NCL vs. RCI?? Opinions Please!!

[tisue2006]

Hello,

We are planning a trip to the Mediterranean in August of '08. It will be my husband and myself, 26 & 27, as well as my parents,63 & 72. What line do you feel would be the best for first timers. RCI or NCL? I have read some about NCL that raises doubts in my mind but, RCI is more expensive. I would love to hear your opinions! let me know what you think!

 

- Christina

[mali06]

Do you mean booking through the condo exchange company RCI or the cruise line RCCL?

[coffeebean]

Hi Christina...

 

These are our (DH and me) favorite crusie lines.

NCL's Freestyle dining options keep us going back to NCL. The additional fees once you're on board can get aggravating but usually the bottom line pricing of the cruise is less than other lines, as you have found out. Just go with the intention of spending extra for all the specialty restaurants and you will LOVE it. NCL's newest Jewel class ships are gorgeous. These are the Jewel, Jade, Pearl and the newest Gem.

 

RCCL shines for us with their Voyager and Freedom class ships. They can't be beat. DH and I have had pretty good luck with getting a table for two on these ships. We have, however, dined with strangers and do not care to do that. The ammenities on the Voyager and Freedom class ships can't be beat. We love the ice shows.

 

I give the edge to NCL and DH gives the edge to RCCL. Happy cruising!!!

[CruisnGram]

Christina,

 

You have to remember that what you read is people's opinions. And they can range widely. You mention the negatives that you have seen about NCL but I have seen lots of negatives about RCCL also.

 

My opinion is that NCL offers basically the same product as all of the other mass cruise lines with the additon of freestyle which many really enjoy. Other's hate it. If you like to dress up for dinner, and have a set time and table, then NCL may not be for you. However, if you tend to be more casual, and want to change your dining times around to suit whatever you are doing that particular day, then you will love NCL.

 

I'd suggest that you read all you can on the specific ship you are interested in sailing. Notice what people are complaining about and if you see a lot of people complaining about the same thing, consider whether or not that thing is important to you. Still tho, remember that just because several complain about something, doesn't mean that you will feel the same way.

 

I've read many negatives about NCL food in the main dining rooms. On my first NCL cruise, I was worried. I needn't have. Our entire group thoroughly enjoyed the food and thought it was excellent. Right now, there are many complaining about the extra charge in some of the specialty restaurants. Although I understand that concern for those who want to use the specialty restaurants, it doesn't bother me personally as I don't see the need to even go to them. Some would give you the opinon that the main dining room food is so bad, you have to go to a specialty restaurant in order to get a decent meal, and that just is not so. You can cruise NCL and never spend one extra penny for food and have very good food.

 

If you really want to try NCL and find a ship, price & itinerary that you like, go for it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and wonder what all the naysayers have been complaining about.

[Mich1121]

I was kind of wondering the same thing myself and I came up with this conclusion. I have previously sailed on the Spirit-in 2006 and the Gem last month. Both were new ships when I sailed on them. I had a great time on both-both ships had things I liked and I had no complaints (well some but they were not the fault of NCL-more of the passengers fighting over pool chairs). My husband and I are looking into booking another cruise for May of 2009 to go to Bermuda. We travel with our kids and overall were maybe looking for something different than NCL. When we got a price quote from RCCI it was a lot more than NCL and it was only for 5 days of travel. When we did a list of pros and cons -like RCCI has ice skating, rock climbing verse the Dawn that we are thinking of traveling on. When I called NCL and received a price quote-we decided to stick with NCL. The freestyle concept really works for us. And I have read a lot of complaints about reservations-I have never had a problem getting one and I didn't have to get up at 7am in order to get one. I have read complaints during the same time I was cruising with the people writing them and I didn't experience the same things. Not to say they are not valid (I don't want to start a war here). The food was good-even in the buffets. I know there is great controversy over the new charge for some restaurants that were once free but the cost of everything is going up-gas, food, milk etc. Of course NCL would have to raise the price somehwere and you have the option to not eat at those places. I am curious to see the responses because I was thinking of trying something different but for the price-I can't beat NCL. Even if it means having to pay for a dinner her or there on board. Sometimes you have to take these reviews with a grain of salt and do what is best for you, your family and your pocket.

 

Good luck in whatever you decide and keep us posted!

[Gixer]

I recently had the same dilema - NCL or RCCL?

 

I liked the lok of the facilities on RCCL and liked the idea of Freestyle on NCL.

 

In the end Freestyle won out and we have decided to give NCL a try. Some people love fixed dining times and dressing up and that is a big part of the whole cruise experience, but it really doesnt work for us! On our last cruise it seemed we were always stressing out getting ready for dinner, the kids got fed up of being dragged out of the pool to go get ready and the set meal time always seemed to be when something good was happening at the kids club, it was a total pain in the rear and not very relaxing! - my husband didnt refuse to go on the RCCL cruise if thats what I wanted to pick, but he did draw the line at packing formal wear and said that if we went RCCL he would be eating at the Windjammer buffet every night because he doesnt want to have to pack/wear a suit on vacation.

 

The idea of not being on a tight schedule on vacation really appealed to us, so our next cruise will be with NCL. :)

 

Ohh, the other thing that made me choose NCL was the ports, I much prefered the itinerary, I reaserched the ports on Freedom and Liberty of the seas but got the impression that the actual ship itself was the destination rather than visiting different Islands/countries, and I am one of those people that really enjoys our port days and seeing/experiencing different things, so again NCL won on that one!

[DJ Dale]

I have sailed on both lines several times, as many others here have also. My wife and I prefer RCI hands down to any other cruise line. The ships have so much more to do than bingo and art auctions. The last ship we went on had a surfing pool, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, miniature golf. The ships are very elegant and the food was stellar. We have found everything about RCI to be top notch. Unfortunately, we dont feel the same way with NCL. I'm sure the faithfuls will jump all over me but opinions are opinions. The only reason I could see taking a cruise on NCL is so you don't have to dine with people you dont know. With NCL, I've found I either have to get a reservation for a pay restaurant or stand in line for the free restaurant to get mediocre food. I really have enjoyed eating with strangers on RCI. Maybe we just got lucky with great tablemates.

[98Charlie]

If you are planning a port intensive cruise, I would be looking more toward NCL.

 

• You will be off the ship more than on during the day.
  
• You won't need to be back at a specific time for dinner.
  
• Mom & Dad can join you for dinner or go on their own and still use the regular (no fee) dining rooms.
  
• The money that you save on the cost of the cruise can be budget toward shore excursions:)
  

We've cruised 8 NCL Freestyle plus the SS Norway which was traditional. While we have dined at the specialty restaurants a few times, we never felt shortchanged by dining in the main dining rooms. You can dine alone or ask to be seated with others. We almost always ask to share a table and enjoy meeting others on our cruise.

 

Enjoy the cruise whatever you choose.

 

Charlie

[calenita]

My husband and I cruised Celebrity and NCL... we have a RCCL trip booked for next year. I mention Celebrity because that was our first cruise and I was a bit worried about the NCL comments I read. Well, we loved NCL. I chose NCL because of the price, the ports and the freestyle since we were travelling with our children - including a 7-year-old wiggly boy- and I was worried about the formal dinners every night. The food was great on NCL - the Jewel - and the staff was really nice too. Go to the Cruise Critic meet and greet and you get to meet some senior staff and they will remember you during the week.

We chose RCCL for next year because the kids loved the cruise and wanted to go again and they want a ship with a rock wall and skating rink. So I chose an itinerary I wasn't as crazy about as the one on the Jewel but I figure that will mean more time on ship enjoying the stuff that RCCL has to offer. For your trip the destinations themselves will be great enough I believe!

If it was just adults booking I would consider Celebrity because it was just fantastic. I remember people on Celebrity telling us we would "never" be able to go on another cruise line because we had been on Celebrity and it sets a high standard. That was not true in our case. Celebrity had the formal dining like RCCL and are sister lines so I am anticipating RCCL will be similar in many ways.

I would recommend NCL without hesitation. Look at the prices and the ports and see what works.

[slotaddict]

I like both lines. When I choose the line I want to sail, several things come to mind. Is the price right, do I want to eat dinner at the same time everynight or do I want to be flexible.

 

Only you can choose what is right for you. If you book one of NCL'd newer ships, I don;t think you can go wrong.

[packercruising]

I think it is hard to recommend lines because everyone has different opinions and expectations. Also everyone's needs and experiences are different. We recently sailed the Adventure Of The Seas and it is a very nice ship. No complaints. The service was good, the food was good and our cabin attendant was outstanding! Plus we had a Promenade View which meant that even though we had an inside cabin, we had a window. And yes the ice skating show was awesome.

 

However we like NCL better. We like Freestyle. We had a nicer inside cabin on the Jewel. Whereas AOS had only 1 specialty restaurant NCL has several. I don't really understand why people complain about paying extra for Cagneys, etc. The food is much better than the DR. Plus Mamas didn't even charge an extra fee.

 

So listen to everyone's opinions, do some research and then decide. It's a win win situation because eitheway you get to cruise! :)

[GrannyMouse]

I love NCL for the Freestyle but the food is 100 times better on RCCL. This is my own personal opinion based on my own personal experience and my own personal taste and does not reflect the opinion of others.

[newmexicoNita]

Hello,

We are planning a trip to the Mediterranean in August of '08. It will be my husband and myself, 26 & 27, as well as my parents,63 & 72. What line do you feel would be the best for first timers. RCI or NCL? I have read some about NCL that raises doubts in my mind but, RCI is more expensive. I would love to hear your opinions! let me know what you think!

 

- Christina

Of course you are on the NCL board: many of us are loyal to NCL as those on the RCI board are loyal to their line. That being said, for the most part the two lines are pretty similar. The main difference is Freestyle versus traditional dining. For us, it is freestyle all the way. You can decide if dinner should be at 5:30 so you can see the early show or if you have just returned from a busy tour day and want to relax, dress leasurely, maybe have a drink and eat at 7pm that's fine as well.

 

The cabins and entertainment will be equal to one another. We have had better service on NCL, but again, that can vary from week to week. As you say RCI is more expensive I would go with NCL>

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Do you mean booking through the condo exchange company RCI or the cruise line RCCL?

 

actually either RCI or RCCL is correct. Many years ago it the line was known as Royal Carribean Cruise line, now it is Royal Caribbean International.

[suzyed]

"doesn't bother me personally as I don't see the need to even go to them. Some would give you the opinon that the main dining room food is so bad, you have to go to a specialty restaurant in order to get a decent meal, and that just is not so. You can cruise NCL and never spend one extra penny for food and have very good food."

 

Glad to hear this...We are going on our first NCL cruise in 23 days (whoohooo!), and after reading the CC boards, I was getting the impression that while "freesyle" was a good idea, the main dining room food was mediocre at best and if you wanted really good food, you needed to go to one of the specialty restaurants. So I do now, feel better about my dining options.

With that said, I love RCCL (DH favorite too), the food and service are great in the main dining rooms. The two specialty restaurants (Chops and Portofino) were lovely. While I think the majority of folks dine most of the time in the main diningroom, the specialties are a nice treat. If you don't want to dress up formally, you dont have to (just dress nice), or eat at the buffet or Johnny Rockets or got to the sandwich bar on the promenade, which also has great cookies and coffee (on the Mariner of the Seas) or get room service. You can make any cruise "freestyle" if you like.

Formal night is funny because with two to four dinner seatings, folks tend to dress up for dinner and photos, then go back to the cabin and change info more comfy duds. So, all around the ship, you will see all manner of dress. When you get in the elevator on the way to your formal dinner, you will be with people in jeans, shorts, exercise clothes, swimsuits, etc....so it's not like everyone on the ship is formal at the same time. ;)

All the lines have bingo, shows, casinos (except disney), drinks of the day, gold by the inch, etc...there is always something to buy or drop some cash on. Depends on where your interests lie....

[cruzobsessed]

saw this thread over on the rc board and was curious to see if it was posted here as well:)

i have never cruised with ncl so i cannot compare. i just wanted to address something that another poster said regarding dinner attire.....

we have been on several rc cruises and whether we're eating in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant my husband usually wears dockers and a shirt (no tie or jacket)....i wear capri pants and a nice top with sandals. we usually don't participate in formal nights and on evenings where we don't want to "keep a schedule" we eat in the windjammer buffet and then we where shorts and tees:D

[CruisnGram]

we usually don't participate in formal nights and on evenings where we don't want to "keep a schedule" we eat in the windjammer buffet and then we where shorts and tees:D

 

Quick question if you don't mind. It's been YEARS since I was on RCCL. On formal night, if you dress casually, are you still able to eat in the main dining rooms? Or do you have to go elsewhere since you skipped dressing up? By casual, I mean clothes like you described for other nights...capri's, dockers, etc.

 

Thanks!

[suzyed]

Quick question if you don't mind. It's been YEARS since I was on RCCL. On formal night, if you dress casually, are you still able to eat in the main dining rooms? Or do you have to go elsewhere since you skipped dressing up? By casual, I mean clothes like you described for other nights...capri's, dockers, etc.

 

Thanks!

 

Of course...you are not required to wear formal attire. They say no jeans at dinner any night, but I have even seen folks with jeans on, on formal nights. You may be a little more noticable since you aren't dressy, but I dont see that as a problem. On our last RCCL cruise, suits and ties, dresses both long and cocktail length were the norm...not as many tuxedos or ball gowns as in the past.

[BeachBumMama]

Hello,

We are planning a trip to the Mediterranean in August of '08. It will be my husband and myself, 26 & 27, as well as my parents,63 & 72. What line do you feel would be the best for first timers. RCI or NCL? I have read some about NCL that raises doubts in my mind but, RCI is more expensive. I would love to hear your opinions! let me know what you think!

 

- Christina

You shouldn't have any doubts about NCL because of what you read. I'm sure if you look on the RCI boards you'll see negatives also. I would have missed some of my most memorable sailings if I put any credit into negative reviews. Sure, some have real complaints, but because I didn't get a towel animal or my room steward never knew my name isn't going to bother me. For all the negatives you read there are 100 more positives. And that goes for both lines.

 

Personally, I would think NCL would suit the Med cruises much better since most times they are very port intensive and rushing around all day trying to get everything in, then rushing back to the ship to make a 6:00 or 8:00 dinner isn't my style of a relaxing vacation. But its all personal choice.

 

Both lines will offer you a great chance at a great cruise. The main difference as many have posted will be in the dining style. Set times for dinner or eat whatever time you want and where you want.

 

Both cruise lines will offer various things to please all members of your party. Activities, shows, entertainment, pools, etc. The food will be comparable, the dining options in alternative restaurants are probably better on NCL, but if you are into the skating rinks, flowrider or something of that nature RCI has those amenities if that's the type of ship you're comparing with. And if you're into that sort of thing, maybe that would suit you better.

 

And you did say NCL was cheaper, and personally, the extra money you'd spend on RCI isn't going to get you anything more than you'd get on NCL. Unless, like stated above, you're into ice skating and the like.

 

So again, don't worry about what you read on 'other' people's experiences and go and form your own opinion. Compare ships, itinerary and price and then decide. No matter which you choose I'm sure you'll have a great time.:)

[Got2Cruise]

I don't know if NCL is necessarily cheaper. It depends on the sailing, and the ship. You can get fabulous deals on RCI as you can get on X or Princess or any of the other brands. You have to shop around for the best deal. For example, both the Dawn and the Explorer are very similiar in price points when they cruise out of NY.

[cruzobsessed]

as far as formal nights:rolleyes: we went to 2 of 3 on our last cruise. i wore the same black pallazzo pants with a different dressy top and my husband wore a suit.

there were more cocktail dresses than gowns and very few tux's. i did notice a handful of people "under dressed". if you are sitting by yourselves or with your own party.....clothing seems less important.

it's when you are part of a table with other people that it might become uncomfortable if you don't dress like everyone else;)

[sailandcruise]

Just posted a detailed comparison of my 5 night Thanksgiving week cruise on NCL Jewel from Miami to Cozumel and Grand Cayman to my 3 night Easter weekend cruise on RCL Sovereign of the Seas from Port Canaveral to Nassau and Coco Cay on the RCL board. Here's the link to that thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=752719

 

Obviously, some of the differences are due to the age differences of the ships, but it seems to me that rather than saying that the lines would be more similar if they had similar age ships on both these itineraries, it is significant that the major difference is that NCL uses a newer ship for the short cruises while RCL uses older ships for them.

 

Bottom line is that while there were a number of specific differences, I enjoyed both cruises and cruise lines.

[Paul_76]

Do you mean booking through the condo exchange company RCI or the cruise line RCCL?

 

I don't mean to be difficult, but I think it's fairly clear that "RCI" implied the cruise line in Christina's message, especially since that's how the line now markets itself ("Royal Carribean International" -- check their web site). Perhaps, I've misunderstood your response, but it seems somewhat snarky in tone (which is made worse by its lack of accuracy). Indeed, why even post a message that doesn't really advance the conversation?

 

Of course, ironically this message could perhaps be considered guilty of the same charge. ;)

[newmexicoNita]

I don't mean to be difficult, but I think it's fairly clear that "RCI" implied the cruise line in Christina's message, especially since that's how the line now markets itself ("Royal Carribean International" -- check their web site). Perhaps, I've misunderstood your response, but it seems somewhat snarky in tone (which is made worse by its lack of accuracy). Indeed, why even post a message that doesn't really advance the conversation?

 

Of course, ironically this message could perhaps be considered guilty of the same charge. ;)

 

Paul, my feeling exactly. You are right, RCI is correct.

 

Nita

[KT32]

I've cruised both lines in the past year and thoroughly enjoyed both cruises. The cc who stated that it really is a personal preferance is completely correct.

 

We found the food on NCL somewhat better than RCCL. The portions were a little bit smaller (a-ok by me - I was actually able to enjoy dessert) and I felt that the freestlye dining meant that the galley crew wasn't rushed to provide 1000 meals at the same time. And you'll be able to sit with your family at every meal - or not. We only tried the sushi restaurant and avoid buffets whenever possible. Don't get me wrong, I like RCCL too. I found RCCL has more activities on the ship which was awesome on the TA we did last year with all the sea days.

 

One other factor not mentioned, was the past passenger benefits. RCCL has one of the better past passenger programs, so if you're thinking you might want to do cruises in the future, that may be another consideration.