Have you switched from Carnival to NCL

[newbie3815]

 

We have cruised Carnival 5 times in the past. Looking to try NCL Sprit to Caribbean in the fall, this time.

 

For those who have sailed both, what are your opinions. Looking for input on bands/ entertainment, food, cabins (interior or ocean view) and pool areas.

 

Thanks

[FireEater]

 

We have cruised Carnival 5 times in the past. Looking to try NCL Sprit to Caribbean in the fall, this time.

 

For those who have sailed both, what are your opinions. Looking for input on bands/ entertainment, food, cabins (interior or ocean view) and pool areas.

 

Thanks

 

I find NCL a notch or two or three above Carnival. That is not to say I will not sail Carnival again...I just can not find the right itinerary at my desired times on Carnival.

 

All cruise lines pool areas are zoos. Guests lay down something on chairs and hog them when they are not there for a long period. Getting an available lounger is tough on all cruise lines.

 

Food is subjective. I have found all cruise line food pretty good, no matter the cruise line. Well except once on RCCL.. :(

 

I found that I see more senior officers on NCL mingle more with the guests then Carnival.

 

I think cabins are larger on Carnival though. Don't hold me to that, but they always felt larger...

 

Now understand the Spirit is an older, smaller ship. Not sure what you are looking for on a cruise line. I like the older smaller ships. I do not have to walk a mile for the restaurants or shows.

 

By looking below, you can tell I am not married to one cruise line. I use them as taxi's with a little entertainment and food source until I reach my ports of call.

Edited July 17, 2015 by FireEater

[bryanool]

I've cruised Carnival 11 times and have my 5 on NCL coming up. After my last carnival experience I will not be going back to them. I've never had a bad experience on NCL and as for the Spirit, I was on the first sailing after it was transferred over to NCL. I love that ship probably my favorite cruise.

[mizLORInj]

Hi; best to try it for yourself to form your own opinion. :cool:

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I'm platinum on Carnival and have sailed once on NCL with my second booked. They're much more alike than different. The cabins are larger on Carnival. I don't go to the shows and such or hang out at the pool so can't compare those for you. I tried NCL because I wanted something new and I liked that NCL has so many different options for dining. I didn't eat in the MDR on NCL because I purchased the dining package and ate in specialty restaurants every evening. Loved it! Cagney's is NCL's steakhouse, which I don't think is as good as the Carnival steakhouses, but it's still very good. Service is very comparable. One of the things I enjoyed on NCL is the way they welcome you back to the ship when in port. It felt like there are fewer announcements on NCL. Overall, I liked my NCL experience better, but that's only one cruise so far. I'll likely stick with them (as long as the experience continues to be as good). :)

[Sauer-kraut]

I have gone back and forth between the two. The only difference is that MTD isn't as good as Freestyle and I really dislike assigned dining.

 

Have a great trip....who wants to keep riding the same pony?

[ano]

I started on Royal which at the time was a few steps up. Since then the prices have stayed up, but the quality has gone down to Carnival levels. Their biggest ships are definitely NOT a plus. You have to fight for every seat and meal. I will never do RC again.

 

So started sailing more on Carnival. Carnival is like a cheap hotel with free breakfast. Nothing special but a very good value. If you don't expect much, you won't be disappointed.

 

Near the end I felt the pressure to buy pictures and drinks and anything you can buy got excessive. Starting to feel like I was looking for a timeshare instead of going on a cruise. When they started saying no more water bottles, that was too much. Am I a guest or a kindergarten student? That was the final straw.

 

So on to NCL. I'll let you know...

Edited July 17, 2015 by ano

[klepton]

No way to say if you'd like it better or not, there are just too many factors and it's incredibly subjective.

 

I did the Spirit for my very first cruise, and then did 5 straight on Carnival (kinda opposite of you). I can tell you that back then we preferred carnival. We liked having a set dining time (NCL was a lot of waiting for a table). That was before they did reservations though. While reservations aren't really 'freestyle' they would mitigate this problem. We liked the bigger fleet and more available itineraries. I liked the nightlife better (DW goes to bed early). Carnival buffet was better for breakfast. Rooms are generally bigger on Carnival, as are balconies.

 

But that was 5-6 years ago when our main reason to cruise was visiting new ports. After so many cruises you've kinda hit most of where there is to go in the Caribbean. You enjoy sea days more (I was bored as hell on the two sea days of my first cruise). I have seven cruises booked now, 3 on NCL and 2 Carnival (and 2 RCCL). Though I'm booked on the POA, Breakaway, and Escape. Can't say I could get excited for the Spirit again unless it was a killer itinerary. I would say the advantages of NCL over Carnival are:

 

1. Better entertainment (Carnival is really only good for their comedians and occasional lounge performers)
   
2. More variety in dining
   
3. Top end restaurants (ex. steakhouses) are much better on NCL
   
4. Better beverage packages
   
5. Allows discounting/OBC from travel agents (Carnival doesn't really)
   
6. Easier to earn status (with 9-month booking bonus and suite/haven bonus)
   
7. If you like to splurge for suites, there's no comparison between the two lines, NCL is eons ahead of Carnival.
   

 

But I make my booking decisions based on a combination of price, itinerary, and ship. I don't really factor in the line at all (except when we specifically wanted to try a Disney cruise). The Spirit is an older ship, kinda small (think about the same size as a Carnival Fantasy class ship). I thought it was overall very crowded, hallways were crowded, couldn't ever get in a hot tub, casino tables were always full with lines of people waiting to get in.

 

A previous poster said they are more alike than different, and I think that's definitely true. I'd make my decisions based more on individual ships rather than line.

 

But again, totally subjective. There are surely people who would disagree with everything I just said. :D

 

Hope you have a blast!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I started on Royal which at the time was a few steps up. Since then the prices have stayed up, but the quality has gone down to Carnival levels. Their biggest ships are definitely NOT a plus. You have to fight for every seat and meal. I will never do RC again.

 

So started sailing more on Carnival. Carnival is like a cheap hotel with free breakfast. Nothing special but a very good value. If you don't expect much, you won't be disappointed.

 

Near the end I felt the pressure to buy pictures and drinks and anything you can buy got excessive. Starting to feel like I was looking for a timeshare instead of going on a cruise. When they started saying no more water bottles, that was too much. Am I a guest or a kindergarten student? That was the final straw.

 

So on to NCL. I'll let you know...

 

I get a warm fuzzy feeling from NCL since FDR took over, or maybe that's just his hand in my pocket?

 

Bill

[legion3]

No, Carnival is a fine cruise line, NCL since we booked has had to many changes and fee increases.

 

We are considering cancelling our Escape trip and going back to Carnival or trying MSC.

 

We like both lines but prefer Carnival for, MDR food, Kids Club - more adult friendly, better hours, size of cabins, water park (although Escape will have a comparable one), overall price.

 

NCL we like for, specialty dining (and the recent changes have made us wary), entertainment, and that's about it.

 

Right now Carnival and MSC have better port stops too (only compared to Escape)

[jennmaybe]

I can't compare Carnival & NCL yet, but I will say that we started out sailing Carnival. Then, we wanted to try RCCL & fell in love! We've also sailed Princess.

 

We tried Carnival Breeze last fall due to itinerary & price, but that was a HUGE mistake. It was definitely our last Carnival cruise. I don't care if they offered a free cruise! No way. The worst vacation we've ever had. :mad:

 

We're sailing Escape, so, we're looking forward to trying NCL.

[legion3]

I can't compare Carnival & NCL yet, but I will say that we started out sailing Carnival. Then, we wanted to try RCCL & fell in love! We've also sailed Princess.

 

We tried Carnival Breeze last fall due to itinerary & price, but that was a HUGE mistake. It was definitely our last Carnival cruise. I don't care if they offered a free cruise! No way. The worst vacation we've ever had. :mad:

 

We're sailing Escape, so, we're looking forward to trying NCL.

 

Which goes to show you that one man's treasure is another's junk.

 

Our Breeze cruise was the best overall family cruise yet. I only hope Escape can at least match the Breeze. Already it is in arrears a day as the Breeze was a fantastic 8 days with better ports than Escape's 7 day eastern awful ports.

 

It was not the best couple cruise, that was long ago in a different cruising time but as a family it was !!!

[trex-de]

We go back-and-forth between NCL and Carnival. For the last two years we've been on Carnival. The entertainment has really gone downhill on Carnival. We were on the Pride out of Baltimore last year. It seems as though they really cut back on lounge entertainment. Pianos were covered and some lounges were not even occupied. Food was fine, entertainment was fine.

 

We are heading back to NCL this year. We're also planning to book on the Spirit next year. We have sailed the Spirit about 10 years ago and loved it. I have to admit that we are very concerned about all the fee increases that NCL has announced. We have found the entertainment quite good on NCL. We have seen very good jugglers, acrobats, etc.

 

We are on the Breakaway coming soon. I am a little bit concerned about how large the ship will be and how many people will be on the ship. I prefer ships like the Spirit and the Dawn.

 

Please post your comparisons after your return.

[newbie3815]

We go back-and-forth between NCL and Carnival. For the last two years we've been on Carnival. The entertainment has really gone downhill on Carnival. We were on the Pride out of Baltimore last year. It seems as though they really cut back on lounge entertainment. Pianos were covered and some lounges were not even occupied. Food was fine, entertainment was fine.

 

We are heading back to NCL this year. We're also planning to book on the Spirit next year. We have sailed the Spirit about 10 years ago and loved it. I have to admit that we are very concerned about all the fee increases that NCL has announced. We have found the entertainment quite good on NCL. We have seen very good jugglers, acrobats, etc.

 

We are on the Breakaway coming soon. I am a little bit concerned about how large the ship will be and how many people will be on the ship. I prefer ships like the Spirit and the Dawn.

 

Please post your comparisons after your return.

 

Does anyone know if NCL still has the live bands on the pool deck in the afternoon. Carnival has replaced with a DJ and games a few years ago?

[ilovetotravel1977]

Epic had a live band/singer back in April...she was an amazing singer!

[electro]

Does anyone know if NCL still has the live bands on the pool deck in the afternoon. Carnival has replaced with a DJ and games a few years ago?

 

Yes, NCL still has live bands at the pool.

My first 4 cruises were on Carnival and the switch to DJ over live music is one of the reasons I stopped sailing with them and have no plans to return.

 

Lois

[legion3]

There was recently a to do on carnival that they were hiring steel drum performers again.

[kcwingwalker]

We have cruised with Carnival twice and it just was not a good fit. We like the variety of dining options with NCL and for us the service is better.

 

First cruise we just didn't get into swing of things and I thought it was due to the fact that we were dealing with a difficult matter within the family. So we try again and I find myself counting the hours before we could disembark.

 

For me Carnival is an overcrowded floating boom box with dancing waiters.

 

When we board an NCL ship it's like going back to a favorite vacation spot and you can begin relaxing right away. We have even found crew members from past cruises who still remember us!

[aztekpm]

I'm of the opinion they're more similar than different. Some things are done better by Carnival, some by NCL, but nothing on either has ever made me think I would/could never sail with them again.

 

Think hotel brands, many are very comparable along similar levels/brands, with some slight differences. I don't need the Ritz, but I don't want Motel 6 either ... so my choice is usually a Marriott or Holiday Inn brand, nice, mid-stream, affordable room! IMHO I find Carnival and NCL to fit along those lines and whether on land or sea, sometimes I'll spring for a suite, while other times a regular room will do!

 

You need to compare like ships with like ships, similar room vs similar room, etc. So depending on your desired destination(s), what you want or need in order to enjoy yourself and your budget, make that the deciding difference.

Edited July 18, 2015 by aztekpm

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

I'm platinum on Carnival and have sailed once on NCL with my second booked. They're much more alike than different. The cabins are larger on Carnival. I don't go to the shows and such or hang out at the pool so can't compare those for you. I tried NCL because I wanted something new and I liked that NCL has so many different options for dining. I didn't eat in the MDR on NCL because I purchased the dining package and ate in specialty restaurants every evening. Loved it! Cagney's is NCL's steakhouse, which I don't think is as good as the Carnival steakhouses, but it's still very good. Service is very comparable. One of the things I enjoyed on NCL is the way they welcome you back to the ship when in port. It felt like there are fewer announcements on NCL. Overall, I liked my NCL experience better, but that's only one cruise so far. I'll likely stick with them (as long as the experience continues to be as good). :)

 

Same here. Platinum with more than 10 carnival cruises and went on Norwegian jewel for the first time in May. There were things I liked more about Norwegian such as better buffet and more pay restaurants but yes, cabins are tiny, not enough entertainment, lousy main dining room and inattentive stewards. I absolutely would cruise NCL again in the future as I feel I got a good value for my money and while it is different than Carnival, I did still feel welcome onboard. But yeah, only lines like X and Crystal will give you that luxury experience that we so crave but don't want to necessarily pay for lol. But you will pay more for that. But I also tried NCL for a change of pace and upon recommendations from my mom and I wasn't disappointed. I didn't like cagney's though, steak was average and atmosphere was just ok. Carnival actually has the better steakhouse I think. But restaurants like teppanyaki and moderno were good and worth the upcharge (I got the dining package complimentary as part of a price drop) and Carnival has nothing to compare it to on its ships. Yes, the staff including cruise director and captain seem more polished and professional on NCL as well and yes, while they do try to sell you stuff, it isn't quite as over the top as Carnival. But like I said, I will still cruise both in the future as I just love to cruise.

[Pond Fun]

Carnivals Glory was my first cruise...Honeymoon for DH and I... Enjoyed it! Went on RCI Brillance last year with our 2 boys....Enjoyed that too! Both were to Canada, 1st a 4 night cruise the 2nd a 7 night cruise. We are trying NCL's Dawn next year to Bermuda! First one really out to sea and to warmer weather!!! We really don't get to vacation much, but really hope that the Dawn and Bermuda are wonderful!! Have a suite so I think we will have a great room. I know from the other two cruises we took.... it really is what you make of them.

[clackey]

 

We have cruised Carnival 5 times in the past. Looking to try NCL Sprit to Caribbean in the fall, this time.

 

For those who have sailed both, what are your opinions. Looking for input on bands/ entertainment, food, cabins (interior or ocean view) and pool areas.

 

Thanks

 

We have done Carnival 11 times and Royal twice. Last year I found a super deal on the Jewel out of New Orleans. $269 @ for an inside. We are talking a 7-niter. I had to book it even though I had my doubts. It was great.

 

Check in was ok. The cabin was a little smaller than Carnival's but no biggy there. The staff was outstanding and food was good. Portions were not large but I could always go to the buffet and top off.;)

 

What really wowed me was the entertainment. This was some of the best that we have seen.

 

We are now looking for a December trip and I just found a trip out of Houston that may be the next notch on Ginger D's cruise belt. Only time will tell.

[palmbaytish]

I just booked a cruise on NCL for the first time in 15 years. The only other time I was on NCL was the Majesty in 2000 and I loved it, but in subsequent years, as a newlywed and then parent, we started on Carnival as cheaper way to travel as a family. The cruises have always been enjoyable, nopt a bad one yet, in fact we have another one scheduled for the Eastern Caribbean this next March on the Carnival Sunshine.

 

That being said, when we decided we wanted to do an Alaskan cruise in late may, we KNEW we would do a different cruise line and NCL was just what we were looking for. Traveling with a 12 year old, we didn't want something "stuffy or boring" but was still family oriented. Our budgets for cruising has increased over the years, so the NCL Pearl seemed to be an ideal fit to both our schedules and selection of ports of call.

 

I am actually really excited. We have a balcony cabin and although I hear the rooms are smaller than on Carnival, I'll be in Alaska so who the heck cares? It's vacation!!!

[LHARTWICK]

No, Carnival is a fine cruise line, NCL since we booked has had to many changes and fee increases.

 

We are considering cancelling our Escape trip and going back to Carnival or trying MSC.

 

We like both lines but prefer Carnival for, MDR food, Kids Club - more adult friendly, better hours, size of cabins, water park (although Escape will have a comparable one), overall price.

 

NCL we like for, specialty dining (and the recent changes have made us wary), entertainment, and that's about it.

 

Right now Carnival and MSC have better port stops too (only compared to Escape)

 

Can you explain the changes and fee increases? Recent changes to specialty dining? We have never sailed NCL, but I'm looking at an Escape itinerary for May 2016. Some friends of ours ONLY sail NCL and they ONLY sail in the Haven area. Too much $$$ for us - we usually go inside, OV, or splurge on a balcony. The Escape does look like a beautiful ship though.

[LHARTWICK]

We have even found crew members from past cruises who still remember us!

 

We've had this happen on several Carnival cruises. Just a great feeling! And the reason they remember us so well is because we try to take the time to get to know the waiters/stewards. They really appreciate that, too.