First time on NCL!

I’m cruising on the Bliss in about a week. It’s my first time on NCL, I’ve cruised quite a bit on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Carnival and RC are more alike than different (in my opinion!). What is the biggest difference between Carnival/RC and Norwegian? Thank you for your input!

Lobster?

Lobster?

...lack thereof. :(

NCL is FAAAAARRRRR superior to CCL, unless you like dirty, rusty ships and terrible food. No decent late night food on CCL, only ½ raw VERY greasy pizza. If you are a casino player, you will love NCL compared to the junk on CCL.

I’m cruising on the Bliss in about a week. It’s my first time on NCL' date=' I’ve cruised quite a bit on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Carnival and RC are more alike than different (in my opinion!). What is the biggest difference between Carnival/RC and Norwegian? Thank you for your input![/quote']

Of course this is a very subjective question as it is simply opinion, but to me they are much alike as different. Each has its own personality but all 3 lines are similar I think, our experience has been NCL has slightly better service and more food choices. RCI probably has slightly nicer ships with bells and whisttles, but you have picked the newest o the NCL ships. Carnival ship are a bit more gaudy. Some find the entertainment on NCL a little better. I am not totally in agreement with this.

I just got off the Bliss about three weeks ago! You will be in Awe! Such a beautiful ship! It definitely has all the bells and whistles! That was my 30th cruise with NCL! I have been on 12 royal Caribbean, 1 withCosta and 2 Carnival! I wouldn’t Cruise Carnival if you gave me a cruise! Sorry, just my opinion.

NCL is freestyle, that is a big difference from the other two! Unless, you book at the specialty restaurants, you can go to the free ones anytime! As long as they are open of course! haha

If you plan on booking specialty restaurants, I suggest you book as soon as you can. You can still book once you board the ship, but if you do it then, you sometimes won’t get the day or time you want. You do have one restaurant that is open 24 hours, so you will never starve!

If you like the casino, it’s great! No smoking in the casino with smoker’s. Smoker’s have their own closed area! I am not a smoker, so that was great for me!

Go and have a great cruise! Bon Voyage!

I think I was on the same Bliss sailing. It's a beautiful ship, but my friend that was with us had gone on one of the big RCL ships the year before. You can see from the pictures too. The similar sized RCL ships have way more open areas. Feels more open according to her. The only "open" area of the Bliss is right in the middle. One end has the guest services/Starbucks area with a screen that the Local bar/restaurant looks down on, and separated but right in front is the chandelier/casino/Cocos area which no one hangs out at. And they have "freestyle" type dining too.

Daily Service Charges:

Carnival

$13.95 USD per person per day for Suites

$12.95 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types

Gratuties can be removed on board.

Norwegian

$16.99 USD per person per day for The Haven and Suites;

$13.99 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types

gratuities will only be removed after you complete a form and you will be mailed a check.

Drink Packages:

Carnival

Way more included in the package

Norwegian

Way less included in the package

^^ Your NCL number$ are outdated ($17.50/$14.50)

I've sailed on all of them, most recently on Symphony of the Seas. To date, my favorite cruise was on the Escape. Might it have been because of the Haven? Yes, but I just love the waterfront area and how you can look at the water and sit and have a drink or eat while not on the food deck. I actually prefer NCL food over RCCL and entertainment. I think that they both do well with service -- all subjective, but my opinion.

Our first time also on NCL and Bliss next week it’s going to be interesting as I like MSC!

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Wow! Thanks for all of your responses!! I really appreciate it!

What would I say is different...

- NCL freestyle is refreshing, very well done. You can truly just kind of go eat when you want, etc. So if you are used to traditional dining times, you may really enjoy trying something different

- The outside specialty dining on the waterfront, in my opinion, is a must try, too.

- NCL has the "waterfront" which is a really awesome waterfront promenade with bars, dining, lounging areas, etc.

- NCL has a great beer restaurant (District)

- NCL has a VERY overcrowded and small pool area. Just be aware of it so you aren't disappointed.

- NCL has a full service, complimentary 24 hour restaurant centrally located which is pretty cool

- If you get the drinks packages on Royal and Carnival, you are used to getting bottled water. You don't get bottled water on NCL with the drink package

- No solarium, but they do have an adult pool and spice h2o adults area

- The thermal spa is a killer feature with no equal on Royal or Carnival. It's worth getting the pass for the week for sure, no questioned asked, totally worth it.

- Do the aqua racer slide, it's basically all ages and one of the most fun water slides I've seen, if not the best at sea.

The "overall" experience will be similar to Royal/Carnival. It's still a mass market cruise ship and not an upmarket brand. The service, friendliness, and the way it runs in general will not feel much different.

I think I was on the same Bliss sailing. It's a beautiful ship, but my friend that was with us had gone on one of the big RCL ships the year before. You can see from the pictures too. The similar sized RCL ships have way more open areas. Feels more open according to her. The only "open" area of the Bliss is right in the middle. One end has the guest services/Starbucks area with a screen that the Local bar/restaurant looks down on, and separated but right in front is the chandelier/casino/Cocos area which no one hangs out at. And they have "freestyle" type dining too.

This is accurate. The larger Royal ships feel WAY more open. Especially the Oasis class, it's not even comparable. Some don't care about that, some do.

My big tip to anyone sailing NCL for the first time after sailing other cruise lines: They have a dining room open for lunch on embarkation day! Any time I can avoid the frenzy of the buffet on boarding day is a good thing. Crew members may try to steer you to the buffet. Just ask them which dining room is open.

I’m cruising on the Bliss in about a week. It’s my first time on NCL' date=' I’ve cruised quite a bit on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Carnival and RC are more alike than different (in my opinion!). What is the biggest difference between Carnival/RC and Norwegian? Thank you for your input![/quote']

 

 

NCL :the most casual dress for dining rooms

 

RCI: the best staff

 

Carnival is great if you are under 30

NCL :the most casual dress for dining rooms

 

RCI: the best staff

 

Carnival is great if you are under 30

Is there a “formal” night on NCL? Thanks!

We had only sailed on Royal Caribbean. We never had a reason to try another line. We cruised NCL last year and were pleasantly surprised on how much we enjoyed the cruise. We thought the food/entertainment were better on NCL. Really enjoyed O'Sheehans 24 hour restaurant.

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but for us NCL came out the winner. I would not hesitate to sail on Royal Caribbean if price/itinerary comes up.

Heading out on Bliss in February.

If formal means you remove your flip flops and replace them with sneakers, then yes ;)

Is there a “formal” night on NCL? Thanks!

They have one' date=' but it’s still freestyle, meaning dress up if you want to. Many do, I do not.

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