Princess vs NCL

[bdjam]

Hello bdjam...

 

Thank you for your thoughts and comparisons. This is exactly what I was looking for although I wasn't expecting folks to take the time to do the comparison like you did. It looks to me like NCL will be matching Princess now on several aspects of goods and services. Thank you again.

Yes, it seems that with 2.0, NCL is attempting to match the rest of the mass-market. Whether or not that will affect last minute sales by filling cabins sooner is to be seen. Perhaps given the resemblance Anytime Dining has to Freestyle Dining, there may be some Princess cruisers who go for NCL. I don’t think the same will result from Celebrity or HAL given the difference in the overall product. But this whole thread has been an interesting way for you to get information as to whether you’ll be able to get in on a last minute sale. :confused:

This IS the Princess board and a great forum to compare Princess to other cruise lines; however, that being said, it's not the forum to allow personal preferences to start a bickering match.. Each of us has our favorite cruise line(s) for various reasons and there's no "right or wrong" here.. We welcome fans of all the cruise lines on this board but not raise a ruckus.. lord knows we get enough of that amongst ourselves here, right guys?

I'm trying to be good, honest. It is comforting to know that I'm not the only cheerleader around. :rolleyes:

[bdjam]

Hello bdjam...

 

Thank you for your thoughts and comparisons. This is exactly what I was looking for although I wasn't expecting folks to take the time to do the comparison like you did. It looks to me like NCL will be matching Princess now on several aspects of goods and services. Thank you again.

Sorry for two posts, but I did want to mention that when you look at 2.0 point by point, it's really not moving NCL out ahead of the rest of the mass market.

[coffeebean]

Sorry for two posts, but I did want to mention that when you look at 2.0 point by point, it's really not moving NCL out ahead of the rest of the mass market.

 

I have cruised on NCL, Princess, RCCL, HAL, Celebrity and Carnival and have done a total of 21 cruises in the past 7 years. DH and I cruised on the Grand Princess early on in our cruise career. I don't remember too much about the ship. I know I enjoyed our Princess cruise because we haven't had a bad cruise yet... some have been great and some spectacular.

 

What I'm getting to is this...After cruising on all different lines and ships, IMO, NCL has produced the very best "action station" dining venue on sea or land. This is just a fancy term for buffet, but their concept beats out anything I've seen anywhere. Their newest ships, Pearl and Gem have this action stations dining venue and with Freestyle 2.0, NCL will be upgrading all their buffet dining venues on all their ships to Pearl and Gem standard and quality. The action stations have chefs waiting in most of the stations to cook your food to order. It is absolutely wonderful. With Freestyle 2.0, the action station venue will be given a new look at night with table cloths, silverware on the tables and "electric" candles. That should be nice.

 

Another aspect of the cruise experience that NCL has always excelled at above all the other lines I have cruised on is their production shows. IMO, NCL has the best and most elaborate costumes, light shows, singers and dancers and always has specialty acts. Entertainment is a big part of my cruise experience and NCL has always had top notch talent. Other lines' shows do not have the pizazz and production values of an NCL production. That's coming from someone who has been to more than 80 Broadway shows, mostly musicals. NCL always has a live orchestra during their production shows. Not all mass market lines have live musicians for their shows. I have seen recorded music in some of the other mass market lines' shows, HAL being one of them. Sometimes RCCL has done that too. I'm not a fan of recorded music for a live production show. But, that's just me. For me, the only shows that equal NCL's production shows are RCCL's ice shows on their Voyager class ships. They are top notch entertainment in my book.

 

Happy cruising!!!

[bdjam]

 

Happy cruising!!!

Regarding your post above, I’ve read the other threads that you’ve participated in and you’ve communicated the same thoughts very well. Its one reason I’m interested in your objectives for posting – you write very well – you should try marketing.

 

Again, for me personally, the attributes you list don’t make me want to jump on an NCL ship. I enjoy production shows and live entertainment and while I can see that there might be better production quality in the NCL product, what Princess offers me is just fine (and it must be for others as well because we constantly hear stories of how people can’t get into the shows). There's not enough of a difference for me to give up my Elite benefits, I'm sure.

 

I don’t use buffets regularly at all and only for breakfast when on ship. “Action stations” have no appeal to me. As you yourself have stated, retro-fitting ships with the Freestyle concept doesn't work as well as for ships that are specifically built for it - I hope this Action Station retro fit doesn't fall victim to the same circumstance. In reality, the quality of the food is what matters - and cooked to order doesn't always guarantee better quality. And I've already established that Princess is making changes to Horizon Court to improve the ambience.

 

It’s nice that NCL is trying to upgrade their product – it’s pretty clear from various posts here, on other boards and in the article you’ve linked that they need to do something in order to survive. But no matter how much they upgrade different facets of their product, the overall concept is the same – casual cruising on a less than formal (or, in my opinion, garish) ship. Not everyone wants that.

 

Maybe when 2.0 goes into effect and the majority of cruisers experiencing it come back with glowing reviews I’ll change my opinion. In the meantime, I’m totally unsure of your objective – if it’s to ensure that you can continue to book last minute deals as you indicated, this is just a really odd way of going about it.

[CrusinAgain]

So the article states the following within it:

 

-- Balcony and mini suites

-- A distinctive colored key card for ship wide recognition;

-- An "at your service" hotline;

-- A separate check-in for balcony and mini suite guests;

-- A personal escort to stateroom;

-- Priority disembarkation.

 

That is a cause for concern to me. Its nice that the balcony people get recognition but it sounds like a start to a class type system that the cruiselines tossed years ago except for one - Cunard.

 

So, the key cards will match the cabin that you are in making inside and outside cabins a lower distinction when out and about. Right now everyone is treated equal outside of the suites and I honestly do not like this part of the new Freestyle 2.0.

 

After my one and only cruise on NCL last month, I honestly feel like joining the Princess cheerleader's squad as I know the Princess product has always treated me well and I can depend on good entertainment and good food. I cannot wait until my April cruise on the Crown that says "Welcome Back" as I think "Welcome Home".

[coffeebean]

bdjam...

 

 

I’ve read the other threads that you’ve participated in and you’ve communicated the same thoughts very well. Its one reason I’m interested in your objectives for posting – you write very well – you should try marketing.

Thank you for the compliment regarding my writing. I never gave it a thought that my communication skills are that good.

Again, for me personally, the attributes you list don’t make me want to jump on an NCL ship.

I'm finding out that lots of folks who are loyal to their cruise line can not and will not be swayed by upgrades on a line they have no interest in. Folks, such as yourself, who have a vested interest in their favorite cruise line and have reached a status which offers them "perks" for their loyalty will undoubtedly remain loyal to their cruise line. No, this is not any kind of marketing ploy, just my overt curiosity.

I don’t use buffets regularly at all and only for breakfast when on ship. “Action stations” have no appeal to me.

I know you are not alone in your preferences as I have read on this message board many folks do not eat at buffets.

But no matter how much they upgrade different facets of their product, the overall concept is the same – casual cruising on a less than formal (or, in my opinion, garish) ship. Not everyone wants that.

Different strokes for different folks, as "they" say. Garish is Carnival, not NCL, IMO. There is a huge difference in the decor of these two cruise lines. NCL is not boring like HAL or Celebrity and is more like the gorgeous ships of RCCL, IMO. Princess ships are tastefully done.

Maybe when 2.0 goes into effect and the majority of cruisers experiencing it come back with glowing reviews I’ll change my opinion. In the meantime, I’m totally unsure of your objective – if it’s to ensure that you can continue to book last minute deals as you indicated, this is just a really odd way of going about it.

Seriously, if Freestyle 2.0 upgrades are a big hit and the ships fill up quickly, we won't get those last minute deals like we have in the past. That's how DH and I have been able to do 21 cruises in 7 years, mostly in balcony cabins.

 

Happy cruising!!!

[coffeebean]

So the article states the following within it:

 

-- Balcony and mini suites

-- A distinctive colored key card for ship wide recognition;

-- An "at your service" hotline;

-- A separate check-in for balcony and mini suite guests;

-- A personal escort to stateroom;

-- Priority disembarkation.

 

That is a cause for concern to me. Its nice that the balcony people get recognition but it sounds like a start to a class type system that the cruiselines tossed years ago except for one - Cunard.

 

So, the key cards will match the cabin that you are in making inside and outside cabins a lower distinction when out and about. Right now everyone is treated equal outside of the suites and I honestly do not like this part of the new Freestyle 2.0.

 

 

I agree with you on this. In fact, I started a thread on the NCL forum regarding the color coded key cards and stated that I do not like this upgrade. I feel that it is no one's business what type of cabin I am in. The more I think about this, the more I realize that the crew will treat the "lesser" folks in a different way and service may suffer.

[newmexicoNita]

Regarding your post above, I’ve read the other threads that you’ve participated in and you’ve communicated the same thoughts very well. Its one reason I’m interested in your objectives for posting – you write very well – you should try marketing.

 

Again, for me personally, the attributes you list don’t make me want to jump on an NCL ship. I enjoy production shows and live entertainment and while I can see that there might be better production quality in the NCL product, what Princess offers me is just fine (and it must be for others as well because we constantly hear stories of how people can’t get into the shows). There's not enough of a difference for me to give up my Elite benefits, I'm sure.

 

I don’t use buffets regularly at all and only for breakfast when on ship. “Action stations” have no appeal to me. As you yourself have stated, retro-fitting ships with the Freestyle concept doesn't work as well as for ships that are specifically built for it - I hope this Action Station retro fit doesn't fall victim to the same circumstance. In reality, the quality of the food is what matters - and cooked to order doesn't always guarantee better quality. And I've already established that Princess is making changes to Horizon Court to improve the ambience.

 

It’s nice that NCL is trying to upgrade their product – it’s pretty clear from various posts here, on other boards and in the article you’ve linked that they need to do something in order to survive. But no matter how much they upgrade different facets of their product, the overall concept is the same – casual cruising on a less than formal (or, in my opinion, garish) ship. Not everyone wants that.

 

Maybe when 2.0 goes into effect and the majority of cruisers experiencing it come back with glowing reviews I’ll change my opinion. In the meantime, I’m totally unsure of your objective – if it’s to ensure that you can continue to book last minute deals as you indicated, this is just a really odd way of going about it.

Could you clarify the statement "people can't get into shows" I have cruised over 20 times, all mass marketed lines except Princess, which will change in 16 days and have never not gotten into a show. HAL was often a challenge as the type of guests who like HAL also find their sole evening entertainment seeing the show. Never have we had a problem with a NCL show. Are you referring to the overlap at dinner thus some don't get out in time to see the show? I have seen that happen on rare occassions.

 

AS for garrish, this is a matter of opinion: I find the new NCL ships energizing and fun. My husband, who isn't easily impressed and like me, has cruised several times remarked the minute we entered the Jewel, his words or word as it was, "WOW".

 

Nita

[coffeebean]

Could you clarify the statement "people can't get into shows" I have cruised over 20 times, all mass marketed lines except Princess, which will change in 16 days and have never not gotten into a show. HAL was often a challenge as the type of guests who like HAL also find their sole evening entertainment seeing the show. Never have we had a problem with a NCL show. Are you referring to the overlap at dinner thus some don't get out in time to see the show? I have seen that happen on rare occassions.

 

AS for garrish, this is a matter of opinion: I find the new NCL ships energizing and fun. My husband, who isn't easily impressed and like me, has cruised several times remarked the minute we entered the Jewel, his words or word as it was, "WOW".

 

Nita

 

Nita...

I'm counting down the days until you are on your Princess cruise. I'm axious to hear your unbiased opionion of Princess cruise line and how it compares to NCL. Which Princess ship will you be cruising on?

[Host Caroline]

Okay, this is starting to look more like an NCL thread than a Princess thread:rolleyes::confused: It really has very very little to do at this point --- and especially since my last post -- with Princess cruises but more a discussion of NCL's freestyle cruising upgrade or whatever they are calling it (sorry, no time to read word for word).

As I said before, there IS no right or wrong= if you don't like the product don't sail on it BUT please don't come on the Princess board just to voice frustrations and concerns regarding another cruise line's product.. that should be done on that board i.e. in this case NCL.

So if this thread really continues to be more what people do/don't like re NCL I would ask that you please start a thraed on the NCL board to discuss it.

Thanks for your cooperation

[deppong]

Could you clarify the statement "people can't get into shows" I have cruised over 20 times, all mass marketed lines except Princess, which will change in 16 days and have never not gotten into a show. HAL was often a challenge as the type of guests who like HAL also find their sole evening entertainment seeing the show. Never have we had a problem with a NCL show. Are you referring to the overlap at dinner thus some don't get out in time to see the show? I have seen that happen on rare occassions.

 

AS for garrish, this is a matter of opinion: I find the new NCL ships energizing and fun. My husband, who isn't easily impressed and like me, has cruised several times remarked the minute we entered the Jewel, his words or word as it was, "WOW".

 

Nita

 

I think that the poster who said garish might have used the wrong word or has never really been on NCL. In comparison Princess RCCL Celebrity are all very traditional elegant looking ships. NCL has big flowers in bright colors on the side of the ship. Could be called garish if your looking for the traditional look. But the inside of the pearl was just as beautiful as Princess RCCL or Celebrity. Dont judge ANY book by its cover. If you like NCL good for you and keep on sailing. If your like us we just like cruising and the little things don't matter that much. It's the whole package that counts and I think that all of the lines have their good and bad.

[CrusinAgain]

Could you clarify the statement "people can't get into shows" I have cruised over 20 times, all mass marketed lines except Princess, which will change in 16 days and have never not gotten into a show. HAL was often a challenge as the type of guests who like HAL also find their sole evening entertainment seeing the show. Never have we had a problem with a NCL show. Are you referring to the overlap at dinner thus some don't get out in time to see the show? I have seen that happen on rare occassions.

 

AS for garrish, this is a matter of opinion: I find the new NCL ships energizing and fun. My husband, who isn't easily impressed and like me, has cruised several times remarked the minute we entered the Jewel, his words or word as it was, "WOW".

 

Nita

 

Nita, I think the poster was saying about "people can't get into shows" as being Princess has 2 showings in the evening (both the same) and they both fill up rapidly. Just get there at least 20-30 minutes before showtimes to get a good seat as you will see how rapidly the seats fill up. Explorer's Lounge generally has a show around 9ish also depending on what your taste is sometimes it is really hard to choose what to go to so we eat early so we can have the evening free for the shows.

[bdjam]

I think that the poster who said garish might have used the wrong word or has never really been on NCL. In comparison Princess RCCL Celebrity are all very traditional elegant looking ships. NCL has big flowers in bright colors on the side of the ship. Could be called garish if your looking for the traditional look. But the inside of the pearl was just as beautiful as Princess RCCL or Celebrity. Dont judge ANY book by its cover. If you like NCL good for you and keep on sailing. If your like us we just like cruising and the little things don't matter that much. It's the whole package that counts and I think that all of the lines have their good and bad.

I've not been on a new NCL ship - you are correct. I chose the word garish because all of the pictures that I have seen of these ships - in cabin, atrium, lounges, restaurants - contain very bright colors (I think there was one atria with red furniture and green carpet). So bright that it was over done. I like the interiors of Princess' ships - subdued and classy. It's got nothing to do with the exterior of the ship.

 

One of the things that people base their ship choices on are pictures that they see in brochures, magazines and reviews. I don't need to be ON the ship to realize that I don't like the decor.

Nita, I think the poster was saying about "people can't get into shows" as being Princess has 2 showings in the evening (both the same) and they both fill up rapidly. Just get there at least 20-30 minutes before showtimes to get a good seat as you will see how rapidly the seats fill up.

Correct.

[RSWBADGER]

I've not been on a new NCL ship - you are correct. I chose the word garish because all of the pictures that I have seen of these ships - in cabin, atrium, lounges, restaurants - contain very bright colors (I think there was one atria with red furniture and green carpet). So bright that it was over done. I like the interiors of Princess' ships - subdued and classy. It's got nothing to do with the exterior of the ship.

 

One of the things that people base their ship choices on are pictures that they see in brochures, magazines and reviews. I don't need to be ON the ship to realize that I don't like the decor. Correct.

 

One would be more credible if they choose to comment on facts and direct knowledge and experience.

 

I myself post on actual experiences, and try not be be speculative.

[newmexicoNita]

I've not been on a new NCL ship - you are correct. I chose the word garish because all of the pictures that I have seen of these ships - in cabin, atrium, lounges, restaurants - contain very bright colors (I think there was one atria with red furniture and green carpet). So bright that it was over done. I like the interiors of Princess' ships - subdued and classy. It's got nothing to do with the exterior of the ship.

 

One of the things that people base their ship choices on are pictures that they see in brochures, magazines and reviews. I don't need to be ON the ship to realize that I don't like the decor. Correct.

 

We too thought the new look would be gaudy, just from the pictures. As I said, when we actually saw the Jewel we realized how untrue this was. The colors are bright and energetic, but done in very good taste. Would I want my house in the colors? NOPE, I would get too tired or them, to quickly but for a ship and a few weeks at a time they are fun. I think if you even decide to try one of the new ships you will feel differently; maybe not...

 

To me, the Carnival Glory is garish, and I have been on her. Again, my feelings, not necessarily always right in others eyes.

 

As for the shows, NCL does have 2 showings every night with the exception of one or two nights like some other lines we have cruised.

 

After we cruise Princess I will have a better idea as to which line suits us best.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Nita...

I'm counting down the days until you are on your Princess cruise. I'm axious to hear your unbiased opionion of Princess cruise line and how it compares to NCL. Which Princess ship will you be cruising on?

We will be leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow morning; can't wait. We choose the Golden, it is leaving out of LA, an itinerary Pat hasn't done plus it gives me a perfect chance to do a fair comparison because the ship is the exact age of the NCL Star and the itinerary is similar plus the ships are somewhat similar in size though the Golden is bigger.

 

Nita

[coiran]

NCL had announced "Freestyle 2.0" upgrades. Here is the link...

 

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071219006036&newsLang=en

 

How would you compare Princess to NCL after " NCL Freestyle 2.0" upgrades are all in place???

 

Shouldn't this be on the NCL board or are you promoting NCL cruiseline fleetwide???

Ron

[newmexicoNita]

Shouldn't this be on the NCL board or are you promoting NCL cruiseline fleetwide???

Ron

I think she is simply asking Princess cruisers how they think the 2 lines will compare?

 

Nita

[bdjam]

One would be more credible if they choose to comment on facts and direct knowledge and experience.

 

I myself post on actual experiences, and try not be be speculative.

Probably so. On the other hand, I'm looking at the brochures that NCL supplies to sell their product. Does this mean that the brochures don't adequately represent the product? If I'm choosing not to sail NCL because of what I see and read in the brochure and it's not correct, then am I at fault or is NCL?

 

When I see a picture of an atrium that is garishly decorated, my reaction is based on the facts in the picture and my direct knowledge (I don't like garish) and experience (I don't like garish). If one chooses to consider my opinion invalid because I've not been there, that's up to them. But I don't have to go on the ship to know that the product isn't something I would like...and I'm certainly not going to spend the money for an NCL cruise just so that I know my opinion is correct. I'm not speculating about that.

The colors are bright and energetic, but done in very good taste.

"Taste" is a matter of opinion. It's nice that we have different cruise lines to choose from. If I had to sail NCL, I'd go for land vacations.

[coffeebean]

We will be leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow morning; can't wait. We choose the Golden, it is leaving out of LA, an itinerary Pat hasn't done plus it gives me a perfect chance to do a fair comparison because the ship is the exact age of the NCL Star and the itinerary is similar plus the ships are somewhat similar in size though the Golden is bigger.

 

Nita

 

Nita...

 

DH and I have cruised on Princes only once a few years ago and the Golden is the ship we were on. It didn't leave a lasting impression on me. The only thing I remember is the disco club way up on the top deck with gorgeous views all around. I remember going up to the disco during the day, and they were changing all the carpet. Like I said before, I don't remember too much more about the ship. The large movie screen was not in place at the time we were on her.

 

Have a great time and happy cruising!!!

[coffeebean]

Shouldn't this be on the NCL board or are you promoting NCL cruiseline fleetwide???

 

Ron

 

Hi Ron...

 

After reading these message boards, I have come to the realization that lots of folks who are fans of other mass market cruise lines look down upon NCL and say some pretty mean things about this cruise line.

 

I have posted the link to the Freestyle 2.0 upgrades and posed this same question on the RCCL and Celebrity forums. Just curious if folks will try NCL after the upgrades are all in place. DH and I book a lot of cruises last minute for the discounts offered. I'm wondering is the ships will become booked up faster because of the upgrades luring folks from other cruise lines to try NCL.

 

Happy cruising!!!

[Opinions]

On the other hand, I'm looking at the brochures that NCL supplies to sell their product. Does this mean that the brochures don't adequately represent the product?

 

Do the Princess brochures that no longer show guests in formal attire adequately represent their product?...Or is this the product that Princess is now selling!

[bdjam]

Do the Princess brochures that no longer show guests in formal attire adequately represent their product?...Or is this the product that Princess is now selling!

Given that Princess requires formal attire or formal evenings in the dining rooms, it's not a correct representation of the product they present. Perhaps they should update their brochures. Thanks for supporting my point.

[newmexicoNita]

Given that Princess requires formal attire or formal evenings in the dining rooms, it's not a correct representation of the product they present. Perhaps they should update their brochures. Thanks for supporting my point.

By formal, what do you mean? I have been told by several clients that for men, sport jackets, ties and slacks are quite acceptable on formal nights. That to me isn't all the formal. Are you saying suits and tuxes are the only thing accepted on those nights in the dining room?

 

Nita

[deppong]

By formal, what do you mean? I have been told by several clients that for men, sport jackets, ties and slacks are quite acceptable on formal nights. That to me isn't all the formal. Are you saying suits and tuxes are the only thing accepted on those nights in the dining room?

 

Nita

 

Nita Formal means anything from a nice dress to a formal gown. I think they mean something dressy enough that you might wear to a wedding of a friend or collegue. But I have see tuxes and formal gowns also.