Should I do NCL

[Butlersplace]

Tell me it,s not so. As a five time RCL cruiser I,m thinking about an Ncl cruise next year. From what I.m reading on this site I,m not sure I,d like it. With freestyle Iwould not expect to wait in line for food. I find this absurd. I read about ten or twenty minute waits! Also with the relaxed dress code I would not care to have dinner or any other meal with someone in sandles and tanktops reeking of the pool. I've read too that the crews have a severe case of the mumbles.Shows are crowded. (1 or 2 shows a night??) The best reviews seem to come from first time cruisers who don,t know any better so i came here for your advice. Thanks so much.

 

We did mexico on the star last feb. With kids the freestyle was good. We did miss nicer dinners and got board with the food. The teppanyaki rest. was superb and well worth the extra charge. We did have proplems with the reservations in the pay rest. always being full. The magic show guy was great. If you are not into formal nights and like eating whenever it may be for you. With that in mind we are trying carnival this nov. instead. Just for the dinning options with less buffet food. Good luck!

[TPEINC1958]

We did mexico on the star last feb. With kids the freestyle was good. We did miss nicer dinners and got board with the food. The teppanyaki rest. was superb and well worth the extra charge. We did have proplems with the reservations in the pay rest. always being full. The magic show guy was great. If you are not into formal nights and like eating whenever it may be for you. With that in mind we are trying carnival this nov. instead. Just for the dinning options with less buffet food. Good luck!

 

 

You think there are going to be more dining options on Carnival than there are on NCL.:eek:

 

Have done both lines and found very little difference in the food quality of either line. Although Carnival did have killer pizza, but alas it was in the buffet.

 

John

[newmexicoNita]

Perhaps I was reading member reviews on an older ship. Upon re- reading my post it does sound sort of bad. So sorry all!! I was planning going on the Gem which I think is a new ship so some of the bad things may not apply. By the way for those of you who have cruised other lines how does the quality of the food compare!

food is very subjective; for us, we like NCL better than NCL, about the same as Celebrity(maybe not quite as good) not as good as HAL. I am referreing tot he main dining rooms.

 

If you are seriously looking at the Gem, I am certain your experience will be every bit as good as on RCI. It may be a little different becasue of freestyle but should be a pleasant one.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Almost afraid to post my response, as I'm afraid of getting yelled at.........but here goes.

 

We were a first time cruiser in July on POH. We had read & studied different cruise lines. And also spoke to 3 friends & family members that have cruised more than once. We were warned about NCL but my husband was dead set on doing NCL & Hawaii.

 

First off, we LOVED Hawaii & would do it again in a heartbeat. However I don't think we'd do NCL again for along time. We were lucky in the fact we were in a suite so we got priority restaurant reservations & show seatings. But we spoke to several on board who were having nightmares with trying to get a dinner reservation. We saw more than one couple at more than one restaurant turned away because they were told the restaurant was full or there was too long a wait.

 

Food we found to be nothing great. Service was below average. My husband said he felt the food was no better than Denny's or Country Buffet. A couple of times on the buffet the food was cold or dry.

 

We did see a man in shorts & a lady in clearing a bathing suit cover up dress sitting at the table next to us in Alizar's (main dining room). We saw jeans, shorts with holes in them. Resort casual has gone to resort tacky. We were very disappointed in the dress code (or lack of it).

 

That being said, we did have a wonderful cruise the two of us. We made the most of it & decided we definetly had more fun off the ship than on it. And that's sad.

 

We will cruise again & are in the process of planning a Disney cruise right now.

 

So if you're only wanting beautiful ports & not expecting more than a floating hotel, then try NCL. If you're wanting a 5 star cruise experience stick with your tried & true.

 

Sorry if I offended anyone. Just stating my side.

I hope you don't get flamed either, but I do think there is something you need to remember: cruising Hawaii regardless of the line is very different than any other cruise experience. It is more for the visits to the islands than the overall cruise experience. YOu were not impressed with the food, food is subjective. What one loves another will hate.

 

The second and perhaps most important thing, that, if you did do your homework like you said (I beleive you) NCL and NCLA are as different in many ways as you can get. The ships look similar and the dining rooms are named similar, but the service, the food, entertainment, etc is different.

 

You are correct about it not bing 5 star; the cruise lines out there that would be cosidered 5 stars are about double the cost of the main line cruise ships.

 

Nita

[CC Help Michell]

Tell me it,s not so. As a five time RCL cruiser I,m thinking about an Ncl cruise next year. From what I.m reading on this site I,m not sure I,d like it. With freestyle Iwould not expect to wait in line for food. I find this absurd. I read about ten or twenty minute waits! Also with the relaxed dress code I would not care to have dinner or any other meal with someone in sandles and tanktops reeking of the pool. I've read too that the crews have a severe case of the mumbles.Shows are crowded. (1 or 2 shows a night??) The best reviews seem to come from first time cruisers who don,t know any better so i came here for your advice. Thanks so much.

 

I did read all the posts between OP and here. I've sailed RCCL and NCL. For the basic outlay of money NCL has a very clear advantage I can see in my checkbook, plus I LIKE Freestyle cruising. Note, I liked RCCL, too (I've sailed Explorer of the Seas -- and Liberty and Freedom both have my attention!) Some friends of ours are RCCL addicts, and won't sail otherwise -- and I've been searching for an RCCL for us to do together next spring break -- RCCL prices are 15-25% more than NCL's, no matter what dates/itineraries I check. We love our friends, so I might do it, but given the rest of what I say here, it's going to HURT!

 

I don't mind if for some reason I have to wait 10-20 minutes for a dining table (oh horrors! I think of it as similar to a land-based restaurant on a Saturday night -- I'll go get a drink, visit the photo gallery, shop, etc. until the table is ready). I LIKE the relaxed dress code -- I'm not a shorts-at-dinner person -- we go resort casual as NCL states -- and I've never felt "out of place." Yes, I have seen people in LeBistro in shorts and while I gave a mental :rolleyes: -- hey it's their vacation. What they do isn't about me and mine.

 

Just based on the original poster's original post, I really don't think you would be happy on NCL. If what others wear would bug you, if waiting ten minutes for a table would bug you, you would be better off on another cruiseline.

[Coastaljen]

I have cruised NCL twice and Holland twice. Cautiously wording this... The differences I saw...

 

I would say that I definitely prefer the food on Holland. I LOVED the food.

 

NCL had a much younger age range (even if I compared the two cruises over Christmas). It really didn't matter to me, but I did notice a difference.

 

Both added $10 a day tip..which I LOVE. However, I heard grumbling on Holland about it which surprised me. I LOVE not messing around trying to find tips, and I already asked Celebrity if I could have it just added on my bill.

 

One thing to think about, NCL does not allow you to book and then get a lower rate if the rate drops. I know the others I have dealt with do, and my travel agent said RCCL is very good about that. You just want to be l00% positive you are happy with the rate when you book it.

 

I am trying Celebrity this Christmas because I liked the itinerary. Next Christmas I think I am going to book one on RCCL. It was between two cruises I saw (NCL and RCCL), and I think I personally am going to try RCCL.

[beer1234]

To clear up the free booze rider thing of which there is no such thing. It so happens that an in-law will pick up the bar bill if I go on the trip. Maybe he thinks i'm a pest? Oh well, guess I'll drink up.

[nasvhillecruise]

Well, THAT'S a bummer! I'm sure many out there (myself included) would have been all over a free booze rider ;)

[Snerd]

To clear up the free booze rider thing of which there is no such thing. It so happens that an in-law will pick up the bar bill if I go on the trip. Maybe he thinks i'm a pest? Oh well, guess I'll drink up.

 

:( I finished the whole thread just to find the answer of the free beer rider!

 

Since I'm posting, I might as add my opinion. My first 3 cruises were on RCCL, all voyager class. The 4th was on Norwegian Sun. We are in our early 30s, don't like schedules and love casinos. In the last 3 RCCL, I think we only ate 3 times in the main dining room. Although worried that no other cruise line could possibly be as awesome as RCCL, NCL was a dream come true for us. (Mr.Snerd has actually been on HAL, CCL and some others, but we only count the cruises we have done together). The Sun is an older (we did research and booked right after her drydock renovations), smaller ship, and at first we missed the royal promenade and the grandeur of being on the largest most beautiful vessel in port. We quickly fell in love with the staff, the dining (like walking, into a restarant each night and eating for free), the casino and the extra hours of sleep on the disembarkation day. We spent most of the night, every night in the Casino and received a credit on our account on the Sun as well as a generous discount on our upcoming cruise. We never waited for a table in the main dining, but we do tend to eat later than most.

 

NCL was a perfect fit for us, but I do have to warn you that our vacations aren't about food or what other people are wearing, but about seeing other cultures and getting out to view this beautiful world of ours, and casinos and sleep of course.

 

Good Luck Beer, in whatever you choose. We chose to WHATEVER with NCL! :cool:

[newmexicoNita]

I have cruised NCL twice and Holland twice. Cautiously wording this... The differences I saw...

 

I would say that I definitely prefer the food on Holland. I LOVED the food.

 

NCL had a much younger age range (even if I compared the two cruises over Christmas). It really didn't matter to me, but I did notice a difference.

 

Both added $10 a day tip..which I LOVE. However, I heard grumbling on Holland about it which surprised me. I LOVE not messing around trying to find tips, and I already asked Celebrity if I could have it just added on my bill.

 

One thing to think about, NCL does not allow you to book and then get a lower rate if the rate drops. I know the others I have dealt with do, and my travel agent said RCCL is very good about that. You just want to be l00% positive you are happy with the rate when you book it.

 

I am trying Celebrity this Christmas because I liked the itinerary. Next Christmas I think I am going to book one on RCCL. It was between two cruises I saw (NCL and RCCL), and I think I personally am going to try RCCL.

Not true about lower rates if the rate does drop: All lines will allow this unless it is a special promo. Then, no, rate decrease will not be honored. This is true on RCI as well if it is Happy Hour pricing. Many people do not realize the promos do have restrictions.

 

That being said, I think you will like Celebrity but the food is better on HAL in my opinion.

 

Nita

[bmacri]

We got back a week ago on an Alaskan cruise on the Star.

Except for the first and last night, there were two evening entertainment times. Sometimes a third of a different nature later into the night.

 

We never, not once waited in line. We always ate at the specialty resturants after 9 pm to get the 2 for 1 specials. We ate 8:30 or after and never saw any line in the main restaurants. We walked up, said table for two and immediately sat down. I think once at lunch time we were in the crunch hour and had to wait for about 5 minutes for a table. Not a big deal.

 

And, we never saw anyone in shorts or flip flops or anything less than resort casual in the main dining rooms. Now in the buffet, when we passed through it, we did see more casual ware as it should be.

 

Since this was freestyle I found myself relaxing more towards the end of the cruise; more than my normal. I think it was the relaxed freestyle atmosphere. I didn't feel pressured to dress up for dinner although we always wore resort casual. And yes, there was a formal night where we did dress to the nines.

 

We loved it and were totally relaxed by the end of the cruise.

No worries.

[newmexicoNita]

John,

 

This was 7:00 at night in the main dining room. This is why we felt it was so unacceptable.

I have never, on any line seen someone in a cover up or a guy in shorts in the main dining room at 7pm; Blue Lagoon, maybe. It certainly would be unacceptable.

 

Nita

[phillyf]

I was just on the Dawn 8/11/07 cruise and the longest wait was 5 minutes. We were usually seated immediately and the ship was close to capacity.

I've sailed on NCL 3 times and have already booked my fourth cruise.

 

In the buffet area you may see some lesser dressed people however for all sit down breakfast lunch and dinner we did not experience any dinners that were inappropriately dressed, occassionally a child had shorts on. Almost every diner dressed for dinner in resort casual attire.

 

One family we ate dinner with was cruising with NCL for the first time and they were older 60-70s and they did not like the concept of freestyle dining since they had trouble scheduling their dinners and seeing the shows.

 

We love freestyle and if we want to see an 8.30 show we eat at 6.15, to us its a no brainer since we want to choose who we eat with and when and where.

 

I've also sailed on the NCL Spirit 2006 and will be sailing on her again for a one nighter 9/29/07 and also in August 2008.

 

Please note you can also make reservations for any restaurants, including the main and not have to wait at all. On the Spirit we had a party of 7 and never waited more then 10 minutes, zero with reservations. One night we had 11 and had reservations it took all of one minute to be seated.

[beer1234]

Thank you all so much for your information and help to make my decision. I'm sure I'll have a great time no matter what. Better than being home, right. Your opinoins were most welcome and again thanks to all.

[janabelle61]

My family is just back from the Spirit - first NCL cruise for all and as you can see by my signature, RCL is a frequent choice for us. My comments are specific to the Spirit since we have no experience with any of the other NCL ships and crews/ships vary widely even within lines.

 

Main Dining Rooms - Waits to get into the main dining rooms were minimal - 10 minutes max and the video screens indicating the status of each dining room were very helpful. However, service was sub-par - particularly in Windows (the main dining room). Not only was it slow, it was uncoordinated, causing some in our party to actually receive and finish their entrees before others were served. The 'team' concept promoted by NCL was not working on any level.

 

The food was mediocre and forgettable, but food quality is more about personal preference, so your thoughts may vary.

 

Shorts were allowed in Windows on the two evenings we ate there.

 

Specialty Restaurants - Dinner at Cagney's was exceptional - truly the highlight of our cruise. However, it frustrates me that we had to pay extra for the food quality and service that has been an integral part of previous cruise experiences. We did find making reservations to be very diificult. My impression is that if you're not in a suite, you get what's left - if anything. We were fortunate, after much persistence, to finally get a reservation at Cagney's.

[Cruisin'Kim]

We're sailing on NCL for the 1st time this January, and are really looking forward to it!

I've been reading the NCL board and have seen several discussions regarding the resort casual dress code on NCL that apparently aren't on the other cruise lines.

We have sailed on Celebrity and RCL, and on RCL have seen people dressed very casually in jeans in the main dining room many times. It didn't bother me at all, but when I mentioned that I was surprised to see it to my tablemates, they said that RCL allows jeans in the main dining room now.

One night we were at one of the specialty restaurants (Portofinos), and there was a whole table of people wearing jeans.

On Celebrity, people seemed to dress much more formally for dinner, but that was several years ago.

Now, I'm the first to admit I'm not sailing on NCL until January, perhaps I'm out of place making any observations until I do, but it seems to me that if someone is taking their 1st cruise and expects to see a huge difference with dress code at dinner between NCL and other lines such as RCL, there may not be as much of a difference these days as they believe...............

Anyway, I believe you should be able to dress for dinner the way you feel comfortable, whether that be "resort casual", or "dressed to the nines" - I go to expensive restaurants on land and dress up, but the people at the next table may have jeans on - what is being worn by people not with us doesn't detract from my husband and my "celebration" dinners.....and it doesn't make any difference at sea. If I want to dress up during my NCL cruise, I will, if I don't - I won't......the way I see it, that's the beauty of freestyle cruising - it's your choice!

Happy cruising!

Kim.