RCCL vs. NCL Cruise Costs: Not Happy

[wdsted]

Thanks all for your input. We've taken a right turn and seem to be leaning towards a RCL Holy Land cruise out of Rome on Jewel of the Sea. Great itinerary at any price.

[4774Papa]

Lots of people on these boards provide their advice, not knowing exactly what is in the mind of the poster. If advise is proffered, you are free to ignore it. No need to get testy about it either.

[graphicguy]

Looking at that RCCL booking cost, I can book the MSC SeaSide in the Yacht Club (their response to NCL’s Haven) for that amount. That is a gorgeous ship, with nothing like it I’ve ever seen.

 

Matter of fact, you can book one of the “Aft” condo cabins for that price.

 

MSC, while they don’t have near the ships in North America as any of the other mainstream cruise lines, have made a “splash” with the ships they’re sailing in the North American market.

 

I’ve sailed them twice (once out of FL and once out of Barcelona). Their ships are stunning and will give RCCL and/or NCL a run for the money.

[BNBR]

Looking at that RCCL booking cost, I can book the MSC SeaSide in the Yacht Club (their response to NCL’s Haven) for that amount. That is a gorgeous ship, with nothing like it I’ve ever seen.

 

Matter of fact, you can book one of the “Aft” condo cabins for that price.

 

MSC, while they don’t have near the ships in North America as any of the other mainstream cruise lines, have made a “splash” with the ships they’re sailing in the North American market.

 

I’ve sailed them twice (once out of FL and once out of Barcelona). Their ships are stunning and will give RCCL and/or NCL a run for the money.

 

There is no doubt that MSC is aggressively coming after the American market with very low prices. Their Yacht Club is on my watch list especially considering the value offered. Does the "vibe" compare with the big 3? I'm just worried it'll feel a little too reserved and European for me.

[graphicguy]

I say sail on ships you like at the price you are comfortable with...choices are good...

True. Lots of people who are loyal to one or another cruise line. Me personally am not. I sail the ship, itinerary and price I want.

 

Never had a bad time on a cruise, regardless of cruise line. I do like NCL over RCCL. But, I like MSC, too.

 

On a budget, I look at Carnival, especially for a quick getaway.

 

Celebrity and HAL, while fine in their own right, aren’t ones I tend to shop (and yes, I’ve sailed both).

 

My preferences can change at any time, however.

[sverigecruiser]

Thanks all for your input. We've taken a right turn and seem to be leaning towards a RCL Holy Land cruise out of Rome on Jewel of the Sea. Great itinerary at any price.

 

Be aware of that most inputs you have been given is about Symphony of the Seas, not about Jewel of the Seas.

 

It's probably still a great cruise but on a smaller, older ship.

[tbo]

We have an 11 night Western Caribbean cruise booked on the NCL Epic in January-got the pick all option. This thread made me curious so I did a comparison. Only 11 night cruise out of FL on RCCL in January is for Southern Caribbean on the Serenade OTS. Price for 2-regular ocean view balcony- Non Refundable deposit-3629.14-no drink/dining package, no internet, no shore ex credits. If the above estimates are correct it would be around $1000 to add the drink/dining package, maybe more on an 11 night cruise. So safe estimate of $4600 for this cruise.

 

 

 

We will be sticking with our NCL Epic AFT facing balcony with drink package/dining package/shore exc credits/and wifi -total for all $3293. Newer and nicer ship also.

[CruisingNole]

We will be sticking with our NCL Epic AFT facing balcony with drink package/dining package/shore exc credits/and wifi -total for all $3293. Newer and nicer ship also.

 

No company will ALWAYS be more or less expensive than the other. Especially with the sailing you found, which is a complete one-off. You cannot use that as an overall comparison. I've been eyeing Epic sailings and the one you are on is dirt cheap in comparison to others. In fact, it's cheaper than a 7 night Epic in November. And the sailing in November only comes with 2 of 5 of the "free" offers.

[newmexicoNita]

We did our first Royal C cruise on Explorer of the Seas from Sydney to Seattle. Because we were Elite on Celebrity, we were Diamond on NCL. Unlike NCL both Celebrity and RCI have wonderful happy hours with free drinks. Royal's runs from 4:30 to 8 and you can order wine in the MDR until 8.

 

On our 23 day cruise, we never purchased a single alcoholic drink (also didn't have the drink package). NCL's drink package doesn't include a good cabernet anyway.

 

When comparing prices for cruises recently, we were struck by how much cheaper RCI was than NCL and Celebrity. RCI doesn't bundle.

 

Of course, that didn't apply to your cruise. Sometimes the choice of ship can run up the cost. We loved the ice shows on RCI. Amazing.

We booked RCI over NCL for our Norway Arctic Circle cruise in June next year. RCI price was better.

you were diamond on NCL. Something is wrong or you are a bit mixed up. There is no diamond catagory on NCL. As for happy hours NCL used to have them but with the UBP which has become pretty standard on all NCL cruises it isn't necessary. I do know the drink package on RCI , though less expensive limits you to $10 drinks, NCL the top price is $15. So I would have to say, better wine is a matter of opinion.

Edited July 1, 2018 by newmexicoNita

[newmexicoNita]

I say sail on ships you like at the price you are comfortable with...choices are good...

You hit the nail on the head. It isn't a matter or which ship is better, newer, bigger or smaller. It is what you want that counts.

[newmexicoNita]

I was just giving an example to help out the OP.

 

TRUST ME, if given the choice I would never pay MORE money for Getaway vs Symphony. :D

 

Sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience but hopefully next time will be better!

I have to wonder why you would make such a statement when you have only cruised NCL once and it was not a mega ship. it was more a booze cruise. I am not saying you are wrong, I am simply saying if you haven't tried it how can you compare the 2 ships?

[BNBR]

I have to wonder why you would make such a statement when you have only cruised NCL once and it was not a mega ship. it was more a booze cruise. I am not saying you are wrong, I am simply saying if you haven't tried it how can you compare the 2 ships?

 

NCL doesn't have mega ships. So that might be an easy answer for someone who prefers mega ships.

[4774Papa]

you were diamond on NCL. Something is wrong or you are a bit mixed up. There is no diamond catagory on NCL. As for happy hours NCL used to have them but with the UBP which has become pretty standard on all NCL cruises it isn't necessary. I do know the drink package on RCI , though less expensive limits you to $10 drinks, NCL the top price is $15. So I would have to say, better wine is a matter of opinion.

Sorry for the mistake. Yes, we were diamond on RCI. It was great. We spend NOTHING on booze, wine or beer for the entire cruise. We don't care for the NCL drink package, since we drink cabernet most of the time and NCL's drink package doesn't offer a good cab. Also, on Celebrity if you get the drink package with the cruise you don't pay gratuities like on NCL. IT is ridiculous what you have to pay for gratuities on the NCL drink package. We don't select the drink package, usually the internet or shore excursions and dining package. We are moderate drinkers, mainly wine.

[4774Papa]

NCL doesn't have mega ships. So that might be an easy answer for someone who prefers mega ships.

Epic is not as large as the huge RCI ships, but it is the largest ship we have ever cruised on. RCI has a lot of ships that are smaller than Epic.

[newmexicoNita]

I agree with your comparison.

Sailing on NCL Getaway in three weeks on a casino offer. We paid $413 PP for 7-days and that price includes administration fee (?) taxes and gratuities for dining package and normal gratuities . Casino offer will be the only way that I will sail with NCL. Booked on RCL for December and the price was way lower than NCL! I was able to use OBC during a Wow sale and purchased one specialty dining and excursion in Jamaica for $74! I thought this was a bargain and this will be my first cruise with RCL.

 

sounds like you got a really good deal on RCI. Hope you enjoy the experience. Both lines are more similar than different. Do take into consideration the season when considering price. Except for Christmas week, Dec is the very lowest of low season for sailing and summer is the highest.

[newmexicoNita]

Sorry for the mistake. Yes, we were diamond on RCI. It was great. We spend NOTHING on booze, wine or beer for the entire cruise. We don't care for the NCL drink package, since we drink cabernet most of the time and NCL's drink package doesn't offer a good cab. Also, on Celebrity if you get the drink package with the cruise you don't pay gratuities like on NCL. IT is ridiculous what you have to pay for gratuities on the NCL drink package. We don't select the drink package, usually the internet or shore excursions and dining package. We are moderate drinkers, mainly wine.

oh, if you are not drinkers, only or mostly wine I agree. Before UBP was a perk on most sailings we would simply get the wine package when we boarded the ship and order very few drinks. We too drink mostly wine, but now with the UBP U am more than happy to pat the gratuities.

[LMaxwell]

you were diamond on NCL. Something is wrong or you are a bit mixed up. There is no diamond catagory on NCL. As for happy hours NCL used to have them but with the UBP which has become pretty standard on all NCL cruises it isn't necessary. I do know the drink package on RCI , though less expensive limits you to $10 drinks, NCL the top price is $15. So I would have to say, better wine is a matter of opinion.

 

RCI package limit is $14 or $15, not $10.

[DaisyL]

If price is most important, add up all costs for each cruise, including all tips, service fees, liquor package or dinner package or wifi, OBC...etc. Don't forget transportation or parking fees and hotel too for those that need it.

 

I do this often (I find it fun-really) but specifically did this for a cruise we planned with friends comparing Anthem out of NJ and Escape out of NY. I was really surprised when the Anthem cruise was cheaper! We chose Escape though because we wanted to try a different ship.

 

Pick what you'll be happy with paying!!

[BNBR]

RCI package limit is $14 or $15, not $10.

 

It's $12 and $13. But that's misleading compared to the higher limit on NCL. I was denied liquors on NCL with their hight limit than kn Royal with the lower limit. Bottled water adds up as well.

[newmexicoNita]

RCI package limit is $14 or $15, not $10.

I was referring to Celebrity: shame on me.

[mugtech]

Also a nondrinker who realizes I am paying for other people's drinks when on NCL. As platinum plus I do enjoy the loyalty benefits on NCL, but on RCI 80 nights sailing yields diamond status with $325 off balcony cabins and 3 free happy hour drinks every night. We are more itinerary oriented, and NCL has nothing to compare to RCI in Holy Land, Dubai, many more choices in Asia and the Pacific. NCL wins in South America and the Panama Canal, but we did PC, not interested in SA as much as the Asia trips.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

We've cruised on NCL with local RCCL friends a couple of times and have finally relented to join them on an RCCL cruise in October '19. We're considering a 7-day out of Miami on Symphony of the Seas and a 12-day out of Rome to Greece. I've priced both for NCL and RCCL and am amazed at the difference in value. In both cases, balcony cabins with fees and taxes are about the same but the total NCL price includes the alcohol and upgraded dining package. Also, we're Platinum + on NCL and receive additional perks which we always use (2 more upgraded dining coupons, free laundry). I also noticed that RCCL charges more for non-refundable bookings and for booking on higher decks. The net of it is, after we purchase the RCCL beverage package, we'll be paying well over $1000 more for RCCL for a 7-day Carribbean cruise during hurricane season. Why do so many people on this board always say they're both about the same price? They sure aren't for the small sample I've taken.

 

Because it would be hard for just one of them to be the same price probably!

[DaisyL]

Also a nondrinker who realizes I am paying for other people's drinks when on NCL. As platinum plus I do enjoy the loyalty benefits on NCL, but on RCI 80 nights sailing yields diamond status with $325 off balcony cabins and 3 free happy hour drinks every night. We are more itinerary oriented, and NCL has nothing to compare to RCI in Holy Land, Dubai, many more choices in Asia and the Pacific. NCL wins in South America and the Panama Canal, but we did PC, not interested in SA as much as the Asia trips.

 

 

Although we’re not Diamond on Royal yet (soon) we’ve been Platinum on NCL for a while and agree that the benefits are better with Royal.

 

But, since most of our cruises are out of drivable ports being Bayonne and NYC, and lately Baltimore too, I find that NCL switches up their itineraries and ships all the time, which I like. Royal has the same itinerary and ships all the time out of these ports. Very boring....

 

Each line has their pros/cons but we enjoy both and continue to compare prices as well. And love the ability to book a cruise after final payments when I’ve found some of the best deals, and squeeze in an extra cruise that’s almost ‘free’....lol.

[beerman2]

Jan 5,2019

NCL Spa Balcony, Trip insurance, drink package, specialty dining, pre-paid gratuity. 3,600.00 when I booked.

 

RCCL Central Park Balcony (Inside) , NO drinks, No specialty dining, No gratuity or No trip insurance 3,400.00 as of last night.

 

Bliss vs. Symphony both 7 days.

 

Kinda easy to see which is the better value!

[CruisingNole]

Jan 5,2019

NCL Spa Balcony, Trip insurance, drink package, specialty dining, pre-paid gratuity. 3,600.00 when I booked.

 

RCCL Central Park Balcony (Inside) , NO drinks, No specialty dining, No gratuity or No trip insurance 3,400.00 as of last night.

 

Bliss vs. Symphony both 7 days.

 

Kinda easy to see which is the better value!

 

Symphony = Biggest, newest and best ship, less than six months old. Commands a high price, naturally.

 

Current price = $2,662 with $100 OBC for cabin you described. $800+ cheaper than what you quoted. I know prices fluctuate, but I watch them, and they didn't drop that much overnight. ;)