Princess "Any Time Dining" vs NCL "Freestyle Dining"

[Wanderlust30]

Has anyone done both? Are they basically the same? What are the differences?

 

TIA ! ! !

[newmexicoNita]

tia,

 

We haven't done "personal choice" but will next month. From what I have heard there really isn't much difference. On ships that offer a form of personal choice they also have traditional; NCL is strictly "freestyle" I have heard and this could be not totally true, the wait for "personal choice" can be longer than with freestyle. That is the main difference if, indeed it is the case. I will be filling everyone in when we get back.

 

Nita

[A Sixth?]

Done both, they are virtually identical save the fact that Princess's food quality and choice is much better than NCL IMHO

[willysgrandma]

Well, they aren't exactly the same. The idea is the same, the execution is not.

 

On NCL, you do not have to dress for dinner. You can go to dinner in jeans. They have a separate dining room for those who want to dress up for dinner. On Princess, you are expected to dress the same as you would in traditional dining, formal nights and all.

 

On NCL, there is no choice - it's freestyle dining throughout the ship. On Princess, you have a choice of Anytime or traditional.

 

Other than that it is the same. But the food is better in Princess IMO.

[sultan_sfo]

What we liked about our 1-cruise experience with NCL are the no-charge alternate restaurants with totally different menus. We loved the Chopsticks -- excellent Chinese, Malay, Indian and other Asian food. One has to make reservations for these alternate restaurants. We could not make it to the Pasta Restaurant because of rough seas! Princess has the same menu in all the dining rooms./Sultan

[cruisemom42]

I have read some reviews on the NCL boards recently because I'm considering trying NCL again for various reasons.

 

Many posters there suggest that booking the restaurants can be a bit chaotic. Some choice venues are hard to get. And eating in the dining room appears to be shunned due to the quality of the food not being great. Also have read the buffet is not as good as Princess offers.

 

I'm curious whether anyone who's been on both Princess and NCL recently could also comment on these observations. I don't want to have to worry excessively about where I'm going to end up eating dinner each night on a cruise vacation -- that's one reason why I cruise. And I'm reluctant to post my query on the NCL boards for fear some will take it as a flame....

[Clutterlady]

Have been on both. We had to book 2 pay venues on NCL Dawn as soon as we boarded. Were able to eat at Cagney's which is their steak house. Food was very good, service horrible. Also ate at LeBristo, their French restaurant and the food was also very good and good service. The dining room food was not good at all (my opinion.) The buffet was ok, standard buffet food.

 

Was never able to eat at any of the other venues, unless we wanted to eat at 9:00 pm!! Way too much of a hassle to book other venues.

 

Hope this helps:)

[Wormy53]

We usually cruise with Princess and choose anytime dining. In September we went on the Norwegian Dawn due to an amazing price to NE/Canada. Here is what we found:

 

Princess: same dress code throughout ship

we eat later (8:30-9:00) - so just walk up and get a 2-top without

any wait

better overall food - can eat in main dining venues

 

NCL: wear whatever (people dressed better than I presumed)

had to call every day to make a reservation in the restauants we

wanted to eat in) LeBistro, Cagney's, Impressions,and Salsa -

LeBistro by far the best

tried the main dining room twice (won't do that again)

 

So to me freestyle was less "go when you're ready" than anytime dining was. However, if you must eat at 7:00pm with most everyone else, then you may have to wait. PS Save room for Princess's souffles:D

[cruisemom42]

Have been on both. We had to book 2 pay venues on NCL Dawn as soon as we boarded. Were able to eat at Cagney's which is their steak house. Food was very good, service horrible. Also ate at LeBristo, their French restaurant and the food was also very good and good service. The dining room food was not good at all (my opinion.) The buffet was ok, standard buffet food.

 

Was never able to eat at any of the other venues, unless we wanted to eat at 9:00 pm!! Way too much of a hassle to book other venues.

 

Hope this helps:)

 

 

Thanks; very helpful!!

[GeorgetteCruz]

We have done both Grand Princess and NCL Star. I agree with most of the posters here have said. Princess you still dress for dinner, and better food.

On NCL booking the free alternates was terrible, and we couldn't ever get in. We didn't want to book the first day, because hey, the concept is freestyle. Maybe that was our downfall.

 

On both if you were with a group, say 6 or more, there always seemed to be at least a short wait. With 2 of us, we always got seated immediately (maybe had a 5 min wait one time.)

[willysgrandma]

I've been on both and found that if you want to eat at an alternate restaurant on ANY ship regardless of the line, you need to book the reservation as soon as you get on the ship.

[iancal]

In the last 12 months we have had freestyle experience on the NCL Sun and on Star Princess. There were 2 of us travelling on each cruise-the first with my father, the second with my spouse.

We never had any issues on either ship. As I recall on Princess, there were two dining rooms-same kitchen just two floors. Sometimes there would be a wait on one floor yet we would be seated immediately on the other. Never waited more that 10 minues on either line. On NCL, we tried the Italian (forget the name). It was first rate. When we made a reservation, the staff person mentioned that the charge was 1/2 price on formal nights. NCL had more restaurants and the food was good. Dining room on Princess was slightly better but we liked the variety on NCL Sun. Frankly, both were fine. Let's face it, at best you are getting banquet food. We found the differentiators to be presentation and service. We go with the flow and have never had a bad cruise. Overall, we gave a slight edge to Princess of food. We fould that NCL had MUCH better entertainment. Princess shows seemed more like high school productions with good costumes. But this is very much a personal taste issue. On NCL Sun, I was travelling with my father who is 85. He was treated like a king on NCL. He could not walk 10 steps with a cup of coffee or a plate without a staff member approaching him, taking the cup or plate, and escorting him to our table ( I put this down to the management and staff on the ship vs. the cruise line. We also found NCL was much more rigorous in enforcing the hand sanitation rule. Not sure if this was simply optics or if it actually helps. On Princess, we were really turned off on the second day by some lady pawing the deserts tray (they were poor) and the fruit with her bare hands. We stopped going to the Lido after that.

[RSWBADGER]

We have sailed all three?

 

Princess, NCL and NCLA, there is a big difference in food between the NCL's and amongst their own fleet.

 

First NCL, from personal experience on the NCL Pearl and Sky (Pride of Hawaii), absolute excellent experiences, many more dining options than Princess and Cagneys and Le Bistro was an excellent dining experience for us each time, NCL Pearl had an excellent selection for the Buffet, we were very impressed. But the wide selection of specialty restaurants are not offered on the smaller ships, creating discontent with NCL Cruisers. Suite passengers can make reservations with their butler in advance for the entire cruise.

 

NCLA, we have sailed the Pride of America and Aloha, watered down Menu's and spotty service. The specialty restaurants went from excellent to poor depending on the visit. But I'd do it again in a hearbeat due to the intinery, excursions and service. Easy to make reservations. Suite passengers can make reservations with their butler in advance for the entire cruise.

 

Princess, We absolutely have enjoyed our past cruises, we always do anytime dining for two, our only complaint is the hoops you have to go through to get a decent private table for 2, most are 8 inches away from the larger tables, hardly a good dining experience, it seems to take a long conversation with the Maitre'd to get a good table.

[dclark]

My sister was on the NCL Star last week and she said the food in the dining room was horrible, terrible service and long waits for a table.

She said that Cagney's was good, but if you are going to spend $50 extra each day for food that is better than slop, then you best factor that into the price of the cruise.

She actually lost a lb on that cruise. The last time that happened to her was on RCL back '89, but that was food poisoning. So, NCL is in dubious company in our family.

if you were to take all the opinions of free dining rooms on Princess and NCL, I think you would find a few that rate princess outstanding, a lot that think it good and a few that think it poor.

Do the same with NCL and none will say it is outstanding, and split between ok and poor.

Look at the other boards- when Princess is mentioned, most say the food is good to great. When NCL is mentioned,most say it is fair to poor.The only forum will you'll find most people liking the NCL dining room food is the NCL forum. In fact, over on the CCL board, someone even posted a picture of the "seafood" that is served on NCL- it looks downright creepy!

[NAS-KARR]

They're THE SAME........only NCL's food REALLY SUCKS BAD, all ten or so restaurants.

Don't do it......you'll be sorry.

 

 

 

CIAO, :D

[Umbarger]

I have done both and loved both. Just returned from NCL Dawn for two weeks. Food was not bad at all. In fact we never ate in the pay restaurants as the food in the free dining rooms was so good. Loved Salsas and Impressions. Free Mexican and Italian restaurants. (Can't get this on Princess) You usually need reservations for these depending on when you go. A few times we just showed up and were seated without reservations but that was right at 5:30pm when it opened. We never had to wait for a table even on Lobster night in the dining rooms. I really enjoyed the variety of food on NCL.

 

The biggest difference I found between the two was seating. On NCL we were always seated alone at a table for two. On Princess we were always seated at a large table with others.

 

I encourage you to post on the NCL board........ you will not get flamed. I frequent both Princess and NCL boards and find posters are all happy to help. I am not a Princess or NCL cheerleader I am a Cruise cheerleader!!!!:D

[cbcloud]

I have done both and loved both.

...I am not a Princess or NCL cheerleader I am a Cruise cheerleader!!!!:D

Totally agree..! I've done both this year, and the differences are minor. Our "anytime" on the Star turned into a standing reservation, since we liked our waiter and his assistant so well. Most of the tables around us did the same thing.

The food may be a little better on Princess than the POAm, but it was good both ships, but was best on the RCL ships. Fine cuisine is not the priority when we cruise...we can get that locally. I would select the cruise based on itinerary and price, and food would be secondary.

[newmexicoNita]

I have read some reviews on the NCL boards recently because I'm considering trying NCL again for various reasons.

 

Many posters there suggest that booking the restaurants can be a bit chaotic. Some choice venues are hard to get. And eating in the dining room appears to be shunned due to the quality of the food not being great. Also have read the buffet is not as good as Princess offers.

 

I'm curious whether anyone who's been on both Princess and NCL recently could also comment on these observations. I don't want to have to worry excessively about where I'm going to end up eating dinner each night on a cruise vacation -- that's one reason why I cruise. And I'm reluctant to post my query on the NCL boards for fear some will take it as a flame....

 

ok, I am an NCL loyalist even though I cruise all lines and I promise not to flame you. As for quality of food, first food is subjective as we all know and I have read enough reviews about Princess lately to be a little worried about the food on our upcoming cruise. It all demends on how we view things. Heck it I cruised only for the meals I would just stick with HAL. Now, the dining room reservations for the alternative dining. The problems exist pretty much with trying to book the last 2 or 3 days of the cruise and wanting the non charge alternative dining restaurants on NCL. Of course the habachi table isn't easy to book, no matter when you try. They only have 3 seatings a night and only serve 16-18 at a time. We found the secret was to not rush down at 7am and stand in line, but to approach the reservations table shortly after breakfast. The only place we could not get reservations was the Italian restaurant; we didn't even try until 2 days before the end of the cruise.

 

I just did the NCL Star and found the food to be very good, but not outstanding by any means. as for the buffet, well, i thought it was an improvement over years past. There were lox each morning for breakfast, a waffle and eggs made to order bar and 3 mornings the buffet was complete with eggs benedict. This is something I have never seen on any cruise in the past. I still wouldn't rate the buffet wonderful, but certainly not awful.

 

I hope this helps you a little and don't worry about getting flamed. Go over, ask the question and blow off anyone who takes your inquiry as negative in any way.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

My sister was on the NCL Star last week and she said the food in the dining room was horrible, terrible service and long waits for a table.

She said that Cagney's was good, but if you are going to spend $50 extra each day for food that is better than slop, then you best factor that into the price of the cruise.

She actually lost a lb on that cruise. The last time that happened to her was on RCL back '89, but that was food poisoning. So, NCL is in dubious company in our family.

if you were to take all the opinions of free dining rooms on Princess and NCL, I think you would find a few that rate princess outstanding, a lot that think it good and a few that think it poor.

Do the same with NCL and none will say it is outstanding, and split between ok and poor.

Look at the other boards- when Princess is mentioned, most say the food is good to great. When NCL is mentioned,most say it is fair to poor.The only forum will you'll find most people liking the NCL dining room food is the NCL forum. In fact, over on the CCL board, someone even posted a picture of the "seafood" that is served on NCL- it looks downright creepy!

dont' judge something you haven't tried. I can understand why you feel the way you do if your sister had such horrible food, but your remarks about ratings if you go to the NCl boards is off base. Plus with all the choices, especially on the Star there would be no reason for anyone to spend $50 per night. My heavens there are many places to eat, no charge that are alternative dining rooms and very good food. One is Endless Summer, probably as good as any standard food we have had and we have cruised 20 plus times. Even the main dining rooms certainly are not slop. How can anyone call Beef Wellington, Lobster/sea food platter, prime rib, beef strogonoff, peacan crusted fish, pork loin, etc slop?

 

Nita

[karatemom2]

We have been on both the NCL Star and the Dawn Princess and I have to say that I found them to be quite equivalent as far as food goes. Some meals were better than others on each ship. The Beef Wellington was delicious on the Star, but the beef tenderloin was better on the Dawn. Overall I found the soups and desserts a bit better on the Star, but the entrees were probably a bit better as a rule on Princess. I can't say I loved every meal on either ship, but I was rarely disappointed either. We really enjoyed the choice of restaurants on the Star, and did some of the additional charge venues as well as the main dining rooms. I don't think any reasonable person would be disappointed by the food on either NCL or Princess.

[cruisemom42]

ok, I am an NCL loyalist even though I cruise all lines and I promise not to flame you. As for quality of food, first food is subjective as we all know and I have read enough reviews about Princess lately to be a little worried about the food on our upcoming cruise. It all demends on how we view things. Heck it I cruised only for the meals I would just stick with HAL. Now, the dining room reservations for the alternative dining. The problems exist pretty much with trying to book the last 2 or 3 days of the cruise and wanting the non charge alternative dining restaurants on NCL. Of course the habachi table isn't easy to book, no matter when you try. They only have 3 seatings a night and only serve 16-18 at a time. We found the secret was to not rush down at 7am and stand in line, but to approach the reservations table shortly after breakfast. The only place we could not get reservations was the Italian restaurant; we didn't even try until 2 days before the end of the cruise.

 

I just did the NCL Star and found the food to be very good, but not outstanding by any means. as for the buffet, well, i thought it was an improvement over years past. There were lox each morning for breakfast, a waffle and eggs made to order bar and 3 mornings the buffet was complete with eggs benedict. This is something I have never seen on any cruise in the past. I still wouldn't rate the buffet wonderful, but certainly not awful.

 

I hope this helps you a little and don't worry about getting flamed. Go over, ask the question and blow off anyone who takes your inquiry as negative in any way.

 

Nita

 

 

thanks for the details! I have a nice $500 cruise credit with NCL, and now I feel more reassured about giving them a second try. (My only other cruise on NCL was more than 10 years ago.....)

[dclark]

d. Even the main dining rooms certainly are not slop. How can anyone call Beef Wellington, Lobster/sea food platter, prime rib, beef strogonoff, peacan crusted fish, pork loin, etc slop?

 

Nita

 

They didn't have any lobster.

Here is what NCL considers to be quality seafood:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=673122

 

As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words.

[karatemom2]

They didn't have any lobster.

Here is what NCL considers to be quality seafood:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=673122

 

As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words.

 

 

We enjoyed our lobster on the NCL Star very much. We also had lovely shrimp cocktails almost every night. Blue Lagoon had excellent Fish and Chips and on another evening I had a delicious swordfish steak. We never saw anything that looks like your photo. I'm not sure that's a really fair representation and based on my experience the seafood offerings were very good.

[ginagirl]

During the past year, we have sailed on the Pride of Hawaii and Princess to Hawaii. NCL's main dining room left a lot to be desired in quality and service. So we immediately booked every night, alternating between Cagney's and Le Bistro, both extra charge venues. These 2 restaurants excelled in quality, service and ambiance. From what other passengers who also loved these 2 restaurants told us, the free restaurants on The Pride were no better than the main dining room. As for the Princess sailing, the food was excellent in the main dining room. Would I sail NCL again, not unless they offer us complimentary dining every night in Cagney's or Le Bistro. Otherwise, I find it distasteful to "HAVE" to pay so much additional to dine in restaurant that is enjoyable.:eek:

[newmexicoNita]

They didn't have any lobster.

Here is what NCL considers to be quality seafood:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=673122

 

As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words.

golly, are you telling me the seafood platter didn't have Lobster? the picture you posted was not the seafood platter that is offered the first sea day. The seafood platter offers Lobster tail, scallops, salmon and is served over fittichini (spelling) and though, I will admit, not as good as many years ago, no line is, was very enjoyable. the picture you were showing has nothing to do with any of NCLs seafood entrees. Maybe you would help all of us if you could tell us when you were cruised NCL?

 

I will add one little more thing, why other than tradition is everyone getting so upset about the lines (RCI and others as well) cutting back on the Lobster. It certainly isn't fresh or Maine lobster that has always been servied, but frozen and isn't the best quality anyway.

Nita