If you have sailed on both Carnival & NCL, can you give a comparison please?

[billjessmaddie]

I am booked on a NCL cruise in Feb. 2011 and have never sailed with them before. I have previously sailed on Carnival and Disney. My husband and I decided to go with NCL for our 3 year old daughter because of the Nick at Sea cruises. I would love to know how the cruise line compares to Carnival. How is the kid's club? How is the food? More specific for anyone who has sailed on the Jewel, how is the ship? Pretty much anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

[Mikiejag]

I don't know but I am specifically subscribing to this thread to find out.

The two I am looking at are the Jewel (as well for Nick) and a Carnival cruise.

I am interested because it is about a $500 difference and one day. The Carnival goes for 8 days, NCL 7, both balconies and the biggest exception is a $160 OBC.

 

Going to book within the next two days so I am hoping for some responses rather quick.

[saleandsail]

Can't help you with the kids, as ours are long past that age; however, we have done several cruises with NCL and a couple with Carnival. They are probably more alike than different. Food is very subjective, and we found it to be good on both lines, with a slight edge to Carnival. We love the Freestyle of NCL: casual attire and ability to dine any time we want to. Extra charge restaurant selection on NCL is also very good. We did the Jewel on our last cruise and loved it. It is a beautiful ship, clean, with an excellent staff: very friendly and efficient. Whatever you select, enjoy your cruise.

[debns]

We've been on Carnival Celebration (twice), Liberty, Victory and in April 2010 their newest ship the Carnival Dream. Obviously we love Carnival. In our opinion, not only do you get the biggest bang for your buck, but we were more than satisfied with cabins, entertainment, food, staff, etc. It's the perfect cruiseline for the first-time cruiser.

 

With that being said, in October 2009 we took our first NCL cruise aboard Norwegian Dawn. We have found our new favorite cruiseline!! The one thing that we were most impressed with was the entertainment. It was far more superior and professional. We can't wait to take our next NCL cruise and are anxiously awaiting to sail on the Epic on October 2nd. We're even thinking of adding another week for an amazing B2B! I know we will not be disappointed. And, by the way, NCL has the absolute best chicken wings anywhere....land or sea :D

 

Would we sail on Carnival again?....you bet. But after a few more NCL sailings :)

 

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Debbie

[NJfoodie]

We sailed on the Carnival Legend a few years back out of NYC, and then in more recent trips sailed the Dawn and the Jewel, also out of NYC. We loved all 3 cruises but were hooked on NCL.

 

Carnival pros and cons:

We liked that the ship has a great mix of boisterous active areas and quiet nooks. I think the main dining room food was better, though of course it's subjective. We liked having the same server all week who knew what we liked but could do with out the songs and dance during dinner. The supper club was amazing between the amount of food and the band playing. There were more free activities during the day. We didn't like that there was a lot of indoor smoking, and that getting around the ship involved often having to cross through the casino. Outside the main show, it was hard to find entertainment in the evening that was not in a smoky lounge. The buffet set up wasn't great from a traffic standpoint and it was hard to find a seat.

 

NCL pros and cons:

We loved the more flexible dining schedule and being able to reserve a table at whatever time suited our plans each day - this was the main selling point for us. However if you dine at peak hours, there may be a wait and I've heard the reservation phone line is sometimes hard to get through. Specifically on the Jewel, the great outdoors buffet area on the back of the ship is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy dessert and the sunset. The buffet is set up w/ action stations on the Jewel which helps the flow of people and we never had trouble finding somewhere to sit. We liked that the atmosphere is a less over-the-top compared to carnival. The Nick and Sea program was done very well in that there were plenty of offerings for families interested in it, while it wasn't all over the ship for guests who did not want to see SpongeBob all week. We love that NCL has a lot less indoor smoking which for me made the ship a lot more enjoyable. We like that there are music performers all around different areas of the ship in the evenings. We were less impressed with the excursions NCL offers, and the staterooms are a little smaller than on Carnival.

 

On both lines, we met kids and their parents who loved the kids programs, though we haven't experienced them ourselves. We felt we had excellent service on both lines.

[spacewoman]

I have done 3 Carnivals and 2 NCL with an upcoming on the Jewel.

 

If you are referencing the Jewel then you must be looking at going out of NYC. Both dock at the same location so there are no differences in that.

 

I agree, food equal. We tried NCL for the first time wanting to sail a different ship. I thoroughly enjoyed the freestyle dining which Carnival has now implemented with an offering of "anytime" dining.

 

Would say the Spirit class ships of Carnival versus the Dawn and Spirit as far as decor -- Carnival - LOUD, NCL - subtle

 

Shows - One up to NCL, absolutely fantastic shows

 

I do love having a coffee maker in the cabin that NCL offers, CCL no. Hubby and I like to have a cup of coffee while we're taking showers, getting dressed, going out on the balcony.

 

Staff on both lines equal in that they work very hard to make sure you have the best vacation ever.

 

Lots of folks ask about pool areas --- no matter what cruise line they're all crowded -- a lot of people want to lay out in the sun near the pool and a lot just enjoy being in the pool to cool off. CCL pools on the small side, adult only pool aft on Lido deck. NCL Dawn has adults only indoor pool and jacuzzi deck 11. It was free when we were on in 2005 I'm not sure if they have implemented a charge for that area since. NCL Spirit has a good sized pool. I spent a few early mornings swimming laps in it. Can't do that with Carnival or should I say they'd be very quick laps.

 

Pricing on both lines seems to be about the same. It used to be Carnival was the cheapest. Our September cruise aboard NCL priced out the same per day as Carnival. The NCL is Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. The Carnival was one we've done twice already - Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Grand Turk. My itinerary preference is CCL but the NCL sailing for us was a new ship for us, we got $100 OBC and a free bottle of wine. The dates worked out a little better for us doing the NCL as well.

 

I'm reading that the Jewel offers fountain sodas as opposed to can soda. NCL is Pepsi, CCL is coke. CCL allows you to bring 1 bottle of wine per person, NCL charges a $15 corking fee and you can bring as many bottles as you want as long as you pay. Both lines offer ordering liquor for your cabin from their Bon Voyage Departments. NCL runs about $20 more per bottle than CCL.

 

I do not have children so I cannot compare the kids camps but I've always seen the little ones busy in camps on both lines. CCL Miracle has a water slide but I've never seen it open on sea days as it's too windy to have anyone on it. I would think the little ones would be happy in any size pool no matter what the cruise line.

 

CCL has larger cabins but I haven't really noticed the square footage difference. I did find the balcony on the NCL Spirit quite small, but that ship now sails out of Boston. I believe the NCL Dawn is being relocated next year from NYC to Boston and that the Gem is coming to NYC. I believe CCL Miracle will still be here next year. The Miracle does do a 6 day to Bermuda in April, and the Dawn runs Bermuda trips until 2nd week of September then it goes New England/Canada. Help fellow posters -- it's either Glory or Victory that does New England/Canada for CCL.

 

I have NEVER had a bad cruise nor any complaints with food or service. I've had one issue with Carnival's headquarters that sent me into orbit but the issue was miscommunications among their departments, not something with their ships or employees. Right now I'm having an issue with my e-docs with NCL and NCL is blaming the travel agency and they're blaming NCL. Right now no big deal but when we get to the 30 day mark it might be.

 

Whatever you choose --- unless you're the type of person who can find fault with anything and everything --- you'll will have a very very nice vacation.

 

Tell all of us what you chose and make sure you write a review when you return.

[DMH15]

I have been on the Jewel... lovely ship. I am a big fan of NCL for their freestyle concept. Also, have come to really like the "suite perks" that NCL has. Love their wonderful crews. Have sailed NCL 3 times plus once on the Norway, which was before freestyle. That was a grand experience. WOuld I sail NCL again? YES, YES, YES!!! Although, it would be hard to cruise NCL and not be in a suite, I would see other people going into Cagney's for breakfast and I would be like Scarlett O'Hara - pea green with envy.

 

I have been on Carnival once. It is my least favorite line. But you may love it. What I gid not care for was their food, (terrible eggs benedict) and the whole party atmosphere, just like their commercials. Would I sail Carnival again? Maybe, if the cruise was a gift, or a prize, or a deep discount.

[baf10]

Based on my experience with Carnival you get much bigger cabins, much better food thats included and my kids think Carnival kids camp is better. NCL gives you more flexibility to eat but you have to pay to get a good meal. I thought the food in the free dining rooms on the Pearl was mediocre. My last NCL cruise was 2 years ago so I hope it has improved as I am going on the Epic in a month. I have been on 7 NCL cruises and around 15 Carnival.

[trbasso]

We've done 3 Carnival cruises and 4 NCL. I think the most important thing is to understand that it will be a different experience. NCL's freestyle cruising gives flexibility and not the cruising you may be used to experiencing. We enjoyed both, but find Carnival a little "nicer" than NCL.

 

There are pros and cons to both. Just read several of the reviews and you'll see the differences. But as long as you understand the differences and set your expectations accordingly, you'll have a great experience on either one.

[Don Haynes]

I am of the opinion you make your cruise great... While the cruise lines and ships may be different, they are more alike than they are different...

 

If you can enjoy a cruise on one line, its very likely you can enjoy a cruise on any line...

[Mikiejag]

Well I just booked the NCL Jewel June 18 2011. So far away, but I think the general idea is that it is split 50/50.

 

I am going with them because the price was close enough and Tropicanna has a coupon for $100 OBC with 9 points from their OJ and stuff.

 

So the TA I used had $100 OBC and a bottle of wine, plus this made it a no brainer. (Unless it is horrible, but I really do not think it will be) $200 OBC and wine.

 

I am thinking the NCL will be a bit more upscale feeling...IMHO.

The last cruise I took was on Costa Med in the med and it was fantantic. So I have no doubt.

[spacewoman]

I am of the opinion you make your cruise great... While the cruise lines and ships may be different, they are more alike than they are different...

 

If you can enjoy a cruise on one line, its very likely you can enjoy a cruise on any line...

 

 

You said it better than any of us!!!! Now I know why I love to cruise - I look forward to it, I make no out of reach expectations of it, and I love having someone else doing the driving, cleaning and cooking:D

[ml427]

I sailed on both Carnival and NCL last year. These happened to be my first two cruises. The major difference I found between the two (not surprisingly) was the dining. On my CCL cruise, I had an 8:15 PM dining time. On the NCL cruise, I obviously experienced "Freesytle Cruising."

 

I much preferred the assigned dining time to the Freestyle dining. I found that reservations (even in the MDR) were practically required on NCL, and I could not just walk-in. The food in CCL's MDR was far superior to the MDR food on NCL. Being said, the food in the pay restaurants on NCL was very good; however at $10-$30 per person additional cost adds up fast.

 

Additionally, because of the assigned dining time, CCL was much better able to coordinate other activities (such as shows) so that everyone could participate without forgoing the MDR. On NCL, it was very hard to balance wanting to participate in activity with wanting to eat a particular time.

 

I would cruise on either line again; however, all things being equal would lean toward CCL.

[disneysteve]

We have sailed Carnival Paradise twice, Carnival Glory once and recently returned from NCL Dawn. We totally preferred Carnival. In fact, we will probably not choose to sail NCL again. We felt Carnival had better food and better service all around. We also felt that the whole freestyle thing isn't really such a great deal. Sure you have your choice of 12 restaurants but 8 of them require you to pay extra and make advanced reservations. For the MDR, you may be seated right away or may have to wait as long as an hour depending on the day and time, and you can't make a reservation there unless there are at least 8 in your party. We also felt there was more selling on NCL, charging for things that were included on Carnival and pushing things like the art auction and such.

 

We thought the entertainment on NCL was very good. Our teen loved their Teen Club. And the ship itself was very nice, though in need of rehab (which is scheduled for 2011). It was certainly not a bad experience and we had a good time on NCL. It just wasn't as good as Carnival. We were expecting comparable quality so we were kind of disappointed.

[Luvtoeat]

I am really glad to see these comparisons between Carnival and NCL because I was going to ask the same comparison question never having sailed on NCL. Was on the Celebrity Solstice in late May and will be on the Carnival Inspiration later this month. Thinking about going on the Dawn in December for 9 days since you can never have enough days on a cruise. It sounds like except for freestyle dining and also no formal nights Carnival have still be the better cruise experience. I see that 1 post referenced the Tropicana coupon for $100.00 OBC. Would this be in addition to any price redeuctions or other OBC that are available?

[jame_g]

Carnival MDR food is better than NCL. But on Carnival you have to suffer through the scheduled dining times and potentially being seated with people you don't know. Some people love this, others like me hate it. With NCL you have freestyle dining, you can eat any time with whoever you like. And the specialty restaurants are nice, but there's no need to eat at them if you don't want to. Plenty of included dining options exists.

 

NCL buffet food is better. Although Carnival does have better pizza that's available 24 hours, as well as better availability of soft-serve ice cream.

 

Carnival's cabins are bigger than NCL. However, if you get a suite on Carnival there are no perks. NCL has great suites and great perks that come with them.

 

A lot of people say Carnival has better activities, and NCL has better shows/entertainment. Personally this didn't make any difference either way to me. (All I'm gonna say is that I find the cruise directors annoying, and this was one thing that was a welcome break on Cunard -- no loud, annoying, inane announcements from over-hyped cruise directors or their assistants.)

 

Carnival doesn't have a spa pass, as far as I know. But they do have saunas and steam rooms available for free. This is only true on one or two of NCLs older/smaller ships. On the newer ships the spas have thermal suites where you can buy a pass. While many people may not like to pay for it, this is wonderful way to get away from crowds and children and relax in a quieter all adult atmosphere. (Don't get me wrong, I do like kids, and like being around them, but when I'm relaxing I want a quieter less crowded venue.)

 

All in all they are very similar. I think the dining is the main difference for most people.

 

I know there was something else I meant to include, but forgot.

[halos]

Apples and Oranges :D

Both are different, but each is awesome.

[STARFISH*4]

big difference we found is NCL 'closes' up to early...seems like with Carnival there is something going on to the wee hrs--but that wouldnt be something you were probably looking at with kids.

and you can get ice cream all the time....where NCL shuts theirs down with dinner buffet hrs.

the JEWEL has the WONDERFUL HD-JOHN OHARA...he really does go that "EXTRA" for ya...be sure to go to the MEET & GREET for your sailing to MEET him!!!

i find the staff more accomondating in the MDR then on Carnival and i dont like the DANCING and stuff in the MDR

we LOVE FREE~STYLE and for now NCL is the line for us:)

[cruisetraveler2]

My family has taken 3 Disney cruises, 7 Carnival cruises and most recently a 12 day NCL cruise. I would happily sail on any of these cruise lines again. In my opinion, Disney has the best entertainment. Food is very subjective and we never went hungry. We found the food to be hit or miss on all the cruise lines. The biggest difference is the price. We had rather take 2 NCL or Carnival cruises instead of 1 Disney cruise. I am glad my kids have had the Disney experience but from now on it will be Carnival or NCL. I hope this helps.:)

[dvond]

We have been on both a few times, rooms are smaller on NCL and the food in the MDR on Carnival blows NCL away and it is not close in quality and variety. We also like having same servers as they cater to our 14 and 7 yr olds. As far as the camps, Carnival is also a bit better and the camp is open much more on sea days. The thing we dont like abut Freestyle is we dont want ot pay for extra dinners nor want to wait any night for dinner which you do on NCL and not on Carnival. NCL has less pool options and size. But Carnival is more expensive so to each their own but if price was the same, we would always go on Carnival

[patrice1]

Carnival MDR food is better than NCL. But on Carnival you have to suffer through the scheduled dining times and potentially being seated with people you don't know. Some people love this, others like me hate it. With NCL you have freestyle dining, you can eat any time with whoever you like. And the specialty restaurants are nice, but there's no need to eat at them if you don't want to. Plenty of included dining options exists...

 

Not anymore! CCL has "Anytime Dining" for a year now. We loved that aspect of NCL and looked for an NCL cruise to book after our one cruise with them. But we couldn't justify the extra $ after sailing with CCL. And now that they have "Anytime", the one thing we preferred on NCL we can now have on CCL!:D

[disneysteve]

CCL has "Anytime Dining" for a year now.

 

How does that work on CCL? Do they still offer a set time option for traditional dining or are you stuck with the "anytime" deal like on NCL. We didn't care for that at all.

[salty dingo]

I think the difference is more branding than substance. For example, NCL promotes "freestyle" and has a following among people who prefer that type of dining. However, Carnival offers the very same option, for people who prefer it.

 

Carnival portrays the "Fun Ships" but NCL is every bit as much fun. Both ships have competent hospitality and a good operation. Carnival seems to get in more fender benders with the docks but I attribute that to bad luck more than anything.

 

Rather than be loyal to a brand, I recommend choosing a cruise based on the itinerary and the ship. Pick the itinerary you want and narrow down the dates, then see who is sailing then and there.

 

As for ship, if you have any special cabin needs, that can be important. The newer ships have many more cabin styles. However, the best deals are going to be on the older ships. People who have no special cabin needs can save a bundle by choosing an older ship over sailing on a newer ship.

 

So there you go! My opinion is the mass market lines are so close that it does not matter which you pick.

[Shelli]

How does that work on CCL? Do they still offer a set time option for traditional dining or are you stuck with the "anytime" deal like on NCL. We didn't care for that at all.

 

When you book a Carnival cruise, you select whether you want traditional (and choose between main and late seatings) or "My Time" dining. Both types are available... as they now are also on Princess and Royal Caribbean.

[Sauer-kraut]

If the non-traditional dining is chosen do you then have to add a daily service charge to your account on board? How do the crew then get their gratuities?