Why NCL

[KORTAM]

What are the pros and cons off cruising on a NCL ship? Have mainly cruised Carnival and one Royal, which we did not like as much as Carnival. I've always been intrigued with NCL but only hear what people on the Carnival board have to say. Both good and bad as you would hear about any line.

 

Do you need to eat in pay for reastuarant to get good food or is the included food good(lord knows the buffet on CCL ain't nothing to right home about)?

 

I saw one of the ships on our last cruise and they had balconies on the front of the ship. What are those like, winby, good view(we love aft balconies for the views)?

 

Thanks in advance. If I think of more pacific questions I will add.

[Sauer-kraut]

There was just another thread last week about this.

 

Food is incredibly personal and what I like might not be something that thrills you. That said, I find the MDR food, Buffet food, and the comfort food restaurant to be very good. I have never felt I have needed to spend extra money in one of the surcharge restaurants on NCL.

 

If you like having dancing waiters, and an assigned seat in the dining room, NCL just won't float your boat. However, if you like the freedom to eat when you are hungry and like having a table of your own if you wish then NCL will offer you that.

 

Honestly CCL and NCL are very similar in every other aspect of cruising (well the bingo isn't the best on NCL). Do a search for NCL vs Carnival and see what comes up over here. You might find yourself more intrigued and willing to try something different.

[Hopes4]

What are the pros and cons off cruising on a NCL ship? Have mainly cruised Carnival and one Royal, which we did not like as much as Carnival. I've always been intrigued with NCL but only hear what people on the Carnival board have to say. Both good and bad as you would hear about any line.

 

Do you need to eat in pay for reastuarant to get good food or is the included food good(lord knows the buffet on CCL ain't nothing to right home about)?

Short answer - no, you don't need to pay for decent food. This thread morphed into food... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1702396

I saw one of the ships on our last cruise and they had balconies on the front of the ship. What are those like, winby, good view(we love aft balconies for the views)?

The rooms in the front are suites. Everyone agrees the views are spectacular and there are differing opinions on the wind. Never having been in one myself, I can't offer my own opinion.

Thanks in advance. If I think of more pacific questions I will add.

Welcome to NCL.

[DMH15]

Have never cruised in a forward cabin but visited friends in both Owners suite and penthouse suite on Sun forward, we were in aft. Both of their balconies were deep and felt large, ours not as deep but wider.

 

I love the stern suites, so peaceful and quiet with no wind. You say you've done aft too so you know... there is something magical sitting out there at night.

 

I might try a forward suite for the Panama Canal but otherwise I am pretty happy with stern.

 

As someone else said those forward cabins are suites. NCL is a great line for suites. It's pretty addicting. I must say I bit and am hooked. But I cruised last year on Carnival and it was fun. As Mike said, NCL's bingo is not great, and I agree. And although I respect smoker's rights under the current policies, I am a non smoker and vow one of these days to sail X again to enjoy their smoke free casino. Food included is about the same on Carnival, X, RCL and NCL but there are more options on NCL. That might be more pricey for families but I only pay for me and I am a pushover. :)

[Warm Breezes]

What are the pros and cons off cruising on a NCL ship? Nonsubjectively compared to CCL, non-suite rooms are much smaller, bingo is more expensive, activites are pretty much the same. Subjectively compared to CCL, we like the MDR a little less on NCL, CCL has better deserts, NCL has a better buffet and pizza, NCL has great food at Blue Lagoon/O'Sheehans...but Carnival has the deli and fish & chips that we enjoy, grills are similar, NCL has better entertainment. Have mainly cruised Carnival and one Royal, which we did not like as much as Carnival. I've always been intrigued with NCL but only hear what people on the Carnival board have to say. Both good and bad as you would hear about any line.

 

Do you need to eat in pay for reastuarant to get good food or is the included food good(lord knows the buffet on CCL ain't nothing to right home about)? The only time we paid to eat in a specialty restaurant was when we ate at Cirque Dreams...the dinner show on Epic. We were perfectly satisfied with the other included options for our other meals.

 

I saw one of the ships on our last cruise and they had balconies on the front of the ship. What are those like, winby, good view(we love aft balconies for the views)? Sorry haven't stayed in those so I can't answer.

 

Thanks in advance. If I think of more pacific questions I will add.

 

We loved Freestyle on NCL. It is similar to anytime on CCL only you have a lot more options (both for fee and included). We have enjoyed our cruises on CCL and NCL and would sail on any line in the future if they meet our wants for that vacation.

[Nalagh]

What are the pros and cons off cruising on a NCL ship? Have mainly cruised Carnival and one Royal, which we did not like as much as Carnival. I've always been intrigued with NCL but only hear what people on the Carnival board have to say. Both good and bad as you would hear about any line.

 

Do you need to eat in pay for reastuarant to get good food or is the included food good(lord knows the buffet on CCL ain't nothing to right home about)?

 

I saw one of the ships on our last cruise and they had balconies on the front of the ship. What are those like, winby, good view(we love aft balconies for the views)?

 

Thanks in advance. If I think of more pacific questions I will add.

 

I never answer threads that ask is this line better and why, but your question was just so well asked.

 

I am an NCL suite kinda girl. We do not eat at the buffet, on any ship. People eat with their hands and then go grab food with the spoons...not a fan of any buffet ship or shore.

 

We do not eat in the MDR, NOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOOD, but rather because we like the smaller more intimate dining rooms like Cagney's and Le Bistro. We enjoy it so much that we pre-book them all for the entire cruise.

 

The very best part of NCL imho, is the service and the way NCL goes out of their way to make it right if you have a problem. The staff on every ship we have ever been on is happy. I can not say the same for the other lines we have cruised.

 

Now I must tell you that we have yet to sail NCL and not be in a suite. So, you must consider my view limited.

 

What I know is that I have loved all of my NCL sailings. I hope you will try it and love it as much as I do!

 

BTW, I much prefer an aft view if not in the Haven!

 

Happy planning!

 

Cherie

[S.S.Oceanlover]

There was just another thread last week about this.

 

Food is incredibly personal and what I like might not be something that thrills you. That said, I find the MDR food, Buffet food, and the comfort food restaurant to be very good. I have never felt I have needed to spend extra money in one of the surcharge restaurants on NCL.

 

If you like having dancing waiters, and an assigned seat in the dining room, NCL just won't float your boat. However, if you like the freedom to eat when you are hungry and like having a table of your own if you wish then NCL will offer you that.

 

Honestly CCL and NCL are very similar in every other aspect of cruising (well the bingo isn't the best on NCL). Do a search for NCL vs Carnival and see what comes up over here. You might find yourself more intrigued and willing to try something different.

 

How about if i like your time dining on CCL? Will NCL float my boat then?

 

Bill

[mikeriv79]

When my fiancee and I cruise on NCL, we always look at the main dining room's menu for the next evening. There are two main dining rooms that are included. If we like what they are offering, we'll eat there. If we don't like the menu, we'll try a specialty restaurant. We typically will only eat at a specialty restaurant 1-2 nights depending on the length of the cruise. We like eating around 7pm, which is when most people want to eat dinner. Our advantage is that there is just 2 of us, so we don't typically have to wait long to get a table. Sometimes the hostess will ask us if we are interested in sharing a table with other couples and we don't mind that. On our last cruise in January, we were seated with two other couples and we had a good time. Most of the time, we sit by ourselves. I've never been on another cruiseline so I have nothing to compare. I can tell you my favorite part about NCL freestyle is that I can go to dinner wearing jeans and a button down or polo shirt, which I understand is not possible on other cruiselines. I also enjoy the flexibility of going to dinner at my convenience.

[Freckles_51]

NCL - You can take a smaller suitcase because you don't have to pack dress-up clothes/shoes - a big plus if you're flying to embarkation port :D

[HarpHarp]

How about if i like your time dining on CCL? Will NCL float my boat then?

 

Bill

You bet it will. I've cruised both lines and liked this aspect of NCL so much that I was reluctant to go back to CCL. As you see by my signature, I overcame that. :)

The food in the MDR is good to great & we found the waiters to be attentive & always willing to bring you something else if you don't like your first selection. We often share tables and have had fascinating dinner companions. Love the Blue lagoon & the pool grill & the Great Outdoors is the best if you are on that class of ship. I do think Carnival has the edge on desserts.

NCL does have better entertainment IMHO, with wonderful lounge entertainers like Bernie Martini, Kenny the human Jukebox, Dave Heenan(funny, funny man), Vladimir Krienan, Fire & Ice. Never any lack of evening entertainment, even if you don't like the show.

 

Enjoy NCL

[Freckles_51]

Just remember that there may be a line-up for dinner at the MDR, depending on your favourite dining time. Some pax seem to be surprised at that...but it's just like going to a land-based restaurant. :cool:

[HarpHarp]

Just remember that there may be a line-up for dinner at the MDR, depending on your favourite dining time. Some pax seem to be surprised at that...but it's just like going to a land-based restaurant. :cool:

For some reason, the first night is the worst:confused: A couple of times we were given a beeper & went to the lounge for a while. On our last cruise they had flatscreens in various places telling you what the waiting times were or if the specialty venues were booked for certain times. Really liked that idea & never waited more than a few minutes.

[iluvdoxies]

The suite life is awesome !!!!!!

[ShelleyQT]

I've been an avid Carnival cruiser for ten years, and had a wonderful time on our first NCL cruise this past July. I posted my comparison review last month:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1694940

[bluesea777]

For some reason, the first night is the worst:confused: A couple of times we were given a beeper & went to the lounge for a while. On our last cruise they had flatscreens in various places telling you what the waiting times were or if the specialty venues were booked for certain times. Really liked that idea & never waited more than a few minutes.

 

One reason is it's lobster night.

[mizLORInj]

I always suggest giving it a try to form your own opinion. We've sailed the ones you mention too (just off Carnival Glory yesterday in fact) and we love Norwegian too. Cabins are a bit smaller than on Carnival. I think NCL's food is fabulous and rarely use their upcharge restaurants.

[KORTAM]

Thanks everybody. If the right cruise itinerary comes up I'm going to give NCL a try. Like the idea of not packing a dress up outfits. And sounds like a suite is the way to go. I was looking at prices and for only a small amount more compared to other lines you can upgrade from a reg balcony to suite. We already do the any/my time dining so that is really up our ally.

 

Thanks again.

[elbodans]

as many people have said, a cruise line is a very personal choice. personally, i'm glad there are so many choices.

 

i've sailed on celebrity, royal, and NCL. and i like NCL the most. i did a comparison of NCL vs royal, which can be found here:

 

http://www.suitcasescholar.com/2012/02/25/choosing-cruising-norwegian-vs-royal-caribbean/

 

but again, it's a personal choice. what is most important to YOU when cruising? that will help you decide. happy travels!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks everybody. If the right cruise itinerary comes up I'm going to give NCL a try. Like the idea of not packing a dress up outfits. And sounds like a suite is the way to go. I was looking at prices and for only a small amount more compared to other lines you can upgrade from a reg balcony to suite. We already do the any/my time dining so that is really up our ally.

 

Thanks again.

 

I guess everyone's definition of a little more is different.

 

The balcony cabins start around $800 per person and the suites start around $1500 per person.

 

To me $1400 is a lot more money.

 

Bill

 

 

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[KORTAM]

I guess everyone's definition of a little more is different.

 

The balcony cabins start around $800 per person and the suites start around $1500 per person.

 

To me $1400 is a lot more money.

 

Bill

 

 

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Interesting. What I was looking at it was a couple hundred more. I will study it more. Of course I guess it depends on what level of suite too.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Interesting. What I was looking at it was a couple hundred more. I will study it more. Of course I guess it depends on what level of suite too.

 

Maybe you were looking at a mini suite since they are only a couple hundred more but you don't get all the perks that you get with a regular suite.

 

Bill

 

 

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