NCL cruise was great....what cruise line next?

[rcha]

Have been on the Gem around the Med and enjoyed it so much booked again.

Enjoyed freestyle eating and the relaxed atmosphere. What cruiseline should and ship should I try next as a change from NCL. Would like the freestyle dinning with a quality ship.

 

Any suggestion?

[hospvol]

Maybe you should try Princess. You can choose to dine when you want.

[ddakrt]

Why do you want to change? If the freestyle concept is a big part of your experience you're not going to get a comparable experience on other lines (yes they have any time dining, but nowhere close to the amount of choices).

 

I personally want to try Celebrity myself if NCL doesn't have an itinerary I want.

[CC Help Michell]

Have been on the Gem around the Med and enjoyed it so much booked again.

Enjoyed freestyle eating and the relaxed atmosphere. What cruiseline should and ship should I try next as a change from NCL. Would like the freestyle dinning with a quality ship.

 

Any suggestion?

 

If you didn't think the brand new Gem was a "quality" ship, then I suspect none of the mass market lines will appeal to you. You might look at Oceania, Azamara, or Seabourn. If you did enjoy the Gem, then I agree with the above poster -- why change?

[ce2000]

I would recommend Princess or Celebrity. You might even try Carnival, I have always had a great time on Carnival, a lot of fun and not the party ship that you have been led to believe. I am not loyal to any cruiseline, I believe that it is good to try several different lines, each offers a little different, but great experience.

[ddakrt]

If you didn't think the brand new Gem was a "quality" ship, then I suspect none of the mass market lines will appeal to you. You might look at Oceania, Azamara, or Seabourn. If you did enjoy the Gem, then I agree with the above poster -- why change?

 

I dunno, the Gem itself as a ship is top notch, regardless of what lines you're comparing it to.

[DMH15]

I really liked the Celebrity Summit. What I remember liking so much were: 1. The spa food kiosk outside the spa for breakfast and lunch. 2. The "free" 6 p.m. sushi. 3. The specialty "Normandie" was superlative. Would sail Celebrity again in a minute.

 

Royal Caribbean was fine. Would sail again with RCI. Nothing stands out pro or con.

 

Did not care for Carnival 1. Party crowd. 2. Awful eggs benedict (my mom and I a "must have". Wouldn't sail Carnival again, unless trip was free.

 

I would try Princess or Hal from what I have read.

 

The line I want to try the most is Azamara. I would like to experience the non-smoking casino. (Although on the Celebrity Summit, they did have a non-smoking section of slots which I liked). Azamara also has a butler in all staterooms (although I have read it does not compare to NCL's butler treatment which is more pampering).

 

One day I want to try Silversea. I have heard their food is impeccable. But I guess so at the price.

[awatt]

Princess has a fair number of the freestyle options and overall was just a little nicer all-around than NCL. (NCL folks don't bash me- I love NCL too but think Princess is higher quality). Food was the best we've had at sea. Service was very gracious. Loved the aft adults-only pool, very relaxing. Ship did not feel crowded, due to the layout of the various public spaces.

 

We have also sailed Regent which is in another league altogether and even higher quality. But relaxed in thatdress for dining was resort casual and it was open seating. But it was very quiet at night, not alot to do.

 

I owuld avoid Celebrity. High quality, yes. And they do some really nice little extras that enhance the experience. We really enjoyed the Constellation and Summit. But it is definitely not freestyle. More formal for sure. So if freestyle is a priority Celebrity is not for you.

[LindaKE]

I agree with the recommendation to try Princess,. They have anytime dining but are a little more refined and dignified. We actually give Princess a slight edge when it comes to choosing our favorite line, but have chosen NCL twice because they offer much the same at a better price. We like both and choose based on price and itinerary.

[sottovoce]

Would like the freestyle dinning with a quality ship.

 

Any suggestion?

What did you like about "freestyle?" If it's the resort casual attire, you won't find it on other mass-market lines. Celebrity and HAL are still into the "formal" stuff.

[rcha]

What did you like about "freestyle?" If it's the resort casual attire, you won't find it on other mass-market lines. Celebrity and HAL are still into the "formal" stuff.

 

I liked the ability to eat when I wanted in a variety of places. The same table at the same time each evening does not appeal. We also used room service occasionally. Whats room service like on Princess?

[daw]

If it's the freestyle dining that is most appealing then you should probably stick with the line ( NCL ) that designs it's ships specifically for freestyle. It"s also more laid back than Princess, Celebrity and HAL.

[AWEST84532]

I agree, if you like freestyle dining, then NCL is the way to go.

 

Over the past couple of years DW and I have done two Mexican Riviera cruises, one on the Princess Sapphire and one on the NCL Star. Both cruises were wonderful and I never understand the criticisms of either ship.

 

However, DW and I both fell for the freestyle on NCL. You know what it means on Norwegian. But on Princess it is somewhat less available. Between 1/3 to 1/2 the dining venues and anytime means you can dine in the main diningrooms anytime there is a table available and noone waiting in ahead of you, and when everyone with assigned seating is done.

 

I can't imagine having a dissapointing experience with either line, but we enjoyed freestyle so much we are heading our this Saturday on the Dawn.