coldweather

(Post 2 of 4)

FOOD

Main Dining Room:

Carnival Fascination:  Grade 😄   Only ate dinner in the main dining room 2 times on a 7 day cruise. The food was so-so. I noticed as others have reported there are no table cloths in the dining room except on formal night.  I would have never noticed this except people on CC comment about it.  The dining room tables were nice without the cloth.  They had some type of subtle decoration on each table.  This was fine for me.  I ate breakfast in the dining room most mornings.  I enjoyed that there were 3 or 4 items listed as more of a “health” choice.  I loved the egg white frittata and the avocado toast.

NCL Dawn:  Grade A:  Food was great! White table cloths for every meal including breakfast.  Wait staff puts cloth napkin your lap (I don’t care for this but I know others have observed this.) Feels like fine dining at every meal.

General Food:  I found the quality of the food on NCL was higher than Carnival.  Here are some examples.  Both ships had watermelon every day.  Carnival had seeded watermelon.  NCL had seedless watermelon.  Both ships had shrimp cocktail on the menu.  Carnival had very small shrimp.  NCL had large ship.  Carnival had complementary lobster and steak on formal night.  I didn’t see lobster on the NCL main dining room menu and they had an upcharge for steak.  (I may have missed the lobster on NCL.)  Both ships offered soft serve ice cream.  In addition, NCL offered scooped hard ice cream during lunch on the pool deck.

Pizza:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A:  Hands down Carnival beats NCL.  Carnival has a dedicated pizza restaurant open 24 hours per day.  There are 4 or 5 choices of pizza and it is made for you.  The pizza is not sitting out on a buffet.  This is a very popular food option.

NCL Dawn:  Grade 😧  The pizza is offered on the buffet.  It looks like boxed frozen pizza from the grocery store.

Hamburgers:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A: Carnival has Guy Fieri’s Burger restaurant.  This is a restaurant on the pool deck that is dedicated to hamburgers.  They are awesome and the french fries were great.  The customer demand for these burgers is high so they are always right off the grill and fresh.

NCL Dawn:  Grade 😧 The hamburgers were served on the buffet.  They looked like hockey pucks that had been sitting under the lights too long.  In 10 days I never saw anyone select a hamburger from the buffet.

Taco/Burritos:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A:  Carnival has a pool deck restaurant named Blue Iguana that is dedicated to preparing custom ordered tacos, burritos or taco salad.  There is an extensive topping and salsa bar to complete your meal.  This is awesome.  We ate here multiple times for a late lunch when returning from a day ashore.   Very well done!

NCL Dawn: Grade 😄 NCL offers a specialty, sit-down restaurant called Los Lobos that served Mexican food.  There is a surcharge for this restaurant.

Deli/Smoked Salmon:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A:  In addition to complimentary restaurants of the Main Dining room, Guy Fieri’s Burgers and Blue Iguana taco/burritos, Carnival offers a deli where they custom make hot and cold sandwiches to order.  They offer a smoked salmon with cream cheese on a bagel.  The portion of smoked salmon is very generous.  I had this a few times.  I saw people order the salmon with no bagel or cream cheese if they just wanted the salmon.  In addition, the deli offered hot sandwiches like a reuben and cold sandwiches like turkey on a ciabatta.  Smoked salmon was also available in the Main Dining room. 

NCL Dawn:  Grade N/A: I chose to comment on this because over the years I have seen some threads about smoked salmon.  I did see salmon mousse on the buffet and smoked salmon was available in the Main Dining room.

Buffet layout:

Carnival Fascination:  Grade A+: I ate 5 of 7 dinners in the buffet. I don’t usually do this but because there was so much evening activity with the comedy club and lively music, the buffet just fit our schedule better.   The buffet is well laid out.  You could get your food and sit down.  You were NOT constantly bumping into people.  They have different stations that are spread out within the buffet dining room so the flow of people is disbursed.  They had a dedicated salad bar and dedicated dessert station.  The buffet itself is shorter than on NCL.   There are fewer choices.  I found this to be a plus as I was not wandering looking at all of the options.   I was able to go down the line and chose between 4-5 appetizers, 4-5 main entrees, 4-5 sides, a carving station and a large choice of bread selections.  I could always sit down without a problem.

NCL Dawn: Grade 😧  I dreaded going to the buffet.  You were constantly bumping into people and finding seats was a challenge.  The length of the buffet is huge.  This is a plus and a minus.  Many food choices but it encourages guests to wander around in search of food choices.  This leads to constantly bumping into people.  Many times the food looked like it was sitting under the heat lights.  Many of the entrees were covered in gravy or sauce.   I definitely preferred the NCL main dining room over the NCL buffet for ease of service and a more pleasant meal.

Greetings!   (post 1 of 4)

I have seen posts in the past asking for comparisons between the cruise lines.  In January 2019 we completed 2 consecutive cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I decided to write 1 review and make it a comparison so you can see the differences.  I have received a lot of great information over the years from Cruise Critic.  This is my giving back.  My hope is this review will help you make decisions on your future cruise.

Ships:

Carnival Fascination built in 1994 with passenger capacity of 2056.  

NCL Dawn built in 2002 with passenger capacity of 2340. 

The ships sailed from San Juan on Southern Caribbean itineraries. On both ships we had inside cabins.  7 days on Carnival Fascination cost ~$1000 or $150/night for 2 people.  10 days on NCL Dawn cost ~$2500 equals $250/night.  This included 1 perk.  We chose the $50 off shore excursions as we had 9 port stops.  I share this so you can factor the price difference into the comparison I will share below.

I thought this was a good comparison because both ships are considered older and smaller compared to the rest of the fleet.  Here goes….

Cruise Demographics:

Carnival Fascination:  In our 50s, we were in the older 1/3 of passengers.  Sailing from San Juan, about 25% of the ship was local families.

NCL Fascination:  In our 50s, we were in the younger 1/3 of passengers.   There were almost no local families on the ship.

SHIP AND CABIN

Ship Décor:

Carnival Fascination: Bright, exciting, fun colors that are bold.  The ship lives up to Carnival’s brand promise of the fun ships.

NCL Dawn:  We sailed Carnival first.  We boarded the Dawn the same day we disembarked the Fascination. I was struck instantly with the difference in décor.  NCL Dawn was a refined beige and brown color scheme.  The ship feels classy with subtle décor.

Cabin Layout:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A+:  2 closets, lots of drawers.  We easily flowed around the room without bumping into each other.

NCL Dawn: Grade 😄 The inside cabin configuration is the same as I have experienced on the NCL Gem and NCL Star.  We had to share a closet.  Not many drawers. Opening the bathroom door conflicts with the closet. We were constantly bumping into each other.  Frequently 1 of us would have to sit on the bed and wait for the other to finish getting things in and out of the closet.  It was not pleasant.

Cabin Steward:

Carnival Fascination:  Our steward greeted up and provided a business card with name and photo and contact phone number.  We were encouraged to call him if we needed something and he was not in our hallway.  He also ran showed us a paper check list that he reviewed with us.  We were to indicate how many towels we want on a regular basis,  if we request a bath robe, if we need a hair dryer and a few other line items I cannot recall.  He also asked is we wanted morning, evening or both times to service our room.  I did not feel that he was trying to sway our answer to only 1 time.  He cheerfully serviced our cabin 2 times per day. 

NCL Dawn:  Steward greeted us and did a great job throughout the cruise. 

Shower Pressure:

Carnival Fascination: Grade A+:  Pressure was powerful, hot and strong.  Shower had a curtain.

NCL Dawn: Grade 😄  Pressure was very weak.  A bit annoying.  Shower had a door.

Bedding:

We all know that when you ask for 1 bed it is really 2 beds pushed together.  Usually it feels like 1 bed.

Carnival Fascination: Grade A – Very comfortable!

NCL Dawn: Grade 😄  The beds were 2 twins of unequal height. When pushed together they created a lump in the middle of the bed. Comfort in each twin bed was fine but didn’t feel like 1 bed.

Thanks Flumpa for your review.  I am also considering an MSC and have sailed a variety of other cruise lines.  I thought you did a nice job of laying out the situation and then telling us why you liked or did not like it.  You left the discernment to the reader if it applies to them.  It helped me get a good picture of what I might be in for. 

Thank you. 

I am interested in a Bermuda cruise in May or June 2019.  I see the Sail Away rate is offered for these sailings.

In my experience in tracking a different upcoming cruise, once the Sail Away rate was offered, it seems to stick around until very close to sailing.  Also, I noticed that the Sail Away rate decreased as we got closer to sailing.  (Obviously on this specific cruise they were trying to fill cabins.)

Questions:

1. Does the Sail Away rate increase over time?

2. If you book a Sail Away rate and you are well outside of the 120 day full payment, do you need to pay in full at the time of booking?  

Trying to figure out if procrastinating booking pays off as long as I know I want to book the Sail Away rate with no perks.

Thanks.

You are right.  If you remain in the port area in Amber Cove there is not much to do other than swim in a pool.

I recommend you look OUTSIDE of the cruise port area.  There is a National Park called Damajaua Falls.  You climb and jump into the water.  You need a helmet and all.  It is one of the most awesome cruise excursions I have ever done.  You need to be fit and adventurous.

Your cruise ship likely offers this as an excursion.  I suggest you look to an outside tour company.  They take fewer people and start higher up the falls for jumping.  That is where the higher jumps are.

I used Amber Cove Adventures.  Check out some of the videos on youtube. 

Also, just look at the video on their home page. 

https://www.ambercoveadventures.com/

When you pre-book the shore excursions do you need to pay the balance at the time of booking? Or do they just show up on your onboard account? Thanks.

I am looking for this too. Bumping up.

It depends on your goal. If you really want to see Europe, pick the cruise with the most ports of calls. Seas days can be fun but if you are from North America and spending a lot for airfare, then actually stopping and getting off of the ship to see Europe would provide the most "bang for the buck."

You can't go wrong with either choice. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

I was on Conquest this past January (January 2018). The safe was a swipe.

What does NCL provide at a Cruise Critic Meet and Greet?

Last year I was on Royal Caribbean and they provide snacks but also had door prize drawings for some good prizes.

I think some of the officers stopped by but the prizes were the draw.

thanks.

There is a difference between "trip insurance" and "travel health insurance."

Trip insurance insures the cost of your trip in case of cancellation, weather delays, etc.

Travel HEATH insurance covers medical costs while on your trip.

Some companies combine the 2 different insurance plans. Do not assume when you buy travel insurance that you are automatically getting a health insurance plan that may or may not include evacuation insurance.

I also suggest that all travelers contact their health insurance provider to understand that cover they have for medical costs outside of their home country. In the past my US based private health insurance coverage me outside of the US. I had to pay for the costs and they would reimburse me. My current US based private health insurance no longer covers me outside of the US. So, I chose to purchase travel HEALTH insurance.

I have been told that Medicare does not cover medical costs incurred outside of the US.

Also, look at some of your credit cards to understand the perks. I have a credit card that covers my "trip insurance" for any travel costs I charged to that card.

Good luck with your purchase but please understand what is included and what is not included.

I also love the interiors for the great sleep and the lower cost. If you are an elevator user, deck 1 and 2 have an advantage that you will almost always be able to enter an empty elevator from those decks. It was very, very helpful when I traveled with a relative that could not do stairs. When we left our cabin on deck 1, she was always able to enter an empty elevator. I used the stairs and met her on an agreed upon deck. I hope you enjoy which ever cruise you select.

I've always called to book the excursions, at which time they do NOT charge you. Then once you take the excursion they charge you and credit you back the excursion credits you have, so you only pay the difference.

Thanks. A few responses suggested to call to book the excursions. I booked through a big box travel agent. I know if I want to make changes to the cruise I have to work direct through my travel agent.

How about the shore excursions? Do I have to work through the travel agent? Can I work directly with the NCL excursion team?

Thanks.

This is exactly what I've been doing for our January Panama Canal Cruise. $100 off is a great deal! We've booked a tour on disembarkation day, with delivery to the airport, and it applied there, as well. :D

I would have never thought to apply the shore excursion credits on disembarkation. Thanks for the great tip!

Hi:

We selected the $50/port excursion credit per port. We also booked with the "distinctive voyage" promotion that also includes $50/port excursion credit.

I believe I can use both credits so it is $100/port excursion credit.

Has anyone had experience booking excursions with these 2 perks/promos?

Does NCL charge you when booking excursions or do they just add it to your on board account?

thank you.

My I suggest you consider Azamara cruises. They are a luxury line with 3 smaller ships. Hundreds of people not thousands. There are NO formal nights. People are friendly and relaxed. The average age trends toward retirees. The passengers are well traveled people. I loved them with I used them for a Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina cruise. In general they are above my price point so it was a treat.

(Azamara is owned by Royal Caribbean.)

Any updates on drink menu/prices? I did search and did not find a more recent thread.

Also, what is the price of a soda/pop?

Are there any "mocktails" that can be ordered?

I agree with the others than basically said let the cruise line deliver and don't over promise or oversell.

Recently I took my mother on her first cruise. It was fun to see the cruise through her eyes. As a example, she was excited and thrilled to see the towel animals in the evening in our cabin. It reminded me of when I was thrilled by the towel animals on my first cruise 20+ years ago.

Also, mom was thrilled and a bit overwhelmed by the dining. The service was superb and thrilled her. The waiters dancing was also a hit. I knew these things were coming but she didn't. I didn't tell her. She enjoyed the surprise.

She was also thrilled by the superb service by the cabin steward. Our cabin was cleaned 2 times per day, fresh towels, etc. You don't typically get that kind of service in a hotel.

I would also politely suggest you limit or refrain from comments that being with "The last cruise I was on...." Start your own traditions.

Enjoy each other's company.

2 x per day is included in your cruise fare. 2 times per day is the standard. It is not asking for "extra" service. Some people prefer having their cabin serviced 1 time per day but 2 times is included.

If you do feel the service was above and beyond expectations, please consider an additional gratuity.

Enjoy your family time and your cruise.

Hello

Are their morning fitness classes offered on the Dawn? Is there a charge? I know their is a charge for some classes.

Thanks.

hi:

Does the Fascination have:

1. A self serve laundry?

2. A serenity area?

Thanks.

So is Early Saver a rate that you like to book? I have this as a choice on a cruise I am looking to book. Trying to understand the + and - of the various rates.

I recently completed a 6 night cruise on the Carnival Conquest. This was my first Carnival cruise since 1998. Yes, 20 years later we decided to try Carnival again. We selected it for the itinerary and price. We were super pleased with our return to Carnival and have booked the Fascination out of San Juan for our next Carnival cruise.

We have also cruised Azamara, NCL, Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean. They all have their advantages.

Our 6 day Carnival cruise was just less than $200/day for 2 people in an inside cabin. On a per day basis, my pre-cruise hotel was more expensive than my Carnival cruise. For that price, we couldn't go wrong.

Carnival is a value cruise line. I felt the cost, itinerary, multiple free restaurants and Comedy club made it worth the purchase.

I found the food was good and the ship was clean and the service was better than expected.

Hi

 

It's important to understand the rules/restrictions attached to each type of booking "rate". This is a link to the Carnival site where each type is listed. https://www.carnival.com/legal/specials-terms-conditions.aspx

 

hope this helps

Thank you very much. I hadn't been able to find this on the Carnival site. I appreciate it.

Thanks for the review. Following.