Any loyal Carnival cruisers tried NCL?

[LMaxwell]

Each cruise line has strengths and weaknesses. I've only sailed a few NCL cruises but enjoyed them, on two very different ships; the Sky, their oldest and smallest, and the Escape, the newest and largest. I think NCL has better food and more food options, especially late at night, and entertainment and the ships are nicer. I think Carnival offers better rooms. With NCL they bundle a lot of extras; I've found when pricing Carnival with the same extras that NCL is the better deal. However, I have also found that if you don't want any of the extras at all you can find a better deal on Carnival. These are general blanket statements. I would recommend NCL to others if you have not tried them and they offer an itinerary you want, on a ship that appeals, and a price you are comfortable with.

[emcelh]

:loudcry:We sailed NCL one time, The cruise from HELL enough said.

An old, very small ship 10 years ago. It's very different now.

[sparks1093]

Each cruise line has strengths and weaknesses. I've only sailed a few NCL cruises but enjoyed them, on two very different ships; the Sky, their oldest and smallest, and the Escape, the newest and largest. I think NCL has better food and more food options, especially late at night, and entertainment and the ships are nicer. I think Carnival offers better rooms. With NCL they bundle a lot of extras; I've found when pricing Carnival with the same extras that NCL is the better deal. However, I have also found that if you don't want any of the extras at all you can find a better deal on Carnival. These are general blanket statements. I would recommend NCL to others if you have not tried them and they offer an itinerary you want, on a ship that appeals, and a price you are comfortable with.

 

More food options yes, but I have found the food quality to be about the same (and I'm not talking about the specialty restaurants because we've only eaten in one and the same dish on CCL (included in the MDR) was a bit better than what we paid for on NCL). I do agree that the entertainment as a rule is better than on CCL and in our opinion that's the only significant difference and it's not a difference that's worth that much more to us.

[FLSteve11]

I would agree that cruising is evolving. I am not so sure that the offerings of free drinks and other add on perks is part of that, but it is debatable. I also agree that an informed cruiser is a smart cruiser. I have seen the best that most lines have to offer and as of now, Carnival is our best bet. I will stick with my previous comment that there is no free lunch. Ncl has grown significantly and is having to find ways to fill rooms. Celebrity is hurting trying to do the same thing. The people that love these lines will argue but it is a fact.

 

 

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I agree with you as well, all things change. The perks and freebies are a change in the way they market and make a profit off the customer. In much the same way the last 10 years has seen the cruise industry shift to lowering base prices and providing services as add-ons and upcharges (which some complain as nickel-and-diming, but if they priced what they got 10+ years ago with a cruise and the extra expenses, they'll find it's not any different and may be cheaper). Carnival has done a good job with the keeping base pricing down, and while they don't add as many of the bells and whistles, the people sailing them might not be looking for them (if they were, they'de sail another line). The freebies, it's just part of the pricing model now, which has evolved with what people want.

 

I agree with NCL as well, they've grown percentage-wise more then Carnival/Royal, without the background of customers who have sailed them regularly. So they need to do a different method of trying to get people onboard. They've probably also been hurt the most by MSC coming in with a US-based ship and having to undercut everyone even more to get people to try them. Celebrity's is a little different. They just upped the price a bit and added in the freebies, so they're not really free, more a discount on them together. You can often get the cruise without the perks at a cheaper rate, as that is now what their discount rates (senior, resident, military, etc) are. The base cruise at a cheaper rate, but you don't get the perks.

[LMaxwell]

More food options yes, but I have found the food quality to be about the same (and I'm not talking about the specialty restaurants because we've only eaten in one and the same dish on CCL (included in the MDR) was a bit better than what we paid for on NCL). I do agree that the entertainment as a rule is better than on CCL and in our opinion that's the only significant difference and it's not a difference that's worth that much more to us.

 

We don't do specialty restaurants either. I think carnivals dining room is good to very good, same with NCL. I just think the quality of other options such as O'Sheehans / Longboards, the late night venues surpasses Carnival. I thought NCL's buffet was miles ahead of Carnivals, no comparison. Carnival Seaday Brunch is fantastic. Both have good MDR breakfast but I find NCL has more extensive menu. I have had only good experiences with Freestyle dining and not having waits. NCL also has the MDR open for lunch on boarding day and sea days, Carnival is moving away from MDR lunch unfortunately. I haven't had a Guy's burger on Carnival, and I flat refuse to pay for a Hamburger on NCL. Margaritaville is not worthy of an upcharge. So each has it's pros and cons. I also like the resort casual dress code on NCL.

 

I don't necessarily think NCL is one full step better than Carnival across the board, probably a half step ahead as a total package with activities and entertainment factored in. We don't normally cruise in a balcony, drinks package, etc. But when we did with NCL the price worked out to a really good value; it would have been significantly more expensive on other lines (Except MSC, that would have been comparable or lower in price compared to Carnival).

 

NCL offers more itineraries than Carnival does. I am looking for a 10-11 day Panama Canal partial transit and Carnival simple doesn't do that, but NCL does. I may consider HAL for that trip.

[LMaxwell]

They've probably also been hurt the most by MSC coming in with a US-based ship and having to undercut everyone even more to get people to try them.

 

My last MSC cruise, which was my second, 7 days, with status match (two bottles of champagne, two nights at specialty restaurants, etc.), 18 drink vouchers, taxes, insurance, 3 people in an inside room came out to just under $1100. That's about $150 more than I am paying for my next Carnival cruise; 4 days in an OV on the Victory without any perks or drinks.

 

My next MSC cruise is going to be 7 days on the Seaside, same perks, 18 drinks, balcony room for 3, with taxes and insurance, is coming out to around $1700. No one had pricing even close to that. Carnival would have been just over 3K. NCL and RCI were close to 4K for the same week and comparable ships.

 

MSC undoubtedly provides the best value and is doing so to get their name out in the US. When they have more ships here and gain more market traction I'd expect pricing to surpass Carnival and more closely mirror NCL / RCI.

 

So at the very least I've got 21 days on MSC that haven't gone to CCL, RCI, or NCL. (Most likely MSC has cost the most business, from me, from RCI)

[sparks1093]

We don't do specialty restaurants either. I think carnivals dining room is good to very good, same with NCL. I just think the quality of other options such as O'Sheehans / Longboards, the late night venues surpasses Carnival. I thought NCL's buffet was miles ahead of Carnivals, no comparison. Carnival Seaday Brunch is fantastic. Both have good MDR breakfast but I find NCL has more extensive menu. I have had only good experiences with Freestyle dining and not having waits. NCL also has the MDR open for lunch on boarding day and sea days, Carnival is moving away from MDR lunch unfortunately. I haven't had a Guy's burger on Carnival, and I flat refuse to pay for a Hamburger on NCL. Margaritaville is not worthy of an upcharge. So each has it's pros and cons. I also like the resort casual dress code on NCL.

 

I don't necessarily think NCL is one full step better than Carnival across the board, probably a half step ahead as a total package with activities and entertainment factored in. We don't normally cruise in a balcony, drinks package, etc. But when we did with NCL the price worked out to a really good value; it would have been significantly more expensive on other lines (Except MSC, that would have been comparable or lower in price compared to Carnival).

 

NCL offers more itineraries than Carnival does. I am looking for a 10-11 day Panama Canal partial transit and Carnival simple doesn't do that, but NCL does. I may consider HAL for that trip.

 

Half a step sounds about right. If I could book an NCL cruise for what a CCL cruise is and get the UBP I would do it in a heart beat (and as you point out sometimes NCL goes where CCL doesn't, such as a Baltic Sea cruise that includes Warnemunde as a port, since we have family there). As I've said repeatedly we comparison shop for every cruise and so far NCL has not come close to CCL in price (and as evidence for that I have a post up thread that does a price comparison for a future cruise).

[sparks1093]

Okay, just for grins I checked. NCL Escape out of NYC 4/7/19 7 nights to the Bahamas balcony cabin with UDP and UBP prices out at $3435 (that includes the UBP tips).

 

CCL Vista out of Galveston 4/7/19 6 nights to Western Caribbean cove balcony $1677.

 

For me NY is drivable whereas I'd have to fly to Texas but I can usually get flights for around $500 so I'd still be saving over NCL and even though I'm losing 1 night I am on a more desirable (to me) itinerary. But we do like to drive to the port if we can so I looked down the coast and found:

 

CCL Pride out of Baltimore 4/7/19 7 nights to the Bahamas (including HMC) balcony cabin $2132.

 

As I've said, I do see where NCL can be a great deal at times for some passengers. I have not personally seen it any time that I've booked a cruise using the criteria that is important to me and given that criteria looking at the data above I'd book the Pride (after checking the other lines' rates, of course).

 

For grins I looked at what RCI was offering and they have a sailing on 4/6/19 out of Port Liberty on the Anthem of the Seas and with the current special it's $2021 for a mid-ship balcony, so if I were booking today that would probably be the one we would pick (it's normal price is $3008).

[LMaxwell]

For grins I looked at what RCI was offering and they have a sailing on 4/6/19 out of Port Liberty on the Anthem of the Seas and with the current special it's $2021 for a mid-ship balcony, so if I were booking today that would probably be the one we would pick (it's normal price is $3008).

 

Look at MSC prices for Divina and Seaside. You may be shocked. I don't know what your status match would net you, but I would not be surprised if you could get 7 days on Divina in a balcony with perks for 2 ppl for around $1500-1700.

[sparks1093]

Look at MSC prices for Divina and Seaside. You may be shocked. I don't know what your status match would net you, but I would not be surprised if you could get 7 days on Divina in a balcony with perks for 2 ppl for around $1500-1700.

 

$2204 on the Seaside with no perks ($2450 with perks) out of Miami for 4/7/18, so 2019 pricing isn't available yet. It would certainly be in the discussion.

[FLSteve11]

My last MSC cruise, which was my second, 7 days, with status match (two bottles of champagne, two nights at specialty restaurants, etc.), 18 drink vouchers, taxes, insurance, 3 people in an inside room came out to just under $1100. That's about $150 more than I am paying for my next Carnival cruise; 4 days in an OV on the Victory without any perks or drinks.

 

My next MSC cruise is going to be 7 days on the Seaside, same perks, 18 drinks, balcony room for 3, with taxes and insurance, is coming out to around $1700. No one had pricing even close to that. Carnival would have been just over 3K. NCL and RCI were close to 4K for the same week and comparable ships.

 

MSC undoubtedly provides the best value and is doing so to get their name out in the US. When they have more ships here and gain more market traction I'd expect pricing to surpass Carnival and more closely mirror NCL / RCI.

 

So at the very least I've got 21 days on MSC that haven't gone to CCL, RCI, or NCL. (Most likely MSC has cost the most business, from me, from RCI)

 

Exactly, we've sailed Divina twice now. We wanted to try out a new ship/line, and the prices were just too good to pass up on.

 

Like you, I suspect the prices will rise in time, certainly once they've been here for awhile and are sailing multiple ships in the US. For now they're just trying to undercut people, and give out perks and status matches, to get people to try them out. In the meantime, it's good for everyone who is sailing, as it gives them more options, and is price competition on everyone to keep rates down (not just for MSC). For the newer ships on most lines it doesn't do much (people still want to do the biggest and newest on lines they know), but it definitely effects older ships on lines, who then have to then keep prices down.

[drvmywifecrzy]

NCL Escape was a great cruise. Don't be afraid Live and learn

 

 

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[psk2347]

Yes and it was awful! We will never cruise NCL again.

 

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[Kristi Williamson]

We really enjoyed NCL. We enjoy Carnival and RCI, as well. There's just not a gigantic difference in the lines unless you're on an Oasis class ship, which really makes the ship the destination and not why I cruise.

 

We love to cruise and, for the most part, look for the good, work around the bad and feel thankful to be able to afford these kind of vacations. If you can afford it, NCL has THE best suite perks at sea. We were in the Garden Villa on the Dawn and nothing....NOTHING...will ever top the perks that came with that room.

[sid_9169]

I was a loyal Carnival cruiser until NCL started including their Ultimate Beverage Package as a perk... I sail solo, which on Carnival means paying double the rate for any cabin. My upcoming cruise on the Vista was $1,400 for an inside cabin. Add $459 for Cheers, and I'm at $1,859. My last cruise on the NCL Escape, in a solo cabin with included beverage package was about $700 cheaper. Not to mention that NCL's newer ships have about 25 bars and 25 restaurants on board... This doesn't mean that I won't sail Carnival anymore, but NCL just makes more sense, especially as a solo traveler.

[Aquahound]

You aren't drinking for free on NCL because it's included in your cruise fare. It's a marketing gimmick, pure and simple.

 

I totally agree. NCL follows the Spirit Airlines model. The base fare doesn't include the Free at Sea promotion, nor does it include an assigned room. To get the so-called "free" beverage package, etc, you have to pay considerably more for the room, which also includes an assigned room. Then once you add in the compulsory $100 pp gratuities (and additional $80 pp if you also choose the specialty dining package), the fare turns out to be hundreds more per person. It's all a play on pricing. The reason NCL gets such a bad rap from those who are actually in the know is because they so brazenly call it "free."

 

But all that crap aside, I would cruise Escape again in a heartbeat. I had a great time, and previous to that cruise, I hated NCL.

[phatsneaks]

I will tell you everyone perspective is different. We had a horrible time on our one and only NCL cruise. We were with another couple who cruise NCL religiously. They too stated it was the cruise from hell. While free drink package is great, if you cannot get a drink what's the difference. This was a smaller ship and they were short staffed.

While I love Carnival, I don't know if I will try a larger ship on NCL.

 

Just my pennies worth.

[sparks1093]

I was a loyal Carnival cruiser until NCL started including their Ultimate Beverage Package as a perk... I sail solo, which on Carnival means paying double the rate for any cabin. My upcoming cruise on the Vista was $1,400 for an inside cabin. Add $459 for Cheers, and I'm at $1,859. My last cruise on the NCL Escape, in a solo cabin with included beverage package was about $700 cheaper. Not to mention that NCL's newer ships have about 25 bars and 25 restaurants on board... This doesn't mean that I won't sail Carnival anymore, but NCL just makes more sense, especially as a solo traveler.

 

With their solo cabins that they have NCL can definitely be a great deal for solo cruisers.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I totally agree. NCL follows the Spirit Airlines model. The base fare doesn't include the Free at Sea promotion, nor does it include an assigned room. To get the so-called "free" beverage package, etc, you have to pay considerably more for the room, which also includes an assigned room. Then once you add in the compulsory $100 pp gratuities (and additional $80 pp if you also choose the specialty dining package), the fare turns out to be hundreds more per person. It's all a play on pricing. The reason NCL gets such a bad rap from those who are actually in the know is because they so brazenly call it "free."

 

But all that crap aside, I would cruise Escape again in a heartbeat. I had a great time, and previous to that cruise, I hated NCL.

 

Could you explain how this works as I haven't seen this play out in any of my mock bookings.

 

I am booked on an RCI cruise for 4/8/18 but thinking of canceling that cruise and booking the NCL Getaway for the same date.

 

The cheapest fare for an inside cabin was $799. For that $799 plus fees/taxes I was given the choice of 1 free at sea item. The drink package if chosen was an additional $99 and some change pp extra and I was given a choice of 10 cabins to pick from.

 

I didn't have to pay extra to pick a room and the fare was the same whether I wanted a free at sea item or not. Of course I did have to pay $99pp for the gratuities for the beverage package.

 

Bill

[surfone]

we went on our 1st NCL cruise back in October on the breakaway to Bermuda. the entertainment was better, food about the same. didn't like the casino but liked the outdoor areas. we booked the GEM out on nyc to canada and NE in September so it will be interesting to see the difference in the two. We probably like Carnival a little better but we are not hard to please. I say try them all (if feasable lol)

[Aquahound]

Could you explain how this works as I haven't seen this play out in any of my mock bookings.

 

I am booked on an RCI cruise for 4/8/18 but thinking of canceling that cruise and booking the NCL Getaway for the same date.

 

The cheapest fare for an inside cabin was $799. For that $799 plus fees/taxes I was given the choice of 1 free at sea item. The drink package if chosen was an additional $99 and some change pp extra and I was given a choice of 10 cabins to pick from.

 

I didn't have to pay extra to pick a room and the fare was the same whether I wanted a free at sea item or not. Of course I did have to pay $99pp for the gratuities for the beverage package.

 

Bill

 

That sounds odd. Free at Sea should come with 2 choices. I haven't seen it offered with only the UBP being a choice.

 

Anyways, what NCL normally does is they have a GTY rate for all their rooms under suites. They call it the "sailaway rate." For example, I just did a mock booking on Escape for Aug 26. Balconies start at $849. But to get "Free at Sea," the price jumps to $999. So if I choose the higher rate and then choose the beverage and dining packages, my total rate would be $1179. That's $330 more per person than if I didn't want the promotion.

 

In the end, that might still be lower than other lines rates when you consider everything. I'm not going to try to talk you out of Getaway. Like I said, I loved my cruised on her sister. :)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

That sounds odd. Free at Sea should come with 2 choices. I haven't seen it offered with only the UBP being a choice.

 

Anyways, what NCL normally does is they have a GTY rate for all their rooms under suites. They call it the "sailaway rate." For example, I just did a mock booking on Escape for Aug 26. Balconies start at $849. But to get "Free at Sea," the price jumps to $999. So if I choose the higher rate and then choose the beverage and dining packages, my total rate would be $1179. That's $330 more per person than if I didn't want the promotion.

 

In the end, that might still be lower than other lines rates when you consider everything. I'm not going to try to talk you out of Getaway. Like I said, I loved my cruised on her sister. :)

 

For about the last 6 months they have been giving the inside cabin 1 choice where in the past you had to at least book an outside to get the 2 choices.

 

I was on the Getaway in February 2016 in an aft balcony and didn't encounter that scenario either.

 

I have not seen the scenario you speak of. Maybe when the free at sea started it may have been like you say. How long ago was it that you encountered the gtys?

 

Bill

[SNJCruisers]

Could you explain how this works as I haven't seen this play out in any of my mock bookings.

 

I am booked on an RCI cruise for 4/8/18 but thinking of canceling that cruise and booking the NCL Getaway for the same date.

 

The cheapest fare for an inside cabin was $799. For that $799 plus fees/taxes I was given the choice of 1 free at sea item. The drink package if chosen was an additional $99 and some change pp extra and I was given a choice of 10 cabins to pick from.

 

I didn't have to pay extra to pick a room and the fare was the same whether I wanted a free at sea item or not. Of course I did have to pay $99pp for the gratuities for the beverage package.

 

Bill

If you go onto the NCL website, you will see that the cheapest rate, sailaway is sold out for that particular sailing. That would be an inside guarantee room that would be cheaper than the 799 and would not come with a perk. Many cruisers that want a rock bottom price and do not drink and are satisfied with the MDR and buffet offerings often choose this category. Of course they are at the whim of NCL as to where on the ship they will be placed.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

If you go onto the NCL website, you will see that the cheapest rate, sailaway is sold out for that particular sailing. That would be an inside guarantee room that would be cheaper than the 799 and would not come with a perk. Many cruisers that want a rock bottom price and do not drink and are satisfied with the MDR and buffet offerings often choose this category. Of course they are at the whim of NCL as to where on the ship they will be placed.

 

Thank you for pointing that out. After you posted this it still took me a little bit of time to find it but like you said it was there.

 

I pulled up the Getaway for April 2019 as well and those sailaway prices are sold out for that date as well. I'm guessing you need to book those cabins the day the new itineraries and prices go on sale.

 

 

Aquahound you were indeed correct with your statement and I apologize.

 

Bill

[SNJCruisers]

I pulled up the Getaway for April 2019 as well and those sailaway prices are sold out for that date as well. I'm guessing you need to book those cabins the day the new itineraries and prices go on sale.

My assumption is that it can be had from the get-go as well as at the end when they are scrambling to fill in cabins. Of course airfare can then be difficult unless you are able to drive to the port.