8 time Carnival cruiser tries NCL

[Tapi]

We did 9 Carnival cruises in a row until we had the same "epiphany". Nothing really wrong with Carnival. Just ready to try something new. Ever since, we haven't repeated the same cruise line two times in a row and the experience has been fantastic, simply because every time we step on a new ship, we feel like newbies all over again. :)

 

We haven't been on NCL, but would definitely love to give them a try. I just need to find the right ship and the right itinerary. I'd love to do the Escape but I refuse to spend that kind of money on a ship that goes to Nassau. [emoji13]

Edited December 1, 2015 by Tapi

[AngAndBoys]

We did 9 Carnival cruises in a row until we had the same "epiphany". Nothing really wrong with Carnival. Just ready to try something new. Ever since, we haven't repeated the same cruise line two times in a row and the experience has been fantastic, simply because every time we step on a new ship, we feel like newbies all over again. :)

 

We haven't been on NCL, but would definitely love to give them a try. I just need to find the right ship and the right itinerary. I'd love to do the Escape but I refuse to spend that kind of money on a ship that goes to Nassau. [emoji13]

 

That's IT! Escape is what I booked! It wasn't bad though, next August was 2500 per cabin, got 2 OV's for me and the 3 kids, came with unlimited drinks for one cabin (me and 21 year old son) and unlimited dining for the younger 2. For a new ship and an 8 day itinerary, I thought it was a pretty decent deal. But, now the kids don't want to go so.....going to cancel anyway. Good bye "free" unlimited drinks, new ports we haven't seen before, brand new ship, and O'Sheehan's. Hello same ol stuff. :)

[rg24601]

Just cancelled out NCL Escape cruise, just not comfortable about all of the changes NCL enacted since we booked, caused some stress issues, but just wasn't sure we would all have a good time. some key differences, especially with the kids club caused us to pause.

 

Sailed once on NCL and had a great cruise but that was a few years back.

 

Escape seems to have very few lunch and breakfast choices for over 4000 passengers.

 

Last Year we did the breeze and loved the cruise and ship.

 

europe might be a different outcome and a better NCL?

[LaCal]

We've cruised Carnival, NCL And Princess all about equal and love them all

 

They each have slight diff and Carnival was winning on Value but now with NCL doing the Free UBP AND UDP plus others like free wifi n excursions depending on when and what type of cabin you book they equal or beat Carnival in price now IMO

 

BUT we mainly cruise on all 3 lines on Casino specials where they give us comped cabins n other perks like cash etc and on the last NCL cruise there was some discrepancies with our casino points so I've jumped ship back to Carnival

 

Couldn't pass up a Free 8 night Caribbean cruise and $1,000 cash in the casino 😜😜

 

All in All I've never had a bad cruise on any line and there's always so many choices for food you'll never starve lol 😆😜

[rg24601]

We did 9 Carnival cruises in a row until we had the same "epiphany". Nothing really wrong with Carnival. Just ready to try something new. Ever since, we haven't repeated the same cruise line two times in a row and the experience has been fantastic, simply because every time we step on a new ship, we feel like newbies all over again. :)

 

We haven't been on NCL, but would definitely love to give them a try. I just need to find the right ship and the right itinerary. I'd love to do the Escape but I refuse to spend that kind of money on a ship that goes to Nassau. [emoji13]

 

Nassau too, decided to book the Magic instead of the Escape, ports are better on the Magic cruise and no Nassau.

[AngAndBoys]

Nassau too, decided to book the Magic instead of the Escape, ports are better on the Magic cruise and no Nassau.

 

I just consider Nassau my "stay on the ship day". Its actually pretty nice. You sleep in, pick whatever lounger or hot tub you want with no crowds. Relax, read your book, take in the peace and quiet, and save money by not going into every port. Love my sea days.

[zdcatc12]

Just back from a TA on NCL and going on CCL in 5 days. I think they are pretty much comparable on most items. The entertainment was better on NCL, fwiw, it is Cirque Dream, not Cirque du Soleil as the OP stated, big difference. However, I like the comediams better on CCL. The buffet was a much better setup on NCL, i.e. stations, instead of one long line like on CCL (if the newer ships are set up that way, I was not aware). I thought the MDR food was a little better on NCL, but could be a toss-up. I definitely missed not having ice-cream 24/7 on NCL!! Couldn't get it after 11 pm. Whoever said there is no food in the cabins on NCL is wrong, you can bring food back or get room service, albeit for a charge.

[rg24601]

I just consider Nassau my "stay on the ship day". Its actually pretty nice. You sleep in, pick whatever lounger or hot tub you want with no crowds. Relax, read your book, take in the peace and quiet, and save money by not going into every port. Love my sea days.

 

No I get that and trust me it would have been. Now that honor goes to St.Thomas. Unfortunately I actually like St.Thomas but since we went there last year its no biggie to stay on the ship.

 

we might also stay on the ship at grand turk. We will see.

 

We don't cruise for beaches, we have those here.

[RaiderFaninNM]

Nice review, there is NOTHING wrong with trying other cruise lines, glad you had a great time!!!

[joeyancho]

We did 9 Carnival cruises in a row until we had the same "epiphany". Nothing really wrong with Carnival. Just ready to try something new. Ever since, we haven't repeated the same cruise line two times in a row and the experience has been fantastic, simply because every time we step on a new ship, we feel like newbies all over again. :)

 

We haven't been on NCL, but would definitely love to give them a try. I just need to find the right ship and the right itinerary. I'd love to do the Escape but I refuse to spend that kind of money on a ship that goes to Nassau. [emoji13]

 

Tapi, We had a similar experience. We were RCCL cruisers. We loved it. But RCCL abandoned the west coast. So Carnival was what we chose. After several Carnival cruises I got a wild hair and booked our first ever Princess cruise. What a difference. The ship was nicer than any Carnival ship we have been on. The food was better. The variety and creativity was better. And the availability was better. The Horizon court buffet is open from 6am until 11pm, with no closures in between. No coming back from an excursion and The buffet is closed and The food choices being limited. The entertainment was superior. Yes the room is smaller, but who cares? I have a couch at home. The demographic was more our speed. The afternoon tea experience is very nice. Just a better all around fit for us. The moral of the story: sleep around,it's fun.

[Rosethorn40]

To OP,

 

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I had sailed NCL back in 2011 (The Star), and I too had thought the entertainment surpassed anything I've seen on any cruise line, and since then they have upped the ante so to speak. I thought the buffet was great for breakfast & lunch, not so good at dinner, but even 4 years ago they had a number of specialty dining options (We tried two, worth the upcharge). However, I thought the cabins were awful, the worst I have ever experienced. Of course we were in an interior cabin, but it was small and the bed very uncomfortable. I'm sure being in the Haven gave you a much better experience than the average guest (I understand that the regular cabins haven't improved much).

 

That said, we are trying the Escape next December (Yes, in a Haven Suite), followed by a week on the Vista (CCL), this time in a Havana Cabana suite. I can't wait to compare the two. So far, the Escape costs way more than the Vista, but there are more benefits in booking a suite on NCL than on Carnival, and I did book during a great promo which gives us unlimited specialty dining, UBP, prepaid gratuities, and OBC (I think $300), which is much better than what I got on Carnival (Maybe $50 OBC? If any).

[aztekpm]

I cruise both lines and they're actually much more alike than different and I find the same with passenger demographics. I do give the edge to NCL to entertainment, but, definitely the edge to Carnival for food, especially the included (free) and the steakhouse (don't do the others). I don't cruise for the shows ... a good laugh here and there, some good music/dancing, drop some cash off in the casino and I'm good.

 

However, if you're a suite cruiser they definitely appear to do that right. While I could afford to do it once a year, I prefer to take 2-3 vacations yearly and can't justify, in my mind, paying thousands more for the same cruise, butler or no, but that's me.

 

While the 'free' beverage package can be a good deal, watch your pricing, it's really not 'free'. It is, however, nice to know what your total cost is. I use a spreadsheet to determine my pricing / cruise selection and have yet to find a cruise much cheaper than Carnival that has the drink package. I'm sure there's one out there, but not yet one that I've chosen to look at. In actuality, by the time I add on the cheers to a Carnival cruise the prices are very close and Carnival usually about $50-100 cheaper. I always check both though and depending on itinerary, cost, ship, departure port, will then make my decision between the two.

 

I prefer to cruise the Caribbean and Carnival's times and selection to be are usually my best option. NCL is very limited as to when they sail in spring/fall and then, I am not a mega-vessel fan (and having to schedule every minute of my vacation) I much prefer the smaller to mid-size ships, conquest class being my favorite. Although ... I must admit, I am definitely being tempted by the Vista!

[Rosethorn40]

I cruise both lines and they're actually much more alike than different and I find the same with passenger demographics. I do give the edge to NCL to entertainment, but, definitely the edge to Carnival for food, especially the included (free) and the steakhouse (don't do the others). I don't cruise for the shows ... a good laugh here and there, some good music/dancing, drop some cash off in the casino and I'm good.

 

However, if you're a suite cruiser they definitely appear to do that right. While I could afford to do it once a year, I prefer to take 2-3 vacations yearly and can't justify, in my mind, paying thousands more for the same cruise, butler or no, but that's me.

 

While the 'free' beverage package can be a good deal, watch your pricing, it's really not 'free'. It is, however, nice to know what your total cost is. I use a spreadsheet to determine my pricing / cruise selection and have yet to find a cruise much cheaper than Carnival that has the drink package. I'm sure there's one out there, but not yet one that I've chosen to look at. In actuality, by the time I add on the cheers to a Carnival cruise the prices are very close and Carnival usually about $50-100 cheaper. I always check both though and depending on itinerary, cost, ship, departure port, will then make my decision between the two.

 

I prefer to cruise the Caribbean and Carnival's times and selection to be are usually my best option. NCL is very limited as to when they sail in spring/fall and then, I am not a mega-vessel fan (and having to schedule every minute of my vacation) I much prefer the smaller to mid-size ships, conquest class being my favorite. Although ... I must admit, I am definitely being tempted by the Vista!

 

I am normally NOT a suite cruiser. I can't afford it either! It's just that I booked the Vista for DH's 60th birthday, and I wanted to go first class all the way; limo ride to airport, first class on the airline, and a suite (Even though Carnival's suite benefits are not good at all). About a year ago I had booked a cruise for Spring 2016 on the Epic, and due to the amazing deal they were offering, book a Haven suite (With the promo it was affordable). However, DH needs several surgeries, and fearful he would not be recovered in time I cancelled the Spring cruise, but my PCC convinced me to change my booking over to another cruise, and since I got to keep all of my promos, I am adding it to the front end of the Vista cruise. Once we are past his 60th birthday it's back to reality Ol' Boy, and back to interior, OV, and the occasional balcony if the great deal comes our way.:)

[aztekpm]

I hear you Rosethorn, like I said, I prefer multiple vacations a year, though I have been tempted to do a suite. Perhaps one year.

 

I came close when I initially booked my Bermuda cruise. When I first started looking at NCL Dawn at the beginning of the year, their family suite w/balcony was really reasonably priced, plus all 4 freebies (back then was UBP, UDP, OBC and not sure on the 4th now, maybe internet) and it would be after dry dock. I seriously considered it and then ... I hesitated. Already had 2 booked this year, wasn't sure what I wanted to do next year, so by the time I decided yes, I'm doing Bermuda, just a few weeks later, the price had doubled and the regular balcony I booked was almost the same price as the suite previously was.

 

Anyway, fast forward a month or so after that and I'm jumping around Carnival's site and noticed the Pride sailing, grabbed a balcony there for a $700 pp savings and cancelled the Dawn. Even if we add the Cheers package, we're still way ahead and it will pay for our island tour excursion plus some.

 

If I had booked the suite, I would have stayed with it, savings or no on Carnival. One day I will experience it when the time and price is right. I'm still kicking myself about it and now, if I'm trying to decide I put it on hold, or book and cancel later!

[theriac]

and food trays in the hallway (NCL does not allow food taken to rooms)

 

That's not true at all Jimbo. Yes NCL did take away the option to bring food back to your room, but that only lasted a few weeks from the backlash.

 

Also even if they didn't allow food taken back to the room from the buffet or restaurants, room service would be an option.

 

Again, false information from the number one CCL Cheerleader.

 

 

OP I'm glad you enjoyed your NCL experience. I enjoyed NCL too. I'm mainly cruising Carnival now because I'm lucky enough to get Casino offers and it's hard to pass those prices up. Especially since I don't drink much the UBP on NCL or Cheers/DOU on CCL mean nothing to me. I look forward to sailing NCL again. I'm booked on the Jade in the Med next year after cancelling my Vista sailing, but now I've gotten casino offers for Vista Med sailings so may switch back.

 

Thank you for your observations, I agree it's wise to expand your horizons on everything from travel to the everyday restaurants we go to while at home. At the very least trying something new can solidify why we love what we keep going back to time and time again.

[Rosethorn40]

I hear you Rosethorn, like I said, I prefer multiple vacations a year, though I have been tempted to do a suite. Perhaps one year.

 

I came close when I initially booked my Bermuda cruise. When I first started looking at NCL Dawn at the beginning of the year, their family suite w/balcony was really reasonably priced, plus all 4 freebies (back then was UBP, UDP, OBC and not sure on the 4th now, maybe internet) and it would be after dry dock. I seriously considered it and then ... I hesitated. Already had 2 booked this year, wasn't sure what I wanted to do next year, so by the time I decided yes, I'm doing Bermuda, just a few weeks later, the price had doubled and the regular balcony I booked was almost the same price as the suite previously was.

 

Anyway, fast forward a month or so after that and I'm jumping around Carnival's site and noticed the Pride sailing, grabbed a balcony there for a $700 pp savings and cancelled the Dawn. Even if we add the Cheers package, we're still way ahead and it will pay for our island tour excursion plus some.

 

If I had booked the suite, I would have stayed with it, savings or no on Carnival. One day I will experience it when the time and price is right. I'm still kicking myself about it and now, if I'm trying to decide I put it on hold, or book and cancel later!

 

At this time NCL does not charge a cancellation fee up to final payment due date. Carnival on the other hand would charge me $500 if I cancelled my Vista cabin even though we are still more than a year out, and they are having no trouble booking Havana cabins on Caribbean sailings. I did have to put a rather hefty deposit on our Escape cruise though.

 

If you see a deal you like, jump on it, you can always cancel later. Just make sure no penalty.:)

[jimbo5544]

That's not true at all Jimbo. Yes NCL did take away the option to bring food back to your room, but that only lasted a few weeks from the backlash.

 

Also even if they didn't allow food taken back to the room from the buffet or restaurants, room service would be an option.

 

Again, false information from the number one CCL Cheerleader.

 

 

OP I'm glad you enjoyed your NCL experience. I enjoyed NCL too. I'm mainly cruising Carnival now because I'm lucky enough to get Casino offers and it's hard to pass those prices up. Especially since I don't drink much the UBP on NCL or Cheers/DOU on CCL mean nothing to me. I look forward to sailing NCL again. I'm booked on the Jade in the Med next year after cancelling my Vista sailing, but now I've gotten casino offers for Vista Med sailings so may switch back.

 

Thank you for your observations, I agree it's wise to expand your horizons on everything from travel to the everyday restaurants we go to while at home. At the very least trying something new can solidify why we love what we keep going back to time and time again.

 

 

Did not know you were keeping track (in either my status as cheerleader which I would dispute, or my factual posting), when else was I wrong? I will try and be more up to date on the failings of other cruise lines, but it's hard to do, they are so unhappy over there (and snarky as posted here). This is a Carnival thread, correct or am I wrong about that?

[theriac]

Did not know you were keeping track (in either my status as cheerleader which I would dispute, or my factual posting), when else was I wrong? I will try and be more up to date on the failings of other cruise lines, but it's hard to do, they are so unhappy over there (and snarky as posted here). This is a Carnival thread, correct or am I wrong about that?

 

Immediately that comes to mind is when you stated Carnival will never send a ship to China because you heard from someone and shortly after its announced two ships were being sent there. That's one that comes to mind right away.

 

Trust me I'm not trying to keep track but it seems like you post on every other thread and a majority seems very positive of Carnival with no critique.

 

Sure this is a Carnival thread but you're the one who brought up NCL not allowing people to bring food back to the room, not me.

 

Be up to date on the failings? You were up to date on that NCL failing just not up to date on them correcting themselves.

 

Why us keeping up on information hard to do because some people are unhappy? If that was the case I would have never graduated from University.

[jimbo5544]

Immediately that comes to mind is when you stated Carnival will never send a ship to China because you heard from someone and shortly after its announced two ships were being sent there. That's one that comes to mind right away.

 

Trust me I'm not trying to keep track but it seems like you post on every other thread and a majority seems very positive of Carnival with no critique.

 

Sure this is a Carnival thread but you're the one who brought up NCL not allowing people to bring food back to the room, not me.

 

Be up to date on the failings? You were up to date on that NCL failing just not up to date on them correcting themselves.

 

Why us keeping up on information hard to do because some people are unhappy? If that was the case I would have never graduated from University.

I have no issues with information (and sorry to hear about not staying at the university BTW;)). I was just questioning the timing of his comments. I will try harder and my success rate....lol;).

 

For the record and not to steal the thread, while my post about going to China turned out to be wrong, it is what I was told when I asked the question. I pass along these things because I have some availability to ask certain things. I asked flat out if a ship was going to China and relayed the response I got. I had the opportunity recently to ask what changed, and the response I got was a laugh and a one word reply....everything. The China market became red hot and the original plans were scrapped with more aggressive ones (including Carnival ships as opposed to the original plans of Costa and a few others).

[mzlinda]

Thanks for the perspective about jumping ship. I've enjoyed reading everyone's experiences. My first CCL cruise was in 2004 on the Destiny and I loved it. The next year I went on RCCL Adventurer of the Seas because my travel agent assured me that it would be so much better than Carnival. I paid quite a bit more money on RCCL and stayed in a much lower room category. I loved that cruise too. At that time, I felt they provided a similar experience but not at a similar price. (I thought Carnival's food was slightly better but Royal Caribbean's entertainment was slightly better.). RC was just not worth the price difference to me. Since then I've been on 5 Carnival cruises, with a 6th coming up in January.

 

An Alaskan cruise is on my bucket list and I'm about to book one with Princess. It's very expensive, partly because it's Princess, but mostly because it's Alaska. I've actually been a little worried that I will be so spoiled on a Princess cruise and I'll never be satisfied going back to Carnival. I've been equally worried that I won't be "wowed" at all and I'll feel like it was not worth the outrageous price. We'll see.

[CJHAN]

I like to sail from my home port (Galveston) but have also been considering RCCL as they use the same port. The only issue for us is that its still the same itineraries.

[uncleg]

Thanx for NCL revue, I love Carnival..but would like to try something different after 12-13 CCL cruises.

[Djptcp]

DH and I started our cruising career on NCL back in 1994, way before Freestyle. We did mostly NCL with a Carnival in the middle. We loved NCL until Freestyle started - did it once and hated it. Probably before they had all the kinks worked out. Long lines for MDR and we couldn't get in some of the restaurants. Haven't been back since then, although I know that Freestyle works well now. Tried RCCL and enjoyed it very much, but prices too high for balcony or suite cabins (our preferences). My favorite is Holland America and would cruise them all the time. Can't beat the elegant ships, perfect customer service, and wonderful cuisine. However, our 25th Carnival cruise is in less than 2 weeks and we have 2 more booked to take within the next 4 months. Why? Convenience (we live in North FL so can drive to the ports in Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, and Tampa within a couple of hours), food has improved greatly since our first Carnival cruise in 1995, affordable balcony and suite cabins, friendly crew. As Platinums, we get on board quickly and can go directly to our cabin before going to the Lido for lunch. I know we will sail on Holland America again, but NCL? Not so sure as their cabins are so small compared to other lines. Same with RCCL. Princess and Celebrity only sail out of South Florida, so those ports are at least 5-6 hours away instead of 1-3 hours. We will move close to Tampa next year, so look forward to being only 45 minutes away from that port! I see nothing wrong with people only sticking with one cruise line, whether it be Carnival or NCL or whatever. Who cares? If you like it and don't feel the urge to try anything different, who cares? It's your preference that counts, only your preference.

[evandbob]

When I realized I knew what the CD was about to say, it dawned on me, duh, that it was time to switch lines.

[skyeman27]

I liked my cruises on NCL, but after having my last 2 booked cruises on the Pearl canceled for a charter, I won't sail NCL again...