Favorite NCL Ship and why?

[KevinsCruising]

What is everyones favorite NCL ship ? Mine is the Dawn but it is also the only NCL I have sailed. But I have sailed RCC, Carnival, Holland American and few lines that are no longer in business and by far, my favorite has been the Dawn !!

 

Love the Free style, the atmosphere, the food and the service !!

 

Kevin

[jp2001]

I have not sailed on many ships but I just love the Spirit, perfect size to me and the wrap-around promenade and Raffles Terrace are just great, this ship has spirit

[NoPiratesPlease]

Favorite ships?

 

Cunard Caronia (now the Saga Ruby and doesn't allow kids). Caronia had the BEST crew in the world. QE2 folks FOUGHT to transfer to her. Little (25k tons), old (70's) but a TRUE ocean liner that could handle bad seas, yet small enough to get into shallower ports. Her biggest drawback? A dance band with a trumpet player who should have been made to swallow his horn!

 

WindSong: This was a newer rendition of the WindStar, fixing some of that ship's design problems. She was a really sweet ship but an engine fire gutted her and she had to be scuttled in the face of an on-coming typhoon. Happily, no one was seriously injured. WindStar lines repeat cruises until the crews go insane so we haven't been on them in a long time--and only the WindSurf is even vaguely appropriate if you have kids.

 

Norway: What a lady! She could handle the roughest seas and you never felt them--even the QE2 could not match her at that. Even in these days of mega-cruisers she felt BIG--and the International Club had to have been the most elegant room at sea. Her only problem was she was a true ocean liner and her draught was too deep for cruise ports. Her ending was tragic with 7 crew dead. We were last on her 6 months earlier.

 

Today? Our favorite ship is the Star, with the Dawn a close second. Whatever the Dawn has, the Star seems to have better --water slides for the pool, better food. Only the Carousel and the coffee are surpassed by the Dawn's Dazzles and potable coffee. But the Dawn has one HUGE advantage for us: She's out of New York and the Star is on the West Coast.

 

Of the Jewel-class ships, we've only been on the Jewel and the Pearl and generally prefer the Jewel. We'll be on the Jade the next two times and we expect that what we don't like about the Pearl will be on the Jade as well. But Ruthie Haggar is the Concierge and she's one of our two favorites.

[coka]

I asked my mom one time which one of her 11 children was her favorite. She replied there was something special about each of them. Likewise, there is something special about each NCL ship. Each has their own style, their own charm, their individual personality, and their opportunity for different adventures! How can you pick just one favorite?

coka

[csaeroach]

We have only sailed one NCL ship, and that was the Spirit, and loved this ship! I would go on it again in a minute... truely a lovely ship!

[KerCar]

I asked my mom one time which one of her 11 children was her favorite. She replied there was something special about each of them. Likewise, there is something special about each NCL ship. Each has their own style, their own charm, their individual personality, and their opportunity for different adventures! How can you pick just one favorite?

coka

 

Great answer, Coka:)

 

I've had 2 WONDERFUL trips on the Spirit and since she's the only NCL ship I've been on, she gets my vote! I look forward to getting to know other ships in the fleet as well:D Right now, I'm leaning towards the Dawn for our next family cruise.

[chrisbd1]

I'm trying to work my way through all the NCL ships. I'm looking forward to trying the Spirit, someday (2010 maybe?).

 

The Jewel will always have a place in my heart, since I've sailed her first. I liked her so much, I sailed her again 8 months later. On the Jewel, the tile loungers face the front of the ship and the view from there is spectacular.

 

The Dawn is slowly taking over my affection. The more I thought about my cruise on her, the more perfect she seemed. I like her deck plan way better on her, than on any Jewel class ship.

 

The Pearl was a great ship, as well. There's something about bowling on a ship that's just cool. Bliss is so gaudy that you can't help but smile when you step into it. :) I like the casino and souvenir shop set up better on the Pearl, as well.

[VoyageVirgin]

I agree with Coka - well said - too difficult to pick a favorite as each one has had it's own special uniqueness. :)

[mbisson]

Usually I agree with Coka---but not this time ;)

 

My favorite is the Dawn and the reason is simple. It's the next one I'm scheduled to cruise :D :D

[electricron]

My favorite was the old Sea, mainly because she sailed from Houston during her final years with NCL. Sadly, she no longers sails for NCL, and NCL has determined to leave Houston altogether.

[NoPiratesPlease]

I respectfully disagree. There are a check-list of factors I can go down and come up with a view of that ship. I can then value it by MY standards, which of course are the only ones I should use for picking a cruise ship. Just like you should use yours, not mine. I value some factors highly, others not at all.

 

For example: Bowling lanes on the Pearl. It's cute, it's fun, my wife and older kid enjoy. Due to damaged wrists (being a carpenter and later karate) I cannot bowl. So, while the alley is a plus, it's just a little tiny plus for me.

 

But on the Jewel-class ships, the kids' pool is awful. It's shaded so there's no sun, it's blocked from the fresh air, it's tiny and somehow always look dirty to me. A BIG minus (since we have kids). But on the Dawn and Star it's a whole water-world fantasy land on the fantail. Multiple pools and slides and kid-operated sprayers. BIG plus!

 

Yet, for me, the physical plant's advantages or disadvantages can totally be subsumed by the STAFF! The staff can make the worst ship a favorite, or the greatest ship a write-off. In fact, as you see discussions of the Dream on C/C over the years, the quality of the staff has been the KEY issue people had. We were on her twice--once for a long Baltic cruise and she was a fine ship, with some plant problems but we enjoyed her. We were again on her for the May 9 CTN out of Boston and it was abundently clear NCL didn't have it's "A-Team" aboard, or even the B-Team. One reason so many people loved the old Cunard Caronia was the staff was the best there was.

 

I can even say why we prefer the Star to the Dawn, even though the Dawn is here, close by in NY and Star is in the Pacific: The Star has minor plant advantages that are greater than her disadvantages (re: The Dawn), but her food and her staff give her an edge. Lots of good staff on the Dawn, but, IMHO, even better on the Star.

 

We've been on a LOT of Ships....

 

Crown Princess (old one) (1)

Horizon (Celebrity) (1)

Seaward (NCL) (1)

Norway (2)

Monarch (RCI) (1)

WindSong (1)

WindStar (1)

WindSurf (2)

Vistafjord/Caronia (Cunard) (4)

QE2 (2)

Dream (2)

Star (3)

Dawn (6)

Jewel (2)

Spirit (1)

Carnival Victory (1)

Pearl (2)

 

We are due to go on the Jade twice and the Caribbean Princess twice as well.

 

So...picking a ship is based first on where it's going and when, then, if we know it, whether or not we want to go on it again (once on the Victory was more than enough). And why, or why not.

 

Favorites are ships we go on again and again--were the Star and Dawn in opposite seas, the Star would have the 6 cruises.

 

Going out of NYC is a BIG plus for us--no air-fare, greatly reduced travel time, no worries about weight on checked bags!

 

To me, ranking ships is based on a set of real criteria, and how much weight I give each criterion.

[electricron]

I respectfully disagree. There are a check-list of factors I can go down and come up with a view of that ship. I can then value it by MY standards, which of course are the only ones I should use for picking a cruise ship. Just like you should use yours, not mine. I value some factors highly, others not at all.

 

For example: Bowling lanes on the Pearl. It's cute, it's fun, my wife and older kid enjoy. Due to damaged wrists (being a carpenter and later karate) I cannot bowl. So, while the alley is a plus, it's just a little tiny plus for me.

 

But on the Jewel-class ships, the kids' pool is awful. It's shaded so there's no sun, it's blocked from the fresh air, it's tiny and somehow always look dirty to me. A BIG minus (since we have kids). But on the Dawn and Star it's a whole water-world fantasy land on the fantail. Multiple pools and slides and kid-operated sprayers. BIG plus!

 

Yet, for me, the physical plant's advantages or disadvantages can totally be subsumed by the STAFF! The staff can make the worst ship a favorite, or the greatest ship a write-off. In fact, as you see discussions of the Dream on C/C over the years, the quality of the staff has been the KEY issue people had. We were on her twice--once for a long Baltic cruise and she was a fine ship, with some plant problems but we enjoyed her. We were again on her for the May 9 CTN out of Boston and it was abundently clear NCL didn't have it's "A-Team" aboard, or even the B-Team. One reason so many people loved the old Cunard Caronia was the staff was the best there was.

 

I can even say why we prefer the Star to the Dawn, even though the Dawn is here, close by in NY and Star is in the Pacific: The Star has minor plant advantages that are greater than her disadvantages (re: The Dawn), but her food and her staff give her an edge. Lots of good staff on the Dawn, but, IMHO, even better on the Star.

 

We've been on a LOT of Ships....

 

Crown Princess (old one) (1)

Horizon (Celebrity) (1)

Seaward (NCL) (1)

Norway (2)

Monarch (RCI) (1)

WindSong (1)

WindStar (1)

WindSurf (2)

Vistafjord/Caronia (Cunard) (4)

QE2 (2)

Dream (2)

Star (3)

Dawn (6)

Jewel (2)

Spirit (1)

Carnival Victory (1)

Pearl (2)

 

We are due to go on the Jade twice and the Caribbean Princess twice as well.

 

So...picking a ship is based first on where it's going and when, then, if we know it, whether or not we want to go on it again (once on the Victory was more than enough). And why, or why not.

 

Favorites are ships we go on again and again--were the Star and Dawn in opposite seas, the Star would have the 6 cruises.

 

Going out of NYC is a BIG plus for us--no air-fare, greatly reduced travel time, no worries about weight on checked bags!

 

To me, ranking ships is based on a set of real criteria, and how much weight I give each criterion.

 

You've made some very valid points about ranking ships, and including the crew as well. But I would like to point out, as you had experenced, crews change over time as their contracts expire. A great crew can become a poor crew over time.

 

So, ship rankings based upon a crew is only valid for a few short months. Ship rankings based upon the facilities aboard are valid for many years.

[cruisebabe123]

i would have to say the dawn is my favorite ship at the moment but htat is simply decided by the fact that I have only ever sailed on the dawn we are scheduled to go on the spirit later this month so im hoping that the spirit will also be a wonderful ship

[Dolphins]

The Dawn brought year round cruising to New York and we haven't flown since. She introduced us to freestyle dining at 10 different venues and we haven't had traditional dining since. The best entertainers we ever enjoyed on any cruise ship- Pamala Stanley in Gatsby's, Anna Y Los Vientos & Best of Friends in the Atrium and Vladimir Krevian at the piano. Big band dancing in the Spinakker Lounge. The glass elevators in the Dawn's soaring atrium. We love breakfast in the Venetian, dinner in Impressions and that stained glass ceiling while enjoying shrimp frajitas in Salsa. The staff on the Dawn has always been first rate and we look forward to returning to her for the 5th time in October.

[Sooners]

My favorite is the Dawn and the reason is simple. It's the next one I'm scheduled to cruise :D :D

 

Funny, I was going to say my favorite ship is the one I just got off. The memories of that sailing get me to the next.

 

And since that was the Pearl, it is a easy statement for me to make.:)

[pyrogy]

I tend to agree that the context of your trip is an important factor. I have been on the Star and the Jewel and enjoyed them both but I would say with kids the Star would get the nod (the kids pool and the double slides on the main pool) and the Jewel would be better without kids (the spa relaxation rooms are beautiful with an outstanding view).

[thecatsmeow]

So far it is the Dawn for us. The only cruise we have done so far. The all night flight to NY sucked but the ship was worth it. We will be doing her sister the Star so we shall see who wins. Or perhaps it will be a tie.

[CeleBrat]

My favorite NCL ship...whichever one I happen to be at the moment!

:D

 

CeleBrat

[Grandpaul]

No ship, in my rankings, will ever beat the Norway for several reasons. But since she is no more, I go with the Dawn. First time I ever stayed in an AB room, which I love, was on the Dawn. I've met several crew members that I have become good friends with since sailing with them and continue to stay in contact with them today. Sailing out of New York has added a new dimension for me and she was the first I did that on. I feel like she is my second home now. I know exactly what to expect and I am never disappointed.

[NoPiratesPlease]

You've made some very valid points about ranking ships, and including the crew as well. But I would like to point out, as you had experenced, crews change over time as their contracts expire. A great crew can become a poor crew over time.

 

So, ship rankings based upon a crew is only valid for a few short months. Ship rankings based upon the facilities aboard are valid for many years.

 

And that's the measure of the hotel director. He, like all bosses, sets the tone for the organization. Likewise the F&B manager, the Head Housekeeper and the Exec Chef all carry that to THEIR departments, which, in turn, affects the crew, and so, the guests. Turnover is constant so a top HD will keep that turnover to a minimum (like any good CEO) and keep the "corporate culture" as constant as possible.

 

While we loved the Norway, our favorite ship was Cunard's Caronia. We discovered her for the 1999 Aug 11 Total Eclipse cruise round trip from Venice to the Black Sea. She was the Vistafjord then and I was on the wait list before there was a wait list to book the Duplex--nearly 18 months ahead. It still was one of the most memorable cruises we ever took. Again, it was seeing the crew again and again--we STILL write to two officers and haven't been on her since 2002.