Norwegian & Carnival

[TexasCruiser52]

We have been on 8 Carnival cruises. Noticed Norwegian Jewel will sail out of Houston in fall of 2014. Same itinerary as Magic but a bit less money. For those of you that have cruised both lines is there much of a difference ? :confused:

[kwbound]

We have been on 6 Carnival cruises - 4 from Galveston, 1 from Houston's Bayport (right after Hurricane Ike) and 1 from NOLA. We've been on one NCL - the Pride of America in Hawaii, but that cruise is so different (all American crew, no casino, etc) and we were so busy during the day and tired at night, that it wasn't really fair to make a comparison. But we will be on the Star in two weeks:D and I plan to do some comparisons in my review when we return.

[DMH15]

If NCL is less, why not try it... Maybe even book a suite!

[cheshyrkat]

NCL suites are better than CCL if you are into that kind of thing. I've never been on Jewel or Magic so I can't compare the two ships.

 

Generally speaking, I liked the food in the MDR best on CCL. I like the upcharge restaurants on NCL more than their MDR. But I've never gone hungry on a ship, regardless of which line!

 

When I've cruised NCL I always have been in a suite. I've sailed every category of cabins on CCL. If I want to do an OV or inside I will go with CCL for sure. If I had to pick between the standard balconies, I would probably go with CCL, but maybe on NCL depending on the pricing.

 

I think the things I do on a ship are largely influenced by the type of cabin I am in. With a suite I am more selective and don't get out and about as much. When in a standard cabin I tend to go out and do more.

 

I also cruise based on convenience. I don't want to fly anywhere, so we prefer to go out of New Orleans. Galveston is doable also, but requires an overnight stay. That means that I do a lot of the same itineraries.

 

No matter which line I've sailed, I have never had a "bad" cruise.

[TexasCruiser52]

We have been on 6 Carnival cruises - 4 from Galveston, 1 from Houston's Bayport (right after Hurricane Ike) and 1 from NOLA. We've been on one NCL - the Pride of America in Hawaii, but that cruise is so different (all American crew, no casino, etc) and we were so busy during the day and tired at night, that it wasn't really fair to make a comparison. But we will be on the Star in two weeks:D and I plan to do some comparisons in my review when we return.

 

Thanks. Will look forward to your comparison.We are not high maintenance. Never been on a bad cruise.. I would like to try another line. Working on the other half in that direction.

[vols_159]

Only big difference is NCL mdr are like a land based restaurant no set dinning times when you wanna eat go to the mdr

 

And no singing waiters or waiteress

[jdvmd]

Variety of the spice of life. We have been on seven Carnival cruises, the most recent on the Liberty in October. The experience (food, service, entertainment was dreadful. Cannot wait to get back on an NCL ship. Lots of other people had issues with the air conditioning not working, no hot water. And this was all on a ship that just had undergone the 2.0 redo. Several people also were going to invoke the "get a refund if you get off the ship before the first port."

[cheshyrkat]

Variety of the spice of life. We have been on seven Carnival cruises, the most recent on the Liberty in October. The experience (food, service, entertainment was dreadful. Cannot wait to get back on an NCL ship. Lots of other people had issues with the air conditioning not working, no hot water. And this was all on a ship that just had undergone the 2.0 redo. Several people also were going to invoke the "get a refund if you get off the ship before the first port."

 

I would probably feel the same way if I had a cruise on CCL that was that bad!:eek:

[Winewench1]

We will be doing our 1st NCL cruise on the Epic Nov 16... we have done 7 CCL cruise and enjoyed them but wanted to try something different for a change then go back to CC and keep NCL as a great alternative.

[TexasCruiser52]

We will be doing our 1st NCL cruise on the Epic Nov 16... we have done 7 CCL cruise and enjoyed them but wanted to try something different for a change then go back to CC and keep NCL as a great alternative.

 

 

Yes. That is kind where I am at the moment. I don't like the added

expense of flying so now have 2 choices Galveston or Houston.

[vols_159]

Variety of the spice of life. We have been on seven Carnival cruises, the most recent on the Liberty in October. The experience (food, service, entertainment was dreadful. Cannot wait to get back on an NCL ship. Lots of other people had issues with the air conditioning not working, no hot water. And this was all on a ship that just had undergone the 2.0 redo. Several people also were going to invoke the "get a refund if you get off the ship before the first port."

 

Stupid question how would you get off before your first port?

[aam3]

We sail both lines and enjoy them both. Food is comparable but entertainment on NCL is better. We tend to book whchever is cheaper and has the better itinerary.

[jdvmd]

Stupid question how would you get off before your first port?

 

Sorry I should have said at the first port.

[soccersharon]

We've sailed Carnival 4 times - all great cruises. Little surprised about the Liberty being so bad (in a previous post). Sailed her 3 times, would easily sail her again!

 

I am looking forward to having a different experience (food, entertainment, etc.) While I really appreciate the Carnival product, it'll be nice to not always know what to expect, if you know what I mean :)

[logan25]

I have sailed on Pearl (sister ship) and hubby has sailed on Pearl and Jewel. We like Pearl a lot, especially the buffet area (very large) and Spinnaker Lounge (forward upper deck). But we have not sailed Magic and will not be able to compare and contrast. Sorry.

 

However, I just finished my first ever Carnival cruise experience on the Triumph, and we were frankly disappointed. We are not foodies (home cooking and chain restaurants are fine by us), but many dishes did not measure up to NCL (meaning either inconsistent or blandly seasoned). Give hubby a good burger (not mediocre, but good), pizza (he didn't like the flavor at all), decent steak (not flavorful) and hot wings (not available at all) and he's a happy camper. But everyone agrees food is a matter of personal preference, so our opinion is not shared by all.

 

The couple we were travelling with (for their first cruise ever no less) were also not wowed by the food or entertainment available. In fact, the wife noted she never saw any "fun" happening. We enjoyed each other's company and did take in the comedic shows, but no "party" atmosphere was evident. Her expectations were probably influenced by the TV commercials showing passengers having just oodles of fun.

 

Hubby says he will be hard pressed to choose Carnival for any future sailings when his expectations for their food are so low.

[Umbarger]

I like NCL way better than Carnival. Carnival is doing so many cut backs that NCL is like an upgrade anymore.

 

NCL has smaller cabins than Carnival.

Entertainment on NCL is better.

Service much better on NCL.

 

I have been on 5 different cruise lines and believe variety is the spice of life. Try NCL and make your own comparison.

 

No such thing as a bad cruise.

[spacewoman]

I like NCL way better than Carnival. Carnival is doing so many cut backs that NCL is like an upgrade anymore.

 

NCL has smaller cabins than Carnival.

Entertainment on NCL is better.

Service much better on NCL.

 

I have been on 5 different cruise lines and believe variety is the spice of life. Try NCL and make your own comparison.

 

No such thing as a bad cruise.

 

Agree with all of the above!!

 

We last sailed CCL 2009. NCL seems to "fit" us better than the others. We are no fuss, no muss kind of people. I like the fact that I can wear a nice pair of shorts in the dining room.

 

If you are used to the glitz and glam of a CCL ship (like Miracle or her sister ships), you will not find a glamorous atrium on the Jewel. At first it felt like a let down, but day 2 I was "who cares, I'm on a cruise!"

 

We have done 1 Princess, 4 Carnival, and 5 NCL cruises. All of our cruises have been chosen for a variety of reasons: where we want to sail to, price, do we want to try a different ship, etc. Never had a bad cruise.

 

My supervisor went on her first and last cruise on CCL Dream a year ago. Thought they booked a balcony (through Carnival). Big surprise when they boarded and found out they had an inside. Unlike myself who checks the website constantly looking at everything about the ship I'm going on, she booked it and waited for the "ship excitement" for when they boarded. Big surprise. The ship was full and they could not be moved. Swears she was quoted and paid for a balcony. I told her to take it up with corporate, but she said she's done. I'd be very aggravated spending that kind of money (including air fare) and find out I'm in an inside. Too bad on CCL's part as well as she and her husband take 2 vacations a year. Lotta lost money for screwing up. I'd like to say she should have followed up, but not everyone would do that once they book their vacation. Some nuts, like me, will look and look at every little detail of their vacation until it arrives:D

 

Kathy

[DMH15]

Agree with all of the above!!

 

We last sailed CCL 2009. NCL seems to "fit" us better than the others. We are no fuss, no muss kind of people. I like the fact that I can wear a nice pair of shorts in the dining room.

 

If you are used to the glitz and glam of a CCL ship (like Miracle or her sister ships), you will not find a glamorous atrium on the Jewel. At first it felt like a let down, but day 2 I was "who cares, I'm on a cruise!"

 

We have done 1 Princess, 4 Carnival, and 5 NCL cruises. All of our cruises have been chosen for a variety of reasons: where we want to sail to, price, do we want to try a different ship, etc. Never had a bad cruise.

 

My supervisor went on her first and last cruise on CCL Dream a year ago. Thought they booked a balcony (through Carnival). Big surprise when they boarded and found out they had an inside. Unlike myself who checks the website constantly looking at everything about the ship I'm going on, she booked it and waited for the "ship excitement" for when they boarded. Big surprise. The ship was full and they could not be moved. Swears she was quoted and paid for a balcony. I told her to take it up with corporate, but she said she's done. I'd be very aggravated spending that kind of money (including air fare) and find out I'm in an inside. Too bad on CCL's part as well as she and her husband take 2 vacations a year. Lotta lost money for screwing up. I'd like to say she should have followed up, but not everyone would do that once they book their vacation. Some nuts, like me, will look and look at every little detail of their vacation until it arrives:D

 

Kathy

 

You are correct. You have to check and double check.

 

My cousin booked our block of rooms on the Jewel, (she is a TA). I immediately checked online. And I found we were assigned to a porthole cabin. I am very claustrophobic. Luckily we were switched, it was still early and rooms were still available. I did not book a guarantee.

 

It was on that cruise we met friends at our pre cruise hotel who were in the Haven and they had us up to their suite a few times and that spoiled me for life.

 

But I still research suites and leave nothing to chance.

 

What a shame to expect a balcony and not even get a window!

[Florissouri]

I've never been on Disney, nor will I ever. My personal opinion and experience is the more kids there are, the more annoying the cruise is. This is a hot topic on this board and cannot be discussed civilly because all the parents will immediately attack everyone who has this opinion. So beyond that below is my comparison between Carnival and NCL...

 

I'm Platinum on Carnival and getting close to that level on NCL. I wish I could take the best of both and create a superior cruise line.

 

Carnival does a better job with on-ship activities such as trivia and games. They have more social hosts whereas NCL appears to cut them to save money. I'm not much of a sun bather or avid book reader so I look for things to do on my sea days, especially on the upcoming transatlantic on the Epic where we will have 7 consecutive days at sea.

 

Carnival has larger cabins than NCL unless you get an accessible cabin. In that case NCL's accessible cabins are much larger. In some of Carnival's accessible cabins there's simply not enough room to negotiate a wheel chair.

 

The food in all venues is much better on NCL than Carnival, especially the buffets which are far superior to Carnival in choice and variety. Carnival's Executive Chef that decides the menus on all ships simply doesn't believe in hot vegetables. There may be 20 different kinds of salads, but the hot vegetables on the buffet almost EVERY SINGLE NIGHT is steamed broccoli and baked potato. As someone who has spent half my life in the restaurant industry this simply make no sense at all to me, especially when you're trying to be within a budget.

 

The design and layout of the Garden Cafe on the NCL Gem blows away every other ship I've ever been on. A cruise line finally consulted someone in the restaurant industry for help designing a buffet rather than letting an architect do it.

 

I think the design, planning and decor of the NCL ships are better than Carnival, but I really dislike a Joe Farcus designed ship. It's really annoying to have to go up and down on different decks in order to get to Guest Services. The only thing Carnival does have going for them in design is self-service laundry, something NCL does not believe in. In April I'll take the Epic on the 11 day transatlantic to Barcelona and it would certainly be nice to have a self-service laundry to facilitate packing light.

 

The best of the best for me, though, is the Great Outdoors on NCL. I have no problem having breakfast, lunch and dinner there...

 

[Florissouri]

We have been on 8 Carnival cruises. Noticed Norwegian Jewel will sail out of Houston in fall of 2014. Same itinerary as Magic but a bit less money. For those of you that have cruised both lines is there much of a difference ? :confused:

 

I just noticed the Carnivial ships you've been on in your signature. They're pretty much Carnival's oldest and most outdated ships. Comparing them to the Jewell is like comparing a Chrysler to a BMW, so I think you will be in love with NCL and the Jewell if you take that cruise.

 

.

[TexasCruiser52]

I've never been on Disney, nor will I ever. My personal opinion and experience is the more kids there are, the more annoying the cruise is. This is a hot topic on this board and cannot be discussed civilly because all the parents will immediately attack everyone who has this opinion. So beyond that below is my comparison between Carnival and NCL...

 

I'm Platinum on Carnival and getting close to that level on NCL. I wish I could take the best of both and create a superior cruise line.

 

Carnival does a better job with on-ship activities such as trivia and games. They have more social hosts whereas NCL appears to cut them to save money. I'm not much of a sun bather or avid book reader so I look for things to do on my sea days, especially on the upcoming transatlantic on the Epic where we will have 7 consecutive days at sea.

 

Carnival has larger cabins than NCL unless you get an accessible cabin. In that case NCL's accessible cabins are much larger. In some of Carnival's accessible cabins there's simply not enough room to negotiate a wheel chair.

 

The food in all venues is much better on NCL than Carnival, especially the buffets which are far superior to Carnival in choice and variety. Carnival's Executive Chef that decides the menus on all ships simply doesn't believe in hot vegetables. There may be 20 different kinds of salads, but the hot vegetables on the buffet almost EVERY SINGLE NIGHT is steamed broccoli and baked potato. As someone who has spent half my life in the restaurant industry this simply make no sense at all to me, especially when you're trying to be within a budget.

 

The design and layout of the Garden Cafe on the NCL Gem blows away every other ship I've ever been on. A cruise line finally consulted someone in the restaurant industry for help designing a buffet rather than letting an architect do it.

 

I think the design, planning and decor of the NCL ships are better than Carnival, but I really dislike a Joe Farcus designed ship. It's really annoying to have to go up and down on different decks in order to get to Guest Services. The only thing Carnival does have going for them in design is self-service laundry, something NCL does not believe in. In April I'll take the Epic on the 11 day transatlantic to Barcelona and it would certainly be nice to have a self-service laundry to facilitate packing light.

 

The best of the best for me, though, is the Great Outdoors on NCL. I have no problem having breakfast, lunch and dinner there...

 

 

OMG ! I love this ! I'm sold. Thanks. :p

[jonbgd]

I have never had a bad cruise on either line just some bad experiences on both of them

 

But look forward to sailing on NCL out of Houston in the future

 

Also I would recommend you sail on NCL and form your own opinions especially since it is cheaper than CCL

[spacewoman]

I've never been on Disney, nor will I ever. My personal opinion and experience is the more kids there are, the more annoying the cruise is. This is a hot topic on this board and cannot be discussed civilly because all the parents will immediately attack everyone who has this opinion. So beyond that below is my comparison between Carnival and NCL...

 

I'm Platinum on Carnival and getting close to that level on NCL. I wish I could take the best of both and create a superior cruise line.

 

Carnival does a better job with on-ship activities such as trivia and games. They have more social hosts whereas NCL appears to cut them to save money. I'm not much of a sun bather or avid book reader so I look for things to do on my sea days, especially on the upcoming transatlantic on the Epic where we will have 7 consecutive days at sea.

 

Carnival has larger cabins than NCL unless you get an accessible cabin. In that case NCL's accessible cabins are much larger. In some of Carnival's accessible cabins there's simply not enough room to negotiate a wheel chair.

 

The food in all venues is much better on NCL than Carnival, especially the buffets which are far superior to Carnival in choice and variety. Carnival's Executive Chef that decides the menus on all ships simply doesn't believe in hot vegetables. There may be 20 different kinds of salads, but the hot vegetables on the buffet almost EVERY SINGLE NIGHT is steamed broccoli and baked potato. As someone who has spent half my life in the restaurant industry this simply make no sense at all to me, especially when you're trying to be within a budget.

 

The design and layout of the Garden Cafe on the NCL Gem blows away every other ship I've ever been on. A cruise line finally consulted someone in the restaurant industry for help designing a buffet rather than letting an architect do it.

 

I think the design, planning and decor of the NCL ships are better than Carnival, but I really dislike a Joe Farcus designed ship. It's really annoying to have to go up and down on different decks in order to get to Guest Services. The only thing Carnival does have going for them in design is self-service laundry, something NCL does not believe in. In April I'll take the Epic on the 11 day transatlantic to Barcelona and it would certainly be nice to have a self-service laundry to facilitate packing light.

 

The best of the best for me, though, is the Great Outdoors on NCL. I have no problem having breakfast, lunch and dinner there...

 

 

 

I so forgot about the way NCL lays out the buffet areas. So far superior to Carnival.

 

Thanks for the post!

[jonbgd]

I so forgot about the way NCL lays out the buffet areas. So far superior to Carnival.

 

Thanks for the post!

While I like this on NCL

Carnival does have a open aft on the new ships also their other cruislines Princess and Hal have this as well.

Besides Celebrity M class

How many NCL ships have this??? We did enjoy it on the POA BUT...

The Epic doesnt.... SO is NCL getting away with the open Aft as it looks like the Breakaay wont either

Or is the Breakaway open fantail??

[Florissouri]

While I like this on NCL

Carnival does have a open aft on the new ships also their other cruislines Princess and Hal have this as well.

Besides Celebrity M class

How many NCL ships have this??? We did enjoy it on the POA BUT...

The Epic doesnt.... SO is NCL getting away with the open Aft as it looks like the Breakaay wont either

Or is the Breakaway open fantail??

 

Almost all NCL ships have the Great Outdoors. Most are aft but it's mid-ship on Deck 15 adjacent to the Garden Cafe on the Epic