Which would you book?

[ukdeblarz]

Here are my choices for my next cruise. Three people in cabin. Western Caribbean from New Orleans for Christmas week:

 

NCL Dawn

 

Penthouse Aft for $6100

Mini Suite for $3500

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

OS for $4700

Balcony for $2300

 

I have heard that NCL mini suite is the same size as Carnival Balcony but $6100 feels like a lot.

 

NCL fans, convince me why I should go with NCL over Carnival?

 

Thanks for any advice

[4774Papa]

We have never cruised on Carnival and probably never will. I know people that have done Carnival and found it good, but we are not interested.

 

You may not have the same problem regarding Carnival.

 

We cruise NCL and Celebrity and go more for itinerary. Also, we usually book a standard balcony. We prefer to do two cruises on a balcony rather than one on a suite.

 

The style of the cruise line is different with each one, but in some ways they are all similar.

 

Shorter cruises (a week or less) will draw younger people rather than the two week cruises with mainly retired people.

[Casino Comp Chick]

I am confused the aft PH is 6100 not the mini but I love the Aft PH. I do not know what perks you get with a carnival OS but the aft ph gives you plenty.

Huge balcony

Butler

Concierge

Private pool

Private hot tubs

Private restaurant

Private bar

Private escort off ship at every port & disembarkation

Private check in area with snacks

Spa amenities in room

Free pay per view

Escorts into the shows

Etc etc

[watchdiva]

Aft PH...no brainer! If you book Aft, try to get one on Deck 10 (10166 is our favorite)...balconies are huge.

[BigEasyCC]

If the PH aft won't kill your budget, do it! The perks with Norwegian are wonderful.

[NLH Arizona]

Aft PH...no brainer! If you book Aft, try to get one on Deck 10 (10166 is our favorite)...balconies are huge.

Are you sure 10166 is on the Dawn, I've stayed in it on the Pearl, but I think the Dawn's suite numbers are a little different. I'm booked in the corner aft penthouse on the Dawn in December and I'm in suite 10226 and 10228 is where 10166 is on the Pearl. Or maybe I've got my ships confused. Edited October 2, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[Casino Comp Chick]

I am confused the aft PH is 6100 not the mini but I love the Aft PH. I do not know what perks you get with a carnival OS but the aft ph gives you plenty.

Huge balcony

Butler

Concierge

Private pool

Private hot tubs

Private restaurant

Private bar

Private escort off ship at every port & disembarkation

Private check in area with snacks

Spa amenities in room

Free pay per view

Escorts into the shows

Etc etc

 

Duh, You would be on the Dawn, They do not have the private complex so remove the following

Private pool

Private hot tubs

Private bar

[LrgPizza]

I see none of the perks listed above that are worth even close to a total of $4000 over the cheapest price you have listed. I'd do the Carnival balcony. You can walk yourself to shows. Thousands do it every day and make it there safely. Snacks at check in? Grab a bag of chips on your way to port if you are worried about food... Those are my feelings about those and many more of the "perks".

[jakesnana]

I would go for the Carnival balcony. I have sailed in a mini on NCL and THEY ARE the same size as a Carnival balcony cabin. I have sailed both cruise lines, and like them both for different reasons. However, the money saved by choosing the Carnival balcony would be another cruise for me :)

[sixesandeights]

Carnival Dream

 

OS for $4700

Balcony for $2300

 

NCL fans, convince me why I should go with NCL over Carnival?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

I would do the Dream Balcony. It will be the same if not bigger then the NCL Mini, and the Dawn doesnt have the Haven so the Suite perks are much less important on these ships.

 

6&8

[watchdiva]

Are you sure 10166 is on the Dawn, I've stayed in it on the Pearl, but I think the Dawn's suite numbers are a little different. I'm booked in the corner aft penthouse on the Dawn in December and I'm in suite 10226 and 10228 is where 10166 is on the Pearl. Or maybe I've got my ships confused.

I'm the one confused.......we have stayed in 10228 on the Dawn (x2) and 10166 on the Pearl numerous times (maybe 6?) so got my suitenumbers confused!

[maywell]

Wait, $2300 in total for 3 on Carnival? That's a great deal, especially since the Dream is alot bigger than the Dawn.

 

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[Linda the Book Lover]

With prices high during Christmas I would go for the newer Carnival ship and the balcony.

[escentialssoycandles]

If both itineraries are the same, I would go with Dream balcony. $2300 for 2 over Christmas is a steal!

 

It is a newer ship and from all of the reviews and photos I have seen I would go with that. I believe they have they Cove Balconies near the water which look so fun.

 

I said I would never cruise Carnival and did last year and to date has been my favorite cruise. I am booked on 2 NCL, 1 RCI and 1 Carnival cruise within the next 2 years.

 

I sail for price, itinerary then ship. I could not fathom paying $6,000 for 3 in a suite. You could take 3 cruises for the price of that Aft balcony on Dawn.

 

Good luck with your cruise planning!

[mpcaruth]

I would go with the Carnival BL. There is no way anyone could convince me that the perks of the NCL PH are worth paying $3800 more!!! I also think the Dream has more activities and food options. The Dawn class ships are small and have limited active amenities. My family (early 40's with two teens) would enjoy the Dream better. Now, if you were comparing the Dream to a newer class of NCL ships, then my opinion may change (but not to a suite or haven cabin- I am just too frugal)

[zqvol]

Here are my choices for my next cruise. Three people in cabin. Western Caribbean from New Orleans for Christmas week:

 

NCL Dawn

 

Penthouse Aft for $6100

Mini Suite for $3500

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

OS for $4700

Balcony for $2300

 

I have heard that NCL mini suite is the same size as Carnival Balcony but $6100 feels like a lot.

 

NCL fans, convince me why I should go with NCL over Carnival?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

I answered this on the CCL board too, but the answer is the same. NCL specialty food is better, but unless you are springing for the Aft Penthouse, you should stay on CCL due to cost. The minisuite is not worth the extra cost over a regular balcony.

[2ManyCruises]

Run don't walk to Carnivals balcony.

[missintuitive]

Run don't walk to Carnivals balcony.

 

I agree! The speciality restaurants on carnival ARE great. I love the steakhouse (but to each his own). Plus, the MDR and free options (thinks Guy Fieri's and the Wok) are so good you don't need a separate dining package.

 

Look at it this way, for the $1100 difference between Carnival and NCL you can buy 2 alcohol packages, 1 soda package, and $99 unlimited premium internet access and still come out ahead...your "perks" are just not built into the base price.

Edited October 2, 2015 by missintuitive

[ukdeblarz]

Thanks everyone very helpful. I appreciate it.