The Norwegian Pearl, which entered service in early 2007, represents the cutting edge of today's security-enhanced cruising experience.

Norwegian Cruise Lines likes to promote its high-tech security features with the idea that guests will be able to fully relax and enjoy amenities like the four bowling lanes on the new Pearl.

Even if you've cruised recently, you may not have noticed some of the things that make modern cruise vessels tick, especially those relating to safety and maneuverability.

To illustrate this, let's look at Norwegian Cruise Lines' 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl that entered service in early 2007. It represents the cutting edge of today's large-vessel cruising experience.

To start with, the bridge -- the ship's nerve centre -- is totally enclosed. No more simply walking up an outside staircase to the wing area of the bridge or climbing over a railing to view the operation through an open door.

With today's concerns about terrorist attacks, the closed bridge affords an added degree of protection.

As the Pearl's captain, Trond Kildal, explains: "Security is easier on a cruise ship today because it's harder for the potential enemy to get up here, and we have a lot of ways to stop them."

He didn't elaborate on the ways but, even from inside a ship today, reaching the bridge often requires that one navigate a series of hallways.

Aboard the Pearl, 1,100 surveillance cameras constantly monitor passageways and deck areas.

Also in the Pearl's plans are thermal cameras installed under the bridge wings to keep an eye on the surrounding sea. By sensing changes in water temperature, even in total darkness, they are designed to provide invaluable help in locating a foreign presence -- or someone who has fallen overboard.

"Those cameras can detect as little as a .2 degree F variance in the water temperature out to a distance of several hundred metres," Kildal says.

A man-overboard announcement on the Pearl triggers an instant response. Bridge personnel execute a "crash stop" procedure and a designated rescue squad rushes to launch a special boat.

The ship's propulsion system allows it to come from full cruising speed (25 knots) to dead-in-the-water status in three ship lengths -- about 2,100 feet.

Computer technology has changed the way a ship is operated. The Pearl's helm -- the area of the bridge containing the steering mechanism -- no longer has the traditional wheel. Steering is accomplished by moving a toggle-like "track pilot." This sliver of a stick, just a little over an inch long, is installed in consoles on both wings of the ship as well as in the central control area, a Star Trek-like console called the cockpit.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) on the Pearl alerts the bridge staff of any approaching ship. "We can log into it, double click and get location, speed, course direction, number of passengers onboard, and the port they are heading for. We can also contact them," Kildal says.

An automatic pilot, similar to those in commercial airliners, lets the vessel sail itself, except that the maritime model can be programmed to order up turns and other maneuvres.

An alarm system utilizing an echo sounder warns of a possible collision and can be set to warn of an object in front of the vessel or to monitor the depth of the water beneath.

The Pearl's master assures those fearful of too much control by computers that humans remain firmly in control: there are always two people on the bridge, looking out the windows.

Still, modern technology has brought maneuverability of large vessels such as the 93,000-ton Pearl to a fine art. The ship's twin 70-ton, 18-foot diametre propellers are housed in massive tubular structures called azipods that can be rotated. When required to make an emergency stop, the captain says, "we don't reverse the engines, we simply turn the propellers aside in their housings and use them to steer the ship."

Bow thrusters, small propellers long a fixture on ships, allow the vessel to get close to the pier. The Pearl's three thrusters provide an additional 10,000 horsepower for maneuvreing and, according to the captain, will let him dock the vessel in a 50-knot gale.

While Pearl passengers are not allowed on the bridge, they can view the action through a large window in an adjoining room that also contains a computer-operated chart showing the ship's current location.

Norwegian Pearl, and NCL's 13 other ships, encompass the line's concept of Freestyle Cruising, whose principal feature is that you can dine where, when, or with whom you like. The dining dress code is always resort-casual, with the usual "no shorts or tank tops, after 5 p.m." caveat. Those who wish to dress up, of course, can do so.

The Pearl is said to lead the industry in the number and diversity of dining choices. Its 10 venues include two traditional dining rooms, six specialty, the cafeteria, and outdoor eateries. Out of sight in the middle of the vessel are 14 galleys staffed by more than 200 personnel working around the clock turn out up to 18,000 meals a day.

Among the unusual fun-and-games opportunities on the Pearl are four bowling lanes, a 30-foot rock-climbing wall and, in the ship's atrium lounge, computerized golf, tennis, baseball, and boxing.

From May to September, Norwegian Pearl offers seven-night round-trip Alaska cruises from Seattle, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C.

For more information about NCL cruises, visit ncl.com.