Royal Caribbean or Norwegian?

[Forensicmom]

Which is better for a family? We will have 3 daughters (ages 7, 10, 13) with us. As of now, they are not interested in any clubs. They just want to do things as a family. I know the Norwegian Epic has the Nickelodeon stuff but is it worth it?

 

We decided against Disney b/c it was TOO much for kids and lots more money.

[patseacruiser]

The Nickelodean stuff on NCL is not in your face stuff. IMO the Epic is one of the best family fun ships around. The waterslides are awesome, the Wii games on the giant screen in the atrium, Blue Man Group..... Just a lot of fun to be had.

[patseacruiser]

Guess I didn't finish. RCI freedom and oasis class ships have a lot for families also and are reasonably priced as is NCL. Freedom and oasis class have flowrider and rock climbing wall and lots of activites for the kids all day.

[#1TravelMom]

Without a doubt - EPIC. We've been on 30+ cruises (25 different ships). When traveling with children - the EPIC can't be beat. Also, the entertainment for children an adults is the best we've seen. So much to see and do - a week is not enough! We can't wait for another EPIC cruise.

[youngestof9]

We loved Epic - it was the first cruise we took our kids on. We loved it so much we booked it again for 2013. Lots to do, loved being able to eat whenever we wanted and wear more casual clothes and thought the kids club was great.

 

We stayed in a suite (pics in my signature) and it was FABULOUS. Spoiled for life!

[Rob_Jen]

How is NCL compared to Carnival? We have never been on a NCL ship yet. Not sure of the Epic as its the same price as Royal but we may look into the smaller ships.

[Forensicmom]

I guess what I'm asking is, what are the advantages/disadvantages to Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

 

Our only experience is with Carnival and, we did not have the kids with us.

 

I've been reading a lot more negatives about Norwegian and how regular things are charged extra for, unlike RC. On the Carnival ship, we ate in the dining rooms for almost everything except for pizza/sandwiches for lunch. We paid NOTHING for food. The only thing we paid extra for was alcohol and the casino. I don't want any surprises.

[youngestof9]

I guess what I'm asking is, what are the advantages/disadvantages to Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

 

Our only experience is with Carnival and, we did not have the kids with us.

 

I've been reading a lot more negatives about Norwegian and how regular things are charged extra for, unlike RC. On the Carnival ship, we ate in the dining rooms for almost everything except for pizza/sandwiches for lunch. We paid NOTHING for food. The only thing we paid extra for was alcohol and the casino. I don't want any surprises.

 

I am still so puzzled why NCL gets stuck with the "nickel and dimed to death" and RC doesn't. NCL has plenty of free food. For example, on the Epic, there were 2 MDRs, a huge buffet, a 24-hour location (O'Sheehans) and a small grill at Spice H20 plus room service. All included in your cruise fare. They offer a TON of specialty restaurants for a fee but you do not have to eat there. The food is perfectly fine in the free locations. I know food is definitely subjective. I have heard people say they (NCL) skimp on the free locations to encourage you to pay to eat in specialty restaurants but I didn't find that at all. As far as everything else, THE SAME AS ROYAL! We had the same range of prices for alcohol, the gratuity is the same (albiet it is handled differently - Royal gives guidelines that you give in cash at the end and NCL charges a DSC (daily service charge) of $12/day per person charged to your onboard account). When I calculated that out it was different by 35 cents a day. Sounds like the same to me. Soda is not included on either line - you can buy by the soda or buy a soda card - offered on both lines for approximately the same price. Then obviously you have to use your own money in casino and on bingo.

 

Bottom line, I found no difference when it comes to spending between NCL and Royal. I liked both lines and would sail either again (have 2 NCL's booked but would book Royal again if the price/itinerary were right).

 

Our kids enjoyed the food on NCL - the buffet had something at any given time that they liked - they had soft serve ice cream almost all the time - the food at O'Sheehans was yummy (comfort food like wings and mozz stix) and is offered in the Blue Lagoon on their other ships.

 

I think you would be fine with either Royal or NCL - bottom line it comes down to price of the room and itinerary. There are "cheerleaders" for each line - myself I like them both and have been happy with both lines. It's just that I stumbled across Epic when I canceled my Adventure of the Seas (it was sailing from San Juan and airfare was more per person than the 7 day cruise :eek: ) and liked it so much I booked again. I booked the Gem over the RC Explorer of the Seas because we wanted a 7 day to Bermuda and not a 5 day.

 

oh and what I LOVED about NCL is the "freestyle" dining - I know RC says that have anytime dining which I didn't use, but I loved being able to get ready at our own pace and eat at any given time we wanted, wherever we wanted. That worked great for the kids - sometimes we needed to eat early, sometimes we napped and ate late. I liked not having to be ready at 6:00 or 8:30.

 

I truly think you'd be happy on either. Have fun planning :)

[Forensicmom]

Youngsterof9 - Thanks for the response. That's what I was hoping to hear. Reading different reviews is hard b/c, like you said, some people definately like one line over the other.

 

One question about the freestyle dining. Does that mean that you just show up the dining room anytime you want? Do they have a formal night? I really enjoyed that on the Carnival ship I was on and was hoping Norwegian had that as well.

[crusinmama06]

I think NCL gets stuck with the nickle and dime because people really can't come up with a better complaint. ;) They don't do their research and they won't blame themselves so they blame the cruiseline.

 

It's like when RCI get's the same complaint because you have to pay for Ben & Jerry's -- the simple answer is just not to eat at Ben & Jerry's and to eat at the FREE ice cream self serve machines. :)

 

Before going on Gem I have been reading, asking and learning as much as possible about that ship, the best food, entertainment, kids programs, etc. If we are "nickled and dimed to death" then it will be our own fault.

[youngestof9]

Youngsterof9 - Thanks for the response. That's what I was hoping to hear. Reading different reviews is hard b/c, like you said, some people definately like one line over the other.

 

One question about the freestyle dining. Does that mean that you just show up the dining room anytime you want? Do they have a formal night? I really enjoyed that on the Carnival ship I was on and was hoping Norwegian had that as well.

 

Anytime! Freestyle basically means you show up at any of the free dining at any time you want. Could there be a wait? Yup. But I haven't heard or read anyone waiting more than 10 minutes. Even that is not that common. As far as the specialty restaurants, they do suggest you make reservations. However, I found even on Epic I just walked up to one of the specialties and got right in. You don't sit with the same people every evening like you do in traditional dining. You can ask to be seated with others if you wish, but that doesn't seem to be the norm.

 

As far as attire, they don't have a written "formal" night. It's called "dress up or not". I found on those nights there were people a little more dressed up and there were ship's photographers all over the ship. But if you felt on any night you wanted to doll up, you certainly can. I didn't see many (if any) tuxes or gowns, but lots of cute little dresses and men in collared shirts - some in jackets.

 

I think NCL gets stuck with the nickle and dime because people really can't come up with a better complaint. ;) They don't do their research and they won't blame themselves so they blame the cruiseline.

 

It's like when RCI get's the same complaint because you have to pay for Ben & Jerry's -- the simple answer is just not to eat at Ben & Jerry's and to eat at the FREE ice cream self serve machines. :)

 

Before going on Gem I have been reading, asking and learning as much as possible about that ship, the best food, entertainment, kids programs, etc. If we are "nickled and dimed to death" then it will be our own fault.

 

You're so right on Michele! I have read reviews about people on Epic loving everything at O'Sheehans but they couldn't believe the milkshakes were $4. :rolleyes:

 

I'm excited about the Gem - we hit double digits today 99!!! But I think doing due diligence before a cruise helps everyone. It doesn't take too much time to research the basics (unless you're like me and read every.last.thing written about your ship. LOL!!!)

[beachchick]

Caveat first: I can't answer as someone who has cruised with children, but we have observed how happy children onboard seem to be. We will be cruising with our granddaughter in the next year or so and have been paying attention to what others say about their experiences.

 

Here is what I think: We like both cruise lines and think either would be a good choice for families with children. Both want to attract a broad range of passengers, including parents who want a great cruise experience with their children. Both have good options for children onboard, not just in the children's clubs (which I urge you to encourage your children to try--they may end up having fun for an hour or two here and there, and you would have some "adult" time as well as plenty of family time). Part of it depends on what you and your children are looking for onboard. Are they the type of kids who can kind of make their own fun or do they need/prefer pre-structured activities? Are they independent-minded or do they prefer to have a schedule for the day? Do you and they want a large ship with every bell and whistle or would a smaller ship with fun activities and great port stops be good? Keep in mind that "smaller" is a very, very relative when it comes to cruise ship considering that 70,000 tons is considered smaller these days and RCI's Oasis class ships (some of us call them "behemouth of the seas") are 220,000 tons and hold more than 6,000 passengers. Personally, I can't imagine anyone, child or adult, being bored on a cruise ship, but I know some parents worry that there won't be enough for their children to do. The larger ships generally have constant activities 24 hours a day/night; the smaller ships won't have 300 things to choose from every day, but will have plenty to keep everyone occupied and happy.

 

Truly, either cruise line can give you a wonderful experience. I suggest you get brochures for both and compare some of the various options. Each cruise line has a range of ship styles and sizes, so it's important to narrow down what appeals to you and your family specifically.

 

beachchick