NCL is really excellent with ....

[singinglizzie]

I've been reading lots of things NCL hasn't done well or right (including one post from myself about their website) so I thought I would ask the CC comunity what they think NCL really does well? I've read (and hope to experience soon) that they offer the best experience in the "suite" department. Surely they have some other "best at" categories???

[sdmike]

Their freestyle concept. I will have a hard time going back to any ship that requires me to eat at a specified time in a specified location.

[LindaLa]

Embarkation! Always quick and efficient. For us, Celebrity was the worst, followed by Carnival.

[musicorn]

For us being a family of 4 with one of us using a wheelchair, NCL offers Disabled Cabins that sleep 4. :D So we can all be together.

 

We can not get this on P&O ships in Austraia and have to book 2 cabins if we want a disabled cabin. :(

[cowbuoy]

NCL is #1 for Entertainment in the industry.

 

NCL is the #1 in Casino's in the industry.

 

NCL is #1 for Freestyle execution in the industry. Other cruise lines that have tried to copy the freestyle concept have been very poor imitations.

[Davechipp74]

repete cruiser rewards (lattitudes program)

[STARFISH*4]

FREE~STYLE

affordable cruising

Pretzel Rolls

HD DIRECTOR --JOHN OHARA (Jewel)

hull art

[preemiemd]

DH and I have had the privilege of sailing on suites with NCL (owner's to AEs), Cunard (Queens Grill), and Celebrity. The NCL suite experience is definitely better than the rest by far. The evening shows are among the best as well although we do miss the mini Broadway productions NCL used to do when we first started cruising in the mid 90s.

[jsmith1195]

SUITES! One of the largest reasons we will primarily be sticking with NCL. Luxury on fun family ships.

[gottahavefun]

Prices. I love that fact that I can cruise 2 weeks for the price of one on other lines. Friendly staff, clean ships, great ports, who could ask for anything more.

[bob brown]

I like the Freestyle concept. The choices are great. And in this age of airlines charging for excess baggage it is a pleasure not to have to pack formal clothing. I like 'Dress up or not".

The entertainment is the best at sea. from the extensive Cirque type shows put on by the Jean Ann Ryan cast, to the various cabaret acts in several other venues, you can't possibly do it all or be bored. There is something for everyone.

And when other lines have given up awarding logo merchandise for participating (not just winning), in organized staff activities, NCL continues to do so.

I like having a 24 hour food service venue (Blue Lagoon), that doesn't require using room service.

For us in NYC, NCL holds a special affection, as the line that brought all-year-round cruising back after decades of absence.

And I like the 10 day round trip New York to Quebec itinerary that NCL has offered when most other lines take that long to only cruise one way.

[watchdiva]

Suites......butler service rocks!! We've sailed in suites on other lines and NOTHING beats NCL suite perks.....Cagney's for breakfast/lunch for suite pax is the bomb.:)

[swedish weave]

NCL does a wonderful job making us feel welcome and at home on their ships !!

[kitsVA]

Prices, Free Style, and Modern feel.

 

Their prices makes me feel they are the Southwest Airlines of the cruise industry.

[camz]

1. Beautiful ships (from first glance, look at the hull art, it screams fun and excitement) 2. Freestyle Cruising Concept 3. Latitudes Program 4. Cruise Rewards Program 5. Teen Club 6. Friendliest Crew at Sea 6. Germ Sanitizers Everywhere (very important to a germ freak) 7. Ports and Intineraries 8. Multiple food options, though-out the ship. 9. Entertainment 10. Value :)

[phelios2]

Suites are the best. I like the amenities and perks. I also like the suites because they are roomy and affordable.

[nccruiser47]

I would have to agree with all of the above. I cannot cruise elsewhere at the low price NCL has, but yet it's service, cleanliness, etc. is at or above the other lines!! I am actually about to cancel a Disney cruise because I can do the same thing on NCL for $1000 less.

I love that NCL has to be an industry leader in the cleanliness of their ships!! I love the pretzel rolls.....first thing I grab when I board ship!! Sometimes I hoard one for later in the evening.

Freestyle dining is very important to me. I travel alone and want to be able to eat where and when I want......alone or with a new acquaintance! (Another reason I am cancelling Disney).

NCL is awesome........

[bob brown]

I agree that it's hard to beat NCL for value. The fares make it possible for me to cruise two or three times a year.

At first I was among those that lamented the disappearance of traditional assigned dining. But as I now have experienced Freestyle on four cruises,

it has surely changed my preference. And on my last cruise, I was able to choose my restaurant, time, and table. The service was the best I experienced in fourteen cruises over several lines. So good, that we sort of made it traditional, spending the remainder of the cruise at that time and place.

[seacats]

I love freestyle also. Just canceled a cruise on Allure of the seas and booked NCL saved $1000pp:eek: They want you to reserve your dining time before you even get on the ship.

[valleyvillage]

Every time we set foot on board we feel so VERY welcome. I love the people!

[biker@sea]

Chilled fruit soups Nobody does them better !!!

[OceanDreaming2]

Crew members, Cagney's for breakfast and lunch, LeBistro, staterooms (balcony and higher), Latitudes benefits and overall value for the money!! :D

[OceanDreaming2]

Chilled fruit soups Nobody does them better !!!

 

Black cherry's my overall favorite (not so much watercress :eek:) !!

[Cruise_More_Often]

From embarkation to disembarkation, everything is just BETTER on NCL.

 

Freestyle dining on NCL ROCKS! There are so many more choices for dinner than on any other line that has tried a form of freestyle. Even NCL buffets ROCK!

 

Entertainment on NCL also ROCKS! Its main shows are simply heads and shoulders above the competition, and there is so much additional entertainment going on all over NCL's ships.

 

Suites, of course, ROCK! We can afford to cruise (occasionally) in a suite on NCL but not on other lines, and the value and sevice for the money you spend on a suite is unbeatable.

 

NCL crews ROCK! I have never seen such a uniformly happy group of people on any other line. They truly care about whether we have a good cruise.

 

Disembarkation ROCKS! I vow to never cruise on another line where I have to be hearded into a public lounge to sit for over an hour to disembark.

 

Having just returned from our third short Princess cruise, these things are fresh in my mind. :D I'm so glad I have a Pearl cruise in my future!

[spacepotatoes]

I've only been on one cruise so far, so I really have nothing to compare the onboard experience to. But, DH and I loved our Freestyle experience and will be going back for more next March :D

 

I also really like how their website is set up. I've been checking multiple lines to plan for future cruises and NCL's site is by far the most user-friendly one for my purposes.