Norwegian vs Carnival

[AuTiger7]

We have never sailed on NCL only Carnival. What are the major positives and negatives that we'll notice on the NCL Spirit vs Carnival?

[tls630]

I'll let you know in about a week. We are leaving tomorrow on the Jewel!

[Punjab]

THE FOOD

There is no comparison!!!

 

NCL's food, in my opinion, is just all around bad.

Carnival's is among the best.

 

I have been on all the major lines and will not go on NCL again. Besides not enjoying the food, Freestyle dinning is just not for me. Meeting new people is fun and Freestyle doesn't lend itself to interpersonal contact.

 

[newmexicoNita]

THE FOOD

There is no comparison!!!

 

NCL's food, in my opinion, is just all around bad.

Carnival's is among the best.

 

I have been on all the major lines and will not go on NCL again. Besides not enjoying the food, Freestyle dinning is just not for me. Meeting new people is fun and Freestyle doesn't lend itself to interpersonal contact.

 

 

sorry to disagree, but Carnival is not among the best, how many lines have you cruised? Some of it is very good, some so so and probably none, bad, but certainly nothing special. I have noticed you rarely post and when you do it is to let people know how wonderful Carnival is. Just an observation...

[Punjab]

Don't be sorry

I have been on all the major cruise line numerous times.

 

I just found the food and selection the be consistently bad compared to the rest.

 

It's all subjective, I even did a second NCL and found the second just as bad as the first. (Dawn/Spirit)

 

No third...

[newmexicoNita]

We have never sailed on NCL only Carnival. What are the major positives and negatives that we'll notice on the NCL Spirit vs Carnival?

 

Here is a comparison in my opinion, but no one has all the right answers. It will be up to each to decide what is best for them:: As with most mass marketed lines the differences are not great:

 

Carnival: positives: larger cabins

good entrees (this depends on the ship and length of cruise. I have had clients come back from the 4 and 5 days cruises almost in tears over how bad the food was. Others on the longer ones, raving about the food.

lots of fun things to do if you are into the party scene

some of the ships sail out of Texas which can be a positive, depending on where you live.

lots of ship choices.

STill has traditional dining for those who like it.

 

NCL: more dining choices

great buffets

Blue Lagoon comfort food, nothing, on any line compares.

great bathrooms

 

The same: service, again,depending on the situration it can be great or not so great.

Entertainment, very similar

casinos similar, Carnivals, depending on the ship are larger.

 

Normally NCL will have one more port on a 7 day cruise than Carnival, but not always.

 

I would check price and itinerary and go with the best. We did enjoy our cruise on the Spirit, but the ship is a little older than the rest of NCLs fleet.

 

Nita

[Copper_beeches]

I've only been on Carnival once and NCL just twice, and while I'd call the food situation in general for both ample and adequate, I enjoyed the food on NCL FAR better... they seem to have similar recipes/standards of type of food offered, but I found the overall quality of the ingredients better on NCL... jmho, I certainly didn't go hungry on Carnival but there's nothing that I had that I was like, wow, that was fantastic...

 

I think I got bugged less by drink pushers on deck on Carnival, but felt that there was a more festive atmostphere and more to do on Norwegian. Of course there's also freestyle which I really prefer, I hated having to make it to dinner on schedule and we didn't exactly click with our tablemates so that was akward! Go with an open mind and you'll have a great time!

[wg6530]

THE FOOD

There is no comparison!!!

 

NCL's food, in my opinion, is just all around bad.

Carnival's is among the best.

 

I have been on all the major lines and will not go on NCL again. Besides not enjoying the food, Freestyle dinning is just not for me. Meeting new people is fun and Freestyle doesn't lend itself to interpersonal contact.

 

 

Well, there's no accounting for taste, Punjab!.

 

I felt the food and service were mediocre on Carnival Splendor. I thought the main dining room menus were dull. Some of the food may even have been unsafe (still frozen in the center). Assistant waiter was MIA, so service was painfully slow (no water or bread refills). Perhaps they had a really, really bad week in the dining rooms when I was aboard. The breakfast buffets had less selection than any other line I have sailed. I liked the lunch buffet with the burritto bar and Mongolian Grill. Long lines, but worth the wait. Unfortunately, the best parts of the buffet were closed for dinner, with only a few puny dinner buffet options, making it hard to avoid the main dining room mess.

 

I generally found the food on Norwegian to be fair to good. Main menus are more interesting. Better breakfast and dinner buffets. On some cruises the fish seem past its prime; on other cruises the fish was OK.

 

Service varies a bit on NCL freestyle. Some crew are excellent, others so-so.

 

Rooms tend to be a bit smaller on NCL than Carnival, but the public spaces are more generous. RThe cabins are laid out well, so the size is no big deal to me. NCL has some fun and funky areas, but lacks some of the insane decorating seen on Carnival.

 

The extras NCL offers suite guests are far superior to Carnival's. If you want to spring for a suite, do it on NCL.

[uppitycats]

I've cruised on both. I really dislike Carnival's overall atmosphere. I think it starts with what I consider gaudy cheap decor, loud and flashy, and it seems to "rub off" on the clientele, who come across loud and flashy. My husband describes Carnival ships as "Las Vegas on the cheap". Carnival definitely has lots to do -- always activities going on in all corners of the ship, and it's hard to find a quiet place to just sit and enjoy the scenery, or read, or have a quiet conversation. I'm glad that they have moved to having a choice of "anytime dining"; at least I don't have to put up with strangers at dinner anymore.

 

Having said that, the food was good to excellent, the staff courteous and helpful. Their handicap-accessible cabin (I use a wheelchair) was HUGE, well-appointed. The public areas of the ship were well laid out. A downside -- there were no accessible bathroms (that I could find) in public areas, meaning I had to return to the cabin whenever I needed a bathroom.

 

NCL: I do think the food wasn't as good as it was on Carnival...but there were plenty of choices, and I had the best lamb EVER in one of the specialty restaurants. Their "freestyle" dining suits us just fine -- being able to eat when we want to eat, either by ourselves or with others we've met on the cruise; being able to dress more casually (no "formal" nights, no suits). The decor is more subdued, the staff less fawning and over-solicitous, but very courteous, helpful, and efficient. While there were plenty of bars, I didn't see or experience any raucous behavior, just people having a good time. There were plenty of activities, but also plenty of quiet spots where you could get away from the crowds.

 

I cruise based primarily on itinerary, vs. a particular line. If Carnival had a unique itinerary that I couldn't find elsewhere, I'd cruise on a Carnival ship again. I'd also cruise on NCL.

[Leafpeeper]

Some people like to stay with one cruiseline and people like me enjoy variety so we try to sail on a different cruiseline each time we take a cruise. For us, variety is the spice of life.

 

What we love on NCL is the choice of eating in a different restaurant each night. There are several: Japanese, Italian, French, Mexican, Steak House, Chinese, a formal dining room and a less formal smaller main dining room as well. The 2 main dining rooms are free and offer traditional dining (same time each night--just register in main dining room first night of cruise). The specialty restaurants vary in price from $10pp to $25. When you arrive at a dining room or restaurant, they will ask you if you would like to dine with others or prefer your own table. We love that. Our favorite NCL restaurants are the Asian and French (LeBistro). NCL did a great job with the decor in each of their restaurants. Some are small and very romantic. That is what we miss when we are on other cruiselines. DH spends his $ in the casino so it doesn't bother me to pay $10 or $15 for a specialty restaurant. Sometimes NCL runs 2 for 1 specials for early dining.

 

We are taking a cruise on Carnival Feb 22. We usually take one Carnival cruise each year--great prices and good food and entertainment. DH enjoys the Carnival casino games. I like the pizza and salad 24 hours, but the Blue Lagoon on NCL is great for chicken wings, fish and chips, burgers, etc. 24 hours.

 

We love dancing to the bands on NCL late night after the theater. NCL does have great entertainment that is a bit different from other cruiselines. That is why we like taking different cruiselines each time we take a trip.

 

Best of all on NCL are the martini clinics, margarita clinics, wine tasting, beer tasting, you name it (5 drinks $15). You can share the drinks too.

[zqvol]

The FOOD!

 

NCL is much better. (Having said that neither is all that good. Certainly not any better than a typical chain restaurant. It is certainly not gourmet.)

 

The only other real difference is that NCL has more restaurants to choose from (in addition to the main dining room, which is much better than Carnivals).

 

Everything else is about the same.

[newmexicoNita]

The FOOD!

 

NCL is much better. (Having said that neither is all that good. Certainly not any better than a typical chain restaurant. It is certainly not gourmet.)

 

The only other real difference is that NCL has more restaurants to choose from (in addition to the main dining room, which is much better than Carnivals).

 

Everything else is about the same.

 

your right, not gourmet. It is pretty hard to be a gourmet dining room with 2000 plus to cook for even with all the dining choices. I would rate the food in the NDRs about like a mddle of the road chain restaurant the specialy dining rooms like steak houses about 4 star maybe..

Nita

[arpie05]

I logged into the NCL thread to see if I could find out more about the canceling in Vancouver. I think both lines have positives and negatives. Yes Blue Lagoon is nice but it was always so busy when we were there that you could never get a table - plus on the Star it is located in basically a hallway so it was annoying to have to walk through there to get across the ship.

 

I have issues with having to pay the extra for the dining areas. I think the upcharges are too high. The Japanese teppen place charges more than I pay at home for the same food. I wouldn't MIND paying the charges if the cruise was cheaper than CCL but I have found it to always be more. (and the tips on NCL is $12 vs $10 on CCL - and on CCL you can remove - NCL states on their policy you can't (I am sure you can if you throw a fit).

 

Also since NCL is smaller than CCL - it is so difficult to find a NCL ship to sail on. They sail from NOLA during the school year. They are going to do the same for Port Canaveral later this year. Living in the middle of the country - I don't want to spend a large sum of money traveling to my vacation. I can fly to Port Canveral for less than $150 round trip (Sometimes under $100) pp or drive for $75-100 each way in gas to a Gulf Port. NCL just aren't convenient.

 

I hate traveling through Miami which is where the cheap cruise tends to leave from.

 

I am not saying I wouldn't book NCL - I just prefer a set dining time (though CCL has the flex time now - we tried it and didn't like) because we like the same servers. Yes you can request the same on both with flexible dining - but with set time, it seems like they take more care and cater to you.

 

I think the food on Carnival is yummy. I found on NCL in the afternoon around 4 pm that I couldn't find any food as the buffet area was closed. Our dinners on both have been fine - no issues except on NCL a server didn't like when I asked for a 2nd appetizer. My food had already arrived and it would have thrown the schedule off. I said I would take it after my meal and got the 2nd spinach tart. The Spinach tart and chocolate cake from the mexican restaurant are my two memorable foods. On CCL, I have a longer list.

[ShedQueen77]

sorry to disagree, but Carnival is not among the best, how many lines have you cruised? Some of it is very good, some so so and probably none, bad, but certainly nothing special. I have noticed you rarely post and when you do it is to let people know how wonderful Carnival is. Just an observation...

 

Porthole magazine consistently has Carnival's food listed as some of the best at sea. Celebrity beat Carnival this year, but Carnival was top of the heap for a few years running, if I recall correctly.

 

ETA- Just wanted to add that cruise ship food on the whole has really not impressed me at all. I don't starve, but I definitely have eaten better. ;)

[newmexicoNita]

I logged into the NCL thread to see if I could find out more about the canceling in Vancouver. I think both lines have positives and negatives. Yes Blue Lagoon is nice but it was always so busy when we were there that you could never get a table - plus on the Star it is located in basically a hallway so it was annoying to have to walk through there to get across the ship.

 

I have issues with having to pay the extra for the dining areas. I think the upcharges are too high. The Japanese teppen place charges more than I pay at home for the same food. I wouldn't MIND paying the charges if the cruise was cheaper than CCL but I have found it to always be more. (and the tips on NCL is $12 vs $10 on CCL - and on CCL you can remove - NCL states on their policy you can't (I am sure you can if you throw a fit).

 

Also since NCL is smaller than CCL - it is so difficult to find a NCL ship to sail on. They sail from NOLA during the school year. They are going to do the same for Port Canaveral later this year. Living in the middle of the country - I don't want to spend a large sum of money traveling to my vacation. I can fly to Port Canveral for less than $150 round trip (Sometimes under $100) pp or drive for $75-100 each way in gas to a Gulf Port. NCL just aren't convenient.

 

I hate traveling through Miami which is where the cheap cruise tends to leave from.

 

I am not saying I wouldn't book NCL - I just prefer a set dining time (though CCL has the flex time now - we tried it and didn't like) because we like the same servers. Yes you can request the same on both with flexible dining - but with set time, it seems like they take more care and cater to you.

 

I think the food on Carnival is yummy. I found on NCL in the afternoon around 4 pm that I couldn't find any food as the buffet area was closed. Our dinners on both have been fine - no issues except on NCL a server didn't like when I asked for a 2nd appetizer. My food had already arrived and it would have thrown the schedule off. I said I would take it after my meal and got the 2nd spinach tart. The Spinach tart and chocolate cake from the mexican restaurant are my two memorable foods. On CCL, I have a longer list.

 

some of what you say is opinion and I am sure, to you are right, some has nothing to do with the OPs question: which line to take? Obviously he/she is aware of the number of ships, but more is not always better. Carnival has some pretty old ships and those are the ones so many complain about..They are also the ones the cruise out of places like Galveston.

 

You find the upcharge on NCL too high, but overall they are not as high as Carnival so I am not sure of your point there and as for pricing, normally NCL is less, not more for similar ships and intineraries. As for your comparing of food and food quality, yes, that is subjective and I am sure you are not the only person that really likes Carnival's food better. Yes, the tipping issue, especially if there are more of you in the family is certainly something to consider. For 2 people, $14 on a 7 day cruise isn't much, for a family it can amount up.

 

I do see you have cruised once, about 5 years ago on NCL and 7 times on Carnival. I would say you are a very strong Carnival supporter so maybe you are a slight bet biased. That is ok, we all are.. LOL

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

Porthole magazine consistently has Carnival's food listed as some of the best at sea. Celebrity beat Carnival this year, but Carnival was top of the heap for a few years running, if I recall correctly.

 

ETA- Just wanted to add that cruise ship food on the whole has really not impressed me at all. I don't starve, but I definitely have eaten better. ;)

 

I am aware of that, but food is still subjective. As you can see, I am far from the only one on this board that prefers NCL over Carnival and not in every dept. Some of Carnival food I think is better. I happen to be one that is not impressed with Celebrity's food either. I think Princess and HAL is better and no food on a ship is 5 Star, that we have already said. I was just giving my opinion of the two lines, which is what I think the OP asked for, our opinions..I will add, I am also one of those that puts very little into what these magazines have to say or surveys period for that matter. they can be political polls, studies, whatever. Anyone can make them say just about anything or they are opinions, just like we are giving. I put a lot more into what someone that has experiencd both than I do in what is printed in the media. I guess, in this case one needs to have experienced both Carnival and NCL to have an honest opinion.

 

Nita

[amistad]

In the past we had sailed RCCL alot, and Carnival, HAL, MSC, Radisson, Celebrity, and Princess. Last year we tried NCL, convienence to the port New Orleans is only 3 to 4 hour flight compared to 7 hours for California or Florida for us. We also thought the prices for the 3rd or 4th passenger were better and I like 4 port stops on a 7 day cruise, it seems like lately RCCL and Carnival have cut back to 3 . I was nervous, I had read about how horrible the food was and that the service was non-existant. Both of those statements were untrue. We really enjoyed our cruise on the Spirit, the buffet was very good and the dining room food was fine, not the best and not the worst. We did ask for the same server each night and never had to wait more then 2 minutes for a table. The Casino has entertainment on a few nights and that was fun, the bedding was good, cabin was a little smaller then Carnival, shows were just as good as the others and really if you cruise with one line more then others it is nice to have some variety. I don't think there is alot of difference between any of the lines, but one nice thing I did notice on NCL is that you can stay in your cabin on disembarkation day until your color is called, so you don't have to wait in some hallway or lounge. Your cruise will be what you make of it, relax and enjoy yourselves. We have been on nine with Carnival and the most recent one was last August, we are booked to go NCL Spirit in March and we will try to book one for fall with whichever cruise line has the best price, iten. and most interesting ports. I think they are all good and each one does something a little better then the others, but in general they are all about the same.

[newmexicoNita]

In the past we had sailed RCCL alot, and Carnival, HAL, MSC, Radisson, Celebrity, and Princess. Last year we tried NCL, convienence to the port New Orleans is only 3 to 4 hour flight compared to 7 hours for California or Florida for us. We also thought the prices for the 3rd or 4th passenger were better and I like 4 port stops on a 7 day cruise, it seems like lately RCCL and Carnival have cut back to 3 . I was nervous, I had read about how horrible the food was and that the service was non-existant. Both of those statements were untrue. We really enjoyed our cruise on the Spirit, the buffet was very good and the dining room food was fine, not the best and not the worst. We did ask for the same server each night and never had to wait more then 2 minutes for a table. The Casino has entertainment on a few nights and that was fun, the bedding was good, cabin was a little smaller then Carnival, shows were just as good as the others and really if you cruise with one line more then others it is nice to have some variety. I don't think there is alot of difference between any of the lines, but one nice thing I did notice on NCL is that you can stay in your cabin on disembarkation day until your color is called, so you don't have to wait in some hallway or lounge. Your cruise will be what you make of it, relax and enjoy yourselves. We have been on nine with Carnival and the most recent one was last August, we are booked to go NCL Spirit in March and we will try to book one for fall with whichever cruise line has the best price, iten. and most interesting ports. I think they are all good and each one does something a little better then the others, but in general they are all about the same.

 

Perfect analogy.(spelling) Each line has its own personality, but basically the main stream lines, especially RCI, Carn and NCL are very similar, Princess also I think. HAL and Celebrity are a little different.

 

Nita

[amistad]

You were one of the main reasons I tried NCL last year, you alway's seem to have good advice and I figured that if HAL was one of your preferred lines how could NCL be that bad, because HAL has good food and service. I really enjoyed the relaxation factor that NCL offered me and my family, and we had plenty of formal pictures from the past so no need to take formal clothes.

[stegosaurus1]

I wish I could be close to New Orleans, green with envy for two reasons. New Orleans is a wonderful port city, easy on easy off and the city is wonderful, so much to do and see. Secondly the NCL Spirit is there, she's our favorite. On the small side, (cabinwise) but her outside spaces are the best we have ever experienced, what a dream to be on her and she's so pretty. The Epic is new and big and flashy but we like smaller and a little like the old ways. Wish Cleveland was a little closer. Barb:)

[amistad]

I wish I could be close to New Orleans, green with envy for two reasons. New Orleans is a wonderful port city, easy on easy off and the city is wonderful, so much to do and see. Secondly the NCL Spirit is there, she's our favorite. On the small side, (cabinwise) but her outside spaces are the best we have ever experienced, what a dream to be on her and she's so pretty. The Epic is new and big and flashy but we like smaller and a little like the old ways. Wish Cleveland was a little closer. Barb:)

We are only an hour and a half flight from Galveston, but they alway's only offer 3 ports and one is usually Jamaica (not one of my favorites) so New Orleans is a good option. We love the city, you can walk to so much and we alway's have to make a donation at Harrah's. If Carnival offered 4 ports from New Orleans that were a little different I would mix it up a bit, but Freeport is not one of our favorites either and the price is alway's high when I want to go. You are right about the Spirit it is a nice ship and my Grandson loved the kids pool area last year he was 2 and potty trained so he had great fun.

[AFuncruiser]

My favorite ship is what ever one I find myself on. I think the food is about the same on all the mass market lines. From my reading I suspect Norwegian cruise lines books cruises well past the time their ships are due for a dry-dock refurbishing.

I am not happy that Carnival on most of their ships does not have a front facing lounge.

I am most unhappy that NCL will not let you bring wine on board with out charging a corkage fee unlike Holland America who allows unlimited wine on board and Carnival and Celebrity who allow some wine on board with out corkage.

 

Dennis

Jacksonville, Fl

 

387 days at sea

33 cruises

11 cruise lines

T/P, T/A, Hawaii, Central & South America, New Zealand & South Pacific

Booked

21 day TA HAL Prinsondam May 2010

12 day TA Norwegian Sun Oct 2010

[newmexicoNita]

My favorite ship is what ever one I find myself on. I think the food is about the same on all the mass market lines. From my reading I suspect Norwegian cruise lines books cruises well past the time their ships are due for a dry-dock refurbishing.

I am not happy that Carnival on most of their ships does not have a front facing lounge.

I am most unhappy that NCL will not let you bring wine on board with out charging a corkage fee unlike Holland America who allows unlimited wine on board and Carnival and Celebrity who allow some wine on board with out corkage.

 

Dennis

Jacksonville, Fl

 

387 days at sea

33 cruises

11 cruise lines

T/P, T/A, Hawaii, Central & South America, New Zealand & South Pacific

Booked

21 day TA HAL Prinsondam May 2010

12 day TA Norwegian Sun Oct 2010

 

totally agree on the wine and booze part, but as for the dry docking, actually I would say, visa versa, NCL is very good at updating their ships and keeping them in good condition. The one thing you might be referring to is: the engine problems but this is something many ships have had trouble with in the past 5 or so years: get it fixed, break down, get it fixed, break down. NLC used to buy thier ships built or partially built from many different companys so nothing was uniform. Now they have a very young fleet and most of the ships do a dry dock about every 3 years. Oh, just re-read your message, are you referring to the mix up or whatever on the Sun this fall? Yes, someone dropped the ball big time there.

 

Food, so right, the mid priced, mass marketed lines are all similar.

 

Nita

[FLCRUISINGCPL]

Don't be sorry

I have been on all the major cruise line numerous times.

 

I just found the food and selection the be consistently bad compared to the rest.

 

It's all subjective, I even did a second NCL and found the second just as bad as the first. (Dawn/Spirit)

 

No third...

 

All of us are entitled to our opinion, however, I STRONGLY DISAGREE, we have had great experience on NCL and Carnival. We are sure Carnival will be pleased to know you will e booking with them on your next cruise. No cruise line has been bad, just some better than others Punjab. Sorry you feel so strongly about your experience.

[JLMonboard]

I don't know but, I'm anxious to find out. I've been on Carnival and loved it. I've never sailed on NCL, but am in November. I'll be interested to read other's opinions.