Carnival/NCL differences

[mia10010]

I've cruised on both Carnival and NCL, and always had a great time on all my cruises. I've sailed on the NCL Dawn and it is a beautiful ship, and you are only at sea for one day before you get to Bermuda. I think the food is better on Carnival, and the entertainment is better on NCL. I only sail out of NYC, so I tend to choose cruises according to the best price.

[unadillasc]

We've been on lots on Carnival Cruises with my 'official' 10th coming up in May. We have also been on the NCL Dawn and just last December on the Majesty. We had an equally great time on NCL as on Carnival and at this point I'm not sure I really prefer one over the other. I've not been to Bermuda, but can say for sure that when docking for 3 days that free style is the way to go.

 

On the Dawn unless they have changed things there are several free dining options. Of course there is the buffet, but there is also a fast food diner type option, a great mexican restaurant (Salsa I think is the name) that is kind of in an open setting on the 8th floor - we enjoyed that twice. Then there is also an italian and the 2 regular sit down dining rooms. The rules may have changed. It is great to be able to eat whenever the time is right for you.

 

Entertainment as far as shows are about the same. Deck type entertainment is somewhat lacking on NCL versus Carnival.

 

The rooms on the Dawn are very nice. They may be smaller than Carnival but the colors are nice and bright and cheery.

 

One thing I can say is that the drinks are more expensive on NCL then Carnival. If you are a beer drinker, go for the bucket of beer as you get one 'free'. They also generally serve their drinks in the souvenier glasses which adds to the price. Ask for a refill and I think you save a dollar.

 

The Dawn is a great ship and you will have a great time in Bermuda.

[manmtnmike]

Mike, yes, we are docking at King's Wharf in Bermuda for 3 days. I see you have also been to Bermuda. Could you share what you saw/did and what you enjoyed most about Bermuda?

 

Kathy in Maine

 

Hi Kathy in Maine,

 

You'll have a great time!

St George was tremendous!!

Hamilton was fun, great shopping in both places.

Check out Horseshoe bay and Elbow Beach great for swimming!

Make sure you take the water ferry, inexpensive and fun.

 

Mike

From Frommers:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bermuda/0091010001.html

What's Special About Bermuda

Beaches

• Elbow Beach, which some say made Bermuda a vacation legend -- it's tops for fun in the sun.
   
  
• Horseshoe Bay, Southampton, one-quarter mile of pink sands -- this is the beach that often appears in those Sunday travel supplements.
   
  
• Warwick Long Bay, the pinkest of the pink sandy beaches, and also the sun strip containing the longest stretch of sands.
  

Great Towns/Villages

• Hamilton, the colony's capital, in pretty pastels and whites and the center for shopping.
   
  
• St. George, Bermuda's first capital, founded in 1612 -- a town filled with intriguing old sights.
  

Ace Attractions

• Ireland Island, a cruise-ship dock and tourist village, site of the Royal Naval Dockyard and the Bermuda Maritime Museum.
   
  
• Bermuda Railway Trail, stretching along the old train right-of-way for 21 miles and crossing three islands that make up the Bermuda archipelago.
  

Historic Buildings

• Fort St. Catherine, at St. George -- now a museum, it towers over the beach where the shipwrecked Sea Venture crew first landed in 1609.
   
  
• The Commissioner's House, at the Royal Naval Dockyards in Sandy's Parish -- once the symbol of British power in the mid-Atlantic, this magnificent building has been restored into what's now one of the most interesting museums in Bermuda.
  

[KingofSomewhereHot]

I cruised on NCL last year and the only real problem I had was it seemed everytime I was hungry food was unavailble. Buffet's and everything for hours at a time.

 

Not the case on other cruises I have been on.

 

other than that NCL was pretty good, just nothing I would brag about.

[SantanaTto]

I have only cruised once on NCL on the Dawn... It is a beautiful ship but that was about it. The food was not a good as Carnival (desserts were all like Little Debbie Cakes). The nightlife was virtually nil... I love karoake but they could never get anyone to go and sing. Usually, especially on Carnival, karoake is packed!

 

The showroom has no leg room...The rows of seats are very close together...no tables between them to put your drinks and to stretch your legs.

 

My room steward was not the greatest...forgot something every day, like toilet paper, washcloths, etc.. We had to call up twice at midnight to have them bring these items up.

 

If you didn't make all of your reservations for dinner on the first day, you were not likely to get any seating by just walking up to the restaurant when you felt like it. So much for freesyle... Freestyle to me means that when I get hungry, I decide where I want to eat and go wait in line, not get told they have no seating unless you have not made a reservation in advance. I enjoy having the same servers all week...

 

I would definately try NCL again for the right price and the convienence of not having to fly to a port but I will stay out of the showroom!

[bobar]

welll 10 on ncl and going on my 10th on carnival in 2 weeks(ecstacy) so as you can guess i like both...best way to this is a football like comparison of which has the edge in which

 

carnival ncl

cabins x

beds x

room service x

beds

[bobar]

well that was a total screw up ..so lets try this....

 

both have great crews...

ncl has better food, shows,casinos, beds, sleek decor and pools and outdoor space

carnival has better cabins,tv programming,sports tv in sports bar, sandwich and pizza stations,night life...

 

but even saying that they are so close on the things i said each is better at that it's almost a tie..i really enjoy both and usually go with price and itinerary...sometimes ncl dissapopints me with some of there ports...

 

dont say no to either line..they are both a great bang for the buck:cool:

[mia10010]

On the Dawn unless they have changed things there are several free dining options. Of course there is the buffet, but there is also a fast food diner type option, a great mexican restaurant (Salsa I think is the name) that is kind of in an open setting on the 8th floor - we enjoyed that twice. Then there is also an italian and the 2 regular sit down dining rooms. .

.

 

 

Unfortunatley, they did change things. The Mexican restaurant (Salsa) and the Italian restaurant (Impressions) are no longer free. I did hear something like if you eat at Salsa, you get a free margarita. :D

[Socref124]

Yes, I am familiar with Milo, Maine. It is closer to central Maine, like west or northwest of the city of Bangor--about 45 min. out, I believe. In fact I have friends who live there. How do you know Milo, Maine?

 

BTW, I live much further north in Maine. Presque Isle area.

 

Been to Presque Isle. Stayed in a resort in Island Falls one time. Ex wife is from Milo and both sons graduated from Penquis Valley HS. Then last year on the Freedom we were with two couples from Milo. Small world...:D

[sundercruiser]

Another difference between the two lines is their attitude toward bringing on your own alcohol. Carnival allows a bottle of wine per adult passenger. NCL makes you pay corkage for all wine brought on. But beyond that NCL has a reputation of being one of the hardest-nosed (if not THE hardest-nosed) of the major cruiselines when it comes to smuggling booze. If you think booze smuggling is a hot topic on the Carnival boards, just check out the NCL boards! Meanwhile, from what I've read on here, Carnival, while officially not permitting guests to bring on their own liquor, doesn't enforce their rules very strictly and many report being able to bring on truly amazing quantities of the stuff!

[Butterfinger1954]

I'm guessing you stayed at Vacationland Estates in Island Falls, Mike? We almost bought into that time-share, but ened up buying at Harbor Ridge Resort in Southwest Harbor instead. DH's parents are owners in Island Falls.

 

So, you have been on Carnival's Freedom? I bet that is a grand ship to sail on. Someday, I'm going on that one.

 

Been to Presque Isle. Stayed in a resort in Island Falls one time. Ex wife is from Milo and both sons graduated from Penquis Valley HS. Then last year on the Freedom we were with two couples from Milo. Small world...:D

[Butterfinger1954]

Boy in all my reading on the boards, I have read very mixed reviews about the Norweigan Dawn. Many bad reports on the food. So, I am thrilled to hear that you actually think the food was better than Carnival. A few others have said so too. We love Carnival food and service in the dining rooms. (chocolate melting cake...escargot....mmmmm-good!). Lots of reports say the Dawn is a beautiful ship and the shows are great. I thought the new bedding on Carnival was great, so we shall see what NCL has to offer there.

 

We did finally decided to give NCL a try and booked it yesterday. We have a cabin on Deck 4 waaaaaaaaay forward, as in almost in the nose of the vessel. LOL

 

I have found Carnival and RCCL to be very similar just as you have reported for Carnival/NCL. I plan to go into this cruise with a positive attitude and not looking for perfection as some seem to. We are not hard to please.

 

Kathy in Maine

[mia10010]

.

 

I plan to go into this cruise with a positive attitude and not looking for perfection as some seem to. We are not hard to please.

Kathy in Maine

 

You are going to have a great time on the Dawn. It's a beautiful ship. Make sure you see the shows Bollywood and Band on the Run. They were both great.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

[Socref124]

I'm guessing you stayed at Vacationland Estates in Island Falls, Mike? We almost bought into that time-share, but ened up buying at Harbor Ridge Resort in Southwest Harbor instead. DH's parents are owners in Island Falls.

 

So, you have been on Carnival's Freedom? I bet that is a grand ship to sail on. Someday, I'm going on that one.

 

Yep, that is where I stayed. The Freedom is beautiful. All the bells and whistles Carnival has to offer. You will definately have a great time on the Freedom. Nice chatting with you...:D