8 time Carnival cruiser tries NCL

[bankofdad]

OP, Glad you are branching out!! What's great for one may not be for the other, but in either case, IMHO it's great to try something new if you don't feel you got the value from your experience(s) :)

 

To me, it's kind of like comparing land vacations in some ways. Some people prefer Kauai over Maui and vice versa for different reasons, but to me, both are great! Just like with NCL and Carnival, IMHO I have enjoyed both but one or the other surely can be preferred by any individual. But in my case I am going the opposite direction. I had gotten somewhat tired of NCL, looked at my other options and am very happy with my choices. We both have the right to do so!!

 

I mean this very respectfully to all that have an opinion on this topic; I have never thought either the CCL or NCL forums here at CC or the passengers and staff on board were snarkier than the next. I have encountered great folks and staff on both and discontents on both as well.

 

Whatever you choose, keep cruising and enjoy!!! After all it is your time and money spent!

Edited December 2, 2015 by bankofdad

[theriac]

Now that is a story I have not heard before.... talk about a captive market:eek:

 

Yes it was interesting for sure. My dad's business partner refuses to cruise anything but RCI and X so that's why we went with them for their companies retreat. They actually had said it wasn't the first time they've seen a prostitute on board. It was the second to last day so maybe she just ran up to large of a bar bill or spent too much in the casino.

 

It gave us all a good laugh later at dinner, especially the fumigators(dad owns a pest control company) they thought my dad was really going to treat them since none wanted to bring their wives or girlfriends. They all really thought it was a standard practice since it was their first cruise and thought it's allowed in international water.

 

It doesn't make me view RCI any differently. I just enjoy cruising. It's just too hard to leave Carnival because of the casino offers I get. At 28 I'm about to go on my third cruise this year, which included my favorite cruise so far, Alaska. Not many people I know my age can afford to go on one cruise a year, let alone three. So for that I'm grateful Carnival gives me so much value with a quality product.

[jimbo5544]

Love the fumigator name. Agree on it not flavoring how you feel about a cruise line. Maybe I need to open my eyes more cruises and look around. Also agree on the product Carnival offers.

[crewsweeper]

delluser, glad you had a great cruise. But I note you had a Med itinerary. Carnival has those too, albeit not frequently enough. Surprised there was a Med cruise by any line this late in the year. But NCL does similar Caribbean itineraries as Carnival in the winter months. DW is heading for a NCL cruise this coming spring with her ladies cruise group, so since she's a "rabid" Carnival fan, it'll be interesting to hear what she thinks. Hopefully, it'll be good and I can look to cruising on a different line in the future:eek:

[theriac]

delluser, glad you had a great cruise. But I note you had a Med itinerary. Carnival has those too, albeit not frequently enough. Surprised there was a Med cruise by any line this late in the year. But NCL does similar Caribbean itineraries as Carnival in the winter months. DW is heading for a NCL cruise this coming spring with her ladies cruise group, so since she's a "rabid" Carnival fan, it'll be interesting to hear what she thinks. Hopefully, it'll be good and I can look to cruising on a different line in the future:eek:

 

There's med cruises year round. A lot of lines just pull out and head to the Caribbean because it's easier to fill the ships. NCL leaves at least one ship in the Med always.

[momof3cruisers]

Freestyle or fee-style as some over at the NCL board call it, is not as free as it used to be.

 

With all the free and for purchase dining packages many of the specialty restaurants are hard to get into on the ship. Many fill up quick and you can't just waltz in. some you never could.

 

you can still book them 90 days out but that seems to defeat the purpose of the idea of freestyle.

 

Yeah, the booking ahead of time thing does not appeal to me. That's what turned us off from Allure. Never did get to see the comedian because we didn't reserve ahead of time.

 

OP, I am glad you had a good cruise. I think it's great that there are options out there with small and big differences. In 2016 we'll be cruising both RCCL AND CCL. I am excited about both.

 

A few years ago I had a really crazy year and within 12 months sailed Princess, RCCL and twice on Carnival. (With the old menu and the new menu.) there were things I liked better and things that weren't my favorite on all of them.

[sprint180]

Glad you enjoyed. I think variety is the spice of life. Now you'll have to try a different line.

[nydney1]

No Jimbo, I did not expect Carnival ships to change while I was gone. It just was a reminder of why I was ready to try something new. I also met many NCL cruise critic members while on our trip and none of them were snarky.

 

:cool:

 

Well said

[jimbo5544]

Yeah, the booking ahead of time thing does not appeal to me. That's what turned us off from Allure. Never did get to see the comedian because we didn't reserve ahead of time.

 

OP, I am glad you had a good cruise. I think it's great that there are options out there with small and big differences. In 2016 we'll be cruising both RCCL AND CCL. I am excited about both.

 

A few years ago I had a really crazy year and within 12 months sailed Princess, RCCL and twice on Carnival. (With the old menu and the new menu.) there were things I liked better and things that weren't my favorite on all of them.

 

Agree on both counts.

Edited December 4, 2015 by jimbo5544