Norwegian vs Carnival

[DocJohnB]

sorry to disagree, but Carnival is not among the best, how many lines have you cruised?

 

Well, between these two lines, Carnival food, IMO, is much, much better.

 

Actually, IMO, Carnival is the better of the two lines, by far.

[ShedQueen77]

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

 

Of course, you're entitled to sharing your opinion. I was just putting some more information out there! :) I personally didn't get too excited about any of the food on our cruises. I didn't starve but I have definitely eaten better. Food is definitely VERY subjective so it's really difficult to say what is good or not. I'm hoping that I like NCL too!

[AuTiger7]

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.

 

Are you going on the Spirit during Spring Break? We wanted to sail out of Texas for Spring break but the prices are sky high and then some.

[MrPete]

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...

 

It's been years since I've been on NCL, so my opinion might be discounted, but I found the food to be quite good.

[windjammerB&C]

after cruising on both lines. ccl beats ncl in every aspect-food-service-cabin size-entertainment-and price.would i cruise ncl again-yes-why, because i have never had a bad cruise:)

[newmexicoNita]

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.

 

now, if they would just sail out of Houston and do a decent, new itineerary. I see you are going to try the Spirit. we liked it and would sail on her again in a second.

 

I bet you found HAL and NCL very different didin't you. I just booked some clients the other day, that are friends as well and we have sailed with them in the past. They couldn't decide between the two lines out of Ca. They too choose the Star, partly because of the casual atmosphere, no lugging all the dress clothes and they like the energy on NCL compared to HAL. By the way, they are in my age group: much older than many of you.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Well, between these two lines, Carnival food, IMO, is much, much better.

 

Actually, IMO, Carnival is the better of the two lines, by far.

 

and we all have the right to our opinions. I think, more than anything, we like what we are comfortable with..One persons experience can be very different from another persons. I know how you feel, you have posted your feelings many times. I would guess, if we kept track we would find it pretty 50/50 as to which is viewed as better..Of course then we throw in there RCI and Princess..

Nita

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

after cruising on both lines. ccl beats ncl in every aspect-food-service-cabin size-entertainment-and price.would i cruise ncl again-yes-why, because i have never had a bad cruise:)

 

You were obviously not in a suite. ;)

 

Hey Nita...just noticed that you've been on CC for 8 years now...I'm one month behind you...and about 20,000 posts. :)

[STARFISH*4]

i havent been on Carnival since 2004 but it was a FUN TIME...PARTY atmosphere, something ALWAYs going on...the food was OKAY....i have cruised with NCL my last 6 cruises....7 in dec and its the OVERALL experience including price and WE LOVE FREESTYLE that keeps us coming back to NCL and too have to say on the JEWEL last week, some of the BEST FOOD and GOOD BUFFET....LOVE the addition of CHICKEN CORDON BLEU to the menu...(new to us-never have had on a cruise before)!!!

[newmexicoNita]

You were obviously not in a suite. ;)

 

Hey Nita...just noticed that you've been on CC for 8 years now...I'm one month behind you...and about 20,000 posts. :)

 

ok, so you find more things to do with your life than play on the computer, cook, play bridge and do some travel selling??? LOL

[BigMattT]

I have had clients come back from the 4 and 5 days cruises almost in tears over how bad the food was.

 

LOL -- the mental image of that was too much. Nearly spit out my coffee.

 

"The filet mignon... was just so *lip quivers* ...poorly cooked."

 

Client wasn't Glenn Beck, was it? :o)

 

 

Agreed though, longer cruises = better food. Was really pleasantly surprised by Carnivals food though after reading about how everyone panned it. I wager I'll be pleasantly surprised by NCL in the same way.

[newmexicoNita]

LOL -- the mental image of that was too much. Nearly spit out my coffee.

 

"The filet mignon... was just so *lip quivers* ...poorly cooked."

 

Client wasn't Glenn Beck, was it? :o)

 

 

Agreed though, longer cruises = better food. Was really pleasantly surprised by Carnivals food though after reading about how everyone panned it. I wager I'll be pleasantly surprised by NCL in the same way.

 

hope you do: the two clients and it has been very recently, both as I said were on the shorter cruises and both somewhat veterans. No, not Glenn Beck, for some reason I can't quite picture him on say, the Fantasy? And I can't imagine having him as a client, don't know if that is good or bad, but I will leave it right there.

 

As for me personally, I have never really been on a cruise where the food was not at least satisfactory..

 

Nita

[MSPCUBS]

i have been on NCL, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America. Although Holland America is my favorite, I would travel on any of these. I pick a ship based on itinerary and cost. For me, the ship is just the means to get to the destinations.

[Azure Moon]

My likes of both lines.

 

- NCL -

 

* Less areas of indoor smoking, so we can use more of the entertainment and bar areas. Love this!!!. Thank you NCL! :cool:

* Ship decor, inside and out. Awesome hull art, wall murals, famous artist pieces in glass and paintings.

* Buffet. Awesome selection, not greasy, can eat healthier.

* Musical entertainment. Totally blown away by the live music. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the piano playing, the bands and singers.

* The crew, staff, and officers. Friendly and will approach guests to see how you are doing, just say hello, help you out even if you didn't ask for assistance, stop by your dining table and make a suggestion if something is particularly good that day. :cool::cool::cool: PS - you don't even need to be platinum or a VIP for them to be friendly or helpful, and THAT IS VERY COOL!!! :)

* Cabin bathrooms have shower doors instead of shower curtains.

* Cabins - Not size wise, at least in the insides and balcony cabins we've been in, but in the lighting by the bed(s)(LOVE that the lighting is on the wall rather than on the nightstands), storage areas - closet, shelving, drawers, hanging area.

* The variety of restaurants - Italian, French, Asian (3), Mexican, Steakhouse, 24 hour.

* Activities - Nice shuffleboard court, big chess set, multi-purpose courts,

ping pong, bowling, rock climbing, Wii.

* Movie theater.

* Library and card/game rooms.

* Entertainment - Magician, comedians, jugglers.

 

- Carnival -

 

* Self-serve laundry rooms. So incredibly helpful and handy to have these available!!!!! YAY to Carnival for providing these

* Main dining room food. West Indian Roasted Pumpkin Soup, crab cake, Baked Stuffed White Mushrooms...Y*U.M*M.Y!!!

* Frozen Soft-serve chocolate yogurt.

* Specialty food windows - Pizza, Fish & Chips, Indian, Deli.

* Desserts -Hubby's: Warm Chocolate Melting Cake, Mine: Spa Carnival (diet) cakes in Orange, Coconut, Mango, and Banana flavors. Oh!my!!goodness!!!

* Cabin size (We've been in: Inside and Ocean view)

* Theater production shows.

* Theater seating on the main floor - love the tables to set drinks on.

* Supper club/Steakhouse - d*e*l*i*c*i*o*u*s filet mignon, lobster bisque, crab cake, and chocolate sampler platter!!!!!!! Y.U.M.M.Y

* Crew

* Seaside Theater. Love watching movies outside with the nice sea breeze and stars. Like being at a drive-in movie, only better.

* Lemonade that is available in the self-serve drink stations.

[bar_20]

I just checked and NCL is offering 17 cruises leaving out of NO this year.

 

Have you ever decreased your tips from the normal $10-12 per day charge? I haven't and know no one who has!

 

I don't care what ship your on, when a major event ends, there are going to be a whole lot of people around venues, such as food courts, bars, the photo shop, etc.

 

I live on the West Coast and we have far fewer cruises leaving from our coast than leave from the East Coast. I have to pay far more money to fly to Miami than if I lived in the Midwest, plus I have to go through 3 time zones, which requires a nights stay in a hotel. It's your right to complain but get your facts straight first.

[amistad]

Are you going on the Spirit during Spring Break? We wanted to sail out of Texas for Spring break but the prices are sky high and then some.

The March 7th sailing and it has been full now for a few weeks already. It seems like the Texas port sailings are alway's much higher then Florida or even New Orleans and I love the Caribbean, the Pacific ocean just isn't the same and it is alway's so cool on the California coast. I wish Princess and NCL would put a ship in Texas again and give Carnival and RCCL some competition.

[amistad]

now, if they would just sail out of Houston and do a decent, new itineerary. I see you are going to try the Spirit. we liked it and would sail on her again in a second.

 

I bet you found HAL and NCL very different didin't you. I just booked some clients the other day, that are friends as well and we have sailed with them in the past. They couldn't decide between the two lines out of Ca. They too choose the Star, partly because of the casual atmosphere, no lugging all the dress clothes and they like the energy on NCL compared to HAL. By the way, they are in my age group: much older than many of you.

 

Nita

I do love HAL, but they are much more formal in my opinion. This time we are booked in an AC suite so it should be great, last year we had a balcony and really enjoyed our NCL experience. I like not taking extra baggage and excitement isn't a factor for us anymore relaxation is what I have been trying for the last few years. If I could take 2 of my favorite things from each cruise line and put them in one I would be in Heaven. I guess that's why they all have their own clientel that they cater to. That would be an interesting thread if everyone took all of their experience from past cruises and picked two items and made up their perfect imaginary cruise line.