VIPERTRUCK

Starting with my most liked:

Pearl

Jewel

Sun

Epic

Star

Breakaway

In my opinion the Jewel class ships were just the right size and passenger to space ratio.

We had an AFT Penthouse on the Pearl a few years back and loved it so much!!! Want to cruise that cabin again and again!!!

Last year we were in an AFT standard balcony right next to the Penthouse on the Breakaway. Lots of deep bass and noise until 12 or 1 am from the nightclub above. I doubt a lower deck would be any better. I would avoid the AFT cabins unless you are out late every night anyway.

We will be trying out a front facing Penthouse next time.

Dave & Ashley

We have never made a reservation more than a 6 hours ahead of time. We have never been disappointed. You can call from your stateroom and reserve when you know what you feel like doing that night. That's what FreeStyle cruising is all about! I have no idea what I will want for dinner 90 days from now! Maybe a steak, maybe I'll be tired and just want a quick bite from the buffet, or room service... I wouldn't overthink it, just go and enjoy yourself.

Are you considering the 1-15-17 5-day?

I ask because I wanted a suite when the webpage showed none. I called and they had one available. BOOKED! If you haven't already, a phone call could help.

I would have to cast my vote to avoid Epic if possible. It was of all my cruises the least enjoyable. I really enjoy the basics of cruising and Epic downplays many of those features. I found most of the features used to "sell" the ship are extra cost + are only utilized for very short periods during the cruise. The design of the ship is another thing... NCL had the right intention when they sent her to Europe. She should have stayed there... Forever...

I would definitely go with the Pearl! The Pearl is a great ship and from what I hear still has a great crew. The Epic to me is just a mess of thoughts, many of which add nothing to my cruise experience. The Pearl will only be 9 or 10 months out of drydock at that point and the suites are getting complete makeovers. Plus it's way more cruise for your money! IDC who you are $2000 makes a difference (if not, please apply it towards my next cruise! :) )

We have been on many NCL cruises and have never reserved a restaurant or show before getting onboard. We have always woke up each morning and decided how we feel for the day. By 1 or 2 o'clock if we decide we want to go to a special restaurant we call and reserve a table. At other times we have just strolled around and decided to eat at a special restaurant with no reservations. We have always been accommodated. Keep in mind we have not sailed on any of the newer Breakaway class ships, maybe they are different...

I do not enjoy having to plan a whole trip either.

Enjoy your cruise!

I have sailed a 7 day and a 10 day aboard the Sun and have to say it is just about my favorite ship. The smaller size is much easier to get around yet the ship has great amenities. Those amenities are just a little more traditional than the new mega ships. As others have mentioned the forward lookout deck is great! The great outdoors deck in back is wonderful! The ship also has a lot of public space per passenger unlike many newer ships. As far as any sewage smell... Honestly... I have caught a wiff of it on every single ship I have been on. Only in the lowest decks and only once in a while. I have just assumed it is part of the ship life.

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!

These cruise lines keep adding all of these new ships which are just added capacity to sell and at the same time it seems like NCL is trying thier hardest to run off their customer base. :confused: My wife and I already skipped our annual cruise this year and did a land based vacation instead due to things like this happening time and time and time and time and time and time and time again. I do not consider myself cheap or stingy, I will pay whatever it takes to get out there and enjoy life to its fullest, however, we just do not feel that NCL is providing the value and/or service to make us pick them as the destination for our limited vacation time every year. It's a shame to because we are now Platinum in the latitudes program and now it seems NCL has embarked on a path that continues to make them less and less appealing with every change they make.

GET YOUR S**T TOGETHER NCL!

I hated the lack of ocean views on our recent Epic cruise! Let Europe keep that FUBAR'ed ship! LOL

Can you give me some examples? Have you had this happen a lot on other cruise lines?

 

I have been cruising for 30 years, usually in the winter months, and have never had a cruise cancel because of a total ship charter. I have this happen to me twice in one year with NCL; one a Med cruise the other a PC cruise. I certainly have been on ships on other cruise lines with groups, some even quite large, but never have had a cruise canceled because the cruise line chose one customer over another (with paid reservations in place).

 

Happy and safe cruising all!

Carnival Destiny October 2011, they chartered out our wedding cruise date for the Kiss Kruise. Had to have our entire wedding party rebook and change airfare! This is industry standard...

Thanks that answered it for me. My concern was being able to get OJ free at breakfast. It's the only juice we enjoy.

 

If you don't mind another question. I understand they don't allow us to purchase alcohol packages during Spring Break. What about soda packages? Can we purchase them during Spring Break?

I can't help too much with that specific time of year. But my experience with NCL soda packages is that you can wait a long time to get a drink and they only give you about 8 ounces at a time. The crew do not make extra tips for getting you a soda and they have very little interest in doing it. We prefer to buy a few bottles in each port and carry them on with us.

My next two cruises are with NCL so I'm trying to research/learn as much as I can about NCL before the cruises.

 

Are juices free? On RCCL, juice isn't even included that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

Select juices are free at breakfast time only. Not high quality stuff but it resembles juice...

I think it is more of an atmosphere that a cruise line creates than physical nickle & diming. In my opinion NCL's main focus is you spending extra $ onboard. Ex: setting up tables in walk ways to sell you perfume or watches. Or telling you to only shop at the port stores that give NCL a kickback. Disney's main focus is to give you an unforgettable experience. They will not do ANYTHING that will disrupt that atmosphere. I feel that your total cruise cost would be the same in the end and have a more layed back vacation on Disney. I cruise NCL often but all the sales pitches drive me nuts! I avoid them as much as possible but they go out of their way to make you notice. I am cruising the Sun this Sunday but do not plan on buying a cruise rewards deposit for this very reason. Considering another trip with Disney...

PS don't forget that Disney has soda included at no charge.

Nicer looking than the ugly Epic but still can't compete with the Disney ships! Those are just beautifully designed ships!

Epic is one UGLY ship...

I have been collecting an old license plate from each island or forgein port I visit. So far I have 5 and should have 3 more after my October B2B on the Destiny. I have them all framed and hanging near my bar area in the basement. Sometimes they are easy to find and other times I have had find someone who would go get one for me... I have no idea where he got it and didn't ask! LOL