Carnival comparison to NCL????

[shealea]

My dh and I are considering booking a Mexican Riviera cruise for this next summer/early fall. We've been on four Alaska cruises (we live in Seattle) with NCL, sailing on the Jewel class ships, Jewel and Pearl. We really love the freestyle of NCL. We are not into dressing or acting fancy! Just not in us I guess!!! lol! So, we fit right in with NCL. We like the fact of, you can do what you want, when you want!!! YES!

 

We are in our mid-50's, but we do enjoy watching the lively shows and bands on NCL. I usually wear capris, shorts, jeans, skirts. Dh wears shorts jeans with t-shirts. We do bring along an outfit that will qualify with the one MDR dinner dress code, but even then, it's not a very dressy outfit.

 

We enjoy the shows. We enjoy the rock-n-roll bands and dancing sometimes. We enjoy chilling on deck and people watching. We usually go with an inside cabin, with one cruise in a balcony.

 

So, my question is....... do you think we'll enjoy a Carnival cruise? I think it will fit our style better than sailing with Princess, who is also doing the Mexican Riviera.

 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts and replies!!!!!

Sandy

[clcjdn]

We have done both Carnival and NCL, but no Princess reference. We went Carnival first, so we "missed" the built in scheduling of the early or late dinner, but we kind of made our own routine on the next NCL one. Seems like you aren't a fan of that portion, so Anytime Dining would be vary comparable to that NCL Freestyle dining. Less options for "up-charge" eateries on Carnival, but again, probably not important based on the above.

 

As for other things......

Instead of Howl at the Moon, Carnival has a Piano Bar on each ship. 1 piano (CCL) vs 2 pianos (NCL)

Bingo seemed fairly the same/minor differences

Casino fairly the same (unless you are a video poker player)

Casino Comps, NCL has the advantage with CAS over the Ocean Players Club on CCL

Rooms seemed comparable

Trivia on CCL offers the winners a 100% Gold Plastic, Ship on a Stick vs Signatures/minor giveaways on NCL

 

That's about all that I can recall from our comparisons in the past.......Thanks!

Joe

[runner15km]

Both lines are similar just sign up for anytime dining on CCL.

[shealea]

Thank you for the replies. It does sound like NCL and Carnival are similar in many areas. I think the Carnival Miracle would be a good fit for us. And we could choose the Anytime dining option, which we would like, I think.

 

I've really been anxious to try Carnival, as on our NCL cruises we did talk to folks that had sailed Carnival and really enjoyed it!

[lottsomom]

We have done both Carnival and NCL, but no Princess reference. We went Carnival first, so we "missed" the built in scheduling of the early or late dinner, but we kind of made our own routine on the next NCL one. Seems like you aren't a fan of that portion, so Anytime Dining would be vary comparable to that NCL Freestyle dining. Less options for "up-charge" eateries on Carnival, but again, probably not important based on the above.

 

As for other things......

Instead of Howl at the Moon, Carnival has a Piano Bar on each ship. 1 piano (CCL) vs 2 pianos (NCL)

Bingo seemed fairly the same/minor differences

Casino fairly the same (unless you are a video poker player)

Casino Comps, NCL has the advantage with CAS over the Ocean Players Club on CCL

Rooms seemed comparable

Trivia on CCL offers the winners a 100% Gold Plastic, Ship on a Stick vs Signatures/minor giveaways on NCL

 

That's about all that I can recall from our comparisons in the past.......Thanks!

Joe

 

We have never been on NCL and wanting to try this year, but what do you mean by the casino is the same unless you are a video poker player. That is usually all I play when I'm in the casino and I do spend a lot of time there. Are there not any video pokers on NCL?

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

Just make sure you book your dining early. I always book late, and the two times I have sailed on Carnival, anytime dining was always booked. I absolutely hate being held to a set schedule on when I am supposed to eat and being stuck at a table with a bunch of strangers. I end up eating in the buffet all week on Carnival, or pay the difference for David's, which is an incredible meal.

[clcjdn]

We have never been on NCL and wanting to try this year, but what do you mean by the casino is the same unless you are a video poker player. That is usually all I play when I'm in the casino and I do spend a lot of time there. Are there not any video pokers on NCL?

 

On CCL they usually have 10-16 Game Kings that are multi-denominational. The $.25 level is usually progressive and they are all 10 coin machines for bet max.

 

On NCL, they usually have 10-16 Game Kings spread out, nothing is progressive. They also usually have 6-12 SuperStar Poker Machines with Triple Play, Five Play, Spin Poker, Super Times Pay and some Keno.

 

Personally, I like the variety on NCL (along with the comp packages) but after my wife hit a $6.7k royal on CCL, I can't really complain there either....:) We just look at the pricing for the times we can go, and make a call.......

[happy cruzin]

Thank you for the replies. It does sound like NCL and Carnival are similar in many areas. I think the Carnival Miracle would be a good fit for us. And we could choose the Anytime dining option, which we would like, I think.

 

I've really been anxious to try Carnival, as on our NCL cruises we did talk to folks that had sailed Carnival and really enjoyed it!

 

Having sailed Carnival (including the Miracle with that itinerary) and NCL (but not the Jewel class) I do believe you will find them more similar than different.

 

BUT....entertainment on Carnival you might find disappointing and Anytime dining is a great option but there are not the specialty restaurant choices on CCL. I do HIGHLY recommend the Steakhouse on the Miracle - if you are interested. ;) The Chef's Table is a fun and interesting experience on CCL too - if that is of any interest to you.

[sparks1093]

My dh and I are considering booking a Mexican Riviera cruise for this next summer/early fall. We've been on four Alaska cruises (we live in Seattle) with NCL, sailing on the Jewel class ships, Jewel and Pearl. We really love the freestyle of NCL. We are not into dressing or acting fancy! Just not in us I guess!!! lol! So, we fit right in with NCL. We like the fact of, you can do what you want, when you want!!! YES!

 

We are in our mid-50's, but we do enjoy watching the lively shows and bands on NCL. I usually wear capris, shorts, jeans, skirts. Dh wears shorts jeans with t-shirts. We do bring along an outfit that will qualify with the one MDR dinner dress code, but even then, it's not a very dressy outfit.

 

We enjoy the shows. We enjoy the rock-n-roll bands and dancing sometimes. We enjoy chilling on deck and people watching. We usually go with an inside cabin, with one cruise in a balcony.

 

So, my question is....... do you think we'll enjoy a Carnival cruise? I think it will fit our style better than sailing with Princess, who is also doing the Mexican Riviera.

 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts and replies!!!!!

Sandy

 

For us the choice comes down to price and if NCL is close to CCL that is what we would choose, but we would be just as happy on CCL since they are both so similar. There seemed to be more passenger participation entertainment events on CCL, and NCL's entertainment is more robust. The food we found comparable between the two lines. CCL's cabins were noticeably larger but that's not a deal breaker.

[debkjw]

The thing that I like best about Carnival is the comedy club. 5 shows 4 different days with 4 different comedians.

 

debkjw

[shealea]

Just make sure you book your dining early. I always book late, and the two times I have sailed on Carnival, anytime dining was always booked.

 

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks! I don't think we would do well if we had to go to dinner at a certain time!! But we would make due with whatever we had to. And the buffet suits us okay, but I do like the MDR!!!

 

I've managed to find some of the Daily Activity Schedules from the Miracle to read, and I think the ship sounds perfect and a lot of fun!!!!!

 

I think we are looking to book a cruise the the Riviera in Sept of this coming Fall.

 

Thanks to all of you that took the time to post!!!! Much appreciated!

[Freckles_51]

I've cruised with NCL and Carnival but not Princess. If itinerary and price are the same then I would choose NCL. If Carnival was less then I would choose Carnival.

IMHO...

NCL ships interiors are a bit more upscale, buffet food is better, entertainment (in the theatre) is better, I had more fun at the White Hot Party than any Carnival deck party that I have attended, passenger participation events are more fun (this may depend on the entertainment staff), Guest Services desk is bigger and well staffed, senior officers are more visible and approachable.

I do prefer Carnival's Piano Bar setup over NCL's Howl at the Moon, Carnival Red Frog Pub Trivia is lots of fun, their cabins are bigger, Carnival's Italian restaurant beats any upcharge restaurant on both lines for food quality, value and ambience (although we do like NCLs Le Bistro), we prefer the general layout of Carnival ships.

 

These are only my opinions. Definitely give Carnival a try :)

[Luvtoeat]

We have been on Carnival 8 times and NCL once, 11 nights on the Dawn. NCL breakfast and lunch buffet has way more choices but dinner was better on Carnival. Balcony cabins on Carnival are much bigger. We really liked the freestyle concept as after so many cruises it was nice not having to pack so many clothes. Will be on the Pride in another week but would not hesitate to book NCL if the price was right.

[Rebels82]

I have sailed both....if Wine Packages are important to you....NCL has higher quality Wine Packages. I will be on the Splendor in a few weeks but I will never forget one of the two CCL cruises I went on....we asked for wine at dinner and the waiter didn't know how to pour the wine...he spilled it and said "we are not use to serving wine, we mainly do beer here."

[decemberpsyche]

This is just the type of thread I was looking for! All of our 5 (measly, I know compared to most on cc) cruises have been on Norwegian, but for my son's graduation trip we are probably choosing Carnival.

 

We like Norwegian and their product. We love the laid back dress code and the free style concept. Granted we don't have anything to compare it to, but it suits us. I'll give Carnival the win for better iteneries and options on where to sail.

 

We're probably doing Liberty out of San Juan. My biggest question (today) is about formal night. This thread has answered most of my other questions.

[happy cruzin]

This is just the type of thread I was looking for! All of our 5 (measly, I know compared to most on cc) cruises have been on Norwegian, but for my son's graduation trip we are probably choosing Carnival.

 

 

 

We like Norwegian and their product. We love the laid back dress code and the free style concept. Granted we don't have anything to compare it to, but it suits us. I'll give Carnival the win for better iteneries and options on where to sail.

 

 

 

We're probably doing Liberty out of San Juan. My biggest question (today) is about formal night. This thread has answered most of my other questions.

 

 

 

Good choice. We prefer Carnival when we cruise with the extended family - because of the choices available - and cost of Carnival.

 

DH and I prefer NCL (the Haven) when cruising alone! 😉

 

 

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Edited January 4, 2015 by happy cruzin

[shealea]

I would stick with NCL for my Mexican Riviera Cruise, except it's the NCL Jewel that is doing the Riviera next Fall. I've already sailed on her twice and her sister ship, The Pearl twice.

 

I'm really looking forward to change it up a bit and get on a different ship. So, it's either Carnival or Princess. And I'm really leaning to Carnival Miracle after reading so many nice replies here

[decemberpsyche]

I would stick with NCL for my Mexican Riviera Cruise, except it's the NCL Jewel that is doing the Riviera next Fall. I've already sailed on her twice and her sister ship, The Pearl twice.

 

I'm really looking forward to change it up a bit and get on a different ship. So, it's either Carnival or Princess. And I'm really leaning to Carnival Miracle after reading so many nice replies here

 

Me being the dork that I am, would pick Princess if the price was close, because I DVR "Love Boat".

[sparks1093]

This is just the type of thread I was looking for! All of our 5 (measly, I know compared to most on cc) cruises have been on Norwegian, but for my son's graduation trip we are probably choosing Carnival.

 

We like Norwegian and their product. We love the laid back dress code and the free style concept. Granted we don't have anything to compare it to, but it suits us. I'll give Carnival the win for better iteneries and options on where to sail.

 

We're probably doing Liberty out of San Juan. My biggest question (today) is about formal night. This thread has answered most of my other questions.

 

CCL doesn't have a formal night, but an elegant night (think NCL lite). Nice pants and shirt are sufficient and CCL's website has all of the particulars.