Carnival vs NCL crusei yuo may have taken

[pajazz28]

My DW and I have been on 6 cruises 3-RCI and 3-Carnival. We prefer RCI classier, service and bigger ships but travel Carnival for the obvious reason savings $$$. But after our last 3 cruises on Carinval and RCI the are really do not seeming all that different to us for what we enjoy doing. So we heard some good thing from RCI loyal customers on the Allure about their recent cruise on NCL. So we would like to hear from RCI lovers and Carnival cruiser that have taken an NCL cruise to compare the three cruise line and give us some guidance because we may be taking NCL on our next cruise.

[RuthlessBoss]

What type of cruising do you do? You can't compare NCL Sky with short cruises to Getaway 7 day that is very fun and refined.

[declansdad]

We cruised on the NCL Dawn this past July. Of the three lines we have cruised, they would be ranked 3rd. Mostly because of the terrible wait staff, the lack of adequate space for evening entertainment and the full time push of the pay restaurants.

[riffatsea]

I like RCI very much! We cruise on Carnival more because it is convenient from near our home!

My problem with NCL was that the only way I could get food I liked was by going to the extra pay restaurants on board. I didn't like food in the MDR,and I didn't like their buffet offerings either. As you know food is a very personal issue so your taste buds may be different from mine!

[Cruise a holic]

My DW and I have been on 6 cruises 3-RCI and 3-Carnival. We prefer RCI classier, service and bigger ships but travel Carnival for the obvious reason savings $$$. But after our last 3 cruises on Carinval and RCI the are really do not seeming all that different to us for what we enjoy doing. So we heard some good thing from RCI loyal customers on the Allure about their recent cruise on NCL. So we would like to hear from RCI lovers and Carnival cruiser that have taken an NCL cruise to compare the three cruise line and give us some guidance because we may be taking NCL on our next cruise.

Having sailed on the Allure twice, with another reservation pending, and once on the Oasis, I can truly recommend this ship. We have sailed on Carnival a few times, but prefer Royal for many reasons. We have never sailed on NCL, but will try the Breakaway-haven class this summer. Honestly, haven't heard raving reviews from friends about NCL, but have decided to give it a try and judge for ourselves. We like Celebrity the best but want a change for now. Enjoy your cruise.

[declansdad]

I like RCI very much! We cruise on Carnival more because it is convenient from near our home!

My problem with NCL was that the only way I could get food I liked was by going to the extra pay restaurants on board. I didn't like food in the MDR,and I didn't like their buffet offerings either. As you know food is a very personal issue so your taste buds may be different from mine!

 

 

I agree with you about the food. The buffet was terrible and the MDR offerings were often the same each night and the quality was not that high.

[kmarie30]

We have sailed RCCL and NCL every time except for last year when we tried Carnival for the first time. I would say for me that RCCL is #1 and NCL ranks #2. I feel like NCL compares more to Carnival though than RCCL in terms of quality of food, service, etc... We are sailing Carnival again in March because the price was much better but I did not love the "party"atmosphere on Carnival the last time. In all fairness though, we sailed Carnival during spring break last year and will do so again this year so I may not be giving them a fair chance.

[BaseballMomof4]

We cruised the NCL Epic and were not impressed. The only food we liked was the "pay extra" restaurants. We were not impressed with the buffet or the MDR.

 

We also felt cramped in the so called "family" balcony cabin.

 

The entertainment was much more structured as well often requiring a reservation. I don't want to have to be tied down like that on a vacation.

 

I am sure there are others who absolutely loved the Epic, but for us Carnival is a much better vacation. Better food, bigger cabin, entertainment when we want it.

[Cruisegirl6]

You asked for it I shall give oh boy lol

 

I have taken a few NCL cruises during the past many years, each time I say I won't go back, but after a handful of years pass, I figured perhaps it has improved tried it again...the last NCL cruise I took was two years ago on the brand new Breakaway. It was my MOST DISLIKED SHIP ever, and we WON'T be going back to NCL ever again. (I know never say never I go if it were free lol)

 

I won't get into the negatives of that ship because it isn't your question, but based on NCL as a whole....

I tell you positives....(I can't say because of the freestyle dining because Carnival and RC have it they just call it something else), I did like the idea of having multiple dining rooms to choose from to eat dinner, I liked the fact the buffet during lunch had multiple hard ice cream and sherbet offerings sort of like Baskin Robbins type, I liked the fact they had multiple specialty restaurants (so did the Oasis/Allure) because we generally go to these but honestly none of them wowed me at all.

 

NEGATIVES:

(We were 5 adults three generations and all agree)

At first we thought NCL had a rule that the staff shouldn't interact with the passengers, but we found out this is not true, the staff was the worst I ever encounter, never did we walk by in the hallway pass cabin stewards and get a hello have a good day as we get on both Carnival and RC, none of the crew were friendly. We also found many didn't understand much english, for instance, my other half will ask for a jack and coke to get a scotch and coke, the buffet lunch only had a meat carving the first day we boarded, never again did they have a meat carving! The buffet salad bar was a joke the smallest I ever seen with few items horrible! I have to honestly say I was very disappointed because I thought there be more....if you have a special diet such as needing to be gluten free forget it! We only ate twice in the MDR service was just ok, they did their job but again missed the smiles and friendly faces that we got on other cruise lines. We only seen our cabin steward once the 6th day sure he wanted an extra tip I am sure, but he did his job. There was no live band or anybody playing instruments/singing other than the jazz club, I don't care much for jazz, if you do it be great but if you expect other types of music forget it.

 

I have to say NCL is very closer to Carnival than RC is.... but I have a lot more fun on Carnival and by the way, I like the bedding and pillows better on Carnival. I choose Carnival over NCL in a heartbeat!

Edited February 3, 2015 by lyndamr

[clackey]

We sailed all three lines last year. Navigator of the Seas is one of the niciest ships that we have sailed on so far. Food was decent, entertainment and service good. I would have to rank RC as #1.

 

NCL's Jewel was our only sailing on that line. Entertainment was top shelf. Some of the best that we have had in 15 sailings. Only downside was Anytime Dining. Don't like it, never did, never will, but that is just me. I have spent 44 years with the same woman. After all of that time we have conversed on every conceivable subject and I don't like to repeat myself. I need new ears to bend and Anytime Dining does not lend itself to that

 

Then comes Carnival. Sailed 11 times and enjoyed every trip. The shows have become stale after seeing them so many times. Food and service has been decent, but cutbacks have really pulled CCL down. Live bands have been replaced by solos and duos, crappyoki and DJs. The price is the only reason we go back. I can get a 7 nighter for less than $300 and I can really hurt them in the Dining Room.:D

[RuthlessBoss]

My DW and I have been on 6 cruises 3-RCI and 3-Carnival. We prefer RCI classier, service and bigger ships but travel Carnival for the obvious reason savings $$$. But after our last 3 cruises on Carinval and RCI the are really do not seeming all that different to us for what we enjoy doing. So we heard some good thing from RCI loyal customers on the Allure about their recent cruise on NCL. So we would like to hear from RCI lovers and Carnival cruiser that have taken an NCL cruise to compare the three cruise line and give us some guidance because we may be taking NCL on our next cruise.

 

I can't for the life of me figure out what caused all this negativity being written here:eek: I have only been on RCI once and it was nice. Platinum on Carnival, only found fault on one ship, Liberty. NCL 2 cruises, the last was in November on Getaway. I don't think I've gotten over it yet:D I couldn't have asked for more than my experience on her, and I was solo. I hope to go again and experience the things I didn't see nor do. This was a very laid back cruise for me by choice.

[petesweet]

My preference is Royal first (LOVE the ships), Carnival second (have only been on her small ships), and NCL last. My reason? I LOVE traditional dining. If I want the other kind, I can get it on Royal and Carnival, but I cannot get traditional on NCL.

 

If I'm eating my meal and decide I want a condiment or something once the food has been served, it could be the end of the meal before I can get it. I guess that's my biggest problem about My Time Dining - or whatever it is called.

 

I have also found Blue Lagoon to be deficient in food selection (and taste) and service.

 

I do think NCL has the best Meet and Greet setup with officers joining us.

 

Bottom line: Just put me on a ship and I'm happy. If it's not the best one I've ever experienced, I'm still happy.:) Attitude is everything.

 

Happy sails.

 

Kathy

[declansdad]

My preference is Royal first (LOVE the ships), Carnival second (have only been on her small ships), and NCL last. My reason? I LOVE traditional dining. If I want the other kind, I can get it on Royal and Carnival, but I cannot get traditional on NCL.

 

If I'm eating my meal and decide I want a condiment or something once the food has been served, it could be the end of the meal before I can get it. I guess that's my biggest problem about My Time Dining - or whatever it is called.

 

I have also found Blue Lagoon to be deficient in food selection (and taste) and service.

 

I do think NCL has the best Meet and Greet setup with officers joining us.

 

Bottom line: Just put me on a ship and I'm happy. If it's not the best one I've ever experienced, I'm still happy.:) Attitude is everything.

 

Happy sails.

 

Kathy

 

 

You can make reservations in the MDRs on NCL but that doesn't change the fact the food and service are mediocre at best.

[Freckles_51]

I think as someone else has said, the ship you are considering may make the difference.

 

I have not sailed with RCCL but last year I sailed on Carnival Breeze and NCL Epic, both big ships. I feel that NCL ships have better quality appearance, better entertainment, and for me the food was better. There was nothing to complain about with the Carnival cruise, just NCL had a bit more of an upscale feeling. NCL cabins are smaller though as someone said a family balcony is tight for 4 people. Epic layout up on the pool deck areas was a bit strange, too much space taken up by the pool and its surroundings and not enough loungers and not much space around the stage to watch poolside events.

 

Since I am happy with both lines, bottom line for me is price and itinerary.

[mayesq]

We sailed on the NCL Getaway last summer. Beautiful ship. Buffet was better than Disney with tons of amazing offerings. O'Sheehans was one of our favorite alternatives for a fun meal and it was open 24 hours. Flamingo Grill was a great and quick alternative for breakfast and lunch.

 

I didn't care for the MDRs all that much. Other than that, I loved the casual atmosphere (no need to dress up, eat when you want) that goes with freestyle cruising.

[Cruisegirl6]

O'Sheehans was 24 hours but past 10pm they only offer 8 items...since I have to be gluten free my only thing I could eat past 10pm was french fries, horrible!

 

Yes the shows are better than Carnival without a doubt, but shows aren't important to us and then you have to consider there are only a handful of shows anyways.

 

I NEVER dress up for any cruise even on formal nights, I am known to wear black capris and a nice shirt on formal nights and I am not the only one. Its been YEARS since my other half even wore just a dress shirt neverless a tie and jacket, thats long gone!

 

You won't see us booking up another NCL cruise unless it was handed to us free.

[BaseballMomof4]

The cabins on the Epic simply don't work. If the sofa bed or pull down bed are open, you cannot open the closet door or the door to the balcony. :confused:

 

And then there's the ever popular glass bathroom and shower doors. Sure, you can pull the curtain to block the rest of the stateroom but hopefully no one comes in the door from the hallway! :eek:

 

The only food we genuinely enjoyed was in the pay extra restaurants. Sorry, but if I want apple pie for dessert every single night I can drive through McDonalds! :p We felt the choices were limited and the quality was not as good as CCL.

 

We did go to the Ice Bar, which was fun, but is truly just an overpriced photo op. We really didn't get to any shows because we didn't book a reservation for them far enough in advance.

 

The itinerary was good and the price was right so we did enjoy our trip but given the choice between NCL and CCL in the future I would have to say our choice would be NCL.

 

I haven't sailed RCCL yet because I simply cannot justify paying 50% more for the same 7 day trip to the same ports and doing it in a smaller stateroom. :rolleyes:

[Cruisegirl6]

You don't know what your missing RC is better, above NCL and Carnival in too many ways! But I understand the budget issue....try Princess.

[BaseballMomof4]

You don't know what your missing RC is better, above NCL and Carnival in too many ways! But I understand the budget issue....try Princess.

 

:eek: Princess??? :eek: They are even worse! :p

 

We all cruise for different reasons, I view the ship as little more than a floating hotel. I am all about the ports, so for that reason I will probably stick with CCL, I may try NCL again someday.

 

RCL is not out of the question, but I will just have to hit them at a good time and during a good sale ;)

 

But being a smoker, I will probably book my next trip (after the Vista) on Holland America. I would like to give them a try.

Edited February 3, 2015 by BaseballMomof4

[RuthlessBoss]

O'Sheehans was 24 hours but past 10pm they only offer 8 items...since I have to be gluten free my only thing I could eat past 10pm was french fries, horrible!

 

Yes the shows are better than Carnival without a doubt, but shows aren't important to us and then you have to consider there are only a handful of shows anyways.

 

I NEVER dress up for any cruise even on formal nights, I am known to wear black capris and a nice shirt on formal nights and I am not the only one. Its been YEARS since my other half even wore just a dress shirt neverless a tie and jacket, thats long gone!

 

You won't see us booking up another NCL cruise unless it was handed to us free.

 

What items will you be exposed to on Carnival after 10 that are gluten free?

Why not go to late seating if you feel you must eat after 10?

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

We've cruised 5 different lines over the last 10 years and found we like NCL the best. Love the many choices of pay restaurants and 24 hour food. Casino benefits second to none. Entertainment very good. Small things like the staff outside with water and a red carpet welcoming you back on board. Meet and Greets with the Officers, and if you are lucky, a bridge tour. Overall we find NCL to be an affordable class expirience compared to the other mainstream lines we have sailed.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Rochesterboatingdotcom

[JinxyB]

I have done Carnival 16x and NCL 2x (Pearl and Epic). I was blown away on my first NCL cruise (Pearl) as far as service and entertainment go. The food in the MDR is not as good as on Carnival, and was sometimes downright disgusting. I feel they do this to drive you to the specialty restaurants, which are fantastic. I enjoyed my Epic cruise, especially the entertainment. Did not care for the small rooms and bathroom setup (zero privacy while using the toilet). I like how NCL caters to solos with their studio rooms, as well. There are pros and cons to each cruise line, but they are all have the nickel and diming factor.

 

I was wowed by RCI after cruising on the Allure last year, but then had an unfortunate experience cruising on the Freedom of the Seas with a know propulsion problem last Dec which turned me off to Royal Caribbean. I am giving them one more shot at the end of the month, but I really don't care for their greed and poor customer service. I like Princess, but have not done them in a while since I have a small child now and they don't have all the bells and whistles that kids would enjoy (water park, slides, etc).

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is I am not loyal to any one cruise line and encourage you to branch out and try others. Carnival is fine for me, but has gotten a little stale, with the exception of the Breeze. Can't wait to try the Vista.

[tea4ular]

Once, Norwegian Dawn.

THEY called it "free style" - I called it nickel and dimed

THEY said we would have to reserve to eat in the "included" (read, didn't cost extra) dining - WE couldn't get a reservation for any of them until after 9:30pm - I guess others knew. The MDR BORING - same menu every day!

THEY called it "self assist" for debarkation - we called it MAYHAM as 90% of the passengers wanted to use it.

The "White Party" - a blast, but we didn't know about it before setting sail -

Their cabins - no noticeable difference -

THEIR pool area - terraced and spacious - the best pool area I've been on, any ship, any line.

Would we do it again?

NO!

[ddloml]

You'll notice that most of our cruises have been on Carnival, and I have enjoyed them, and we usually look to Carnival first for a relaxing, affordable week at sea. However, the advice I received on CC was 'go on Princess for Alaska and go on NCL for Bermuda'. That was good advice. We spent three days in Bermuda on our NCL Dawn cruise. Bermuda is a wonderful destination, and three days on the island weren't enough! I can't imagine taking a Carnival cruise to Bermuda and only spending a day and a half there. Granted, our NCL cruise was over 4 years ago, and things may have changed since then. There were noticable differences in the 'culture' between the two lines. However, they weren't deal-breakers, and we coped. While there are differences, the cruise lines are more alike than not.

[declansdad]

You'll notice that most of our cruises have been on Carnival, and I have enjoyed them, and we usually look to Carnival first for a relaxing, affordable week at sea. However, the advice I received on CC was 'go on Princess for Alaska and go on NCL for Bermuda'. That was good advice. We spent three days in Bermuda on our NCL Dawn cruise. Bermuda is a wonderful destination, and three days on the island weren't enough! I can't imagine taking a Carnival cruise to Bermuda and only spending a day and a half there. Granted, our NCL cruise was over 4 years ago, and things may have changed since then. There were noticable differences in the 'culture' between the two lines. However, they weren't deal-breakers, and we coped. While there are differences, the cruise lines are more alike than not.

 

 

We were on the Dawn to Bermuda this past July. The days on the Island were fantastic but the time on the ship was so so.