Nyc2tropics Posted July 24, 2013 #26 Share Posted July 24, 2013 The Gem! I got engaged on a 10 day Caribbean cruise and the crew was great. Also a big fan of the Bliss lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvfrogg Posted July 24, 2013 #27 Share Posted July 24, 2013 My favorite, without a doubt, is the Pearl. The crew is the friendliest, the size is good. Love the Great Outdoors. The Buffet layout is easier than most. I just love the connection with the ocean that I didn't get on a couple of the other ships. The Epic had loads to do, but for me it just wasn't what I wanted on a cruise. Maybe if I had youngsters or teenagers I would have felt differently.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokiePoq Posted July 25, 2013 #28 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Looking at scheduling our next cruise since September will be here before we know it! Here is my question, which ship has been your favorite and what is/are the top reason(s) why??????? Thanks in advance! :rolleyes: :) :cool: Great topic, thanks! Ours is the Jade. We'll go on the Jade for the fourth time next April. It's the Goldilocks ship for me: not too big, not too small, but just right. It also goes where I love to go and has taken us to many places on our bucket list (Rome, Athens, Egypt, Israel to name a few). And it has the World's Greatest Cruise Director, Gary Glading. A cruise with Gary will be a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare QuattroRomeo Posted July 25, 2013 #29 Share Posted July 25, 2013 We've been on 20+ cruises and on various cruiselines although mostly CCL and NCL. DH NEVER voices much of an opinion. He always enjoys himself but says that after a while, they do all seem to run together. Finally, he has spoken. He says his favorite is the one with 'the Tapas bar'. It's been a while since we've been on the Sun but evidently he was impressed. That's hilarious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladeguy Posted July 25, 2013 #30 Share Posted July 25, 2013 The Dawn gets my vote. Great crew, perfect size and great suite perks. Both Boston and Tampa are easy to cruise from. Best bang for the buck as well. We also like the Jewel and the Spirit, but do as much as the Dawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeylovinmom Posted July 25, 2013 #31 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Love the Dawn. It's just like coming home. Very comfortable! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karoo Posted July 25, 2013 #32 Share Posted July 25, 2013 The Jewel class. love the size, happy colours, freestyle entertainment, activities, outdoor area at back of ship, the spinnaker lounge, the promenade deck and the fact they still have different shows in the theatre each night. Just went on the Epic, didn't like having to plan ahead with entertainment. Only two shows in the theatre, blue man group which I thought was boring and legends just okay. I was so glad we only had one Sea Day as I had nothing to do. Ended up going back to the cabin for the afternoon trying to find something on TV and playing games on my Ipad. First time I've ever been bored on a cruise and I've done about 16. There didn't seem to be many planned fun activities, plus I couldn't walk around the promenade deck or sit out the back in the great outdoors enjoying the ocean and fresh air. (Pool way too crowded, not the same atmosphere-I didn't even bother looking for a chair.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted July 25, 2013 #33 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Looking at scheduling our next cruise since September will be here before we know it! Here is my question, which ship has been your favorite and what is/are the top reason(s) why??????? Thanks in advance! :rolleyes: :) :cool: The Sun. Besides the Great Outdoors which the Jewel also has, the Sun has a small deck outside the Spinnaker lounge on top deck. It's a great place for taking photos coming into port. I also love the floor to ceiling windows in the Sports Bar. I often took my breakfast or lunch from the buffet into the Sports Bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Of The Seas Posted July 25, 2013 #34 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I've only been on four different NCL ships. Each one is, of course, unique which, I am guessing, is why you asked. There are some things I liked about each of them, and things I didn't like. Opinions are also based upon experience. Norwegian Dawn: This was the first cruise ship I had ever boarded. One thing I really liked about the Dawn was that the cruise director was very friendly and always present (I don't know if he ever slept!). His friendly attitude and always smiling appearance made me feel better. The Dawn had everything I expected on a cruise ship. Great food, crew, and entertainment. The cabin was comfortable and well appointed. I would definitely sail on the Dawn again. Norwegian Epic: I sailed on the Epic six months after it launched. We were on board over the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday, so it was a bit crowded. The cruise director informed us that one third of the cruisers on board were under the age of 18! It made for a rather unique experience, but not a bad one. The Epic has it's own special place on these forums, everyone having their own opinion. Perhaps the only near-universal opinion is that the toilet/shower/sink setup in the cabins is just...wrong. Perhaps if you are travelling with a significant other, it isn't too bad, but it is still uncomfortably awkward. Aside from that, the cabin was very well appointed (we were in a spa suite). I liked the bathtub option in the cabin, but had no need for it as our cabin included daily access to the spa, which is incredible. Food was good. Service was top-notch, and entertainment was good. The only thing about this one was that aside from the prior mentioned announcement, I never saw the cruise director. I would sail the Epic again, but the toilet/shower/sink setup in the cabins needs reexamination. Sadly, this probably won't change due to costs. Norwegian Jewel: Loved this one, too. Reminded me of the Dawn, but unique. Cruise director was very outgoing and friendly, and remembered us by name (I only remember her first name, Julie). Again, crew was top-notch, food was excellent, and entertainment outstanding. Oddly, the MDRs were not open for lunch, but I do recall at least one being open on the Dawn. I would readily sail on the Jewel again. Norwegian Sky: A bit older, and "retro-fitted" during construction when NCL's change to Freestyle started (as well as changing ship yards). It has also suffered from re-christening and re-purposing twice. This does not make it a bad ship, just different. The cabins were a bit cramped, and the balcony door in the cabin is a swinging door centered in the outside bulkhead instead of a sliding door. The shower in the cabin is a simple circular affair with a shower curtain, which is a bit clingy. The food was good, and crew were excellent. The Sky is starting to show its age, and is in need of a remodeling. It is still stuck halfway between it's Hawaii and Caribbean themes. I would sail the Sky again if I am looking for a 4-day cruise to Bahamas, which is right where it is, anyway (along with a 3-day). Overall winner: Norwegian Jewel. The Dawn is right behind it, though. The Epic is a bit big, and the cabin layout is awkward. The Sky is a good ship, just needs to be updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awaywego0000 Posted July 25, 2013 #35 Share Posted July 25, 2013 The Spirit was my first cruise. This is the only NCL ship I have been on. We loved the Spirit! Great first cruise experience. Next year I will be on Dawn. I am more excited now than ever since many of these posts list her as their favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise_More_Often Posted July 25, 2013 #36 Share Posted July 25, 2013 The Sun! Because: She's small :D Cabins are larger than on the larger ships Great Outdoors Cafe Floor-to-ceiling windows in Il Adagio and Le Bistro Decor is elegant She's just the perfect little ship! Next would be the Jewel-class ships, then the Dawn-class. We're going on the Pearl next, then the Dawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halos Posted July 25, 2013 #37 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I love the Sun the best. :) For me, Sun wins. My favorite ship is the Sun. . The Sun. . The Sun! . Count me also as a Sun Worshipper :D Why?? No frills. It is about cruising. A little more space than what you get on these newer ships. A lot less crowded. A crew that is not stretched to the max. To me, it is about cruising...and the Sun is just that, a cruise ship (not a floating mall/amusement park). :) Went on her for the first time last Feb and happily doing a repeat this coming Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinyturtle22 Posted July 25, 2013 #38 Share Posted July 25, 2013 The Sun for me as well. Going on her for the 5th time Feb 13th. Best pool deck largest cabins Great Outdoors breakfast and lunch also served in Pacific Heights/now Moderno great overall layout best crew of the fleet tapas bar food isnt as good as it used to be but great sangria and beautiful decor Least favorite by far is the Dawn. :/ Terrible layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catlady461 Posted July 25, 2013 #39 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Our favorite is the Dawn; perfect ship size and fantastic crew. We will be taking our fourth cruise on her Nov 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubechick Posted July 25, 2013 #40 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Having not been on the Sun, we'll have to go with the Spirit for her unique decor and awesome aft penthouses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted July 26, 2013 #41 Share Posted July 26, 2013 The Epic has been our favorite so far. We just like the newer ship with all of the things there was to do on it. From the dining, entertainment, the size of the casino and everything. She was amazing. Some day I hope to try the Breakaway and Getaway and I just know they are going to be amazing. If I had to pick a smaller ship, our 2nd favorite is the Spirit. She is just one of a kind in the NCL fleet. Not another one like her. The Asian decor is beautiful and the ship is just unique. We have also done the Jewel class and the Dawn class ships. We have yet to try the Sun class. :) (But I'm working on all of the ones I haven't tried yet...you know, just to make sure of my favorites) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itravelalot Posted July 26, 2013 #42 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Spirit for me. Big Suites, huge 3 level open aft decks for eating and sunning. True promenade deck, Blue Lagoon, wonderful decor and small enough to feel quaint and large enough so it never seems crowded. Just got off Spirit 4 days ago and are going back in December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagnoliaBlossom Posted July 26, 2013 #43 Share Posted July 26, 2013 The Sun, for all the reasons given above. We have sailed her four times, with a fifth booked. Second would be the Jewel because of their spa layout. All the thermal loungers face out over the aft which makes it the perfect place for watching glaciers in Alaska, or just the world float by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Of The Seas Posted July 26, 2013 #44 Share Posted July 26, 2013 The Sun for me as well. Going on her for the 5th time Feb 13th. I am looking forward to the Sun, too. I will also be on that same cruise. Why haven't we seen you over on the roll call thread? :) I keep hearing great things about the Sun, so you all had better not disappoint me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tel2 Posted July 26, 2013 #45 Share Posted July 26, 2013 I cannot believe I am saying this, but Breakaway. I have been on Pearl, Jade, Gem, Jewel, Majesty, and Spirit, as well as a number of ships on other lines, and I resisted for a very long time trying the mega ships, because I didnt think I'd like the less intimate feel and the potential for crowds, but tried Breakaway in June, and I loved it. So much to do, love the boardwalk concept, best entertainment I've ever seen. Going again in September..... that pretty much says it all. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokiePoq Posted July 26, 2013 #46 Share Posted July 26, 2013 I cannot believe I am saying this, but Breakaway. I have been on Pearl, Jade, Gem, Jewel, Majesty, and Spirit, as well as a number of ships on other lines, and I resisted for a very long time trying the mega ships, because I didnt think I'd like the less intimate feel and the potential for crowds, but tried Breakaway in June, and I loved it. So much to do, love the boardwalk concept, best entertainment I've ever seen. Going again in September..... that pretty much says it all. Terry Really glad to hear this as we have yet to try it. Want to go just to hear Slam Allen again. The Sun is my least favorite NCL ship but it looks like the Sun has lots of fans above. To each our own ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra2172 Posted July 26, 2013 #47 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Looking at scheduling our next cruise since September will be here before we know it! Here is my question, which ship has been your favorite and what is/are the top reason(s) why??????? Thanks in advance! :rolleyes: :) :cool: Our favorite was the Jewel. Its just the right size, the food and entertainment were great, and its well managed! Our least favorite was the Star, for the exact opposite reasons I mentioned on the Jewel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surran12 Posted July 26, 2013 #48 Share Posted July 26, 2013 I absolutely loved the Dawn, but the Spirit will always be tops for me. I hope she comes back to this side of the ocean before she retires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinyturtle22 Posted July 27, 2013 #49 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I am looking forward to the Sun, too. I will also be on that same cruise. Why haven't we seen you over on the roll call thread? :) I keep hearing great things about the Sun, so you all had better not disappoint me! I just booked it on Wednesday. I couldnt decide if I really wanted to go to Guadalupe? or not...I will pop into the roll call soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozetraveller Posted October 16, 2013 #50 Share Posted October 16, 2013 My absolute favourite is the STAR. Why? Because it's the only NCL ship I have been on :D and, quite by chance, it was also the best fit, time- and price-wise, for our upcoming PC transit. ALL cruise ships are great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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