Now what would you choose between these 2 cruises?

[SugarAim2]

Hi,

You all were so helpful that I'm back for advice again.

 

I'm now deciding between the Norwegian Pearl and Carnival Liberty. Both are Megaships I think, and new... The Liberty is a 6-night and Pearl 4-night.

 

Like most, I've heard mixed things about Carnival, but since the Liberty is new I'm thinking it would be similar to a RCL? The Norwegian Pearl seems really great too... Can't decide!

 

Thanks :)

Amy

[wwinfl91]

For my 2 cents worth I would always take the longest cruise I can afford so I would vote for the Carnival Liberty. We were supposed to sail on her initial transatlantic cruise but had to cancel and regreted it. Supposingly this is the least "CARNIVAL" of the Carnival ships. Better food, good service and a nice decor.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[CaptData]

I too say the longer cruise if possible. But if you want to dine when and where you want then the NCL Peral would be your choice.

[miami]

I would take the NCL Pearl over Carnival simply for the freestyle dining and no formal nights. But I would also consider the ports.

[Nebr.cruiser]

I'd take the longer cruise too, but we have to fly to get to any ports--too much trouble for four days. We've enjoyed the Carnival cruises we've been on. Maybe not our favorite line, but still good. I haven't sailed Norwegian.

 

The ports visited are often the reason we choose a particular cruise, so you might want to take that into consideration.

[rvrgirl]

Hands down Liberty. Why wouldn't you want to go on a longer cruise if you can afford it?

As to the poster that said "This is the least Carnival of the Carnival ships"

According to your signature, you have not sailed Carnival so that must be just hear say:rolleyes:

[kitty9]

Carnival is really trying to upgrade their image away from the party till you barf concept. For me, I'm not at all an NCL fan---don't care for the freestyle concept---don't like having to stand in line waiting for a dinner table every night---food and service on NCL is basically OK and sometimes pretty poor. Give me a longer Carnival cruise any day.

[clackey]

Give me a longer Carnival cruise any day.

I'll drink to that. A 6 day cruise always beats a 4 day, even if one of the stops is Jamaica.

[Cruzman]

IMHO this is a no brainer; Carnival Liberty!

[Happy ks]

While I've sailed NCL a couple of times and been fine with Freestyle, no waiting for dinner, no poor service. Actually, some of the best ship meals we've ever had were on NCL ships in their specialty restaurants. Even better than some of the fine land based restaurants we've been to.

 

But, I'll have to go with a majority rules here, the longer the cruise, the better.

 

Main stream cruising on the major lines is so close in experience, it's getting to the point where you really only have to choose decor and port preferences. We prefer RCI because of the decor of their ships over their competition.

[newmexicoNita]

i am truely an NCL loyalist as most know, but probably as objective as one can be as well. Being a TA I have to be. If you were my cliant I would say 6 day over 4 anytime. Of course this depends on the prices as well and the number of ports. Some love port intensive cruises, others prefer sea days; this is a decision only you can make. I know some are not fans of NCL, depending on the NCL ships they have sailed. One can't compare the Dream or Wind with say, Celebrity's or RCIs newer ships, nor would you try and compare the Ecstacy with the NCL Jewel. I don't know if this helps at all, but hopefully it will give you some honest ideas. NMNita

[caviargal]

The Liberty is a Conquest class ship and, IMRE, amongst the most poorly designed ships are sea.

 

I have never felt as crowded, herded and simply overwhelmed by the masses as on Glory. Lines were everywhere and simply walking down the hallway at a popular time took patience. The stadium seating at the pools was a joke and the dining room, with its booths, singing waiters, loud announcements, etc., was not my cup of tea.

 

Having been on both, there is simply no way I would ever get back on a Carnival ship, no matter how long or how cheap.

[newmexicoNita]

The Liberty is a Conquest class ship and, IMRE, amongst the most poorly designed ships are sea.

 

I have never felt as crowded, herded and simply overwhelmed by the masses as on Glory. Lines were everywhere and simply walking down the hallway at a popular time took patience. The stadium seating at the pools was a joke and the dining room, with its booths, singing waiters, loud announcements, etc., was not my cup of tea.

 

Having been on both, there is simply no way I would ever get back on a Carnival ship, no matter how long or how cheap.

good points< I too am not a fan of Carnival. Though I haven't cruised them in years I have toured the Glory and the Valor; I didn't care for either, but again, that is my opinion. If the OP really would like the 2 extra days and knows what to expect ahead of time she may have a great time. I have cliants that have cruised about every line, can afford any of the mass marketed products and did a transatlantic on Carnival last fall. To their surprise they loved it. They are also a couple that hated the NCL Majesty but had a blast on the Dream; 2 reasons, 1, they knew what to expect because of the price and 2-they were with good friends. They also loved the Jewel even though 3 years ago they swore they would never cruise NCL again. I guess it just depends. NMNita

[CruiseBoy00]

Carnival Liberty, its 6 days and the other one is only 4 days.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Carnival Liberty is not like any Royal Caribbean ship. I've sailed on Liberty and decided it would be both my first and last experience with Carnival. But then you need to ask yourself if you care more about the itinerary or the ship?

 

For me if both itineraries are roughly equal, then choose by the ship. But if there is a substantial difference in itineraries, choose by the itinerary. So a six-day itinerary beats a shorter one almost in every case.

 

You may find that you do like Carnival Liberty. It is one of their newest ships if not THE newest. Each passenger has his or her own preferences about what a ship should offer. The ship could be just to your liking. Give it a shot and then for your next cruise move up to Royal Caribbean.:D

[NAS-KARR]

We choose a cruise in the fol'g order;

 

first..........the itinerary

second.........the lenght,10 days min.preferably more

thirdly........time of year

forth..........creuise line

fifth..........ship size

 

 

CIAO,

[momofmeg]

The Liberty is a Conquest class ship and, IMRE, amongst the most poorly designed ships are sea.

 

I have never felt as crowded, herded and simply overwhelmed by the masses as on Glory. Lines were everywhere and simply walking down the hallway at a popular time took patience. The stadium seating at the pools was a joke and the dining room, with its booths, singing waiters, loud announcements, etc., was not my cup of tea.

 

Having been on both, there is simply no way I would ever get back on a Carnival ship, no matter how long or how cheap.

 

Part of what you said I agree with- that Carnival ship is a mega ship and NO WAY-I have read the conquest class ships get really congested and I had enough of that on Mariner of the Seas-so I will not do a voyager class again either- but then I probally would not care for the Pearl either-since that is also a mega ship. I guess I need to read up on the class of ship the Pearl is. I don't have enough knowlege about the Pearl to really reply I guess.

 

I would cruise the Carnival Miracle again though. It was a full ship but not congested and I thought the lido-pool area was nice and also it had plenty of non smoking lounges with good entertainment. I liked that ship and it was spirit class.

 

I will be on the Caribbean Princess next month-another mega ship-so I will let you guys know how that goes-I realize I may be spending lots of time on my balcony if that ship is congested. Others who had cruised the Caribbean Princess and Mariner of the Seas indicated to me that the way the ship was laid out that the CP was not near as congested as MOS except for in the show Lounge which only held 750 people was just not big enough.

 

The problem with the MOS although the ship is really huge compared to the Princess Grand class-is all the shops and many of the lounges are all in the promanade area-with the mainshow lounge not far from that area and the casino just one deck below-so it gets really concentrated with people there in the evening. The Princess Grand class has these things spread out more over the ship which helps with the congestion. At least that is what I have been told.

 

To the OP-Caviergal and I both really do not like the mega ships and crowds-this may not bother you at all.

 

I, myself, am wishing the mainstream cruiselines would come out with more smaller ships of less then 2000 people. But that seems to be a thing of the past. For a small ship-you have to cruise an old ship now.