Have you ever...

[Kristi Williamson]

Have you ever sailed on NCL? We're looking at Princess and NCL for next year because they have longer sailings and our DS has asked for a 10-14 dayer for his graduation trip.

 

NCL has a few good ones, but we've heard over and over how awful NCL is. Could anyone who's cruised Carnival or RCI, give us their opinions? The good, the bad and the ugly... :D

[H82seaUgo]

rccl is a lot like ccl.

 

ncl is down in the basement.

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

Sailed NCL back in 2005, so it's been awhile. But that experience was enough for me. I often found myself bored & the food was terrible majority of the time.

 

My father recently did two B2B's on NCL.. 2 weeks on NCL Spirit, and 2 weeks on the Epic. He was disappointed on both ships. He said the cabins were small & the food was so bad, that he had to eat at all the speciality restaurants which were sometimes lacking as well. He did like the entertainment & porta though.

[steveNcindy]

Have you ever sailed on NCL? We're looking at Princess and NCL for next year because they have longer sailings and our DS has asked for a 10-14 dayer for his graduation trip.

 

NCL has a few good ones, but we've heard over and over how awful NCL is. Could anyone who's cruised Carnival or RCI, give us their opinions? The good, the bad and the ugly... :D

 

My SIL just sailed the Epic and raved about it. She is a very picky traveler.

[psbtrvlr]

We like NCL over RCI and Princess.

[Kristi Williamson]

That's about what I've been getting on all the reviews I've been reading. People either love it or hate it. Sadly, the vast majority seem to hate it.

 

Since it's his graduation trip, I'm really scared to book it because he specifically chose a cruise over a NYC trip because he's looking forward to the Southern Carib. and either a 10 or 14 day itinerary. The NYC option was only for 6-7 days because of the price of hotels in the city. WOW!

 

Can you even imagine being stuck on a ship for 14 days that you hate? :eek:

 

Anyone given Princess a go?

[Kristi Williamson]

We like NCL over RCI and Princess.

 

Would you mind elaborating? What do you like better and why? Since we've only sailed Carnival and RCI it's tough to compare. Well, we did sail X once a long time ago...no thanks. (at least while I'm under 65)

[tkportersat]

I just sailed the NCL Spirit out of NO and I really enjoyed it - with the exception of our debarkation (delayed 10 hours due to previous cruise med emergency). The crew was excellent. Everyone we passed always said hi and smiled. It was more similar to Carnival and RC than different. They were very health concience and had antibacterial spray at every turn and they do a lot of serving at the buffett and ice cream machines. I appreciated that very much.

 

Have you ever sailed on NCL? We're looking at Princess and NCL for next year because they have longer sailings and our DS has asked for a 10-14 dayer for his graduation trip.

 

NCL has a few good ones, but we've heard over and over how awful NCL is. Could anyone who's cruised Carnival or RCI, give us their opinions? The good, the bad and the ugly... :D

[psbtrvlr]

Would you mind elaborating? What do you like better and why? Since we've only sailed Carnival and RCI it's tough to compare. Well, we did sail X once a long time ago...no thanks. (at least while I'm under 65)

 

NCL Jade had the friendliest crew we've encountered. Food was just ok, but it was edible and we did not starve. We never had to wait for seating, and most of the time they sat us by ourselves even though we said we didn't care. Our teen also liked the teen club on NCL the best out of all the lines we've been on.

 

We've had some fairly serious issues with Princess and their lack of handling security/crimes, and also with their customer service.

 

RCI had the worst service and worst food that we've encountered.

 

All that being said, Princess is the only one we don't look at when cruise shopping.

We would try RCI again, but they are always priced out of whatever we are looking at. Their product is not different enough for them to charge a premium (imho).

 

I actually find all the lines to be more similar than different. We haven't tried a true premium line so maybe they are different.

[psbtrvlr]

Also, our cruise with NCL was a 12 nighter. I too was scared to book it, and then apprehensive once I did. Because of all the bad reviews here on CC. I found my fears were unfounded. Worried for nothing. LOL! NCL is now a family favorite!

[golfb4cruzing]

What about a B2B? Something on Carnival maybe East swing and then a West wing. Maybe something with Southern route and then another.

[MissDiva1]

:eek:

 

Anyone given Princess a go?

 

We have cruised Royal Caribbean a few time and once on Princess and we are Platinum with Carnival. By far our Princess cruise was the best to date. Infact we are looking at Princess again in December and they are cheaper then Carnival for a southern caribbean intinerary.

I would love to try NCL and will. Just have not found an itinerary that we have not already done on other lines. We cruise for itinerary. But I have no desire to do a 14 day cruise on any line. Too long for me.

Good luck!

[alreadypacked]

I just sailed on NCL (Sky) for the first time. Here is the link to my NCL/Carnival comparison review:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1377670&highlight=

[flarad]

'It's so interesting reading the posts on this board. Posters really love to criticize other lines. On the other boards Carnival is frequently dissed. On this board it's NCL. Our family has cruised on Carnival, Disney, Princess, NCL, and Celebrity. We enjoyed every one of our cruises, each for a different reason. All the lines have something that they do well. My personal favorites are Princess and Celebrity but the rest of my family all love NCL. NCL is the epitome of laid back cruising. Our favorite things about them include: the large variety of dining options, the bright colors and airy layout of their ships, the buffet area, their lido deck and pool areas, their teen activities. In comparison to Carnival, their rooms are somewhat smaller. However you will be cruising one of the newer ships and their cabins are well appointed. We like their balcony minisuites. The food in their formal dining room may not be quite as good as some others but my teenagers love having a different option every night.

In planning for a Southern Caribbean itinerary keep in mind you will be in port a lot. We were exhausted after our southern trip. I don't think you need to worry about your son being bored no matter what ship you choose (unless you choose Celebrity). If you choose Princess, the Crown is one of my favorite ships and my son's reaction (he's 16 and eats all day long), "Aw, Princess has the best food!"

To sum it up, your cruise will be exactly what you choose to make it. If you enjoy trying new things then go with a new line. If you go in prepared to be dissatisfied then don't bother. I definitely recommend that whichever line you choose you frequent their boards to get a different perspective. In fact, post a Carnival vs. them comparison on their boards. That would be interesting. Keep us posted. I'd love to know what you decide

[ferfoodle]

Although I have only taken 3 cruises, one each on CCL, PCL and RCL, I absolutely loved Princess. They currently have the Emerald (2012 and 2013 too) that does 10 day itineraries to the Southern Caribbean (one is Eastern, but includes the deep Southern Eastern). They; however, only sail through Oct/Nov to April then head to Europe. Might be worth looking at though.

Princess' food is really good and their pools are fresh water vs. sea water.

[janetz]

We like all the lines we have sailed. Coming up is our first NCL to Bermuda. Trying to cruise from ports closer to home. Keep in mind the longer cruises will have less young adults and more older folks if that is something he might be concerned about. You want to knock his socks off, book the Oasis Of The Seas. Tons of things for his age group. It is an awesome ship. Although its a 7 day, if you have the $$$$ do a back to back with the Allure.

 

Back to your question, Princess is one of our favorites. :D

 

 

I think you should try them all and not be true to one line.

[cookc61462]

Yes, I have sailed 2 times on NCL. It has been several years thought. I LOVED both my cruises on NCL. FIrst cruise was on the Norway (largest ship on the sea at that time) Grand Dame that she was. Had the smallest room EVER. Truly. But it was a great time. That was my first cruise so I had nothing to compare with but I LOVED it. Service was excellent. GREAT time.

The 2nd cruise on NCL was to Bermuda from Boston. It was almost as good as the first, but we had anytime dining... I didn't like it nearly as well as having assigned dining times.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

What NCL ship are looking at? I've said it many times, it's not the cruise lline, but the ship. LOVE the Miracle, hated the Dream and tolerated the Glory. We've sailed NCL, like some ships and hated others. It's not the cruise line, but how the ship is managed

[C Cruise Dude]

Have you ever sailed on NCL? We're looking at Princess and NCL for next year because they have longer sailings and our DS has asked for a 10-14 dayer for his graduation trip.

 

NCL has a few good ones, but we've heard over and over how awful NCL is. Could anyone who's cruised Carnival or RCI, give us their opinions? The good, the bad and the ugly... :D

 

Both Carnival and Norwegian are very good cruise lines. They are more similar than different. Let me start with me as a cruiser. I'm single so I tend to cruise solo. My first two cruises were with Carnival. What I liked about Carnival that is different from NCL ( I will talk more about NCL's differences) is; Carnival has traditional assigned dining. You are assigned to dining at a specific MDR (Main Dining Room), a specific time, table and wait staff. This means that you will most likely be eating meals with strangers. Because I am usually solo and don't know anyone on the ship, I like this. It give me new people to get to know and share your cruise experience with. Carnival has more formal nights where you dress up. Those I tend to not like but I go alone anyway. On my last Carnival cruise on the Dream, I was sitting in the casino in my shorts and tourist looking shirt and noticed this woman in a black gown. I thought to myself, "What is she all dressed up for?", and it occurred to me that this was a dress up night. Crap! I went to my cabin and put on the formal wear and swore that I was not doing it on the next formal night, I would just eat in the buffet. Anyway, having the assigned wait staff with a head waiter who is like your steward, knows you by name and will remember if you have coffee or tea. They have more of a personal relationship with you that I like.

 

NCL is Freestyle which primarily means, no assigned dining and you basically come to the dining room dressed, within reason, anyway you want. They do have dress up or not, nights and there are two MDR's. One has cruise casual attire and the other more formal attire (dress shirt and slants - basically - no shorts or tee shirts).

 

I liked Carnival shows better than NCL's although I was really impressed with their production of "Shout" on my last cruise. The service staff are very similar but I was more impressed with the stewards and their staff on Carnival even though the staff on NCL were very professional.

 

NCL's rooms were smaller but comfortable. The food, in opinion, was better on Carnival but very good on NCL. I like NCL's lattitude rewards program. If you purchase a certificate for a future cruise while on cruise, it cost $250 and NCL immediately gives you $100 obc. The certificate is still valued at $250 and can be used for a deposit on a future cruise for 4 years and they are transferable so you can give them as gifts. That's a big prize that keeps me coming back to NCL.

 

Carnival has the Early Saver program which I'm taking advantage of at the moment that guarantees the cruise price. If Carnival dropped the price that you paid, they will give you the difference in obc (On Board Credit).

 

 

Carnival seems more family oriented than NCL. NCL does have a camp for kids but I noticed more on Carnival. To be fair, the cruises that I took on NCL may have been at times when families were less likely to cruise.

 

 

The comedians forums were better on Carnival. They were experimenting with the Comedy Club type setup on Carnival more so than NCL.

 

 

I really believe you can't lose with either line. I will cruise both and will eventually cruise the others as well. Be weary of post that trash any cruise line. Just a suggestion.

 

 

Cabin on the Carnival Paradise

 

 

 

 

 

Norwegian Pearl's Casual MDR

 

The Great Outdoors NCL Pearl - This is common on NCL ships - Part of the Buffet

 

Chocolate Buffet NCL Pearl:

 

MDR Wait Staff Dance Carnival Dream:

 

 

NCL's Private Island - Carnival has one too!

 

 

 

 

Rock Climbing Wall Norwegian Pearl:

[Kristi Williamson]

Thanks so much, everybody! I much prefer getting people's feedback to me directly than just reading the reviews. Sometimes, it seems like reviews can get nit picky where as this really provides an overall opinion of the line.

 

Special thanks for the pics of NCL, C Cruise Dude. How did you like NCL's private island compared to HMC? And since you mentioned kids, do you know anyone who's cruised NCL and enjoyed their kids programs?

 

We're going to sit down tomorrow and really examine the ships, ports and re-read all the comments of likes/dislikes here. Sometimes, even the smallest things can really make a cruise extra special. I really like the pics of the outdoor area on NCL, but those freshwater pools on Princess sound lovely, as well. I like hearing that neither are THAT different than Carnival or RCI. Wanting a new experience is one thing...going from Earth to Mars isn't what we want to experience either, though! LOL

[ddloml]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zqvol

I love NCL. Ships are very much like Carnival ships. Shows are much better with the Jean Ayn Rand dancers. Sometimes the food can be hot or miss in the MDR, but the specialty restaurants are great and not expensive. Usually a younger more upbeat crowd on NCL. Also not so many small children but lots of young people!

 

Other than the restaurants, that you do not have to use, there are no additional charges on NCL that you do not run into on Carnival. They both nickle and dime you to death if you let them.

 

The bathrooms on NCL are much better than on Carnival with the toilet in its own room and the shower with a real door. NCL rooms are a bit smaller but unless you spend a lot of time in the cabin it doesn't matter, and if you get a suite, NCL has the best afloat, rivaling even the luxury lines.

 

The only thing that Carnival does better is the soft serve ice cream.

 

Most of the rest of it is six of one half a dozen of the other.

 

I've cruised both lines within the past year, and I agree with most of the observations in the post quoted here.

 

Here are a couple of other observations - in no particular order.

1) There were more channel selections on the TV in the cabin on CCL.

2) The 'pretzel rolls' on the NCL buffet were wonderful!

3) Service charge for CCL was $10 pp per day. On NCL that charge is $12 pp per day.

4) There's a 3% fee for a 'cash advance' from your shipboard account in the casino on CCL. There is no fee for a similar transaction in the NCL casino.

5) DW had shrimp cocktail every night in the MDR on CCL. It was only offered once on the MDR on NCL, although she did get it again in the steak house as a regular menu item there.

 

On CCL, we had the late seating, and we really enjoyed having the same server/team for each dinner. They get to know your wants and preferences and so you feel more 'spoiled' by the service. On NCL, we went to different specialty restaurants and to different MDRs each night, but we didn't get that feeling of being spoiled by 'our team'. We always had to 'break in' a new team.

 

The 'free' food in the MDRs and buffet is noticeably better on CCL than on NCL. The steak houses on the two ships were both excellent. The other specialty restaurants were hit or miss on NCL, and you do pay a cover charge for them. (I loved the French restaurant and the steak house, the Asian restaurant was very good, but the Tex Mex restaurant was average - not worth the cover.)

 

So all in all, while the poster that I quoted seems to favor NCL, I gave the edge to CCL. I would cruise either one again without hesitation, though.

[zqvol]

Have you ever sailed on NCL? We're looking at Princess and NCL for next year because they have longer sailings and our DS has asked for a 10-14 dayer for his graduation trip.

 

NCL has a few good ones, but we've heard over and over how awful NCL is. Could anyone who's cruised Carnival or RCI, give us their opinions? The good, the bad and the ugly... :D

 

 

IMO NCL is the best of the three. I just wish they had more availability and I would be on them all the time. I was last on them in March 2010 and had a great trip. Excellent food (much better than on Legend in August). Entertainment is head and shoulders above Carnival. Only down side is that the cabins are a little smaller but they are laid out much better.

[PlayTheAces]

I've cruised NCL enough to hit gold level in their Latitudes rewards program. I can't really disagree with anything I've read in this thread. Here are a few more personal opinions off the top of my head:

 

CCL ships have more open public space, especially as far as lounges go, because NCL has taken every square foot they could find and devoted the space to their various pay restaurants.

 

NCL has an edge in their open MDR seating and service - CCL gets a little disorganized every so often while NCL has it down to a science. This doesn't apply to CCL's regular seating - just the open seating.

 

NCL has had much better shows than CCL in the past, but that may be changing as they've dumped the Jean Ann Ryan Company who always ran their shows. Now they're doing it in house, and I think the quality is starting to show a decline.

 

NCL is less formal as far as evening dress, though CCL is catching up fast.

 

If you're spending the extra $$$ on a suite, nobody comes close to NCL in the service and perks provided to their suite passengers. They set the standard when it comes to suites.

 

And as has already been stated, NCL has better bathrooms but smaller cabins, and CCL has better MDR food but you can spend extra and upgrade your meals on NCL.

 

I enjoy both lines, and choose more on price and itinerary more than anything else.

[jenjens1023]

I've sailed RCL, CCL twice, and PCL.

 

My first cruise was RCL so it will always be special. I still think it had the best food, but it was six years ago, so it may not be as good now.

 

CCL has great prices, but I was disappointed in the food.

 

PCL was my favorite, but I don't know if it was the ship itself (diamond)' the wonderful, fun crew, or the trip (Alaska).

 

If all things were equal I would choose Princess.

 

Good luck with your decision!

[mikaula]

I have sailed several times on NCL. The suites on NCL are amazing. Try it and see what you think.