Convince us to cruise NCL

[neverbeenhere]

Hey, we "normally" sail on Celebrity, though we have cruised on most of the commonly known commercial lines including NCL.(Quite a while ago) Please give us a "short" list of reasons to choose a cruise on NCL. Thank you in advance.

[anthem]

I think it would be a lot more helpful if you listed what you like about cruising and what you don't like. Then people can tailor their responses to you.

[RYMOMA]

Suite Perks

[neverbeenhere]

likes:

luxury

meeting people

good food

shipboard experience

great crew

 

dislikes:

lines

crappy cabins

too much corporate sales pitch

[Starry Eyes]

I happen to like X and NCL and RCL. Really X and NCL are very different, so only a limited number of people like both. For me it is mood dependent ( and sometimes companion dependent) Basically, when I want flow rider and an ice rink, I go RCL. When I want more elegance, I go X. when I want a simple, casual, fun cruise, I go NCL. if I want a special suite experience, I go NCL.

 

If you are looking for luxury and food on par with X, I really do not think NCL is for you. I like NCL's friendly crews, but (except for suites) honestly service is more polished on X. NCL suite service is typically excellent. NCL has far more overhead announcements.

 

Why are you thinking of changing lines? I suppose if there is a must do itinerary, NCL might make sense. If you will be in a full suite and budget for specialty dining at dinner, NCL would be a very good contender. if you do not have a good reason to change to NCL, you probably should stick with X. or move up to a luxury line.

[blutfort]

Based upon your likes and dislikes, I'm not certain that NCL is for you. But I've only cruised NCL both pre-Freestyle and post freestyle.

Luxury: I specifically like NCL because it is pretty toned down luxury wise. I don't like dressing up. I'm happy that I can wear jeans and a polo shirt in the MDR 7 out of 7 nights.

Food: NCL's food is good. I don't think it's great compared to a lot of land restaurants I've been in, but it is good. I've heard that they have the best buffet at sea however. I enjoy the variety of the buffet, but have never been on another line to confirm this. The deserts on NCL are crap in my opinion however. Except for their Key Lime Pie.

No Corp Sales Pitch: not sure what you exactly meant, but I really hate the pushing of the bingo, drinks of the day, etc...It happens. It makes them money and keeps the fares lower. I just don't care for it. Again I can't compare it to anything else though.

 

So...I think I'm talking *you* out of NCL. I love them. When I look at your list, I am not sure that line would appeal to me. I stick to NCL and am so happy with them I have no desire to look anywhere else for now.

I really feel that the new NCL (Post freestyle) is the only reason cruising is my preferred vacation. If I had to cruise the way it used to be I don't think you could get me on a ship more than once every 3 or 4 years.

 

Cheers!

[neverbeenhere]

After 25+ cruises in a row with Celebrity, I thought it might be nice to take a look around at the competition. Never hurts to see, if there is a need for a change Yes, NCL has some interesting itineraries.

[Ilovesailing]

It's up to you to decide or should I say convince yourself. There are too many variables for likes and dislikes so pick your cruise and or ship and start reading reviews.

[H&J]

NCL hands down hits the near luxury sweet spot with it lower level suites (above the mini-suite). At that point you get breakfasts and lunches at the Cagney Steak House as well as a butler and concierge. It's not a lot of money to "move on up" and once you do, you'll never go back.

[Starry Eyes]

After 25+ cruises in a row with Celebrity, I thought it might be nice to take a look around at the competition. Never hurts to see, if there is a need for a change Yes, NCL has some interesting itineraries.

 

if you are looking for similar lines (aka "competition"), there are other lines that are more similar to X than NCL. check those lines out. If you spring for a full suite and budget for specialty dinners, you may enjoy NCL.

[sdmike]

Try NCL if you would prefer an experience without set dining times and without traditional formal nights. Since those are two of my least favorite things on vacation, I love NCL

[SissasMomE]

likes:

luxury

meeting people

good food

shipboard experience

great crew

 

dislikes:

lines

crappy cabins

too much corporate sales pitch

 

I don't think NCL is anywhere near a luxury line .... I have had great experiences with meeting people and making friends on every NCL cruise. Also, the crew is the friendliest at sea (IMO). The food is ok, but that's very subjective. If you don't mind speciality restaurants, then they are very good. Never experienced any lines. Even when coming out of shows, etc., it was always manageable. I have not had a crappy cabin on NCL. As for the sale pitch, the only time I ever really encounter that is in the spa. I have ben writing "no sales" on my intake form for years (regardless of which cruise line) and that has worked.

[DMH15]

NCL in a suite is my favorite. X is second. As different as they are there were things I loved about each.

 

What I would suggest for you is to consider a full suite on NCL and then read as many suite reviews by CC members as you can. That should give you an idea if it is something you might enjoy.

 

Which ship? Which cabin type? Which itinerary? Any ideas yet about these?

 

Good luck.

[luddite]

Your list isn't real helpful.

Here are some thoughts:

 

Celebrity has the most restrictive smoking policies out there. If this is important, take note.

 

If a fixed-table dining time with the same waiter every night is a big deal for you, you will likely not enjoy NCL.

 

You cannot buy a Rebellious Fish on a Celebrity ship.

[ksimpso3]

Try NCL if you would prefer an experience without set dining times and without traditional formal nights. Since those are two of my least favorite things on vacation, I love NCL

I agree 100% with you. I too do not want to have to eat at a certain time and dress formally every night on my vacation. I don't know if NCL would be right for OP, but I LOVE IT!!!:D

[cabincop]

I have been on both lines, as well as a few others. I always felt X was a more sedate older line. Even the casino was a little more quiet. Now this is jmho, I also love freestyle dining. No need to rush to make dining or eating later. This is my prefence, plus I love not dressing up if I don't want to

[ClaireAndMike]

My extended family on my mom's side loves Celebrity. I'm about as different from them as relatives can get (I'm *that* one) and I enjoy NCL. Make of that what you will. :D I've never been on a Celebrity cruise but the very things my family raved about were the things I wouldn't personally like.

 

If it weren't for NCL, I'd have never set foot on a cruise ship.

[weltek]

I agree with others here. If you want a similar experience to X, you won't get that with NCL unless you decide to get a garden villa and just hang out there your whole cruise.

 

If you want a different kind of cruise and are willing to check your expectations at the door regarding a waiter who gets to know your every preference and refined decor colors (you'll see a little more blue, red and yellow here), then you have a shot at enjoying an NCL cruise. If you can get past those things and recognize food in the MDR might not be QUITE as good as X and know that there WILL be people dressed more casually (shorts and jeans are allowed in one of the two MDRs), then I suspect you'll enjoy NCL.

 

Try a newer ship like the Breakaway. I think you'll find the proposed elements they've been releasing to be up your alley.

[Fydlstyx]

I don't think NCL is anywhere near a luxury line .... I have had great experiences with meeting people and making friends on every NCL cruise. Also, the crew is the friendliest at sea (IMO). The food is ok, but that's very subjective. If you don't mind speciality restaurants, then they are very good. Never experienced any lines. Even when coming out of shows, etc., it was always manageable. I have not had a crappy cabin on NCL. As for the sale pitch, the only time I ever really encounter that is in the spa. I have ben writing "no sales" on my intake form for years (regardless of which cruise line) and that has worked.

 

 

Great response. Even the inside cabin I had on my NCL cruise was exceptional. No noise, great cabin steward, the ship (Sun) was super easy to navigate, the shows had plenty of space for everyone and getting out was never a problem. Like you, the only place I experienced sales pitches was in the spa and hair salon. The rest of the time was very relaxing with no pressure to buy anything at all. I cannot say the same for my Carnival cruise, which really felt like a long infomercial!

 

I liked the entertainment better on NCL, felt that the chocolate buffet was handled in a much better fashion on NCL, and wasn't held in the middle of the day; loved the freestyle dining (we had any time dining on Carnival but it was not as seamless), and felt that NCL was a better value for the price. People who ran the entertainment offerings like interactive games, etc., were much better at their jobs on NCL, and it seemed to me that there were a lot more interesting activities!

 

Sherry

[GORDONCHICK]

X and NCL are our two favorite lines - for different reasons. I find the decor on X to be understated elegance while NCL is more of a fun light-hearted decor. There aren't announcements alllll dayyyy longggggg on X. While there are more announcements on NCL, I find there are less than Carnival and RCCL. We've found the service to be top-notch and friendlier on NCL. The service on X is really good, but much more formal. Food is very subjective so it would be next to impossible to help you out a lot in this area but here are my personal (and my family) observations: MDRs - X slightly better quality and variety than NCL. Buffet - NCL wins this one, not to mention that their's is open in the evenings while X's isn't. Food options - NCL hands-down has many more options (French, steakhouse, Mexican, Japanese steak house, diner). And the option to eat when you want is invaluable to us. Formal is 100% optional.

 

Now, if you're talking suites, which you didn't mention at all - it's no contest at all - NCL takes top honors in the suite perks. And this would be where luxury kicks in - especially if you're talking Haven.

 

AND, the top officers of their ships actually show up to the CC meet & greets - if that type of thing interests you. They have great stories to share and are handy people to know!

[che5904]

Dear NCL marketing department. Please contact the OP and convince them to sail on NCL. We don't get paid to do your dirty work. :p

 

:D :D thanks for the laugh Mike ;)

 

But I'm really not sure that is a good idea

OP states "Convince us to cruise NCL",

then states

"dislikes:

lines

crappy cabins

too much corporate sales pitch"

 

Seriously though OP, we love NCL and obviously since she sails full to almost full weekly, other people must love them too.

 

My opinion on you likes and dislikes

likes:

luxury - I'm not really sure I would class their ships as a luxury line, although in the photos of their new ship about to launch looks pretty impressive.

meeting people - if you are outgoing I'm sure you will meet lots of people

good food - We've always found food we liked on our cruises. Mostly we eat in the MDR, but have ate at the Blue Lagoon, the buffet and the grills. IMO room service doesn't offer enough variety. We've also ate at Cagneys

shipboard experience - loved it

great crew - the best

 

dislikes

lines - we never had to wait in line for anything except the night I mixed up the MDR opening times and got there 30 minutes before they opened. But hey my fault and once the doors opened they were seated quickly.

crappy cabins - sorry don't know what a "crappy" cabin looks like, we like our balcony cabin

too much corporate sales pitch - I've heard the spa is pretty bad for this, but if you tell them at the beginning of your visit, apparently they won't. We never visited the spa so we didn't get any sales pitches from anyone.

[wroughtironron]

Life's too short to convince people you don't know and who don't know you, to do something they don't know if they want to do......

[sdmike]

LOL Mike !!! Did I tell you we loved our Epic cruise ? Spectacularly awesome !:D

 

I was wondering how that went! That's great! If you hated it I'm not sure I could have lived with myself. :)

[sdmike]

Life's too short to convince people you don't know and who don't know you, to do something they don't know if they want to do......

 

I had to read that slowly a couple of times! :D

[Rounder]

After 25+ cruises in a row with Celebrity, I thought it might be nice to take a look around at the competition. Never hurts to see, if there is a need for a change Yes, NCL has some interesting itineraries.

 

Everybody has different likes, and dislikes. The only way for anyone to be sure, is to go and find out for themselves. :confused: