Which line would you choose - Carnival or NCL?

[Mississippian]

I haven't sailed on either line but am booked on NCL for next March, mainly because I can sail out of New Orleans. We chose NCL over Carnival and RCCL because 1) NCL was going where we wanted to go (Belize) and 2) the price of a full family suite was barely more than a small balcony cabin on Princess or elsewhere. I really like the idea of having a 409 to 494 sq. foot stateroom.

 

NCL reportedly treats their suite passengers very well, almost delivering a two-tier cruising experience, with a special breakfast and lunch room for suite passengers and special seating area in shows for suite passengers. And since the suites are reasonably priced compared to the other lines, that was the deciding factor for us.

 

My guess is that after this trip we will either never want to sail on anything but NCL in a suite, or will never sail NCL again. I'll report.

[roe2ship]

:o Don't forget Celebrity leaves out of Bayonne New Jersey, that's very close to NYC. I have sailed NCL many times out of NYC, it is extremely convenient. The food does not compare with Princess, Celebrity or Royal. A friend of mine took her younger niece on carnival and attested to the glitz, younger crowd and better food than NCL.

 

Have fun on whichever line you choose.

Yes...we did that cruise last Summer. However, when I return to Celebrity it has to be on one of their Solstice class ships. Thanks!:)

[mistshar]

We haven't sailed Princess yet but are looking forward to it in April. Can't wait. However we have sailed Carnival several times and NCL once, probably our last. We did not like it at all. We were even offered a $200 certificate on our next cruise but didn't use it because we weren't interested. The food was alright and most of the staff was good but there were issues. We did not like the way they clean the rooms and turn them down at night. Some nights it would be late before they would come to our room and we go to our room shortly after dinner. We are ready to take showers then and settle in for the night. It was an inconvenience to us. There were other things but they probably just happened on that ship. It just wasn't a good fit for us.

 

As far as a lot of drunks on Carnival, we have never encountered that. Maybe it is because we go to our cabin fairly early at night. We, also, have never noticed that many announcements except when they are necessary or informative. I like them to remind us when an event is coming up.

 

You may just have to try them to see if you like them. It's hard for other people to really know what someone else will like. I am not hard to please but there are just some things that I cannot put up with.

 

I hope when you make your decision, you have a wonderful cruise. Good luck!!!

[ohok]

I haven't been on many cruises only 3, one on each line and Princess was my favorite. All had different things I enjoyed and also disliked but all were fun and enjoyable and I'd go on all 3 lines again.

[Crusin Hogs]

After 5 cruises on Carnival , Last one was Jan 2012 The service , shows , food got worse each year , Last Jan , Meatloaf ,and Fried Chicken was on the menu in the MDR . I can have that at home , and there were only 3 shows on a 7 days in the main lounge.Saw some drunk 20 somethings try to push a couple in there 50's out of their seats in main lounge . If I had to cruise Carnival again ,I'd quit cruising

[JanetAlice]

We are Princess people and prefer to cruise on Princess. However, except for New England they don't cruise out of NYC. We will be taking our third NCL cruise this March because it fits our strict time requirements. If you can swing it I would get a suite. This way you can eats in Cagneys for breakfast and lunch. The food IS below average and over salted even in the specialty restaurants. The entertainment is actually superior to Princess. One of my issues with our first NCL cruise was the noise level. I longed for my Princess quiet places. I solved that problem last year by purchasing a spa pas for $99 for the week. It's an adults only area with heated tile beds, jacuzzis, saunas with glass on three sides and great hot tubs. I met some great people on our roll call and had a lovely time. Instead of focusing on what I liked better on Princess I enjoyed what NCL had to offer and the fact that New York was a short bus ride from our home.

[AmberTeka]

We sail on all of them. We are VIP on Carnival...three cruises on NCL..three on Princess with one booked for New Years.

 

CARNIVAL

beds like clouds. Soft. Sleep like a baby

Food is good. Deli sandwiches really good.

SHIP IS CLEAN to the EXTREME. Love that!

Younger passengers.

More children.

Always something to do

Production Shows are good.

Carnival's steak houses are better than other lines. Costs more ..and it shows. Really delicious.

 

PRINCESS

Trivia is great. A lot of it. Competitive. Some folks were said to have cheated on Ipads on a cruise last year. They should be made to walk the Plank if true.

Food is good. Like the little tray of petit fours they serve after dinner.

Passengers are the best.

Ship has relaxed vibe..or something like that

sometimes I win a little in the casino..penny slots

 

NCL

Production Shows....knock your socks off. Love them.

Food in MDR really bad. Food in the Blue Lagoon..also "free" very good. Simple..salads, sandwiches...but good. Food in MexTex REstaurant which on the Jewel is free..very, very good. Mama's Italian Kitchen...small surcharge..best Italian Restaurant at sea. Buffet...good. plus childrens buffet....has brownies..mac and cheese..hot dogs..corn dogs..that can snitched from....NCL gets bad rap of having no good 'free' food. It is the food in the MDR that is not good but venues are good.

We went to a lot of the speciality restaurants because back then..if you dined early..you paid only half price.

Good Ports

Lot of British and Scottish passengers. We played on a Trivia Team with passengers from both and loved it and them. They were great fun.

 

HAL.

BEST FOOD OF ANY MAINLINE CRUISE LINE...IMHO

NOTHING MUCH TO DO ACTIVITY WISE

PRODUCTION SHOWS..NOT BAD

SHIPS..FRESH FLOWERS. VERY ELEGANT

FOOD......DELICIOUS.

BEDS..........HEAVENLY

[Mississippian]

The food IS below average and over salted even in the specialty restaurants. The entertainment is actually superior to Princess.

I have a NCL cruise booked, and I sure am looking forward to the "over salted" food. I find it is very difficult to find any place that serves food that is salty enough. Love me some salt! (I sometimes salt country ham).

[jdvmd]

My last two Holland America cruises (April and May of this year on the Westerdam and Maasdam) featured the most overly salted food I have ever experienced. Never had this on NCL.

[swedish weave]

After 5 cruises on Carnival , Last one was Jan 2012 The service , shows , food got worse each year , Last Jan , Meatloaf ,and Fried Chicken was on the menu in the MDR . I can have that at home , and there were only 3 shows on a 7 days in the main lounge.Saw some drunk 20 somethings try to push a couple in there 50's out of their seats in main lounge . If I had to cruise Carnival again ,I'd quit cruising

 

 

You almost make it sound like meat loaf and fried chicken was all that was on the menu. I know they have other items on the menu you can order.

[billie5]

AmberTeka mentions Carnival deli sandwiches as very good, which is true. They are, in fact, terrific -- rather important, since their buffet is otherwise so lacking. A trivial example, of course, but I must admit I have never seen a breakfast buffet before which offered French toast only every other day!:confused: