Any Carnival loyalist, like NCL too?

[scperk]

We tried them once.

 

It was painful.

 

They were trying to be like Carnival, but REALLY BAD.

 

We couldn't wait to get off the ship, and promised NEVER to sail them again.

AWWWW . come on Pete I see it was the Seaward and that was the ship my first cruise was on way back in 1988...I'm surprised you can remember back that far......The newer ships are OK just the service I got on board the Pearl was terrible.....I liked the casino and hanging out with the Second City group at the piano bar......Dennis

[lovesublime]

We've sailed with Carnival x2, NCL x1, RCI x1 and Princess x1. We love both NCL and Carnival. NCL's freestyle works great for us and we love having the options of so many dining venues-even if we have to pay the surcharge. To me, the buffet areas are similar, but as far as the food goes, I'll give the edge to Carnival. On the Pearl, we had a mini-suite and I do believe it was larger than a standard balcony on either Carnival ship we've been on. The bathroom is definitely bigger and I like the glass door that encloses the bathtub.

 

Service seems to be the same on both Carnival and NCL-we've received excellent service from both. I would cruise with either again. We like trying different cruise lines, but I think in the future we'll try to avoid those that carry a reputation for catering to elders-like Princess.

[Lovetwocruz2009]

Thank you all for the great responses. It gives me a better idea of what to expect. We are very easy going people. It doesn't take a whole lot to please us. We just enjoy cruising.

 

I just wanted to get a feel for the NCL line. Like I mentioned before, the NCL board has alot of chatter about the suites and the perks. Which I am sure are fabulous but out of our budget.

 

We enjoy the balcony cabins on both Carnival & Royal. I think I will look into the price of the mini-suite.

 

Thanks for the info on the NCL photo prices. I spend quite a money on photos each cruise (about $150). So now I know I will need to factor the cost, plus the speciality restaurants. I see my bottom line is going to be a bit higher (especially on the Epic) then Carnival. Unfortunately, I don't have the flexibility with my job to book a last minute cruise.

 

One more question...how would you compare the nightlife? Club? Piano bar? Shows? Adult comedy? Casino?

 

We like to take an afternoon nap and stay up late? Does NCL shut down at midnight?

 

Thanks for all of your comments.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

It did seem like there is more going on late with Carnival. That's not to say NCL shut down early. They had the late adult comedy shows, disco going on late, karaoke and of course the casino went late. And one night they had a late night white hot party that was pretty good. Our particular ship did not have a piano bar which was a bummer but there were a couple of lounges with different types of live music going on including a woman by herself playing a guitar who was pretty good. Not a piano bar but it did bring in a decent crowd.

[mississauga]

One more question...how would you compare the nightlife? Club? Piano bar? Shows? Adult comedy? Casino?

 

 

NCL has a lot of late night events to bring passengers out to the clubs - White Hot Nights, New Year's Eve Night ( any time of the year) to name a few and Mardi Gras Nights to bring people into the casino. They have Second City ( not my cup of tea ) which is popular. Their production shows are excellent with Cirque Bijou as a highlight every cruise we have been on.

 

You really do not have to spend any more on an NCL cruise than you do on any other cruise. The buffets are very good and the MDR food is good so you really don't have to use the extra pay restaurants unless you really want to try them out. One extra perk that the newer ships such as the Jewel and Pearl ( can only vouch for the ships I have been on but probably others ) have is coffee machines where you can make your own fresh perk coffee from beans, cappucino, lattes and espresso. These can be found in the buffet.

[MrPete]

AWWWW . come on Pete I see it was the Seaward and that was the ship my first cruise was on way back in 1988...I'm surprised you can remember back that far......The newer ships are OK just the service I got on board the Pearl was terrible.....I liked the casino and hanging out with the Second City group at the piano bar......Dennis

 

That WAS their newest, latest and greatest when we sailed. It wasn't like it was an old ship.

[Stevie17]

We love NCL...it's actually our favorite line. We love the Freestyle concept, and the choice they offer in their specialty restaurants is just outstanding. I have found the food to be well above that of Carnival's.

 

However, Carnival's kids' program is better than NCL'.s That being said, RCCL wins over both of them.

 

When we are searching what cruise to take, price, ship and port selection all come in to play. We're going on the Miracle on March 28th, and both price and itinerary "won" over NCL in our opinion.

[zqvol]

Hubby and I love Carnival. But we have never cruised NCL. We were thinking about giving them a try. I am interested in the specialty dining venues. Hubby is interested in the freestyle concept.

 

Anyone sail NCL that was not in a suite? I checked the NCL board and lots of people talk about the suite perks. But I didn't see too many responses for those of us who purchase the balcony cabins.

 

We are thinking about the EPIC for July 10 or another newer NCL ship cruising the carribean in December 2010.

 

Any Carnival loyalist like NCL too? Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

We regularly cruise Carnival, and have been on NCL, in fact our next cruise is on NCL. IMO the cabins are just like Carnival cabins, except that they are a little bit smaller. (We use either balconies or ocean view cabins, never suites.) You might notice it the first time you walk in but that is it. If you get a mini suite (which in NCL terms, in nothing more than a bigger balcony cabin, it is just like a Carnival cabin. What you will notice is that the bathrooms on NCL are much nicer. There is a real door for the shower, and both the toilet and shower are in separate compartments that have doors.

 

The freestyle dining is just like anytime dining on Carnival, except that you have more restaurant options. Imagine in addition to the main dining room, and one specality restaurant there is the main dining room and 10 specality restaurants.

 

IMO the entertainment is better on NCL, and the decor is more low key.

 

Other than that they are much more alike than different.

[agmakar]

I did a quick search on carnivals balcony cabin sizes and found there balcony cabin sizes start at 185 sq feet. NCL's balcony cabins start at 205 sq feet. NCL's mini suite's start at 285 sq feet That means NCL's mini suite is a Third larger than carnival's balcony. That is a huge difference.

 

I also am going with NCL because of itinerary and price (eg mini suite in europe 12 nights seeing Rome, Athens, Turkey, Egypt and Malta for $3000. Price and itinerary cant be beaten.

 

That is not totally true.

 

I have been researching NCL as well for quite sometime and I find that to be the opposite on certain ships. for instance the "SKY" and the "DAWN" on certain cabin catagories.

[agmakar]

You know One thing I seem that I also noticed in my observations, is that the people that did not like NCL usually did not stay in a suite. but the ones that really like it were in suites.

 

I am going to TRY NCL as soon as I find the right price and ship. but this year, I'm all booked up!! :D

[LEtue]

We tried them once.

 

It was painful.

 

They were trying to be like Carnival, but REALLY BAD.

 

We couldn't wait to get off the ship, and promised NEVER to sail them again.

 

It looks like you sailed on the NCL Seaward in 1989? Is that right? I'm sure it is a different experience on the more modern ships? Even Carnival has changed a lot since then...

 

I must admit that other than appearance the Norwegian Epic is appealing and I would like to give NCL a try.

 

Interesting thread :D

[MrPete]

It looks like you sailed on the NCL Seaward in 1989? Is that right? I'm sure it is a different experience on the more modern ships? Even Carnival has changed a lot since then...

 

 

Yes. My feelings were "in the now" at the time. It just wasn't for us.

 

 

Yet, all my Carnival cruises back then exceeded expectations.

 

Someone taking a cruise today and relaying it 20 years in the future will still be valid.

[scperk]

Yes. My feeling were "in the now" at the time. It just wasn't for us.

 

 

Yet, all my Carnival cruises back then exceeded expectations.

 

Someone taking a cruise today and relaying it 20 years in the future will still be valid.

Yes Pete I'll have to admit all my first cruises were NCL and RCCL because my TA was telling me that I would not like Carnival...That was until I finally took a Carnival cruise and then I was hooked..Has anyone here had a great time on a HAL ship?...I'm tempted to try them ONE time but I think I'm not OLD enough yet....LOL.......:)...Dennis

[zqvol]

It looks like you sailed on the NCL Seaward in 1989? Is that right? I'm sure it is a different experience on the more modern ships? Even Carnival has changed a lot since then...

 

I must admit that other than appearance the Norwegian Epic is appealing and I would like to give NCL a try.

 

Interesting thread :D

 

Did you mean appealing or appalling? That is the ugliest excuse for a ship that has ever sailed the seas.

[MrPete]

Yes Pete I'll have to admit all my first cruises were NCL and RCCL because my TA was telling me that I would not like Carnival...That was until I finally took a Carnival cruise and then I was hooked..Has anyone here had a great time on a HAL ship?...I'm tempted to try them ONE time but I think I'm not OLD enough yet....LOL.......:)...Dennis

 

What made you sail that ship 4 times? Were you in a standard stateroom? Those rooms were SO small DW and I couldn't dress at the same time. And I couldn't fit my whole body in the shower at one time. :eek:

 

Years later, my mom took a repositioning cruise on her. Already booked, I was NOT going to influence her. She came back YELLING at me!

[deepnite10]

i think im a NCL loyalist that also enjoy s CCL..

 

there are alot of people on the NCL boards that complain they were surprised they had to pay for the specialty restraunts..don t they believe in a little research befor spending hundreds of $$$s to book a cruise?

 

after several cruises with NCL we ve finally got to the point that it is nt as special anymore..yes, you do have more dining choices..but, aside from that we also enjoy the high activity level of CCL ships..

 

as for the pricing..one of the enjoyable parts of cruising is widow shopping on the web..trying to find the best deal..and its alway s been a toss up between NCL and CCL..

 

and yes, the bathroom showers are nicer on NCL ships..but, that s where we spend the least of our time.* except that one time when i got sick* :o

but, i did nt use the shower..:eek:..while sailing the on the Star..to use the gym showers there was a spa charge..whereas, there was no cost on the Triumph to use their sauna and showers

[keishashadow]

all i can compare is sailing on Carnival Legend, western, (aft balcony) to NCL Star (minisuite), alaskan itinerary

 

My family all agrees, carnival wins hand's down:)

 

We had to book a minisuite on star to get the comparable sofabed configuration we like, the bathroom was interesting layout tri-split type with doors between toilet, vanity & tub/shower (believe orginally built for asian sailings wnere bathrooms garner more importance?).

 

The Star's food & waitstaff's service were far below what we experienced on the Legend. Thank God for the chicken wings & the italian resturant, which imo; put out a better steak than Cagney's.:confused:

 

Upon the Star we never met our steward, got tired of leaving a note asking for coffee refills for coffee pot, took to lifting teabags from the buffet.

 

The Star did shine on the entertainment, enthusiastic & talented performers:)

 

We booked them for sailing to hawaii only because the carnival itinerary would take too long...as it is probably won't be able to get the time off to take the hawaiian trip this summer.:(

 

NCL does offer a union/military rate on most sailings ive checked (10% typically) vs what i've found currently pricing out military rates for this summer. I've also noticed the 3rd person rates edging up for Carnival:rolleyes:

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

We tried them once.

 

It was painful.

 

They were trying to be like Carnival, but REALLY BAD.

 

We couldn't wait to get off the ship, and promised NEVER to sail them again.

You cruised NCL in 1989. 20 years ago? Things change darlin' so me thinks you should either try them again to form an opinion or don't share your outdated opinion. Just sayin. Not too long ago CCL was party cruises or booze cruises and had a bad reputation that they are trying to turn around. 20 years ago NCL didn't have freestyle so I think your opinion doesn't really count. I don't usually post negatively to people posts cuz everyone has an opinion but I think it is unfair to the OP to get a skewed opinion. Sorry.

 

I sailed NCLA which is different but yet the same. American crew in Hawaii so many complained of lack of service. We had a good time and our service was fine but we ate at the buffet mostly. Had 2 nights of the 7 in Le Bistro and the steakhouse which are pay extra venues. I thought their buffet food was pretty good and better than Carnival. Dining room food on Carnival is so delicious though. Entertainment and activities are about equal. I'm sailing on NCLA again in 2011.

[MrPete]

You cruised NCL in 1989. 20 years ago? Things change darlin' so me thinks you should either try them again to form an opinion or don't share your outdated opinion. Just sayin. Not too long ago CCL was party cruises or booze cruises and had a bad reputation that they are trying to turn around. 20 years ago NCL didn't have freestyle so I think your opinion doesn't really count. I don't usually post negatively to people posts cuz everyone has an opinion but I think it is unfair to the OP to get a skewed opinion. Sorry.

 

Sorry darlin', but I don't have to swear off something after experiencing to try it again. You ever go to a restaurant and say never again, and then go back? Not me!

 

They didn't have freestyle back then? Well, that's a plus!

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Sorry darlin', but I don't have to swear off something after experiencing to try it again. You ever go to a restaurant and say never again, and then go back? Not me!

 

They didn't have freestyle back then? Well, that's a plus!

You have a point but then again I would never tell someone that I'll never eat there again cuz of a bad experience I had 20 years ago when so much has changed. Staff/management/menu's etc. That was all I was saying. Not that your opinion isn't valid but that it may be outdated. Thats all. No offense to you Mr Pete cuz most of your posts are spot on.

[MrPete]

You have a point but then again I would never tell someone that I'll never eat there again cuz of a bad experience I had 20 years ago when so much has changed. Staff/management/menu's etc. That was all I was saying. Not that your opinion isn't valid but that it may be outdated. Thats all. No offense to you Mr Pete cuz most of your posts are spot on.

 

;)

 

Except I didn't tell someone not try NCL. If they do something based on something I post, shame on them. I'm just giving an opinion of MY experience. :)

[gtalum]

I did a quick search on carnivals balcony cabin sizes and found there balcony cabin sizes start at 185 sq feet. NCL's balcony cabins start at 205 sq feet. NCL's mini suite's start at 285 sq feet That means NCL's mini suite is a Third larger than carnival's balcony. That is a huge difference.

 

NCL includes the balcony in their advertised cabin size, Carnival does not. The NCL minisuite was actually a bit smaller inside than a Carnival balcony cabin.

[gtalum]

We tried them once.

 

It was painful.

 

They were trying to be like Carnival, but REALLY BAD.

 

We couldn't wait to get off the ship, and promised NEVER to sail them again.

 

You don't think they might have changed some things in 20 years? ;)

[MrPete]

You don't think they might have changed some things in 20 years? ;)

 

I have a 50% chance of getting the answer to that question right.

[dallas52]

We sailed the Sun this past year, it is one of the older ships but their bathrooms were smaller that Carnivals. We stayed in an oceanview room and it was 40fts smaller. We like the when they grilled out around the pool and the back deck the times they did it,very nice. Didnt like that they didnt furnish robes and they you couldnt eat in dining room for breakfast and lunch unless you were staying above an oceanview. They looked at your room keys at dining room, didnt understand why the difference. We really enjoy the same waiters, have never had to wait as long as we did with NCL, seems they had more tables to wait on.