No longer loyal to Royal, sell me on NCL

Due to the new no e-cig on balcony policy on Royal, I am changing cruise lines. I normally book a suite and I am Diamond plus with Royal. Me and DH usually travel alone and enjoy quietly sitting on balcony reading and decent food. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks:)

Due to the new no e-cig on balcony policy on Royal, I am changing cruise lines. I normally book a suite and I am Diamond plus with Royal. Me and DH usually travel alone and enjoy quietly sitting on balcony reading and decent food. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks:)

There was a post from some regular RCCL folks who sailed NCL. I hadn't read the thread but in the title is something about "...RCCL crusty couple sails NCL...". THat might give you some info. It was within the past week.

I like your rhyme, NCL is fine :)

Sorry don't have time to tell you all the things we love about Norwegian. You can tell by my signature they must do something right.

You may not want to read the crusty couple review.

They hated the cruise.

I havent sailed RCCL so I can not give you a comparison but we do love NCL. Why???? Because we like to feel totally relaxed. No reason to be anywhere and any one time (other than the safety drill of course). No one tells me when to eat or where. The rules are very relaxed in the dining room - No shorts, tank tops, flip flops but jeans are fine with a nice shirt.

The crew members so far have all been fantastic. I love their attitude. Always a smile on their face and always willing to help.

No matter what you decide to do, do not let one cruise ruin cruising for you

Best to try it for yourself to see. I'm glad I did some years ago! :)

Due to the new no e-cig on balcony policy on Royal, I am changing cruise lines. I normally book a suite and I am Diamond plus with Royal. Me and DH usually travel alone and enjoy quietly sitting on balcony reading and decent food. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks:)

I honestly thought that you were changing cruiselines because you were tired of the poor quality and too salty food on RCL. If you think that the food is decent on Royal then I think that you will be happy with your change to NCL. Of the four cruiselines that we have sailed Royal is #1 for the beauty of the ships and #4 for the food. Our last NCL cruise was in 2013 and Royal was 2011 if that helps.

The most important reasons for loving NCL is Freestyle dining, resort casual dress codes, and their Dress up or Not Night.

If one chooses to remain casual on formal night, it is perfectly OK.

The food, service, and entertainment on NCL are very good.

I think that you will will be happy with NCL cruises. We are.

I have sailed both lines (2 on Royal, 2nd on NCL next month). I have things i like about both but will most likely be more loyal to NCL. For us personally we get more for our $ on NCL thanks to booking through CAS (casinos at sea).

As far as food i can't compare the MDR because on NCL we never ate in it but the buffets are very comparable and both lines have great specialty restaurants. I missed having Sorrento's on NCL but LOVED O'Sheehan's (on Epic but other ships have a similar venue i believe) so that made up for it.

I found the staff to be friendlier on NCL (they were nice on Royal but found NCL making it a point to greet us and ask how our day was etc). I would say that as long as you choose a ship/itinerary that suits you, you will enjoy yourselves and not be disappointed.

I sail both lines for variety and I like them both.

I think you will like the suite experience on NCL (full suite, not minisuite which do not get perks). The suites are nice, the butlers are attentive, you'll still have a concierge. You'll get nice breakfast and lunch in Cagneys.

At the moment, smoking is allowed on NCL balconies; I have no idea if or when NCL might follow the current trend to change that). OTOH, NCL does not have anything like the CL; so you might miss that.

Both are acceptable to me, but I like RCI's food and MDR service better than NCL's. Of course, that is totally subjective. Just in case, do be sure to budget for dinners in specialty restaurants in case the MDR falls short of your expectations.

Booking suites will allow you to move quickly up in the latitudes program, especially if you can book 9+ months in advance.

Come on in the waters great ;)

Very similar lines but I prefer NCL ..

Due to the new no e-cig on balcony policy on Royal, I am changing cruise lines. I normally book a suite and I am Diamond plus with Royal. Me and DH usually travel alone and enjoy quietly sitting on balcony reading and decent food. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks:)

Have you considered Princess? If the issue is e-cig balcony smoking, Princess does allow it. I think that is probably a little better comparison to RCI. Just a thought. :)

I sail both lines for variety and I like them both.

 

I think you will like the suite experience on NCL (full suite, not minisuite which do not get perks). The suites are nice, the butlers are attentive, you'll still have a concierge. You'll get nice breakfast and lunch in Cagneys.

 

At the moment, smoking is allowed on NCL balconies; I have no idea if or when NCL might follow the current trend to change that). OTOH, NCL does not have anything like the CL; so you might miss that.

 

Both are acceptable to me, but I like RCI's food and MDR service better than NCL's. Of course, that is totally subjective. Just in case, do be sure to budget for dinners in specialty restaurants in case the MDR falls short of your expectations.

 

Booking suites will allow you to move quickly up in the latitudes program, especially if you can book 9+ months in advance.

People always say that food is subjective. What about entertainment, staff competence and friendliness, ships amenities and decor? To me they are all subjective but have different weight to them depending on the person.

Why on earth would they disallow e-cig smoking? There is no harmful effect, and other than Puritan impulses, I can see no reason why e-cigs should be banned.

NCL has nice suite perks, including breakfast in Cagney's (and lunch). Cagney's is one of their better pay restaurants. If you are into the entertainment, you also get priority seating in the theaters.

I thought Royal was acceptable. Fine. Good enough. Went on a cruise with 75 family members.

My first cruise was on The Norway in 1986. It took me a while to try NCL again. I have also cruised Carnival and Celebration.

When I cruised Royal and X (Celebration) they were both the old traditional type of cruising. So when I tried NCL I was captivated by the freedom and choice. So many must agreed with me that the other cruiselines all seem to offer their own versions.

I must say the NCL crews have been our favorites. I can remember the names and faces of so many NCL crew members, a few on Carnival, and none on the other two. That says something to me.

NCL is not perfect. They have lousy BINGO and for my personal taste I prefer X's smoking policy. Let's just say NCL would get a lot more of my money if I had access to a smoke free casino. With those huge new ships why not two casinos? One smoke one non? Just saying.

And finally, I have embraced the NCL suite life. I enjoy a bedroom with a door. A real door. I cruise with my mom and we each need our own space. All of the suite perks are i ing on the cake. Mom is pampered and I feel like I am truly on vacation. I used to be her butler and concierge. Haha. When we cruised Carnival last we found there is no comparison with suite perks.

With choosing NCL we are now platinum. Yea! Free laundry bag. Ok, don't know why that tickles me pink but it does.

I would not pass up a cruise on any line. But if I am choosing and paying NCL is at the top, with X second.

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We have not been on RCCL, but have had a couple of NCL cruises recently. Our last NCL cruise was in a suite, and I can recommend it highly.

Lots of great perks, including the ability to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's (the fee steakhouse at dinner). It is a much more relaxed atmosphere than the hectic Lido buffet. The butler services are very nice.

We are not big fans of the MDR food on NCL, and prefer the fee restaurants for their better quality and service.

I don't know about the entertainment on RCCL, but on NCL it's the best of any cruise line we sailed. Staff on our NCL cruises has been very good and friendly.

using the search function in the NCL forum to look for RCI comparisons will give you a lot of information. Just put in "RCI" or "RCCL" and you sill see lots of threads where people asked for a comparison of the lines. You will find more information than will be typed in this thread.

By the way, it's not our job to sell you on NCL. They have an 800 number for personal cruise consultants to do that.

Happy Sailing

Since booking NCL for a specific itinerary and high recommendation from NCL fans on our last TA I've been research this same question. From many posts in similar threads here are some standouts.

:)++ Dress Up or Not Night means at least one less suitcase for us. Savings on airline bag fees is enough to pay for a night or two in specialty restaurants.

:)++ Lattitudes prorgam is far better than Crwon & Anchor. In suite booked 9 months out (as noted above) you can get to the top level in four 7nt cruises - less if some are longer. And the benefits at any level are way better.

:) Suites and the suite experience are reputed to be much better on NCL - though we will never know.

:( Regular cabins are said to be a bit smaller on NCL.

:) NCL allows pre-purchase of liquor for consumption in the cabin. Not cheap but more convenient than RCI's alternatives for a balcony nightcap.

:( NCL charges for sauna and steam room.

[smilie] Robes for any cabin with a balcony (incl. suites which all do). RCI you have to be 2nd tier in C&A (Platinum there) to get a robe.

As a non-smoker with asthma flare-ups I would much rather e-cigs be allowed on balconies, especially if real smoke is not prohibited. Might cut down on the real smoke. I don't even notice e-cigs.

[i never know CC's 6 picture limit included smilies - pretend that last one is there [wink] ]

We have not been on RCCL, but have had a couple of NCL cruises recently. Our last NCL cruise was in a suite, and I can recommend it highly.

 

Lots of great perks, including the ability to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's (the fee steakhouse at dinner). It is a much more relaxed atmosphere than the hectic Lido buffet. The butler services are very nice.

 

I don't know about the entertainment on RCCL, but on NCL it's the best of any cruise line we sailed. Staff on our NCL cruises has been very good and friendly.

The above says it best for us. Once on RCL was enough....none of the above NCL perks, the entertainment on RCL was missing, and the suite amenities just not there, or done miserably by the RCL crew.

Opinions Vary

Since booking NCL for a specific itinerary and high recommendation from NCL fans on our last TA I've been research this same question. From many posts in similar threads here are some standouts.

 

 

Dress Up or Not Night means at least one less suitcase for us. Savings on airline bag fees is enough to pay for a night or two in specialty restaurants.

 

 

Lattitudes prorgam is far better than Crwon & Anchor. In suite booked 9 months out (as noted above) you can get to the top level in four 7nt cruises - less if some are longer. And the benefits at any level are way better.

 

 

Suites and the suite experience are reputed to be much better on NCL - though we will never know.

 

Regular cabins are said to be a bit smaller on NCL.

 

NCL allows pre-purchase of liquor for consumption in the cabin. Not cheap but more convenient than RCI's alternatives for a balcony nightcap.

 

 

NCL charges for sauna and steam room.

 

 

Robes for any cabin with a balcony (incl. suites which all do). RCI you have to be 2nd tier in C&A (Platinum there) to get a robe.

 

 

As a non-smoker with asthma flare-ups I would much rather e-cigs be allowed on balconies, especially if real smoke is not prohibited. Might cut down on the real smoke. I don't even notice e-cigs.

 

[i never know CC's 6 picture limit included smilies - pretend that last one is there [wink] ]

Here's a wink for you;)!

Agree with your comparison of RCI and NCL.

OP give NCL a try, many of us think you might like it........we do:)

People always say that food is subjective. What about entertainment, staff competence and friendliness, ships amenities and decor? To me they are all subjective but have different weight to them depending on the person.

True, those are subjective, too.

As the OP's post mentioned they book often suites and enjoy "quietly sitting on balcony reading and decent food", I tried to give them my brief opinion on suites and food on the two lines. Of those, the food opinions vary more, and I am happy to admit I offer only my own lowly opinion on the quality of the two lines. Had they emphasized an interest in entertainment, staff competence and friendliness, ships amenities and decor, I might well have added my subjective opinion of those, too.

Thank you to everyone for the information. We have found ourselves paying to eat in the fee restaurants on RCCL for the last few cruises. We seldom go to shows and décor is really not a big deal to us. I was very surprised after requesting information on the NCL website I received a phone call from a cruise planner offering to answer any questions I might have. I haven't seen that kind of customer attention on RCCL in a few years.

Thank you to everyone for the information. We have found ourselves paying to eat in the fee restaurants on RCCL for the last few cruises. We seldom go to shows and décor is really not a big deal to us. I was very surprised after requesting information on the NCL website I received a phone call from a cruise planner offering to answer any questions I might have. I haven't seen that kind of customer attention on RCCL in a few years.

I think RCCL is focusing their attention on sending out e-mails. I must get four or five from them each week. Between them and Carnival I have a lot of junk mail.

NCL usually has a lower base price than RCCL and the cost of the specialty restaurants is less as well. I am not surprised at all to hear that you have been paying to eat in the fee restaurants on RCCL. I really feel that this is the area that they need to improve.

Haven't sailed rccl but I love NCL. Laid back environment. I can wear shorts and flip flops to dinner. And can eat with who I want when I want. If there is a wait they give out pagers and (this is new) a coupin for a free soda or sparkling wine.

Most ships have a 24 hour blue lagoon type restaurant and 24 hour room service (there is a charge for late night deliveries which I find to be fair). Carnival (back when I sailed it a LONG) time ago had times where there were no food options other than pizza.

MDR food is just OK. I find the classic stuff offered everyday is the most consistent. Some of the nightly specials vary in quality and taste. But I'm OK with that. I get what I pay for. I don't expect amazing food every time. I'm cruising for the people and experience and not the food.

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I honestly thought that you were changing cruiselines because you were tired of the poor quality and too salty food on RCL. If you think that the food is decent on Royal then I think that you will be happy with your change to NCL. Of the four cruiselines that we have sailed Royal is #1 for the beauty of the ships and #4 for the food. Our last NCL cruise was in 2013 and Royal was 2011 if that helps.

This is only true if you eat in a pay dining venue. We were on a 12 night NCL ship in 2013 and the MDR food was horrible compared to RCL