Platinum DCL cruiser contemplating NCL Getaway - What do I need to know?

[p17blo]

I've been cruising DCL for the last few years, before that I cruised a lot with RCCL and left them in favour of DCL due to the constant push to sell to you whilst onboard (nightly drinks in the loving cup whilst at dinner, 'obligatory' photo on the gangplank whilst off-boarding at ports.

 

So, I'm looking at NCL Getaway for a Transatlantic in October 17 - I've already seen there is a whole bunch of extras NCL sell to you, but what do I really need to look out for to make the most of cruising with NCL?

 

What's the best tips you can share?

 

Paul

[$hip$hape]

I've been cruising DCL for the last few years, before that I cruised a lot with RCCL

and left them in favour of DCL due to the constant push to sell to you whilst onboard (nightly drinks in the loving cup whilst at dinner,

'obligatory' photo on the gangplank whilst off-boarding at ports.

 

So, I'm looking at NCL Getaway for a Transatlantic in October 17 -

I've already seen there is a whole bunch of extras NCL sell to you, but what do I really need to look out for to make the most of cruising with NCL?

 

What's the best tips you can share?

 

Paul

Quick answer... Do your homework.

I find a balance between brand loyalty and common sense. :)

As Platinum members of NCL we get perks.

As far as the obligatory gangplank pics, the photographers are as board as you are.

Just grab your crotch as they shoot.:p

[Nola26]

Casino will be an option, enjoy it and yes there's a non smoking section.

[DrNora]

Read every single review that you can.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[daniTS]

We've done 14 days on both NCL and DCL, so not that many on either, but we definitely felt that NCL is a step down in many things--service, ship beauty (though we were on the Jade, not the Getaway), food a little bit, etc.

 

That said, it cost about 1/4 of what a week on the Wonder did, so... it's worth it to us to cruise more or get shore excursions/flights 'free' (in comparison to just paying the fare on DCL). But, it's definitely not quite the same. Hard to describe, but you know the Disney service and attention to detail, we found that NCL was totally great, but just not that extra pixie dust. I did think that the on board activities were better on Disney, the cruise director was MUCH better on DCL (though of course that totally varies), and we really missed not having a movie theatre on the Wonder.

 

We are certainly happily loyal to NCL for the moment, especially while they keep having all the perks and 3/4th person sail free promos, and VERY much enjoyed our trips with them, but if $ weren't an issue, I'd be back to Disney...

[BirdTravels]

So, I'm looking at NCL Getaway for a Transatlantic in October 17 - I've already seen there is a whole bunch of extras NCL sell to you, but what do I really need to look out for to make the most of cruising with NCL?

 

NCL is all about Freestyle cruising. No set dining times. Eat when you want. Eat where you want. That general approach to cruising is what we like now. Prior to NCL, we had spent a lot of time on Cunard as a platinum cruiser there and on Princess. With regard to the large NCL ships, we've been on the Getaway, Breakaway, and Escape two times each and on the Epic five times (along with many cruises on the smaller ships).

 

There are ample complimentary dining options on the Getaway. And,,, there are a lot of a la carte dining options for additional charge also. We have spent many cruises eating exclusively at the complimentary restaurants on the Getaway and NCL ships. We have splurged and dined at specialty restaurants on other cruises.

 

With the potential exception of the Spa, there is very little push for you to buy any extras. They are always available to you, if you want. Like any cruise line (even DCL), the photographers are always out and about, but will leave you alone if politely asked.

 

To make the most of your TA, plan ahead and decide what approach you want for the cruise. You may want to pre-purchase a small dining package (if you didn't get one as a free perk for booking the cruise). And plan a few "dinners out" at a specialty restaurant.

 

The entertainment on the GA is pretty good. Million Dollar Quartet and Burn the Floor are the two main broadway shows playing in the theater. And the illusionarium is a great dinner magic show (for an additional fee). You'll have ample opportunity to see the shows on the longer TA cruise.

 

Depending on the weather, the Deck 8 waterfront provides a lovely place to sit and relax during the day.

[AdoraBelle]

I've been cruising DCL for the last few years, before that I cruised a lot with RCCL and left them in favour of DCL due to the constant push to sell to you whilst onboard (nightly drinks in the loving cup whilst at dinner, 'obligatory' photo on the gangplank whilst off-boarding at ports.

 

So, I'm looking at NCL Getaway for a Transatlantic in October 17 - I've already seen there is a whole bunch of extras NCL sell to you, but what do I really need to look out for to make the most of cruising with NCL?

 

What's the best tips you can share?

 

Paul

 

 

Experiences of Dream vs Getaway:

 

Service on Dream was infinitely better, but we were in concierge, which blows the curve for comparisons.

 

Number of complimentary food options on Getaway, at all hours, blows Dream out of the water.

 

Some families but not that many kids on GA. Probably won't get any on a TA.

 

Many more shows and adult entertainment options on GA.

 

Library and casino on GA. (Library was small, but it had ocean views, and I loved it.)

 

Thermal suite on GA made DCL's Rainforest Room seem like a joke.

 

I found food I liked on both ships. I'd say Palo had the definite edge over all my premium dining experiences on GA.

 

If it seems like I'm biased, I've only been on each line once. I'm not a kid person, but I'd been assured that, paradoxically, it meant the adults-only deck of Dream was very serene. This was basically a lie. :)

 

The concierge team on DCL was bloody fantastic though. I would sail them again just for that.

Edited June 5, 2016 by AdoraBelle

[jrsegrl]

I can probably answer any questions you may have since I've done 33 DCL and 19 NCL along with a few others. I currently have 3 NCL booked and 2 DCL. Just got off a 30 day NCL plus have done 2 other NCL and 1 DCL within the last few months. Not bragging just background info on me.

 

Every cruise is different even on the same ship/crew/itinerary - a lot having to do with different passengers and other variables.

 

The major difference is DCL is structured - Dining seating/showtime but NCL is not. Generally you make a res on NCL for the specialty restaurants and big show on the new ships but otherwise its go when you want.

 

Have had the same friendly service on both lines. DCL seems more personalized because your dining team stays with you - great if they are good but more often we have had soso ones and a few times really awful ones.

 

Prefer food on NCL. Better quality and more choices. Also food is available 24 hrs. More choice in spec. restaurants but we do them for a change but its not necessary as the new reg menus are fine. DCL food was ok for a few cruises but gets tiresome if you are a repeat cruiser. Palo we do because we are Plat. so just pay the tip but honestly would not bother otherwise. I know food is subjective but we recently did a sort of B2B with NCL and DCL. Had crabcake app on both DCL's small and fishy NCL's was great. Same with a meat dish.

 

Soda is free on DCL but not on NCL unless you have some sort of pkg. NCL has juice breakfast hours only (apple juice all day for kids) the rest of the day its coffee, tea, iced tea and vitality drinks. Don

[jrsegrl]

Don't know how the fall trans will be but we just did the april one on the star. Very uncrowded and was told only 23 kids.