I have sailed Carnival and NCL multiple times each. As far as experience, I feel like a newer ship on NCL and a newer ship on Carnival are pretty much the same. We choose your-time dining on Carnival, and the food seems similar in caliber for both. The price on the front end is more expensive with NCL, but I like the freedom the Free-at-Sea gives me. I wouldn't pay for a drink package on Carnival, I'm not much of a drinker at home, but I like the ability to get a drink when I feel like it on vacation. When I was on Carnival, I would find myself limiting what drinks I would get, because they are $$$. I once graphed out what apples-to-apples would be on the two lines, and I felt like NCL was a better deal for us. Even if I'm still paying for the package in the increased price of the cruise, I can pay it ahead and not worry about it.