Will I be disappointed with Norwegian if I'm a royal Caribbean Cruiser how does a food compare?

[Ken the cruiser]

We usually cruise on either Celebrity or Princess. But we just finished a 38-day B2B on the Jade. We split our evening meals between the 2 MDRs and the 4 specialty restaurants, which were fairly priced, and we had no complaints. All of the meals were quite tasty. We also ate breakfast every morning up in the buffet which offered a wide variety of offerings to choose from with plenty of places to sit and eat comfortably.

[craig01020]

On 1/9/2023 at 3:04 AM, Sydneyberlin said:

We’ve been on both and NCL beats RCC easily when it comes to food quality, especially specially in the main dining rooms.

I concur.

[forgotmyCCname]

We have cruised an equal amount on NCL and Royal. 

NCL buffet wins over Royal 

Haven restaurant over Coastal Kitchen by a landslide. 

Main dining is about the same -Bird Travels sums it up nicely  with the traditional vs contemporary foods. 

 

 

 

Entertainment is very subjective but I would give the edge to Royal here- except on the NCL ships with the dueling pianos ( Breakaway class ?) .

 

 

You will read negative reviews about every line and every cruise. I dont usually read reviews anymore. Our absolute favorite cruise was on Celebrity on an older , small ship. it got awful reviews. The reviews did not match the amazing experience that we had.

We have had small issues at times on both RCL and NCL but nothing that ever rose to the level of "This cruise line stinks!! I will never use them again!!"  I would not say no to a cruise on either. Although ours are grown, the kids enjoyed trips on both lines as much as they did Disney cruises

 

For demographics, we are late  fifties,working, very active and cruise anywhere from 2 to 6 times a year both as a couple and as a family with our 3 now  adult children( and sometimes with 93 yo Gramma.!) If we HAD to choose one cruise, it would be on a smaller Celebrity ship. The decision to cruise RCL or NCL is a tossup.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!! 

 

 

 

[wolft927]

Like I said before, I have cruise both NCL and RCCL. Have never had an experience that had me saying "never again". As far as Ships, RCCL Oasis class ships have the "WOW" factor everywhere. But on the flip side, we had anytime dining on the Symphony, and even with reservations still had to wait no less then 30 minutes to be seated. NCL we typically cruise the Breakaway class and Breakaway+ class ships (but have sailed Norwegian Star, Dawn, Majesty, and Crown). Food i find to be a little better in main dining rooms on NCL then RCCL, buffet much better on NCL. Now last 2 cruises and ours coming up in April are all Haven, and the dining room in Haven is amazing to me. Again, would never not cruise a ship or line simply because of reviews, reviews are mostly opinionated, and my perspective of a great cruise may not be for someone else. 

[tonit964]

My last 5 or 6 cruises have been with Princess. It’s been a few years since sailing with NCL  and even longer with Royal. Ill be on the Encore this summer and I’m excited to experience new menus and food on NCL.

I’m not a picky eater so I know I won’t go hungry for sure and I know it’ll be better than my boring routine of meals at home.

The only way you’ll know is to try.

[billslowsky]

I find that the more I cruise on a line, the more I get tired of their menu and food.  We did 3 cruises on royal in 2022 and by the third it was boringly repetitive.   Looking forward to an upcoming NCL trip at least for the change of pace.  MDR is at least "good enough" on both.

[Canbylancer]

I have traveled both a number of times.  Past 4 years have been  Getaway and Joy for NCL and Allure and Harmony for RCL.  I am on the Encore in March.  No doubt in my mind that the food in the main dining room is better on RCL.  I don't even bother with their specialty restaurants.  I do like the NCL specialty restaurants.  The worst meals I have had on a cruise are in the NCL main dining rooms, both my wife and I usually end up somewhere else to eat later.  The main dining room on RCL has been fantastic on both of the above cruises with quality, selection, and service.   

[curlstravel]

We did not like the main dining room on RCL.  Every night we walked in we thought it  smelled  funny. The same smell every night and the food tasted the same every night no matter what we ordered.  We went on 5 RCL cruises and decided Ncl was for us.   Other than the specialty dining rooms on NCL you can’t beat Hudsons for free dining on any ship.  We have cruised 6 different cruise lines, 52 cruises in all  and Hudsons is our favorite free dining room. 

[big al]

Remember food is totally subjective..I am almost Diamond Plus on RCI, and I will be taking my 8th & 9th cruises on NCL this year...I have food in the MDR pretty much "fair" to "mediocre" on 90% of all cruises ( I have been on 43 on RCI, NCL, Celebrity, Disney, HAL, Carnival & Princess..)..kinda similar to wedding food IMO..where NCL outshines RCI, especially on the newer & bigger ships ( Breakaway Class, Breakaway Plus & new Prima class) is their magnificent outdoor dining on deck 8 ( The Waterfront ) and their specialty dining options...also RCI gives you nothing in perks or "included" in your fare..RCI has NEVER given me ANYTHING in our 19 cruises with them..not one free specialty dining restaurant, not one free beer, nothing..and no outdoor dining over looking the sunset while eating Tiger Shrimp, lobster & Key Lime Pie ( Ocean Blue on NCL- SUPER!! )...

 

We go on RCI because we love their Oasis class ships & entertainment- not because of their dining...we love Chops and a few other specialty restaurants, but you always must pay for these..don't get me started on the beer- RCI has the worst draft beers ( only 4 and Stella was the only one I liked..) on the seven seas and 80% of the time on my 19 RCI cruises, they were broken...NCL has the District Brew House has 26 beers on tap & another 70 in bottles..a beer lover's dream ( YES, I am a beer snob & proud of it, lol..)..this venue is found on the Escape, Joy, Bliss & Encore..and we love Teppanyaki ( Japanese Hibachi ), Le Bistro ( French ) Cagney's ( Steakhouse ), Ocean Blue ( seafood..amazing!) and the Food Republic is awesome for Asian cuisine..don't forget The Local or O'Sheehan's where you can 24 hour food & drinks in an Irish Pub setting..the Reuben there is awesome, as are the wings & fish & chips..again food is subjective..these are my opinions & thoughts from my experiences on RCI & NCL so far..our last cruise on RCI was on The Mariner Of The Seas to Bermuda in August..food in the MDR was pretty bad..specialty was very good...conversely, we were on the NCL Encore last Jan and all 7 nights ( 4 specialty & 3 MDR) were very good to outstanding IMO...    

[ronswanson]

We cruised Alaska in July on Quantum OTS, and just cruised NCL Pearl this past weekend. My take was the MDR food on Quantum was better, but not by much. The only meal we were disappointed with was Moderno. We didn't pay for it so I do not feel so bad but it wasn't that good, except the flank steak (and the service was amazing). We had MDR one night, and Lotus Garden one night, which was pretty good as well. RCL just re-did their menu and not for the better IMO, so I think if NCL does not re-do/downgrade their menu, they might take the lead there.

[Inscrutable]

On 1/9/2023 at 7:13 PM, Russiamomm said:

I agree with the others - you have to try it to compare.  Personally I much prefer NCL.  It’s all I’ve sailed for the past several years, but took a short trip on the Independence of the Seas in November.  I don’t think I’ll ever go back to RCL.  Our major complaint was the cost of drinks and the lack of free food options on RCL.  It was a comped cruise for us. We paid for an upgrade into a suite.  We didn’t buy a drink package - just thought the cost was crazy.  We’re so used to NCL’s FAS.  The drink package would have cost us more than $200 a day for the two of us. On NCL it’s just over $20 pp/pp.  I was quite stunned when I bought a drink on the pool deck the first day and it was almost $18.  Needless to say, we didn’t drink much that trip.  On the food, we are so used to NCL’s Freestyle dining, I didn’t like the set meal times.  Also was really taken aback that quite literally the only free food options were the buffet, the MDR and pizza.  There were lots of food options, but they were all at an additional cost.  Granted, NCL has limited free food options too, but at least you have O’Sheehans and with FAS you get some free specialty meals.  Not so on RCCL.  Finally, I think the entertainment is better on NCL.  We were on Indy for five nights.  We were ready to get off.  I’ve never been on an NCL ship that I was ready to leave.
 

Interesting and thanks. We have only cruised NCL and sometimes think about trying someone else. But our preferences seem to match up well with yours, and we’d be a bit disappointed in RCCL. 

[complawyer]

i think if you cruise just for the shear joy of sailing, you wont be disappointed regardless of where you eat.  ncl (as do other lines i'm sure) have a plethora of dining options. im sure  you will be able to find at least a couple that you will enjoy.

 

sometimes, even the buffet at dinner has some amazing choices, so just have a great time sailing and exploring.  

 

the opinions expressed herein, are strictly my own

[wally4ever]

I've never been on Royal Caribbean, so I can't compare, but I've done three cruises with Norwegian and I've never had a bad meal.

[Travelling2Some]

I've always been happy with the food on NCL, RCI and Celebrity.  Carnival food is fine and they even have some outstanding "fast food" options in with the "Big Chicken" thing, Guys Burgers and their Mexican offering (sorry, forget the exact name but I think it involves a lizard).  We found Carnival buffets lacking on their smaller ships but I think we were out of place and they were catering to the local market.  The food on the NCL Sun, an older and smaller ship was very good in November, particularly in the buffet.  Even though the buffet was half the size of larger ships the offerings were impressive.  We have very good friends who do not like the food on NCL and we have discussed it at length.  Basically, they only like plain "meat and potatoes" type food while we appreciate that NCL does a great job with interesting sauces and seasonings.

[YangtzeCruiser]

Haven't been on RCL post-Covid, but we've been happy with the food on both RCL and NCL (and CCL, for that matter, except for the. desserts).

[farjar]

As platinum cruisers on NCL we have eaten many meals in several venues.  We have had "hits and misses" when it come to food but find NCL generally better than CCL.  NCL's crepes in the buffet are great while the gelato available on some CCL ships is delicious.  HAL, however, had the best free swordfish I've ever had in their MDR and I could eat their portabella mushroom burgers at the Dive-In everyday.  HAL also has a wide assortment of Bigelow tea flavors in the buffet.  As others have said, everyone has different tastes.

[Megamixer]

17 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

We have very good friends who do not like the food on NCL and we have discussed it at length.  Basically, they only like plain "meat and potatoes" type food while we appreciate that NCL does a great job with interesting sauces and seasonings.

I loved that comment because it's me.  I've been reading this thread agreeing with some, not agreeing with others.  I prefer RCL dining mainly because I enjoy traditional dining.  I'm the "meat and potatoes" guy so usually by the 2nd or 3rd night my waiter knows to not have vegetables contaminating 🙂 my meat, I want plenty of bread and keep my iced tea filled.  I'm trying to get over my desire for traditional dining since it's almost gone.  We sailed Princess for the first time last fall and I was surprised all they had was anytime dining too.  On our Christmas cruise on the NCL Jewel I think my whole family agreed we liked the food in the buffet the best.  I have a 19 day transatlantic booked on the Sun in April; after 19 days I'll see what my opinion is.

[Peachypooh]

I have only sailed on RCCL's Liberty of the Seas and I found the main dining room food better on NCL. That said Celebrity has much better cakes and pastries than either of them.

[acct1975]

I've been on RCC and NCL along with my husband and I agree, NCL has a slight edge when it comes to food, especially on the bigger ships. I was on the Oasis of the Seas and the food, regardless of venue, seemed noticeably mass produced (this was in pre-COVID days). On NCL, both pre and post COVID regardless of size of ship, the food didn't have that assembly line feels even at the buffet. My husband is a notorious with "tasting" differences in things (not exactly a picky eater but more of a "I can taste the difference in different brands of water" and he really enjoyed NCL but was only "meh" about the food on RCC.

 

Also, I personally feel that NCL does better with the flow on their larger ships than RCC. The Promenade on the the Oasis was always so crowded to the point of uncomfortable and not relaxing. I was on the Breakaway last summer and the Atrium could get crowded but not claustrophobic. The pool deck...well I don't think you'll ever find a pool deck that isn't a disaster what with chair hogs and such so those were probably equal. The Breakaway class of ships are nice because you have the Waterfront which runs most of the way around the ship and is generally less crowded but still has bars and access to stuff. You can get away without retreating to your room

 

On the whole, we love sailing NCL because the food is superior for the price point and you have a better balance of social space and privacy.

[graphicguy]

Have sailed both NCL (Sapphire) and RCCL (Diamond), both since the restart and both before the restart.

 

Generally speaking, NCL does entertainment better.  Their main shows are Broadway caliber.  Even the shows in the side/smaller venues (like Syd Norman’s and Cavern Club) are outstanding (so much so you have to stand in line an hour before to get a seat).

 

Food?  I dunno?  Since the startup, I’ll give the nod to NCL…slightly.  Before the restart?  Probably Royal, slightly.

 

Service?  Similar.  Sometimes good…sometimes not so much.

 

Both have clean, well cared for ships (at least those that have been on the water within the last decade or so).

 

Pricing is similar.  Sometimes you can score a deal.  Sometimes you feel like you’re being gouged (depending on ship and the time of year it’s sailing).

 

Those who you interface with the most (stewards, bar tenders, wait staff) are all eager to please on both lines.

[New2cruise2022]

On 1/10/2023 at 9:31 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

We sail equally on RCCL and NCL. Food is very subjective. There are probably an equal number of negative reviews on Royal food, if you really look. Here's my take...

 

Royal focuses a lot on traditional menus with foods that have been around for a while. People are very comfortable with the menus and the food. 

 

NCL focuses on catering to the contemporary cruiser who will sustain their business for the decades to come. So the menu is constantly evolving which causes a lot of people grief. There was a uproar when fish fingers were changed to poached salmon. And when chicken soup was replaced with Pho. And especially when chicken fingers went away in favor of rotisserie chicken. Heck, there are multiple threads right now with the "liver guy" who is appalled that NCL serves Foie Gras with their Filet in specialty dining. On the newest NCL ships, they have a sushi dish as a appetizer served nightly. 

 

There are a lot of meat and potato people who cringe at any contemporary foods. And they will complain about anything contemporary. I was at Sorento's recently and watched someone scream at the server about "why they didn't have a plain sausage pizza, because that's what he wanted" and that "who in the world would ever want BBQ chicken or pineapple on a pizza". 

 

I think NCL food is very good. Royal is probably better,,,, just be cause it is old fashion,,, for old people like me.  

 

And the NCL buffet is far, far superior to the Royal Windjammer buffet. 

This is a nice summation of how to evaluate and critique food. Better. Worse. Horrible. Inedible. Most of these words mean nothing without context. 

[Barb Nahoumi]

On 1/8/2023 at 11:27 PM, lolomaz26 said:

Hello can somebody give me some insight I keep on hearing negative reviews about Norwegian , I'm a royal Caribbean fan ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have sailed on many NCL cruises, and 1 RCCL cruise on the Explorer of the seas.  Each has features which we liked.

 On NCL, you have the option to dine in the Main dining room for lunch on embarkation day, which eliminates the need for going to the crowded buffet with your carry-on, and hunting for a vacant table.  I didn't notice that option on RCCL.  

 

I thought that our Oceanview cabin on RCCL was a bit larger on Explorer, and they had a designated movie venue onboard along with a skating rink.  My husband and I enjoyed the movies and the ice show.  On most NCL ships, movies are shown in the atrium,  and noise from passersby is distracting.

 

The food on NCL is very good.

On 1/8/2023 at 11:27 PM, lolomaz26 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Oceansaway17]

On 1/10/2023 at 6:05 PM, BirdTravels said:

I would add that we were on the Quantum of the Seas to Alaska this year at planned to eat in the Costal Kitchen (suites restaurant) every night. All I can say is that the food and the service in the Quantum's CK was horrible. There were a couple of nights that we walked out the back door of the CK into the Windjammer buffet to try and find some decent food. 

Yes I agree about CK.  I was in Jr Suite twice.  Once on Symphony and when I went to CK to try to get a seat on the first day, the lady who handled concierge folks seemed to look her nose down at me and made me feel line I was bothering her. 

Later in the year on Oasis, I went on the first day and I was able to make two reservations.  I went to the first one and was slightly underwhelmed.  I mean it felt like they did well with the servic, but the actual food was small portions and just nice but not great.

I then for the 2nd one after looking at the odd menu for that night, went in and cancelled.  The fellow at the podium begged me to stay and said he could find something not on the menu.  I said sorry, I will go to SJ and get a nice salad.   

So, I also felt the same way on Celebrity Blu.

These upscale places have great SERVICE, but it was the food that was underwhelming, or the portions are small.

 

the BEST desserts are on NCL. Many are just like grandma makes.  So many deserts on other ships taste like air.

[Lupush]

I've been on 3 cruises over the last year.  2 NCL and 1 RCCL, food was easily better on both NCL ships vs. RCL.  RCL food outside of the specialty restaurants was absolutely awful.

[resetjet]

Food is about the same.  Rccl on the other hand has alot more to offer especially on the oasis and quantum ships.  NCL's internet is near useless.  The casino program on NCL is awful.  But if you are paying for a cruise, its hard to beat NCL's value when they have the all 4 free at sea promotions.