So Far Carnival is Winning vs NCL

[Saint Greg]

3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Your Alaskan cruise was after the season was over and NCL was dumping cabins. All the other cruise lines knew better and had gone home.

 

Not everyone is obsessed with drink packages.

I booked that cruise in April.

 

[Saint Greg]

6 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Not everyone is obsessed with drink packages.

It isn’t all about drink packages $450 vs 2k. Two steakhouse dinners for $12 vs two steakhouse dinners for $100. $50 off of excursions vs $0 off of excursions.

 

Edited March 10 by Saint Greg

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Do you seriously not see some here taking pot shots at him? Or spreading false rumors, if not lies, ad naseum that occupy so much of his time in trying to squash?

Very very little. I see way more of him taking shots at CC. I constantly see him referencing posts that don’t exist here. You can find more people taking pot shots of him on Facebook than you can here. People create groups making fun of him on Facebook.

[Saint Greg]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Perhaps for you. Not when I shop. I would recommend everyone do their own research.

Exactly, that’s the point. Don’t listen to a poster on here who says they’re charging drink and specialty dining gratuities on things they aren’t going to use. As I pointed out, those can be removed by a simple check box. I’m on this thread just to keep that type of misinformation checked.

[jimbo5544]

38 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Exactly, that’s the point. Don’t listen to a poster on here who says they’re charging drink and specialty dining gratuities on things they aren’t going to use. As I pointed out, those can be removed by a simple check box. I’m on this thread just to keep that type of misinformation checked.

One more time.  many (as in the majority) do not know this.  They want the free drink cruises that NCL promotes (as in everywhere), I am on this thread for the same reason…. I know this because I answer the calls and emails.  Almost every single request we get.  Whether there are different options (we know there are and explain that) but they want the 3 for free (which are not free).  That was my point of no free lunch.  I know this because Del Rio told a room of TA’s that is the way he changed the industry (and he did).  He also stated he would NEVER return to discounting cabins.  Your experience seems to be they offer the best deals, which is  good.  All lines offer things that draw cruisers to them.  What works for some, does not work for others.  All good. 

[TN Roz]

This has been a very interesting and informative topic. I have been on several Carnival cruises (over 20) and have been on 3 or 4 with Royal. We are not loyal to any one line and choose the cruise that we feel fits our needs the most. That being said, I have an Alaskan cruise booked on NCL for April 2025. We made the decision based on several things, most importantly the ship (Encore) and the value of the drink package and specialty dining. On CCL, we pay around $1,000 for the drink package for the 2 off us for 7 days. We usually eat at a specialty dining venue at least twice at $40 or $45 per person. NCL also had more excursions on the Alaska itinerary that appealed to us so the $50 off per cabin is a plus for us. Also, I learned on this tread that you can order 2 drinks at time. This has always been a pet peeve of mine on Carnival as I like a beer chaser with my spicy Bloody Mary and my tequila shots. Waiting 5 minutes (usually longer by the time the bartender gets back to you to order that chaser) is really inconvenient in my opinion. As others have said, do your research and choose the line that is best for you and your budget. This forum is a good source, but we all have different experiences and opinions. @Saint Greg I have read your reviews for years and I know that you do your research and provide accurate and up to date information. I have taken your recommendations for everything from hotels in NOLA to parking, restaurants and drinks!

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, TN Roz said:

This has been a very interesting and informative topic. I have been on several Carnival cruises (over 20) and have been on 3 or 4 with Royal. We are not loyal to any one line and choose the cruise that we feel fits our needs the most. That being said, I have an Alaskan cruise booked on NCL for April 2025. We made the decision based on several things, most importantly the ship (Encore) and the value of the drink package and specialty dining. On CCL, we pay around $1,000 for the drink package for the 2 off us for 7 days. We usually eat at a specialty dining venue at least twice at $40 or $45 per person. NCL also had more excursions on the Alaska itinerary that appealed to us so the $50 off per cabin is a plus for us. Also, I learned on this tread that you can order 2 drinks at time. This has always been a pet peeve of mine on Carnival as I like a beer chaser with my spicy Bloody Mary and my tequila shots. Waiting 5 minutes (usually longer by the time the bartender gets back to you to order that chaser) is really inconvenient in my opinion. As others have said, do your research and choose the line that is best for you and your budget. This forum is a good source, but we all have different experiences and opinions. @Saint Greg I have read your reviews for years and I know that you do your research and provide accurate and up to date information. I have taken your recommendations for everything from hotels in NOLA to parking, restaurants and drinks!

threads like this one are part of what makes CC so good.  

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

It isn’t all about drink packages $450 vs 2k. Two steakhouse dinners for $12 vs two steakhouse dinners for $100. $50 off of excursions vs $0 off of excursions.

 

 

Standard balcony NCL - Alaska cruise - with packages

$6,045.80    - Jun 23-30,2024

same cruise

$4,145.32   - Sep 21-28

 

for 1 person

$3,621.66

 

 

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

I’m on this thread just to keep that type of misinformation checked.

me too.

[Saint Greg]

34 minutes ago, TN Roz said:

This has been a very interesting and informative topic. I have been on several Carnival cruises (over 20) and have been on 3 or 4 with Royal. We are not loyal to any one line and choose the cruise that we feel fits our needs the most. That being said, I have an Alaskan cruise booked on NCL for April 2025. We made the decision based on several things, most importantly the ship (Encore) and the value of the drink package and specialty dining. On CCL, we pay around $1,000 for the drink package for the 2 off us for 7 days. We usually eat at a specialty dining venue at least twice at $40 or $45 per person. NCL also had more excursions on the Alaska itinerary that appealed to us so the $50 off per cabin is a plus for us. Also, I learned on this tread that you can order 2 drinks at time. This has always been a pet peeve of mine on Carnival as I like a beer chaser with my spicy Bloody Mary and my tequila shots. Waiting 5 minutes (usually longer by the time the bartender gets back to you to order that chaser) is really inconvenient in my opinion. As others have said, do your research and choose the line that is best for you and your budget. This forum is a good source, but we all have different experiences and opinions. @Saint Greg I have read your reviews for years and I know that you do your research and provide accurate and up to date information. I have taken your recommendations for everything from hotels in NOLA to parking, restaurants and drinks!

One tip that I got from NCL people is that $50 off is per excursion. So if you have excursions booked in Juneau and ISP, you can still get free tram tickets there. 
 

I’m on Encore next Feb. And there’s a chance I may do a Bliss to Alaska this summer so keep an eye out for those.

 

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

 

Standard balcony NCL - Alaska cruise - with packages

$6,045.80    - Jun 23-30,2024

same cruise

$4,145.32   - Sep 21-28

 

for 1 person

$3,621.66

 

 

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison. Encore is a far superior ship to Spirit or Luminosa. The NCL port in Seattle is in a more desirable location and the Sat-Sat schedule is more desirable than Tue-Tue or Thur-Thur.

 

But I’ll play the game. I went with two people since that’s what I figured you did. Somehow I came up with $5,300 to $3,900 for a balcony. That’s without my 10% discount from NCL which would knock $500 off or using a cruise certificate which would knock another 150-250 off. You’re going to have to add a drink package for two to that carnival one. And two nights in the streakhouse to even things out. That’s another $1,200 so that brings it up to $5,100 for carnival.

 

 

[Saint Greg]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

 

Standard balcony NCL - Alaska cruise - with packages

$6,045.80    - Jun 23-30,2024

same cruise

$4,145.32   - Sep 21-28

 

for 1 person

$3,621.66

 

 

As a solo the cheapest room I can get on Carnuval this year to Alaska is 1,460. Not including drinks or internet or anything. 
 

The cheapest I can get on NCL is $742. That includes most drinks and two steakhouse dinners. That’s on a comparable ship the Jewel.

 

If you want to do just from Seattle. The cheapest I can get with NCL is on Bliss for $1,000 again that includes most drinks and two specialty dinners. And it’s on the superior ship with the better schedule.

Those are without using my 10% discount or cruise certificates. 

 

Edited March 11 by Saint Greg

[BlerkOne]

48 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison. Encore is a far superior ship to Spirit or Luminosa. The NCL port in Seattle is in a more desirable location and the Sat-Sat schedule is more desirable than Tue-Tue or Thur-Thur.

Opinions.

 

48 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

But I’ll play the game. I went with two people since that’s what I figured you did. Somehow I came up with $5,300 to $3,900 for a balcony. That’s without my 10% discount from NCL which would knock $500 off or using a cruise certificate which would knock another 150-250 off. You’re going to have to add a drink package for two to that carnival one. And two nights in the streakhouse to even things out. That’s another $1,200 so that brings it up to $5,100 for carnival.

 

A far cry from a few hundred dollars of your prior Alaska cruise. And not everyone has your discount or cruise certificate just like not everyone has a casino rate from Carnival. Nor has to have a drink packages.

[BlerkOne]

23 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

As a solo the cheapest room I can get on Carnuval this year to Alaska is 1,460. Not including drinks or internet or anything. 
 

The cheapest I can get on NCL is $742. That includes most drinks and two steakhouse dinners. That’s on a comparable ship the Jewel.

 

Nobody is pretending Carnival has a better deal for singles than NCL. Or Royal 

[Saint Greg]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Opinions.

 

A far cry from a few hundred dollars of your prior Alaska cruise. And not everyone has your discount or cruise certificate just like not everyone has a casino rate from Carnival. Nor has to have a drink packages.

I was in an interior on the Jewel not a balcony for two on the bliss. The $742 rate (after taxes and port fees) is pretty close to the one I booked last year. Anyone can buy a cruise certificate online.

[Saint Greg]

7 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Nobody is pretending Carnival has a better deal for singles than NCL. Or Royal 

Fine let’s do two. The cheapest I can get for two on Carnival is $1,763 with no extras. The cheapest I can get on NCL for two is 906 that includes drinks and two specialty dinners for two.

 

 

[Linsuesue]

35 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

As a solo the cheapest room I can get on Carnuval this year to Alaska is 1,460. Not including drinks or internet or anything. 
 

The cheapest I can get on NCL is $742. That includes most drinks and two steakhouse dinners. That’s on a comparable ship the Jewel.

 

If you want to do just from Seattle. The cheapest I can get with NCL is on Bliss for $1,000 again that includes most drinks and two specialty dinners. And it’s on the superior ship with the better schedule.

Those are without using my 10% discount or cruise certificates. 

 

But doesn’t the Carnival fare include port charges and the NCL fare doesn’t? That would close the gap between the two cruislines. 

[BlerkOne]

12 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Fine let’s do two. The cheapest I can get for two on Carnival is $1,763 with no extras. The cheapest I can get on NCL for two is 906 that includes drinks and two specialty dinners for two.

 

Enjoy NCL! Even if every NCL cruise was cheaper (not the case), price isn't everything. 

[Saint Greg]

13 minutes ago, Linsuesue said:

But doesn’t the Carnival fare include port charges and the NCL fare doesn’t? That would close the gap between the two cruislines. 

You’re right. I had to go past the step where you put in your name on NCL before they added that. So it’s $986 including drinks and two specialty dinners on NCL and $1,460 not including anything on Carnival. I’ll have to buy a drink package and two steakhouse dinners to even that up. That’s $600 making it $2,060 to $986.

 

[Saint Greg]

4 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Enjoy NCL! Even if every NCL cruise was cheaper (not the case), price isn't everything. 

Nope it isn’t. Some things are better on NCL and some things are better on Carnival. I am getting to a lot of new ports with them which is also important to me.

 

[BlerkOne]

15 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Nope it isn’t. Some things are better on NCL and some things are better on Carnival. I am getting to a lot of new ports with them which is also important to me.

 

One of the reasons I listed for selecting NCL is itinerary choice. They can be innovative - sometimes. I almost sailed with them to Antarctica, except for COVID, and NCL air is horrible. Carnival doesn't cruise there. I ended up going with Celebrity last year, but will go with Princess next time 

 

I did go on NCL from New Orleans to Guatemala, which Carnival doesn't do. Even went with NCL when they cruised from Houston.

[Saint Greg]

11 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

One of the reasons I listed for selecting NCL is itinerary choice. They can be innovative - sometimes. I almost sailed with them to Antarctica, except for COVID, and NCL air is horrible. Carnival doesn't cruise there. I ended up going with Celebrity last year, but will go with Princess next time 

 

I did go on NCL from New Orleans to Guatemala, which Carnival doesn't do. Even went with NCL when they cruised from Houston.

These are the ones I have booked. Six new ports for me in there. If I add the Alaska one Sitka would be another.
 

 

Edited March 11 by Saint Greg

[CruizinSusan70]

8 hours ago, ChinaShrek said:

I have no dog in this fight but I should mention the MDR was open for lunch every sea day on my last Carnival Pride cruise February 17-25, 2024.

Sure that wasn't sea day brunch that ends at 12 noon? Journey cruises are the only ones I'm aware of that sometimes have the MDR open for lunch. 

Edited March 11 by CruizinSusan70

[CruizinSusan70]

7 hours ago, bg2310 said:

Talk about raining on people's parade all because it isn't a great value for you. Smh maybe let people live, the world doesn't revolve around your assessment of value. Keep your judgments to yourself and let people enjoy their vacations how they see fit. 🤷

Out of curiosity, you specifically mention "your assessment of value".  If your response was to a post earlier in this thread, it would have been nice if you quoted it so the readers could have some specific context as to whom your rant was aimed at.  Similar to how I quoted your post with my response.

[carohs]

2 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison. Encore is a far superior ship to Spirit or Luminosa. The NCL port in Seattle is in a more desirable location and the Sat-Sat schedule is more desirable than Tue-Tue or Thur-Thur.

 

But I’ll play the game. I went with two people since that’s what I figured you did. Somehow I came up with $5,300 to $3,900 for a balcony. That’s without my 10% discount from NCL which would knock $500 off or using a cruise certificate which would knock another 150-250 off. You’re going to have to add a drink package for two to that carnival one. And two nights in the streakhouse to even things out. That’s another $1,200 so that brings it up to $5,100 for carnival.

 

 

This pretty much sums up the point I was trying to make. Add in the taxes and fees and subtract the FAS gratuities, and NCL is more than the cost of the CCL cruise. I don't need to or want to add any extras or drink package. Just comparing the two fares above, CCL would come out ahead for me.