Just back from our first Royal Caribbean cruise

[emcelh]

I always wonder where people find this "inedible" food. I've never had it on any NCL ship.

[Ilikebigboats]

We have looked at prices on the Allure and Oasis of The Seas on RCL from FTLL and for a 7 night cruise they are well over $1500pp for a Balcony cabin with a view of the ocean. They have atrium view balcony cabins much less but who wants to look out at people walking and eating from their balcony :eek: Sure they have an ice rink but not what I want to do in the winter in the Caribbean. Even my TA says the new RCL ships are way over rated and way to expensive.

 

Atrium view balcony Huh? People staring at me while I stare at them, no thanks!

I have to admit Im a sucker for the ice rink though,love it!:D

It could be just me but I think the RCL casino environment is lacking. With NCL we can basically play all night, the dealers quickly learn our names, joke around and everyone has a good time.

[poolreader]

I always wonder where people find this "inedible" food. I've never had it on any NCL ship.

 

In the Main Dining Room, as I think I stated earlier. Everyone I spoke to said they liked their food in the specialty restaurants, perhaps you have mainly eaten in those places. Food is individual, I just could not find anything that IMO was edible in those two dining rooms. The buffet was just okay, but when I cruise I like to have a waiter. It was just not a pleasant experience for me.

I just compared the prices for NCL, Carnival and Princess, for trips I would be taking. The only place I found a better rate was on a LA to Vancouver. Can you tell me how much I would need to budget for a 7 day trip to eat in the specialty restaurants? Not the taco place though, I did pay to eat there and although it was fine I have many Mexican restaurants near me that I enjoy more. The fare for 2 people on a lowest inside is $970 with taxes. Add another $300 -$400 for flights, $168 for tips, and what I need to eat, then I can compare prices. If I can get one of my friends to go, because my DH refuses to pay to eat on a cruise. So Please give me an idea on how much I would need.

[JYeagersGrl]

Atrium view balcony Huh? People staring at me while I stare at them, no thanks!

I have to admit Im a sucker for the ice rink though,love it!:D

It could be just me but I think the RCL casino environment is lacking. With NCL we can basically play all night, the dealers quickly learn our names, joke around and everyone has a good time.

 

We LOVED the ice rink too that was so much fun kids spent hours skating. The casinos were definitely lacking and I don't know what ship you were on and how the others are laid out but I really missed the main bars like they have on CCL and NCL. We spent a lot of time at the main lobby bar on the Gem just chatting with friends (I think I only bought a fishbowl drink from the main bar on the very last night)

[Mysticks1]

I believe that a lot of things on a cruise are subjective depending upon the cruiser so the OP has a right to post their personal experience. It is afterall just an opinion and I try to keep that in mind when reading reviews. I am not sure why so many seem to get offended by some comments.

 

I have my first cruise on NCL coming up in May and am looking forward to trying the Freestyle dining. When comparing our cruises on Carnival to RCCL I would say that the cabin size goes to Carnival. On RCCL I liked the Buffet better and the MDR food better on Carnival so they are very similar to me overall. I have never had what I would call "Bad" service on any ship and for the activities that we participate in I think they are pretty equal although I really did enjoy the ice show on RCL more than any other show I have seen.

 

On our Celebrity cruise we were booked into an Aquaclass cabin which gave us a private dining room - Blu. The reviews on it were wonderful. My husband and I ate in that dining room twice and it just wasn't our type of food or dining room. We ate our other dinners at the buffet, sitting in the outdoor dining area, listening to a trio play and enjoying the sunset and I really enjoyed that. Most of those who loved Blu would be shocked that we just didn't like that type of food but that didn't make my opinion of it "Wrong".

 

[Ilikebigboats]

We LOVED the ice rink too that was so much fun kids spent hours skating. The casinos were definitely lacking and I don't know what ship you were on and how the others are laid out but I really missed the main bars like they have on CCL and NCL. We spent a lot of time at the main lobby bar on the Gem just chatting with friends (I think I only bought a fishbowl drink from the main bar on the very last night)

 

I agree with you on the location of the bars, a lot easier to meet up with friends and people watch. :)

I'm hearing rumors the the fishbowl drink is no more. Say it isn't so!:eek:

So far NCL kids clubs are the best compared to other lines, according to my teens. Only problem is they like it so much I never see them. Oh we'll, at least they are having fun.

[sdmike]

PLEASE tell me how to get free cruises on RCCL. I have loved every cruise with them. I gladly pay for their cruises as the food is very good, but to be able to sail free would be fantastic. The only free cruises I have heard about for going to time shares were on some small cruise line out of Florida.

I did an NCL and would ONLY do it again if it was free, so I would have enough money to buy my meals like you have to do on NCL. The free food on NCL in the dining room was inedible, probably so they can get you to pay extra to get something edible. My DH would not pay for the specialty restaurants and although he did not like the food he ate it, but he thinks Kraft Mac and Cheese tastes good. I have heard that the food is very good in the specialty restaurants on NCL and would not mind trying the line again if I become wealthy. Maybe instead of "free styling" they should call it "expensive styling"

 

I always love the "free food stinks so you are forced into the pay restaurant" conspiracy theory.

 

It's about choices on NCL. You can choose to eat in a bunch of free locations or choose to pay extra for a specialty restaurant. The choice is yours. Even if I ate in a specialty restaurant each night NCL was still cheaper than RCL on my last two bookings.

[sdmike]

How dare you call someone crazy for making a joke. I am allowed to give my opinion of my experience on a cruise ship on a Cruise Critic Board. NCL has many more for pay restaurants than any other line I have been on in my 29+ cruises. I said I would willing to try the line again if I became wealthy enough to pay $40 a day extra for the two of us to eat in the specialty restaurants. For now I will sail Princess, RCCl, Celebrity, and Carnival where I find plenty of good food without having to pay an up charge. I guess you got rich being a Mental Health Professional, oh wait, NO they would never call someone crazy as it is not areal diagnosis.

 

Good grief. Lighten up. Enjoy your trips on other lines. I found Carnival food to be horrible across the board...buffet, MDR's, etc. Food opinions are like noses, everyone has one.

[sdmike]

In the Main Dining Room, as I think I stated earlier. Everyone I spoke to said they liked their food in the specialty restaurants, perhaps you have mainly eaten in those places. Food is individual, I just could not find anything that IMO was edible in those two dining rooms. The buffet was just okay, but when I cruise I like to have a waiter. It was just not a pleasant experience for me.

I just compared the prices for NCL, Carnival and Princess, for trips I would be taking. The only place I found a better rate was on a LA to Vancouver. Can you tell me how much I would need to budget for a 7 day trip to eat in the specialty restaurants? Not the taco place though, I did pay to eat there and although it was fine I have many Mexican restaurants near me that I enjoy more. The fare for 2 people on a lowest inside is $970 with taxes. Add another $300 -$400 for flights, $168 for tips, and what I need to eat, then I can compare prices. If I can get one of my friends to go, because my DH refuses to pay to eat on a cruise. So Please give me an idea on how much I would need.

 

Specialty restaurants vary by ship and vary by price from $15 to $30. I would not assume you need to eat in a specialty restaurant to get a good meal. If you couldn't find anything "edible" in a week of meals in the MDR's I doubt NCL is for you and suggest you continue sailing with your favorite lines. It's nice to have choices.

[Cruzface]

I always love the "free food stinks so you are forced into the pay restaurant" conspiracy theory.

 

It's about choices on NCL. You can choose to eat in a bunch of free locations or choose to pay extra for a specialty restaurant. The choice is yours. Even if I ate in a specialty restaurant each night NCL was still cheaper than RCL on my last two bookings.

 

LOL Mike, you are killing me tonight. The only place I felt like they were intentionally giving me crap food in the MDR to push me to the specialty restaurant was RCCL, and maybe a little bit Carnival. On NOV I would gladly eat in the MDR every night or even the buffet. Our boys ate in the buffet twice without us and loved it. They are foodies, worse than us.

 

I will still eat at NCL's specialty restaurants because I had the best meals in Moderno and Le Bistro.

[shepherdqueen]

I always wonder where people find this "inedible" food. I've never had it on any NCL ship.

 

We have never dined in a specialty restaurant and only once did we have a bad meal, and that was rectified immediately. My husband loves free style so much I doubt I could get him to try another line.

[tiffygirl]

I cruised Epic in DEC 2012 and Freedom of the Seas in Jan 2013. I paid a lot more for my Royal cruise

 

I didn't get it. Yea...they had the promenade mall. but really, how many times can you look in the Michale Kors store? I felt like the Epic had many more activities throughout the day and especially at night. Royal had movies all day being played listed on the compass and a lot of seminars. But i can stay at home to watch movies.

 

My room steward was the worst i had on any cruise. we got to our room on first day around 130. we had to wait until he finished cleaning. That was my moms first cruised and i had raved how great the room stewards were... bam first impression...

 

The ship(RCL) was beautiful. Restaurant food was good. I ate their every single night which was a first for me.

 

I liked the fact that Epic has a 24 hours eatery available. something royal doesn't have.

 

to keep it short, I personally found RCL just OK. i did book again...because mom wanted to do the on-board booking. however, i have convinced my family to try NCL on our next cruise so we are doing Epic next January.

 

The premium you pay is really not worth it to me especially if you can get the same experience less the move it!move it! parade and the ice show...(which was fantastic). but i had to try it and to see for myself if i would enjoy it. so i did...and i wasn't it impressed.

 

Ive cruised carnival, NCL (pearl & epic) and princess.

[roe2ship]

We just got back today from our first RCCL cruise and I can say for sure that it will be our last. The service and food left much to be desired. I am sticking with NCL from here on out.

I can't compare the two lines yet but I had great experiences on Royal Caribbean. Personally, I would never write off an entire cruise line with just one cruise, especially on a VERY old ship.

[poolreader]

I tried to ask a valid question after being quoted and attacked by the NCL cheerleaders on this thread. I was willing to give it a try and simply wanted to know how much it would cost. The only answer I got was $15-$30 dollars. Is this for dinner and lunch ? So I guess it is $45 per day for each person, so $90 per day times 7 days, another $630 for two passengers.

No time for straight answers to a simple question , but plenty of time to laugh at someone just writing their opinion. I didn't say anything negative about you when you put down food on other cruise lines. And if the food is so wonderful in the MDR why are you spending your money on the specialty restaurants.

I think I am too nice a person to get along with all of you bullies. Go ahead with your "expensive style" cruising.

[LAatl]

We just got back today from our first RCCL cruise and I can say for sure that it will be our last. The service and food left much to be desired. I am sticking with NCL from here on out.

It's a shame. I've been on several NCL cruises and I just got back from my first RC cruise on the Oasis and I can tell you that I'll be back on RC. The service and food was outstanding. I'll definitely be back and try a different class ship. I hope I don't have your experience...I would hate that.

[pyrrhus]

NO they would never call someone crazy as it is not areal diagnosis.

 

 

Calling people crazy is the primary thing mental health professionals do when you leave the room :)

[roe2ship]

We have looked at prices on the Allure and Oasis of The Seas on RCL from FTLL and for a 7 night cruise they are well over $1500pp for a Balcony cabin with a view of the ocean. They have atrium view balcony cabins much less but who wants to look out at people walking and eating from their balcony :eek: Sure they have an ice rink but not what I want to do in the winter in the Caribbean. Even my TA says the new RCL ships are way over rated and way to expensive.

The Oasis and Allure are in their own league...they still sell at premium prices three years later for a reason. There is nothing at sea that can remotely come close to a good comparison.

[shopperwhite]

this will be my first ncl cruise. i have cruised many times on rcl princess holland america celebrity and carnival.

they all have their good and bad.

 

meals are not what they used to be on any of the lines. as soon as they introduced the specialty restaurants all the other food went down hill.

 

however it is sure better than macdonalds and i don't have to cook it, don't have to clean up after so i am happy.

 

entertainment on rcl is absolutely wonderful. i am really looking forward to seeing what epic has.

[hladygirl]

wOW! You are on the ncl boards. What do you expect us ncl cheerleaders to do? We love ncl. Not for everyone but those that don't like it need to go to other cruise line boards.

 

The specialty restaurants are $15to$30 dollars each depending on which one you want to go to. During our 15 night cruise we went to 2 for a special treat. We love the main dining rooms and would have no problem going to them every night. Just liked to have the smaller cozier atmosphere of cagneys and lebistro.

[dwjoe]

We just got back today from our first RCCL cruise and I can say for sure that it will be our last. The service and food left much to be desired. I am sticking with NCL from here on out.

I think NCL is a very good choice.

 

But, your review of RCCL would be more useful if you provide more details.

[halos]

We just got back today from our first RCCL cruise and I can say for sure that it will be our last. The service and food left much to be desired. I am sticking with NCL from here on out.

I had my one and only (so far) RCI cruise a couple years ago...my feelings are the same as yours.

[halos]

PLEASE tell me how to get free cruises on RCCL. I have loved every cruise with them. I gladly pay for their cruises as the food is very good, but to be able to sail free would be fantastic. The only free cruises I have heard about for going to time shares were on some small cruise line out of Florida.

I did an NCL and would ONLY do it again if it was free, so I would have enough money to buy my meals like you have to do on NCL. The free food on NCL in the dining room was inedible, probably so they can get you to pay extra to get something edible. My DH would not pay for the specialty restaurants and although he did not like the food he ate it, but he thinks Kraft Mac and Cheese tastes good. I have heard that the food is very good in the specialty restaurants on NCL and would not mind trying the line again if I become wealthy. Maybe instead of "free styling" they should call it "expensive styling"

May I ask WHEN you took your last NCL cruise? You don't have a cruise history so we can't tell.

I only started cruising NCL in 2007 and I have never experienced inedible food. Back in 2007, I thought the food wasn't as good as CCL's...but since that time, NCL's food has improved considerably and CCL's food has gone in the opposite direction.

On our one and only cruise on RCI, the food was the absolute worst we ever had, as was the service....It was the Explorer to Bermuda out of Bayonne. I thought that possible was just an 'off' week for RCI/The Explorer and I haven't sworn off the line, but nothing about RCI comes close to the NCL of today since Kevin Sheehan took over, so this is the reason I haven't given RCI another try at this point.

I must say that although the food on RCI was the worst we have ever had, it still was edible for goodness sake. It's hard to take someone seriously when they call food inedible.....

[sdmike]

You asked what I expect? I expect informed people, positive about a cruise line they enjoy, willing to offer answers to someone asking questions. I was not on a 7 night cruise on NCL, so SDMIKE is was not inability to find decent food after 7 days. It was a short sample cruise. All you seem to be able to say is that if I did not have the same experience you have had then I need to go to other cruise line boards. I responded to this initially from the New Posts. But In the future I will check the boards the threads are generated from and try to avoid the incredibly rude people on the NCL boards. Maybe you should contact those in charge of Cruise Critic and inform them you do not welcome anyone new to your line, perhaps they can invent a secret code to keep us all out. I wonder if NCL would be interested to hear how you are trying to chase away customers.

 

So what ship were you on? How long was the trip? Why did you consider the food "inedible"? By the way, of course it was edible, you just didn't like it. Maybe instead of getting all insulted you could provide some additional information on your experience. I also gave you information on the cost of specialty restaurants that you asked for. You shoudl also know that it's dinner only. I suggested going with a different line because clearly you would not enjoy NCL if you could not find any food to eat except for the hours of 5:30 to 9 at night.

[roses_rem]

I must say I peronally love RCCL but every cruise varies. I have taken both tours of Adventures of the Seas ship out of San Juan. Our first trip was wonderful and I have stayed in touch with some crew members from that sailing. Just 14 months later, we sailed on the same ship and although we still had a great time, it was vastly different then the first and I have not kept in cintact with any crew. I do prefer the RCCL dining, I like having the same waitstaff every night and not having to explain my food allergies and like not having to wait in line to be seated.

[terrydtx]

this will be my first ncl cruise. i have cruised many times on rcl princess holland america celebrity and carnival.

they all have their good and bad.

 

meals are not what they used to be on any of the lines. as soon as they introduced the specialty restaurants all the other food went down hill.

 

however it is sure better than macdonalds and i don't have to cook it, don't have to clean up after so i am happy.

 

entertainment on rcl is absolutely wonderful. i am really looking forward to seeing what epic has.

 

I agree 100%, no mass marketed cruise line has anything close to a 5 star land restaurant even in their specialty ones. The food on the most part will be good and on par with the better family land restaurants, doubtful it will ever be inedible. And you are right it is not MacDonald's, we do not have to cook and clean afterwards. We have been to several land all-inclusive resorts in our time and none of them had food and food choices as good as the worse food we have had on any cruise, which is why we will never do one of those type vacations again.:D

 

When we all start accepting that cruise ship food is what it is and not judge our experience solely on the food aboard we will all have a lot more fun on our cruises. When you consider the cruise ship kitchens and chefs are preparing 3 meals a day for 2000 to 4500 people everyday on a budget of less than $16 per person per day, they do a remarkable job. Our last cruise on HAL had disappointing food compared to our previous 3 HAL cruises and I was told by one of the Kitchen managers that HAL had cut their pp per day budget from $18 to $15. The food was still good and in no way ruined a fantastic cruise on a nice new ship.