NCL VS Princess

[Gabgab]

Okay, so I have done two NCL cruises. One on the Jewel and another on the Star. Now my dad was to go on Med cruise and wants Rome and Athens as one of the ports. Well NCL doesn't have that in the time slot we prefer but we notice Ruby Princess does.

 

So now the question is, is it worth the money? NCL runs quite a bit cheaper and we had always great service and wonderful food. We loved picking out our own dining time and not having to sit with strangers and have forced awkward conversations. So how does Princess compare with NCL? I know they have some sort of personal choice option, but I don't understand how they can do that and traditional with out compromising on something. Also are there pics of Ruby? Princess seems to only have a couple pics. Thanks for the help.

[gambit57]

Princess has different dining rooms. Traditional goes in one while Personal Choice goes in another.

 

My family prefers Princess primarily due to food and it feeling more luxurious. NCL has good food, but you often have to pay for it. If you can get in. My parents hated that. Felt nickel and dimed. I know all cruise lines are nickel and diming now, but dinner is one area where we feel you shouldn't have to pay extra to get good food.

 

Course, this is a Princess board where most will feel Princess is better than NCL. My parents don't do chat boards, but if they did, they'd be in the Princess camp I bet.

[newmexicoNita]

We are true NCL loyalists but always cruise for itinerary and price. Yes, we lean toward NCL compared to Princess but we like Princess, I am sure you will as well. Freestyle seems to run a little smoother than Personal Choice dining, though they are similar. Food quatlity, we think Princess is a step above NCL on their entree selections, especially if you are a seafood lover, but NCL has better soups and salads. The buffets are about equal, as are cabins. WE have had both good and bad service on both.

 

I do take exception with people who say NCL nickel and dimes you mroe than Princess, ask those same people to give examples, most can not. NCL has more expensive Bingo, but no one has to play, Princess charges 3% to your cabin account if you get money out to gamble in the casino, but no one has to do it that way, NCL has more pay restaurants, but they also have more free restaurant choices. I think all mass marketed lines are finding ways to nickel and dime us. This doesnt' bother us so much, as long as they keep the price of cruising down. We realize they have to make money somewhere.

 

Nita

[Clutterlady]

Only thing I can say is if you really like NCL, then you will love Princess!! Do a search on the Ruby, lots of pictures:)