Long time Celebrity cruisers...

[lysolqn]

Fifty-six cruises under our belt, close to forty of which have been on Celebrity.  We've also cruised on Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Carnival (one and done, a long time ago!).  The last time we sailed with NCL was on Seaward back in the 90s and then shortly thereafter on Windward when it was brand new - so it's been quite a while.  Toying with the idea of booking an NCL cruise out of NY since the pier is very close to home and not having to fly is tempting.  Would like to know about NCL's strengths and weakness and if you've cruised with Celebrity, how NCL compares.  Thanks.

 

Edited February 15, 2019 by lysolqn

[mizLORInj]

Hi.  I'm one who:  "if it cruises from NY or NJ I will try it out."   I remember flying to FL for a bunch of cruises when I was a cruising baby in the early 00s, then when we took an 8 nighter on Carnival Miracle in maybe 2007, I said "why aren't we doing the ones from NYC more often?"  No wasted time in airports, etc.   Coming home is the best--with early walk-off we are home by 9am!  The time we'd just be getting to an airport in FL.

 

OK, last cruise on NCL was November on Escape, and last cruise on Celeb was the beautiful Equinox in 2003.   I thought the Equinox was a very elegant ship.   I have to say NCL's newer ships are similar in cabin/hallway area.   Public spaces are both good I think.  Food is personal taste--and IMO if you're hungry on a cruise you're too picky.  I can't say I favor NCL or RC or etc. food.  Entertainment--NCL and RC are way up there--can't speak to Celeb since it's been almost 6 years.   Reallly, I find the lines much more similar than different, and I can't say I dislike something or Love something more on one line vs. another--except I very much dislike NCL's no beverages to be brought onboard policy.   Even water will be confiscated if you have a bottle with you in a port. 

 

I'll say I think it best to try NCL for yourself.  I'm glad we've tried the various lines, and truly, we have not had a bad cruise yet!   

Also, keep in mind that RC Anthem of the Seas is home ported in NJ until 2020, and Adventure is here for the summer, so those are more choices from the tri-state area.  Oasis is coming next year!  woohoo! 

 

Happy cruising!

 

[Tommy3putts]

Hi.  We are Celebrity Cruisers (but not nearly as many as you) and we did our first NCL cruise last week on the Bliss.  I’m working on a “review” right now.  We liked the ship overall, especially deck 8 the Waterfront, but I think we are going to stick with Celebrity.   If you really like Celebrity and its service,  you may be disappointed, the NCL standards of service and amenities aren’t any where near Celebrity.  I have more details in my review.  I’ll try to post a link to my review, but if not it should be up this afternoon or tomorrow.

 

Cheers

 

Tom

 

[Two Wheels Only]

Are you looking at NCL in a suite/Haven or NCL in a non-suite (mini-suite, balcony, etc)?

 

There is a gap between the service/experience depending on which is selected.

[MJSailors]

1 hour ago, Tommy3putts said:

Hi.  We are Celebrity Cruisers (but not nearly as many as you) and we did our first NCL cruise last week on the Bliss.  I’m working on a “review” right now.  We liked the ship overall, especially deck 8 the Waterfront, but I think we are going to stick with Celebrity.   If you really like Celebrity and its service,  you may be disappointed, the NCL standards of service and amenities aren’t any where near Celebrity.  I have more details in my review.  I’ll try to post a link to my review, but if not it should be up this afternoon or tomorrow.

 

Cheers

 

Tom

 

👍 We have sailed on Celebrity and enjoyed those cruises. We have also taken two Breakaway cruises out of NYC,our home port.

We liked the Celebrity cruises very much. We will not be sailing with NCL again.

One difference between the two cruise lines is Celebrity’s no smoking policy in the interior of the ships.

On the NCL ships similar to the Breakaway, the casino is located midship,opened to decks six,seven and eight. These decks form the center of the ship,an atrium space.

The smoke permeates into the public areas on these decks. We did not appreciate this.

If you would prefer a cruise from the NYMetro area,you may consider Summit cruises from Bayonne,NJ.

Although with the number of Celebrity cruises you have taken, I am certain that you have taken cruises out of the NJ port.

[bigreckster]

We're former Celebrity cruisers who tired of the lack of entertainment and the "bland" offerings so we tried the Haven on the Getaway last month (had been in a Royal Suite on Celebrity) and loved the experience!!!   Dining in the Haven restaurant was equal to Luminae on Celebrity and the aft cabin w/ large balcony and butler service was great.  Entertainment was a huge improvement...Million Dollar Quartet was so good we went back to see it again!   It's a much larger ship but with many more activities and venues...the Haven pool/sundeck area is superb!   Try it...you'll like it!   (we've already booked for next Jan!)

[Tommy3putts]

Here is a link to my thoughts on our NCL Bliss cruise.  YMMV.

 

 

[Traveling Fools]

5 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Are you looking at NCL in a suite/Haven or NCL in a non-suite (mini-suite, balcony, etc)?

 

There is a gap between the service/experience depending on which is selected.

 

Two Wheels is right on target.  Need more information from you before a real comparison can be made.

[NLH Arizona]

As a long time Celebrity cruiser who also cruises on NCL, I appreciate what both have and try to sail at least once a year on NCL and once on Celebrity.

 

Cabin - I'd give it to Celebrity, as their cabins are bigger; my first cruise on NCL was in a balcony and I was quite surprised at the size.  NCL's are smaller, but they have adequate space for all your things.  

Food - I love the specialty restaurants, I love Cagney's and Teppanyaki on NCL.  I have only done the MDR on NCL a couple of times and didn't enjoy the service, atmosphere or food, where on Celebrity, I really like the MDR, who has really good food and great service.

Entertainment - I think NCL's entertain is much better than Celebrity.

Dress - NCL is a lot more casual than Celebrity.  No evening chic on NCL, but they do have a dress up or not night where folks get their pictures with the Captain.  On NCL, you'll see some folks in shorts and a t-shirt in the specialty restaurants for dinner.

Pools - I think NCL's chair hogging is worse than Celebrity, but you find it on both.

Cruisers - More families with children on NCL, even if you cruise during when children are typically in school.  NCL is louder, as far as passengers, than Celebrity.

Drink package - On NCL, if you get it as a perk, you have to pay service charge/gratuities at twenty percent and they don't include water or coffee.  NCL serves Pepsi, while Celebrity serves Coke.

Casino - There is smoking allowed in the casino on NCL, which gets pretty disgusting with the smell.

 

I cruise in a penthouse suite on NCL and concierge on Celebrity.  I would highly recommend a suite on NCL over the concierge cabin on Celebrity.

 

I've never had a bad cruise on either line.

 

 

[lysolqn]

17 hours ago, MJSailors said:If you would prefer a cruise from the NYMetro area,you may consider Summit cruises from Bayonne,NJ.

 

Although with the number of Celebrity cruises you have taken, I am certain that you have taken cruises out of the NJ port.

Many cruises out of NY/NJ over the years on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess.  Thinking about NCL for something different - but not too different!

[lysolqn]

Tommy3Putts, enjoyed your review of Bliss.  Thanks.

 

[MDTrip]

We have done 6 Celebrity and three NCL. Half of the Celebrity have been Aqua or Suite. Service is  a small bit better on Celebrity even in  MDR and lounges.  I found food better on NCL. Clientele is older and more sedate on Celebrity, and there are less children. It varies quite a bit depending on the itinerary with NCL, not so much with Celebrity. I found entertainment much better on Celebrity.  I feel more nickle and dimed on NCL. If price and itinerary were equal, I would go with Celebrity.  Our group is active 60's.