How does NCL compare with Carnival?

[pamp0227]

I have sailed on both Carnival and NCL and enjoyed both lines. The NCL was a Hawaiian cruise and some people complainted that there was no casino on the ship this was not NCL's fault. The state of Hawaii does not allow gambling so the ship did not have a casino. I enjoyed the open sitting for dinner. On the first night we had great servers and they asked what time to expect us each night. When we arrived at dinner each night we asked for the same servers and they would reserve us a table in their area and have our drinks waiting on us. We were in Maui overnight and that was the night the dining room served lobster. Our servers informed us if we did not get back from our shore excursion in time for dinner to call room service and tell them our servers had us a room service meal waiting. We did this and had our lobster dinner when we arrived back on the ship late that night.

 

Overall I would cruise both lines again. I have also researched an Alaska cruise and I am looking at the cruise thru NCL. Just remember on either line you're on Vacation and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

[afcj1]

We went on NCL to Alaska this past August and it was fabulous.

 

Personally, if given the choice and money was not an issue (our NCL cruise was more expensive), we'd sail NCL over Carnival. If NCL is less expensive than Carnival for similar itinerary, similar cabin, etc. we'd jump at it.

 

My review is at http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=46096

 

 

Howard

 

How funny. My neighbors went on the Star to AK in Sept08 and thought that it was a poor excuse for a ship. They'd been on RCI previously, so that's who they compared against.

 

There complaints were that the ship was dirty, in poor shape (broken "stuff"), there was always a wait for a table and the food was poor quality. These are really easy people to please, which is why I laughed since you were on the same ship. Different strokes. They loved the itinerary, but that was it. Safe to say, they won't be back.

[katiel53]

We have been on many cruises on many different lines. We sailed NCL Star & Pearl to Alaska. I thought both ships were perfect for Alaska.

 

The cabins on NCL are considerably, to me, smaller than those on other lines. For example, we normally would sail a mini or junior suite and the ones on NCL were the about the size of a regular balcony cabin on other ships.

 

I loved the anytime dining, but, to me, there is a huge caveat. It works in the main dining rooms except for lobster night or going to dinner about 7PM. We only ate in the main dining room on Pearl (the 2nd Alaska cruise) on lobster night and had to wait for about 45 minutes when we went at 7. I understand that dinner took longer that night because people were ordering second helpings etc.

 

All other dinners we ate in the specialty restaurants. We made reservations for every night which defeated the purpose of the anytime dining.

 

We also had lunch in the MDR a few times. To me, the menu seemed quite cheap. Everyday they had not only the burgers, but some other hamburger thing. They had hot meatballs sandwiches, meatloaf, etc.

 

We had great service from our cabin steward and the crew was very pleasant. We loved the casino.

 

I guess to sum it up, I would say I would go to Alaska again on Pearl in a heartbeat. I would also make reservations for dinner in the specialty restaurants every night except for the lobster night. I totally enjoyed watching the scenery from my balcony. To me, there were a lot of positives.

 

I would love to have my husband agree to going to Alaska again, but the plane trip from Orlando to Seattle is longer than he likes. So, it is doubtful we will go again. If he would agree though, I'd make my reservations on NCL again. Enjoy!

[tommy2811]

iv cruised twice-

 

NCL DAWN

CARNIVAL VICTORY-

 

I liked carnival better for it's nightlife. the bars. sing along bar and also another night they had a bar hopping thing going. also the dawn in all the lounges seemed to have a boring piano player. victory had a live band, sing along piano and reg piano.

 

the dawn however was a better looking ship;)

[CeleBrat]

Do you know how many ships have the Bliss lounge with the bowling alley?

 

Bill

 

Bliss and bowling are on their newer ships. Bowling at sea--how fun!

 

CeleBrat

[kids1stcruise]

we have sailed twice on both---have to put the edge to carnival. the food and portions are much better. the shows and entertainment equal--kids activities goes again to carnival.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Bliss and bowling are on their newer ships. Bowling at sea--how fun!

 

CeleBrat

 

Thanks. My son would really like this even though he stinks at bowling. lol

 

Bill

[CruisingFamily4]

I have cruised both, but my recent experience has reminded why my preference is Carnival. I like to know how much I am paying for my trip (excluding drinks, excursion and pictures). If I want to pay for a specialty restaurant - fine. I think if I remember correctly, NCL had 6 "Specialty" restaurants to the 4 included in the price. By design, the wait time is unpredictable and traveling with young children, that aspect does not work for my family! I do find the food is better on Carnival. JMO.

[Casino Player]

I posted this originally on the NCL board but thought I should post it here too to maybe get a more balanced perspective.

 

I have been on a few cruises with Carnival but never with any other line, and am strongly considering booking an NCL cruise to Alaska this summer because Saturday/Sunday are a lot better for a departure than Wednesday and being able to book roundtrip airfare will make the NCL cruise a lot cheaper. However I really enjoy Carnival and am afraid of branching away from the familiar, especially for this particular trip. Can anyone who has experience with both help me out?

 

You will be extremely unhappy with NCL. I know I was on my NCL cruise and will not sail on that line anytime too soon. Haven't been on one since 2003 the year I took my first NCL cruise. Carnival has larger staterooms, better service, and better food, more activities, and better shows. NCL has a very limited room service menu compared to Carnival.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Just saw an ad in a ***** periodical for NCL, and the gist was to "just wear anything" to dinner. If that's what you want on a cruise, go for it. As for me, I'll stick with a more traditional cruise experience! Cruised once on NCL and that was enough!

 

 

I would add once is more than enough:D