Carnival or NCL??Help!!

[LRene]

We've done NCL and Carnival both with grand kids. People here think Camp Carnival is superior but the truth is they aren't. NCL has a great program for kids and youth. They also have better entertainment especially when compared to Carnivals new way of making the passengers and karaoke the majority of the entertainment.

 

I especially LOVED having the dining options on NCL and don't mind paying for quality one bit. I could eat in the French restaurant every day and in there, they have the best coffee I've ever had on a ship. When we went, the Italian was free but not sure that it still is. Their steakhouse was also very good as were all the Asian food options that we tried. As said before the Blue Lagoon has great choices, 24 hours a day. It was also nice for me not to have to pack or worry with elegant night. It was totally optional and on our cruise, only about a third of the passengers bothered.

 

NCL's cabins can be slightly smaller but their suite perks are 10 times better than Carnival. You have a coffee pot in your cabin and can get hot items from room service unlike Carnivals limited cold menu. We hope to be back on one of their ships soon!

[kathy884]

This wouldn't be an issue for most people, but DH smokes and so we usually get a balcony that he can smoke on.

 

NCL doesn't allow balcony smoking. Neither does Celeberty or Princess.

 

Carnival does allow this. Other lines that allow this too are RCCL, Disney, and Holland America.

 

lol -- I guess it helps narrow down the choices for us. We pick the the lines that allow smoking on your private balcony. This would not be an issue for you, though, unless you have a smoker in your party.

[LRene]

This wouldn't be an issue for most people, but DH smokes and so we usually get a balcony that he can smoke on.

 

NCL doesn't allow balcony smoking. Neither does Celeberty or Princess.

 

Carnival does allow this. Other lines that allow this too are RCCL, Disney, and Holland America.

 

lol -- I guess it helps narrow down the choices for us. We pick the the lines that allow smoking on your private balcony. This would not be an issue for you, though, unless you have a smoker in your party.

 

Actually, thats not true according to what i know of their ships and whats on their website. NCL does allow smoking on their balconies.

 

What about smoking on the ship?

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Actually, thats not true according to what i know of their ships and whats on their website. NCL does allow smoking on their balconies.

 

What about smoking on the ship?

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

 

You are correct. In fact there is a heated thread on the NCL board now about somebody not sailing with NCL anymore because the person in the next cabin was smoking on their balcony.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1691046

 

Bill

[iluvdoxies]

This wouldn't be an issue for most people, but DH smokes and so we usually get a balcony that he can smoke on.

 

NCL doesn't allow balcony smoking. Neither does Celeberty or Princess.

 

Carnival does allow this. Other lines that allow this too are RCCL, Disney, and Holland America.

 

lol -- I guess it helps narrow down the choices for us. We pick the the lines that allow smoking on your private balcony. This would not be an issue for you, though, unless you have a smoker in your party.

 

you are mistaken --- you CAN smoke on the balcony on NCL, I know cause I'm a smoker.

[rafinmd]

Looking for a cruise in western carb. Carnival has 2 ships, Legend or Liberty that we can take but it's been forever since I've cruised on this line.

Then there is NCL Dawn..never been on NCL..we cruise holland Am. or Princess most of the time..

My grandson may be going too so kids factors in to this.

Which would you take and why??

Posting on NCL too..

 

No personal experience but based on a lot of board reading and your preference for HAL, I'd say go with NCL if you would be booking a suite and go with Carnival if you're booking a regular cabin.

 

Roy

[snewton7200]

Yeah that is nice about carnival, former smoker dont really want to smell it. We either book suites or our next one the spa balcony which will be the second time in this room category. They are nice and if you even think about smoking they will fine you. I dont mind if people smoke, I just dont want to smell it.

[ibcnusoon]

yes, there are extra charges for some of their free style dining choices. Anywhere from $10-$30 pp

 

 

Speciality Dining

When you want an even more memorable experience, our ships' specialty restaurants provide refined choices for a cover charge ($10 to $30 per person). Experience a Brazilian Churrascaria, dine on expertly prepared sushi, or savor traditional French bistro, Italian trattoria or Chicago steakhouse fare — it's all on board. And it's all delicious.

 

Right, Carnival people need to realize that there are various FREE buffets and sit down services on NCL -- but in addition, that you won't find on Carnival, are specialty restaurants (think Carnival Steakhouse times 20).

 

People get confused and think you have to pay for meals on NCL - no you don't only if you want to dine at a SPECIALTY restaurant, then the fee is $10-$30.

 

We are looking forward to sailing NCL next year, after 2 cruises with Carnival. Also, some ships have Nickelodeon characters and theme for their Kids Club. The newest ship, the Breakaway, will have a state-of-the-art teen club, my DD cannot wait!!

[fergusonvt]

You will need to make up your own mind on this. Not having been on Carnival yet I can't recommend them. Having been on NCL twice that would be my preference.

[Casino Player]

Thanks for the info.

We have been to all the ports on both ships.

So it's the ship we want to know about.

My grandson is 13, went last yr w/ us on princess and thought he would jump ship he was sooo bored!!!!

Leaning towards dawn

Also found a Carnival dream out of pt Can. eastern and again we have been to all the ports..kind of liking that one too!!!

HELP!!!!

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Nan-L: Been on the Carnival Dream on it's first voyage out of NYC. Lots of entertainment choices plus a good childrens program. Lots of stuff for kids to do. There is a miniature golf course that we played. They had a big pool with a huge slide for children. More entertainment choices on the Dream with the comedy club. First time on Carnival they had the huge outdoor screen and showed movies on it. Happy choosing.

[marym933]

I've been on the Legend twice and the Miracle once from Tampa. I chose to book the NCL Dawn for March 2013 just for the itinerary. I prefer Costa Maya to Grand Cayman.

 

The Legend is a great ship. It does not have the outdoor screen on the Lido deck.

 

Carnival costs a little less than NCL and their cabins are larger.

[luddite]

The NCL ship doesn't have a big-screen TV on the deck. That makes the choice easier.

NCL.

[nbsjcruiser]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Nan-L: Go on the one that has the itinerary you like the most. However, I am partial to Carnival. Why? Carnival has a better program for children, Camp Carnival. Carnival has larger staterooms for each category, my travel agent tells me this all the time, Carnival has better food, more availability, 24-hour restaurant (pizzeria), ice cream practically around the clock, more food choices, the best Deli at sea.

 

 

You're a little off base on food. There are far more choices on NCL. You have multiple dining rooms and multiple themed restaurants. Ice cream too if you want it as well as good pizza. Carnival's food choices are significantly less. And as far as I'm concerned, food quality on Carnival has gone down repeatedly over the last 5 years. Cast iron steak, mac and cheese, meatloaf have no place in a MDR and there's no comparing the buffet's - sorry. NCL has them beat hands down.