New to RCL coming from NCL

[MarleyMar86]

Hi CC,

 

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

[davekathy]

Hi CC,

 

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

Ask away.

[Clarea]

Hi CC,

 

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

Good start for Navigator: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/royal-caribbean/navigator

[karena1]

Promenade, ice shows. I am sure you will love it.

 

If you are comparing to NCL SKY - there is NO comparison. We thought Sky was the worst ship ever that we went on. Killed NCL for us, will never do another one. My opinion - if the small ships don't get it right (and we have been on MANY small Royal ships) then the big ships won't get it right either.

[cruisegoal100]

Asking for info w/o providing any idea what info you want isn't particularly helpful. What specifically is op trying to find out about cruising on RCL as against cruising on NCL?

[boscobeans]

Last cruise with NCL was the Breakaway in Feb. of 2018.

 

Service in the Royal Caribbean MDRs is better than the service in any restaurant on the Breakaway including the specialty restaurants.

 

It seemed to me that none of the baked goods on NCL were actually baked on board, but were just reheated or finished off on board the ship. Croissants were actually laughable.

 

Desserts were all bland and flavorless, best thing in the way of a dessert was a roast pineapple they served in the churrascaria (specialty restaurant).

 

Room nice and steward was very attentive on NCL.

 

Breakaway was always crowed on the activity levels and elevators.

 

Both boarding and debarking at the NYC terminal were very chaotic.

 

There is NO SMOKING in the casino on RC, it was bad on the Breakaway and smoke doesn't usually bother us.

 

Sorry but we never had such a low level experience in 18 years cruising on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Holland America.

 

Just our opinion along with a few others on board, but there were many who appeared to be enjoying what we thought was poor food and bar service.

 

bosco

[thistimeplease]

Hi CC,

 

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

 

We are also considering a cruise with RCL since NCL doesn't have a eastern Caribbean itinerary for next summer. I'm also worried as we love, love, love NCL. Haven't seemed to experience what others on this board have mentioned. Very interested in the responses here.

[molsonschooner]

Last cruise with NCL was the Breakaway in Feb. of 2018.

 

Service in the Royal Caribbean MDRs is better than the service in any restaurant on the Breakaway including the specialty restaurants.

 

It seemed to me that none of the baked goods on NCL were actually baked on board, but were just reheated or finished off on board the ship. Croissants were actually laughable.

 

Desserts were all bland and flavorless, best thing in the way of a dessert was a roast pineapple they served in the churrascaria (specialty restaurant).

 

Room nice and steward was very attentive on NCL.

 

Breakaway was always crowed on the activity levels and elevators.

 

Both boarding and debarking at the NYC terminal were very chaotic.

 

There is NO SMOKING in the casino on RC, it was bad on the Breakaway and smoke doesn't usually bother us.

 

Sorry but we never had such a low level experience in 18 years cruising on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Holland America.

 

Just our opinion along with a few others on board, but there were many who appeared to be enjoying what we thought was poor food and bar service.

 

bosco

When did RC casinos go to non smoking.

[Merion_Mom]

When did RC casinos go to non smoking.

Empress. :D

[Clarea]

When did RC casinos go to non smoking.

They have not gone non-smoking, except for cruises out of the UK and Australia.

[boscobeans]

They have not gone non-smoking, except for cruises out of the UK and Australia.

 

 

 

We have been on a few RC cruises where the casino is NON-SMOKING for several nights during the cruises.

 

bosco

[Clarea]

We have been on a few RC cruises where the casino is NON-SMOKING for several nights during the cruises.

 

bosco

It used to be common for Royal to have non-smoking in the casino on formal nights, but I've not seen much of that since they prohibited smoking on the stateroom balconies. The casino is now the defacto smoking lounge.

[Russ Lomas]

We are also considering a cruise with RCL since NCL doesn't have a eastern Caribbean itinerary for next summer. I'm also worried as we love, love, love NCL. Haven't seemed to experience what others on this board have mentioned. Very interested in the responses here.

We usually cruise RCCL but did a cruise on NCL last year. Overall, you should find the two lines VERY similar in most ways. You appear to cruise the larger newer NCL ships like the Getaway and Breakaway. For that reason, assuming you like the activities they have to offer, I would recommend taking the newer, similar class of ships with RCCL, like the Oasis, Quantum, or Freedom, or Navigator class.

 

Our decision usually comes down to itinerary and pricing now between NCL and RCCL. We enjoy both lines, but tend to find if you book RCCL far in advance you get the best prices (you can always call in and get a price reduction if prices go down and you are from North America), whereas NCL seems to sell their cabins at a very high cost and lower them as they approach the sailing date. Different strategies I guess.

[thistimeplease]

We usually cruise RCCL but did a cruise on NCL last year. Overall, you should find the two lines VERY similar in most ways. You appear to cruise the larger newer NCL ships like the Getaway and Breakaway. For that reason, assuming you like the activities they have to offer, I would recommend taking the newer, similar class of ships with RCCL, like the Oasis, Quantum, or Freedom, or Navigator class.

 

Our decision usually comes down to itinerary and pricing now between NCL and RCCL. We enjoy both lines, but tend to find if you book RCCL far in advance you get the best prices (you can always call in and get a price reduction if prices go down and you are from North America), whereas NCL seems to sell their cabins at a very high cost and lower them as they approach the sailing date. Different strategies I guess.

 

My husband does like the large ships and we are looking at the Allure, actually found the right itinerary and the price looks good. Thanks for info.

[JillK]

I agree with Russ above that the lines are much more similar than dissimilar. Our last two and next two cruises are with these lines given our comfort level with both companies, itineraries and pricing of course.

 

Keep reading through the Royal board to find out more about the line and recent cruise reviews of the Navigator to find out all the secrets and tips before you go.

 

Happy cruising!

[George C]

I really like navigator 9 months ago we did our third cruis on this ship. I like the size not to small , not to big, love the ice show and rest of entertainment along with specialty restaurants.

[ONECRUISER]

We have been on a few RC cruises where the casino is NON-SMOKING for several nights during the cruises.

 

bosco

Some Royal ships sailing from US have one of the Formal nites non-smoking but not multiple. Last year experienced it on Serenade, yr before on Brilliance...

[DaNana]

We have been on this ship 3 times. We like the size and ease of getting around. We always enjoy the dining room and love the shopping. Enjoy your trip.

[Crazy planning mom]

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

Here are a few differences. On RCL, you have the Solarium which is for 16 and over. It is free. On NCL, I think you have to pay for a pass to the adult only area.

On NCL dining and show reservations open up 90 days beforehand while with RCL, there us no definitive timeframe when they come out. You have to keep checking the cruise planner. NCL has a pub/ diner for late nite food. NCL has Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's. NCL has hard scooped ice cream at the buffet while RCL does not. On Sea days, RCL has the tutti salad bar and a dessert bar with a fountain at the Main dining room.

[boatclub1]

Hello,

We just came off the Anthem of the Sea's this August, I will say it was a beautiful ship and great food all around great, but with Norwegian Lines you get more "free perks" like specialty dinning, drink pkgs, free wifi etc.... the "free perks" are swaying me back over to NCL.

[LrgPizza]

Here are a few differences. On RCL, you have the Solarium which is for 16 and over. It is free. On NCL, I think you have to pay for a pass to the adult only area.

On NCL dining and show reservations open up 90 days beforehand while with RCL, there us no definitive timeframe when they come out. You have to keep checking the cruise planner. NCL has a pub/ diner for late nite food. NCL has Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's. NCL has hard scooped ice cream at the buffet while RCL does not. On Sea days, RCL has the tutti salad bar and a dessert bar with a fountain at the Main dining room.

Although I'm not the OP, I'm in the same situation, so thanks for the info! I'll be on Mariner of the Seas.

 

Does the Solarium get really crowded? Will I need to get my butt in a chair in the early morning hours? (I usually do anyway, but wondering if it's a must.) Is the bar there open on port days?

 

It appears there is not a Sorrento's on Mariner. It looks like Cafe Promenade will be the only late night option. Is this correct? I can't seem to find a menu, or figure out what kind of food they have.

[MarleyMar86]

Hi all thanks for the info so far.

 

I guess I was just looking for an over all feel. Glad to know about the no smoking in the casinos.

 

Here are some more I thought of ;

 

How does formal night work?

Does everyone have to participate?

Also how is the timed dining and sitting with random people?

Does the ship have popcorn for the movie on the deck?

Are there any special themes for the buffet?

What about the drink packages? Do they ever have free offers like NCL?

[DaNana]

Hi all thanks for the info so far.

 

 

 

I guess I was just looking for an over all feel. Glad to know about the no smoking in the casinos.

 

 

 

Here are some more I thought of ;

 

 

 

How does formal night work?

 

Does everyone have to participate?

 

Also how is the timed dining and sitting with random people?

 

Does the ship have popcorn for the movie on the deck?

 

Are there any special themes for the buffet?

 

What about the drink packages? Do they ever have free offers like NCL?

 

 

 

There are formal nights. This is only my opinion & feel if someone prefers not to participate it is a great time to check out other venues than the main dining room.

I don’t know about the popcorn.

Usually the main dining room has themes. Depends where you are sailing.

RCI does offer free things through the loyalty program. We have never bought the alcohol package but do the soda. We get it with the WiFi. As Diamond we get a place to go to get drinks and they put 3 on our card for each evening 5:30-8:30.

Hope this helps.

 

 

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[mugtech]

Formal night is not very formal. A shirt with a collar and long pants is all that is required for males, and many do just that.

[BillOh]

Hi CC,

 

I am booked on a FEB 2019 cruise on Navigator of the Seas and I have never cruised with RCL. Looking for all the info I can get! If you have any paths to send me on please let me know as I am struggling on this site to find some info.

 

Thank you!

 

 

Navigator is a nice size ship in my favorite class - Its not the newest or biggest, but enjoyable. Come next February I will be interested in what you have to say coming from your perspective.