Carnival Cheerleader Looking at NCL

[Briitini]

I am trying to decide on rebooking the Breeze vs trying NCL and the Epic for the first time. What major things are different? Anything I need to know that would make me not pick NCL? I am scared to try a new line. I have 3 cruises under my belt with Carnival. We are 28 years old.. The most we drink year round is on vacation. I like Carnivals Cheers Program. I also like that the Epic cruise March 9th is 1 day longer. I don't like that the website tries to book me in a guarantee. Their website is hard to understand.. maybe because I've never used it? Help me decide!!!! :D

[LrgPizza]

Personally, I think it's hard to be loyal to one brand of anything when you haven't sampled the others. What specific things matter to you the most when cruising? I am assuming Carnival's Cheers Program is like the Ultimate Beverage Program on NCL, so you wouldn't be giving that up.

Edited February 7, 2014 by LrgPizza

[Briitini]

Personally, I think it's hard to be loyal to one brand of anything when you haven't sampled the others. What specific things matter to you the most when cruising? I am assuming Carnival's Cheers Program is like the Ultimate Beverage Program on NCL, so you wouldn't be giving that up.

 

Good point!!!!

 

I just found out they don't sell the ultimate bev pkg march 1 to April 15 :mad: oh well that will save me $400 pp lol

 

I deff like the newer bigger ships. Good food.. Comfortable beds (hate hard beds like the breeze has), nice area for laying out. Maybe an adult pool? Breeze does not have an adults only pool which sucks.

[luddite]

An NCL cruise isn't a stepdown from the Carnival experience.

[youngestof9]

I have no experience with the Breeze. But I did sail Epic twice and really liked her. What I liked was the pool deck, the service, the shows (Blue Man Group and Howl at the Moon were our favorites). Loved having so many selections to eat for dinner - I don't mind paying the upcharges - I like having the options. Food in buffet was fine - it's buffet food, but there's lots of choices. I enjoyed the Manhattan room (MDR) for dinner. We also dined in La Cucina for an upcharge and it was good. Teppanyaki was our favorite - Hibachi style, excellent food and a fun "show".

 

Spice H2O is a really nice spot on Epic where it's adults only and has a hot tub and lounge chairs. It's a great spot for laying out and there's no kids (and it's enforced). There's a bar in the area too.

 

There are things you pay extra for like the specialty restaurants and the Cirque Dreams show. Otherwise, the charges on Carnival are basically the same as NCL - spa, drinks, casino, etc. All extra.

 

I think Carnival (and Royal) are more like NCL than not. The only real difference I see is there is no assigned dining time - you decide where and when you want to eat and just show up. You may wait a little - I've never waited more than 10 minutes.

 

Bathroom setup is a hot-button topic - do a search for the issues!

 

We loved the Epic and am so disappointed she's heading overseas for good.

 

and it may be booking you in a guarantee because there's nothing left in that category.

Edited February 7, 2014 by youngestof9

[Briitini]

I like the open dining! I hate the MDR!! We ate at an up charge place on the breeze twice last April. That is a huge plus for me. Does NCL have adult comedy shows?

[newmexicoNita]

I like the open dining! I hate the MDR!! We ate at an up charge place on the breeze twice last April. That is a huge plus for me. Does NCL have adult comedy shows?

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usually the comedians that entertain in the Main show room will have adult comedy later in one of the night clubs. On the mega ships they might even have adult comedy earlier. We haven't cruised the mega ships.

The big difference, from our experience is the cabin size. Carnival cabins used to be a little larger. NCL has more dining choices if you want upscale and they are as good as they get on any ship. Over all we enjoy the service on NCL better, but we haven't been on Carnival for many years. I really don't think you will be sorry if you try NCL. You might get hooked or you might decide Carnival is the line for you. Unless you try another line, how will you know?

[mizLORInj]

I've cruised Carnival but not the Breeze. Decided to give NCL a try back in 2009--and I've been back many times. Been on other lines too.

Best to try it out for yourself! :)

[JinxyB]

I have sailed the Breeze and Epic and think they are both great ships, but I would give the edge to the Epic. If you are sailing with young kids both ships have a waterpark and sports area. The Epic wins in entertainment, hands down. I think Carnival has better food in their MDR, but NCL buffet is much better. NCL has really good specialty dining. Breeze has larger cabins with 'normal' bathrooms. I would pick the Epic based on 7 days vs 6 days!

[youngestof9]

I like the open dining! I hate the MDR!! We ate at an up charge place on the breeze twice last April. That is a huge plus for me. Does NCL have adult comedy shows?

 

The Epic has Second City Improv - the later show is adult oriented. If you like Improv, it's funny. Some like, some don't. I am a huge improv fan and loved it. My husband was indifferent about it. The other shows are Blue Man Group (totally wild), Legends in Concert (which is impersonators), Howl at the Moon (dueling pianos - we loved this), Cirque Dreams (a paid dinner show which is like cirque de soliel - pretty cool). There's also an ice bar, a 24-hour pub, huge casino. We loved the waterslides also.

[rednose83]

What's the difference in itinerary and price?

[Briitini]

Breeze 6 days - Cozumel, Montego Bay (blah) and Grand Cayman (been to 2 of those) $419 PP

Epic 7 days - Cozumel, Ocho Rios (blah) and Costa Maya $429 PP $100 OBC

[Warm Breezes]

Breeze 6 days - Cozumel, Montego Bay (blah) and Grand Cayman (been to 2 of those) $419 PP

Epic 7 days - Cozumel, Ocho Rios (blah) and Costa Maya $429 PP $100 OBC

 

If these were my choices I would probably pick Epic. I say probably since I have sailed Epic before and not Breeze (even though I have sailed Carnival 6x) and if I were looking for something different for me then that might give Breeze the edge in my choices. If I weren't looking for something different then I would pick Epic because:

 

1. Price

2. Extra Day

3. Itinerary

4. Entertainment

 

Breeze would have larger rooms and better desserts. Epic would have better entertainment and buffet. I find the MDR to be similar and Epic would have more specialty restaurant choices.

[put me on a ship]

I am trying to decide on rebooking the Breeze vs trying NCL and the Epic for the first time. What major things are different? Anything I need to know that would make me not pick NCL? I am scared to try a new line. I have 3 cruises under my belt with Carnival. We are 28 years old.. The most we drink year round is on vacation. I like Carnivals Cheers Program. I also like that the Epic cruise March 9th is 1 day longer. I don't like that the website tries to book me in a guarantee. Their website is hard to understand.. maybe because I've never used it? Help me decide!!!! :D

 

We just tried NCL in December, after mainly sailing with Carnival...LOVED it!! NCL does a lot of little things, that in the long run, makes a big difference. Some things that might help you decide: the shows on NCL Sun BLEW away anything Carnival has to offer! The Sun did not have a comedy club, like Carnival's Punchliner...the main theater had a comedian one night (he was okay), and I believe he may have done an adult show in one of the lounges later at night. All the other shows we went to were excellent!

 

Food is very subjective, but IMO, Carnival's MDR food is better than NCL overall. We ate in all of the specialty restaurants on the Sun, and they were outstanding! Moderno was my favorite. The buffet, for the most part, was good (we really didn't eat there very often, just for breakfast), but NCL has a crepe station that was to die for!

 

We have already booked another NCL cruise, and I know we will continue to sail with them...and we will continue to sail with Carnival...and we are always open to trying other lines!

[david_sobe]

Are you ready and serious to give up dancing and singing waiters?

If so, book Epic ;)

[Briitini]

Are you ready and serious to give up dancing and singing waiters?

If so, book Epic ;)

 

Hehehe I don't think I could live without!!! THE HORROR :eek::rolleyes::D

[kcwingwalker]

An NCL cruise isn't a stepdown from the Carnival experience.

 

Some consider it to be a step up!

 

Try something new and I think you'll have a great cruise:)

[Medtech2]

I am trying to decide on rebooking the Breeze vs trying NCL and the Epic for the first time. What major things are different? Anything I need to know that would make me not pick NCL? I am scared to try a new line. I have 3 cruises under my belt with Carnival. We are 28 years old.. The most we drink year round is on vacation. I like Carnivals Cheers Program. I also like that the Epic cruise March 9th is 1 day longer. I don't like that the website tries to book me in a guarantee. Their website is hard to understand.. maybe because I've never used it? Help me decide!!!! :D

Epic wins hands down, IMO.

 

If you don't like the website call the 800# and talk to a rep. They should be able to get you the cabin you want...

[jakeT]

NCL is a better cruise line then Carnival much more on an NCL ship. It's a move up. Just more what a cruise should be. Much better entertainment. Carnival is like High School. Ncl is like real world

[em-sk]

The Epic has Second City Improv - the later show is adult oriented. If you like Improv, it's funny. Some like, some don't. I am a huge improv fan and loved it. My husband was indifferent about it. The other shows are Blue Man Group (totally wild), Legends in Concert (which is impersonators), Howl at the Moon (dueling pianos - we loved this), Cirque Dreams (a paid dinner show which is like cirque de soliel - pretty cool). There's also an ice bar, a 24-hour pub, huge casino. We loved the waterslides also.

 

There is also a Jazz-Blues Club on the epic. I loved it, unfortunately the group that performed there moved to the breakaway and reports have been they have been rotating different performers in and out of that venue.

 

There are two different main dinning rooms one a bit more upscale (Manhattan) and the other a bit more modern. One night there will be a hot-white party on the outer deck.