NCL Pearl or Carnival Victory

[DTC]

I currently have the Pearl booked for March 2010 E Caribbean. I called Carnival and I can get E and even S Caribbean on Victory, same dates for pretty close in price (within $100 or so). NCL we would have a mini suite aft, just an aft balcony on Carnival. We've cruised with Carnival 15 yrs ago. Also taking 14 yr old son. Any advise, opinions and persuations welcome!!!! I was told I could cancel NCL with no charges until Dec. hope that is true incase we decide to go with Carnival.

THANKS!!!!!

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Have sailed NCL Pearl but not Carnival Victory and cannot speak for that ship. On NCL Pearl, your son might enjoy the bowling alley. As I recall, there was a big circular sliding board at the pool my son, who is much older, enjoyed. Your son might enjoy the huge screen TV in the ship's "atrium" where sports shows are shown. If I recall correctly, during the day, video games are played on the big screen.

 

I liked Pearl. My Hubby really liked Pearl. He especially liked the buffet and preferred it to other cruiselines we have sailed. The cabin was cozy. Our balcony was small but adequate.

 

When I am trying to choose between two cruise ships, the deal maker is usually the itinerary. Will both Pearl and Victory be sailing the same or similar itinerary? WIll they both leave from the same port?

[travelfreak]

Leaving on the Pearl this Sunday~~sailed on Victory a few years ago. I'll post after our trip. Victory is older and sometimes full of party people ( If that's your thing) Pearl looks like lots more choices for dining. Planning is half the fun isn't it?

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Indeed, Pearl has many choices for dining. I recommend Cagney's Steak House. We had a great time at Teppanaki. We never tried the Chinese restaurant, but it seemed to be very popular. There was a Mexcan and an Italian restaurant too. But the main dining room is certainly good enough and carries no extra levy.

 

Note, that these restaurants have extra charges and the charge varies by the restaurant. Also, you should make reservations if the time and day are important to you.

 

I'm not such a big fan of the trend in cruise shipos to have extra-charge restaurants. That said, I love Portofino or Royal Caribbean ships and pay the extra fee gladly.

[DTC]

Thank you for all of your replies. My husband & I decided.........................................to cancel NCL and go with Carnival.

Reason????? the wrap around balcony. We thought that was awesome.

We actually choose the Liberty going to E Caribbean. It was ultimately where I wanted to go. Our room will be a little smaller and not a mini-suite, but truthfully....we will be on the balcony more that in the room.

Maybe next time we'll try NCL. Certainly not turned off by them at all. Cancelling took all of 30 seconds. Not a problem AT ALL.

[dustyroad]

I currently have the Pearl booked for March 2010 E Caribbean. I called Carnival and I can get E and even S Caribbean on Victory, same dates for pretty close in price (within $100 or so). NCL we would have a mini suite aft, just an aft balcony on Carnival. We've cruised with Carnival 15 yrs ago. Also taking 14 yr old son. Any advise, opinions and persuations welcome!!!! I was told I could cancel NCL with no charges until Dec. hope that is true incase we decide to go with Carnival.

THANKS!!!!!

 

i would not change. the pearl has many more things to keep your son occupied than the victory will and there are more eating places on the pearl to choose from. i admitt i have not been on the pearl yet but i have been on the victory and feel the pearl will be the better ship for my next cruise. good luck in what you decide to do.

[Iluvmypuggle]

I've sailed on the NCL Gem (very similar to the Pearl) one time and the Carnival Victory 3 times. I think you and your 14 year old son will be so happy with your decision!!!

 

i would not change. the pearl has many more things to keep your son occupied than the victory will and there are more eating places on the pearl to choose from. i admitt i have not been on the pearl yet but i have been on the victory and feel the pearl will be the better ship for my next cruise. good luck in what you decide to do.

 

I disagree. Yes there are a lot of different restaurants open for dinner on NCL as opposed to the main dining room on Carnival, but there are also a lot of food choices on the Victory. Most of which are available for lunch or dinner in addition to the main dining room and buffet. There's a window where you can order various Chinese dishes each day. Then there's a deli line where they make excellent Reubens. There's a 24 hour pizza area where your selections are usually made to order. I really liked the poolside grill which had a section that offered chicken fingers, nachos, fries, burgers, hot dogs and another section that had a menu that changed daily.

 

The reason why I think the Victory is a better choice is because of the activities & the nightlife. Karaoke is held each night in the Red & Black lounge, which is usually filled to capacity with people of all ages. My personal favorite is the Sing-A-long piano bar. At the bar near the casino, there's usually a band playing at night with people dancing. Then around 9 or 10, the night club starts getting popular. As far as for your son, there's an arcade (not free of course) plus the teen club. I know my brother always made friends and then they would be around the ship eating pizza & things like that. During the day, they put our board games throughout the public areas. The pool area also has a lot more entertainment/activities going on than I saw on NCL, not to mention the small waterslide. They also added a large TV screen above the pool. I attended a lot of activities including trivia and silly games and the staff were phenomenal.

 

Now the reason I think these activities were better on Carnival is because they were much more attended. People seemed more active in the nightlife. So overall, I think you made a fabulous choice.

 

I'm not knocking NCL because I had a wonderful time on the Gem and am sailing on the Dawn soon. But I would never hesitate to sail the Victory again as I've had 3 fantastic vacations on that ship and I think there's so many activities that a 14 year old would have a great time.