NCL or Royal Caribbean?

Hi. Anyone help with this please? We have cruised twice before with RC and loved it. This year we are finding the prices really high so have looked at NCL. In particular the Epic but there's so many conflicting views I'm really confused as to what to do. I should say we are a 50 something couple and need to go W. Europe 21st July. All help appreciated. Thanks

It will help if we know what you liked about your previous cruises, and what concerns you with the reviews you have read.

Can you elaborate a little bit, so we have a starting point to help you get the best information possible?

:)

Happy reading! :D

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1771448&highlight=ncl+vs+rccl

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1535396&highlight=ncl+vs+rccl

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1741395&highlight=ncl+vs+rccl

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1699776&highlight=ncl+vs+rccl

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1697115&highlight=ncl+vs+rccl

I think there are two differences between the lines as i've recently cruised on both in the past 12 months.

The RCL ships are more grand in appeareance. They tend to have royal prominades and a wow factor. Otherwise, after that initial wow they ae generally comparable in appearance.

Also the food is hands over fist better and more abundant on RCL unless you are willing to pay for it on NCL. What I mean is that on RCL there are things not on the "free" menu only available in one of the pay restaurants on NCL. Shrimp cocktails, escargot, osso buco, sushi, to name a few for example. Also things like the NY Sirloin on the everyday "free" menu is thin like the size of a breakfast ham whereas on RCL its thickness is normal in size and preparation.

To me a cruise is all about what you make of it. Food is important but I don't believe in the upsale pay resataurants. Normally, I just ignore them because the main dinning room food on most ships are good to great most most of the time. That is not the case on NCL ships

Sorry Barbara...I'm new

RC ship had adult only pool (we aren't 100% child friendly!) The staterooms were small but regular layout... I've heard Epic staterooms are a strange layout but more worrying I've read that the rooms aren't dark i.e. lights and led blubs don't turn off??

The RC ship had a casino which was very smokey and we avoided this but again Iv'e read that it hard to avoid on the Epic and finally the Epic is more geared to families.

Thanks

J

I've been on more RCI than NCL, and I'm now a dedicated NCL cruiser. Nothing against RCI, but the freestyle concept of NCL has sealed it for me. Lots of dining options to choose from, and I can eat where I want, when I want. No need to dress up at a formal night. Awesome entertainment.

The Epic is a wonderful ship. Give NCL a try. There's lots of information on Epic in my signature area.

Happy cruising

Sorry Barbara...I'm new

RC ship had adult only pool (we aren't 100% child friendly!) The staterooms were small but regular layout... I've heard Epic staterooms are a strange layout but more worrying I've read that the rooms aren't dark i.e. lights and led blubs don't turn off??

The RC ship had a casino which was very smokey and we avoided this but again Iv'e read that it hard to avoid on the Epic and finally the Epic is more geared to families.

Thanks

J

No need to apologize! We were all new once! :D Welcome to CC. You've found the best possible place to get all the answers you need!

I have not sailed on the Epic, so I cannot speak to the layout of the rooms, but there are hundreds of posters here who will be more than happy to provide details for you.

The location of the casino does make it difficult to avoid, but if you scroll through the list of topics there is an entire thread about it that has been very active in the past few days. That should contain information which would help you with that particular issue.

With regard to children, you are bound to have a lot of children on any July sailing, so that may be the most difficult issue for you. The Epic is definitely geared towards families, and a summer sailing almost guarantees there will be a LOT of them. That being said, there are numerous places on the Epic where you could find sanctuary - in particular at Spice H20. Theres been a lot of discussion regarding that recently as well.

Here's hoping you get many helpful answers here, and can make a good decision based upon the experiences of others.

Happy sailing!

:)

We first cruised Royal and loved it. We did our next cruise on NCL and loved the Freestyle concept. We prefer eating when we choose and being able to change up the timing day to day. When it came to booking our third cruise, we priced both lines and found a much better deal on NCL. I think we'll be sticking with this cruiseline for awhile.

I can't speak to the Epic, but give NCL a try. You'll never know unless you try!

RC is my favorite cruise line and I straying away and going to NCL Breakaway this year to be on a new ship and experience the NCL way. Nobody can make this decision but you but I feel you must give NCL a try at least once so you will know. NCL may surprise you, or you may find RC still better or you may like both cruise lines because each have its own positives that you prefer.

NCL does "nickle and dime" passenger more so than any other cruise line. The Epic and as the Breakaway, have passes to be on a special deck where its more private, adults only usually for suite members but they offer some passes on first come first serve basis, then if you want the spa pass you pay extra but they give you these extra options. They also have many dining choices, (they remain to offer you the complimentary dining choices) that you need to pay extra for. My experience dining at these places where you pay your getting so much better in quality, variety and selection. To me its worth the extra money but one has to have it in their budget. Then they have the Cirque dinner show thats another expense...

If you go to the ice bar there is another charge although I believe it does include two martini's so yes, NCL larger/newer ships have more fees to get more things.

I say go for it give it a try, your probably like me been on many RC its time to make a "change of scenery" and give NCL a try, also the fact your choosing the Epic a new larger ship over the older ships your not bound to be disappointed.

I tried Allure and Epic. Both ships are beauties, had enough fun things to do for a week and even more. But I decided to stay with NCL mainly because of FreeStyle and more contemporary feel in the ship. We will be back on Epic in a month and already looking to book Gateaway which costs as much as Oasis or even more as it's a brand new ship.

If you go with Epic you will have the advantage of trying something new.

We did the western Med cruise a couple of years ago on X and unless RCL has changed to some type of open dinning I would never again do a Europe cruise with fixed time dinning. Most of the port excursions were long 10 to 12hours and extremely tiring. We did the cruise with my 80+ parents and got stuck with the early dinning. Most of the shore excursions got back either just before or after the early seating had started. Three nights the doors to the early seating dinning room closed and we were refused MDR seating so we got stuck in the awful buffet for diner. IMO any freestyle type of open dinning cruise is the ONLY way to go on a cruise that is very port intensive. My wife and I are looking at the NCL Med cruises for next year and you can get a mini suite for the lowest cat Balcony on RCL with similar itinerary.

Wow! Thanks to all for amazing, fast replies.

Keep you all posted!

J.

I only cruise RCL and NCL. I actually did the Western Med on the Epic. I love both lines but my favorite ship is the Epic(which surprised me because of alot of negative reviews). I think the Epic has superior entertainment. I always eat in the specialty restaurants on NCL because I found the MDR food to be vile, and their pay for restaurants excellent. But like everyone else says food is subjective. I only stay in suites on NCL(the perks are well worth the cost), but don't bother on RCL because the perks aren't worth it. What ever you decide I am sure you will love cruising in Europe, Enjoy!!

I think there are two differences between the lines as i've recently cruised on both in the past 12 months.

 

The RCL ships are more grand in appeareance. They tend to have royal prominades and a wow factor. Otherwise, after that initial wow they ae generally comparable in appearance.

 

Also the food is hands over fist better and more abundant on RCL unless you are willing to pay for it on NCL. What I mean is that on RCL there are things not on the "free" menu only available in one of the pay restaurants on NCL. Shrimp cocktails, escargot, osso buco, sushi, to name a few for example. Also things like the NY Sirloin on the everyday "free" menu is thin like the size of a breakfast ham whereas on RCL its thickness is normal in size and preparation.

 

The above is a quote....not sure why it didn't come through that way.

 

Wow do I ever disagree about the food. We have only been on one RCCL cruise but the food on that one was the worst food we've ever had on any cruise ship we've ever sailed on. People at our table sent food back several times. The beef was inedible and I'm not picky. Some at our table complained to the head waiter and he said the recipes were fleetwide. I sure hope not as we are going on another RCCL cruise. We've never had a bad meal on NCL. I'm talking MDR, not just the specialties. We choose for price and itinerary and would make the choice on that basis. I'd sail on NCL every time if we could but they don't go everywhere we want to cruise.

RC is my favorite cruise line and I straying away and going to NCL Breakaway this year to be on a new ship and experience the NCL way. Nobody can make this decision but you but I feel you must give NCL a try at least once so you will know. NCL may surprise you, or you may find RC still better or you may like both cruise lines because each have its own positives that you prefer.

 

NCL does "nickle and dime" passenger more so than any other cruise line. The Epic and as the Breakaway, have passes to be on a special deck where its more private, adults only usually for suite members but they offer some passes on first come first serve basis, then if you want the spa pass you pay extra but they give you these extra options. They also have many dining choices, (they remain to offer you the complimentary dining choices) that you need to pay extra for. My experience dining at these places where you pay your getting so much better in quality, variety and selection. To me its worth the extra money but one has to have it in their budget. Then they have the Cirque dinner show thats another expense...

If you go to the ice bar there is another charge although I believe it does include two martini's so yes, NCL larger/newer ships have more fees to get more things.

 

I say go for it give it a try, your probably like me been on many RC its time to make a "change of scenery" and give NCL a try, also the fact your choosing the Epic a new larger ship over the older ships your not bound to be disappointed.

I am confused by your post. You say you are going to be trying NCL and then speak of your experience with the restaurants??? Please elaborate.

If anybody nickels and dimes, it is Royal Caribbean. I am Diamond with RCCL and Platinum on NCL. I would much rather choose NCL any day of the week because service is better and I find the food much better. Ranch steak anyone? And if you want a real steak in the MDR, you have to pay $14.95 a person! In the Main Dining Room!

We were on the Oasis and had a great time BUT went on the Epic three months later and REALLY had a great time. It is the one that I would choose to go back on for another cruise. Not Oasis.

Service is much better and everyone is friendlier on NCL. On Royal, I have been told "for this you will be grateful."

With a port intensive European itinerary, I think you would enjoy the Freestyle way of NCL.

NCL does "nickle and dime" passenger more so than any other cruise line. The Epic and as the Breakaway, have passes to be on a special deck where its more private, adults only usually for suite members but they offer some passes on first come first serve basis, then if you want the spa pass you pay extra but they give you these extra options. They also have many dining choices, (they remain to offer you the complimentary dining choices) that you need to pay extra for. My experience dining at these places where you pay your getting so much better in quality, variety and selection. To me its worth the extra money but one has to have it in their budget. Then they have the Cirque dinner show thats another expense...

If you go to the ice bar there is another charge although I believe it does include two martini's so yes, NCL larger/newer ships have more fees to get more things.

NCL doesn't "nickel and dime" any more than other lines short of all-inclusive trips. What they DO provide is more options, some pay, some not. Nobody has to eat at a specialty restaurant to get a good meal. Nobody needs to visit the ice bar. Nobody needs to buy spa services. These things would run hundreds of dollars on land. Quite frankly, I'd rather them charge the people that use some of these things than raise the base fare for everyone. Epic includes a blues club, a dueling piano bar, Legends in concert, and the Blue Man Group all for free. That's hundreds of dollars in shows included for everyone.

Ok. So NCL Epic is starting to look more positive. Any opinions on the smokey casino ruining the bars and eating areas? What about kid free zones? and are there quiet areas on board to just watch the ocean go by?

DMH15 Im sorry I didn't clarify correctly, I have cruised on NCL but not the past 6 cruises (since 09). My brother and sister in law have taken NCL the past three cruises along with friends and they raved about the food. I going on the Breakaway, she offers a wonderful assortment of different cuisine dining. I just can't wait!

Jdvmd- The way I meant "nickle and diming" is that when a ship has a deck that one must pay a fee to use such as posh/vibe along with other available passes to get into areas Im sorry thats nickle and diming. I not know another cruise line that closes certain areas of the ship to passengers unless they purchase a pass, I haven't seen this on Princess, RC or Carnival ships.

I am so glad to hear that you prefer NCL over RC. My sister and brother in law also prefers NCL but they also like RC very much. I have NOT seen the ranch steak, been on 5 RC cruises in the past 4 years and seen sirloin offered every evening in their everyday offered part of the menu. Yes, they do have the extra fee for a NY Strip well worth it I have to say, in fact, we usually dine 4-6 evenings at the specialty restaurants. On the Breakaway we will be dining 6 evenings at the specialty restaurants and we wondering which MDR to try on the Breakway, any suggestions which one you would choose?

I am a big foodie, I do expect excellent service overall and RC always has delivered that in all my cruises. I am so pleased to hear how highly you speak of NCL since I am going on the Breakaway in June. Your making me even more excited about it and so glad to hear your version how you like NCL this is so good. :p

Sdmike- so true others nickle and dime but as I have explained above I just not like the idea that they close areas on decks for people who pay for "passes" to use them, this is what I really talking about. I wish I knew more about these passes what you get and the cost I would most likely be purchasing them myself.

I do agree with the options they offer, specialty dining, the martini ice bar, etc. The spa is another issue, both my sister in law and myself use spas at home, massages and such, and we never felt that the cost on any cruise line was worth what you get not mentioning the sales pitch to buy products afterwards. I understand charing to use spa services that is fine and gives one option to use or not.

My issue is closing areas on the ship and charing people a fee to use those areas, my question, for instance, on the Epic since the Breakaway is not out yet, is there a private section offered to the public kid free or is that pay area the only place that kids are not allowed?

In addition, I believe I had the current liquor menu/price and I feel their drinks are not as costly as RC and Carnival but I could be wrong, I may have an old price menu. On another board I asked about the size glasses you get for them and seen photos of large glasses. Carnival has drastically increased its prices and decreased the size of the glass. Most drinks that are served are served in what I call "juice glasses" those small glasses only carnivals is an inch and half taller, then they try to upsell you a double for $3.00 more which is worth it considerign you only get a few sips in the regular size glass...your right RC is more nickle and diming Im sure that NCL doesn't do this?

I also have to agree that NCL does offer on its newers ships the finest of entertainment, with RC being next down on my list, Carnival the last lol.

We did the western Med cruise a couple of years ago on X and unless RCL has changed to some type of open dinning I would never again do a Europe cruise with fixed time dinning. Most of the port excursions were long 10 to 12hours and extremely tiring. We did the cruise with my 80+ parents and got stuck with the early dinning. Most of the shore excursions got back either just before or after the early seating had started. Three nights the doors to the early seating dinning room closed and we were refused MDR seating so we got stuck in the awful buffet for diner. IMO any freestyle type of open dinning cruise is the ONLY way to go on a cruise that is very port intensive. My wife and I are looking at the NCL Med cruises for next year and you can get a mini suite for the lowest cat Balcony on RCL with similar itinerary.

Good point about the fixed dining times. Any Europe cruise is exhausting! There were several times that we got back onboard and passed out in our cabins and missed dinner!

Royal has a My Time Dining option that allows you to pick whatever time you want on any day. Or just show up. We did this on our European cruise. Except when we passed out. ;)

About the food: in my opinion it was better on RCI than NCL, but I haven't sailed NCL in several years. You will get a million different opinions on food. The one thing I will say is that ANY food I don't have to cook (or clean up) is great.

I would honestly let the itinerary dictate your choice rather than the cruise line.

I agree with the posters who stated that in Europe Freestyle dining is a better option. I'm a big foodie and enjoy the extra pay restaurant options.

A big thing for us in Europe is the balcony. Great to have morning coffee as we arrive in port.

I chose the cruise by the ports. Which ever you choose you will have a great time.

DMH15 Im sorry I didn't clarify correctly, I have cruised on NCL but not the past 6 cruises (since 09). My brother and sister in law have taken NCL the past three cruises along with friends and they raved about the food. I going on the Breakaway, she offers a wonderful assortment of different cuisine dining. I just can't wait!

 

Jdvmd- The way I meant "nickle and diming" is that when a ship has a deck that one must pay a fee to use such as posh/vibe along with other available passes to get into areas Im sorry thats nickle and diming. I not know another cruise line that closes certain areas of the ship to passengers unless they purchase a pass, I haven't seen this on Princess, RC or Carnival ships.

 

I am so glad to hear that you prefer NCL over RC. My sister and brother in law also prefers NCL but they also like RC very much. I have NOT seen the ranch steak, been on 5 RC cruises in the past 4 years and seen sirloin offered every evening in their everyday offered part of the menu. Yes, they do have the extra fee for a NY Strip well worth it I have to say, in fact, we usually dine 4-6 evenings at the specialty restaurants. On the Breakaway we will be dining 6 evenings at the specialty restaurants and we wondering which MDR to try on the Breakway, any suggestions which one you would choose?

 

I am a big foodie, I do expect excellent service overall and RC always has delivered that in all my cruises. I am so pleased to hear how highly you speak of NCL since I am going on the Breakaway in June. Your making me even more excited about it and so glad to hear your version how you like NCL this is so good. :p

 

Sdmike- so true others nickle and dime but as I have explained above I just not like the idea that they close areas on decks for people who pay for "passes" to use them, this is what I really talking about. I wish I knew more about these passes what you get and the cost I would most likely be purchasing them myself.

 

I do agree with the options they offer, specialty dining, the martini ice bar, etc. The spa is another issue, both my sister in law and myself use spas at home, massages and such, and we never felt that the cost on any cruise line was worth what you get not mentioning the sales pitch to buy products afterwards. I understand charing to use spa services that is fine and gives one option to use or not.

My issue is closing areas on the ship and charing people a fee to use those areas, my question, for instance, on the Epic since the Breakaway is not out yet, is there a private section offered to the public kid free or is that pay area the only place that kids are not allowed?

 

In addition, I believe I had the current liquor menu/price and I feel their drinks are not as costly as RC and Carnival but I could be wrong, I may have an old price menu. On another board I asked about the size glasses you get for them and seen photos of large glasses. Carnival has drastically increased its prices and decreased the size of the glass. Most drinks that are served are served in what I call "juice glasses" those small glasses only carnivals is an inch and half taller, then they try to upsell you a double for $3.00 more which is worth it considerign you only get a few sips in the regular size glass...your right RC is more nickle and diming Im sure that NCL doesn't do this?

 

I also have to agree that NCL does offer on its newers ships the finest of entertainment, with RC being next down on my list, Carnival the last lol.

You are right about the drinks. I found RCCL drink prices the highest of any ship we've been on. HAL and NCL have drink specials like happy hours where drinks are 2:1. The regular RCCL prices on the cocktails I usually order were about $2 higher than HAL and NCL. Overall this was a good thing as I wouldn't pay the inflated price and didn't gain so much weight!

Hello Hockiepoq,

What time are the 2 for 1? Thats great NCL offers that.

I not sure whether it pays for me to get the drink package can anybody helps us?

One other thing to consider is the bringing wine aboard policy. We found every Med port had great local wines and X allowed us to bring purchases aboard even though it was against their policy as long as the bottles were in carry on bags and not in open view. This policy will vary from one X ship to another. However X had a very high corkage fee in the MDR. I prefer NCL policy of no wine limits and a very reasonable corkage fee of $15 per bottle.;) It is my understanding that RCL will not allow any wine brought aboard for consumption on the ship, which is why I will never sail with them again.

Hi. Anyone help with this please? We have cruised twice before with RC and loved it. This year we are finding the prices really high so have looked at NCL. In particular the Epic but there's so many conflicting views I'm really confused as to what to do. I should say we are a 50 something couple and need to go W. Europe 21st July. All help appreciated. Thanks

I've found RCL to be rather stuck up. The people on board were snotty and seemed to expect to be treated like royalty. People actually rent tuxes for formal night.... I didn't like that we were forced to eat at the same time, same people, same table every night (it didn't help the people at our table were very rude).

On NCL you can eat where ever you want, whenever you want and either sit with people or not. They have many fun dining options also - even a hibachi! Also the crowd on NCL is much more relaxed and layed back. Hardly anyone participates in the formal night. Everyone is always smiling and laughing.