Royal v. Norwegian Cruises

[YoungDiamond]

Ok so I hate to say it but I am thinking about going on a NCL cruise:eek:, well i found a heck of a deal-i think. So i am 22 years old and absolutely love Royal and all the exciting things they have to offer. I am coming up on my final spring break of my life and i really want to have a fun time. Now i am not your typical spring breaker who goes to get drunk and do drunk things, but i do have a good time. I just dont look like a crazy person doing it. Now i have heard that Norwegian cruises are geared to the hmmm older crowd? is this true? I was also wondering what the night life was like on NCL? The clubs on royal are so much fun. Is the food better/worse. Just let me know your opinions on whatever you have to offer and that would be great helps. Thanks

[beachchick]

All ages cruise on NCL, particularly the newer ships (Jewel, Jade, Pearl, and Gem). We met people in their early 20s all the way through people who had been retired for many years. And keep in mind that time of year does make a difference. When school/college is in seesion, the onboard age is going to skew higher.

 

Aside from the Freestyle dining (which is not "you can go to any restaurant at any time and be instantly seated at the best table" but rather "you have many choices and can choose when, where, and with whom to dine within logical reason") and Freestyle attire (which is not "free for all--wear your pjs to the specialty restaurants for dinner" but rather "country club casual is what we expect in the dining room and specialty restaurants at dinner; clothing and footwear are expected at all times"), the atmosphere on NCL is much the same as RCI. I do think that the decor on the Vision, Radiance, and Voyager classes on RCI is more elegant than some of NCL's ships, but I think the newest, giagantic RCI ships aren't nearly as elegant as the now-considerd midsize ships.

 

We found the food on NCL to be comparable to RCI. Some standout items, mostly decent to quite tasty items, and a few stinkers. We had no service issues on NCL that we haven't also experienced on RCI. Mostly the service was quite good.

 

beachchick

[Jacquelyn11]

If you enjoy the rock climbing, ice skating, golf course, flow rider I would stick with RCCL. They both have pools, casino's, spa, nightlife, shipboard games, classes and tours.

 

NCL has the "anytime" dining with more places to dine (some with an extra cost and must make ressies) and RCCL has Chops, Portofinos and JR's. RCCL is adding "My Time Dining" so on this point they are equal.

 

They port at the same places, no difference there.

 

Cost? Newer ships always more on both. Agree varied ages on both cruise lines.

 

My teenage sons have enjoyed the RCCL and CCL cruises more than NCL. "Mom" likes the Freestyle Dining, but will book this on future RCCL Cruises.

 

At 22, the world is your oyster. My first cruise I was the same age(1982 :eek:), on the SS Norway, biggest ship afloat at the time. I had a blast and couldn't wait to go again. Back then crusing WAS thought of as an "Old Foggey" vacation.

 

Go and enjoy yourself, which ever one you choose!

 

Jacquelyn :D

[Nano]

Our family has cruised both lines, and although we enjoyed our NCL Pearl cruise, we all agreed that RCCL was a better fit for us. Our daughters are 13 and 16, and they thought RCCL (Voyager class or larger) had more activities that they enjoyed. That being said, I'm sure you'd have a great time on NCL during Spring Break (when more young people will be cruising). If the NCL fare is much better, you should probably go for it. Have fun!