New to NCL..what do I need to know?

[jrmende63]

We have booked our first NCL cruise on the NCL Escape for April of 2016. As you can see by my signature, we have only sailed Carnival. What can I expect from NCL? Thanks!

[Ewoodspark]

We have booked our first NCL cruise on the NCL Escape for April of 2016. As you can see by my signature, we have only sailed Carnival. What can I expect from NCL? Thanks!

 

One thing you will not find is women poncing around in ball gowns and guys in penquin suits. Relax, wear what you want and eat when you want

Edited February 13, 2015 by Ewoodspark

[SuiteTraveler]

NCL is a lot more like a resort on land. I kind of think of the newest ships as being a lot like a Las Vegas casino resort, with the casino at the heart of the ship and then bars, restaurants and shops all around and an absolutely fabulous spa, plus a water park and other fun things to do outside.

 

You don't need to bring any dressy clothes unless you really want to. You eat where you want, when you want and with whom you want as each ship has several different restaurants. The shows are great! Probably far better than I have seen on Carnival thus far. They are more like the kind of shows you would see in Las Vegas (minus the nudity.)

 

Definitely get a spa pass if you are not in a spa cabin. It is FANTASTIC.

 

If you can be in a suite, then the experience becomes extremely upscale - like being in a High Roller Suite in Las Vegas with butler and concierge service and a special pool and restaurant and lounge for suite guests. NCL's suites are among the most beautiful at sea and above penthouse have, IMO, the best bathrooms of any cruise ship.

[jrmende63]

Thanks for the help!

[fshagan]

I think you'll enjoy it. It's always hard to compare lines based on just one cruise, but the Escape will still be brand new then and the larger ships are so much better in the food and entertainment options.

 

I've heard people say the cabins and balconies are smaller on NCL than Carnival, but I think you would have to compare ship for ship. The newer ships on NCL have smaller balconies than the older ships.

 

It will be fun to see how you like the different things on NCL, and whether they make a difference to you as a happy Carnival cruiser. We switched from Princess and Disney to NCL because we like the Freestyle dining options and no formal nights where my resistance to wearing work clothes ... a suit ... on vacation forced me to eat in the buffet. But that's my own little prejudice against the formal dining thing that many, many people don't share!

[jrmende63]

I like the choice of dressing up. I like to do the formal nights. But I think we won't dress up too much on this one.