RCL cruiser wants to try NCL

[JBlock54]

I have always cruised on Royal Caribbean and have always been happy, but this year it just seems Royals prices are crazy high compared to previous years. We were thinking about trying NCL Getaway this year in November. Can anyone that has cruised both lines give me some insights of the differences between the 2 lines?

[tidygirl]

We have tried NCL one time (mar 2012) I was kind of nervous after reading peoples opinions (hubby and daughter threated to take the computer away) We only ate at the buffets but I would say they were comparable at the time to RCI .The thing we disliked for our family of 5 was there wasn't a lot of activities like mini-golf , rock climbing, flowrider etc. so my kids (late teens and early 20 and hubby got bored on the sea days) They have the evening shows and like any ship we've been on some are good and some not so much! But our opinion is RCI #1 NCL#2 and Carnival ranks the lowest on the list for our family. If the itinerary and price is to your liking try it once with an open mind if it's terrible don't go on them again.

[Big_G]

We've never done NCL but what will it hurt to try it? They have a following just like other lines so they must provide a decent product. If you don't like it, at least you tried it.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Big_G

[Chadr135]

We have used both lines several times and we like RCCL more. NCL is good, but we found RCCL's customer service on the ship to be superior, especially in the dining rooms. We also weren't pleased that in the main dining room, we saw the same menu EVERYDAY for breakfast and lunch (95% sure on lunch).

 

RCCL #1, Celebrity #2, NCL #3, and we have never and will not use Carnival.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Chadr135

[JamesFic]

Have always cruised RC and Princess. We'd heard mediocre to not so great reviews from others about NCL but were pleasantly surprised in April on the Epic. This was our first NCL cruise and we were so impressed with the experience that we have since booked another cruise on NCL.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

We were on the NCL Epic in 2013 and Royal Caribbean's Radiance this year and 4 Royal cruises before that. We definitely prefer Royal, hands down. We felt that service and dining room food lacked. The buffet was great though, very good made to order omelets and crepes, and nice selection. And as you probably know, NCL offers the freestyle dining. We prefer traditional, but it was nice to try. Everyone's opinion is different, but have a great cruise either way!

Edited July 14, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[John&LaLa]

We have been on almost all the mass market lines except Disney (to expensive and no casino), and NCL is the only never again on the list. My only caveat is the suite program is awesome, awesome, awesome.

 

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[magicolor_girl]

I find all mainline cruise lines to be relatively the same in cruise experience and food. Each is good at some things, each has some negatives but overall you'll feel like you're on a cruise and have a good time regardless of which line you are on. I was wary of going on NCL after 11 RCCL cruises but it was fine. Not as many activities (my kids missed the rock wall) but still a fun time. After having a decent experience on NCL I even agreed to try Carnival which I had originally sworn off. We had a good time on Carnival too. I'll sail any major cruise line that has an itinerary I want at a good price for me. Try it out. You'll have fun and then you'll be able to decide what line suits you best.

 

 

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Edited July 14, 2014 by magicolor_girl

[True Texan]

We have cruised Carnival, RCCL and just tried the NCL Jewel on a 13 day Panama Canal Cruise. We loved it. We are both in our 60's so Rock climbing walls are not important to us. The entertainment and food was all good. We were not in anyway bored. The staff on the ship were super and we will consider them again.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I've noticed that the more "shortcomings" you are expecting on NCL, or going into it with low expectations and then being surprised, the better cruise you will have. One of my youtube friends just did this very thing:

 

[Iluvcruising2]

We're trying NCL Jade later this year. Will post plenty of pics and vids when I get back.

[dupe1_åsa]

We were on the Getaway this feb and absolute loved it, our 3 kids loved the waterslides and all the other stuff, they were never bored.

The food was great.

We liked to sit on the oceanfront bars outside and just relax watching the ocean...

The "Burn the floor show" was the best show ever, better than 'Oasis of dreams'.

We had an oceanview cabin with large picture Window on deck 5, for 5 people and it was large enough for us.

We did the 'Illusionarium show' with dinner and that was something:D

After the Getaway cruise we went on the Independendence and the kids wanted to go back to Getaway......

So next year we will cruise Getaway again.

[davy jones]

The biggest difference is no assigned seating on NCL. If that's a deal breaker, then don't read on. Note that I book MTD on RCL because I like the flexibility.

 

Your circumstances and preferences may vary. Example: We are a 50s couple, so all children's and some family things are not important to us. However, I do climb the rock wall once and play miniature golf.

 

Overall: Both are good products and I plan to sail botha gain

 

Ships: I haven't sailed the newest (and biggest) RCI or NCL ships. I find the ships that I have sailed on on each line similar. The largest difference is the RCI promenade vs the NCL atrium.

 

Cabins: Similar size and amenities.

 

MDR: Small edge to RCI.

 

Buffet: NCL clearly better

 

Entertainment: Even - NCL production shows are a bit better, but the RCI ice show is excellent.

 

Atmosphere: A bit more laid back on NCL.

 

Service: Good on both.

[tgnorton]

long long time ago did a NCL cruise, and hated it because they are constantly pushing you to buy drinks, upgrades, etc. Recently watched a special documentary on NCL and they confirmed that it is still the case. They need to sell sell sell to make their margins. The guys with the drinks just would follow us around and beg us to buy because they had to meet their quotas - I started begging them to leave us alone...

[mizLORInj]

I have not felt pressured to buy any extras on NCL more than any other line. You pay for drinks, photos, souvenirs, casino, etc. just like on all other mainstream cruiselines. NCL has more upcharge dining options--which most people love.

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OP: It's best to try NCL for yourself--very glad I did a few years ago!

Edited July 14, 2014 by mizlorinj

[bjlaac]

My Wife and I, late 50's have been cruising for 30+ years. We like longer cruises in early January and have been fortunate to sail Holland, RCCL and NCL in the past six years. Our last two cruises were on NCL Jewel and Breakaway (sister ship to Getaway).

 

The major difference is the NCL "freestyle" concept. That basically means you can eat whenever you want and there is little, if any, dress code enforced. While I can tell you the ability to eat whenever you choose is appealing there are some draw backs you need to consider.

 

If you like elegance such as formal nights and business attire in the evenings then NCL will be a downer. Shorts and T-shirts are common in all of the free restaurents even though the more elegeant of the two or three requests no shorts, etc. Its rarely enforced. The other issue is many foods normally seen in the free restauants is not available in the main dinning rooms. Items such as Shrimp Cocktails, Escargo, Lobster, Creme Brulee, etc will not be fund there. Instead you will have to go to one of the "extra fee" restaurants which run from $15 to $50 per person per night. There are 5 or so of these types of restaurants which are all very good. If you bought one of their Ulimited Dining Plans you could average the cost to about $20 per person per night with some places excluded (e.g. Ocean Blue on Breakaway and the Sushi locations)

 

Because of this added charge there's this feeling of nickle and diming that those loyal to NCL will say you don't have to pay for them if you don't want too, which would be a valid arguement if NCL had'nt removed the above mentioned items from the free locations. You also have different waiters which eliminates that bonding you often experience with a set waitor and busboy. Its also not uncommon to have to wait to be seated if you expect to eat at their busy times in the free locations.

 

Having all this said we would sail NCL again but given the same itinerary and dates, we would go with Holland, RCCL or Celebrety before NCL

[nbsjcruiser]

I have always cruised on Royal Caribbean and have always been happy, but this year it just seems Royals prices are crazy high compared to previous years. We were thinking about trying NCL Getaway this year in November. Can anyone that has cruised both lines give me some insights of the differences between the 2 lines?

 

You'll find the two lines very similar. The service is great, food is great and entertainment as good if not better. You'll probably end up with a new cruise line to pick from in the future. That's what happened to us. :)

[besberry]

I usually sail RCI, but in January I went on NCL. The reason? I had a balcony for the same price as an outside on RCI or Celebrity with a similar itinerary. I was quite worried because all the RCI snobs look down on NCL, freedom dining, tsk, dynamic dining, great! I had a blast, I always go for my time anyway and I loved the ship, the food and the activities. The Speigel Tent was great and worth the extra. I was on the Epic and I didn't mind the cabin layout as I was solo, not so sure I'd have been so happy, if I was with someone.