Carnival Only - No more Norwegian

[evandbob]

Just got back on Sunday from a 7 day cruise on Norwegian, we have only ever sailed on Carnival but got a great deal with lots of perks so we tried Norwegian. There were 9 of us. The only good thing was the embarkation (which was extremely smooth and quick). Cabins were small, ship was plain (even though it was only 4 years old), slow service and lines everywhere.

 

 

Wow, I've sailed the Breakaway twice and had good experiences both times. My main issue was the smoky casino, so everyone's opinion can be both different and valid.

 

I thought the dining package choices on NCL were quite good, and I was able to make reservations for both dining and some entertainment before I sailed. NCL then compiled all my choices, along with any shore excursions, and I was able to print out a daily itinerary of all my activities, quite handy. The Breakaway had 10 and 14 day sailings from NYC, so I was able to cruise from my home port (no airfare) as well as escape NY's winter for 2 weeks.

 

Just offering a different viewpoint. I think having one good experience on a new line would have me back for more, while having one bad experience wouldn't prevent me from trying that line again.

 

If I let one bad experience sour me on a line, I wouldn't have booked 30 CCL cruises!

[Yvonne]

Never sailed on Norweign but would if the price was right. I am starting to branch out to other lines more.

 

This is us too, our last cruise was in January on the Dream. While we did have a good time (with family) we are growing tired of Carnival for many reasons. Our next cruise will not be with Carnival, even if family goes and invites us. I would love to go on Royal's Oasis or Allure, or try Celebrity, Norwegian, Holland America, maybe others as well.

[mom2tcdx2]

I prefer Carnival overall to NCL, however if you go for balcony or the mini-suite cabins they aren't near as bad as inside cabins. I will never ever do an inside on NCL again. If I can't swing a balcony then I won't book, unless it is just two of us, if you try three people I would only do a balcony. NCL does have some nice perks and differences. I really enjoy the specialty dining aspect so we know to add that expense also. When they also offer the drink packages as a perk, can really make the cruise more affordable than Carnival.

[sjn911]

I prefer Carnival overall to NCL, however if you go for balcony or the mini-suite cabins they aren't near as bad as inside cabins. I will never ever do an inside on NCL again. If I can't swing a balcony then I won't book, unless it is just two of us, if you try three people I would only do a balcony. NCL does have some nice perks and differences. I really enjoy the specialty dining aspect so we know to add that expense also. When they also offer the drink packages as a perk, can really make the cruise more affordable than Carnival.

 

This will help the cabin questioners....it all depends on how many with you...and even as a solo..sometimes I can be cozy and sometimes not. I wonder how I would like the studio..I think the lounge for those people and the signups for events and dinners would be so great. Also I wonder if one could as a solo go with the flow more in those cabins for planning shows and different restaurants once on ship. I think the concepts are different on both these mainstream lines and that makes it fun...ship to ship differences as well as line to line.

 

 

My nephew had been on the Miracle growing up and did the Breakaway as a not quite legal young adult. He LOVED it but has also loved service work in Peru the last 2 spring breaks. We are all so different even though we love cruises and this is what makes it so much fun here.

 

For the question about Ocean view and size...I can find almost anything on Youtube of the mainstream lines to get an idea of size..type the ship and cabin type. Or even look on the ship cabin maps and type one and the or outside blah blah. Also check the cabin picture sites....can Google them as not sure we can mention here.

 

 

Would love to live in a Port City for a while..lol..with the time and money,,,,,,I just love checking out different places to stay and travel..Camper Van to Suite...ship to shore.

[evandbob]

I guess it's all personal opinion....I found the Carnival shows and overall entertainment SO MUCH BETTER than the entertainment on NCL

 

 

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IMO, The Cirque Circus Dinner Theater, The Blues Club, Rock of Ages, Blue Man Group, Dueling Pianos Bar and Second City Comedy on the 2 NCL ships I sailed (Breakaway and Epic) outweigh the Marraige Show, Hasbro, Stand Up Comedy, Piano Bar and Playlist on CCL.

[Tatka]

I guess it's all personal opinion....I found the Carnival shows and overall entertainment SO MUCH BETTER than the entertainment on NCL

 

 

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NCL has professional Broadway shows on larger ships. Not all shows are to my liking, but they are professional.

 

About overall entertainment.... well I guess it depends on the ship. Wasn't much of smaller scale entertainment on our Liberty and Miracle cruises. Even smaller 90k tons NCL ships (Jewel, Dawn, Gem) beat them in terms of amount of music in lounges.

[SNJCruisers]

So if anyone can elaborate on the differences, or give me any advice, or a YEA or NAY, I would appreciate it. ;)

I would wait until next year when the Escape relocates to NYC and sail on her. I have 29 cruises under my belt, with 17 of them on Carnival. I chose Carnival because of the perceived value I received. This September will be three straight cruises for me on the Escape because of the included drinks package and other amenities as well. It's large, has the Howl at the Moon which is better than the piano bar on Carnival and the showroom shows are no comparison to playlist productions. The Escape will be the first time I have cruised on a ship three times. Have done multiple ships from Carnival twice.

 

 

 

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[Crusin Karen]

I would wait until next year when the Escape relocates to NYC and sail on her. I have 29 cruises under my belt, with 17 of them on Carnival. I chose Carnival because of the perceived value I received. This September will be three straight cruises for me on the Escape because of the included drinks package and other amenities as well. It's large, has the Howl at the Moon which is better than the piano bar on Carnival and the showroom shows are no comparison to playlist productions. The Escape will be the first time I have cruised on a ship three times. Have done multiple ships from Carnival twice.

Okay, thanks. You don't happen to be Karen??? We cruised once with a Karen from S. Jersey and you were South Jersey Karen and I was N. Jersey Karen. I think it was the Miracle.

[SNJCruisers]

Okay, thanks. You don't happen to be Karen??? We cruised once with a Karen from S. Jersey and you were South Jersey Karen and I was N. Jersey Karen. I think it was the Miracle.

Let me unzip and check...No, I'm not Karen.

 

 

 

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[tallnthensome]

Nothing Carnival has compares to the NCL Escape ..... not even the Vista and I sail her in 3 weeks. I can make that prediction already.

[SNJCruisers]

Nothing Carnival has compares to the NCL Escape ..... not even the Vista and I sail her in 3 weeks. I can make that prediction already.

I can name one...The Havana area. It is even better than the Vibe to a certain degree since it has two hot tubs and a pool versus one hot tub. But on the other hand...Havana has no shot O'Clock. [emoji6] . Seriously though, the Vista will have better lunch options than the Escape.

 

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[joepeka]

I'm thinking it would be nice if the OP would return and provide some more details about his/her dissatisfaction with NCL. I've never sailed on that line and don't plan to but some more specifics would be nice because I think their complaints were kind of broad. :confused:

[Crusin Karen]

Let me unzip and check...No, I'm not Karen.

 

 

 

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LOL....I will take your word for it!!!! :eek::rolleyes:;);p:o

[SNJCruisers]

I'm thinking it would be nice if the OP would return and provide some more details about his/her dissatisfaction with NCL. I've never sailed on that line and don't plan to but some more specifics would be nice because I think their complaints were kind of broad. :confused:

The same posting is over on the NCL board, obviously with differing opinions.

 

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