Crazy question

[willow surfside]

Ok..I know I will get some weird answers and I know it's depends on the person...we are looking at two different ships...RCCL serenade...10 day and Norwegian Epic 7 day both suites. RCCL has better ports but NCL has the better accommodations. Anyone done either.....HELP!!!! Don't call me crazy just give me you ideas. I'm open.:confused:

[calliopecruiser]

Are you more interested in cruising as a way to see more ports, or as a way to be out at sea. If ports are your reason, make them a priority. If the ship is your destination, make that your priority. Everyone is different. I want a maximum number of sea days, so I put more priority on the ship than the ports.

[willow surfside]

I know...that's what we are trying to decide on...crazy!!!! Newer ship, less days, not so attractive ports or older ship, more days and more ports...???????

[S&C2]

Serenade is a great ship! We were on her last fall and will be doing an 11 day Southern Caribbean next month. We usually make the itinerary the priority (unless you are sailing a mega-Ship like the Oasis class ships) where you may want the activities.

[zqvol]

More day and more ports wins every time on the mass market lines. IMO the older smaller (and that is a relative term) are much nice than the new big things that everyone is floating out these days.

[willow surfside]

Yeah..we just got off the NCL Jade (second time) 12 day..had a wonderful time.

[cb at sea]

NCL has the BEST "suite perks"...hands down. But, you will have to decide if you want a 10 day or 7 day..... I'm not a fan of Radiance class ships...the enclosed solarium is a huge "con" for me.

[SuiteTraveler]

Mega ships like NCL Epic are designed to be THE destination, hence the shorter cruise and less ports whereas smaller ships like Serenade focus on the ports. So what this comes down to is which do you prefer? Here's what you get in a suite on NCL:

 

Special boarding area for suite guests and VIP lounge and escort onboard.

Coffee/tea maker in suite

welcome aboard sparkling wine

welcome aboard large bottle of water

welcome aboard flowers

bathrobes and slippers

butler service

free room service (from the butler)

daily snacks

pillow menu

concierge service

special restaurant and bar for suite guests only

special Haven pool and hot tubs and sauna and sun deck for suite guests only

Officers cocktail party

DVD player in room

Escorted self-disembarkation in the first group off the ship.

 

Here's what you get in a suite on RCCL:

 

special room service menu

some rather obvious sales pitches such as an offer to loan you jewelry from the jewelry store for formal night and an offer to give you a private showing of art prior to an art auction.

Sail away cocktail party with some officers one afternoon.

Concierge service

Concierge lounge which is usually mobbed with people who have cruised RCCL a lot and so-so free drinks and fried appetizers in the late afternoon. In my experience, the lounge was so crowded, there was no place to sit and we just left and didn't go back.

Early self-disembarkation - the concierge simply told me what time and what floor to go to in order to exit the ship.

 

So that pretty much sums up the suite experiences on both ships. IMO, RCCL suites are nice, but feel like no big deal when you sail in them because there is nothing special about them and there is no special service or anything. I prefer the suite bathrooms on NCL ships and certainly the furnishings in the suites on Epic are much, much nicer than that on RCCL which look a bit worn and dated.

 

As far as the ships go, I'm sure you know Epic has 5 major water slides, There is also H2O which has a movie screen and pool and bar with snacks. There are numerous specialty restaurants with Cagney's and Le Bistro being the best two. Most people eat in a different restaurant every night of the cruise, although it costs extra and it is important to make your dining and show reservations online prior to your cruise - about 90 days out. The Haven restaurant on this ship is beautiful, quiet and the food is outstanding for breakfast, lunch and dinner with great service. The Cirque show on this ship is excellent and well worth the extra expense. One of the best features of Epic is the outstanding spa thermal suite which includes a water circuit, whirlpool and hot tub, heated tile loungers, sanarium, sauna and aromatherapy steam room as well as rain showers. A spa pass is well worth buying and you can buy it online prior to your cruise. The Epic also has the biggest most comprehensive buffet I've seen at sea.

 

RCCL Serenade doesn't have the same sort of spa facility as Epic does. What it does have, however is the adults only Solarium which is free of charge. It is a glass enclosed area. There are no water slides on this ship, but there is rock climbing, mini golf, a jogging track and sports court. There are several specialty restaurants on this ship as well: Italian, steak, Japanese, Mexican. So, there are some choices as well, although most will eat in the MDR.

 

So what your decision needs to come down to is if you prefer a more plush vacation where you are pampered and spoiled for only 7 days or if you prefer a vacation in a nice suite that is all about the ports. What is more important to you?

[Bizmark'sMom]

Personally, I'm all about ports. The ship is just a floating hotel. Given that preference, I would go with the older ship and more ports.