Rcl V/s Costa V/s Ncl

[nicknish]

Hey

 

Looking for a 7 days mediterrean cruise. All three cruise lines have offers . Since Its my first time i dunno what to choose. Saying all itinaries are working , please give me info about the ships , interior cabins ,food and service in general.Any information will be appreciated.Thanks:)

 

ps: wats the diff bet RCL AND RCCL?

[lady_cruiser]

I cannot comment on Costa but I can say that if I had a choice between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian I would take Royal Caribbean even if it meant I had to spent a little extra money to do so.

[cruiser429]

I've been on Costa for a Caribbean cruise. Wasn't what I was accustomed to from any of the other cruise lines. I expected food to be superb--it was adequate. Easily I would pick RC (my favorite) or Princess. Stay away from Costa--it's definitely not in the same category.

[nicknish]

Yup , after researching a bit , i have terrible reviews for costa. And yes like advised i will stay away from them.Thank You:)

[kitty9]

RCI and RCCI are the same, some just leave out the additional C. NCL is an all casual all the time line with no assigned times or tables for dinner. I think that policy tends to dilute the service and I don't find their food to be as good as other lines. Costa is your basic KMart of cruises and while they have their supporters, I don't care for it. I like RCCI, Princess and Celebrity and even Carnival has cleaned up their act quite a bit, so that might be another choice for you.

[klct39lg]

Here are some reviews for Norwegain Gem and RCI Splendor of the Seas

 

Gem: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=385

 

SOS: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=81

[CruisnGram]

I highly recommend NCL. I enjoy being able to go to dinner whenever I choose, varying times from day to day. Also enjoy the freedom to dress formally if I wish, or resort casual. Also enjoy all of the different dining venues available. Have found the food to be as good as the other mass cruise lines and the entertainment far superior. NCL's disembarkment is the best in the industry...love having my cabin till the moment I walk off the ship.

 

No matter which you chose, have a great cruise!

[BeachBumMama]

Both lines will offer a chance at a wonderful cruise. RCI and NCL. I haven't sailed Costa so I can't compare that one. Your mass market lines will all give you good food, activities, entertainment, nice ports, etc. The major difference will be in the dining.

 

The Med cruises tend to be a bit port intensive, so for me personally, NCL freestyle with no specific dinner times would work much better than either 6:00 or 8:00. Whether it would be better for you or not, I'm not sure, that's something you'd have to decide for yourself.

 

But the two are pretty comparable. You'd just have to decide which has the better itinerary for you and price.

 

Have fun whatever you decide.:)

[nicknish]

Thanks Everyone!!

 

AFter a bit of research i havent heard the best about COsta , so its safe to say ill be crossing that off my list! NCL is better as freedom with dinner . Not a fan of timetables! Will decide soon.Thanks.

[MonaCK]

Yes - glad you crossed Costa off of your list. While I might go on them again if the cruise was gifted to me, it would definitely be my last choice of cruise lines to go on again.

 

There are some differences between NCL and RCCL -- overall, I liked RCCL a bit better, as I think that freestyle diining is not for us. I also think, that overall, despite the fact that the price point is lower on NCL, it cost us more money in the end as our tendancies were to try the pay restaurants. Since there is only one (or at most two) on RCCL I didn't have the same need. Our average bill after a week on RCCL (and Carnival for that matter) was $1000, and with NCL it was $1400. And mind you, DH and I do not drink much more than a couple of drinks a week.

 

Whatever you decide, i am sure that you will have a wonderful time :)

[bluesea777]

Old RCCL = Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, new RCI = Royal Caribbean International.

 

Compare the itineraries - look at the port times. Compare each of the ship's excurions at each port. Decide what time you want to eat.

 

RCI offers 2 sittings - early 6:00 ish and main 8:00ish - and remember that once you choose you may not be able to change.

 

NCL has several restaurants. The buffet style restaurant is open from 5:00 for dinner and it's a good place to stop by to have dinner when returning from excursion hungry and not wanting to change. This allows shorts as dress (other restaurants forbid shorts).

 

Lastly, do you like formal nights?

 

May you pick the best cruise!

[Essiesmom]

RCCL = Royal Caribbean Cruise Line..

RCI = Royal Caribbean International, parent company of RCCL, Celebrity, Azamara. EM

[lizzy77]

I think the most important thing about chosing a cruise line to see the med is to check the itinerary.

For this reason we chose the Carnival Freedom. Main reason being the ports of call and we were not disappointed at all. It was fantastic and we would rate it as being as good as Princess.

[Warmer Climes]

I haven't done Costa and I haven't done a Mediterranean cruise, so my advice is probably not very useful. But, hey, when did that stop me? :)

 

I have done two RCI cruises and two NCL cruises. My next cruise is booked on NCL. I like both. I booked the next cruise on NCL because we have to go on a certain week (Feb. school break) and NCL had the best itinerary and a great accomodation for DH, DD and me (mini-suite). Another factor that is crucial for us is a great kids program and both NCL and RCI have delivered that to us.

 

Barb

[nicknish]

Hey ,

 

Whats this weekly bill thing? Both me n hubby dont drink , so what would be the weekly expense? If we dint eat at the speciality restaurants , What would our expense be? Thanks:confused:

 

Yes - glad you crossed Costa off of your list. While I might go on them again if the cruise was gifted to me, it would definitely be my last choice of cruise lines to go on again.

 

There are some differences between NCL and RCCL -- overall, I liked RCCL a bit better, as I think that freestyle diining is not for us. I also think, that overall, despite the fact that the price point is lower on NCL, it cost us more money in the end as our tendancies were to try the pay restaurants. Since there is only one (or at most two) on RCCL I didn't have the same need. Our average bill after a week on RCCL (and Carnival for that matter) was $1000, and with NCL it was $1400. And mind you, DH and I do not drink much more than a couple of drinks a week.

 

Whatever you decide, i am sure that you will have a wonderful time :)

[kitty9]

No one can tell you what your bill will be---that's very individual. You'll pay extra for photos, bottled water, soft drinks, juices not gotten in the buffet, shore excursions, bingo/casino, fancy coffees and anything you purchase in the shops. Some don't have any bill at the end of the cruise and some with have bills in the four figures.

[Morgsmom]

I've been on RCI and Costa. We are choosing Costa for the Med this fall precisely because they are an Italian/European cruise line and I felt that we would have a better chance of it being authentic in the Med than RCI or NCL. I don't agree with the statement that Costa is the Kmart of cruising -- I'd leave that to its parent line, Carnival (YUCK YUCK, but my opinion only after 1 nasty cruise on the Fascination.)

 

I agree with the poster who indicated checking the itinerary, but my only week this fall was Thanksgiving (due to school vacation for the whole week) so my choices were limited. The 7 night cruise cruise for 2 is costing me far less than on other lines and with airfare to tack on, it made an otherwise out of reach trip "do-able."

 

The Costa posters are few on CC, and not nearly as vocal as some of the others, thus the perception of negative reviews. It is definitely a much different experience, from the food to the atmosphere to the elevators that speak Italian :) . I wouldn't rule it out of the consideration set if money is an issue,too.

[klct39lg]

Hey ,

 

Whats this weekly bill thing? Both me n hubby dont drink , so what would be the weekly expense? If we dint eat at the speciality restaurants , What would our expense be? Thanks:confused:

 

If you don't buy anything extra... soda cards, sodas, cocktails, beer, specialty coffees, excursions, photos, casino, bingo, souvenirs, then you would only have gratuities on your bill. For two people @ $10 per day per person for a 7 day cruise it would be $140.:)

[MonaCK]

on NCL, I think for us, it was a few pictures, the soda cards, a few drinks, and a couple of shore excursions. We also ate at the specialty restaurants - I think a total of 3 of them. So that added up. Also, they charge a corkage fee for wine bottles as you are boarding the ship, so that was on as well.

[nicknish]

Your right ,

 

 

Its a subjective issue. I just wanted to get a rough idea. Definitely dont' want huge bills , got school to go back to :D . THanks!!!

 

No one can tell you what your bill will be---that's very individual. You'll pay extra for photos, bottled water, soft drinks, juices not gotten in the buffet, shore excursions, bingo/casino, fancy coffees and anything you purchase in the shops. Some don't have any bill at the end of the cruise and some with have bills in the four figures.

[nicknish]

thanks for ur speedy reply , sure helps alot!!!:)

 

on NCL, I think for us, it was a few pictures, the soda cards, a few drinks, and a couple of shore excursions. We also ate at the specialty restaurants - I think a total of 3 of them. So that added up. Also, they charge a corkage fee for wine bottles as you are boarding the ship, so that was on as well.

[nickie218]

I've been on RCI and Costa. We are choosing Costa for the Med this fall precisely because they are an Italian/European cruise line and I felt that we would have a better chance of it being authentic in the Med than RCI or NCL. I don't agree with the statement that Costa is the Kmart of cruising -- I'd leave that to its parent line, Carnival (YUCK YUCK, but my opinion only after 1 nasty cruise on the Fascination.)

 

I agree with the poster who indicated checking the itinerary, but my only week this fall was Thanksgiving (due to school vacation for the whole week) so my choices were limited. The 7 night cruise cruise for 2 is costing me far less than on other lines and with airfare to tack on, it made an otherwise out of reach trip "do-able."

 

The Costa posters are few on CC, and not nearly as vocal as some of the others, thus the perception of negative reviews. It is definitely a much different experience, from the food to the atmosphere to the elevators that speak Italian :) . I wouldn't rule it out of the consideration set if money is an issue,too.

 

I agree with the poster above, if $$ is the determining factor then Costa beats most other lines. I have sailed the Carnival Fascination a few times and the Costa Mediterena just few weeks back.

 

Carnival is a much louder ship, the crowd is younger and you get more locals(i.e. South Floridians) going then on most other ships. Personally I would much rather travel Carnival then Costa but it is all a matter of opinion. Costa has a HORRIBLE kids program, average food and average service.

 

My service on Carnival was always awesome, LOVED the waiters and room stewards on every cruise I have been on, which is over 10 on Carnival. The cruise staff on Carnival was from the Caribbean(Bahamas and the other islands) super friendly to everyone, BUT the ship was just average and not as nice and clean as RCI.

 

I am taking a trip to Italy in the summer of 2010 and as much as I detest Costa I will probably sail with them at that time because the price is unbelievable when they offer kids to sail for free. I have a huge advantage because I now know what to expect so I wont be so dissapointed with Costa.

 

I sailed on a few NCL cruises waaaay back in the day so my thoughts would no longer be relevant, BUT I hear great things abotu there newer ships.

 

A safe bet is RCI, then NCL and finally Costa.

 

Have fun!!