Carnival v RCI v Norwegian?

[chipandsteph]

I have never sailed RCL, but have done both Carnival and NCL. We sailed on the Norwegian Gem this summer. I wasn't impressed with the room size. Carnival's rooms are definitely bigger. My husband had to back up to the toilet in order to go to the bathroom. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall, but has no issue in the bathrooms on Carnival. I thought the crew was comparable to any I have met on Carnival. There were a couple of women on the entertainment team that became my son's biggest fans! I thought the food was just a little bit better on NCL, but my husband thought Carnival's food was better. It was nice having the beverage package. It is normally not something I would purchase since my husband is not a drinker. NCL has a lot more choices in the way of specialty dining. You could eat somewhere different every night if you wanted to. The entertainment was great. I did miss the stand up comedy, but loved Second City. I thought the Gem was great overall. I have heard the service isn't as good on the larger ships, but not sure if that is true or not.

[Alegeeter]

I echo much of what was said here. I've enjoyed cruises on all 3 and they are more alike than different. But the differences are in the details, and to that I give the edge to NCL.

 

Entertainment on NCL, day and night, has always been better than the other two lines in my opinion. I also find the crews to be better (which is saying a lot because Carnival crews are top notch too). NCL also has good casino perks, which is big for me, but Carnival is catching up.

 

I give Carnival the food edge, at least in the main dining rooms/buffet. There are great food options on Carnival and RCL but you often have to fork up more money.

 

Carnival is much bigger rooms than RCL and NCL, but NCL has better bathrooms. They're always so spacious, and I appreciate the shower doors vs. curtain. Why Carnival's newest ships still have shower curtains is beyond me.

 

All lines are great. Go with what you value more, whether it's itinerary, food, price, or even just something new. If you want to try NCL, go for it!

[tiger belle]

thanks for all the great feedback

 

Alegeeter, I am curious about the NCL casino perks...I am not big into the casinos, but my mother is when she cruises with me...what can you tell me about the casino perks on NCL?

[Who Cares?]

I echo much of what was said here. I've enjoyed cruises on all 3 and they are more alike than different. But the differences are in the details, and to that I give the edge to NCL.

 

Entertainment on NCL, day and night, has always been better than the other two lines in my opinion. I also find the crews to be better (which is saying a lot because Carnival crews are top notch too). NCL also has good casino perks, which is big for me, but Carnival is catching up.

 

I give Carnival the food edge, at least in the main dining rooms/buffet. There are great food options on Carnival and RCL but you often have to fork up more money.

 

Carnival is much bigger rooms than RCL and NCL, but NCL has better bathrooms. They're always so spacious, and I appreciate the shower doors vs. curtain. Why Carnival's newest ships still have shower curtains is beyond me.

 

All lines are great. Go with what you value more, whether it's itinerary, food, price, or even just something new. If you want to try NCL, go for it!

 

Obviously you've never sailed the Epic! :eek:

[knight2096]

I like all three lines and have no loyalty's to any of them. I will say this in the past NCL was great, but the new CEO at NCL is a moron and is screwing a lot of things up so I will not be sailing NCL for a while. Any of the three will be a great time but on NCL you will get nickel and dimed to death so beware of that.

Edited November 6, 2015 by knight2096

[Alegeeter]

thanks for all the great feedback

 

Alegeeter, I am curious about the NCL casino perks...I am not big into the casinos, but my mother is when she cruises with me...what can you tell me about the casino perks on NCL?

 

 

Mostly, discounted cruises (minimum 20% off and some get comped rooms), free drinks in the casino for everyone who books through the casino, not just those who reach 1500 points). I'm happy to discuss more of the perks. Is there a better place to write to you? Don't want to hijack the thread. I also may not have all the answers but threads on the NCL board are plentiful and informative.

[ukbecky]

I like all three lines and have no loyalty's to any of them. I will say this in the past NCL was great, but the new CEO at NCL is a moron and is screwing a lot of things up so I will not be sailing NCL for a while. Any of the three will be a great time but on NCL you will get nickel and dimed to death so beware of that.

 

Oh so very true.

My 7 day Jade ocean view with "free" beverage package(and it is "free"/read the fine print) turned into a 4 and 5 day B2B on Carnival Freedom in an inside with Cheers for the first 4 days - With shareholder OBC and savings on the dining, the 9 day was the same price as the Jade 7.

 

Ran the numbers after 2 or 3 daily service charge increases, changes in dining packages, charge for all room service orders(later changed to 'except breakfast'), and threatened ban on all 'take-out' food(they backed off of that) plus the 18% gratuity added when you board for the 'free' beverage package - all changes made in the 3 months after I booked. NCL can not currently be trusted, so I cancelled the Jade.

 

I am platinum on NCL so I do know what they used to be and they still are better for solos, suite perks, entertainment and variety of restaurants.

 

IMO Carnival has better included food - NCL food was only decent if you paid the extra 100-150 pp per week for the specialty restaurants. Of course this is all just my experience, YMMV.

Edited November 7, 2015 by ukbecky
cabin

[Sauer-kraut]

OP asked which ships had the Studio Cabins:

 

Pride of America (Hawaii 7 day inter-island cruises)

EPIC

Breakaway

Getaway

Escape

The 4 latter ones all have a "Solo Living Room" that has perks of its own. The solo cruisers used to meet daily there before going in a large group to dinner, however I have heard that they are now meeting in a different space. IF you do sail solo make sure you do go to the solo gatherings, because you can dine in a group or make plans to go to a specialty restaurant with a few of the group if that is something you might enjoy. We also went to a few of the shows together.

[tiger belle]

great info...thanks all

[keith75]

I wonder why Carnival isn't bringing Vista to a US port. Love Carnival but im getting tired of the cookie cutter ships. :cool:

[Who Cares?]

I wonder why Carnival isn't bringing Vista to a US port. Love Carnival but im getting tired of the cookie cutter ships. :cool:

 

The Vista IS coming to a US port. I'm booked on her out of Miami in 2017.

[WAHMto5]

I just booked the NCL Escape for next year and can't wait to try it! We are looking forward to trying all the different cruise lines. I'm sure that like others have said there are advantages/disadvantages to every line, though as long as I am cruising I am one happy camper!