What Keeps YOU Coming Back to NCL?

[megnut21]

Being able to dine when you want is a plus. Dressing up as you want is a plus. The epic is way more of a party boat then Pearl. I love the epic, not the rooms very small. The food is good and lots to pick from. It really doesn't feel crowed except at the pool, which I am not one to hang at the pool all day. Epic has a great workout area with classes. Looking forward to the other shops they will be building. Free style cruising is so relaxing, no rushing to get to dinner, can eat alone or not.

[themaxydog]

My first voyage on a cruise ship was in 2005 on Norwegian Dawn. She was an older ship but clean and the crew impressed us because no matter who they were from the Captain to the engine room worker they all had a moment to talk and smile. The crew I think are what draw us to NCL, the fun with the "washy washy" greeting, the upper deck bar attendant who greets you with a smile weather you are ordering or passing through. The waiters who laugh with you and add to your dining experience and their supervisors who greet you as you pass them anywhere in the ship. The little gifts in your stateroom from members of the crew, they don't cost much and many most likely get them, but they make us feel special.

The dining experience is important, that's one of the main reasons we cruise, and enjoying every restaurant and bar on each ship is something we always do. To be able to go to dinner with who you want, when you want, adds to the experience never diminishes from it. I look forward to Dawn in March to achieve the same goal. Ports are not something I consider a priority, the ship is the experience.

If I could change one thing about NCL I would let them know that not only North Americans cruise. I often hear how they get welcome aboard kits, congratulation letters from Latitudes and other small but nice items which those of us who come from other parts of the world don't get. It's only a small thing but it's a part of the cruising experience we miss out on.

I have sailed once on another line but the crew didn't have that genuineness to their smile, they seemed more, mechanical. Will I cruise again with them, yes, I am booked in 2013, you can't judge a cruise line by just one ship and one cruise.

[fshagan]

For us, its the Freestyle concept, without a mandatory formal night(s).

 

We have sailed several times on Disney and several times on Princess as well, and enjoyed all our cruises. But the ability to eat anytime, choose the venue, and pack-less-enjoy-more makes the difference for us.

[TxnAquarian]

If I may ask, wondering why you will no longer cruise on NCL. Did Celebrity lure you with their more strict smoking policy?

 

 

Hi Coffeebean! I didn't really want to get into details because I didn't want it to seem like I'm slamming NCL. We enjoyed our 3 cruises with them and, like I said, we really think they excel in some areas. One of the main reasons we switched to Celebrity, was due to the strict non-smoking policies. NCL ships felt very smoky to us, and it's nice to go to the casino and not reek of cigarettes afterwards. Also, we felt that SOME of the other guests on our NCL cruises were a little rough-around-the-edges. Overall, Celebrity has provided a more consistent type of clientele. And finally, for the price we were paying for suites on NCL, we can get upgraded Veranda rooms on Celebrity with better overall service and many of the same perks we got with NCL suites.

 

Again, I am not bashing NCL. We have great memories of our trips, made great friends and think they offer some unique innovations. But once we tried Celebrity, we kind of got sold on their product.

 

 

 

 

Michael

[Aquabug]

Also, we felt that SOME of the other guests on our NCL cruises were a little rough-around-the-edges. Overall, Celebrity has provided a more consistent type of clientele.

 

Hello, I am only a second time cruiser here, so, honest ta' pete, what EXACTLY do you mean by " a little rough around the edges"??

 

Do you choose your cruises based solely on whom you expect to be aboard your ship? If they are not up to your standards, their are plenty of high end cruises available to anybody that has the means for them.

 

I suggest you look at the Seven Seas All Inclusive Cruise.. for all their a the ugly little ppl will be hidden from you, and then you may enjoy yourself, to your heart's content!. Ciao! :rolleyes:

[KerryJTaylor]

I LOVE NCL!!!!. We sailed on the Pearl last year and I felt so emotional having to leave :( The whole experience from start to finish was simply wonderful. From the minute you step onboard the red carpet is out for you. The food is great, the entertainment is fab and the the crew are THE BEST!!!. We made so many friends from restaurant staff and photographers to the guys in the shops - EVERYONE went out if their way to make your cruise the best it could be.....you don't feel like a number, you feel like a valued guest. The Freestyle concept is great....eating when you want and with who too.

 

Just booked to go on Epic next September, can't wait!!! :)

[TxnAquarian]

Hello, I am only a second time cruiser here, so, honest ta' pete, what EXACTLY do you mean by " a little rough around the edges"??

 

Do you choose your cruises based solely on whom you expect to be aboard your ship? If they are not up to your standards, their are plenty of high end cruises available to anybody that has the means for them.

 

I suggest you look at the Seven Seas All Inclusive Cruise.. for all their a the ugly little ppl will be hidden from you, and then you may enjoy yourself, to your heart's content!. Ciao! :rolleyes:

 

 

Aquabug, no reason to get bent out of shape. Someone asked me for my opinion. Am I not allowed to give my opinion on here? You are probably one of the people I was referring to as rough-around-the-edges. If you had followed the posts, you would see that I said that we enjoyed our NCL cruises, made a lot of friends and think that NCL excels in certain areas that the other cruise lines do not. And I listed the ways in which I think NCL is better than other cruise lines. But we have found another cruise line that better fits our lifestyle now. If you can't have a civil conversation on here, you probably shouldn't be on the boards.

 

 

 

Michael

[craigers]

We love Freestyle Cruising.What we also like about NCL is their Repo Cruises.We've taken many Repo Cruises out of Philly and New York.The prices are great and they are always about two weeks.The other cruise lines may have Repo Cruises but they are shorter and cost more.Boston also has Repo Cruises every year.

[Newleno]

Aquabug, no reason to get bent out of shape. Someone asked me for my opinion. Am I not allowed to give my opinion on here? You are probably one of the people I was referring to as rough-around-the-edges. If you had followed the posts, you would see that I said that we enjoyed our NCL cruises, made a lot of friends and think that NCL excels in certain areas that the other cruise lines do not. And I listed the ways in which I think NCL is better than other cruise lines. But we have found another cruise line that better fits our lifestyle now. If you can't have a civil conversation on here, you probably shouldn't be on the boards.

 

 

 

Michael

 

Yes there seems to be some confusion with cruiselines. As to freestyle, most cruiselines now have a version of freestyle dining. In addition with NCL nonspecialty restaurants the food in the buffet is basically the same as in the restaurants, a good majority of the time the same dishes served. Some cruiselines are stricter than others when it comes to smoking. I have found all crews to be helpful with all cruiselines, after all that is there job and I appreciate their work. Never talked to an officer except when I had a problem, each cruiseline's officers has helped me. Price, well some cruislines offer a better product than others, if you are a great shopper you can get deals on those better cruislines. Just do your research, make sure you are researching information in an unbiased environment.

 

I appreciate TXN's tactfulness and 100 percent opinion of his experiences, free speech and openess is a wonderful thing

 

Have a great time.

[Richpontone]

Low price, good value for my hard earned bucks and my last June cruise on the Gem. Food, great Cruise Director and Hotel Director, very good crew atitude, and great nightly entertainment show made for the best cruise of my life and I have done 7 of my last eight cruises with NCL. Sure, I can spend more money for "a sophisticated" cruise such as Cunard, but NCL gives me what I want and need.

[CP50]

Simply put "THE SUITE LIFE"!

[gooselover]

Wanted to give you all an update! We booked the Sun for 12/5/2012 for an 11 day cruise. I REALLY am excited about this and looking forward to giving NCL a try. I have no doubts that we will LOVE NCL!

[katyjeka]

We've been on several NCL cruises, and a couple Carnival. We had a great time on Carnival, but we feel more comfortable on NCL. The crew is the best and really add to your cruising experience. The benefits they give you on NCL if you book a suite are amazing. Cagney's for breakfast and lunch have us hooked on suites. We've been on the Dawn, Spirit, Pearl, and Jewel and find the ships to be beautiful. With small children, the Dawn and Spirit have wonderful kids pool. Our cruises on NCL do not feel like party cruises, but there is enough going on to keep the cruise fun. Funny story,when we decided to take our 1st cruise, a travel agent suggested any line but NCL. This was in 2004, and we went against the travel agent, and sailed on the Dawn. It was a twelve day cruise, leaving from New York, in December. The trip was PERFECT, and we've been in love ever since. Janice

[kendal]

The best "suite life" of all. Love all the included perks in the NCL suites.

 

I could not agree more! Love having the butler and concierge! Suites are beautiful.

[janvino]

Why do I keep going NCL?

1 suites (Aft)

2FREESTYLE yes I was shouting!

3 CREW, they make the cruise. C stands for crew. You can't cruise without the C.:D

[kendal]

The best "suite life" of all. Love all the included perks in the NCL suites.

 

I could not agree more! Love having the butler and concierge! Suites are beautiful.

[youngestof9]

I love the suite life too, but I have to say the staff is so amazing. Great crews on the ships I've been on and even the reservations staff have been so helpful. Makes me want to continue sailing with them. I just like the way they treat customers.