Why do you choose NCL? or not

[collectingcoke]

I love NCL, the free style dining is wonderful, the suite perks can't be beat. Great cruise line.

[Cruiser#5]

We enjoy the suite life and the price range that NCL offers beats all the other cruiselines.

[LollyMoz]

We are preparing to leave on our first NCL cruise and I'm really looking forward to it! The reason we chose this cruise was because we were just looking for a quick little getaway and of the shorter itineraries, NCL Sky was the best value for a balcony cabin. I've never been on such a short cruise before and my only concern is that I will seriously not want to depart the ship on Monday morning! :D

[spacewoman]

We've done 1 Princess, 4 Carnivals and will be doing cruise number 4 with NCL soon. I've found the personnel on all the lines to be the same friendly and courteous always. I will say, however, that the "stripes" on NCL are a much friendlier bunch. Not too many good mornings, etc. on Carnival whereas NCL always good morning, how is your day, etc. JMO now. Our cruising has always been decided by where we want to go and price. As we get more cruises under our belt the where we want to go becomes less of an issue. We're the type who could be out to sea for 7 days and be very happy, others not so. This years decision came down to Miracle to Bermuda or Jewel for the 2nd time in a row. Thanks to these boards I found out the Jewel will be gone by fall of next year. Prices were close, although surprisingly the Bermuda trip was cheaper, which was a shocker. Hubby griped about spending almost three days in Bermuda, me - no way, I love Bermuda and so does he for that matter. We loved the Jewel so much I said that's my number one pick and everyone else going with us had been with us last year and felt the same. The ship is impeccably clean, staff members always eager to assist you, the dress up if you feel like it attitude, the various dining venues, the entertainment, and the fact that you can go eat whenever you feel like it. After all you're on vacation. I most certainly don't want to have to clock watch.

 

I will say language barriers are tougher on the Carnival ships though. Husband was having a diabetic emergency one Carnival cruise (low blood sugar). We were right near the atrium bar so I had him sit down and I ran over to the bar asked bartender for OJ explaining what was going on. She said "I can't give you the juice until I see your sail and sign card." It was juice not a liquor bottle I was asking for. I kept trying to explain as I'm digging for my sail and sign card and I got a bit of "dumb looks." She was very difficult to understand the whole trip. I usually have something on me for him too, just bad timing. Now I make sure I ALWAYS have something sweet on me, beside me of course.:rolleyes:

 

You really can't go wrong with NCL. I'll never do a big perks suite but they do go out of their way for suite cruisers and rightfully so. They seemed to really work hard to please their customer base.

 

Kathy

[highmath]

DW and I have only been on one cruise with NCL (Dawn) but, we like the vibe.

It is the overall value that you receive before during and after. As someone said before, NCL is not perfect and to add that, perfect is not always the best!

 

We enjoyed the staff, meals, entertainment, ports visited, and many of the ships amenities, specifically the spa area! The only complaint I had is that our Oceanview window didn't get cleaned, on the outside ,all cruise long. I solved that problem for our next cruise...Balcony!

 

And yes, we got a towel animal on our bed each night, guarding a dinner chocolate! Lol! :p

[Halls12]

We have only sailed on RC and Norwegian - Our first on NCL last October - to tell you how much we loved it we bought the $250 voucher for our next cruise. I booked a cruise for October 2012 with that. Since then I have booked another NCL cruise for May 2012 - our 20th anniversary. I was very happy with everything on the Jewel last October and am booked for the two 2012 cruises on the Gem (in the same balcony room we had on the Jewel). This was the first cruise my DH did not get sick. BOth cruises on RC he spent days in the room regardless of what he took to get rid of it. We dress up for work every day - I do not want to bring two dressup clothes for two nights as we did on RC - we never had a problem getting into any restaurant we chose to eat in. On RC we had assigned times and stood in line at the door. Wouldn't trade NCL for anything:D

[OceanDreams]

For us ..... it all depends on the group that we are traveling with. NCL is so much more relaxing, the entertainment is more towards the adults (except the Epic) so if we I am traveling with some really carefree folks.....then NCL is for us.

 

OceanDreams

[weltek]

We originally chose NCL inthe 1990s based on a travel agent recommendation because we didn't want assigned meal seating and wanted something fun, but not "Carnival Party Ship" fun (which at the time was a distinct reputation). We were young and wanted a mix of fun and quiet romance. NCL fit the bill perfectly.

 

Now, we continue to cruise NCL because of the "cruise rewards" program and they've really done nothing to make us leave. Second City and great music in the bars/lounges are another reason we stay.

 

However, we are getting a bit "bored" with nearly the same product every time, and other lines are taking pieces of what we like about NCL, so we might try something different in the future. Unless the new NCL ships wow us and offer something unique. It's nothing against NCL, it's just maybe time for a different experience.

[youngestof9]

I had only sailed RCCL twice and had a 3rd booked. It was sailing from San Juan and the airfare was WAY too much money so I started looking outside the RCCL box ;) That's when I came across Epic. I became obsessed with watching her being built and the excitement that was building. I was fortunate to be offered an upsell and on my very first NCL cruise lived the suite life. WOW. It was awesome. When we returned we decided to book it again and do the opposite caribbean itinerary. Then we decided to book something for our anniversary and Gem fit the bill!

 

Truthfully, we really enjoyed RCCL and would go back if the itinerary and price fit the bill. But as of now, NCL really is our choice. We loved the dining whenever you want and wearing whatever you want aspect of it. We are casual vacationers when it comes to the beach so wearing a little sundress or capris at dinner was just perfect.

 

I think it's hard too because I sailed NCL for the first time on their newest ship in an absolutely beautiful room!! But on the Gem we're sailing in a balcony (thanks to the "balcony for an oceanview sale" a while back!) and I fully expect an excellent cruise.

 

NCL fits the bill for price and itinerary for us so at this point I don't see a need to look elsewhere. We are sailing Epic again and to me, booking this far out is allowing us the suite life again. Can't wait!!

 

Our kids had mentioned the Disney Cruise Line and for the same cruise in similar accommodations would have been almost $4000 more. WHOA. After experiencing Epic, I can't imagine what would make a cruise worth an extra $4000.....we had everything we needed on board and then some.

[Lipz]

We chose NCL because they support same-sex marriage!

We will not only be sailing NCL for the very first time, but getting married on the ship.

No matter the cruise line we do always go in with an open mind no matter what we read on the boards. We're also not nit-pickers and the only thing that can really make for a bad cruise is if the ship sinks or the other passengers are despicable!

A bad day at sea is still better than a good day at work to me! lol

[cleopatra1]

We will embark on our 5th cruise with NCL next week on the Jade from Venice. What do we love about NCL? That's easy - Freestyle!

 

We don't need to dress up for dinner every night - we do that for work - casual is us on holiday. The Owners Suites and Penthouses are great and the suite perks are really worth the money. Get the right butler, room steward and concierge and you are in for Luxury with a capital 'L'.

 

Breakfast is always served by the butler in our suite. The speciality restaurants are our 'destinations' every evening. What a great choice. We also love the main dining rooms for quiet lunches while everyone else is off on shore excursions or that fantastic suite perk Cagney's for lunch.

 

The shows can be fun and there's always something to do - although we are very good at doing nothing - well we are on holiday!

 

Disembarkation, although sad, is always so easy - other cruise lines we've tried have made this last experience a nightmare - why? NCL appear to make it so simple.

 

We'd like to continue with NCL however we do feel that the product is now aging somewhat. It is absolutely the same on each ship and can become a little too predictable. Even a change of menus in the speciality restaurants would be a good idea once a year. Come on NCL - don't get complaisent if you want your customers' very valuable repeat business. Having said that I already have two suites booked in Pride of America in January 2012....

[youngestof9]

We chose NCL because they support same-sex marriage!

We will not only be sailing NCL for the very first time, but getting married on the ship.

 

No matter the cruise line we do always go in with an open mind no matter what we read on the boards. We're also not nit-pickers and the only thing that can really make for a bad cruise is if the ship sinks or the other passengers are despicable!

 

A bad day at sea is still better than a good day at work to me! lol

 

 

congratulations! I hope your wedding at sea is beautiful!!

 

LOL about the ship sinking - now THAT would be a crappy cruise. LOL

[soaringfalcon]

Freestyle meals - no schedule, no formal dress code, and no strangers!

 

The crew!!!

 

The hull art as my daugther says, RC ships make babies cry they're so ugly :)

 

Great itineraries from NYC.

[fsuhockette]

We've cruised Princess and Carnival and most recently the Epic. We loved NCL and booked the same cruise again d/t:

 

Anytime, anywhere, anything dining. We took dress clothes last time but won't bother ever again. We loved not eating with strangers and having awkward dinner dates night after night.

 

Epic's entertainment and nightlife were top notch.

 

The storage in our room was fabulous (as was the view!)

 

We (er, I) want to try Oasis and/or Allure some day but by the time we're getting around to that there will likely be newer and better ships out there. We're not opposed to trying RCL or Celebrity but I'd not ever pay to go on Carnival or Princess again.

[tjaker11]

For us, more than anything else, it is the casual, relaxed atmosphere. We feel it is our decision what we do next, and when - very stress free.

 

 

ditto

[hougo3]

We cruised NCL once in the past. With all the smoking changes announced by the other cruise lines, NCL will now attract all the smokers. No thanks!

[fergusonvt]

I chose NCL for our first cruise ever and we loved it. Would I love some of the other lines, perhaps but one of the things that drew us to NCL was Freestyle. I love the freedom to dine when I want in casual clothing if I choose without being forced to dine at the buffet.

 

We loved it so much we booked another a few days after returning and I just upgraded to a Penthouse to surprise DH so this experience should be fantastic.

[gagal10]

We were married at Disney and did 2 Disney Cruises to begin with... We weren't thrilled, so when we booked our next cruise, we ventured over to NCL.

 

 

LOVED IT! Best vacation ever. :)

 

What we like:

Freestyle Dining.. Hubby is extremely quiet and doesn't really like to sit with strangers.. Plus, the freedom to not HAVE to go to dinner at a certain time is nice.

All the Options.. I am a picky eater and on DCL that was always a problem.. People always say just tell them what you don't want and they will do it, but anytime I did, it felt like I was bothering them.. So, we love all the options of different places. And Mexican on a Cruise Ship rocked my world!! Speaking of, I didn't see a Mexican place listed on the Epic, that will make me sad..

Entertainment.. Love Disney, but the Entertainment is what we see at the parks and not what we wanted on a Cruise.. Loved all the 'fun' stuff going on on the Pearl. And it was all so low key, so if we wanted to watch one of the Simon ran game shows (HILARIOUS) we could, but we got there when we wanted and had a few drinks while we watched. What more could a girl ask for? :)

Later Night Entertainment.. OMG, there are people still up and having fun after 10PM.. Not the case on Disney, at all, and we were bored stupid.. Love Bliss and just loved having somewhere to go and enjoy being with the hubby after dinner. We aren't huge partiers, but we are on vacation so it's nice to have an option.. :)

Staff.. So nice.. So easy going. So helpful. The Pearl crew was awesome..

 

Can't wait to be back on NCL!! :)

[vols_159]

We cruised NCL once in the past. With all the smoking changes announced by the other cruise lines, NCL will now attract all the smokers. No thanks!

 

 

on the few NCL cruises i have been on smoking has not been a problem except for the casino which i avoid mostly.. Im allergic to smoke and didnt even notice it on my last cruise..

[4774Papa]

$$$

freestyle

itinerary

[Lipz]

congratulations! I hope your wedding at sea is beautiful!!

 

LOL about the ship sinking - now THAT would be a crappy cruise. LOL

 

Thank you so much! :D

....and yes indeed it would be & I certainly wouldn't book that cruise line again! *hehehehhehee*

[Bars7816]

After reading all the posts, I have to weigh in. We love Norwegian. Every time we decide to book, NCL comes out ahead for some reason or other. Glad to hear one poster was bored stupid on Disney, because we can't afford Disney! Also, I have a feeling NCL will follow suit with new smoking policies. We can't tolerate cigarette smoke, but have never found it to be a problem on NCL.

[Deb0702]

We're first time cruisers going to Alaska on the Pearl next month. We were attracted to the Pearl because it's a newer beautiful ship. The itinerary suited us and we love the idea of cruise casual and freestyle. I know everyone is different but I have no desire to be treated like royalty. I just want to go have fun and see Alaska. :)

[spacewoman]

The only place I noticed smoke really bad on the Jewel last year was in the Casino. Really only one night so bad you could see the smoke hanging. After we left our money there I asked DH if he enjoyed those couple of cigarettes:rolleyes:. My mom is allergic to cigarette smoke as well but she rarely gambles. She likes to watch us but won't stay in there if the smoke is really bad.

 

Other than that one time or so smoking really not an issue.

[Aquahound]

Good question. With all the other lines having Any Time Dining, I really didn't see a big difference between Freestyle and what is offered on other lines. No real advantage there.

 

Smoking was allowed in rooms on Sky, and it was noticable in my room, mostly by the bleach mix they used to try to cover it. Big reason for me to avoid them there.

 

I guess my nod for NCL goes to the dining choices. I don't mind spending $ on cruises, so I like the specialty restaurant choices. I also liked the lack of formal wear.

 

Otherwise, I just found another option, but certainly not a preference.

 

Sorry this is on the boo NCL side. :o