NCL vs Carnival

[tef43]

What is the big difference?

Once upon a time, NCL and Carnival were roughly equivalent, mass-market entry-level cruiselines. The NCL demograpic was only slightly older than Carnival's party-till-you-puke pax mix, but NCL also had their share of silly deck games; beer-chugging, pillow fights, jousting, etc.

 

Carnival put serious marketing effort to shed themselves of the image, while upgrading the quality of their product. NCL was sold to Star Line and basically tanked. Some hack, who had obviously never been on a "real" cruise, came up with "Freestyle" and the line began it's slide into mediocrity.

 

More recently, NCL has been beset with a mulititude of disasters. The Norway explosion and subsequent PR missteps, the swamping/sinking of the POA at the dock at Bremerhaven, the personnel fiascos at NCL America and the ill-advised mandatory service charges, etc. It's amazing that they are still in business at all.

 

NCL is a sad-sack collection of mismatched ships and stretched retrofits. I'm sure Star would love to shed itself of this albatross, but I don't think Micky and Uncle Bob are dumb enough to bite. When you put lipstick on a pig, the only thing you accomplish is p1$$ing off the pig.

[zydecocruiser]

Oh, as if Carnival has never had a mishap. Celebration and Ecstasy come to mind.

[tef43]

Oh, as if Carnival has never had a mishap. Celebration and Ecstasy come to mind.

Not even close in comparison. No crew deaths, no bungled PR damage control. You may or may not recall, but NCL was originally saying that the Norway would be ready to sail again a scant *two weeks* after the boiler explosion. Morons.

 

The NCLA cluster is another matter entirely. NCLA seriously overestimated the American work ethic, thinking that US citizens would actually perform the jobs with the same dedication as the international staffs. I don't recall offhand what the attrition rate was after POA's maiden voyage, but it was some ridiculously astronomical percentage. And it didn't get much better as the weeks progressed.

 

The entire line needs to be towed to the breakers and scuttled.

[zydecocruiser]

Not even close in comparison. No crew deaths, no bungled PR damage control. You may or may not recall, but NCL was originally saying that the Norway would be ready to sail again a scant *two weeks* after the boiler explosion. Morons.

 

 

The entire line needs to be towed to the breakers and scuttled.

 

Sounds like George W., and yes he does. You are overreacting to NCL, however.

 

As for the Norway, I thought it was sort of a rust bucket when I sailed on the France, but was certainly no worse than some of HALs ships.

 

Doesn't Carnival lead the pack in passenger disappearances ?

[tef43]

Doesn't Carnival lead the pack in passenger disappearances ?

I'm thinking that dubious honor falls upon RCI, the same cruiseline that had that spoiled brat aboard who left the terror note in the public restroom, because she was mad at her parents for making her go on the cruise instead of letting her stay home with her sleazoid boyfriend.

[selucrey]

Doesn't Carnival lead the pack in passenger disappearances ?

With Carnival embarking 3.3 million + pax per year the percentage of disappearances is minute I would imagine.

[zydecocruiser]

3.3 was what they were projecting before the 2005 record hurricane season and 3 of their ships being out of commission for hurricane relief.

 

I think Carnival also leads in intestinal disorders. NCL has hand sanitizer stations all over the place and sometimes even makes you use it.

 

Unlike RCL and CCL, 100 shares of stock won't get you a $100 shipboard credit on NCL.

[Leafpeeper]

For me, variety is the spice of life. I realize you can't compare old ships on one cruiseline to new ships on another. I would never stop cruising on one line just because of one bad cruise experience. We had problems on a recent RCCL cruise, but have enjoyed all the other other cruises we've taken on that line. Our favorite cruise was a year ago on NCL Dawn from NY to the Southern Caribbean. We loved the ship. We really enjoyed having ten different restaurants to choose from each day--each with a different flare. It made our vacation much more interesting and exciting. I don't care for the same table, same waiter, same guests, same room night after night on a cruise longer than 7 days. I also enjoyed having a movie theater and self serve laundry on the Dawn. Something I really enjoyed on this ship was the stadium style pool area. It was gorgeous.

 

We sailed RCCL Jewel of the Seas in October and loved that ship as well. Our favorite thing was leaving from our home port of Boston. DH did not enjoy eating in the dining room on Jewel. Fortunately, there were two other alternative restaurants. The Windjammer Buffet was the best ever because we could select our own meat, poulty, or fish and have it cooked in front of us. The room was separated into different dining areas. We loved dining outdoors under the stars. There was also an area between the indoor and outdoor dining areas that had wicker furniture-- comfortable sofas and chairs with coffee tables to set your plates. However, I don't like RCCL ship designs with so many smoke filled areas to walk thru.

 

We are sailing Carnival Triumph in February. Can't wait to see this ship. We enjoy Carnival's 4 night bargains out of Miami and LA, but have never done a 7 night cruise yet. It will be fun.

 

 

Come October, we are sailing RCCL Explorer of the Seas for 5 nights to Bermuda. This will be our first cruise on such a large ship (138,000 tons). We booked an inside Promenade Deck, which should be interesting.

 

We are already talking about booking another cruise on NCL Dawn for Jan. 2007. We hope our points we earned on our credit card will pay the majority of the cruise. It is great fun sailing from NY--especially leaving on a cold day and waking up in the Gulf Stream Waters.

 

Mary

Plymouth, MA

[tef43]

3.3 was what they were projecting before the 2005 record hurricane season and 3 of their ships being out of commission for hurricane relief

No worries. What CCL is getting paid by FEMA more than makes up for the lost bookings..

NCL has hand sanitizer stations all over the place and sometimes even makes you use it.

Installed *after* their rash of noro outbreaks over the last few years.

 

In addition to the sanitizers, Carnival has also installed door-handle-wipes dispensers on all of the public restroom doors.

[Stevie17]

We've sailed on both, and we prefer NCL. We have chosen to sail with Carnival again in March simply because we were able to get a great deal. We like Freestyle dining considerably more than standard dinner times.

[zydecocruiser]

No worries. What CCL is getting paid by FEMA more than makes up for the lost bookings..

Installed *after* their rash of noro outbreaks over the last few years.

 

In addition to the sanitizers, Carnival has also installed door-handle-wipes dispensers on all of the public restroom doors.

 

Helps the bottom line, but not passenger count.

 

Carnival is getting good at playing follow a leader.

 

Which will be the first to install pay toilets?

[Leafpeeper]

I noticed that Norwegian had hand sanitizer spray machines located at the entrance to each restaurant as well as the casino. Royal Caribbean only had them at the entrance to the ship. It made me uncomfortable using utensils at the buffet on RCCL knowing that people hadn't sanitized their hands. I am surprised all cruiselines don't use those spray machines to cut down on viruses.

[Cruising89143]

I noticed that Norwegian had hand sanitizer spray machines located at the entrance to each restaurant as well as the casino. Royal Caribbean only had them at the entrance to the ship. It made me uncomfortable using utensils at the buffet on RCCL knowing that people hadn't sanitized their hands. I am surprised all cruiselines don't use those spray machines to cut down on viruses.

 

The Navigator had them at the entrance to Jade and the Windjammer.

[Cruising89143]

I just read on another thread about the NCL Mastercard. At 3% back I'm tempted. So I checked some prices to campare to a cruise I just booked with CCL and they appear to be around $400 more pp on a balcony room. Is that right? If so, why soo much more? What is the big difference?

 

NCL has some nice new looking ships. At first glance I did not like the photos of the new Jewel but after seeing more photos I changed my mind. I know that I would like Freestyle dining.

 

My first cruise was on NCL and that is what hooked me. They have had their share of ups and downs including trying to be purchased at one time by Carnival. They seem to be headed in the right direction adding new ships to their fleet and getting rid of the older ones. I may try them if they get an itinerary in the eastern Caribbean that I like. I would say give them a try. You may be missing something good.

[NRWO]

 

Carnival is getting good at playing follow a leader.

 

 

haha.. what, are you kidding? CCL is going to "follow" NCL? into the abyss? Check out the fortune 500 list sometime before making such an inane statement. Without fail, the industry wacthes and reacts to what Bob Dickinson does. They watch CCL like hawks. The only recent exception is that RCI has one up on the "family" aspect with their water parks on such on their newer ships. CCL is looking to follow suit.

[Cruising89143]

haha.. what, are you kidding? CCL is going to "follow" NCL? into the abyss? Check out the fortune 500 list sometime before making such an inane statement. Without fail, the industry wacthes and reacts to what Bob Dickinson does. They watch CCL like hawks. The only recent exception is that RCI has one up on the "family" aspect with their water parks on such on their newer ships. CCL is looking to follow suit.

 

I also read that Carnival is going to be adding the water park attraction to their new designs. This should make a couple of people on this board happy who detest kids!!!!!:D

[NRWO]

Yup.. there's a rare instance of CCL playing "follow the leader." Should be good, and yes I'm sure the kid-haters will keep booking over Spring Break, Summer, and Christmas break then coming back and complaining about the kids..

[cheshyrkat]

...In addition to the sanitizers, Carnival has also installed door-handle-wipes dispensers on all of the public restroom doors.

 

What ship is that on and since when? I never saw anything like that...

[zydecocruiser]

Both NCL and RCL will beat Carnival with 7 day cruises out of New Orleans. Once again Carnival will be behind the curve.

[MrPete]

On every ship on every sailing?

 

Please explain.

[Cruising89143]

Both NCL and RCL will beat Carnival with 7 day cruises out of New Orleans. Once again Carnival will be behind the curve.

 

What do you mean by that. Carnival had the largest ship sailing out of NOLA along with the Sensation. NCL was using one of their oldest ships out of this port with the Dream. RCI had the Granduer. Was this statement just used to stir the pot??

[patrice1]

We have cruised with NCL and LOVED Freestyle. We requested a table for 2 on our upcoming CCL cruise because we love our vacation time together & choose not to dine with strangers. To each his own. But we also loved going to dinner when WE wanted to. Oh, you could do the regular early-late if you wanted, but we loved cruising like we were going to different restaurants every night. The service was excellent.

 

That being said, we know we will still enjoy our first CCL cruise with set dining times. A cruise is what you make it & we've not had a bad one yet, despite hurricanes, blown-up ships (we were booked on Norway), and changed itineraries.

[zydecocruiser]

What do you mean by that. Carnival had the largest ship sailing out of NOLA along with the Sensation. NCL was using one of their oldest ships out of this port with the Dream. RCI had the Granduer. Was this statement just used to stir the pot??

 

Exactly Carnival HAD, just like Southwest HAD. Both have effectively abandoned the city. The Dream moved on the Texas. The Sun was supposed to go out of NOLA until Katrina hit.

 

In 2006, both the Sun and Grandeur will sail 7 day itineraries out of NOLA. Carnival's pitiful offering is Sensation on 4 and 5 day cruises. I wonder who is going to pick up market share ?

[Cruising89143]

Exactly Carnival HAD, just like Southwest HAD. Both have effectively abandoned the city. The Dream moved on the Texas. The Sun was supposed to go out of NOLA until Katrina hit.

 

In 2006, both the Sun and Grandeur will sail 7 day itineraries out of NOLA. Carnival's pitiful offering is Sensation on 4 and 5 day cruises. I wonder who is going to pick up market share ?

 

I don't think that's a fair statement. Carnival stuck with NOLA when the power line situation was at a standstill to the point that they moved the ship to Gulfport then back to NOLA. It would have been easy for Carnival to tell NOLA to take a hike and move that ship to another location.

 

I see Carnival putting either the Conquest or another large ship in once they feel that the city is ready. Judging by your comments here and on another cruise board, you're always looking for someone else to blame this storm on. :rolleyes:

[zydecocruiser]

I don't think that's a fair statement. Carnival stuck with NOLA when the power line situation was at a standstill to the point that they moved the ship to Gulfport then back to NOLA. It would have been easy for Carnival to tell NOLA to take a hike and move that ship to another location.

 

I see Carnival putting either the Conquest or another large ship in once they feel that the city is ready. Judging by your comments here and on another cruise board, you're always looking for someone else to blame this storm on. :rolleyes:

 

Who's trying to stir the pot now? You've done your share here and there.

 

Power lines - ancient history. And a grandstand power play by Carnival.

 

Carnival is trying another ship in New Orleans in December 06, but it is the Princess brand and will be doing the Conquest itinerary.

 

There were a number of cruise lines interested in basing ships in New Orleans pre-Katrina but not enough terminal space. The demand will return again with or without the Carnival brand.