A Carnival cruiser does NCL

[iluvdoxies]

Hey all, just home Sat from a b2b on the Sun. Still feeling the ship move lol. Just let me say the cruise was great, even with bad weather and getting sick (bronchitus) Still feeling poorly, so this will have to be done in bits and pieces.

 

Sailed out of Port Canaveral 10/8 - a windy rainy day, yuk. Since we were in a suite we used the VIP check in - Belkys was the concierge and she checked us in - told us all about the ship, etc etc. She had just completed the Balkin trips and the TA and this was to be her last week before vaca. She was beyond great - came by our cabin 2x day to see if we needed anything, escorted us to the 1st show (suite pax have reserved seating )

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

Then our butler for the next 2 weeks came and introduced himself, Jeffrey and he is a doll.

He escorted us on board and took us to Il Adagio for a "proper" lunch. Suite pax eat break and lunch there and we did almost every day. It was delicious and wait staff fantastic.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

Still raining after lunch and cabins are ready, so head to deck 9, aft, 9076, the cabin from heaven. HUGE with separate bedroom and big bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate shower. So many gifts in the cabin, wine, champagne more wine and bday cake for John (Belkys had asked if we were celebrating anything ) so I told her Johns bday this week and also our anniversary - 15 yrs. Also 2 cards from NCL saying "Congratulations " on your special event - present to any maitre d for a nice surprise.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

Muster drill was inside cause of the rain - they DO mark off your cabin # - no life vests needed - whole drill took about 10 min. Back to cabin and luggage was there - and so was Jeffrey, he wanted to unpack for us lol - we told him no thanks....he returned 5 min later with canapes and said if there was ANYTHING we needed to let him know.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

By this time, the weather was worse, forget sail away party - headed up to the Sports Bar- big, with huge windows that afford a nice view- by now, the rain wa sideways and wind was worse. But we did head out to an angry sea.

TV was lame. no ABC CBS NBC or even ESPN - so no watching my Gators get tromped. The Capt did post the scores every Sun from the college games. )in the Sports Bar)

Had a couple of vodka nd tonics - very strong. We then had some wings and fish and chips- we we not all that hungry cause of our huge lunch. Snacks are free from 630p til 0400. THe menu was quite extensive, more than I expected.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

 

 

 

It was getting rougher, so we headed back to the cabin - could hardly walk . The cabin couch was safe haven for a bit, then it got worse so we decided to just go to bed- the bed was very comfy and it was freezing in the bedroom so I turned up the thermostat. Getting up and going to the toilet was a olympic feat. All the drawers were slamming open and shut, champagne bucket fell over as well as many glasses - luckily nothing broke.

 

We lived through the night and had this been our 1st cruise, it prolly would be the last - Never have I seen it so rough. Slept fitfully that night, but was awake early and I made a cup of coffee and felt better. It was still windy and overcast - yuk. We docked in Nassau on time and we just stayed on the ship.

 

Breakfast at Adagio was awesome - I had read the menus on line and everything was just delicious. It is slow though, but it sure beats the crowds on the pool deck, we ate here every am.

 

Going to stop for now - will continue later today. Any questions, just ask.

[sparks1093]

Looking forward to the rest of your review (and hoping that you are feeling better soon). We are trying CCL after being on NCL so I like to see these comparisions.

[nikimouse]

sounds like NCL really made you feel special! shame you didnt have good weather, neither did I on my first cruise, but I still loved it. Im looking foward to NCL pearl but still enjoy carnival

cant wait to read more when you are feeling better. :)

[iluvdoxies]

Looking forward to the rest of your review (and hoping that you are feeling better soon). We are trying CCL after being on NCL so I like to see these comparisions.

 

Thanks, I'm trying to be fair.

[iluvdoxies]

sounds like NCL really made you feel special! shame you didnt have good weather, neither did I on my first cruise, but I still loved it. Im looking foward to NCL pearl but still enjoy carnival

cant wait to read more when you are feeling better. :)

 

Yes they do go the "extra mile". They have little cards in the cabin and though out the ship where you can compliment a crew member. I filled out quite a few.

[russianmom]

I know it's not an equal or fair comparison but after being in a suite on NCL in Feb then trying CCL I was pretty disappointed....

[iluvdoxies]

Tonight we ate at Le Bistro - excellent - 20.00 per person. The onion soup = mmm delish. Beef was excellent as well. Creme brulee for dessert. Took a bottle of wine to dinner, if you dont finish it, they give you a chit and it can be served at any restaurant later.

We gave the Congrts card to the maitre d and they brough out a bday cake and sang hbday to John - they sent the cake to our room - it was huge.

 

We were tired after dinner and hit the hay early. Jeffrey had left choc covered strawberries for our afternoon treat. Tonight was rough as well, after we left Nassau. But not as bad as Sat.

 

Mon sea day - made a cup of coffee and waited for John to wake up - went the Adagio for breakfast mm sooo good. Can you believe I lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks ?????

 

Our meet/greet was at 1100 in the Observation Lounge - beautiful room with HUGE windows all around. Turn out was sparce, maybe about 25 ? Capt Tommy was there, HD Rosita (whi was sooo funny) Pedro CD and other sr officers. They had cookies, pound cake, sodas, coffee tea and water. All of the officers spoke and said to contact them if we needed anything. Capt said Sat night we sailed in 60 mph winds, yikes !

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

The staff were constantly out and about to mingle - every morn at 0900 at the Java Cafe staff were there to answers questions, Capt most days. Very impressive.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

Played some trivia, sat out on the pool deck some, still overcast. Got a mani pedi that afternoon. Jeffrey brought us cheese and crackers for our snack.

We were not really hungry for dinner as again, we had a huge lunch at Adagios. Went up to Las Ramblas, the tappas bar had had some munchies and listed to a female singer/guitar player - she was very good. Tappas were free.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

Tonight ( I believe) was the suite party starting at 7pm - canapes, free drinks for 1 hr (anything you wanted) our butler was serving - Capt and staff were there. Left at 720 for the 730 show, escorted by Belkys to our reserved seats.

Can you hear me CCL ?

 

The show was very good - forget the name of it, but singers and dancers and music was great---Now this is where CCL excels = costumes, lights, special effects- NCL neds to improve. The show We Will Rock You was awesome but would have been more so with some special effects.

Can you hear me NCL ?

 

After the show, we had an after dinner coffe with Baily's on our HUGE balcony - Jeffrey has even brough me a can of whipped cream for it :)

 

Tomorrow - nice weather !

[gelo7]

Looking forward to the rest.

[iluvdoxies]

I know it's not an equal or fair comparison but after being in a suite on NCL in Feb then trying CCL I was pretty disappointed....

 

I know - we have stayed in suites on CCL, perks are NOTHING, except for priority embarkation----sad.

 

When this review is finished, I'm sending a copy of this to G Cahill, as if he cares.

[jakesnana]

I know - we have stayed in suites on CCL, perks are NOTHING, except for priority embarkation----sad.

 

When this review is finished, I'm sending a copy of this to G Cahill, as if he cares.

 

I know the suite perks are better on NCL than on Carnival, but how do the prices compare? Did you price out a CCL cruise for the same time frame as the cruise you took on NCL?

 

We cannot afford the "suite life" at the moment, so I've never even priced it out, just wondering if you're paying more for all the perks on NCL.

[iluvdoxies]

We arrived at 12n and left at 8pm. Finally sun is out some and no rain.

 

Had usual breakfast at Adagios, hung out by pool deck with a few brews, back to adagios for lunch.

We;ve been in ST Thomas before, so we just stayed on board.

 

Played some trivia, napped and read some.

 

Tonight we had reservations for Moderno - what a LOT of food - a very nice salad bar first, then they come with huge skewers of beef, pork, lamb chicken and sausages - 11 items in all ! We got through 3 beef and were stuffed. I asked one of the servers if anyone ever gets through the whole menu and she said yes _ OMG ! Sorry I forget what dessert was - then out came our anniversary cake with singing :) Had that sent to the cabin as well.

 

Tonights show was a juggler, pretty good.

 

Hit the casino for a bit then off to bed. Jeffrey had left us little slider sammies :)

[iluvdoxies]

We arrived at 0800 and were there til 4pm.

 

After breakfast we went ashore ! HAHA. I was getting a sore throat ( the ship was freezing everywhere) so we just walked around a bit and took a horse and buggy ride to see the sights - took about an hr - 35 each. Very imformative.

 

Went back to the ship and ate in the Garden Cafe - the wok station there is gooood. Lots of choices for lunch - nice salad bar, carving station, desserts and ice cream with sprinkles. ALso 2 hot soups every day - loved the pretzel balls !

 

Feeling bad, so took a nap - yep a cold is coming on. :(

 

Forget what the afternoon snack was, but we ate it lol.

 

Went up to the Sports bar and had a few cocktails, hoping alkehol will kill cold germs - didnt work.

 

Feeling really bad by now so I went to bed and John hit the casino. He lost.

[iluvdoxies]

My nose simply wont stop running and the gift shop is out of cold meds !!!!! I do have cough syrup with me. Kept popping aspirin and c.s.

 

I think we ordered a pizza for lunch - it was good and HUGE but the pepperoni tasted wierd.

 

Tried to sleep but was coughing too much - took a hot shower and that helped.

 

Rest of the day was kind of a blur - we did go to the show tonight -- We will rock you, excellent. Would have been better with better costumes and lighting.

 

Off to bed early again as tom. is private is and I want to go.

[iluvdoxies]

Well it wasnt meant to be --had a raging fever now and felt like I was hacking up a lung. Went to the dr and cold had gone into bronchitus. Got some antibiotics. Also John now had caught my cold, so we were a pitiful pair. Completely lost my appetite.

 

Jeffrey broght us chicken soup and a fruit plate for lunch , slept and generally felt sorry for myself lol.

 

Got info delivered re the b2b - we were to meet in the dining room at 0845= there were quite a few of us too !

 

We were escorted off by Belkys, whisked through customs and back on board really quick.

 

I went back to bed and I really dont remember much of the day.

 

Next up - 2 half.

[nikimouse]

I know - we have stayed in suites on CCL, perks are NOTHING, except for priority embarkation----sad.

 

When this review is finished, I'm sending a copy of this to G Cahill, as if he cares.

 

 

I loved my penthouse suite on carnival, loved the jacuzzi in the bathroom. It was only a 4 nt cruise to the bahamas, and cost around $500, so was affordable. I didnt think Id be going on another cruise, at the time it was a 'one off' so I wanted to make the most of it and the people I was with did not want to do a 7 nt cruise. Id love to stay in a suite on NCL, but they cost alot more than suites on carnival.

 

If you had not been in a suite, would you still have loved your NCL cruise?

 

I wonder what the demographics of the passengers onboard are like on ncl, whats the average age onboard, was the club hopping ect? if you can answer any of these questions for me and offer any comparasons to carnival with regard to deck parties and the nightclub that would be great, because many reviews dont mention this.

 

thanks! :D

[iluvdoxies]

I loved my penthouse suite on carnival, loved the jacuzzi in the bathroom. It was only a 4 nt cruise to the bahamas, and cost around $500, so was affordable. I didnt think Id be going on another cruise, at the time it was a 'one off' so I wanted to make the most of it and the people I was with did not want to do a 7 nt cruise. Id love to stay in a suite on NCL, but they cost alot more than suites on carnival.

 

If you had not been in a suite, would you still have loved your NCL cruise?

 

I wonder what the demographics of the passengers onboard are like on ncl, whats the average age onboard, was the club hopping ect? if you can answer any of these questions for me and offer any comparasons to carnival with regard to deck parties and the nightclub that would be great, because many reviews dont mention this.

 

thanks! :D

 

Yes we still would have loved it - average age was 45 I'd guess, lots of European pax.

The suites are more on NCL true, but you get what you pay for.

 

The make up of pax seemed more refined than CCL, not snobby, but much better behaved. Didnt see an unruly drunks or kids gone wild.

 

Didnt make any parties the 1st week, but the White Hot Party was awesome on the 2nd - it's on Thur night.

 

The Sports bar was always hopping as well as the casino and Las Ramblas drew a good crowd, the gal in there sang folk songs.

 

Dazzles is the main nightclub, small dance floor.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

:D I thought you would have a good time! :D

 

Sorry about the rough weather and the cold. :( We took a 2 night cruise on the Pearl and got off last Sunday (10/16). My cold started last Tuesday... STILL dealing with it!

 

Can't wait to board the Epic... one month and two days from now!!

 

Tom

[valleyvillage]

I bet your doxie is happy! My Greta says HI!

[nikimouse]

Yes we still would have loved it - average age was 45 I'd guess, lots of European pax.

The suites are more on NCL true, but you get what you pay for.

 

The make up of pax seemed more refined than CCL, not snobby, but much better behaved. Didnt see an unruly drunks or kids gone wild.

 

Didnt make any parties the 1st week, but the White Hot Party was awesome on the 2nd - it's on Thur night.

 

The Sports bar was always hopping as well as the casino and Las Ramblas drew a good crowd, the gal in there sang folk songs.

 

Dazzles is the main nightclub, small dance floor.

 

Thanks! Ive seen the white hot party on you tube it looks good on the sky but didnt see much videos of the pearl

I have a feeling that Ncl is more me than the other cruise lines, dunno just have a feeling I will like it more. Im cruising for spring break so Im sure there will be alot of younger people onboard at that time.

thanks again for your review, Ive read a ton of stuff about food and im like ' why didnt they mention the club?! lol

very relieved to hear you didnt feel that it was 'snobby'. I will try to be on my best behaviour ;) ( at least while on the ship lol )

[iluvdoxies]

:D I thought you would have a good time! :D

 

Sorry about the rough weather and the cold. :( We took a 2 night cruise on the Pearl and got off last Sunday (10/16). My cold started last Tuesday... STILL dealing with it!

 

Can't wait to board the Epic... one month and two days from now!!

 

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. Still feeling yuky here too ----going to see my doc tom.

 

How did you like the Pearl ? We saw her at one of the ports - cant remember which one. but then I dont remember much of 2nd week lol.

 

Also I have a quick question for you===I sent out our laundry the 2nd week via the butler. We were charged for it - is that the norm ? I felt too bad on the last Fri to deal with it and just figured I'll do it when I get home.

 

Lucky you- the Epic is just around the corner.

[iluvdoxies]

I bet your doxie is happy! My Greta says HI!

 

Yes he is ! And us too- really missed him. Our pet sitter was wonderful = spent a lot of time with him :)

[iluvdoxies]

Thanks! Ive seen the white hot party on you tube it looks good on the sky but didnt see much videos of the pearl

I have a feeling that Ncl is more me than the other cruise lines, dunno just have a feeling I will like it more. Im cruising for spring break so Im sure there will be alot of younger people onboard at that time.

thanks again for your review, Ive read a ton of stuff about food and im like ' why didnt they mention the club?! lol

very relieved to hear you didnt feel that it was 'snobby'. I will try to be on my best behaviour ;) ( at least while on the ship lol )

 

No people were not at all snobby - but very friendly and NICE.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Thanks Tom. Still feeling yuky here too ----going to see my doc tom.

 

How did you like the Pearl ? We saw her at one of the ports - cant remember which one. but then I dont remember much of 2nd week lol.

 

Also I have a quick question for you===I sent out our laundry the 2nd week via the butler. We were charged for it - is that the norm ? I felt too bad on the last Fri to deal with it and just figured I'll do it when I get home.

 

Lucky you- the Epic is just around the corner.

 

We enjoyed the Pearl, but I tell you, 2 days (not even a full 48 hours) was not enough to really experience all that she has to offer. I was surprised that our aft Penthouse was as small as it was. We booked that cabin on the two nighter because we had the exact same cabin on the Jewel (same class of ship) booked for Alaska next year and wanted to give it a try. When Cheryl was at the make-up desk, if I came out of the bathroom she would be smacked with the door. Getting from that area and around the bed necessitated almost turning sideways. As a result, we decided to upgrade to one of the Owner's Suites. Thanks to my play in the casino those two short nights I managed a $3,000 reduction in the fare when I called CAS !!! :D

 

From what I understand, free laundry is not a suite perk - though it is once you reach the Platinum level in their Latitudes program:

 

........

 

 

 

Tom

[Sauer-kraut]

In all fairness to CCL re the free tapas, they do have free sushi. But since I really don't care for sushi NCL gets my thumbs up for the tapas. :D

[nikimouse]

do they give you a glass of bubbly at embarkation? I think I read that they are stopping that! I hope not