Which would you choose?

[editor@cruisecritic]

Curious about pricing. Checked post-Thanksgiving cruises in Caribbean (low season). Norwegian Epic's courtyard villas are $500 per person per day. Seabourn's new Sojourn? $350 per person, per day. Which one would you choose? Why?

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

[cb at sea]

I'd do Seabourn over NCL anyday!

[copper6606]

Me too- hands down!!! No comparison!:o

[MightyQuinn]

Norwegian Epic's courtyard villas are $500 per person per day. Seabourn's new Sojourn? $350 per person, per day. Which one would you choose?

No contest. We wouldn't cruise Norwegian Epic at any price so that's not a contender. Seabourn Sojourn is more to our style & interest. And with excellent promos on many of luxury lines, it seems to be a great time to give them a try. Waiting with anticipation to receive the latest Seabourn brochure. :):)

[Texas Tillie]

Leave the cocoon of the villa and you're on a mass market ship with incessant loud speaker announcements looking to separate passengers from their money, crowds of people, mediocre food, etc. No contest here!

 

Patty

[Travelcat2]

You are comparing a mass market cruiseline with a luxury cruiseline. It is like comparing apples and oranges. It is difficult to believe that these suites on NCL cost more than suites on Seabourn. You get what you pay for. Seabourn is all-inclusive -- NCL is not. It is almost like asking if you want to stay at the Ritz Carlton or the Holiday Inn. Once you leave the area of the NCL courtyard villas, you are on a huge mass market ship. I find it interseting that mass market cruiselines think they have some ultra elite suites on their huge ship and believe that the passengers will have a luxury experience. . . . . . NOT!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Curious about pricing. Checked post-Thanksgiving cruises in Caribbean (low season). Norwegian Epic's courtyard villas are $500 per person per day. Seabourn's new Sojourn? $350 per person, per day. Which one would you choose? Why?

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

 

Are you serious? I agree with everything that's been said. I certainly would not spend that kind of money on NCL. Why would you, of all people, ask this question?

 

That's a darned good price for the Seabourn cruise, very attractive.

[wripro]

The reason those villas on NCL cost so much is that they are 5000 square feet. But who cares? The minute you leave it you're in Las Vegas. If I wanted to just stay in a 5000 sq, ft. enclave I'd stay home.

[Travelcat2]

I suppose if NCL had it's own "luxury" section that did not have to interact with the rest of the ship, it might work. It require a couple of restaurants, a swimming pool & jacuzzi and gift shop (at a minimum) for the use only by those in the luxury section. Oh, they would need to have a separate area to embark and disembark the ship. Making it all-inclusive would seal the package.:confused:

 

Just went to the website and learned that they do, indeed, have their private areas. In terms of 5,000 sq. feet, I'm not sure where that number comes from. Perhaps it is including some of the outdoor areas accessible only by guests staying at a Suite or Villa? The following is from the NCL website.

 

 

Privacy without parallel.

The Villas is the biggest suite complex at sea and includes an array of Suites and Villas on two private decks at the top of the ship. Hidden away and accessible only by private elevator, the secluded Courtyard Area boasts a private pool, two hot tubs, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor/outdoor dining and a bar/nightclub. And, of course, the butler and concierge are there to cater to your every whim.

 

 

 

Courtyard Villa

• Sleeps up to 6 guests

• 46 available

• Access to Concierge Lounge

• Combined living and dining area

• Two luxurious bathrooms with separate shower

• Queen-size bed

• Additional children’s bedroom

• Exclusive access to Courtyard Area

• Exclusive access to The Epic Club (dining)

 

 

 

 

 

Courtyard Penthouse and Penthouse*

• Sleeps 2 guests

• 6 Courtyard Penthouses available in The Villas complex

• 7 Penthouses available on aft decks 10-13*

• Access to Concierge Lounge

• Living and dining area

• Luxurious bathroom

• Exclusive access to Courtyard Area

• Exclusive access to The Epic Club (dining)

[kitty9]

I wouldn't do an NCL cruise again even if it were free. Sorry, Laura, but this is not a question for the luxury cruising board. Nothing about NCL is luxury, not even their villa suites. I'd prefer to stay in my 5200sqft home than in an NCL villa

[martinsfo]

I have never been on either line, however, Seaborne hands down.

[flag fan]

I think it is a closer call than the other posters. With the Epic Courtyard Villa you get a lot more space, some exclusive dining and deck areas, and assistance through a concierge (I'm surprised there are no butlers, though). In the main part of the ship you also get more dining, activity, and entertainment options than on Seabourn. On the other hand, I suspect the service will be better on Seabourn, the food will be better, and there won't be all the lines and crowding. Given the price difference and that Epic is just plain ugly (from the outside, in my humble opinion), I would opt for Seabourn, but NCL fills those suites, so there are a lot of people that are going for the large luxury accommodations on a main-stream line and I don't fault them for that choice. Everyone has different priorities.

[Travelcat2]

I think it is a closer call than the other posters. With the Epic Courtyard Villa you get a lot more space, some exclusive dining and deck areas, and assistance through a concierge (I'm surprised there are no butlers, though). In the main part of the ship you also get more dining, activity, and entertainment options than on Seabourn. On the other hand, I suspect the service will be better on Seabourn, the food will be better, and there won't be all the lines and crowding. Given the price difference and that Epic is just plain ugly (from the outside, in my humble opinion), I would opt for Seabourn, but NCL fills those suites, so there are a lot of people that are going for the large luxury accommodations on a main-stream line and I don't fault them for that choice. Everyone has different priorities.

 

They do have a butler. Although it is interesting, and I have no interest whatsoever in going on a small Seabourn ship (would do the Seabourn Sojourn). . . . . I would take any luxury line over a mainstream cruise line with a luxury area. JMO.

[keithm]

I suppose if NCL had it's own "luxury" section that did not have to interact with the rest of the ship, it might work. It require a couple of restaurants, a swimming pool & jacuzzi and gift shop (at a minimum) for the use only by those in the luxury section. Oh, they would need to have a separate area to embark and disembark the ship. Making it all-inclusive would seal the package.:confused:

 

Just went to the website and learned that they do, indeed, have their private areas. In terms of 5,000 sq. feet, I'm not sure where that number comes from. Perhaps it is including some of the outdoor areas accessible only by guests staying at a Suite or Villa? The following is from the NCL website.

 

 

Privacy without parallel.

The Villas is the biggest suite complex at sea and includes an array of Suites and Villas on two private decks at the top of the ship. Hidden away and accessible only by private elevator, the secluded Courtyard Area boasts a private pool, two hot tubs, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor/outdoor dining and a bar/nightclub. And, of course, the butler and concierge are there to cater to your every whim.

 

 

 

Courtyard Villa

• Sleeps up to 6 guests

• 46 available

• Access to Concierge Lounge

• Combined living and dining area

• Two luxurious bathrooms with separate shower

• Queen-size bed

• Additional children’s bedroom

• Exclusive access to Courtyard Area

• Exclusive access to The Epic Club (dining)

 

 

 

 

 

Courtyard Penthouse and Penthouse*

• Sleeps 2 guests

• 6 Courtyard Penthouses available in The Villas complex

• 7 Penthouses available on aft decks 10-13*

• Access to Concierge Lounge

• Living and dining area

• Luxurious bathroom

• Exclusive access to Courtyard Area

• Exclusive access to The Epic Club (dining)

I think combining the Balmoral, Sundringham suites with the 3 duplexes would make quite a suite..over 6500sq. ft.(on the QM2)

[wripro]

The reason these villas are so big is that you probably won't want to leave them to see how awful the rest of the ship is.

[writer100]

The reason these villas are so big is that you probably won't want to leave them to see how awful the rest of the ship is.

Wripro, might be true, but when put into words...May I suggest that CSB is just doing what many editors do, which is to toss a little red meat to the pack, and see what growling opinions emerge.

 

Not that I'm immune. But it would make far more sense, and cost far less, to go to Las Vegas if that is the experience being sought.

 

I wonder--I really am innocent about this--if an analog to the NCL "luxury" offering could be an inside cabin(?) on QE2 or other Cunard vessel, which would offer a whiff of luxury but not much else.

[Sea Monster 2]

Well, I'm late to this thread, but I've cruised Seabourn, most recently Disney's concierge suites (we have a seven-year-old, hence the switch) and am going to be in NCL Epic's Deluxe Owner's Suite next year. It is HUGE, with wrap-around windows (including the bathroom!), butler, concierge, and dedicated restaurant, bar, club area, pool, two sun decks, gym, saunas, priority embarkation/debarkation, and concierge escort/assistance whenever you leave the Courtyard (ie, to go to a show, eat in one of the "public" restaurants or to leave for an excursion). All of this in addition to the normal stuff on a giant ship (and the crowds that entails :cool:). I am actually crazy-excited about it, because we kind of abandoned luxury travel for several years after our son was born and have been easing back into things as he has grown and proven appreciative of these experiences (and as he has grown up enough to behave appropriately in the company of all the others who pay for these privileges! :rolleyes:).

 

I have to say, I think our cabin looks phenomenal compared to our previous ones, which were always fantastic. This just looks over-the-top, and I am delighted that we will be able to have a more-exclusive experience while still enjoying the excitement of the main ship. I will let you all know how it compares!!

 

Allison

[editor@cruisecritic]

Look forward to hearing how it goes (sounds fantastic).

 

Thanks, Allison.

 

Carolyn

 

Well, I'm late to this thread, but I've cruised Seabourn, most recently Disney's concierge suites (we have a seven-year-old, hence the switch) and am going to be in NCL Epic's Deluxe Owner's Suite next year. It is HUGE, with wrap-around windows (including the bathroom!), butler, concierge, and dedicated restaurant, bar, club area, pool, two sun decks, gym, saunas, priority embarkation/debarkation, and concierge escort/assistance whenever you leave the Courtyard (ie, to go to a show, eat in one of the "public" restaurants or to leave for an excursion). All of this in addition to the normal stuff on a giant ship (and the crowds that entails :cool:). I am actually crazy-excited about it, because we kind of abandoned luxury travel for several years after our son was born and have been easing back into things as he has grown and proven appreciative of these experiences (and as he has grown up enough to behave appropriately in the company of all the others who pay for these privileges! :rolleyes:).

 

I have to say, I think our cabin looks phenomenal compared to our previous ones, which were always fantastic. This just looks over-the-top, and I am delighted that we will be able to have a more-exclusive experience while still enjoying the excitement of the main ship. I will let you all know how it compares!!

 

Allison