Where the reggae band, steel drum, confetti, fun went >> NCL Pearl vs Carnvial

[YankeeFan4Ever]

The music part is irrelevant to me. Besides who wants to listen to steel drums in Alaska or Europe?

 

 

Who wants to listen to a DJ blasting Justin Bieber or Britney Spears in Alaska or Europe????

 

 

I agree with the OP, NCL has much more variety and quality of live music. We also loved the cold towels and party atmosphere when we returned to the ship. It made us feel special and appreciated.

 

Will we cruise Carnival again? Of course! But our recent NCL cruise really showed us that they are definitely heading in the right direction, where Carnival (with their numerous cutbacks) is headed in the wrong one.

Edited November 8, 2012 by YankeeFan4Ever

[Georgiagolfer]

I have heard many many good things about Epic, know people who have cruised on her. Yes, NCL really has stepped it up for solos and singles.

On Epic they have a solos lounge for the studios 24/7....all singles can go to a happy hour there daily and meet

you can put up plans, ideas on a "whiteboard" ...like

"anyone want to join us at La Cucina" or whatever...really cool

they even have a singles hostess to help the solos arrange some group meals...sweet

 

As good as our entertainment was, I hear Epic is just beyond....Blue Man

you pay $75 or ? more to see them in Vegas...you see them included on Epic

 

The thing that is really nice on NCL is all the many many different live music groups... so many choices every night. YOu can go from one venue to another...so much to do. Lots of fun.

 

Have a great Epic adventure !

 

DW and I originally had booked Epic for 1/13, but cancelled due to the room layout. Would love the entertainment on Epic, but can't handle the odd rooms. Maybe Breakaway in 2013 in Bermuda, or Getaway in 2014 in the Caribbean.

[ronandannette]

 

DW and I originally had booked Epic for 1/13, but cancelled due to the room layout. Would love the entertainment on Epic, but can't handle the odd rooms. Maybe Breakaway in 2013 in Bermuda, or Getaway in 2014 in the Caribbean.

Your post reinforces the point that everybody has their own priorities and everybody draws their own line that they just won't cross when it comes to their time and dollars.

 

Many would probably agree that NCL over-shot sublime and went straight to ridiculous with those bathrooms :D. I'd still really like to sail her though because entertainment choices are an incredibly important part of a cruise to us. What was offered on our recent Carnival trip was just unsatisfactory. (Never would have dreamed I'd be buying pay-per-view movies on a cruise, but that's what we were reduced to.)

Edited November 11, 2012 by ronandannette

[Dave85]

Thanks for posting your thoughts OP! We've been on the verge of trying NCL for some time now and probably will once Breakaway comes to NYC. Your review and others like it seal the deal for us.

[Georgiagolfer]

Your post reinforces the point that everybody has their own priorities and everybody draws their own line that they just won't cross when it comes to their time and dollars.

 

Many would probably agree that NCL over-shot sublime and went straight to ridiculous with those bathrooms :D. I'd still really like to sail her though because entertainment choices are an incredibly important part of a cruise to us. What was offered on our recent Carnival trip was just unsatisfactory. (Never would have dreamed I'd be buying pay-per-view movies on a cruise, but that's what we were reduced to.)

 

As I posted, really would love to do Epic for the available entertainment, Blue Man, Cirque dinner, etc. But oh my, those bathrooms just freak me out. I understand Breakaway and Getaway return to the traditional rooms.

[LOVECRUISING100%]

I've cruised on both NCL & CCL and I like them both.. Both are a good value and lots of fun !

[kwagmyre]

 

 

after that?? well the food is just ok...not really special. The upsell restaurants are the way to go on NCL

 

 

Didn't like : the food and service in Main Dining room Summer Palace were not great JMO after the first night. One night we went to buffet it was much better IMHO.

 

^^^ This, right here, is probably the main thing keeping us off NCL right now. We love Carnival, or at least, we love Liberty, since that's the only ship we have been on. Food is more important to us personally than entertainment, and Carnival does seem to still edge out NCL in that category. Most of the food on Liberty was good, and some of it was outstanding. I don't hear that much about NCL unless you are paying the upcharges.

 

Most of your remarks about NCL fall under the category of entertainment, and I don't think anyone could reasonably dispute they do a much better job on that than Carnival, and probably any other cruiseline period. That is NCL's strength, so if that's important to you, I agree they are the way to go, with RCCL probably being a close second.

 

We are booked on Liberty in January, and after that, our next cruise we are shooting for is Alaska in summer of 2013. I've started to research the offerings and, while NCL is competitive there, we will probably go Princess, since they so totally own that market. Some of the options they offer in Alaska are amazing. But NCL is definitely running a close second for us right now, and could potentially win out depending on price/itinerary/excursion differences when we get closer to nailing it down.

 

So, who knows? Maybe we will get to sail NCL someday. The live bands and sailaway party sound awesome.

[ronandannette]

^^^ This, right here, is probably the main thing keeping us off NCL right now. We love Carnival, or at least, we love Liberty, since that's the only ship we have been on. Food is more important to us personally than entertainment, and Carnival does seem to still edge out NCL in that category. Most of the food on Liberty was good, and some of it was outstanding. I don't hear that much about NCL unless you are paying the upcharges.

 

 

You are probably correct about this; even 7 years ago when we sailed NCL the MDR food was far inferior to the pay venues and has likely gone downhill from there. FWIW though, it appears that MDR food on all cruiselines is in a race to the bottom. Food on Carnival 6 weeks ago was much, much poorer quality than the same dishes from the same menu on Carnival 2 years ago.

 

I think for sure when we sail NCL again we will just build in a budget for specialty restaurants like we do excursions (we certainly would have been willing to pay for upgraded food on the Victory if it had been available). That will be satisfactory for us but I understand how that idea rankels many people.

[tomsuelaw]

Wow, you made me miss the Pearl, we are big fans of her. Trying CCL for the 1st time in 2.5 weeks. Looking fwd to trying something new but I appreciated your perspective.

 

I will miss the live music, the shows, the various outdoor eating areas, the wrap-around promenade deck, and the hand dipped ice cream, oh and the french fries...the buffet fries on the Pearl were always hot and fresh, went great with the ice cream ;)

 

I will not miss the MDR food.

[babsee101]

Sounds more like a circus than a cruise with all the costumes, stilts, balloons and confetti! lol:D

[sharecruises]

Sounds more like a circus than a cruise with all the costumes, stilts, balloons and confetti! lol:D

 

Haha...Epic has their "Spiegel Tent"...a cirque de soliel type show

 

Truth is >>> the stilts were just ONE time thing, to welcome us back

from Port...what a neat welcome :)

 

Is there anyone here who would appreciate it if Carnvial had cold towels and drinks for you when you get back from port?

 

As far as food...Le Bistro is fantastic, cheaper than Carnival steakhouse

$20 ...and wow...it is great.

NCL also has lots of specials...like prebuy 3 upsell dinners before you cruise and save $8....you can eat in Cagneys Steakhouse, Le Bistro and La Cucina (Italian) for $47 total..prepaid

 

one steakhouse meal on Carnival is $35

 

My personal advice would be to book a cheaper cabin on NCL,

eat dinner in main restaurant first night (lobster tails were good)

and then eat in buffet and/or the specialty restaurants

 

 

La Cucina is only $10...the sushi restaurant was affordable..my friend ate there (a la carte) and spent about $12 total and loved it

so it can be worth it

 

I do find that the entertainment and fun made for some great times and great memories. I can't remember the "duo" on Spirit or Freedom, but I won't forget Arvin and Emily on Pearl. I can't remember many of the CD on Carnival...and I would like to "forget" some of the piano players/singers LOL

 

As for the "confetti" and streamers?? I enjoyed that

 

I actually sailed back in the years when sailaway was a big thing...

it was nice to have muster before sailaway and have a real party

to celebrate as we took off. That was sweet

 

I also think NCL has a simple/great system...no need to be Platinum or buy a "FTTF" ticket...you get on, and there are tons of staff to greet you,

they tell you to go on to your cabin, drop off your bags, and where/how to get to the buffet/dining

 

and when you leave? No worry.....YOU decide which time you leave, YOU go to the lobby and pick your own "color" (time)...very very relaxed

 

so much less stressful. People don't have to lug their carryons around,

or stress out about "zones".

 

Who here can honestly say they would not want that sort of nice treatment?? Would you turn down a cold towel and a cold drink??

would you rather lug your luggage around or pay $50 or cruise 75 days to not have to lug it ??

[lovebelle]

How about the bigger cabins and more comfortable beds on Carnival?

 

I would say that is a huge bonus with Carnival. I love NCL and honestly consider it my first choice cruise line, but I absolutely hate their beds and cabin sizes. I could even cope with the tiny rooms if the beds were as comfy as Carnival's.

[Jenbo57]

Esty, I love your enthusiasm! :D I did Alaska on the Pearl last year (second on NCL) and had a wonderful time. Julie's a great CD; we also enjoyed the assistant CD, whose name escapes me. And "Oh What a Night" was probably the best show I've seen on any cruise line...so, so good! We'll definitely cruise NCL again.

 

I did a one night cruise on Princess in September, just to get a feel for the line. Loved them so much we canceled our booking with Celebrity for another trip up north and will be sailing on Princess instead. Loved the look and feel of the ship, and the food was very good. Cabins are smaller than on Carnival, but then, that's been the case on any of the other lines we've been on.

 

I guess I don't understand why folks feel compelled to stick with one line. There are so many ships out there, and so many great itineraries; why not try them all?

[Julienatul]

I pretty much had the same experience. We are sailing on the Carnival Dream for Thanksgiving (had to use last fcc ) but next year all the sailings will be with NCL. My NCL Dawn cruise was cheaper for a mini suite than A Carnival balcony as well. I agree the little things do add up and the lack of Reggae music/ island music is a deal breaker for me.

[Dave85]

As I posted, really would love to do Epic for the available entertainment, Blue Man, Cirque dinner, etc. But oh my, those bathrooms just freak me out. I understand Breakaway and Getaway return to the traditional rooms.

 

I feel the same way about those bathrooms, just weird... Epic looks like such a cool ship, but I'd be much more likely to try Breakaway (or Getaway).

Edited November 12, 2012 by Dave85

[JinxyB]

Sharecruises, I remember reading this thread and it made me excited for my Pearl cruise...just off the Pearl yesterday and NCL did not disappoint and really puts Carnival to shame, IMO. The staff were top notch and always smiling and welcoming you onboard, etc. Real steel drum guy welcoming you on board the first time, party on the pier in Cozumel, even staff wishing you safe travels and goodbye with music/dancing upon disembarking. Everyone went out of their way to make you feel like a valued customer. Buffet was excellent with no lines even at peak time. Fresh pineapple out at all times, crepe station, etc. I got a mini-suite for less than what I would have paid for a balcony on Carnival the same week. Not as many trashy/poorly behaving people as I have seen on recent Carnival cruises. I could go on and on, but I will definitely cruise with NCL again! I have number 10 and 11 already booked with Carnival for early 2013 but think I am done after that-too many cutbacks and bad service for me!

Edited December 10, 2012 by JinxyB

[popsec]

We just got off the Miracle and we're both diamond level on Carnival. Some of the things I noticed on this cruise....

 

• No Caribbean band
  
• Wait staff way overloaded in dining room and food just took too long to arrive so we gave up on the dining room after the 2nd try
  
• Steak House was amazing and we ate there twice....well worth the money!
  
• Not alot to do on the 5 1/2 sea days
  

We like NCL's buffets better, shows have been better and love the Caribbean music vibe.

 

 

There are good and bad with every cruiseline and we enjoy every cruise we take. I'm looking forward to our NCL cruise in 4 weeks just for a change.....

[Kidsgoneletscruise]

I'm glad you had a fantastic cruise, after all that's all any of us want when we board any boat. ;)

[cowgirlsrock]

We were so disappointed on the last Carnival Cruise and the music has been getting progressively worse. We are considering doing an NCL. We love to dance and love the bands on board . We like 70's 80's 50's Latin basically anything you can dance to partner wise . Please help me

 

danceboots15@yahoo.com

 

Oh and we are in our mid 40's with a polite 11 year old child

 

 

 

 

 

Back from 6 nights on NCL Pearl...great job by captain who routed us to

Cozumel and Costa Maya (love it) due to horrible Hurricane Sandy *we were scheduled for Grand Cayman and Jamaica

 

Some thoughts>>> NCL does so many small things totally "right">> it adds up to a "real cruise" feel that has totally been lacking on my last couple Carnival cruises

 

Little things mean a lot >>>

 

as you board the ship, employees are dress up in costumes with balloons, you walk on a "red carpet" ....big welcomes, cheering, music

 

when you board, you are told you can go right to your cabin and drop off your stuff

 

You are greeeted by smiling singing washy washy gal who sprays everyone's hands before they enter buffet

 

lots of choices at buffet..hardly any lines....many many workers, cleaning, serving, filling glasses of ice tea/ bringing around coffee....tons of white suited officers, smiling team leaders, managers, everyone is there to help

 

Nice back outdoor area to eat feels like a ship...silverware, napkins on every table, along with ketchup, mustard, salt pepper

lots of drink stations

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comfortable "muster drill" at 3:30....in restauarnt

 

released in time for ....an ACTUAL SAILAWAY PARTY

 

Perky cruise director Julie led line dances, lots of staff dancing, come around to ask cruisers to join in....grilling and chilling on the deck, music, fun

..and ...wow....CONFETTI POP....A REAL SAILAWAY...FIRST I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS

 

~~~~~~~~~ Entertainment fantastic

 

5 piece reggae band with a girl singer....often on deck

Steel drum guy often on deck

when they were on break, they play caribbean /reggae and Jimmy Buffet type music...you feel like you are ON a cruise

 

piano player, soft tunes in main dining room

another piano player/singer (just ok) most nights

 

a rock band, 5 piece that played many styles...cover songs

classic rock one night, country one night, disco one night and so forth

 

the most fabulous duo Arvin and Emily, hubby and wife from Phillipines

they sang at first variety welcome show ....The Prayer by Bocelli and Dion

wow THey entertained every night in Bar City area..we would pull up chairs and make requests..they sang everything from Motown to Tom Jones, to Celine, unbelievably good, wonderful wonderful people...so much fun, I really miss them. They could sing the phone book

 

They also had a guitar player who played in the lobby and elsewhere

 

They had a latin band 4 piece that played salsa, dance music

 

plus the Pearl orchestra

 

whew

 

Oh What a Night....fantastic Frankie Vallie review....did 4 performances

 

short preview 1st night

full performance show on 3rd night (I stayed for both shows)

 

and another shorter show last production night ...with totally different songs./routine...fabulous

 

In addition...they have 2 main production shows...one with "classic" stars imagined doing current songs

and one that features current Broadway hits from The Heights, Wicked, etc...great ending with lots of Abba songs

 

NCL has....4 lead singers...2 guys, 2 girls....fabulous dancers, and production and live music

 

~~~~~~~

Themed parties - participation

 

Big Caribbean deck party one night with the Reggae Band

 

70's Party with "Village People"

 

A "Burlesque" show late night one night - adults only (I missed that,

tired from island LOL)

 

Quest...and other entertainment..and music music music

 

Signature White Hot Party..everyone wears white, dances, the cruise director/staff wear angel wings....neon glow sticks...

our party moved indoors due to weather but it was great

lots and lots of people all ages having a blast

 

Chocolate Buffet

 

and more more more

 

It "feels" like a cruise

 

Music music music

 

Specials...Happy Hour, drink specials

 

Nice past guest party for all past guests (including those like me who only were on 3 nighters before)...full size drinks

 

As past guest get a nice ship pin

 

Food was fantastic in buffet and at the specialty restaurants

I ate at French 2x....out of this world, worth $20 easily

 

food in main dining room good first night...lobster tails, lots of em

 

after that?? well the food is just ok...not really special. The upsell restaurants are the way to go on NCL

 

~~~~~~~~~ More "special" >>>

 

when you come back from islands....they have cold towels and orange juice and ice water for you

they spray your hands as you enter the ship

 

when we returned from Costa Maya (great day in fishing village at 100% Agave, $20 1 hr beach massage)....wow

 

we heard party music, cupid shuffle...what was this??

 

wpw...big banner welcomed us Home to Pearl

tons of employees lined up to greet us as we walked the "red carpet" back to the ship....Julie, cruise director and another staff members were on stiltes in costumes....we had chefs, room stewards, waiters, etc all lined up and cheering us ....cold towels, juice and ice water

what a welcome...Fantastic!

 

You could see the poor people schlepping back to the Carnival Valor watching US in envy

 

Our last night production show featured Oh What a Night again, the comedy magician, the show dancers....etc

 

and then....they brought in....wow...hundreds of the ship staff and workers...they just kept coming in

Captain...all the officers....the chefs...room stewards...more officers,

ship crew....waiters....hundredds of people...all thanking us...singing to us "You're Norwegian Now"

 

then at the end....Julie said....and now...the most popular employees on the ship...

 

the 4 "washy washy" peeps ran on stage...2 gals, 2 guys, including the one who plays guitar while singing and dancing at the buffet LOL

 

and then....they popped confetti all over us....wow

 

now...that's a cruise

 

Music, parties, lots of staff, lots of "little touches"...

the welcome at the Pier...red carpet...the fantastic service

and friendly faces...what a change

 

I also noticed....NCL employees are out having fun

some talked about snorkeling....some were excited to see Costa Maya (they don't usually go there)

they seem to have fun unlike the overworked people on Carnival

 

~~~~~~ Lines at front desk were short since there ere not so many screw ups. Our group was treated very well...2 one hour open bar parties,

anything we wanted to drink (well not corvosier or whatever haha)

really nice..full size drinks. Well run

I was given a room to greet/meet people for one hour. Our free bottles of wine (perk) were right there for us. No snafu's. No nonsense

 

Also liked the 24 hour Blue Lagoon...comfort food, wings, etc

really nice to go there after drinking and dancing

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

Didn't like : the food and service in Main Dining room Summer Palace were not great JMO after the first night. One night we went to buffet it was much better IMHO. They have crepe station at buffet at night

 

Hallways are narrow. I prefer hallways and probably prefer cabins on Carnival. Ship is great but does lack some of the whimsey/wow/atrium factor of carnival.

 

I also missed the serenity/adult only areas of Carnival. I loved the fact that there is NO smoking in disco, dance clubs on NCL tho

 

The main thing for me was the music is so much better and you feel like you are on a cruise....that's a cruise...that is how cruises used to "feel" in the 80's and 90's...sailaway, parties, welcome "home" on pier, red carpet, farewell etc

[RWolver672]

We were so disappointed on the last Carnival Cruise and the music has been getting progressively worse. We are considering doing an NCL. We love to dance and love the bands on board . We like 70's 80's 50's Latin basically anything you can dance to partner wise . Please help me

 

danceboots15@yahoo.com

 

Oh and we are in our mid 40's with a polite 11 year old child

 

Please keep in mind that the posting you quoted was from November 6, 2012. I'm sure NCL has made significant cut-backs since then too. Most cruise lines have.