A few questions about Norwegian

[HCE]

Long time lurker, first post.

 

My family and I will be going on an Alaska cruise this summer - during the last week of July. It is quite likely that another couple of families will be joining us as well - which means we'll have a large group of kids with us. So I am looking for a kid-friendly cruise line. Going by the ratings/reviews on this website, I decided not to consider either Celebrity, Holland America or Princess. RCI's dates don't work out well for me - so that is out as well. So, my choices are down to either the Norwegian Pearl, Carnival Spirit or Disney Wonder.

 

I have done just the one cruise before and it was on Disney which my kids absolutely loved. However, Disney's prices seem a good 20 percent higher than everyone else's so I am seriously considering going with someone else this time and I am strongly leaning towards going on the Norwegian Pearl. I did have a few questions about the ship and I will be grateful for any advice that people may give

 

1. How kid-friendly is Norwegian as compared to Disney. I know you aren't going to get Mickey and Cinderella on Norwegian but that apart, do they have a similar set of activities for the kids (BTW - the kids range in age from 8 to 13)?

 

2. All of us are vegetarian and a couple of people have food allergies. Disney handled these restrictions extremely well and all of us found plenty of food we could eat. Is Norwegian as flexible?

 

3. I noticed that the passenger space ratio on the Pearl is something like 41 while on the Wonder it is 47. Does that really make a big difference? Did the Pearl ever feel very crowded?

 

4. Finally, I have a question regarding smoking policy. My older daughter is extremely allergic to cigarette smoke. I know that Norwegian allows smoking in staterooms. Did any of you notice any lingering smell of tobacco in your rooms? That would be enough to set off my daughter's asthma.

 

Thanks a lot

 

- HCE

[2Cruise4Ever]

We've been on 5 NCL cruises with our kids (now 8 and 13). And, they have absolutely LOVED each one! Can't tell you about a comparison with Disney... never sailed them... probably never will. Prices are much higher and we enjoy some awesome perks with NCL when we book a suite.

 

The dining rooms all have vegetarian options... plenty to eat.

 

Make sure your friend who has food allergies contacts NCL ahead of time regarding the allergies. The chef on board will make special accommodations. But, the staff needs to be prepared ahead of time.

 

We've never felt like the employees were too busy to take care of our needs. So, pax ratio doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

They do an excellent job of cleaning the cabins in between sailings. Never noticed stale smoke. But, stay away from the casino...

[HCE]

Thanks a lot for the information. I'll probably end up going with Norwegian.

 

- HCE

 

PS - If anyone else has some thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them.

 

We've been on 5 NCL cruises with our kids (now 8 and 13). And, they have absolutely LOVED each one! Can't tell you about a comparison with Disney... never sailed them... probably never will. Prices are much higher and we enjoy some awesome perks with NCL when we book a suite.

 

The dining rooms all have vegetarian options... plenty to eat.

 

Make sure your friend who has food allergies contacts NCL ahead of time regarding the allergies. The chef on board will make special accommodations. But, the staff needs to be prepared ahead of time.

 

We've never felt like the employees were too busy to take care of our needs. So, pax ratio doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

They do an excellent job of cleaning the cabins in between sailings. Never noticed stale smoke. But, stay away from the casino...

[infoprof56]

I can tell you for sure that the vegetarians will have no problems finding food to eat. My wife is vegetarian and daughter is vegan. They both found plenty to eat. Though I have never noticed lingering smoke in a cabin, I have encountered certain areas in the halls that had smoke odors due to current room occupants. But those have been rare.

We never found any area on the Pearl crowded. If you are taking a large group of kids, I am sure they will have a great time. There are special clubs with activities for all age groups. Besides they will have each other.

[patseacruiser]

Since Disney is higher $ than you really wanted to pay I would consider Carnival or NCL. I really like NCL but Carnival and NCL are more similar than not. I like freestyle and I think the kids will love it. As a vegetarian you will find plenty to eat. Also notify special needs ahead of time of food allergies. Yes NCL allows smoking in the cabin and I am very sensitive to smoke but I did not notice it at all. The casino is a different story.

[Susie51]

NCL has a nice program for kids, but I found from looking at the room descriptions, the rooms are generally smaller on NCL than on Carnival. I have only been on one Carnival cruise, but our inside cabin was much larger than the six NCL ships I have been on except for the NCL Crown. Food is very subjective, but I think the buffet is much better on NCL.

[roger001]

We've never sailed Disney, kids all grown now. However, several months ago while on Sun at Port Canaveral, the Disney ship was docked just across from us and getting ready to sail also. It was nothing but fun, fun, fun being had on board on deck in preparation for departure. We could see and hear all of it. This was ship directed entertainment. THe ship even blew its horn which then played one of the Disney theme songs. I said to my wife, that if we did have young kids, even with the extra cost, I'd take them on that fun, fun, fun ship at least once. They'll like NCL I'm sure, but no comparison to what I saw going on on Disney for kids.

[timeforadaiquiri]

I was just looking at some Freestyle Daily's from last November from the Pearl and I noted quite a few activities for families and for young teens. They didn't list the children's program activities though.

[InternetAgeTraveler]

I would say the Pearl has a good kids program, although I think it is more typical stuff, crafts, games but comparable to Carnival.

 

Your 13 year old will be in the teen group (13-17) and my kids did this 3 years back. They have a lot of freedom, you don't need to sign them in and out for example. They did rock climbing, bowling, scavenger hunts, etc. And sometimes they just went to "hang out".

 

I have attached a link to the kids programs from last summer to give you an idea.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roseoftexas/sets/72157624197870260/

 

There is definitely some sailing time, Sunday-Tuesday 2pm, Friday 1pm - Saturday 6pm, but there is a lot of port time, things to do and see, and less time for kids to be doing kids activities than on a Caribbean cruise (in my opinion).

[dexddd]

We've been on Magic, Wonder and going on Dream soon. We are also going to Alaska this summer but going on NCL. You are right, the price is quite a bit more on DCL, so basically we opted to get a MUCH nicer room on NCL Star instead of going on Disney for about the same price as a DCL Oceanview.

 

Our kids like DCL activities quite a bit more, but they go back to NCL and have no problems finding fun things to do in the kids club. Also, I'd say IMO the food on DCL is better on average plus you get the free pop on DCL, but all in all NCL gives you a better value for the trip we are going on.

 

Lastly, DCL goes out of Vancouver and NCL goes out of Seattle, so airfare is typically quite a bit more for us to go out of Vancouver. But if you do choose DCL, you can take a bus or train from Seattle to Vancouver for a decent price. Also, the Pearl is a newer ship and pretty nice from what I hear although I haven't been on the Pearl (but we have been on the Gem which is similar).

[newmexicoNita]

Long time lurker, first post.

 

My family and I will be going on an Alaska cruise this summer - during the last week of July. It is quite likely that another couple of families will be joining us as well - which means we'll have a large group of kids with us. So I am looking for a kid-friendly cruise line. Going by the ratings/reviews on this website, I decided not to consider either Celebrity, Holland America or Princess. RCI's dates don't work out well for me - so that is out as well. So, my choices are down to either the Norwegian Pearl, Carnival Spirit or Disney Wonder.

 

I have done just the one cruise before and it was on Disney which my kids absolutely loved. However, Disney's prices seem a good 20 percent higher than everyone else's so I am seriously considering going with someone else this time and I am strongly leaning towards going on the Norwegian Pearl. I did have a few questions about the ship and I will be grateful for any advice that people may give

 

1. How kid-friendly is Norwegian as compared to Disney. I know you aren't going to get Mickey and Cinderella on Norwegian but that apart, do they have a similar set of activities for the kids (BTW - the kids range in age from 8 to 13)?

 

2. All of us are vegetarian and a couple of people have food allergies. Disney handled these restrictions extremely well and all of us found plenty of food we could eat. Is Norwegian as flexible?

 

3. I noticed that the passenger space ratio on the Pearl is something like 41 while on the Wonder it is 47. Does that really make a big difference? Did the Pearl ever feel very crowded?

 

4. Finally, I have a question regarding smoking policy. My older daughter is extremely allergic to cigarette smoke. I know that Norwegian allows smoking in staterooms. Did any of you notice any lingering smell of tobacco in your rooms? That would be enough to set off my daughter's asthma.

 

Thanks a lot

 

- HCE

 

NCL is very family friendly, but I will add, a cruise to Alaska is so port intensive you won't have much time to even think about kids activities. there will plenty when you want and need them. The kids club councilors are fantastic.

 

NCL will work with you on your food alergies very closely and there are plenty of vegetarian choices. This shouldn't be a problem. We had someone on our last cruise (Russianmon) who had food alergies. She was happy with how well the ktchen worked with her. I have heard that from others.

 

As for the ship feeling crowded, we were on the Pearl last year, never seemed too crowded or busy and it was sold out.

 

As for the smoking situation I have never had any problems with smelling smoke except in the casino and your daughter, luckily will not be gambling (I dont think anyway)

 

Good luck, hope this helps, I am sure others will be able to give you some really good answers.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

NCL has a nice program for kids, but I found from looking at the room descriptions, the rooms are generally smaller on NCL than on Carnival. I have only been on one Carnival cruise, but our inside cabin was much larger than the six NCL ships I have been on except for the NCL Crown. Food is very subjective, but I think the buffet is much better on NCL.

 

yes, the cabins on Carnival are larger and that should be a consideration. I just think, if I were doing Alaska I would choose one of the lines that has been doing it longer. Of course Princess and HAL are the pioneers in the region, but NCL has been there for many years now.

 

Nita

[ozcruisers..11]

anyone been on NCL star to alaska?

[ggcruiser]

Just wanted to add that the Pearl is a great ship (beauituful and a nice size) - the balcony room we had was perfect and an ideal layout for our family of four (2 adults, 2 kids 3 & 5). They had a lot of fun at the kids center and we were able to enjoy the gym, spa & dinner while they were happily occupied. Great way to see Alaska, enjoy :)

[Richie2pies]

Disney is best for kids irregardless of the price. After all, how many times do you go on a cruise?

[newmexicoNita]

Disney is best for kids irregardless of the price. After all, how many times do you go on a cruise?

 

Certainly true, but again, some do not have the money to do Disney so RCI, Carvival and NCL offer good kids programs and maybe fit the budget of some better. BTW, I have known a few who actually preferred some lines to Disney when the kids get to the age of tweens or older. The kids are not as nuts over the Disney theme when they pass about 8 or 10.

 

Nita

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

NCL has a nice program for kids, but I found from looking at the room descriptions, the rooms are generally smaller on NCL than on Carnival. I have only been on one Carnival cruise, but our inside cabin was much larger than the six NCL ships I have been on except for the NCL Crown. Food is very subjective, but I think the buffet is much better on NCL.

 

Rooms on Carnival are larger. That is a big bonus for me especially if you are 4 to a cabin. I have never smelled smoke on any of my cruises in the cabin "NCL, CCL & RCI" so don't worry so much about that. I have smelled it on a balcony from neighbors out there smoking but never in the cabin as they use a really good deodorizer before you embark. If you smell anything, tell your steward who will handle it.

 

I prefer the buffet on NCL but dining room on Carnival is better. I'm not a vegetarian but I did see lots of non-meat options on Carnival.

 

I love the Carnival Spirit ship. It is one of the best in my personal opinion. Very easy to navigate and none of those dead ends. Activities will be pretty much the same between the ships. I see no difference on the ships I've been on between NCL, CCL & RCI. They all have fun.

 

My kids haven't sailed on NCL to give you a comparison of the kids programs. My kids were 14 & 16 when they first cruised on Carnival. Both usually just meet some kids from the club they like and hang out the whole cruise and don't really participate in the kids activities. They play basketball, mini golf, swim, eat pizza and generally hang out so I can't really say the "programs" are wonderful but I've seen the activity lists and if your kids are into that sort of thing, they will have fun on CCL. They do things like wii or PS2 tournaments, dodge ball competitions, dances, etc.

 

Good luck on whatever you decide. I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you choose. I think the kids will find the fun wherever they are.

[chrisa222]

I have not been on NCL yet, but I am going in a few months. The only thing I wanted to add is that DCL doesn't have a casino. To me, that is important!

[katyjeka]

Love WDW and will continue to visit as often as possible, that being said I have no desire to cruise with Mickey. We like to relax on a cruise, and not be in a mad dash to see characters, and all things disney. NCL has a very relaxed atmosphere and is very kid friendly. NCL offers many family cabins, and the kids crew has always been top notch with our 3 girls.

[HCE]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. Makes me feel more comfortable about going with Norwegian. I am still thinking seriously about the Carnival Spirit - it does seem to be cheaper and the cabins seem larger - but one thing that makes me lean towards Norwegian is the itinerary. I'd like to be able to do Glacier bay - which Carnival does not seem to do.

 

- HCE

[LadyShiva]

Personally, I prefer the Norwegian Pearl to the older Disney ships, and that includes the kids programs. The Pearl's rooms were better taken care of than Disney's balconies and interior staterooms (we also sailed Disney after the renovations), and the same lunch lady screaming at the kids on Disney on multiple Disney cruises put me off permanently. Our Pearl cruise was just a more relaxed cruise for us.

 

Food allergies were dealt with well on both lines. You have more choices for food on NCL, though, because you have more places to eat.

 

Dining times are more flexible, too, on NCL. There's no massive rush to log in in the middle of the night to get Palo seatings on NCL. We had a mini-suite (similar to a Cat 5A on Disney) on the Pearl, and we were able to book whatever restaurant we felt like on the cruise.

 

Granted, my personal cruise buddies prefer Disney to all the other lines, so remember you're not paying me for my opinion! *laugh*