Pearl Mist

The 2014-built MS Pearl Mist cruise ship is a smaller-sized vessel built in Halifax (Nova Scotia Canada). Currently, the vessel is owned by the USA-based company Pearl Seas Management LLC. The boat is operated by the company's brand Pearl Seas Cruises and managed by V-Ships Leisure USA (ship management company, part of V Group Ltd).

The vessel (IMO number 9412701) is currently France/Marshall Islands-flagged (MMSI 538003543) and registered in Majuro.

In 2023, Pearl Mist was extensively drydock refurbished. The project included complete renovation and design of all staterooms, venues (dining/lounges) and public space, including new furniture/carpets, textiles/linens, outdoor decks, America-themed artworks. For the project was commissioned Studio DADO (Miami-based interior design firm).

History - construction and ownership

The 210-passenger ship Pearl Mist was ordered by Pearl Seas Cruises from Irving Shipyards (Halifax NS) in 2006, for USD 43,5 million. The vessel's keel was laid down in July 2007. However, the shipowner and shipbuilder started a legal dispute just 5 months after the beginning of construction. The dispute resulted in the boat's delivery being delayed for 4 years (2010-2014), so the maiden voyage was scheduled for June 24, 2014.

The vessel was launched on March 14, 2008, and completed in June 2010, but due to the dispute, the cruise company refused to accept it. Pearl Mist was laid up in Nova Scotia (Shelburne) until a settlement was reached in 2013. The vessel was accepted by the shipowner and towed to Baltimore MD in April 2013. The cruise ship received final outfitting at Chesapeake Shipbuilding's yard in Salisbury MD.

For season 2014, Pearl Seas Cruises scheduled just 17 voyages (departures) for Pearl Mist. The 7-10-11-14-day itineraries visited Canadian Maritimes (Eastern Canada), Great Lakes (USA), St Lawrence Seaway (Canada). The ship's Caribbean cruise program started in 2015 (February to May / maiden season) visiting popular islands like Bahamas, BVI, Puerto Rico (USA), Turks and Caicos, St Maarten, Martinique.

Decks and Cabins

MS Pearl Mist staterooms (108 total) are all with double occupancy (max passenger capacity 210) and sized between 225-580 ft2 (21-54 m2). All passenger cabins are outside, with either step-out balcony (accessed via full-length sliding glass doors) or large opening windows and solid metal door opening to the balcony.

The boat has 6 decks, of which 4 are with cabins.

Passenger staterooms offer modern amenities, including Wi-Fi Internet access (complimentary, shipwide coverage), HDTV, DVD player, coffeemaker (Keurig), bedside cabinets (drawer, reading lamp, 2 built-in power outlets), writing desk with chair, phone, wardrobe with a full-length mirror, private balcony (with 1 table and 2 deckchairs), full-sized en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bath products - body lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner), under sink cabinet), twice daily turndown service.

The staterooms are comfortable and the smaller categories (G, H, S-Single) are sized 275 f2 (26 m2). Excepting Category S (single cabins), all other staterooms can be booked as Triples (accommodating 3 adults).

• Categories G-H-S cabins are sized 275 ft2 (26 m2) and located on Decks 2 and 3, with easy access to Atlantic Lounge and the Restaurant.
• Category K cabins are sized 300 ft2 (28 m2) and located on decks 3 and 4, with easy access to Pacific Lounge and outdoor deck areas. Each cabin has a floor-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a balcony.
• Category L (connecting) cabins are sized 300 ft2 (28 m2) and located on deck 5. Each cabin has floor-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a balcony and adjoining doors to allow booking a 2-room accommodation.
• Category R (balcony) cabins are sized 450 ft2 (42 m2) and with premium location (on decks 3 and 4) and Triple capacity. Bonus perks include personal stewards (24-hours room service).
• Category S Single (balcony) cabins are sized 225 ft2 (21 m2).

The ship has only 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins - on Deck 2 (Cat G) and Deck 3 (Cat H).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Pearl Mist features only one Dining Room with all meals served in a single seating. Food is excellent, but passengers are asked to select lunch and dinner choices at breakfast, so the chef will know what has to be prepared ahead of time. However, if later you are in the mood for something different, you are not locked into your choice. The chef is flexible and easily modifies most recipes to serve any dietary restriction. Waiters quickly learn who is gluten-free, who is on a low-salt diet, etc. to ensure each guest is taken care of. There is always an entree option and a vegetarian appetizer.

Daytime fun on the ship is restricted to board or card games, chats with fellow travelers and itinerary/destination-themed lectures. Evening entertainment consists of single musical acts.

On most itineraries, the ship calls at a new port every day, thus leaving little time for onboard activity. Before or after the port visits, tourists can attend an expert talk on the region's history, geography and culture.

Other afternoon activities include bingo, trivia, golf putting challenge, arts&crafts and the occasional sun deck games in the Caribbean.

The small Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge is open for passengers once or twice per voyage.

Itineraries

Pearl Mist itinerary program was initially based on Eastern Caribbean roundtrips from homeport San Juan (Puerto Rico).

The boat currently offers USA East Coast voyages from Boston MA, as well as the USA and Canada New England itineraries (“Great Lakes and Georgian Bay”, 7-day one-way and 14-day roundtrips) from homeports Chicago (Illinois USA) and Toronto (Ontario Canada).

MV Pearl Mist became the first-ever boat to operate roundtrips from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida) to Cuba. Cruises were offered with 10- day itineraries (January through April) and 11-day itineraries (November-December). Cuban itinerary's call ports included Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad (Cuba), El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba and Casilda.

In early-January 2018, Pearl Seas Cruises announced a new itinerary along USA Maine's coast to Canada New England. The 7-night / 8-day roundtrip was from Portland ME, visiting Maine (Rockland and Eastport), New Brunswick (St Andrews and St John), Grand Manan Island (Canada, Bay of Fundy) and Bar Harbor ME. New itinerary's departure dates in 2018 were May 12, October 16 and 23.

The 7-night / 8-day "Great Lakes Cruise" (from Chicago to Midland, and the reverse itinerary from Midland to Chicago) visits Michigan USA (Muskegon-Holland, Mackinac Island, Sault Sainte Marie) and Ontario Canada (Manitoulin Island / Little Current, Parry Sound, and Midland / overnight before debarkation). Cruise prices per person vary from USD 5180 (Category G cabin) to 7100 (single cabin).

The 11-night / 12-day "Great Lakes and Georgian Bay Cruise" (from Chicago to Toronto, and the reverse itinerary from Toronto to Chicago) visits Michigan USA (Muskegon-Holland, sea day, Mackinac Island, Sault Sainte Marie), and Ontario Canada (Manitoulin Island / Little Current, Parry Sound, Midland, Windsor, sadly, and Toronto / Niagara Falls, and Toronto overnight before debarkation). Cruise prices per person vary from USD 7790 (Category G cabin) to 10640 (single cabin).

In January 2020, Pearl Seas Cruises announced a 7-day Panama Canal Cruise that fully transits the unique inland waterway. The itinerary visited Cartagena Colombia, San Blas Islands Panama, Gatun Lake and Panama Canal (transition), Pearl Islands Panama and Panama City. Departures were offered from Cartagena and Panama City (Fuerte Amador), with price-included overnight pre-cruise hotel (Panama City or Cartagena).

In mid-December 2020, Port Milwaukee WI (Lake Michigan, Wisconsin) signed an agreement for homeporting MS Pearl Mist for 9 years (2021 through 2030), with an option for extending the service through 2040. The exclusive deal provides Pearl Seas Cruises with priority docking/berthing rights at Pier Wisconsin (Milwaukee's downtown dock east of Discovery World). The deal guaranteed Pearl Mist to use Milwaukee as homeport (for turnarounds/roundtrips) at least 5 times per year. The ship is required to provide minimum annual rents of USD 42100 (starting in 2021), which must gradually increase to USD 50000 (by 2026) and USD 60000 (by 2036). MS Pearl Mist's itinerary includes Port Milwaukee as debarkation port (for westward Great Lakes voyages) end embarkation port (for eastward sailings).

Following the 2-year pause due to the Coronavirus crisis, Pearl Seas Cruises restarted operations with Pearl Mist on May 7, 2022, with the 7-night "Maine Coast and Canadian Harbors" itinerary (roundtrip from Portland ME). The program included the brand's popular destinations Canadian Maritimes and St Lawrence Seaway (15-night itinerary between Portland ME and Toronto), the USA's New England, Coastal Maine, and the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes 2022 program (June thru August) included two itineraries - 11-night "Great Lakes and Georgian Bay" and 7-night "Great Lakes", both between Milwaukee and Toronto.