RCCL vs. NCL Cruise Costs: Not Happy

[wdsted]

We've cruised on NCL with local RCCL friends a couple of times and have finally relented to join them on an RCCL cruise in October '19. We're considering a 7-day out of Miami on Symphony of the Seas and a 12-day out of Rome to Greece. I've priced both for NCL and RCCL and am amazed at the difference in value. In both cases, balcony cabins with fees and taxes are about the same but the total NCL price includes the alcohol and upgraded dining package. Also, we're Platinum + on NCL and receive additional perks which we always use (2 more upgraded dining coupons, free laundry). I also noticed that RCCL charges more for non-refundable bookings and for booking on higher decks. The net of it is, after we purchase the RCCL beverage package, we'll be paying well over $1000 more for RCCL for a 7-day Carribbean cruise during hurricane season. Why do so many people on this board always say they're both about the same price? They sure aren't for the small sample I've taken.

[CruisingNole]

If I were to guess, it's because you're sailing on the shiniest, biggest new toy at sea.

 

What NCL ship are you comparing the fare with? I'm not so sure there is an NCL ship that is even comparable to Symphony...

[wdsted]

If I were to guess, it's because you're sailing on the shiniest, biggest new toy at sea.

 

What NCL ship are you comparing the fare with? I'm not so sure there is an NCL ship that is even comparable to Symphony...

 

The Carribean cruise options are Symphony of the Seas/Breakway. For Greece, it's Jewel of the Seas/Jade. We've always enjoyed the Breakaway and all NCL Jewel-class ships.

[tallnthensome]

If I were to guess, it's because you're sailing on the shiniest, biggest new toy at sea.

 

What NCL ship are you comparing the fare with? I'm not so sure there is an NCL ship that is even comparable to Symphony...

Unless you're sailing the Escape or Encore, the Symphony OTS itself warrents a highre price versus some old NCl ship. This is the usual case on all cruise lines. Newest ships cost more ..... Which one was it from NCL?

[graphicguy]

Every once in awhile, I find an RCCL sailing that’s relatively comparable price wise to other cruise lines. But, they do tend to cost more for comparable sailings and ships.

 

I believe the Escape, Away class and Bliss and Sypmphony would be comparable.

[CruisingNole]

The Carribean cruise options are Symphony of the Seas/Breakway. For Greece, it's Jewel of the Seas/Jade. We've always enjoyed the Breakaway and all NCL Jewel-class ships.

 

I think you answered the question yourself. You're comparing apples to oranges.

[david_sobe]

RCCL used to always be more expensive than NCL. However you cant compare the NCL Jade to the RCCL's newest and biggest ship. Check prices on the NCL Bliss vs the NCL Jade. You will see a huge price difference there too ;)

[zqvol]

We've cruised on NCL with local RCCL friends a couple of times and have finally relented to join them on an RCCL cruise in October '19. We're considering a 7-day out of Miami on Symphony of the Seas and a 12-day out of Rome to Greece. I've priced both for NCL and RCCL and am amazed at the difference in value. In both cases, balcony cabins with fees and taxes are about the same but the total NCL price includes the alcohol and upgraded dining package. Also, we're Platinum + on NCL and receive additional perks which we always use (2 more upgraded dining coupons, free laundry). I also noticed that RCCL charges more for non-refundable bookings and for booking on higher decks. The net of it is, after we purchase the RCCL beverage package, we'll be paying well over $1000 more for RCCL for a 7-day Carribbean cruise during hurricane season. Why do so many people on this board always say they're both about the same price? They sure aren't for the small sample I've taken.

 

Too many people who claim that NCL is too expensive fail to make such a thorough evaluation of the costs. I have long claimed that as long as NCL gives the perks you almost always have a less expensive cruise on NCL.

[BNBR]

I mean, NCL doesn't have anything remotely similar to Symphony. Symphony is the latest, greatest, biggest cruise ship in the world. It's like comparing first class to a jump seat. So that might be your problem right there.

 

Have you compared a Royal ship that is actually more comparable to the NCL ship you are looking at? I mean comparing Breakaway and Symphony is a joke. Of course Symphony warrants a higher fare.

 

And to be blunt, Symphony is worth a lot more than $1000 extra, sounds like a bargain.

[CruisingNole]

 

Have you compared a Royal ship that is actually more comparable to the NCL ship you are looking at? I mean comparing Breakaway and Symphony is a joke. Of course Symphony warrants a higher fare.

 

And to be blunt, Symphony is worth a lot more than $1000 extra, sounds like a bargain.

 

Out of curiosity, I did a mock booking for the same month the OP is referencing for both Symphony and Breakaway. Breakaway fare was actually MORE expensive than the Symphony for a mid-ship OV balcony. But it was obviously more expensive because the "free" drink package is factored into the fare.

[BNBR]

I'm not sure your dates, but I compared Allure (which is MILES better than Breakaway) for the same date... October 6th.. during hurricane season and from the exact same port (Miami). Both are oceanview balcony rooms. Allure with the $100 onboard credit has an effective price that is $1,308.86 CHEAPER than NCL... With Breakaway on this fare you would get Dining and Drink package. (read: You are PAYING for the "free" drink and dining package, don't fool yourself). For $330 you can get the ultimate dining on Allure which is FAR better than the package on NCL as you get specialty dining all 7 nights on Allure. And about $700 would get you the drink packages, which are also superior to NCL's drink package (includes bottled water, too). So if you total that up, Royal is hundreds less, for a far superior product, on the same dates from the same port.

 

Better ship. Better dining package. Better drink package. Lot less money. You should switch to Royal and be less disappointed.

 

Your are welcome.

 

 

 

[newmexicoNita]

If I were to guess, it's because you're sailing on the shiniest, biggest new toy at sea.

 

What NCL ship are you comparing the fare with? I'm not so sure there is an NCL ship that is even comparable to Symphony...

It is true and you are right about trying to compare one to the other. People have to take itinerary and class of ship into consideration. As for the other part, from what I have heard the Bliss is as nice a ship as one could expect on a mass marketed line. I think they might compare to the Symphony. I certainly do not know this for sure. The important thing, as you mentioned is: make sure everything is equal when trying to decide which is the best deal. Reviews do not always tell the story as we all know reviews are a matter of opinion and are very subjective. :cool:

[newmexicoNita]

I mean, NCL doesn't have anything remotely similar to Symphony. Symphony is the latest, greatest, biggest cruise ship in the world. It's like comparing first class to a jump seat. So that might be your problem right there.

 

Have you compared a Royal ship that is actually more comparable to the NCL ship you are looking at? I mean comparing Breakaway and Symphony is a joke. Of course Symphony warrants a higher fare.

 

And to be blunt, Symphony is worth a lot more than $1000 extra, sounds like a bargain.

remember trying to compare, as I mentioned a minute ago is a matter of opinion. It depends on what someone is looking for when planning a cruise. Certainly size has little to do with good or bad. The luxury lines have small ships but are still superior to mega ships. Wouldn't you agree?

[sverigecruiser]

RCCL used to always be more expensive than NCL. However you cant compare the NCL Jade to the RCCL's newest and biggest ship. Check prices on the NCL Bliss vs the NCL Jade. You will see a huge price difference there too ;)

 

He/she compared Jade to Jewel of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas is not a very new and big ship. I haven't cruised on Jewel of the Seas but I visited her when the was in Stockholm a few years ago and I really think that Norwegian Jade is a better ship.

[sparks1093]

As has been said many times you have to shop around, no one line is "always" less than the others. When I was looking to book a cruise for next April I looked at NCL, CCL and RCI. Pricing for balcony cabins, all for the same time frame, all out of the northeast. RCI (Anthem) was $1776, CCL (Pride) was $2200 and NCL (Escape) was $3600. Prior to this whenever we were looking to book a cruise CCL had "always" been less than the others and had I been locked into that thinking we would have missed out on a great deal. (Of course since we've booked the cruise RCI's prices have gone up and the same cruise when I checked last week was going for around $2300.)

[4774Papa]

We did our first Royal C cruise on Explorer of the Seas from Sydney to Seattle. Because we were Elite on Celebrity, we were Diamond on NCL. Unlike NCL both Celebrity and RCI have wonderful happy hours with free drinks. Royal's runs from 4:30 to 8 and you can order wine in the MDR until 8.

 

On our 23 day cruise, we never purchased a single alcoholic drink (also didn't have the drink package). NCL's drink package doesn't include a good cabernet anyway.

 

When comparing prices for cruises recently, we were struck by how much cheaper RCI was than NCL and Celebrity. RCI doesn't bundle.

 

Of course, that didn't apply to your cruise. Sometimes the choice of ship can run up the cost. We loved the ice shows on RCI. Amazing.

We booked RCI over NCL for our Norway Arctic Circle cruise in June next year. RCI price was better.

[BNBR]

remember trying to compare, as I mentioned a minute ago is a matter of opinion. It depends on what someone is looking for when planning a cruise. Certainly size has little to do with good or bad. The luxury lines have small ships but are still superior to mega ships. Wouldn't you agree?

 

The luxury lines are superior in certain ways and for certain people. But I actually wouldn't agree that a smaller luxury line is generally superior to a Royal mega ship. I like all the activities, shows, etc. I prefer larger resorts over boutique hotels as well.

 

The size of the ship can have a lot to do with good or bad. Or as I might phrase it "good" or "better".

[4774Papa]

I'm not sure your dates, but I compared Allure (which is MILES better than Breakaway) for the same date... October 6th.. during hurricane season and from the exact same port (Miami). Both are oceanview balcony rooms. Allure with the $100 onboard credit has an effective price that is $1,308.86 CHEAPER than NCL... With Breakaway on this fare you would get Dining and Drink package. (read: You are PAYING for the "free" drink and dining package, don't fool yourself). For $330 you can get the ultimate dining on Allure which is FAR better than the package on NCL as you get specialty dining all 7 nights on Allure. And about $700 would get you the drink packages, which are also superior to NCL's drink package (includes bottled water, too). So if you total that up, Royal is hundreds less, for a far superior product, on the same dates from the same port.

 

Better ship. Better dining package. Better drink package. Lot less money. You should switch to Royal and be less disappointed.

 

Your are welcome.

 

 

 

Great analysis, Many people don't want to crunch the numbers.

[CruisingNole]

Great analysis, Many people don't want to crunch the numbers.

 

Which is why NCL can claim to offer "free" beverage packages, and people actually believe that it's "free."

[BNBR]

Which is why NCL can claim to offer "free" beverage packages, and people actually believe that it's "free."

 

Bingo ;)

 

And because these packages are included, they give you less because you should just be happy they are "free." ie. No bottled water on drink package and more limitations on liquor. Dining package is only what, 3 or 4 nights? It's pretty smart marketing, really. You get less, pay more, and think you are getting free stuff.

[tawaik]

I'm not sure your dates, but I compared Allure (which is MILES better than Breakaway) for the same date... October 6th.. during hurricane season and from the exact same port (Miami). Both are oceanview balcony rooms. Allure with the $100 onboard credit has an effective price that is $1,308.86 CHEAPER than NCL... With Breakaway on this fare you would get Dining and Drink package. (read: You are PAYING for the "free" drink and dining package, don't fool yourself). For $330 you can get the ultimate dining on Allure which is FAR better than the package on NCL as you get specialty dining all 7 nights on Allure. And about $700 would get you the drink packages, which are also superior to NCL's drink package (includes bottled water, too). So if you total that up, Royal is hundreds less, for a far superior product, on the same dates from the same port.

 

Better ship. Better dining package. Better drink package. Lot less money. You should switch to Royal and be less disappointed.

 

Your are welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with your comparison.

Sailing on NCL Getaway in three weeks on a casino offer. We paid $413 PP for 7-days and that price includes administration fee (?) taxes and gratuities for dining package and normal gratuities . Casino offer will be the only way that I will sail with NCL. Booked on RCL for December and the price was way lower than NCL! I was able to use OBC during a Wow sale and purchased one specialty dining and excursion in Jamaica for $74! I thought this was a bargain and this will be my first cruise with RCL.

 

[sparks1093]

Bingo ;)

 

And because these packages are included, they give you less because you should just be happy they are "free." ie. No bottled water on drink package and more limitations on liquor. Dining package is only what, 3 or 4 nights? It's pretty smart marketing, really. You get less, pay more, and think you are getting free stuff.

 

There is an entire science behind marketing terms and the term "free" is up there as a term that will get the consumer to part with their hard earned money. I never take any company's claims at face value and always try to comparison shop.

[PTC DAWG]

I say sail on ships you like at the price you are comfortable with...choices are good...

[MouserNY]

Out of curiosity, I did a mock booking for the same month the OP is referencing for both Symphony and Breakaway. Breakaway fare was actually MORE expensive than the Symphony for a mid-ship OV balcony. But it was obviously more expensive because the "free" drink package is factored into the fare.

 

 

 

Go with Symphony of the Seas, it will be a far better deal. We traveled on Harmony of the Seas last Summer for our first ever cruise and absolutely loved the cruise and Ship! This year we decided to try NCL and are just coming off the Getaway ship, really a downgrade for us. Yet paid pretty much the same prices, only for the drink package free because of the at sea promotion but paying for royal Caribbean drink package was far more a better value because it offered more and better quality drinks! The food was horrible in the NCL MDR, I’m usually not too picky with my food but, it was barely edible. Plus the wait staff was lackluster and showed no interest while serving us. Royal the food was great everywhere, MDR and specialty restaurants. We wish we would of just sailed on harmony again this summer. We will never sail with NCL. It’s a shame our second cruise was not so good in comparison to our first last year.

 

 

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[CruisingNole]

Go with Symphony of the Seas, it will be a far better deal.

 

I was just giving an example to help out the OP.

 

TRUST ME, if given the choice I would never pay MORE money for Getaway vs Symphony. :D

 

Sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience but hopefully next time will be better!