Any loyal Carnival cruisers tried NCL?

[Ethel Henderson]

Yes

 

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[goldenk]

Wow...NCL cheaper than CCL...while not uncommon, I still find it intriguing when it happens.

 

Why we took our first ever last Thanksgiving. I try to only go out of Port Canaveral. I live close by, so if I see something there, I'll grab it first. At the time, Sunshine balconies were higher than Oasis of the Seas & Epic. I'm sure the Oasis comparison shouldn't count as they're balconies overlooking the boardwalk. You can price check this Thanksgiving and see the Magic, Oasis & Epic in Port Canaveral. Epic is the better price. With the UBP & specialty dining promo, just makes that price much nicer. All were leaving Port Canaveral, balconies, seven day, going nowhere special.

 

We did our first ever and loved it. Starting with the food. Was nice to see four omelet burners in different areas of the Garden Cafe. I'd give CCL the win on the room size. Rest went to NCL. I really loved how I rarely heard or noticed the CD. I like how their jumbo tv is at the back of the boat. Instead of a smokestack as your backround, it's the ocean. We liked it so much, we booked this Thanksgiving with a different itinerary. Never been to Tortola. Like above, the base price is still lower than the Magic that is in port that week.

[CruisingUS]

I have sailed both CCL and NCL and in my opinion NCL isn't worth the premium price they are charging, there simply isn't that much difference in the two products (at least on the mid-sized ships that I'm willing to book). This is based on experience so no one can say that I am acting out of ignorance. I can also say based on my experience that the difference in quality between the two lines is not as great as people make it out to be. Every time we book a cruise I comparison shop and we are more than willing to try another line if their price is competitive with CCL's. I cruise to see new ports, to spend time on the ocean and to spend time with my wife and/or family. I'm pretty sure every cruise line is going to provide that:). (And FWIW I'm much closer to 60 than to 45:D).

 

I didn't say that the difference is big. Law of diminishing returns applies here. But there is a big enough difference for me to where I am willing to pay the premium to sail on NCL or RCCL as I have a different check list than you do.

 

 

I assume you are getting more loyalty perks from CCL than other lines, which sweetens the deal.

 

IDK u personally. So I cannot speak for you. But for me and the vast majority of cruisers, our unconscious mind influences a lot of our decisions and perceptions. With exp that are expensive that we cannot regularly afford, the mind can unconsciously create a sour grapes scenario where we perceive the higher quality product to be more inferior that it is in reality to justify buying the cheaper product.

 

 

I am personally subjected to it, as you can see in the thread below. A RSSC trip to mexico is 6.5k AFTER discounts. That is a 10x price difference compared to CCL/NCL. To me, it is already coloring the exp in my mind b/c there is no way that it can be 10x better than their "competitors."

 

 

#Sourgrapes

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517959

 

 

If your friend is a partier and he buys Cheers, then he should definitely try NCL with there UBP included.

 

Carnival isn't necessarily less expensive when you compare cabins.

 

Although the base usually is,if a person likes SDP and UBP and you ADD those in to the CCL price many times NCL is a better deal.

Right. These are logical arguments that I use. He sees very little value in the UBP b/c he just brings on his on liquor w/ rum runners for sea days or goes off the ship to drink. He will chill the rum runner in the ice bucket and use w/e chaser he can get from breakfast or the soda we bring on board. Honestly, I cannot argue w/ his logic. He accomplishes the same thing for a fraction of the price.

 

 

He's a good guy. Very easy to please. Buying him a bucket of beers on sea days makes him really happy.

 

So I get the typical carnival mind set. I have lived it

[CruisingUS]

Why we took our first ever last Thanksgiving. I try to only go out of Port Canaveral. I live close by, so if I see something there, I'll grab it first. At the time, Sunshine balconies were higher than Oasis of the Seas & Epic. I'm sure the Oasis comparison shouldn't count as they're balconies overlooking the boardwalk. You can price check this Thanksgiving and see the Magic, Oasis & Epic in Port Canaveral. Epic is the better price. With the UBP & specialty dining promo, just makes that price much nicer. All were leaving Port Canaveral, balconies, seven day, going nowhere special.

 

We did our first ever and loved it. Starting with the food. Was nice to see four omelet burners in different areas of the Garden Cafe. I'd give CCL the win on the room size. Rest went to NCL. I really loved how I rarely heard or noticed the CD. I like how their jumbo tv is at the back of the boat. Instead of a smokestack as your backround, it's the ocean. We liked it so much, we booked this Thanksgiving with a different itinerary. Never been to Tortola. Like above, the base price is still lower than the Magic that is in port that week.

Are they leaving within a few days of ea other?

[sparks1093]

I didn't say that the difference is big. Law of diminishing returns applies here. But there is a big enough difference for me to where I am willing to pay the premium to sail on NCL or RCCL as I have a different check list than you do.

 

 

I assume you are getting more loyalty perks from CCL than other lines, which sweetens the deal.

 

IDK u personally. So I cannot speak for you. But for me and the vast majority of cruisers, our unconscious mind influences a lot of our decisions and perceptions. With exp that are expensive that we cannot regularly afford, the mind can unconsciously create a sour grapes scenario where we perceive the higher quality product to be more inferior that it is in reality to justify buying the cheaper product.

 

 

I am personally subjected to it, as you can see in the thread below. A RSSC trip to mexico is 6.5k AFTER discounts. That is a 10x price difference compared to CCL/NCL. To me, it is already coloring the exp in my mind b/c there is no way that it can be 10x better than their "competitors."

 

 

#Sourgrapes

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517959

 

 

 

Right. These are logical arguments that I use. He sees very little value in the UBP b/c he just brings on his on liquor w/ rum runners for sea days or goes off the ship to drink. He will chill the rum runner in the ice bucket and use w/e chaser he can get from breakfast or the soda we bring on board. Honestly, I cannot argue w/ his logic. He accomplishes the same thing for a fraction of the price.

 

 

He's a good guy. Very easy to please. Buying him a bucket of beers on sea days makes him really happy.

 

So I get the typical carnival mind set. I have lived it

 

Actually I think I might be higher on NCL's loyalty list than CCL's at this point but the perks at either level are nothing to crow about. If the difference is enough for you that's great, it works for many. I do know that the more I spend the pickier that I will be. For example there were some minor lapses in service on our last cruise that weren't a big deal, but if I had been paying 2 or 3 times more for the cruise then they would have been a bigger deal. I totally understand your sour grapes attitude for that trip and I also would have some pretty high expectations of such a trip with that price tag. But to me it is not sour grapes, it's more of a why pay more for something that I don't appreciate? A good analogy is HD TVs back when they first came out. Everyone was "oh, they are so worth the extra money" and I'm like "with my vision it looks the same as the regular TV so why spend it?".

[goldenk]

Are they leaving within a few days of ea other?

 

Magic & Epic are the 18th, Oasis 19th.

[CruisingUS]

Actually I think I might be higher on NCL's loyalty list than CCL's at this point but the perks at either level are nothing to crow about. If the difference is enough for you that's great, it works for many. I do know that the more I spend the pickier that I will be. For example there were some minor lapses in service on our last cruise that weren't a big deal, but if I had been paying 2 or 3 times more for the cruise then they would have been a bigger deal. I totally understand your sour grapes attitude for that trip and I also would have some pretty high expectations of such a trip with that price tag. But to me it is not sour grapes, it's more of a why pay more for something that I don't appreciate? A good analogy is HD TVs back when they first came out. Everyone was "oh, they are so worth the extra money" and I'm like "with my vision it looks the same as the regular TV so why spend it?".

The converse is true too. Why spend hundreds for a lower quality product that I don't like when I can spend a little more for something that I do? The food on CCL is just not suitable for my taste. I like to food on NCL and RCCL much more.

 

 

Btw, the difference between 360 vs 720 is noticeable to me. ;p

[CruisingUS]

Magic & Epic are the 18th, Oasis 19th.

Perfect opportunity to try NCL over CCL.

[sparks1093]

The converse is true too. Why spend hundreds for a lower quality product that I don't like when I can spend a little more for something that I do? The food on CCL is just not suitable for my taste. I like to food on NCL and RCCL much more.

 

 

Btw, the difference between 360 vs 720 is noticeable to me. ;p

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with that view point. But we are debating the merits of CCL vs NCL on the CCL forum so of course I'm writing from that perspective. (And my eyes have only gotten worse since HD came out so now a blank wall looks just as good to me:D.)

[CruisingUS]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that view point. But we are debating the merits of CCL vs NCL on the CCL forum so of course I'm writing from that perspective. (And my eyes have only gotten worse since HD came out so now a blank wall looks just as good to me:D.)

:')

[goldenk]

Actually I think I might be higher on NCL's loyalty list than CCL's at this point but the perks at either level are nothing to crow about. .

 

NCL updated their loyalty this year. Wish I was plat there. Two free specialty dinners. I could go to that Brazilian Steakhouse every night. No one upset about a silly prize/trinket. I'm sure that will change the more that people become platinum. I don't think it would be possible for CCL to have free specialty dinners with the number of plats I've heard thrown around.

[CruisingUS]

NCL updated their loyalty this year. Wish I was plat there. Two free specialty dinners. I could go to that Brazilian Steakhouse every night. No one upset about a silly prize/trinket. I'm sure that will change the more that people become platinum. I don't think it would be possible for CCL to have free specialty dinners with the number of plats I've heard thrown around.

It is true that there are usually very few Pt on the ship, let alone gold.

 

Quite a bit of silver imo.

 

 

The nice thing about NCL is that even their lowest level gets some sparkling wine. I think stuff like that creates more loyalty at the lower level, and it wouldn't surprise me if CCL does something similiar as they just brought someone in to restructure their loyalty program.

[NCTribeFan]

I love the Fantasy-class ships. I couldn't care less about decor or how a ship looks sitting next to the dock.

 

I'm boarding one at the end of August. It will bring my total nights on Fantasy-class to 58 since I started cruising in 2001.

 

When I board, I feel like I'm returning home.

 

Don't need a new ship. Don't need a balcony. Don't even need an extra-charge restaurant.

 

Sailed the Vista Inaugural last May. Then HAL Zuiderdam this past January. Now I'm back to Fantasy-class. Then off on HAL's Koningsdam. Then the NCL Star. Then Horizon. If I can sneak another Fantasy-class cruise in at some point, I won't hesitate. And if I find a bargain on another line, I won't hesitate to book that, either.

 

All these Us vs Them threads are pointless, really. It's all subjective and totally dependent on what someone wants/expects for their vacation dollar. I'm not a cruise snob. I just want to sail somewhere as often as I can!

[SNJCruisers]

 

So I looked at the sailing you quoted and Vista comes in at $1827 and Escape at $2729 so I could still add Cheers (which I don't have to pay for until I'm onboard, BTW) and still save a little money (and yes, those are for balcony cabins, if I'm going to compare apples to apples it will be the flavor of apple that I prefer ;) ).

Don't know what website you're using to compare the prices, but the one I used had the Escape at only 205.00 more per person for a balcony cabin that you prefer. And that includes 2 perks. After adding the gratuities for the two perks, you're at 300 more than the Vista. After paying for Cheers, NCL is still cheaper and you get 3 nights in a specialty restaurant to boot. And since you wanted to wait until you board to get Cheers, you do realize you pay 5.00 plus 15% more by doing so.

We can keep going round and round. I have been on Carnival 18 times over the past 31 years. Many things have changed and Carnival is still at the lower end of bare bones pricing, unless you factor in MSC, who will be a player once they have Seaside, Meraviglia and Divina on this side of the pond.

 

 

 

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[SNJCruisers]

I have sailed both CCL and NCL and in my opinion NCL isn't worth the premium price they are charging, there simply isn't that much difference in the two products (at least on the mid-sized ships that I'm willing to book). This is based on experience so no one can say that I am acting out of ignorance. .

I will say that you are acting out of ignorance because you're only willing to book mid- sized ships and not the biggest and best that NCL has to offer, and that's the Escape. And since you're stuck in the mid-level love, you'll never sail on the newest that MSC has to offer, with the Seaside and Meraviglia.

You like mid-size ships and balcony cabins and paying your limited bar tab. That's just fine, but if you sailed on the Escape, you would then have first hand knowledge that there is a difference between what they offer versus the Breeze or the Magic. I have been on the Breeze as well as the Escape twice, so I can make a first hand comparison. And there are more check marks next to the Escape than on the ledger of the Breeze.

 

 

 

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Edited July 6, 2017 by SNJCruisers

[SNJCruisers]

I don't think it would be possible for CCL to have free specialty dinners with the number of plats I've heard thrown around.

A BOGO specialty dinner would be a nice Platinum perk as well as a free 8x10 photo. Both of these perks would cost Carnival a mere pittance.

 

 

 

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[sparks1093]

Don't know what website you're using to compare the prices, but the one I used had the Escape at only 205.00 more per person for a balcony cabin that you prefer. And that includes 2 perks. After adding the gratuities for the two perks, you're at 300 more than the Vista. After paying for Cheers, NCL is still cheaper and you get 3 nights in a specialty restaurant to boot. And since you wanted to wait until you board to get Cheers, you do realize you pay 5.00 plus 15% more by doing so.

We can keep going round and round. I have been on Carnival 18 times over the past 31 years. Many things have changed and Carnival is still at the lower end of bare bones pricing, unless you factor in MSC, who will be a player once they have Seaside, Meraviglia and Divina on this side of the pond.

 

 

 

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www.ncl.com and www.carnival.com

 

As far as Cheers goes I could wait and purchase it a week prior to sailing if I wanted, which is the point- I control when I purchase it (or not). Yes, CCL is the lower end of bare bones pricing, that's what started this conversation if I recall.

Edited July 6, 2017 by sparks1093

[sparks1093]

I will say that you are acting out of ignorance because you're only willing to book mid- sized ships and not the biggest and best that NCL has to offer, and that's the Escape. And since you're stuck in the mid-level love, you'll never sail on the newest that MSC has to offer, with the Seaside and Meraviglia.

You like mid-size ships and balcony cabins and paying your limited bar tab. That's just fine, but if you sailed on the Escape, you would then have first hand knowledge that there is a difference between what they offer versus the Breeze or the Magic. I have been on the Breeze as well as the Escape twice, so I can make a first hand comparison. And there are more check marks next to the Escape than on the ledger of the Breeze.

 

 

 

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So what, it's what I prefer. I sailed on a 6500 person ship for a year and a half and am not in a hurry to sail with that number of people again. DW and I were just in Warnemunde and had the privilege of seeing the Getaway tied up at the dock. DW had been interested in sailing the larger ships until she saw that. And I also don't blindly book with CCL, I comparison shop every time and am more than willing to spring for a little more to sail on a different line.

[CruisingUS]

So what, it's what I prefer. I sailed on a 6500 person ship for a year and a half and am not in a hurry to sail with that number of people again. DW and I were just in Warnemunde and had the privilege of seeing the Getaway tied up at the dock. DW had been interested in sailing the larger ships until she saw that.

Is that like a military exp? B/c if it is...obviously it is a different situation.

 

 

TY for your service if u did serve

[SNJCruisers]

So what, it's what I prefer. I sailed on a 6500 person ship for a year and a half and am not in a hurry to sail with that number of people again. DW and I were just in Warnemunde and had the privilege of seeing the Getaway tied up at the dock. DW had been interested in sailing the larger ships until she saw that. And I also don't blindly book with CCL, I comparison shop every time and am more than willing to spring for a little more to sail on a different line.

Make your assumptions from the dock. I've made mine on board and IMHO, the Escape outshines every Carnival ship I have been on. Now if there was a way to get the Alchemy Bar on the Escape, it would be heaven.

And how can you compare a cruise ship with a Navy vessel?

 

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[sparks1093]

Is that like a military exp? B/c if it is...obviously it is a different situation.

 

 

TY for your service if u did serve

 

Yes it was, a Nimitz class aircraft carrier.

 

Make your assumptions from the dock. I've made mine on board and IMHO, the Escape outshines every Carnival ship I have been on. Now if there was a way to get the Alchemy Bar on the Escape, it would be heaven.

And how can you compare a cruise ship with a Navy vessel?

 

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I was simply talking about having that number of people onboard and it was more of a tongue in cheek comment. I'm glad you think so highly of the Escape.

[Warm Breezes]

I love the Fantasy-class ships. I couldn't care less about decor or how a ship looks sitting next to the dock.

 

I'm boarding one at the end of August. It will bring my total nights on Fantasy-class to 58 since I started cruising in 2001.

 

When I board, I feel like I'm returning home.

 

Don't need a new ship. Don't need a balcony. Don't even need an extra-charge restaurant.

 

Sailed the Vista Inaugural last May. Then HAL Zuiderdam this past January. Now I'm back to Fantasy-class. Then off on HAL's Koningsdam. Then the NCL Star. Then Horizon. If I can sneak another Fantasy-class cruise in at some point, I won't hesitate. And if I find a bargain on another line, I won't hesitate to book that, either.

 

All these Us vs Them threads are pointless, really. It's all subjective and totally dependent on what someone wants/expects for their vacation dollar. I'm not a cruise snob. I just want to sail somewhere as often as I can!

 

(y)<3 Love your post. We are sailing NCL Escape in September (7 night Eastern, Angled Balcony, UBP and 4 SDP promos) for $2,196 including promo gratuities less TA OBC and CCL Fantasy in October (5 night Western, PH room) for $557 (Orig. $619 but paid with AARP 10% discounted cards). NCL Escape is costing us approximately $100 pp/pd more than CCL. For that $100 we are getting a newer ship with more outdoor activities, an angled balcony, unlimited beverages, 2 dinners each at Modernos and 2 dinners each at Cagneys and IMHO probably better entertainment than we will be getting on CCL. I personally find the non-specialty food and the services on both lines to be relatively similar in quality. IMHO we are getting value for our money spent on both lines. I prefer the newer NCL ship and DH prefers the older CCL ships. We both like the mid-size ships on both lines. Both of us just love to cruise and will look for a deal on any line. Yes we are paying more for our NCL cruise...but we are also getting much more for our money on that cruise.

[CruisingUS]

(y)<3 Love your post. We are sailing NCL Escape in September (7 night Eastern, Angled Balcony, UBP and 4 SDP promos) for $2,196 including promo gratuities less TA OBC and CCL Fantasy in October (5 night Western, PH room) for $557 (Orig. $619 but paid with AARP 10% discounted cards). NCL Escape is costing us approximately $100 pp/pd more than CCL. For that $100 we are getting a newer ship with more outdoor activities, an angled balcony, unlimited beverages, 2 dinners each at Modernos and 2 dinners each at Cagneys and IMHO probably better entertainment than we will be getting on CCL. I personally find the non-specialty food and the services on both lines to be relatively similar in quality. IMHO we are getting value for our money spent on both lines. I prefer the newer NCL ship and DH prefers the older CCL ships. We both like the mid-size ships on both lines. Both of us just love to cruise and will look for a deal on any line. Yes we are paying more for our NCL cruise...but we are also getting much more for our money on that cruise.

Exactly. We are on the same line of thinking. Quality is important to me. That isn't true for everyone.

[sparks1093]

Exactly. We are on the same line of thinking. Quality is important to me. That isn't true for everyone.

 

LOL, are you saying that people that cruise on Carnival don't care about quality? I know that I do and for what they charge I feel that Carnival does offer a quality product. The ships are clean. The staff are friendly. The service is adequate. The food is good. In my view they offer a solid overall 3 star experience. Yes, other cruise lines can do some things better and if they were things that I cared about then I would be choosing them. Of the plusses that Warm Breezes mentions we don't care about being on a newer ship, we don't care about more outside activities, we don't care about specialty dining, at least not to the point where we're willing to spend $100 pp/pd more for the cruise. And to be clear I am not saying that we'll never sail with any other line because I do comparison shop every cruise and if we find a cruise on another line that is close in price to what CCL is charging we'd jump on it but we will continue to sail with CCL as long as they are hundreds to thousands less than the competition.

[going2cruz]

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

 

You’re not alone!!

A lot of our past cruise acquaintances love NCL and they keep asking us todo it, I keep telling myself I can't waste good vacation time.