What Keeps YOU Coming Back to NCL?

[rasta]

For me the only thing making me choose NCL is price. I've done several on RCCL, a handful on CCL and one on NCL. Based on my experiences they are all pretty much the same and the primary differentiator is simply price. My opinions only:

 

* NCL does have Freestyle which is different (better or worse depends on the passenger).

* CCL has the largest cabins.

* RCCL is the most luxurious.

 

When I book I look first for price for similar itineraries with a preference towards CCL for the larger cabins. If NCL didn't have the lowest price I wouldn't sail.

 

Just me.

[Caliber1]

As I have only cruised CCL I was wondering the same.

 

The crew and officers :)

 

Care to elaborate Halos?

 

Thanks everyone for the honest comments! I'm looking right now to book our cruise with NCL. I've wanted to try them for a while, and now is the time. I know we will have a great cruise!

 

I think with your attitude you would have a great cruise on any line. We have one booked for next November, and I am seriously thinking of booking one between our Legend cruise in two weeks and our Dawn cruise.

[halos]

As I have only cruised CCL I was wondering the same.

 

 

 

Care to elaborate Halos?

 

 

.

It's me you're talking to...of course I'd love to elaborate :p

 

For me, the energy on the ship means everything...I am super sensitive to it, which is why my biggest fear is to be on a ship with a changed itinerary and irate passengers...I shudder just thinking about it.

What makes me happy, is being around happy people.

 

I think CCL has a fabulous crew and I have never found a reason to think they were anything less than perfect, however, NCL crew are just different. The crew on NCL actually seem to LOVE their jobs. There is no other way to describe it. They all seem like one big happy family and that energy causes a ripple effect that the passengers feel as well....so you wind up with a ship full off happy crew AND passengers.

This has been my experience on all my NCL cruises.

 

As for the officers, they are visible and approachable...right there along with the crew. At the CC Meet and Greet, they will give you their direct phone line to contact them if you have questions or concerns and they mean it when they say 'Call me'.

 

I have witnessed people approaching the hotel director and seen him pull out a phone and take care of the person's issue right then and there on the spot.

I actually credit the hotel directors on NCL for this. I have met and talked with a couple of them, and they are just amazing. The are in charge of all those people and they have them working like a well oiled machine and LOVING their jobs. You can only love your job when your boss is good, so I think the hotel directors deserve the credit.

 

I have memories in my mind of crew members dacing while they are cooking....stewards singing in the hallways.

How many people dance and sing while they are working???

You just can't have a bad cruise if the crew are happy....it's virtually impossible.

 

 

OK...I have PCD now..... :rolleyes:

[Caliber1]

It's me you're talking to...of course I'd love to elaborate :p

 

For me, the energy on the ship means everything...I am super sensitive to it, which is why my biggest fear is to be on a ship with a changed itinerary and irate passengers...I shudder just thinking about it.

What makes me happy, is being around happy people.

 

I think CCL has a fabulous crew and I have never found a reason to think they were anything less than perfect, however, NCL crew are just different. The crew on NCL actually seem to LOVE their jobs. There is no other way to describe it. They all seem like one big happy family and that energy causes a ripple effect that the passengers feel as well....so you wind up with a ship full off happy crew AND passengers.

This has been my experience on all my NCL cruises.

 

As for the officers, they are visible and approachable...right there along with the crew. At the CC Meet and Greet, they will give you their direct phone line to contact them if you have questions or concerns and they mean it when they say 'Call me'.

 

I have witnessed people approaching the hotel director and seen him pull out a phone and take care of the person's issue right then and there on the spot.

I actually credit the hotel directors on NCL for this. I have met and talked with a couple of them, and they are just amazing. The are in charge of all those people and they have them working like a well oiled machine and LOVING their jobs. You can only love your job when your boss is good, so I think the hotel directors deserve the credit.

 

I have memories in my mind of crew members dacing while they are cooking....stewards singing in the hallways.

How many people dance and sing while they are working???

You just can't have a bad cruise if the crew are happy....it's virtually impossible.

 

 

OK...I have PCD now..... :rolleyes:

 

Now THAT is an elaboration!! LMAO ;) Sorry for the PCD, you could always use that as an excuse to book the Dawn for next Nov. 11th. :D

 

This is making me look at some spring cruises now. Thanks a lot!! :p

[smg53]

So many things!

 

I have booked and been on 3 cruises, all NCL. We are booked for May 2012 on NCL.

 

We are laid back so we love freestyle. A set dinner time seems like hell to me! Also I love dressing up but not ballgown dressing up. NCL gives me the opportunity to buy some cute dresses and enjoy dinner without breaking the bank!

 

We have made wonderful friends of staff and passengers alike during our last 3 cruises. I have never met people that work as hard as the crew all while keeping a smile and somehow always remembering our name and preferences!

 

We always book suites, so I can't lie and say that doesn't factor into how wonderful our cruise is. If you can afford I say do it, you won't regret!

 

We picked our May 2012 cruise because of price and our availability for time off. It's not the most exciting itinerary (and we've done it before) so we don't plan on leaving the ship. It will be our second time on the Gem and we love her that much! I'm looking forward to relaxing and getting to explore and take advantage of all the things we missed last time.

[HelliCap]

The food!!!! :D:rolleyes:

JK. I haven't been on NCL yet but there are threads all over CC raving about the food :p.

[halos]

Now THAT is an elaboration!! LMAO Sorry for the PCD, you could always use that as an excuse to book the Dawn for next Nov. 11th. :D

 

This is making me look at some spring cruises now. Thanks a lot!! :p

 

 

Believe me, if I didn't have a very special cruise already booked on the Dawn for Sept 2012, I would be on the Dawn with you!!

 

However...if I were to hit the Powerball between now and then and win enough so that MrHalos could retire, then I will join you :)

 

Why don't you look at the Sun for feb 2013...ELEVEN DAYS!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

[Caliber1]

Which date in Feb.? There are 2 11 day cruises. interesting itineraries too.

 

Believe me, if I didn't have a very special cruise already booked on the Dawn for Sept 2012, I would be on the Dawn with you!!

 

However...if I were to hit the Powerball between now and then and win enough so that MrHalos could retire, then I will join you :)

 

Why don't you look at the Sun for feb 2013...ELEVEN DAYS!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

[castagnola68]

don't forget about the ncl mastercard credit card perks either.

if you are going to book, you should get that credit card 1st and then book your cruise using that card so you get the points.

 

and, for all ncl purchases, i think you get double points.

 

i cant remember the cash out price for your points but you can either get obc or upgrade a room. but, i was not able to upgrade from an inside cabin to a balcony - i think you just get a better room or something like that.

 

it is definitely worth it because the OBC is more valuable than the gift cards & such. for 10,000 points i think i got $100 onboard credit and if i wanted say, a target gift card, it would have only been $75.00.

 

leaving out of ny is key also.

and some mentioned how happy the crew is,,, for sure!

they absolutely love what they do & it is infectious... they aren't faking it, thats for sure.

[newmexicoNita]

DH and I have cruised several times but never with NCL and we would like to try them. We have been on Carnival and RCCL.

 

What do YOU like most with NCL over the rest of the cruise lines and what keeps you coming back?

 

We are contemplating between Epic and the Pearl. Your suggestions?

 

lots of things: the friendly crew (they are almost always smiling) the dining choices, the casual dress policy, the itineraries, and yes, the prices (usually) Like everything in life, there are some negatives, but the positives outweigh the few things I wish could be imroved on.

 

Nita

 

PS: you must be our neighbor if you live in NE OK.

[oldguysandgalls]

We'll always remember our NCL cruise on the SS Norway. It was magical and memorable. Thank you NCL, thank you SS Norway, for the memories.

 

Now, after several cruises with different cruise lines, we are coming back to NCL (Norwegian Dawn Nov.2011) to re-live the magic and the ambiance and the attention to detail for which NCL is renowned. Thank you good friend for waiting for us, thank you.

[Planmaam]

What a joy to read this thread! Thanks, OP.

 

I originally chose NCL for Freestyle; DH would not have cruised if he had to wear at least a suit to dinner every night!

 

All of the previous answers kept us coming back; crew, officers, atmosphere, freestyle, ships, dining, etc. And I would like to add the Cruise Critic Meet & Greets! Love the chance to meet people on board who you already feel you know after "talking" here on CC.

 

NCL has kept us coming back, I've never sailed another cruise line. Not that I wouldn't, I just haven't had a reason to look elsewhere!

[djd832001]

My first cruise with NCL is going to be next year and I'm real excited. I've been on RCCL 3 times I loved the first one I went on, which was Enchantment, but found I did not enjoy the Voyager and Explorer, and it was not due to the crowds. I found I did not like the dining options. I was tired of the chioice of only having two dining times. For example I like to watch us sail off but I could not because of the time we departed was time for dinner. So I'm looking forward to dining when I want and how I want. So ready for December of 2012 but I got forever to go it seems.

[Cubechick]

OP, regarding choosing between the Pearl and Epic...I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences on both ships. The Epic is great because she is so different with the entertainment options (I believe CollinsIllinois listed her many options for you).

 

My one disappointment with her was that she felt to me like sailing in a Vegas Hotel. Very little views to the outdoors...limited promenade deck...

 

I felt like you really had to go searching to see the ocean...which to me just isn't the point of being on a cruise!

 

That said, I would certainly sail the Epic again...sailing in a Haven Villa was to die for as was the Epic Club (not available on any other ship at this time).

 

But felt that on the Pearl, you feel more of that classic cruise ship experience.

[CPT Trips]

Price for cruises sailing out of NYC . . . allows me to avoid all the TSA BS at airports.

[freezincruiser]

I'll be going on my first NCL cruise this weekend on the Gem.....I'm really looking forward to it and hope its a great cruise. I've read a ton about it, so I am prepared.

 

I'm a very loyal RCI cruiser and only like cruising with them. Disney I would do as well as I'm an avid WDW traveler. Have been on Celebrity before, was ok. Princess I have also done, never again in the foreseeable future.

 

We chose this cruise because it stopped in Bermuda for longer. Although Bermuda may not even happen now, I’m still excited and it looks to be a fantastic ship and something different. Hopefully after this NCL cruise, I will be wanting to go on another Norwegian Voyage!

[halos]

Which date in Feb.? There are 2 11 day cruises. interesting itineraries too.

 

Feb 6th :D

[fiftyguy]

I think it starts with the relaxed dining concept (freestyle) and then runs through to the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the ship, from crew to passengers. I like the ability one has to be as casual or as fancy as one likes to be and not feel out of place.

The suite perks aren't bad either.

[VegasChic]

The crew is #1, the value for the money, the many dining options, & freestyle. Now if they can make the cabins a little bigger I would love them even more!!

[Got Tequila?]

The crew is #1, the value for the money, the many dining options, & freestyle. Now if they can make the cabins a little bigger I would love them even more!!

 

I had a dream the other night that the cabin steward opened the cabin door and escorted us into the cabin and opened a door in the cabin to show off the new seperate shoe closets in the cabin that worked by remote control...........at that point Steve woke me up before I got to unpack my carry on bags full of shoes. :D

[vols_159]

price and quality had 2 great cruises with a 3rd one booked!

[DMH15]

Believe me, if I didn't have a very special cruise already booked on the Dawn for Sept 2012, I would be on the Dawn with you!!

 

However...if I were to hit the Powerball between now and then and win enough so that MrHalos could retire, then I will join you :)

 

Why don't you look at the Sun for feb 2013...ELEVEN DAYS!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

 

Shoot, Halos! Don't tell me your are cruising with retired.... I am on the Sun in March 2013!!! Darn it.

[halos]

Shoot, Halos! Don't tell me your are cruising with retired.... I am on the Sun in March 2013!!! Darn it.

 

I am!!!!! :D

rebook yours!!!!

 

I had a dream the other night that the cabin steward opened the cabin door and escorted us into the cabin and opened a door in the cabin to show off the new seperate shoe closets in the cabin that worked by remote control...........at that point Steve woke me up before I got to unpack my carry on bags full of shoes.

 

That's a GREAT dream....especially the shoes part!!! :D

[luddite]

My wife cruise NCL. It works out best if I also cruise NCL. Weird, huh?

[doitallWMB]

First crew awareness of your needs. Second FREEEEEEEESTYLE!!!!!!!!!