Which ship would you chose???

[BrownCalico]

Hello all!

 

I am looking for our next cruise (for our Anniversary in December) and have narrowed it down to the following:

 

* NCL Sun- 7 night Western Caribbean from Tampa;

* NCL Getaway- 7 night Eastern Caribbean from Miami; and

* NCL Jewel- 7 night Western Caribbean from Houston.

 

Which would you choose and why?

 

I know Getaway is a new ship and there are some pluses and minuses to that in and of itself... each itinerary has 2-3 sea days (which we love) as well as a port we have visited multiple times and 2 or 3 we have never been to. To us, the ports are even between the 3 possibilities, the price within $100 per person between the 3 (so not a factor), and we would fly to any of the 3, so it comes down to which ship... We loved Sky and do not have to have the newest or best ship. We are in our mid-thirties and do not have kids.

 

Also, another question to those who have sailed NCL multiple times... when would you book a December cruise? We are not at all picky as to our stateroom type or location so don't care about getting our pick of the ship. I am more concerned about getting the best price I can. Should I go ahead and book now? Wait for a sale? NCL doesn't seem to have as many sales as some of the other lines so I didn't know if I should go ahead and book now...

 

Any help is very much appreciated!

Thank you in advance! :-)

[kylenyc]

Getaway and Jewel are very different ships so it depends which characteristics you'll enjoy the most.

 

There are a gazillion reasons to choose the Getaway. I'd pick her for the sheer variety of food, entertainment, activities and nightlife including Broadway-class and production shows, Grammy-class musicians (Legally Blonde, Burn the Floor, Second City, Illusionarium), activities (Sports complex with water slides, ropes course, zip line, plank, mini golf, bungee trampoline,), dining on the waterfront, etc. Being a mega ship and new, Getaway's a destination unto itself. Also you can enjoy Miami and the Everglades.

 

I'd pick Jewel for being a "smaller" ship with more intimate relaxed venues and lounges. She has excellent officers and crew that are easier to get to know. Her casino staff are among the best if you like to gamble.

 

I haven't been on the Sun but I imagine the experience is comparable to the Jewel because they are closer in size.

Edited May 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[NW Pacific]

The Getaway is in a whole different "ball park" that the Sun and Jewell. Have been on both Sun and Jewell, would select the Jewel

[www3traveler]

For me, the ship would not matter as much as the port city. From your home, which port city is the easiest to get to and back again? If you are flying, what is the price of each port city and the availability of flights to and from that city..

 

You did not say when in December, you wanted to sail. Cruises over Christmas and New Year's fill quickly and a more expensive. I just booked a cruise for mid January yesterday.

[BrownCalico]

For me, the ship would not matter as much as the port city. From your home, which port city is the easiest to get to and back again? If you are flying, what is the price of each port city and the availability of flights to and from that city..

 

You did not say when in December, you wanted to sail. Cruises over Christmas and New Year's fill quickly and a more expensive. I just booked a cruise for mid January yesterday.

 

Flights to and from Tampa & Houston are available on my preferred airline from my home airport and are comparably priced. The best option I see right now is taking my preferred airline from my home airport into Fort Lauderdale 2 days before at about the same price as Tampa and Houston. Miami would be my LEAST preferred port city, but is doable.

 

We are looking at December 5/6- 13/14.

 

Thanks!

[garycarla]

You have picked good dates in December... which are BEFORE the big family dates. Sort of like going to Disney World. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are dead and an awesome time to go.

 

Though I am less of a fan of the big ships, I am thinking about giving one a try. To each their own.

[NJLVW]

I have been to all the ports offered. For me it is about the time spent with my DH. The ship is also important. We prefer more intimate. Here is my opinion.

 

Never been on the Getaway..Although we went on the Epic as to compare a simular type of ship. Beautiful simply beautiful. Alot of people, lots to do. Lots of places to eat. As much as I would love to see the Getaway it is not my first choice. Not a big fan of the mega type ships.

 

Jewel. We thoroughly enjoyed the Jewel. Would consider cruising her again if she were going somewhere I wanted to go. Although not my favorite ship the Jewel comes in close. The crew we had was wonderful, food excellent and we enjoyed all the shows.

 

Sun... Ah my favorite ship. Have our 5th cruise on her coming up in January. Yes, we could have chosen any of the ships as they are all going to simular places. They are also simular in price. I love, love, love the Sun. From the crew, the food, the shows just everything. The Sun is a more intimate ship. Not as many people. The crew really get to know you and you can get to know them if you choose. She doesn't have all the glamour of the mega type ships. For me when I am traveling with my DH my real reason for going away is to be able to enjoy quality time with him. To have my quiet time relaxing in the sun. To enjoy some good food, and of course ice cream that I can find right at the pool deck level. I am with people all day everyday in my life. I do enjoy to just spend time with him. The restaurants are quieter because they do not hold as many people. The wait staff is more attentive because they can be. I could go on & on about how I feel about the Sun and I am sure many others could as well.

 

I do not think you can chose the wrong ship. You will get alot of opinions here as that is what they are opinions. You really are the only one who can decide what will work best for you and your personal situation. Why you cruise and what you want to get out of it. I will say if you liked the Sky the Sun is the sister ship. Very simular to one another. I have been on both. Because I found my way around the Sky the Sun was real easy to navigate for me.

 

Can't tell you a time frame that would be best to book as I usually book almost a year out. Another thing of importance to me is where I am and what room I select on the ship. I think it is a crap shoot as to when the prices are best.

 

Whatever you decide have a great cruise!

Edited May 25, 2014 by NJLVW

[rbrugler]

Hands down for the Sun. Love the Great Outdoors. We are buffet people, but really like the MDR's on the Sun as well.

[debnjoe1438]

For me it would come down to price. Just choose an Anniversary cruise in Jan. Choices (driving from central FL.) were Sun from Tampa, Epic from Miami and Getaway from Miami. It came down to price, and the EPIC won. (Getaway was appx. $300.00 more than Sun and Epic):(

 

Been on the Jewel and the Sun, enjoyed both. If all things were equal I'd go on the Jewel. Only because it's a little larger and newer than the Sun.