Looking for unbiased opinions on NCL vs RCCL.

[Kaya4114]

Hi. So, I am new to Cruise Critics, but not that new to cruising. I have been on several Royal Caribbean Cruises and am now going on another cruise in 6 days, the Norwegian Epic.

 

I have read many reviews online and watched several videos, and I have an idea of what it'll be like to "cruise like a Norwegian", but I also have some questions and mild concerns regarding activities and also price of food.

 

I ask for an unbiased answer here as I have only found what looks like biased opinions so far. (IE people that have never done NCL or have only done one or two and say its bad without having done it/are loyal to another brand with having 30 with one brand and 2 with the one in question)

 

So anyways, on with my extremely long winded questions:

 

I am a bit of a gamer and love dancing games like DDR (The game with the arrows that you step on to music) and ITG (Same kinda game). I know many of you are adults and don't really indulge in activities like this, but I was wondering if the arcade on this particular ship had any such game.

 

I know on most of RCCL ships they have it, (although price and quality of the machine varies widely from ship to ship as I have experienced) Not a big deal if they don't have one on NCL Epic, but it would be kinda cool.

 

I was also a little concerned with the whole Nickle and Diming that I have heard Epic does. I read a lot of reviews that said that.

 

Brief history of my cruising:

 

I have been on Voyager of the Seas (my first introduction to cruising back in 2002) and almost everything was included back then. I am aware that times have since changed,(you can't just go to Johnny Rockets anymore without a sur charge now) but when I returned to cruise of Oasis of the seas back in 2013, (my first cruise that I payed for my self, and I took my parents, rather than them taking me as they did in 2002) I found they nickel and dimed almost everywhere. There was a sur charge for almost everything, and the free stuff was kind of sub par.

 

The ship it's self was beautiful, and the Pizza at Sorrantos was good as always, but there wasn't as wide a selection of other snacks. The food in the Prominade cafe was actually quite terrible. (Their idea of cheese cake seems to be an undersweetened half jelloish cream cheese flavor thing, blehhh worst dessert ever-- and I love cheese cake.) and I found I only really ate in the main dining room at night, and saved room all day for that, as the rest of the places were sooooo bad. Mind you MDR food was outstanding and really worth not eating all day for it. <- I may do a full review later if anyone cares lol.

 

When I went on Freedom of the Seas just this past October (was Oct 26th-Nov 1st) that was leaps and bounds much better than Oasis.

 

I didn't feel nickel and Dimed anywhere,(in comparison) and Sorrantos had quite a few snacks in addition to their amazing pizza. The food in the Cafe Promenade actually tasted good, and the Windjammer was as well. MDR was decent, but Oasis was a fair bit better, but honestly, the trade off I prefer Freedom. (They actually know how to make cheese cake properly)

 

Another problem I had with Oasis was their pools were way to shallow. No deep water, and the adult pool was more of a sprinkler than a pool. I liked the difference with one salt water and the other normal fresh water, but I just wish I could have actually done some proper swimming, as I could touch the bottom even in the "deep" end.

 

Freedoms pools actually had deep water, so I liked them a lot better. I digress, as I am getting off topic here..

 

Basically my question:

How is the food on Epic compared to the average RCCL ship? How many free restaurants are there, and will I have mirco transactions everywhere like Oasis, or will it be more like Freedom where there are some paid things but plenty of free stuff too, (that is not sub par).

 

How are the pools? I know there's a water slide, but I more than anything would like to do swimming. A slide is ok, but a pool with proper deep water is more my style.

 

I read about a Chocolate night, where they have a set up with chocolate statues and all kinds of amazing desserts ready for people to eat. Something about a 2 hour time limit to gorge your self. (Sounds amazing)

 

And state rooms I have read are really small and impractical. If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it. ^_^

 

I am sure I'll find out for my self, but if you've sailed with both plenty of times, I would like to know your pros and cons list.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

-Kaya4114

[Guest maddycat]

I can't answer your question but I hope that you will report back after your cruise and tell us your opinion of RCI vs NCL.

[Kaya4114]

Will do. :) I am actually quite excited. ^_^ I am keeping an open mind. What I hear about chocolate night sounds absolutly amazing. One memory that sticks out in my mind about RCCL back in the day (they don't do it anymore) is the Midnight feast.

 

They had a feast at midnight with ice scupture swans and chocolate labs(life size) of actual chocolate and tons of food in the main dining hall. I was only 14 at the time, but that memory stays with me of how awe struck I was when I saw the spread. I never saw anything like it again, and was disappointed when I returned on Oasis and was told they stopped doing that.

 

This chocolate night sounds similar to what I remember and I am a chocoholic so this is gonna be amazing if they do.

[SuiteTraveler]

Basically my question:

How is the food on Epic compared to the average RCCL ship? How many free restaurants are there, and will I have mirco transactions everywhere like Oasis, or will it be more like Freedom where there are some paid things but plenty of free stuff too, (that is not sub par).

 

Epic and Oasis are extremely comparable. There are many free places to eat on Epic. The food is good to very good. The buffet on Epic is the largest I have ever seen anywhere with so many options, including hand scooped ice cream, it would be hard not to find something you like. Where Oasis is organized into neighborhoods like an amusement park, Epic is designed with the casino at the center of the ship - like a hotel in Las Vegas. The extra fee restaurants are really great and we usually eat most dinners in these restaurants as the fee is very nominal - so we just buy the dining package. My favorite restaurant onboard is Le Bistro.

 

How are the pools? I know there's a water slide, but I more than anything would like to do swimming. A slide is ok, but a pool with proper deep water is more my style.

 

There isn't just a water slide, there is an entire water park on this ship with multiple slides including the huge funnel thing. Each of these slides have their own landing pool. I didn't go swimming in the pools, but I believe they are not deep so that you can stand up in them - I believe ships do that for liability purposes to prevent drownings. Many hotels have been doing this same thing. Still you could swim in the pools, but also, you will be stopping at various places where you can swim from the beach or go to a beach club with a pool. As to the Arcade, if you Google NCL Epic Arcade photos, one photo comes up with a checkerboard floored game - I think this might be the kind of dancing game you like?

 

I read about a Chocolate night, where they have a set up with chocolate statues and all kinds of amazing desserts ready for people to eat. Something about a 2 hour time limit to gorge your self. (Sounds amazing)

 

They don't do the chocolate buffet on the Epic. I suspect it is because of crowd control: they don't want to risk having all the passengers turn up at the same time in one location.

 

And state rooms I have read are really small and impractical. If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it. ^_^

 

The cabins on Epic have a lot of storage - more than we could possibly need for even a 1 month cruise much less a 1 week cruise. The most controversial thing about this ship is the bathroom setup with the toilet in one room, shower off the entry hall and sink in the stateroom. This is a design that is currently popular in Europe due to their small apartments as it maximizes how many people may take advantage of the bathroom facilities at one time and limits the space needed for a bathroom. Americans and Canadians don't seem to like this design very much so there were lots of people complaining about this design. The smallest cabins are the studios and even those have a lot of storage and are perfect for one person. Really, I thought the cabins were well thought out and well designed, but that's JMO. The curved walls are unusual and if the sofa is near the balcony, the room appears tighter than the rooms where the bed is near the balcony, IMO.

[Kaya4114]

Thank you very much for the information. ^_^ No deep pools huh. Ah well. Also no chocolate night. Boo. Still, it's sure to be an adventure. I am really exited to go. Thank you for the info about the staterooms, and I will look up the arcade. ^_^

[SuiteTraveler]

Kaya,

Epic is a gorgeous ship and the food is overall good to very good. The entertainment is excellent and there is so much to do onboard you can't do it all in a week. BTW, if you like spa's, Epic has one of the best spa's at sea - well worth getting a spa pass for the Thermal Suite and water circuit. I had a heck of a time convincing my DH to go in there, but once he did, he wanted to go every single day! LOL!

 

The only bad tasting thing I encountered on Epic was the martini sampler (6 mini martinis) in the martini bar. Maybe it was just a fluke but on the day we ordered it, but they were all absolutely awful and had no flavor at all. So if you think you want to order one, ask someone who already has one how it is first.

[Kaya4114]

Thank you. ^_^ I am certainly looking forward to the trip. Hard to believe it's just 5 more days.

[mizLORInj]

Hope you have a great cruise.

 

Really I like to "cruise like a Norwegian," or on other cruiselines as well. Have not been on Epic but many other NCl ships, and a also Explorer of the Seas which I believe is sister to Voyager? Also the Quantum which was awesome!!

 

I don't feel more nickel and dimed on one line vs another. It's where you choose to spend your $. You are going to pay for photos, drinks, upcharge restaurants, etc. on any cruiseline. they're all fun anyway!!

 

Enjoy!!

[dolita22]

 

Basically my question:

How is the food on Epic compared to the average RCCL ship? How many free restaurants are there, and will I have mirco transactions everywhere like Oasis, or will it be more like Freedom where there are some paid things but plenty of free stuff too, (that is not sub par).

 

How are the pools? I know there's a water slide, but I more than anything would like to do swimming. A slide is ok, but a pool with proper deep water is more my style.

 

I read about a Chocolate night, where they have a set up with chocolate statues and all kinds of amazing desserts ready for people to eat. Something about a 2 hour time limit to gorge your self. (Sounds amazing)

 

And state rooms I have read are really small and impractical. If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it. ^_^

 

I am sure I'll find out for my self, but if you've sailed with both plenty of times, I would like to know your pros and cons list.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

-Kaya4114

 

We just got off the Epic on Sunday and sailed RCCL last year for our honeymoon. To answer your questions:

 

1. We only ate in the complimentary restaurants on the Epic last week - Taste and Manhattan MDRs, O'Sheehan's and the Garden Cafe (buffet). We also ordered room service for breakfast. Food was always very good, and there were plenty of options to choose from on the menu and in the buffet. We have yet to eat in a speciality restaurant on NCL. Food is very subjective, but we much prefer NCL's food to the food on our RCCL cruise last year.

 

2. The pools on the Epic aren't very deep. Maybe 4 feet? And they are not big, either. So, unfortunately, you may not get to swim laps or anything like that. Spice H20 has an adults-only pool, but it is pretty small. Not sure how deep that is, as there were too many kids (!) swimming in it on our sailing last week.

 

3. As a PP mentioned, there is no longer a chocolate night. However, there was always the chocolate molten volcano on the MDR menu for dessert each night. We really liked it, and it was our "fallback dessert" if nothing else appealed. :)

 

4. Not sure what type of stateroom you're in, but we had a mid-ship balcony. Yes, the rooms are small, but super functional and have a lot of storage. I actually like the rooms on the Epic; they are cozy and comfortable. The bathroom situation did not bother us, either. The studios are small (100 sq feet), but people like how functional they are. I think most cruise ship rooms are small, unless you're talking a suite/villa/etc.

 

In regards to nickel and diming, for some reason, many feel they are nickel and dimed on NCL. I'm not sure why, as all cruise lines offer for-free extras, allowing people to choose what they want to partake in or not. We haven't felt nickeled and dimed any more on one cruise over another. We didn't feel nickel and dimed at all on the Epic last year, nor on the RCCL Indy last year.

 

Sorry...got long winded. I hope you have a wonderful time on the Epic. We love that ship (got engaged in 2013 on our balcony, so sentimental for us). Wish we could sail once more before she moves to Europe!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[searoses]

You missed nothing for the chocolate buffet....my family are die-hard chocoholics and there was nothing worth taking another bite of on both my ncl cruises save the chocolate strawberries...if there is a moderno let yourself be nickled and dimed there....one of my favorite meals ever....I appreciate fine dining and I can cook very well....not just a novelty...I am not brand loyal...it's all about the itinerary and the fare....that being said I was on the princess regal 2 weeks ago...best food at sea in ten years and that was in the buffet!....there will be things you do and don't like about the epic so just try something else next time....sounds like you are young...you have a lifetime to figure it all out.....I am a pool freak....the regal had a gorgeous pool that was swimable with a deep end....on the gem and dawn the pools were deep,too...have a great time and be sure to let us know how you made out!

[donaldsc]

A "unbiased opinion" is a contradiction in terms.

 

DON

[Aixia]

While I haven't sailed on Epic, I have been on 3 other NCL ships, Sky, Breakaway, and Getaway. As far as the "nickel-and-dime" thing, I think it's about perception. A cruise is not an all-inclusive. You pay for the stuff you want and don't pay for the stuff you don't. The cruise fare is less because you aren't forced to pay for stuff you aren't going to use. I prefer this way of doing things, and I don't consider it to be nickel-and-diming. I choose to eat in specialty restaurants because I like them, but I also eat in the MDRs just as often because I like them too. I may choose to play a few games in O'Sheehans, but I also love using the free ropes course. It's absolutely possible to go on an NCL (or RCCL) cruise and not spend a penny more than the cruise fare. I don't do that, but there are plenty out there who do. Spend your money where you want to spend it, which to me is a much better way to look at it than complaining of being "nickel-and-dimed."

[trish1c]

I have taken many NCL cruises but only one RCL cruise & that was on Majesty so I don't know how beneficial my comparisons will be.

 

We just got off the Epic. We had a great cruise but I did not care for the ship, herself & will go out of my way to avoid sailing that vessel again. many people do love her. From Aft you can't take an elevator all the way down to 5. You have to walk through the casino to do anything. We don't gamble & the noise from the casino filters throughout all the public rooms & creates a LOT of noise. If you want to see the entertainment on board, you have to book in advance. We tried to book after muster that 1st day & were closed out of most everything. It felt overly scheduled too us. The chair hogging problem on Epic is the worst I have ever seen. I had trouble getting a chair that 1st sea day even though I went searching at 7:45 a.m. :eek:

 

I will try to answer your other Qs:

 

 

I am a bit of a gamer and love dancing games like DDR (The game with the arrows that you step on to music) and ITG (Same kinda game). I know many of you are adults and don't really indulge in activities like this, but I was wondering if the arcade on this particular ship had any such game.

 

They have games in O'Sheehans & at the kids' club. I never went in the kids' club so can't speak to whats in there. I did not see the game you are looking for in O'Sheehans but I was thrilled they had a skeeball machine so I didn't look much further.

 

 

I was also a little concerned with the whole Nickle and Diming that I have heard Epic does. I read a lot of reviews that said that.

 

I never felt nickle & dimed but that doesn't mean other people didn't.

 

 

How is the food on Epic compared to the average RCCL ship?

 

Food is sooo subjective. I liked the food on Majesty way back when. I liked the food on all but my last Gem cruise. I was pleasantly surprised by the food on Epic. I even got a tender steak in the MDR that was properly cooked to a medium rare but that took some doing because they are trained to over cook everything. The lamb in Moderno was sublime & to me the best test of a good steak house. I have never eaten at Sorrentos. There is "pizza" on Epic. It's free in the buffet but more like soft bread with tons of cheese & it desperately needs oregano. It's good enough but it's not a NY slice by any stretch. You can have it delivered to your cabin any time for $5 which may be part of the nickle & diming you want to avoid.

 

The food at the Garden cafe, except the overcooked burgers, was tasty. creative & plentiful. I love NCL's Asian & Indian cuisines. My only complaint was that by the time I selected what I wanted & walked around to find a table, more often than not my food was cold.

 

How many free restaurants are there, and will I have mirco transactions everywhere like Oasis, or will it be more like Freedom where there are some paid things but plenty of free stuff too, (that is not sub par).

 

Taste, the Manhattan Room, O'Sheehans, room service (except pizza), the Garden Cafe & the other grills around the ship outside by waves & up at Spice are free. Everything else has a fee.

 

How are the pools? I know there's a water slide, but I more than anything would like to do swimming.

 

The pools are not deep & you can't have a proper swim in them. They are not long enough & are often crowded. Swimming will be relegated to ports.

 

 

I read about a Chocolate night, where they have a set up with chocolate statues and all kinds of amazing desserts ready for people to eat. Something about a 2 hour time limit to gorge your self. (Sounds amazing)

 

I didn't see a chocolate buffet but I might have missed it. They had a molten chocolate cake in the MDR almost every night. I had the most divine white chocolate mousse in Taste for lunch one day & a chocolate silk pie in the Garden cafe. You will not be chocolate deprived.

 

And state rooms I have read are really small and impractical. If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it. ^_^

 

They aren't small & they have storage but they are very impractical. Some people love the wave design. I didn't care about that but the bathroom set up is ridiculous. If my husband was sleeping while I was brushing my teeth, I woke him up because the sink was right next to his head, like a night table & I was always afraid that with a rouge wave when I rinsed from brushing my teeth I was going to spit on him. If the bed is closer to the balcony & the couch near the sink it's better. My 6'4" cousin could not find a comfortable sleeping position. At 5'7" my feet hung off the short bed.

Edited January 28, 2015 by trish1c

[sail7seas]

Interesting posts. I've read so little about these ships, I enjoyed reading it.

Hope you have a great cruise, OP.

[Kaya4114]

Thank you all so much for the info. ^_^ All of your comments have been very helpful to me and I am indeed looking very forward to my trip. (OMG 2 days to go YAY)

 

I originally had booked an inside cabin for my self and my mum whom I am bringing for her birthday, my treat. However my father wanted to come too and shelled out some extra cash to upgrade the room to a balcony, so I am happy to hear that there is actually a lot of space.

 

From what I have been told, the "impractical" part is due to the bathroom being sparated into 2 places or something, where the shower is in a different room than the toilet or sink or something(?) Never experienced it before, so we will see how it goes.

 

It sounds like I am gonna like the food, from what a lot of you have sad. Sad there's no chocolate night however from what I have gathered, its not that much of a loss, as the volcano dessert in the MDR is better than a what would be there for the chocolate event thing.

 

Sad the pools are small, but it's not too big a deal. Our ports include Grand Cayman which I have been to a few times, so I know I'll get some good swimming in at that port.

 

I have seen a few things about the beds being small. I am a tall girl at 5,11" so I hope my feet don't hang out the end of the bed.

 

I will be sure to get back to everyone with my review. :D Thank you all so much.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Food could vary from one cruise to another ( change of staff ) ..

[navybankerteacher]

A "unbiased opinion" is a contradiction in terms.

 

DON

 

Finally: someone who actually thinks about the question before popping up with an answer.

[Parri Smith]

A "unbiased opinion" is a contradiction in terms.

 

DON

 

Was that response really necessary? She was only looking for someone to help her, not someone to troll her post.

[Husky61]

 

I ask for an unbiased answer here as I have only found what looks like biased opinions so far. (

 

How does one give an unbiased opinion?:) Opinion, a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.:)

[Parri Smith]

Thank you all so much for the info. ^_^ All of your comments have been very helpful to me and I am indeed looking very forward to my trip. (OMG 2 days to go YAY)

 

I originally had booked an inside cabin for my self and my mum whom I am bringing for her birthday, my treat. However my father wanted to come too and shelled out some extra cash to upgrade the room to a balcony, so I am happy to hear that there is actually a lot of space.

 

From what I have been told, the "impractical" part is due to the bathroom being sparated into 2 places or something, where the shower is in a different room than the toilet or sink or something(?) Never experienced it before, so we will see how it goes.

 

It sounds like I am gonna like the food, from what a lot of you have sad. Sad there's no chocolate night however from what I have gathered, its not that much of a loss, as the volcano dessert in the MDR is better than a what would be there for the chocolate event thing.

 

Sad the pools are small, but it's not too big a deal. Our ports include Grand Cayman which I have been to a few times, so I know I'll get some good swimming in at that port.

 

I have seen a few things about the beds being small. I am a tall girl at 5,11" so I hope my feet don't hang out the end of the bed.

 

I will be sure to get back to everyone with my review. :D Thank you all so much.

 

Treating your mother? Lucky Mom! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

I have friends from NYC going on Epic for their second honeymoon cruise (the same one you are taking), and they've taken NCL before. My family and I have cruised with RCL and Cunard many times before.

[Parri Smith]

How does one give an unbiased opinion?:) Opinion, a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.:)

 

Lots of really HELPFUL people commenting here...

[Kaya4114]

Treating your mother? Lucky Mom! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

I have friends from NYC going on Epic for their second honeymoon cruise (the same one you are taking), and they've taken NCL before. My family and I have cruised with RCL and Cunard many times before.

 

Oh nice. :) I have always wanted to go on Cunard, but I have never had the money for it. I heard the food on the Queen E is amazing.

 

 

How does one give an unbiased opinion?:) Opinion, a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.:)

 

I guess that's true, but what I meant by that was, I was hoping for responces from people who wouldn't be like "I have never done NCL, they are not as good as _____" or whatever, because I have read a lot of reviews that were people comparing without experience, any/much etc.

[navybankerteacher]

Was that response really necessary? She was only looking for someone to help her, not someone to troll her post.

 

Yes, the post was on point. If someone on CC wants information rather than "opinion", that person should ask for information and not for "opinion". Opinion reflects the responder's attitudes, values, etc. and logically must be seen as biased. It is rare enough for people to give information without putting a personal slant to it .

[Kaya4114]

Yes, the post was on point. If someone on CC wants information rather than "opinion", that person should ask for information and not for "opinion". Opinion reflects the responder's attitudes, values, etc. and logically must be seen as biased. It is rare enough for people to give information without putting a personal slant to it .

 

Then I guess what I should have put was "I would like opinions from people who have actually experienced it and are not giving an opinion based off of what they decided without trying it for them selves."

 

I also did want info as well, which many nice people here have provided me with. I appreciate them all for that.

[Cruzaholic41]

I've hesitated responding to this thread, mainly because some of my NCL experiences have been the worst cruises of my life, so I was a little conflicted on what the op meant by an "unbiased opinion."

 

My opinion certainly is biased, but it's an opinion derived from experience. I've cruised RCI enough to be Pinnacle and I've cruised NCL enough to be Platinum - although most of them were many years ago. However, in recent years, Epic is one of the few NCL ships I've cruised. The experience was far better than my other recent NCL cruises (Getaway, Pride of America, Dawn and Sky). In fact, if I had to choose a NCL ship to sail, it would be Epic.

 

That said, there are still some areas where I think NCL falls far short of RCI. Freestyle is a disaster on a busy ship. I hate being handed a pager and being told to wait upwards of a half hour for a table. The whole Freestyle concept goes down the toilet when you're made to wait so long for a table and you're wanting to make the show. Second, NCL does not maintain their ships nearly as well as RCI. Fixing rust, corrosion and broken fixtures and chairs around the ship does not seem to be a priority on NCL. And third, specific to Epic, I can't stand the room design with the shower in the bedroom area and a frosted glass door for the toilet. You have no individual privacy in a Epic stateroom. And last, NCL food is the worst in the cruising industry. NCL spends the least amount of money per passenger on food costs and it shows. I'm sure you'll find things you like, but I'm also sure you'll have plenty of disappointment.

 

But on a good note, Epic does have great entertainment. I got a little bored with Blue Man Group after about 10 minutes, but I really enjoyed the rest of the shows.