its type in the world.
Norwegian Pearl boasts a complete line of customisable Martin gear from award-winning MAC moving heads to Martin effect lights, Jem smoke machines and Martin control systems, all spread across the ship's various high profile areas - atrium, theatre, lounges, pool deck and more. FUNA GmbH of Emden, Germany served as contractor, system integrator, main installer and supplier with all Martin equipment supplied through Martin Germany.
Lights have to be incredibly versatile to offer different effects and moods for different evenings or bands for example. Effects, colour, power all play a key role but with such an immense number of systems to monitor and maintain other issues become important as well.
The focus of the ship's entertainment takes place in the elegant Stardust Theatre where Broadway and Vegas style shows rule the day, and night. "With three shows rotating weekly on one stage, the lights need to be as versatile as possible and used to the rigors of touring," comments independent lighting designer Jim Ryan, owner of Infocus FX and Lighting and the man responsible for ensuring those shows live up to the NCL standard.
Ryan who also designed the lighting for the three shows featured on Norwegian Dawn, does his own lighting programming and used the Martin Maxxyz console on Norwegian Pearl. "The Maxxyz is a fantastic desk," he stated. "It has really come to be everything I want in a lighting desk and now that the speed has come up - it is awesome." The theatre's lighting rig is made up of a mix of Martin MAC luminaires and Martin effect lights.
Specialty lighting has also been installed up at the Tahitian Pool, the Norwegian Pearl's main outdoor pool area, where guests bask in the sun by day and colour changing lighting from Martin Exterior luminaires by night. Martin Exterior's colourwash hot tubs, sun beds and a central gazebo used for stage entertainment.
Currently, Norwegian Pearl is sailing a five- and nine-day Western and Southern Caribbean schedule. In late spring, the ship repositions to Seattle, where she sails a seven-day Alaska Inside Passage itinerary.
(Chris Henry)
