New to NCL, 6 cruises on Carnival, differences?

Will be sailing on my 1st NCL cruise (Spirit) the end of next month. I would appreciate any advice that would explain some differences between Carnival and NCL that I need to know? I would like to know things that Carnival does that NCL don't that might catch me off guard ( or vice versa )???? :o

One more question to those who have cruised the week after Thanksgiving,,,,, how would you rate the population of children on board? High / Medium / Low compared to other times?

Will be sailing on my 1st NCL cruise (Spirit) the end of next month. I would appreciate any advice that would explain some differences between Carnival and NCL that I need to know? I would like to know things that Carnival does that NCL don't that might catch me off guard ( or vice versa )???? :o

 

One more question to those who have cruised the week after Thanksgiving,,,,, how would you rate the population of children on board? High / Medium / Low compared to other times?

On NCL you can stay in your cabin until you disembark. Balconeys and above have coffee makers in the rooms. If you are in a suite the differences are numerous. If you purchase FCCs, they are $250, you get an immediate OBC for the sailing you are on, and your next cruise deposit is just $250.

There may be more, that's all I can think of right off hand.

On NCL you can use tongs by yourself to select as much sausage and bacon as you want! No bacon police! :)

No formal nights on NCL

No set dining times on NCL (freestyle!)

Read the review by Don (DGP111) on his experience on the Epic versus Carnival. He makes quite a few comparisons.

NCL will have fewer fights and less puking in the passageways.

They will also have friendlier and happier crewmembers.

I count myself lucky that I've never seen any fights OR people puking on any of my Carnival cruises. ;)

The real Freestyle meal thing is huge, others try and do it, but they don't have ships built for it. There are so many different restaurants on NCL and most of them feel like land restaurants. Very few large tables, lots of booths, etc.

One of my favourite things is that one of the main dining rooms is open at embarkation. It's a great way to start off your vacation relaxed.

You can bring wine on board, but you pay $15 per bottle for corkage. If you drink anything harder, you can order a bar set up, where you buy a bottle of gin or bourbon or whatever and it is waiting in your room for you. If you use mix, feel free to bring that onboard.

Even though you aren't eating meals with others (unless you choose to) chances are you'll keep running into familiar faces onboard.

If you like to spend time in the casino, make sure you get a casino's at sea card at get rated the whole time. If you choose to sail NCL again, you can call the reservations at casinos at sea to book and you will likely get a discount and a card for free drinks in the casino for your next trip.

That's all I can think of for now. Most importantly, Enjoy!!

check out this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1498311&highlight=ncl+vs+carnival

On NCL you can use tongs by yourself to select as much sausage and bacon as you want! No bacon police! :)

Since me and my girlfriend are both on The Adkins Diet,,,, this all I can grap bacon deal will work for us! LOL :D

Thanks for the replies! I HATE surprises,,,,,, especially when they can cost me $$$$$$$$$ !! :mad:

I'm looking forward to the "bar set up" deal! I've always smuggled in bottle of Jack or Vodka on Carnival with no problems :D. I don't even try to hide the bottles, just leave them in their own containers etc. But I will check out this bar set up with NCL this time!

SInce this trip was a last minute decision and we only have a month to get ready to go, this trip will be a "budget" trip!

Will be sailing on my 1st NCL cruise (Spirit) the end of next month. I would appreciate any advice that would explain some differences between Carnival and NCL that I need to know? I would like to know things that Carnival does that NCL don't that might catch me off guard ( or vice versa )???? :o

 

One more question to those who have cruised the week after Thanksgiving,,,,, how would you rate the population of children on board? High / Medium / Low compared to other times?

More than the number of children was the attitude when we sailed the week after Thanksgiving about 4 years ago: just be prepared, there was something about the entire attitude of the passengers that didn't make it our "best ever" cruise. We still had a great time and it is good ship (small cabins) great design. There are many more positives than negatives. I only mention the clientele to prepare you a little. Enjoy your last minute cruise.

Nita

More than the number of children was the attitude when we sailed the week after Thanksgiving about 4 years ago: just be prepared, there was something about the entire attitude of the passengers that didn't make it our "best ever" cruise. We still had a great time and it is good ship (small cabins) great design. There are many more positives than negatives. I only mention the clientele to prepare you a little. Enjoy your last minute cruise.

 

Nita

hi Nita, im booked on my first ncl cruise for spring break, Im wondering whats different about the passengers or the attitudes compared with carnival? Ive read that ncl has a more 'international' feel to it, where as some describe carnival as very American. I also read somewhere that ncl had a more adult feel to it, as opposed to being very family orientated. maybe im wrong, just what I read. I wonder if you could elaborate on what you thought was the difference in clientele? Im looking foward to freestyle and to trying something new. Thanks!

Also can anyone compare deck partys, how does the white hot party compare to carnivals deck party? thanks!

The weekend after Thanksgiving tends to be one of the ,errhh, least expensive weeks to book a cruise . That can definitely have an effect on....who will be booked.

We've done 5 RCI and 5 Carnival so we're looking forward to the Pearl as we'll be NCL noobies as well. How do most people find the food in the MDRs? We're planning on at least 2 of the fee based dining rooms (Cagney's and Le Bistro) and the rest of our dinners will be the MDRs. Are you assigned one of the MDRs or are you free to pop into either one at anytime provided they are open?

I've never seen puking or fighting on Carnival either, but that seems to be the image people have who have never even sailed on Carnival - go figure! I've seen much worse on RCCL and NCL, including someone (RCCL) being brought back on the ship completely passed out in a wheelchair wearing a bikini (in my opinion should have gone to a hospital instead of back on the ship). Last week on NCL Dawn, there was a huge, extremely loud, obnoxious, foul mouthed, invariably drunk bridal party crowd (at least 40 of them) who seemed to be everywhere. There's fun, and then there's obnoxious, and this group definitely crossed that line. Also saw someone fall down drunk on the dance floor who was then led out between two people who were practically carrying her - another first. That said, we had a great time nonetheless.

One major difference that comes to mind is that the rooms on Carnival are MUCH bigger than on NCL, so be prepared. I sailed on the Dawn on 9/30 in a suite, and again on 10/28 in a balcony stateroom - huge difference. The suite was wonderful, spacious, and service was perfect. The balcony room was TINY - two people couldn't pass each other between the end of the bed and the wall. Also came back to the room at 1:30 AM to find the couch opened up for the third person in the room, but with only a sheet on it covered by a stained mattress pad, nothing on top of that, and another sheet balled up and tossed on top of the mattress pad. Huh??? I felt terrible but (probably) woke up the room steward to bring a blanket or comforter for the bed and to take the nasty mattress pad away. Again, didn't ruin our trip, but wow.

Also, the beds were ROCK HARD, and all three of us had backaches and sore hips, of all things, from sleeping on them.

Do I prefer Carnival over NCL? Yes. Would I hesitate to sail on NCL again? Absolutely not. They do some things very well (freestyle, suites), and I can live with the rest.

Happy cruising!

We've done 5 RCI and 5 Carnival so we're looking forward to the Pearl as we'll be NCL noobies as well. How do most people find the food in the MDRs? We're planning on at least 2 of the fee based dining rooms (Cagney's and Le Bistro) and the rest of our dinners will be the MDRs. Are you assigned one of the MDRs or are you free to pop into either one at anytime provided they are open?

you can pop in anytime you wish to either or the MDRs. As for the food, as much as I love NCL, I do not think the food in the MDRs is their top priority. This doesn't mean it is bad, but it isn't truely gourmet. Some complain about the number of choices, I can agree but on the other hand, there is always enough selections to find something that should appeal to everyone. One of the complaints is the size of the entrees: yes, they are small, but there is less waste that way and you can always order more than one. If there is a special veggie you want or a baked potato always ask, many times they can get it for you. I will add, in our opinion the breakfast and lunch buffets are the best on NCL.

As for Boston's opinion of the beds? Wow, we have sailed the Pearl and the beds were like sleeping on a cloud. I don't suggest she try princess if she thinks the beds on NCL are bad. Yes, the cabins are smaller than Carnival, not quite as small as she experienced I don't think, but we all have different ideas.

Nita

I don't post often...but, I felt this post I should as I have direct experience relating to the question. I have sailed Carnival 4 times and just returned from NCL Spirit (Oct. 16) sailing. Going into the cruise I thought NCL would "blow Carnival out of the water"...but, sadly they did not.

My thoughts on NCL vs. Carnival (again, my thoughts and each cruiser is different!).

1. The beds on the Spirit were horrific. Might as well have been sleeping on the floor. Carnival beds are heavenly!

2. LOVED the freestyle aspect! Carnival could learn a thing or too!

3. NCL seems to allow smoking in more areas; or, I just noticed the smoking way more than on Carnival.

4. Food was barely edible...now, I didn't starve...but Carnival wins hands down in the food department.

5. Enjoyed the layout and decor of the Spirit. Very relaxing.

6. Crew was amazing on NCL as well as on Carnival. I give this one a tie!

7. The NCL Spirit either has no stabilizer's or insufficient stabilizer's...this boat rocked and rolled the entire cruise.

Overall, I would sail NCL again...but, it just didn't "wow" me as I had hoped. Carnival won in a few of the area's that are important to me.

No cruise is a bad cruise!!!

I don't post often...but, I felt this post I should as I have direct experience relating to the question. I have sailed Carnival 4 times and just returned from NCL Spirit (Oct. 16) sailing. Going into the cruise I thought NCL would "blow Carnival out of the water"...but, sadly they did not.

 

My thoughts on NCL vs. Carnival (again, my thoughts and each cruiser is different!).

1. The beds on the Spirit were horrific. Might as well have been sleeping on the floor. Carnival beds are heavenly!

2. LOVED the freestyle aspect! Carnival could learn a thing or too!

3. NCL seems to allow smoking in more areas; or, I just noticed the smoking way more than on Carnival.

4. Food was barely edible...now, I didn't starve...but Carnival wins hands down in the food department.

5. Enjoyed the layout and decor of the Spirit. Very relaxing.

6. Crew was amazing on NCL as well as on Carnival. I give this one a tie!

7. The NCL Spirit either has no stabilizer's or insufficient stabilizer's...this boat rocked and rolled the entire cruise.

 

Overall, I would sail NCL again...but, it just didn't "wow" me as I had hoped. Carnival won in a few of the area's that are important to me.

 

No cruise is a bad cruise!!!

Thanks for your opinion, I am sure it will help the OP and that is what she is looking for. I would disagree on a couple of issues, but yes, everything is subjective: We were on the Spirit this year and the beds were heavily just like you say Carnival beds are. As for food, no the MDR isn't up to par with some lines, but the buffets make up for that. As for stabilizers, remember the seas were pretty rough the past few weeks and the Spirit may not be as large as some of the Carnival ships you have sailed. They do have very good stabilizers, depending on the sea conditions and where you are on a ship will often determine how much rocking and rolling one feels. We just got off a ship that was full (3500 passegers) one night absoulutely no one got any sleep. We really felt the swaying as we were on deck 15 and forward. I am sure that ship had wonderful stabilizers. I can't comment on the smoking issue, but with the exception of the casino I have never been bothered by the smoking on any of the lines the past few years. As for the WOW effect, at least for us, this is no longer an issue with any ship. The more one cruises the less WOW we seem to get. I agree, the Spirit does not have the WOW effect. It is just not a glitzy as the larger Carnival ships.

Nita

Just go and have fun.

NCL bathrooms are a different setup, compartmentalized if you will, and that takes up some cabin space.

Food and shows are good, service has been fine on both too. NCL charges corking fee if you bring your own champagne/wine onboard. I do like the Spinnaker Lounger on NCL.

I think both are good lines and more alike than different. I like variety so I think the various cruiselines' differences contribute to making sailing enjoyable.

RE the fights and puking comment: I have never witnessed this on any ship I've sailed--wait, yes, I think I recall someone did puke since we were in VERY rough seas. Wasn't a big deal.

You didn't say what Carnival ships you have sailed, that might get you some better comparisons.

We have been on Carnival's Spirit class ships, NCL Dawn, NCL Spirit and NCL Jewel.

The Spirit was a refurbished ship from Asia (Orient Lines??) It is much smaller than the Dawn, and same with the CCL ships. It wasn't our favorite ship (running joke on board about your knees hitting the wall when you sit on the john) but those reasons were for the size of our balcony, bed and bathroom. If I remember as well, Blue Lagoon was tiny. BUT--- she was refurbished again, so they may have made some neat changes.

You will find your cabin to be smaller than they are on Carnival ships. If you do not want to be dictated by time or being squeezed on a waiting list for "your time", "anytime" dining NCL is your best bet. If you could care less about dressing to the 9's for dinner, NCL is your cruise line. If you want a lot of food choices, you'll get it with NCL with their specialty restaurant offerings. Since you said "budget", most of us will say food is fairly comparable between the lines, some prefer CCL over NCL.

NCL just changed the menus: on the right side is everyday offerings (NY Strip, chicken breast, penne), left side, specials of the day, including a chef's special that your server will tell you about.

As far as the beds go: for me, it's not my bed, so it takes me a few days to get used to the bed. Our very first cruise (CCL), I woke up crippled. We had a waterbed and this mattress was very firm. I slept on the couch one night, couldn't stand it. Now that I sleep on a firmer mattress, I notice less discomfort with the beds. We go to bed so late and wake up so early that I'm sound asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow:D

Kick back, relax and enjoy. Keep and open mind and don't look to critique every little difference between the lines. It's their differences that keep cruisers coming back to them

hi Nita, im booked on my first ncl cruise for spring break, Im wondering whats different about the passengers or the attitudes compared with carnival? Ive read that ncl has a more 'international' feel to it, where as some describe carnival as very American. I also read somewhere that ncl had a more adult feel to it, as opposed to being very family orientated. maybe im wrong, just what I read. I wonder if you could elaborate on what you thought was the difference in clientele? Im looking foward to freestyle and to trying something new. Thanks!

 

Also can anyone compare deck partys, how does the white hot party compare to carnivals deck party? thanks!

acutally my comment has more to do with the week after Thanksgiving out of NOLA. As for the difference between the Carnival and the NCL passengers, there probably isn't a lot of difference except NCL will be a slightly older crowd (I don't mean old) of course, depending on when your spring break is, either line could be overflowing with kids.

Just relax, keep thinking about your cruise and think about how much you will enjoy the new experience.

Oh, the white hot party is a lot of fun and usually very well attended.

Nita

WOW, I can't believe it's been almost a year since I started this thread. :o I apologize for not posting my comparison as soon as I got back??? Have had a lot of life changing events going on ever since I've been back and just didn't get a round to it....

I'll keep it simple. I found more similarities then differences. All in all, I give Carnival a slight edge. I felt the boarding was a little awkward and didn't flow as well as Carnival. We found ourselves standing around a few times not knowing where to go or what to do next. The beds are not as nice as Carnival but where adequate. Carnival wins big time on over all food quality. NCL crew really didn't seem to care if you where there or not until the last two days before they passed out the score/comment cards.

One huge difference was in the shows. NCL don't hold a candle compared to Carnivals shows. Carnival wins out big time in that category!

Over all, we will give Carnival 1st shot when we cruise. Others will only be considered in there is a huge money difference. Even when it's not about the money, it's about the money! LOL Getting the mostist for the leastist! LOL

WOW, I can't believe it's been almost a year since I started this thread. :o I apologize for not posting my comparison as soon as I got back??? Have had a lot of life changing events going on ever since I've been back and just didn't get a round to it....

 

I'll keep it simple. I found more similarities then differences. All in all, I give Carnival a slight edge. I felt the boarding was a little awkward and didn't flow as well as Carnival. We found ourselves standing around a few times not knowing where to go or what to do next. The beds are not as nice as Carnival but where adequate. Carnival wins big time on over all food quality. NCL crew really didn't seem to care if you where there or not until the last two days before they passed out the score/comment cards.

 

One huge difference was in the shows. NCL don't hold a candle compared to Carnivals shows. Carnival wins out big time in that category!

 

Over all, we will give Carnival 1st shot when we cruise. Others will only be considered in there is a huge money difference. Even when it's not about the money, it's about the money! LOL Getting the mostist for the leastist! LOL

Thanks for the reply...we wanted a quick Veteran's Day weekend getaway and decided to try NCL for the first time. We are going on the SKY. I realize that it is a smaller ship and things might be different that you experienced but I hope we won't be too disappointed. We cruised on the CCL Ecstasy in Jan/Feb which I am guessing should be comparable. So we plan on using that as a measuring stick and not the CCL Dream that we sailed on in June.

WOW, I can't believe it's been almost a year since I started this thread. :o I apologize for not posting my comparison as soon as I got back??? Have had a lot of life changing events going on ever since I've been back and just didn't get a round to it....

 

I'll keep it simple. I found more similarities then differences. All in all, I give Carnival a slight edge. I felt the boarding was a little awkward and didn't flow as well as Carnival. We found ourselves standing around a few times not knowing where to go or what to do next. The beds are not as nice as Carnival but where adequate. Carnival wins big time on over all food quality. NCL crew really didn't seem to care if you where there or not until the last two days before they passed out the score/comment cards.

 

One huge difference was in the shows. NCL don't hold a candle compared to Carnivals shows. Carnival wins out big time in that category!

 

Over all, we will give Carnival 1st shot when we cruise. Others will only be considered in there is a huge money difference. Even when it's not about the money, it's about the money! LOL Getting the mostist for the leastist! LOL

Looks like you haven't sailed on Carnival in a couple of years but have a cruise booked for December. Let us know if you notice any of the "cut-backs" people are talking about. I only have one Carnival cruise to compare to NCL, but your opinion on entertainment is interesting. There was very little entertainment to talk about in the cruise I was on. Much of it was passengers participating in games, karaoke, and a couple of production shows.

Looks like you haven't sailed on Carnival in a couple of years but have a cruise booked for December. Let us know if you notice any of the "cut-backs" people are talking about. I only have one Carnival cruise to compare to NCL, but your opinion on entertainment is interesting. There was very little entertainment to talk about in the cruise I was on. Much of it was passengers participating in games, karaoke, and a couple of production shows.

I've heard about the cut backs. I hope they're not to bad. Who knows, it may be more like NCL now? I'll post about it when we get back in Dec.

The enterainment I was talking about was the "shows" or how you put it, "production shows". I felt the shows on Carnival where better.I'm sure every ship is different. I can only compare the one NCL ship I was on.